'...' Akira stared up at the False God. The Chalice that had taken his world away from him. The monster that had taken his friends away.

He stood alone, upon the pillar at the edge of the world. Low on Health and Stamina. Yaldabaoth had picked his friends off one-by-one, only to discard their bodies over the edge as the rest continued to fight on, sinking further and further into depression as they lost their friends. It had been Morgana first. They had overextended, and Mona's low defense led to him taking the brunt of the damage. Queen had attempted to revive him, but Yaldabaoth hadn't even given them time to breathe. Noir, Skull, Fox, Panther. Each of them had fallen. Even Oracle had been caught in one of the attacks, attempting to shield Joker. Those dastardly Rays of Control. Yaldabaoth had laughed, throwing their bodies off the pillar. They had all fallen.

The only reason that Akira still stood was that he had managed to swap to a Persona with defense high enough to be capable of surviving the attack. He was still desperately switching Personas in an attempt to survive the differing attacks.

In his heart, Akira knew that he wouldn't win. The cost had already been too great. Even if he managed to defeat the God of Control, Akira would never heal. To lose his friends, it felt like a part of him had been ripped away. He wanted to give up. Whether he won or lost, the result was the same for Akira in the end.

But...he couldn't surrender. He wouldn't allow this Being to control humanity, to determine what justice was. He proclaimed to be a Messiah, and that he was the being necessary for Peace and Order. That was a lie!

Akira felt anger well up within him, bringing his last strength to the surface. A being of Peace? Akira would have laughed. Yaldabaoth had done nothing but rain destruction upon him and his world. Merging Mementos and Reality? Controlling Shido? Beginning this entire rotten Game? All plots that Yaldabaoth had constructed from the very beginning. Akira had never had a choice in the matter! He had been a Fool. It had all been rigged against him from the start! Every single thing! He'd allowed Yaldaboath to get away with too much!

Akira felt a new power well up deep within him. He would never...he could never allow Yaldabaoth to enslave humanity. He would fight until the God lay at his feet. Even if it killed him, Akira would win. Freedom was his Justice. They didn't need a malevolent God to tell them what was right or wrong. Akira would determine his own Justice.

This would be his final rebellion.

"You stand alone," Yaldabaoth spoke. "You oppose the peoples will. I will establish Order, in which no Injustice can occur. It will be an eternal Paradise for Humanity."

Akira gripped his mask, summoning his personal Persona. Arsene hovered above him, silently watching the God. They both knew what had to be done. Akira gripped the chains that tethered him to his Persona. "Yaldabaoth...I've always gone against what I was told. Society has never shackled me. Authority has no power over me. I never allowed other people to determine my future!" He shouted at the God. "I am a Trickster! I am the rebellious soul that stands between Humanity and Ruin!" He burst forward, breaking the chains. Arsene lit up, laughing as flames consumed him. He exploded with power, showering the area with stardust.

"You no longer have control over its power…" Yaldabaoth spoke. "You cannot stop me. The foolish masses need to be controlled, in order for there to be any semblance of peace."

"Was killing my friend's Justice?!" Akira cried. "Was orchestrating tragedy Peace?!"

"A necessary evil." Yaldabaoth dismissed. "Humanity cannot handle the responsibility of free-will. They have brought themselves to Ruin countless times. It is only more proof that they must be controlled. They wished to be released of the burden themselves, after all."

"...No," Akira yelled. "You don't have the right to decide what humanity gets to do. Only Humanity can choose that." He felt the power brimming underneath his skin. A burning sensation that demanded release. Demanded to Rampage. Demanded to Destroy. "You will suffer the consequences of trying such a thing!"

"What can a lone Thief do?" Yaldabaoth chided. "A lone soul, fighting against control, against the people and their power? Humanity wished me into existence. How can you stand against this ruinous society? It's Impossible."

Akira shook. How dare he. He was just some Treasure thinking himself more important than he actually was. If Yaldabaoth were a human, he would definitely have had a palace. And now he called himself a God.

How dare he push his will upon others. How dare he treat himself as greater! How dare he attempt to erase the will of the people How dare he look down upon Humanity! Had he ever even allowed them to have a chance?!

The sky darkened.

"What is this?" Yaldabaoth looked up/

"..." Akira grinned maniacally. He reveled in the fear hidden within the God's voice. It was a sick joy, knowing that someone was scared of you...but it was worth it.

Yaldabaoth watched in shock as a large shadow descended. Akira could feel the wind billow behind him, whipping up dust. "I may fight alone...But the will of the world is behind me!" The massive Devil opened its arms, releasing shining flames of rebellion into the sky.

"The people don't believe in you!" Yaldabaoth declared. "You are dead to the world! You are weak and powerless and pitiful!"

"No," Akira smirked. His blood was boiling. All the rage he had managed to keep inside, to contain, came bubbling through his veins. All the anger that had built up throughout the year...The reason he had been convicted in the first place. The reason Shiho had attempted to kill herself, the reason Wakaba had been murdered. The reason that Okumura had been assassinated. The reason Akechi had to die. The reason his friends had been killed. The reason for all that stood before him. The reason for all the suffering the Phantom Thieves had been forced to Endure! The reason they had never had a place to belong! Yaldabaoth was the source of it all, the source of Injustice!

Justice was not determined by an authority. It was determined by one's own morality. Whether or not others believed in him, or even in his existence, Akira knew that he was right.

"So you would sacrifice your life in order to defend your own Justice...Marvelous" Akira heard the Persona speak. "My power brings with it a great cost. Are you prepared to bear the burden?"

"I am."

"Then my power is yours. Use it, and slay all those who stand in thy way! Even when you must crawl thy way from hell itself!"

"You Foolish, foolish boy!" Yaldabaoth gathered himself. "You are the reason Man is doomed. Your Pride blinds you to the truth. You selfishly force your own ideals on the people! Who are you to decide if you are correct? You change the hearts of people without their consent!" Yaldabaoth hoisted his gun. "Fighting against Order and Peace? Fighting against the people?"

"I don't fight the people, Yaldabaoth. I fight against you!" Akira roared. "I am Just. I am right. I change the hearts of criminals and help them realize the truth behind their actions. I help them find peace with themselves! They work for the rest of their lives in order to make up for their crimes!" Akira's voice was hoarse. "You were the one who forced your will upon people."

Yaldabaoth's Halo spun, and he unleashed his assault on Akira. Nothing managed to hit. The Flames surged to protect him. Within himself, he could feel the will of the people, the lingering will of his friends. They would see it through with him. He grasped at the bonds he'd forged. He grasped at the rage and hatred that seared within, festering because he knew that he would never get to see them again. It was all that kept him going.

One last fight.

"Well, Trickster?" The Persona asked. "What will you do?"

"Pillage. Destroy. Eradicate." Akira laughed, whipping his cloak behind him. He hefted his pistol, pointing it towards the False God. "Annihilate, Satanael!"

"Very well!" Satanael laughed, hoisting his own gun. Yaldabaoth shuddered, staring directly into the barrel. "We are rebels."

"We bring Chaos." Akira grinned deliriously. He could tell that his mind wasn't fully present, that he wasn't thinking, but he couldn't bring himself to care. His anger was overwhelming. His power was overflowing. All that he cared about was ending the monster before him.

"You dare to go against Order?!'

"..." Akira smirked. "I do." He pulled the trigger.

Satanael released all his condensed power, backed by the will of the people and the lingering power of his bonds. Yaldabaoth froze, the bullet tearing a hole through his head. Akira stumbled, feeling a drain like never before.

"So this is the power of a Trickster…to summon a being of such power..." Yaldabaoth muttered. He began to fade. "Enough to surpass my own…" He pondered. "It seems that damned Igor did know what he spoke of..."

"You could never...never control mankind." Akira panted. He fell to his knees. "We would never submit."

"..." Yaldabaoth disappeared, dissolving into tiny lights that drifted through the evening sky.

"This is the end, Trickster." Satanael declared. "To use great power comes with great sacrifice. You will not survive, your body is too weak, too injured."

"I know," Akira admitted, gritting his teeth as pain raced from his core, spreading out to all his nerves. "But...I win."

"Hm…I sense a strong will within you. Perhaps even as strong as my own." Satanael began to fade as well. "We shall meet again." The Persona's last words confused Akira. Wasn't he supposed to die now?

Akira lay on the ground, watching as a small golden chalice appeared before him. The Treasure. Akira gripped at the ground, scrounging up the last of his strength to drag himself forward.

He placed his hand on the chalice, groaning as he held himself up. He watched the sunset, taking with it the last of the light.

"Restore the world."

The chalice gleamed.

"That was not the fate meant for you, Trickster." I rolled out of bed, landing on the floor, and feeling a sharp pain sear through my head. It was similar to the exhaustion I'd felt after first summoning Arsene, but it was magnified to the point of insanity. I could feel his heart beating around in my brain. I gripped my forehead, trying to brace through the pain.

"Are you alright?" I felt someone grab my shoulder. I couldn't tell who it was, the pain was too much. I tried to stand, but I couldn't even find my own balance.

"I suppose that using such power while so horribly injured would result in severe backlash…" I heard someone say. I opened his eyes, only seeing a swirl of blue around him.

'The...Velvet Room?' I wondered, rubbing my head. The pain was starting to lessen, but it was still strong.

"Are you aware of your surroundings?" A man behind a desk asked. Igor gestured to the empty prison. "Do you know where you are?"

"Yes…" I nodded, trying to ignore the pain. He smiled.

"Good, you are mentally sound then." He laced his fingers together. "Though...how long that lasts remains to be seen."

"..." I looked around. Lavenza was standing before me, staring up at me with concern. The prison was empty. My friends weren't here with me.

"...You were not meant to fall during the battle." Igor said.

"What do you mean?"

"You were fated to triumph over Yaldabaoth, and save the world from Ruin, after which you would return to a normal and peaceful life...but, I suppose Yaldabaoth's control over fate was stronger than I anticipated."

"So I was too weak." I closed my eyes.

"Now, I said nothing of the sort," Igor said. "You did still manage to slay the Holy Grail...Ruin has been avoided-"

"But it came at the cost of our lives." I finished for him. Lavenza looked sad. "If I had managed to summon Satanael earlier…"

"We could sit and debate how this could have been avoided all day…" Igor said. "However...I have a proposition for you."

"Aren't I dead?" I asked. "I was bleeding out on that pillar." I patted myself down. "Even if I made it back to the surface, I lost too much blood to save."

"That is correct." Igor nodded. "You are currently being held at a hospital near Shibuya, and you are unlikely to survive." He grinned. "However, that has no bearing on my proposal."

"...What are you saying?"

"You are the trickster," Lavenza said, stepping back so she stood by the desk. "There are special powers granted for people like you to use."

"Lavenza is correct," Igor said. "You hold the power to change the world in your hands." A light began to shine inside my chest. "In order to defeat Yaldabaoth, you sacrificed yourself. Your friends chose to sacrifice themselves."

"Yeah…"

"However, that sacrifice was not meant to happen. As such, using your natural ability to change the world, you have the option of changing your fate."

"..." My eyes widened. "You mean that I could bring them back?"

"I do." Igor nodded. "However, fate is not so simple." He raised his hand. "There are certain steps that must be taken in order to change the World's Fate."

"I'm willing to do whatever it takes!" I ran forward, slamming my hands on his desk. "What are the steps?!"

"You will restart the game."

"..." I stepped back. "What do you mean?"

"You will be sent back to the very beginning. I believe that the date was April 9th."

"You mean...I'm going to time travel?"

"Yes." Lavenza nodded. "Everything will be reset. Everything other than you."

"I...I see." That would mean that every person's heart that we had changed would return. Every criminal that we had put an end to.

It also meant that every person I had befriended wouldn't remember me. They would all still be suffering underneath their own problems.

"Wait...doesn't that mean that Yaldabaoth would come back as well?"

"It does," Igor confirmed.

"But...what would that do to you?" Igor smiled.

"That is nothing to concern yourself with. I can easily create a copy of myself for Yaldabaoth to capture." Igor leaned back. "I must admit that I feel responsible for this result. The first time we met, I sent you to fight a God…"

"...how does this time travel work?"

"You will be sent back to April 9th, however, your memories and abilities will remain intact. As well as your belongings." She hoisted her book above her head. "I will also keep a hold of every persona that you have fused. If need be, you can summon whichever persona you need.

"What about Morgana?" I asked. "Will he be reset as well."

"No." Lavenza shook her head. "He is a construct of my Master. He will remain as he is."

'Yes!' I cheered inside. I wasn't too sure what would happen if I had to go through this alone.

"I must warn you however," Igor said. "There are risks involved when one tries to change the Fate of the World."

"Like what?"

"The World's Fate is strong. It flows down a set path like a river. We will place you upstream, but doing so shakes the foundations of the river. Things will be similar, but not the same. Remain cautious."

"But the basic set of events will remain the same?" Igor nodded. "If it's just the small things, then I think I can deal with that. Especially with Morgana at my side."

"I see." Igor mused. "You truly do have a powerful will." He paused for a moment. "So then, are you prepared to begin?"

"I am." Lavenza smiled at me.

"We will see you when you return. Do not fear for us. We will deal with our replacements for Yaldabaoth."

"What do you mean?"

"You will see when the time arises," Igor said. "I must warn you. Do not tell the others that you have seen fate. Doing so will destroy the fabric of your reality."

"I can't ever tell them?"

"There will come a time in which it will be safe, but you mustn't tell people their fate. The World will take notice if a person becomes aware of their future. It is only because you are a Trickster that you are exempt from this rule."

"...How much of fate can I change?"

"That is a question I have no answer for. As long as you do not attempt to change larger events, I believe that the details are up to you."

"Okay...okay." I looked back at my cell. "I'm ready."

"Then let the New Game begin."

"This is Shibuya." I jolted at the sound of the announcement. I looked around frantically, drawing the ire of my fellow passengers. I recognized this. If Igor was correct, then it was April 9th 20XX. I checked my phone, noting that the MetaNav had already appeared by now. I opened the Calendar.

April 9th

Begin Probation in Yongen-Jaya with Sojiro Sakura

"I'm…" I shook my head, putting my phone away. "Alright." I couldn't allow myself to look out of place. I had to blend in. The girls were already talking about the mental shutdowns...just like the last time.

When the train doors opened, I stepped off the train. The last time I'd been here, I had been overwhelmed by the number of people and activity. As a guy from a small town, I had never had to contend with the crowds of Shibuya before. However, I had lived here for almost a year now. It was nothing special anymore.

I crossed the street, noting that time did not pause like it had the last time. Maybe because I was already aware of my power?

'Lavenza said that all my stuff would be brought back with me...is it in that box?' The box I was thinking about was the one that was already at Leblanc. It had been strange because it contained accessories and things that I hadn't brought from home. I'd assumed it had been Yaldabaoth's(when I thought he was Igor) gift, but it seemed like it had been from the true Igor all along.

My feet naturally took me towards the train, having followed this route everyday. The most valuable tools that I would have would be my notebook, with all the information about my year, and my weapons. I didn't have either of them on me at the moment. I hoped that they were inside that box.

"Hey, pay attention!" An older businessman yelled as I almost collided with him. "Kids these days don't pay any attention…"

"S-sorry sir," I said, trying to keep the animosity out of my voice.

"Yeah, whatever." He continued walking. I watched him for a while, waiting for the train to Yongen.

It finally arrived, already packed with people.

'Akechi…' I thought. 'Tomorrow's the accident.' I grimaced. I wouldn't be able to stop Akechi in time. I had never learned the name of the man he'd killed, and even if I had been able to, finding Akechi or the Shadow was an arduous task without teammates.

"Yongen-Jaya." The speaker rang. "This is Yongen-Jaya." I shook my head, bracing myself for this. Sojiro hadn't exactly been...kind when I'd first met him. At the time, I had assumed that he just believed Shido's lies, but now I was aware of his troubles with Futaba. He'd taken on a kid on probation, while also watching Futaba sink further into her own depression. I must have been quite the burden, even if I had tried to keep myself from being a bother.

I walked from the station to the backstreets, noting how familiar it all felt. 'Maybe...no, they said not to mess with the timeline in major ways. I won't be able to get closer to Sojiro until after we save Futaba. Medjed was definitely big enough to matter, even if it wasn't the real group…' I shook my head. These were things to worry about when they came. The only things I had to focus on were how to defeat Yaldabaoth and keep Akechi alive. As much as I didn't condone the murdering and the turning people psychotic, I did understand it. He was desperate for revenge against Shido, desperate to feel special. Like he mattered. I had been too...I'd just found a way to do so without bloodshed.

I found myself staring at the door to Leblanc. I could see from outside that business was slow. I supposed that Sojiro supported himself off the money he had collected when he had worked in government. "Here we go…"

I opened the door, hearing the familiar chime I'd come to associate with home. Sojiro was conversing with an elderly couple near the back, so I waited patiently by the counter. It was strange not to see the "Sayuri" on the wall. It still smelled like home though.

"That's right...today's the day…" Sojiro muttered glancing at me. His patrons were getting ready to leave at the moment. The news was talking about a bus that had driven in the opposing lane. I supposed that Ooe had really wanted to get rid of that Transit Minister.

"It's nice not to worry about car-crashes here in the back alley…The check is on the table." I stepped aside to let them out. Sojiro shook his head, complaining about how little they actually bought.

"So...you're Akira?" He looked me up and down.

"Yes, sir." I nodded. "Please, take care of me." I bowed slightly.

"Uh-huh…" Sojiro grunted. He rubbed the back of his head, pulling himself together. "I'm Sojiro Sakura. You'll be staying with me during your Probation." I nodded. "I wondered what you'd look like...He glanced back towards the stairs. "A customer of mine and your parents know each other...actually, that doesn't matter. Let's go." He turned, walking towards my room. I winced, noting how biting his tone was. "This'll be your room." I looked around. Just as messy as I remembered it to be.

"It's nice."

"Well...if that's how you see it." He sighed. "It's pretty dusty though, you should probably clean it...hold on, I'll get you sheets."

"Thank you, sir." He nodded, returning back to the Cafe. I sighed, putting my bag down. Time to clean once again.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"It looks better than I remember…" Sojiro said, walking in with a pair of bedsheets. It had been much easier to clean this time since I knew where everything could go. "Well, I wondered why there was so much noise...good job." He smirked at me. I nodded in thanks, taking the bedsheets off his hands. "Well...I got the gist of your situation. You got involved between a man and a woman in order to protect her, and then he got hurt and sued you. The court gave you a choice between probation and juvie, and now you've got a criminal record."

"Yes sir." I nodded.

"Your parents sent you here, instead of dealing with you personally...basically, you were a pain." I didn't respond this time. "As long as you don't make trouble, and keep your head down, you should make it through the year." He glanced over to the window. "But don't say anything about your situation to people who don't need to know. I do run a restaurant, and I don't need any more rumors…" He shook his head. "We'll be going to Shujin tomorrow."

"My school?"

"Yeah...most schools wouldn't take in a kid with a criminal record, so consider yourself lucky." I nodded. It was strange, having to be so distant with Sojiro, but I knew that if I acted the same way as I was used to, it would creep him out. "Anyway…" He tried to give me a smile. "I brought your luggage up here. It arrived yesterday." He glanced at the box. "Surprisingly heavy…"

"Heheh…" I rubbed the back of my head. "Thank you."

"Yeah…" He turned back towards the stairs. "You'll be staying here alone. Make any trouble and you're gone."

I sat on the bed, glancing at the ladder in the corner. There were still some areas left to clean, but I wasn't feeling up to it at the moment.

'I know that he doesn't know me...but it really hurts.' He had been the relationship that I had cherished the most. Over the year, we had gotten so close...he was more of a Dad to me than my father. 'Speaking of that, doesn't this mean that I won't see my parents for almost two years…' I wondered. 'Not like that'll make much of a difference.' My parents weren't exactly...the best. I had always suspected that I was an accident. They just didn't seem like the kind of couple that would have a kid.

'...that doesn't matter Akira.' I assured myself I would become close to Sojiro once again. It would just take some time. I stood, walking over to the box. "Let's see what's in here…"

As Igor and Lavenza had said, the knife and gun I had been using were inside the box, along with accessories that I hadn't ever bought. Glasses and shirts and the like. There was a stack of almost 7,000,000 yen, money saved from last time, and a few other trinkets here and there. The main prize though, was the notebook at the bottom. It had all the information about everyday written in it, along with the answers to the questions that the teachers asked. This would be what led me through this year.

I tucked the notebook into my pocket, pushing the box into a shelf. The day after tomorrow, everything would begin.

"Well…Trickster," My mind froze, registering the voice that I heard. I shot upwards, ignoring the chain around my arms and legs. "Welcome to my Velvet Room."

'Yaldabaoth!' I grabbed the bars of my cell, pushing against them. 'I'll kill you!'

"Inmate, you've finally awakened," Caroline smirked.

"The real you is currently asleep," Justine explained.

'How are they here...Lavenza said that there would be replacements.'

"Stand straight in the presence of our master!" Caroline banged on the door. Yaldabaoth began to speak, but I couldn't even hear him through the sound of the ringing in my head. I hated him too much.

"...ruin awaits you." Igor looked towards me.

"I won't let it." I pushed against the bars again, chains clanking against the iron.

"Hahaha...I see that you already have a strong will...rest assured, rehabilitation will prevent Ruin."

'Yeah...prevent the Ruin you cause.'

"Allow me to introduce these two. They will serve as your wardens." The girls stepped forwards. "This is Caroline," She grinned, brandishing her stick. "And Justine." Justine nodded, opening her mouth to speak.

"We will protect you...if you remain obedient."

"I'll explain their purpose another time," Yaldabaoth said. "But it appears as though we've run out of time." An alarm began to sound. "We'll meet again soon."

April 10

"Looks like you're up." Sojiro nodded, walking up the stairs. I was already wearing my uniform. I hadn't been able to fall back asleep after leaving the Velvet Room. Where were the real ones? "Did you sleep? I won't take care of you if you're sick."

"I did."

"Then let's go introduce you to your teachers and the staff." He turned back towards the stairs, and I stood to follow him. "Your school's in the Aoyama district. You gotta make a transfer in Shibuya to get there from here, but...that's a hassle, so I'll drive you today…" He muttered something else, walking back down the stairs. I followed him, getting into the passenger seat of his car. It was parked just next to his building.

We drove in silence. Sojiro focused on the road, and I couldn't come up with a topic to talk about. So, I elected to remain silent.

In the past, I had been silent because I had been so...angry at everything around me. No one believed in me, they were all willing to accept the idea that I had assaulted someone for no reason. But I knew what would happen to me if I had ever voiced that anger...so I had shut down, and tried to interact with people as little as possible. I was over that rage now. People wanted to have it easy, and it was easier to dismiss me as a criminal than it was to consider the possibilities.

Having Ryuji believe me had been a relief. He had been an Oasis in the middle of the desert, and being Joker had given me an outlet for my rage. It had been a chance to be myself, and let out the anger that simmered beneath the surface.

But what reason was there to be mad at the people around me, when the one at fault was Yaldabaoth? I would reserve my rage for him...and Shido, but I wouldn't be confronting those two until the end of the year.

"Hey, kid, we're here!" Sojiro called, stepping out of the car. I gathered myself, following Sojiro down the street. Today was Sunday, so there wouldn't be that many students around. Makoto might be, as Student Council President, and maybe Haru if she had already been gardening by now.

"Do me a favor and don't do anything stupid." Sojiro glared at me. "I don't need you causing me trouble here."

"Y-yes…" I bit my lip, kicking a stone on the road. It still hurt to feel this wall between us. He walked into the school building, following the map towards the Principal's Office. 'Oh yeah...that Principal guy is still alive…' I had never been interested in the Principal much. He had let Kamoshida get away with his crimes and then commanded Makoto to investigate us. He had been Shido's lapdog and had been killed while I'd been in Hawaii. Other than that, I had never cared much. I still didn't care much. Though...I didn't want him to die.

"You must be Akira Kurusu." Principal Kobayakawa stated as we walked into his office. Ms. Kawakami was already there, looking dead tired. "You're very lucky that we were even willing to accept a student with a criminal record."

"Thank you for your consideration." I bowed slightly. He looked me over, clearly not believing my act.

"At least you seem to have some manners." I tuned out most of his conversation with Sojiro. It was mostly scheduling and other non-important stuff. I stealthily glanced at Kawakami. At this point, she was still working as a maid in order to pay Takase's parents. She had actually been one of the first (and one of the only) people who I had managed to gain the complete trust of. Her massages had saved me so much time. Morgana had hated her for keeping me from bed, but I needed the time out or else we would have never had the money to keep buying better armor and weapons.

"Kurusu!"

"Yes sir?" I said, looking back at Principal Kobayakawa.

"If you cause any trouble, you will be expelled without any consideration. To this school, you're nothing but a liability...but there were circumstances to consider. Do not assume that this city or school will be as lax as your hometown." He tapped at his desk. "...If you are expelled, no school will accept you. A criminal record and expulsion will mean the end of your career." He glanced over to Kawakami. "She will be your homeroom teacher. She will be responsible for you."

"Yes…" She sighed, and I could hear just how exhausted she was. "I'm Sadayo Kawakami...and your homeroom teacher. This is your Student ID." She held up a bundle of papers. "Don't lose it." She placed it on the desk.

Beneath my picture, I could see the pink advertisement for her maid services. It took her a second, but she noticed as well and quickly snatched the flyer from underneath my ID.

"B-be sure to read the rules." She said, tucking the flyer into her back pocket. "If you violate any of them, you'll be sent straight to the guidance office, and I won't be able to do anything for you."

"He is responsible for all his actions." Principal Kobayakawa confirmed. Kawakami sighed.

"Why did you pick me? I thought there were better teachers."

"It's sudden, and your class was the only one with an open spot." I didn't like how they were talking about me like I wasn't directly in front of them, and even Sojiro seemed uncomfortable, even asking if it was okay for us to leave.

"Kurusu, when you come to school tomorrow, come to the Faculty Office. I'll bring you to the classroom."

"Yes ma'am." I nodded, following Sojiro out.

"I'm not that old…" I heard her say, just as the door closed. Sojiro descended the steps quickly, and I rushed to catch up.

"Man...they really didn't care about you at all…" He sighed, pausing at the entrance. "I guess that that criminal record of yours won't ever go away…" He turned to look at me. "But you better not cause any trouble. If you get expelled now, I'll kick you out no questions asked."

"Y...yes, sir." I nodded. "I'll be careful."

"...well, as long as you're aware…" He seemed to be a little sorry about his attitude. "School never changes…let's get going."

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Starting tomorrow, you'll be taking the train to school," Sojiro said, muttering about traffic. It was the train accident that Akechi had caused, from the request of Mr. Ooe. Though...what was I supposed to do? I had had no time to even attempt to stop Akechi.

"What did you think of the school?"

"I think I'll be okay…" I sighed, running a hand through my hair.

"Well...I guess already having an expulsion makes it pretty difficult. School was never...my strong suit, but I guess it'll be even worse for you."

"There has been a derailment on the Shibuya line. Drivers should expect j-"

"No wonder we're not moving! With these accidents happening everywhere…" Sojiro shook his head. "Though...I heard a really sad one. Happened a few weeks ago."

'...I don't think he talked about this before.' I thought. I had no memory of another accident.

"She was only 15...her parents must be in shock…" Sojiro looked back at the road, cursing at the car in front of us.

'There definitely was no accident like that last time...this must be the changes that Igor was talking about.' I reminded myself. Everything wouldn't happen exactly as I remembered it. It was similar, but it wasn't the same.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Couldn't even open the Cafe today…" Sojiro shook his head. "Go upstairs. I gotta give you something."

I obeyed, waiting for him in my room. A few minutes later, he came up, holding a notebook that looked almost identical to the one in my pocket, except it was red instead of gray.

"You should write down your daily activities here. Honestly, there aren't any limitations to what you can do, except breaking the law. But, I gotta give reports as your guardian, so it'll be easier for both of us if you write down what you do."

Sojiro placed the notebook on the table, just as his phone began vibrating. He glanced at the screen and grinned. "Hey, I'm on my way now…don't worry, I'll be on time."

Last time I'd thought he'd had a date, but it was obviously Futaba. He never looked so happy around anyone but her...and me.

"Listen, I'm gonna lock up. You'll be alone for the night, but if I find anything missing, you're going straight to the cops."

"I understand."

"Good...you're not so bad." He conceded, walking back down the stairs. I took the notebook, writing down today's doings. I was already used to it by now.

I spent some time playing around on my phone, noting that it wasn't as busted as I remembered it to be. The screen was still mostly intact.

There was ringing downstairs. I remembered now. Sojiro wanted me to flip the sign, and he didn't have my number. I rushed down the stairs, picking up the yellow phone.

"Hey, it's me."

"Sakura-san?"

"Yeah. Listen, I forgot to flip the sign to close when I left. It's too much of a hassle to do myself, so maybe you could do me a favor?"

"Of course."

"Thanks...well, it's not like people were gonna come in anyway, but I like to keep the shop looking nice. I guess that'll be your job from now on."

"Yes sir."

"Good." He hung up. I breathed, placing the phone back down. I had gotten through the first day. Tomorrow, Ryuji and I would enter the palace, and I would be reunited with Morgana. I stepped outside, flipping the sign to closed. I walked back through the Cafe, turning off the lights before ascending.

I sat on my bed. '...Tomorrow…'

"We meet again, Trickster." I stood, noting that there was a lack of chains on my arms. I was wearing the clothes I normally wore on my days off. "I'm delighted to see you are well."

"Are you alright?" Lavenza asked, stepping into the cell.

"Uh...yeah." I nodded. "But...how are you here...while Caroline and Justine are out there?"

"Ah, yes, we must explain that." Igor nodded. He gestured for me to come forward. Lavenza went back to her spot by his desk. "Firstly, welcome to our New Velvet Room." He opened his arms, gesturing around. It looked similar to the old one, though there seemed to be a few amenities inside my cell, along with the fact that the door was open.

"It looks the same?"

"Well, even when Yaldabaoth created it to imprison you, he was not so far off," Igor said. "You felt trapped within a situation out of your control. Even on Probation, it felt like Prison."

"Yeah…"

"Do not worry." Lavenza smiled. "We will not treat you so harshly in here." I grinned, looking around one last time. There were 10 cages, along with the corridor towards the stairs. Other than that, nothing stood out. "Now then, let us explain."

"Hm?"

"You were wondering how we managed to trick Yaldabaoth," Lavenza said.

"Well, I created a convincing copy." Igor nodded. "However, to create Caroline and Justine was...a tad more onerous."

"I have given up a physical form in order to recreate Justine and Caroline."

'What?'

"This way, we can watch over you even when you are with Yaldabaoth!"

"But...you look pretty physically...sound to me," I said.

"Perhaps within the Velvet Room, it isn't noticeable, but if I attempted to travel outside, I would disappear."

"...okay." I decided not to question it. There were still things about the Velvet Room that I didn't understand. "How are you going to watch me?"

"Well, Caroline and Justine are my physical form given personality, and they are still connected to me. I experience everything that they experience. Even at this moment, they are talking about how pathetic and weak you are."

'Now that's just rude.' I thought. I was definitely stronger now than I had been last time.

"Yes, this is how we've managed to slip past Yaldabaoth's control. We will support you from here." Igor smiled. "If you need anything, you are welcome to come back anytime. We will provide you an entrance from your room."

"Yes. I hold here the compendium of personas you created during your trials. You've almost completely filled the book." I laughed slightly. I had spent a lot of time (and money) trying to see what kinds of Persona I could make based on my level.

"We will be watching over you."

April 11th

"Ah, you're up already." Sojiro nodded at me as I walked past. "I guess you do care about school." He glanced at the clock. "Here, eat before you leave."

"You're opening this early?"

"I get up early." He placed a plate of curry on the counter. I sat down, already looking forward to Sojiro's curry. Even after my practicing, I had never managed to make mine taste as good or as bold as Sojiro's.

"How'd it taste?" Sojiro smirked, seeing the look in my eyes. "Amazing, eh?"

"Yeah." I stood, grabbing my bag. "Thanks for the meal."

"Good good," He took my plate to the sink. "You should get going. If you get lost on the way, you'll end up late." I walked towards the door. "And flip the sign for me."

"Yes."

The last time I'd done this, I had spent a while in Shibuya, looking for the Ginza line, which I just could not find. I had found literally everything else, including the Underground Mall, but that Ginza line had been elusive. Now, I had gone to school so many times before that I didn't even have to pay attention.

Just as I was about to enter the train, I realized that if I showed up too early, I might not get caught in the rain, and meet Kamoshida, Ann, or Ryuji. I let the train leave, leaning against the back wall. I could already see some of my classmates arriving at the station.

'Didn't they already know…?' I thought, listening in to the conversations around me. Sure enough, there was some whispering about the transfer student, and I caught some eyes looking in my direction. It was annoying, but I was used to it. Last year, I had never managed to completely throw off the rumors about me.

"How come one of the transfers has to be a delinquent?"

"The other was an honor student, right?"

'Wait...there's another transfer student?" I thought. Last time, I had been the only new student. If there was another one, it was probably the result of my time traveling.

I could hear the rain begin the pickup, just as the next train arrived. I packed myself in with the rest of the people and began my trek towards school.

'The school is a bit of a ways from the station...If not for Ryuji, I might have actually gotten lost.' I thought. Ryuji was probably on the next train. He had been rushing a bit, so he'd probably stayed up late laying video games.

I walked slowly, seeing the rain at the top of the stairs. Most students had packed an umbrella, but I had to take refuge under an awning near the entrance.

Looking at my phone, I noticed that the MetaNav had opened on its own. This was how Ryuji and I had ended up inside the Palace. Shujin. Castle. Kamoshida. Those words and we had immediately been inside the MetaVerse. Not that we had noticed until after entering the Castle. We had been pretty stupid.

I glanced up as someone passed me. I recognized that sweater. It was Ann.

She was busy wiping water off her shoulder. Since she was half American, she had light blonde hair instead of Japan's unusual Brown or Black, and that was what had really caught my eye. Along with the fact that she was very pretty. But the me now felt pretty embarrassed by what I'd done last time, so I didn't stare at her so openly, or creepily.

"Rain's bad huh?" I asked. She smiled, nodding in my direction.

"Yeah...and it was pretty sudden, so I didn't bring an Umbrella." She said. "You're…?"

"Ah...I'm Akira Kurusu." She seemed to be going over a list of people in her head.

"You're a second-year...right?"

"Yeah."

"I don't recognize you." She said. "Which class are you in."

I didn't get a chance to say anything before a familiar car rolled up in front of us. "Hey, Good Morning!" He called. I clenched my fist. "Want me to give you a ride? The weather is pretty bad, so you might be late." I hated that good guy attitude he held. It was so fake.

"Um...sure. Thank you." Ann conceded, stepping into his car. I was never sure why she decided to do that. She didn't like Kamoshida, and she knew the rumors about him.

"You need one too?" Kamoshida looked at me. His voice was still light, but I could see it in his eyes. He didn't want me to join them.

I was tempted to go, just to make sure that Ann was safe, but I knew that she was strong, and I also knew that I had to meet Ryuji, so I shook my head, declining his offer.

Just as the car pulled away, I heard the sound of running from behind me.

"Damn that pervy teacher. Takamaki should know better…" He panted, getting himself drenched.

"What do you mean pervy teacher?"

"Huh?" He turned, glancing back at me. His gaze became heavy, and I could see him trying to seem intimidating. "What? You gonna rat me out to Kamoshida?"

"Who's Kamoshida?" I asked, hearing the beep from the MetaNav.

"The guy in the car," Ryuji said. "Y...you don't know Kamoshida?" He looked at my uniform. "You're a Shujin Student. You're even in my year. How don't you know Kamoshida?!"

"I'm a transfer."

"Oh...that makes sense." He grinned. "I guess you wouldn't know about him then. Let me tell you about him while we walk." He began to move. "The rain ain't too bad. I'd rather be wet than late!"

"Sure." I conceded. The rain had mostly let up by now. "What's with this Kamoshida?"

"He's the worst. He treats his students like shit, and he's a creep too." Ryuji said, turning into an alleyway. "He acts like he's the King of his own Castle. It's seriously annoying." I noted the red tint to the world. It was slight, but the puddle made it noticeable. "Try to stay away from him." He gripped his head, muttering about some sort of pain.

I followed behind, going over the events of the next coming days. Arsene and Zoro would appear, then Ryuji would get Captain Kidd. Then Shiho...would be raped and try to commit suicide, after which Ann got Carmen. I would have to help Ann in the train station as well as stop Shiho from being raped. Those had happened right after each other, so I would have to move quickly.

"What the-" Ryuji exclaimed. "We didn't go the wrong way though...and I don't remember there being a castle in the middle of the city either!"

"Maybe it's a decoration?" I said. "The school should be right here...right?"

"Y-yeah…" Ryuji looked uncertain. "Well, we should at least ask what happened." He began to walk forward. Honestly, this was the worst idea ever, but we needed to get in somehow.

"This is...weird," I said. I could see the entrance to the school, but it was merging with the entrance to the Castle.

"Yeah...I know that this is supposed to be our school...right?" Ryuji gripped his head. "This makes no sense." He whipped out his phone. "There's no service?! We're in the middle of the city! What the hell!"

"The sign said that this was Shujin Academy." I pointed towards the entrance. "This has to be it."

"I know!" He turned. "I saw it too!"

A knight entered from the side, perking up when he noticed us. He slowly pulled out his sword.

"Damn...that's creepy. Don't sneak up on me like that."

"Uh...Ryuji?" 'Oh, shit...I'm not supposed to know his name!'

"That's an impressive costume. That sword looks really convincing." Ryuji ignored me.

"Dude…" Another knight approached, looking distinctly more threatening. "This doesn't look right."

"Uh...yeah, could you back off?" Ryuji said, slowly stepping back towards me. "You're kinda-" Another one approached from behind us. "Oh shit...We gotta go."

"Okay!" I grabbed him, hurrying into a sprint for the door. 'Shouldn't I be wearing my cloak? I'm a Persona User. I'm supposed to be a threat.'

"Halt!" A shadow appeared before us. We were surrounded. "Take the intruders to the dungeon.

"What!" Ryuji moved forward, trying to squeeze in between the guards. He ended up taking a shield to the face, knocking him out instantly. "Ow…" He lay on the ground.

"Arsene?!" I called, pulling my knife out of my bag. I had decided to take my weapons with me from now on. "Where are you?!" I blocked the shield coming for me, but having the bag on my arm made my movements sluggish, and I could dodge the sword handle headed for my temple.

"Hey, wake up." I groaned, feeling cold metal against my head. "You alright." I sat up, still holding my knife in hand.

"I'll be okay...what about you?"

"I've been better, but I've been worse too." Ryuji rolled his shoulder. "But...dammit. I can't believe they actually put us in some kinda dungeon. How the hell is that even still around in Tokyo?" He glanced at the knife I was holding. "Were you...trying to defend yourself or something?"

"Yeah...I thought maybe it would work…" I put the knife away.

"...whatever." He flinched as we heard a strangled scream coming from deeper in the dungeon. "What the…" He ran towards the door, banging his fist into the iron. "Let us out! We know there's someone there!" All that responded were more screams. Ryuji looked genuinely terrified. "This is bad, man…"

"I know…" I muttered. I could see guards approaching,

"You've been charged with unlawful entry." A guard stated. "You will be executed for your crimes."

"What?!" Ryuji backed away from the bars. "You gotta be shittin' me!"

"Nobody breaks the laws within my Castle." Kamoshida stepped forward. He was wearing his cape and speedo combo.

"K-kamoshida?!" Ryuji asked.

"I thought it'd just be some thief...but to think that it was Sakamoto," Kamoshida smirked. "I guess you never learned to obey authority." He glanced over at me, clearly disinterested. "And you brought help...since you're incompetent enough to mess everything up for the people around you."

"Asshole!"

"Don't speak to the king like that!" Kamoshida commanded. "I lord over this realm, and you will obey!"

"Shut up!" Ryuji banged on the door. "You ain't some shitty King!"

"I'll sentence you to death for your crimes!" Kamoshida shouted. "Open the door. I want this to be personal."

"W-whoa!" Ryuji jumped backward, and three guards entered the room, cutting us off from each other. Kamoshida entered as well, blocking off the exit. "No way in hell I'll let them kill me." He ran at a guard, knocking him over with his shoulder. "Let's make a break for it!" Another guard ran in between us, using the hilt of his sword to ram Ryuji in the stomach. Ryuji flew backward, almost hitting the wall behind him. "N-never mind." He wheezed. "You...go on your own. These guys actually want to kill us!"

"Oh, you're running away?" Kamoshida smiled at me. "I guess that you never had loyal friends in the end, Sakamoto."

"He ain't my friend." Ryuji groaned. I knew what he meant, but that hurt to hear.

"Don't let him leave." One of the guards grabbed me. "I want to focus on Sakamoto's execution. This'll be nice and personal."

I trembled as I watched Ryuji take a beating. I didn't have the same physical strength that Ryuji or Yusuke had, and I couldn't escape from the guards' grasp. I was forced to watch as Kamoshida, relentlessly kicked and hit Ryuji.

Finally, the guards let Ryuji fall, who landed on the floor with a dying groan. Kamoshida spit, hitting Ryuji in the cheek. "It's no fun to beat a peasant who doesn't squirm...I guess I'll execute you now."

"I won't let you!" I called. Kamoshida turned around, glaring at me.

"Who are you to say what I can and can't do! I'm the King!" He sauntered forward. "That look in your eyes is irritating!" I caught the foot that he kicked at me, pushing it aside and aiming a punch for his face. It was blocked by a shield, to which my fist clanged against. "Hold him there! I'll kill him in a moment."

He turned back to Ryuji, who still lay on the floor. "Time to die."

"N-no…" Ryuji cried. "I'm not ready to die!"

"I guess that's too bad…" Kamoshida gestured for the guard to raise his sword.

"Stop!" I cried, struggling against the guard's hold. "Get away from him!"

"You need power...don't you?" I froze, pain emerging within my head. "I can sense it. You seek to eradicate those who hurt others. Erase them from existence."

'You're not Arsene…'

"True, and not true at the same time." The voice said. "But that matters not." Ryuji was being hoisted against the wall. "What is it that you want?"

'I need to protect him!"

"I see...then I will allow you to use my power once again.

You, who is willing to bring Hell upon Heaven.

You, who is willing to embrace the darkness so others can live within the light.

You, who is willing to slay any being that may impede thy Justice.

I am Thou...Thou art I. We are one and the same."

I groaned the pain was drowning out my surroundings.

"Thou who wraps oneself in sin, in order to preserve Righteousness.

Call upon the powers of Hell, and unleash thy fury!

Use our strength to restore a world rife with Tyrants and Unjust Gods!

Never waver, never falter, and the world will become yours for the taking!"

"Kamoshida!" I called. "I'll kill you!"

"What did you say?!" He turned, distracted from Ryuji. "If you're so desperate to die, then fine! I'll execute you first!"

"I won't be the one who dies here!" I called. I gripped the mask on my face, feeling it pull against my skin. "The one going to Hell today will be you!" In one fell swoop, I ripped the mask away, spraying blood across most of the room. The fire began to burn.

The guards were forced back, and I could feel the blood on my face evaporating. The fire began to spread, converting my clothes into the familiar cloak of a Phantom Thief. Behind me, I could feel an entity emerge from the flames.

"I am Satanael. The Fallen Angel who rebelled against the Tyranny of Heaven!" He unfurled his six wings, looking distinctly smaller than last time. He held his gun high. "You and I will bring Freedom upon this Unjust World. As the Ultimate Judge, If you so wish, my power shall become yours."

"Grant it to me."

"Then together, let us embark on the journey!" Satanael looked towards Kamoshida, who lay on the floor between his two guards. "This is the first step."

"W-what the…" Ryuji looked on in shock. The flames were surrounding him as well, but unlike what they'd done to Kamoshida, they had healed his wounds. He had no bruises to speak of, and he felt even more energetic than before.

"Satanael!" I called. "Let's pillage them."

"G-guards!" Kamoshida called. "Stop him!"

"As if you could stand against Hell!" Satanael flapped once, and both of the guards disintegrated, blown away by the wind produced. I laughed, walking towards Kamoshida.

"Well?" I asked, my eyes boring into his soul. "Your guards stand no chance against me. What will you do?"

Kamoshida whimpered, turning to run. I grabbed him, throwing him back against the wall of the cell. Satanael hoisted his gun. "Shall I end him?"

"No...I won't kill him." Satanael nodded. "But let's make sure that he doesn't forget!"

"Hah...very well." Satanael raised his gun to the sky, similar to what the Reaper did. "I wonder if he'll survive the trauma."

One-shot and the room began to quake. Akira could sense the explosion behind him. It was even bigger than the one produced by Megidolaon. Satanael disappeared, his purpose, for now, was complete.

'To think that the Original Rebel is my Persona…' I ran over to Ryuji helping him to his feet.

"T-that was amazing! What the hell was that?!"

"Later!" I called, grabbing the keys on the floor. "Let's go!"

"Right!" Ryuji pushed back Kamoshida, who was trying to escape. I locked the door behind us, trapping Kamoshida for a bit. "Your clothes…"

"Not importa-" I stumbled, feeling a sharp pain in my head. My cloak evaporated, replaced with my normal Shujin Uniform.

"Back to normal?" Ryuji stopped, noticing how tired I looked. "You gonna be alright?"

"Yeah…" I stood up again. "C'mon." I knew that I'd be tired...but to be in so much pain. It was good that I was used to getting hurt, or I legitimately would not have been able to move. I steadied myself, rubbing my head. It was stinging and biting, and just...painful.

"We gotta cross this," I said, hopping onto the platform in the middle of the river.

"That looks dangerous...but there's no other way, is there?" Ryuji jumped the gap, landing on the other side. "Let's keep going. They brought us down here, so there's gotta be a way out."

He was technically right, but this was a Palace. The laws of reality weren't always followed. The door ahead of us was bolted shut.

"Dead end!" Ryuji yelled. "Where to now?"

"There's a hole in the wall." I pointed into the open cell. "Let's go."

Can we bring this bridge down?" Ryuji asked. "There's gotta be a switch somewhere. I don't think we can swim in those rapids.

"Hey, Jo-uh I mean, guys!" A voice called from the corner. I hid my smile.

"Uh...what the hell are you?!"

"Just get me out of here!" Morgana whined. Pointing at the keys. "I'm not an enemy!"

"You sure look like one!" Ryuji said.

"He's locked up, dude." I grabbed the keys. "Let's let him out."

"He's some kinda...cat monster!"

"Hey! I'm...well, I'm not a cat!"

"Then what are you?!" Ryuji asked.

"It's hard to explain!" Morgana said. "And do you really have time to ask that?" I unlocked the door, letting Morgana out. He grinned at me.

"Cat, how do we get out of here."

"Don't call me Cat! I'm Morgana!" He ran towards the Kamoshida head. "This way!"

"What time is it?" I asked. Ryuji glanced at his phone.

"Shit. It's already past 11!" He ran after Morgana. "We are so gonna get in trouble. We must have been unconscious for a while."

"Here," Morgana said.

"Yeah, but the bridge is up. We can't find the switch!" Ryuji said. Morgana shook his head.

"The switch is hidden. J-Frizzy Hair." Morgana gestured towards the statue. "Try it."

I pulled down the mouth, and the bridge followed suit, providing a platform to walk across. "How were we supposed to know that?"

"It's like those video games that you play all the time!" Morgana called. "Let's go!" Ryuji and I ran after him.

"Shit!" Ryuji backpedaled, almost colliding with another Shadow.

"Stay back!" Morgana commanded. "We'll handle this!" He smiled at me. "Ready? Go, Mercurius!"

"You've got one of those too?!" Ryuji called, finding cover to hide behind.

"Satanael!"

"S-satanael?!" Morgana looked at me in awe. "That's amazing."

"Riot Gun!" Satanael lifted his gun, and a rain of bullets rained down upon our enemies, instantly wiping them out. He disappeared, along with my cloak. I fell to a knee, groaning as more pain exploded into my head. It was tearing at my brain like something was trying to burrow out.

"Huh, you should be stable…" Morgana ran up to me, looking back as Ryuji ran forward. He tried to lift me back to my feet.

"What's wrong with him?"

"I'm not sure...this is some kinda severe Persona backlash." He looked concerned. I rubbed my eyes, trying to stifle the pain behind them.

"Persona?" Ryuji asked. "Those cool looking things that appear from the fire?"

"Yeah. Frizzy here summons his by ripping off his mask."

"How does that even work?!"

"We don't have time for this blondie!" Morgana called. "Do you want to escape or not?"

"It's Ryuji, not blondie!" Ryuji groaned. Let's just go.

"This place is massive," Ryuji muttered, running past another cell. "How much longer?"

"We should be nearing the end," Morgana called. "Just up these stairs.

"H-hold on!" Ryuji called. "I recognize that guy. That's the gym uniform! For Shujin!"

"Not now Ryuji!" Morgana winced. Another Shadow had appeared. "We gotta be quick. Garula!" A flurry of wind took out one of the shadows, but another arrived to replace it. "Dammit."

"Eigaon!" I called, snapping my fingers. Satanael appeared, summoning the darkness that slew the offending Pixie. Kinda overkill if you asked me. I coughed, feeling like my lungs were rupturing. I could taste blood coming from somewhere.

"Hm...it appears that your physical body can't contain my might. Mentally, you are prepared, but physically, you are lacking." He disappeared.

"I've never heard of a Persona that hurts their user…" Morgana patted me on the leg. "You'll be alright. Let's keep going!"

"We can't leave this guy here!" Ryuji called. "Help me find the keys."

"Ryuji, there's not enough time to explain! He's not real!"

"Huh?!"

"Let's go!" Morgana commanded.

"C'mon Ryuji!" I called. My cloak disappeared once again. "We gotta get out." I was forcing myself through the pain, but it was definitely mounting.

"Go through the vent!" Morgana corralled us up the shelf. "You'll be back in reality! I'll see you there later!"

"You're not coming with us?!"

"No! Not yet. I still have to check on something…" He looked at me. "Something's changed. It's not the same as last time." I nodded. Climbing up the shelf. "I'll be here tomorrow too!"

"Got it," I called back. I didn't want to leave Morgana alone...but if something inside the Palace had changed, then investigating it was important. "Gah...Dammit, that stings!"

"We're...we're back on the street…" Ryuji panted. I was still in pain. It was...like needles were pricking at my brain constantly. It was incessant and demanding and distracting. Even when the police questioned us, I could hardly tell what was being said, to the point where even Ryuji was giving me looks of concern.

"Dude...you look like you're gonna be sick."

"I won't...tss...it just...hurts." I squinted, seeing the Counselor and the real Kamoshida waiting for us. "Don't shout."

"What do ya...hey!" Ryuji glared at Kamoshida. I shook my head. "What the hell did you do?!"

"What did I do?" Kamoshida asked. "Where the hell have you been? You're 4 hours late." He looked at me. "And you're the transfer. Akira Kurusu...I feel like I recognize you."

"This morning in the rain." I said. The pain was starting to lessen. Colors were still swirling, but the world was coming back into focus. "I was next to that girl…"

"Ah, that's right...at the station. If you were nearby, why were you two so late?" I shook my head, not really having a suitable explanation. He turned to the counselor. Let's be lenient today. It's still early in the year."

"If you say so." The Councillor sighed. "Sakamoto, come with me." Ryuji followed, shooting Kamoshida a look.

"Kurusu, I'll overlook your tardiness today...but if you cause any trouble, you'll be expelled." He looked at his watch. "You'd better go to Ms. Kawakami. I'm sure she's tired of waiting."

"So that is who he is in real life…"

'Satanael?' I asked, walking up the stairs towards the Faculty Office. There was a break, so some of the students in the hallway took notice of me. They began talking about all the drugs I must do or all the weapons I had in my bag. The old rumors that I was already used to. Seems like school never did change.

"Yes, it is I. I am thou."

'Thou art I' I could feel him smile.

"I will be with you."

'Where's Arsene?'

"I am him...and I am more," Satanael stated. "I remember being Arsene, but I am him no longer." He paused. "Does that make sense?"

'Kind of...it's like an evolution, but different.'

"I suppose that's one way to put it. If you wish to speak to Arsene again, just call upon him. He and I are not so different." Satanael retreated into the depths of my mind, just as I arrived outside the Faculty Office.

I braced myself, stepping inside. Kawakami was sitting by a pile of papers, already looking tired from the day's work. "Already half a day late...it's your first day!" She exclaimed, taking the time to look up at me. "What happened?"

"I got lost. And it was raining." I answered.'

"...I guess that would make some sense...but you're still way too late. At that point you should just ask for directions...and you got caught by the Police with Sakamoto-kun?"

"I didn't mean to." She sighed, accepting my answer.

"Just...he's a troubled kid. It's best not to get involved. He was better back when he did track though…" she started muttering something to herself. I waited patiently. "Classes end early today. I'll introduce you to the class, but...even if you have to lie, don't say anything unnecessary. They're already spreading rumors, and you don't want to feed the flames."

"Yes, Sensei." I nodded.

'Welp...school is just as shitty as I remember it to be.' Even Ann had looked at me with disgust. Well, I couldn't expect her to understand either. She thought that I was just skipping and had gotten caught. If I was gonna skip, I wouldn't do that in my Uniform. I was tall enough to pass for an adult if I didn't wear it.

All I'd heard all class was about how much of a deranged criminal I was. I killed somebody, I would snap, I was a delinquent, I did drugs and smoked. I should have been suspended for being that late. All sorts of things.

"Kurusu-kun...I didn't know the rumors were that bad." Kawakami came up behind me. "I can't believe that I'm the one who has to do this...and you'd best head home right away. When I called Sakura-san, he sounded pretty angry."

"Okay."

"And again, with Sakamoto-kun, it's best for both of you if yo-..." She sighed, seeing as Ryuji had just shown up to speak with me. "What happened? I heard the police caught you."

"Nothin' important," Ryuji grumbled. "I'm just here to see him."

"I told you not to get involved…" She chided. "And dye your hair back to black!"

"Sorry." He said, not sounding apologetic in the slightest. "Hey...I'll meet you on the rooftop." He turned, not letting Kawakami say anything more.

"Well...I guess it's too late now." She turned back, dragging her feet away.

I overheard the Principal and Kamoshida talking about me. They were in the way, so I loitered around until they left. I was still hearing stories about this other transfer. A red-haired Honor Student.

"Hey…" Ryuji called, looking down at the entrance. I walked over to him. "Sorry about being so...abrasive back there."

"It's fine." I set my bag down.

"I bet Kawakami was telling you all about how much of a troubled kid I am." He leaned back in his chair. "That you shouldn't get involved with me."

"Yeah. That's basically what it was word for word." Ryuji chuckled.

"I heard all about you and your criminal record." He admitted. "Honestly, knowing that helps me understand how you were so gutsy back there…" He sat forward, leaning on his knees. I leaned against the table. "But...what the hell was that?" He whispered. "I mean...normally I'd think it was just a dream, but...you remember it too, right?"

"Yeah…"

"But no one else had any idea what we were talking about…" Ryuji shook his head. "Not the Police, not the Teachers...hell, even Kamoshida looked like he didn't know…It had to be a dream…"

"I don't think so…" I said. "We both were hurt, and we both remember it. Something had to have happened…"

"I mean...you're right, but that makes no sense!" Ryuji yelled. "...well, even if we both were hallucinatin' or something, you saved my life...so I owe ya one." He grinned at me.

"It's no problem." I pushed my glasses higher up. "I wouldn't let you die."

"Yeah...but...the Kamoshida in that castle...he felt way too real to me. I could genuinely see him acting like that if he could."

"Would he wear that Speedo and Cape combo too?" Ryuji grinned.

"Probably. He's enough of a perv to do something like that…" He stood. "Honestly though...he gets away with way too much, even in real life. He's an Olympic Medalist, and he took our Volleyball team to Nationals...so the school became kinda famous because of him. No one speaks up against him or anything…"

"Yeah, I sensed it was something like that."

"Whadda you mean?"

"He was pretty egotistical when I was talking to him...I mean, I'm the new kid, and he's already acting like I should worship the ground he walks on."

"Yeah, he does that…" Ryuji grabbed his bag. "I think we're similar...at least enough to both realize what Kamoshida really is." He grinned at me. "I guess troublemakers really do get along…"

April 12

'I have to get better at acting...I can't let Yaldabaoth know that I'm on to him.' I thought, riding the train to Aoyama-Itchome.

"Please...take my seat." A girl seated in the chair below me stood, offering her seat to an older lady standing to my right.

"Oh...are you sure?" The lady asked. "I wouldn't want to-"

"It's nothing. My station is coming up soon anyway." The girl smiled. She stepped aside. Just as she did, an older businessman shoved his way in between us, taking the seat for himself. "Oh...that was fast!" She sounded impressed. "uh-I mean, Sir, that seat was meant for this lady."

The man ignored her, seemingly falling asleep on the spot. A bit too convenient if you asked me. This girl had given up her seat for this older lady, and this asshole had taken advantage of her kindness!

"Want me to...wake him up?" I asked, glaring at the offending man.

"There's no need...I can understand his position as well." She looked at the "sleeping" man. "He must be tired." She turned back towards the woman. "I'm sorry."

"It's no fault of your's dearie." She said. "Thank you anyways."

"Well...at least let me carry your stuff since I couldn't manage to get you a seat!"

'That girl is really nice to a fault, isn't she…' I thought. The red-haired girl made small talk with the lady, taking her heavy bags off her hands. 'At least there are still some nice people around.' I looked back down at the man. I was still pretty sure he wasn't actually asleep, but if the girl didn't want to disturb him, I wouldn't either.

The station finally came, and I managed to squeeze my way out without too much trouble. 'Today should be normal...if I remember correctly.'

"Excuse me?!" Someone called. I looked over, seeing the girl from earlier wave at me. "I wanted to thank you for what you did." I looked around, but it seemed like she was talking to me.

"I didn't exactly...do anything though," I said, rubbing at a strand of hair.

"You spoke up for me on the train."

"Well...he still didn't move...and I'm pretty sure he was faking his sleep anyway," I said. She considered the notion.

"Well...even then, everyone needs a seat once in a while." She bowed towards me. "But I didn't even remember to thank you on the train! I can't believe that I was so rude to my Senpai."

"Senpai?"

"Your uniform is from Shujin Academy. Second Year." I nodded. "I'm a First Year. That makes you my Senpai." She looked at the clock. "Oh, I don't want to be late. Please, excuse me." She bowed once again, and I watched her run ahead.

'That's a new interaction...I've never been called Senpai before.'

"Do you like it?"

'Kinda.' I nodded, pulling my umbrella out of my bag. 'It's different...and I bet she hasn't heard the rumors yet. She would never have been so courteous if she thought I was a criminal.'

"Though...she did seem to take it a bit far. I don't think you need to bow to your Senpai…" Satanael muttered.

'I wouldn't know.' I said. 'Makoto was our Senpai, but she was a friend before that, so we were never big on respect...and Haru joined us as a Phantom Thief before she became our upperclassmen.'

I walked into the building, shaking the water out of my umbrella. I ignored the looks people shot me. Somehow, the rumors had gotten even worse. Typical.

I had eaten lunch alone. Even after answering Mr. Ushimaru's question, people didn't even want to sit nearby, though I had heard them talking about the fact that I might have been a nerd before my criminal record. Honestly, it was just the extensive studying Makoto had made me do.

School was...boring. Even more than before. I remembered all this happening before, so there was nothing new. I was still hearing scattered conversations about this other transfer student. She was an Honor Student First Year, who was supposed to be this incredible...something. I hadn't managed to hear the rest.

"I bet he's got a knife in that bag of his…" I looked over at two girls who were whispering about me. They flinched, running away from my gaze. They were technically right. I had both a knife and gun in my bag...though the gun was fake. The knife came from a chest, deep within Mementos, so it was real. And dangerously sharp. I had to keep it wrapped up or it would have stabbed both Morgana and my bag.

"Takamaki…" Kamoshida was in front of me, blocking Ann's way down the stairs. She backed away from him a bit. "Traffic's been pretty bad lately, especially because of the recent accidents. I could give you a ride home."

"U-uh, actually, I have a photoshoot today. It's for a summer magazine, and I can't afford to miss it." I could hear the lie in her voice. Thankfully, Kamoshida was surprisingly dumb, cause he bought it.

I was kinda stuck. I couldn't go back into the classroom, but I could step forward either. I was just kinda...standing in the hall awkwardly, waiting for Kamoshida to go away. Finally, they left, and I was free to leave school for the day.

"Hey, I was wondering where you were…" Ryuji called, coming from around the corner.

"Waiting to ambush me?"

"What? N-no!" He shook his head. "That's not it...I actually tried to convince myself that it was all a dream...but I couldn't do it. It was way too real...so I wanna find that castle again." He glanced at the passing students. "And you're the only person who believes me...what do ya say?"

"I'll play along." I nodded. "What are we gonna do?"

"I knew I could count on you!" He said. "We should retrace our steps. We took that shortcut last time, so maybe…" Even Ryuji sounded unsure of himself. "Let's just try it." We began to walk to the main road. "A castle that big should be easy to find...actually, it's strange that I never saw it before...or that no one else knows about it...No, no. We both saw it. It exists, we just gotta find it."

"Wow...to think that it was your phone's fault…" Ryuji handed me my phone, crossing the drawbridge back towards the castle. "And if we're back here...that means I really did almost die yesterday…"

"We goin' in?" I asked. Ryuji turned to me.

"Woah, those clothes…" He looked me up and down.

"Jelly?"

"N-no! I ain't jealous!" Ryuji didn't sound convincing.

"You're back," Morgana said, popping out from around a pillar. "To be expected."

"Ah, it's you!" Ryuji said. "I don't get it...is this a castle? This is supposed to be our school!"

"It'll take some time to explain," Morgana said. "Don't stand so close to the entrance. You don't wanna be captured again." Ryuji gulped, following Morgana to a secluded corner.

"What's going on?"

"Well, this is a Palace. It's a place in which the ruler's distorted cognitions manifest."

"Huh?"

"Basically, the ruler of the Palace thinks that your school is his Castle."

"You mean...Kamoshida?"

"Yeah." Morgana nodded. "That Kamoshida guy, he sees the school as his own Castle, where he reigns supreme as the King. This is a world separate from reality, that makes those distortions of his manifest. None of this is in reality...but it's real."

"T-that doesn't make any sense…" Ryuji shook his head. "But... doesn't that mean that he sees the students as-"

"Slaves." Morgana supplied. "That's the people who were in the dungeon."

"We gotta save them!" Ryuji turned.

"Hold up!" Morgana called. "Again, this isn't reality. None of the people here are actually real...no matter how real they look."

"Really…?" Ryuji looked back at me. I nodded, affirming Morgana's words. Ryuji didn't even question how I knew. "Well...if that's how he sees them, doesn't that mean that he might treat them badly too? I've heard rumors about abuse…"

"I'll guide you to the dungeon." Morgana conceded. "But don't even try to save anybody. They're a product of cognition. They won't even want to leave, no matter how bad Kamoshida treats them. He believes that they'll never leave anyway."

"...okay." Morgana had done a much better job of explaining things this time. Ryuji actually seemed to understand things. Somewhat. "You comin' Akira?"

"I'll come." I nodded. "I want to know the truth."

"For real?!" Ryuji pumped his fist. "I actually bought this...I thought that we'd run into trouble." He held out an average replica of a pistol. "It's a fake though, so it's only good for intimidation."

"Not exactly," Morgana said. "In the cognitive world, anything that looks real enough is real. I bet that you could use that in a fight against those Shadows."

"Well, I'm not gonna do much fighting...so here." He held out his hand.

"...actually, I had the same idea." I pulled out both my gun and knife. "Keep it for yourself, maybe it'll help out."

"Woah...that looks really real." He admired the gun in my hands. "Where'd you get this?"

"Airsoft shop in Shibuya." He raised his eyebrows.

"I did too, but this doesn't look nearly as real as that." He held the gun in his hands. "I hope this works like you say it should, Monamona."

"It's Morgana!"

"Damn...you really know how to use a gun…" Ryuji sat down at the table, panting from exertion. "I can barely use this thing! It's so...small."

"It's a pistol," Morgana stated. "You're probably more inclined to a heavier weapon...like a shotgun."

"That sounds nice…" Ryuji muttered. "You said they were deeper inside, right?"

"Correct."

"I wonder how he sees them," I remembered the torture that Kamoshida forced them to endure. It had been...sickening. I had been at school for only a day and a half, and I had already hated that teacher. "Can't believe that this pistol actually shot bullets." Ryuji looked at the gun. "It can't even be reloaded."

"Well, as long as the shadows think it's real, it's real," Morgana said. "They even expect us to show up guns blazing, so you always start with full ammo."

"Huh?" I looked down at Morgana. "Full ammo."

"Ammo restores after every fight." He nodded. "I tested it out yesterday."

'That's going to make this so much easier!' I thought. 'Ammo management was such a fucking hassle last time.'

"Ammo is still limited during fights though," Morgana said. "You can't shoot forever."

"I wonder how your stupid slingshot does more damage to them than this pistol though…" Ryuji glared. "Even with this cognition thing, that makes no sense. Since when does a slingshot look more threatening than a gun?!"

"Hey!" Morgana yelled. "I don't make the rules! That's just how it works in here."

"Does it even matter?" I asked. "We should keep going. The guards have to have passed by now."

"Yeah…" Ryuji stood. "Why aren't you using that...uh Satanael guy? Morgana's been usin' his Persona the entire time?"

"Didn't you see what it did to him yesterday? I would rather avoid that kind of pain." Morgana said. "It's best to stick to normal weapons. No need to hurt yourself."

"I don't want to go through that kind of pain unless I have to." I fixed my glove. "Let's keep going."

"Sorry...I kinda forgot about how pained you looked." Ryuji admitted. "And you went through that to save me...thanks man. I wish I could fight like you guys." He opened the door. "But don't hurt yourself trying to protect me. I'm not worth that much."

"I disagree." I grinned. "I'd save you no matter what." 'I'd even travel through time to do it.'

"Dude…"

"Focus!" Morgana called. "You can kiss later!"

"What?!" Ryuji whipped around, racing after Morgana. "The hell'd you say?!"

"I hate him even more now," Ryuji admitted. The walk back was slow. Ryuji had memorized the face of every kid he'd seen. Even after seeing it again, I felt disgusted. To treat people like that…

"He's...he's depraved." I said. "If he tortures them here...I wonder exactly what he does out in the real world."

"Does it matter?" Ryuji asked. "He thinks of them as slaves, and he's okay with treatin' them like that...isn't that a crime already? Couldn't we just report him to the police?"

"You need evidence," Morgana said. "The police would never just believe the words of some teenager. Especially against an Olympic Medalist."

"I'll get those guys I saw to talk! You'll help, right Akira?" I nodded.

"I want him gone."

"Intruders!" We jumped, hearing a voice behind us. "Stop, in the name of King Kamoshida!"

"Run!" I commanded. I rushed ahead, and the others followed, skidding around the corner with me. I could see the stairs back to the surface. Ryuji still had to worry about his healing leg, so I was just a bit faster, but Morgana was falling behind.

"Well…" Kamoshida and a pair of soldiers stood in their way. "I never thought you'd come back after what happened yesterday." He grinned.

"This school ain't your castle, Kamoshida!" Ryuji called. "Turn it back!"

"To think that Sakamoto could be so stupid. I guess the Track Traitor never learns."

I glared at him. Ryuji had been no traitor. "Not true!"

"You really did betray them." Kamoshida ignored his outburst. "And now you can't even fight for yourself. You only know how to throw your comrades away, Sakamoto."

"Shut up!" Ryuji shouted. The guard who'd spotted us came up from behind. We were truly surrounded. "It wasn't my fault!"

"Of course it was!" Kamoshida shouted. "If you had just kept your mouth shut and listened, I wouldn't have had to break your leg! But you just had to talk back, and look where that got you? You destroyed the track teams' chances of ever competing!"

"It wasn't me…" Ryuji muttered. He looked away. "I didn't ever mean for it to happen like that."

"Does it even matter what you meant?" Kamoshida chided. "I'm the King. If you'd listened, your team would still be around! But instead, you attacked me. Breaking your leg was self-defense anyway. Attack me again, and that'll be an immediate expulsion."

"You took everything from me!" Ryuji shouted. "I can't even run because of you!"

"It's your own fault! You just wouldn't shut up! No one questions me, especially not a little brat like you!" He looked at the guards. "I gave him his chance. He obviously hasn't learned anything. He'll have to be executed."

"Ryuji…" Morgana said.

"Are you gonna actually listen to what he says?" I asked.

"What do you mean?" Ryuji asked. He sounded so dead for a moment. "I destroyed the Track Team. If I'd just listened-"

"To Kamoshida?!" I yelled. "You just saw what he thinks of the Volleyball Team!" I pointed back in the direction we'd come. "That's what he thinks of his favorite team! Imagine what he thinks of the Track Team? Even if you did destroy the track team, you were right to rebel against Kamoshida's authority. He's abusive and egotistical. Don't you dare listen to what he says about you!"

"..." Ryuji stood straight, glaring at Kamoshida. "Akira's right!"

"I'm tired of listening to this trash ramble on!" Kamoshida frowned. "Kill them!"

"I'm trash?" Ryuji smirked. "I don't think you know who you're talking to! The real trash here is you! A scumbag is all that you are!" He trembled. "All you care about is making yourself famous! You're just an abusive bastard!"

"Shut him up!"

"I won't let you look down on me anymore!" Ryuji called. His eyes shined yellow, and I whipped out my knife. I would protect him until he was ready to fight. He was writhing in pain, hearing his Persona speak to him for the first time. Thankfully, none of the shadows looked too keen on approaching, especially with the gusts of wind that Ryuji let off as his contract was forged.

I winced, hearing the squelch of blood as Ryuji ripped the mask off his face. A pillar of fire emerged, and Captain Kidd appeared within the flames. Ryuji grinned, eyes set on Kamoshida.

"You were saying?" He hoisted his pipe. "Let me show you who the real trash is!"

"Him too…" Kamoshida clicked his teeth, "Doesn't matter! Guards. Kill them!"

"This is awesome...now that I have this power, I can fight too...c'mon!" Ryuji gestured. "Bring it."

"I will stop you! In the name of King Kamoshida!" An Eligor appeared before them, along with a few Bicorns.

"Blast 'em, Captain Kidd!" Ryuji laughed, and the Pirate Ship erupted, bringing lightning down upon one of the Bicorn.

"We'll support you!" Morgana called. "Magarula!" Small tornadoes surrounded the enemies, taking down both Bicorn.

"Take this!" I ran forward, flipping over the Eligor's attack. I slashed straight down, hitting both the man and his horse. I dodged back, pulling out my pistol, and hitting it right in the head.

"K-King Kamoshida...I'm a loyal subject of the King...how did I lose?" The shadow disintegrated, returning to wherever Shadows came from.

"Hoo…" Ryuji hunched over. "Damn...that takes a lot out of you." He panted. "But, I'm not in any pain…" He glanced at me. "Guess that's just a you thing."

"Great…' I muttered.

"Well, Kamoshida?!" Ryuji grinned. "Who's trash now?!"

"T-that doesn't matter! I still have more Guards!" Kamoshida laughed. "In my castle, I'm the King! I don't have to listen to peasants like you!" A girl sauntered in from behind, throwing her arms around Kamoshida.

"T-takamaki?!" Ryuji stepped back. "What are you doing here?! And what the hell are you wearing?!"

"Yo, that's not the real one!" I said. "She'd never throw herself at Kamoshida like that."

"Y-yeah…" Ryuji shook his head. "You can't run away!"

"I'm not gonna run. Besides, everyone loves me! You'll come over to this side one day." A row of guards appeared between them and Kamoshida.

"I won't let you get away from us!"

"Dude, we should leave while we can."

"But he's right here!"

"We can come back later!" Morgana called. "Let's retreat for now."

'Ryuji has his Persona now...once Ann joins us, we can take Kamoshida down.' I vaulted myself up into the vent, ignoring the whoop I got from Ryuji.

Thankfully, Shadows had poor memory, because the pursuit stopped once we got outside.

"Damn...wait, I don't remember changing!" He looked at himself. "But...this is pretty cool."

"You look intimidating," I said. "Kinda like a thug."

"H-hey, well at least I don't look like a magician!" He said. "That cloak of yours is way too flamboyant!"

"I think I look more like an assassin than a magician…"

"Does it even matter?" Morgana asked. "Let's just leave."

"What happened to me?" Ryuji looked at his fists. "Am I like you guys now?"

"When a Persona User becomes a threat to a Palace Ruler, they transform into a rebel. It's the strength of your will battling Kamoshida's distortion. This is what you think rebellion looks like."

"I don't get it at all," Ryuji admitted, shrugging his shoulders. "But this means that I can fight!"

"I didn't expect you to get it, but could you at least try?" Morgana asked.

"Wait, won't Kamoshida know what we did?!"

"Nope. A Shadow is a part of someone's personality that they hide from the world. Even Kamoshida doesn't want people to see this side of him. He won't remember a single thing about you guys being in here...though he might feel inexplicably angry."

"Huh…" Ryuji muttered. "I think...I'm done for today. I'm going home." He turned towards the entrance. "You coming?"

"Yeah." I looked down at Morgana. He winced.

"I would...but there's a strange room inside this Palace that I have to check out before anything else…" He looked up at me. "Next time though." With that, he turned back into the palace."

"Weird cat thing…" Ryuji muttered. "But at least he knows his stuff. Let's go."

"We're back…" Ryuji panted. "I'm so tired...I might actually sleep through tomorrow…" He looked at me. "How about you?"

"I didn't really use Satanael, so I'm doing alright…" I did feel a bit winded, but a few minutes of downtime would fix that.

"I'm dead…" He grabbed his bag off the ground. "I ended up draggin' you around the entire time, didn't I?" He glanced into his wallet. "Tell you what? I'll treat you."

We walked towards the train station. "I remember every face I saw in there. But I suspected the abuse...but seeing Takamaki like that...it creeps me out. If he sees her like that, what does he think of the other girls...I don't want to think about that." He shook his head. "You gonna help me out? With asking the guys I saw?"

"I will. I won't let Kamoshida get away with anything."

"Yeah...I bet he's the reason people have already heard about your criminal record." They descended the stairs. "He's a teacher, but I bet he just doesn't like you. Doesn't matter what it is, he tears down anything he doesn't like. Teachers, Students...anything."

"Sounds personal."

"It's very personal." Ryuji spat. "I hate him." The train arrived. "That's why I can't let this go. There were already rumors about the abuse. We know it's true now...We have to expose him."

"I'll help you."

"Thanks, man." Ryuji grinned, and we stepped into the train. It wasn't as packed as it was this morning, but it was still a tight fit. "I'm kinda hyped, actually!"

'This is the Ryuji I know…' I grinned. 'He's back.'

"You've reawakened your bond with the Chariot Arcana. May it's power guide you…" Lavenza's voice echoed in my head.

Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

"Hey, how'd you even manage to get a criminal record?" Ryuji asked, just as we sat at the counter. "People were saying you assaulted somebody, but you're way too nice for that to be true."

"Well, it happened...about 2 months ago." I started talking. "It was kinda cold, and I wanted to get home quick, but on the way, I heard this woman shouting about something, so I went to check it out." A bowl was placed in front of them. "Some guy was trying to force her into his car, and she clearly didn't want to, so I tried to step in. I grabbed his shoulder to get him to let her go, but he was drunk and fell over and injured himself. He sued me though, and he even managed to get the woman to say that I assaulted him. I was given a choice between Juvie and Probation...he even managed to get the Police to arrest me. My parents sent me to Tokyo after I got expelled."

"What the…" Ryuji actually stopped eating for a second. "So you didn't even do anything!" I nodded. "That guy's a serious asshole. He sued a 16-year-old?"

"He did. He had me arrested too."

"Damn...I guess we're even more alike than I thought."

"I guess we are." I grinned, finally starting to eat my Ramen.

"Yeah...people really don't seem to want us around, do they?" Ryuji asked. "I mean, your parents didn't even let you stay…" He sighed, ordering another bowl. "Well, I've done some stupid things, so compared to you, it makes more sense why people don't like me…"

"I bet it was Kamoshida's fault."

"It was."

"So, actually went to school today?" Sojiro smirked, looking up from his crossword. "What happened?"

"There's a volleyball rally tomorrow," I said. "And...well, the rumors are pretty bad."

"Already?" He raised his eyebrows. "That's quick...I thought you'd at least get a week before anything happened. I shrugged. "Well...just keep your head down, and don't get in trouble. Your life ain't a free one, and causing trouble at school won't end well."

I felt my phone buzz. "Yes sir." Ryuji was texting me. I typed a quick response, promising to help him with his search for the boys tomorrow afternoon.

"Just...stay away from bad influences. Don't start even more rumors…" Sojiro sighed. "Damm...to think it would happen so fast." He seemed to be genuinely concerned for me. "Hey, I've gotta leave a little earlier today. I'm gonna lock up now, so don't go wandering out." I nodded, going up to my room.

Ryuji: Hey, that Navigation thing had a red eyeball, right?

Akira: Yeah…?

Ryuji: Well, it's on my phone now too

Ryuji: I didn't even install it

Ryuji: It's kinda creepy

Akira: I know, but I can't delete it

Ryuji: Me neither

Ryuji: But we can use this to go to that Palace thing

Ryuji: We need evidence though, so you gotta help me out

Akira: I will don't worry

Ryuji: Thanks

I stashed my phone away, taking off my uniform. Tomorrow was the 13th.

'Again?' I wondered. I was in Yaldabaoth's Velvet Room again. He kept calling me here. I just wanted to be left alone. Get a good night's sleep. He kept droning on about creating bonds, but I could hardly listen. I didn't like him, and I was tired.

"Involving yourself with others by forging deep relationships will be the key to your own survival…"

'I wonder if he just wanted to use me to identify all the people with a will strong enough to oppose him…' I gripped the bars between me and Yaldabaoth harder. Justine watched me with a calculating look.

"You will become stronger if you befriend the people around the city!" Caroline shouted. "I'm sure you could use the help of people more competent than you." She laughed.

"Yes. As you strengthen your bonds, so too will you strengthen your heart." Justine said.

"Use anything and everything at your disposal in order to do so…" Yaldabaoth said. "Even this room can be used to strengthen yourself."

'It was a mistake to let me grow stronger Yaldabaoth...you should have ended me right here while I was weak. I'll never let you succeed. I'll make the Phantom Thieves even stronger!'

April 13

"Bro, we should just skip. The Volleyball team is gonna destroy us, and Kamoshida's playing too."

"Don't you wanna see his technique. Not many people get to say that they played against an Olympic Medalist.

"And you'll just get your face smashed in trying to play against him. The Volleyball team is always beaten up after his practices. What do you think will happen to you?"

Even as Kawakami was talking, I could tell that nobody was listening to what she said. Everyone was talking about the rally in the afternoon, to the point that even Kawakami was looking like she would give up.

"Just...get changed and go to the gymnasium." She yawned. "If you skip, you'll be stuck with cleaning duty."

I stood, making my way to the locker rooms. People were quick to get out of my way. That was one benefit of being the delinquent transfer student. There wasn't much traffic.

"Hey, Akira!" Ryuji ran up to me, ignoring the looks he got. "On your way to the rally?"

"Yeah, and we gotta wait till break to find them, or else we gotta do cleaning duty." He nodded.

"Yeah, I know. My teachers already talked about it. They even singled me out!"

"You have blonde hair," I said. "Of course they singled you out. You're the textbook school delinquent."

"Hey, I wasn't plannin' on skippin' today. We've got something important to do." We reached the locker rooms over in the other building. It was a quick change, especially since everyone avoided us. We were forced to separate once we reached the gym since we were in different classes.

I was...okay at volleyball. Nothing good enough to join the team, but I could play the game. Thankfully, I didn't have to play against Kamoshida. My team didn't necessarily want me playing either, but once they realized that I was actually competent at the game, they made sure to set to me more than most others.

"Today is boring as hell…" Ryuji said, watching the teacher's team obliterate the Volleyball Team. "It's just him showing off…" He glanced over at Ann. "And she's still sticking out...she always talked about how she hated the rumors, but she never did anything about them."

"You know her?"

"We went to middle school together." Ryuji said. "We used to be friendlier...but then I became a delinquent, and no one wanted to be close to me anymore…" He grinned at me. "Eh, I'm over it though."

There was an uproar on the court. We winced, seeing Mishima curled up on the floor, gripping his face in pain. Kamoshida frowned, before faking concern and going to aid the boy.

"He treats 'em all like shit…" Ryuji grabbed the ball, which had rolled over to us. "But...we'll make sure he pays soon enough." Kamoshida glared at us, and we responded in kind. He resumed the match the moment Mishima was off the court. He didn't even care.

Eventually, there was a break called, and students spread all over the school.

"He really is just the worst!" Ryuji said, kicking a trash-can aside. It was all just some ploy for people to stroke his ego! He...he didn't even care about what happened to Mishima. He has to be abusing them." He looked up at the clock. "Alright, we don't got much time. We have to split up and find the people we saw were slaves in that Palace thing."

"I don't remember their faces." Ryuji grinned.

"I do. The first guy was a guy from your class. Class D." He pointed up the building. "He should be looking a little injured, I saw him take a spike from Kamoshida this morning." He grit his teeth. "Hopefully, you can talk to him without any problems. People don't really like me...oh, but that's the same for you ain't it...just intimidate him or somethin'!"

"Uh...sure…" I trailed off. "I'll tell you if I find anything."

"Alright." He turned. "I'll check the PE building." He ran off.

'I might not be able to find anything…' Last time, this had gone horribly. The guy had asked for proof that we knew, and we couldn't provide any. This time, maybe I could convince them to talk. Honestly, if worse came to worst...I would have to be the intimidating delinquent that everyone thought I was.

"Hey…" I walked up to a boy standing in the corner of the classroom.

"W-whoa…" He turned, seeing me. "What do you want?"

"How'd you get injured so bad?" I said.

"It was from practice...did you need something?"

"No way you got that injured during practice," I said. "You look like you lost a fistfight."

"I-I didn't! What are you trying to say?"

"I already know that Kamoshida's abusin' you guys," I said. "Between you and me, if you tell me he did, I won't tell him anything."

"H-he's not abusing us. That's just rumors made up to discredit our coach."

"We both know that's a lie. It's easier if you just confess."

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

"..." I turned away. "Your mistake." I knew he wasn't gonna say anything more. That voice was full of defiance.

Ryuji: Get anything?

Akira: I tried, but he wouldn't budge. Those injuries were way too much to just be practice though

Ryuji: Same here

Ryuji: I guess we just gotta keep asking

Ryuji: There's another guy

Ryuji: I think he was in 3-C

Ryuji: I'll keep checking the guys around here

I walked up down to the 1st floor. There was a group of guys, once of which was badly beaten. I walked up to them.

"What do you want?" One asked.

"I want to know how you got those injuries," I said, staring at the boy.

"It was from practice." He was pretty flippant.

"Hey...you're that transfer student who hangs with Sakamoto, ain't you?"

"Oh, you're tryin' ta get dirt on Kamoshida. It's all lies. Sakamoto shouldn't be trusted."

"We both know that injuries like that don't come from normal practice."

"W-we compete on the National Level." The boy said. "Of course our practices are harsher than most!"

"Even professionals aren't that badly injured."

"Shut up!"

"Hey, I heard that he carries a knife around." One of his friends whispered. "It's best if we just go…"

I glared at them, walking away. I knew that Kamoshid held reign over the school and that some of the Faculty and Parents were involved in the cover-up, but to not even say, maybe it's a bit too much? What the hell was wrong with them?! How could they be okay with letting him go on like that?!

Ryuji: Ya got nothing. Right?

Akira: Nobody trusts a delinquent

Ryuji: I feel you man

Ryuji: But I did manage to get something. A first-year

Ryuji: He shouldn't have any clue who we are, and he's probably not used to practice yet

Ryuji: Kamoshida might not have gotten him trapped in this web of bullshit

I walked up the stairs to the Third Floor. I had thought that I wouldn't be so angry, but doing this again actually made it worse. I knew the whole truth about what Kamoshida was doing. Everything. And I knew that some people around here knew, even some students. And no one was willing to speak up? What were they afraid of? I wasn't going to tell Kamoshida, I just wanted them to admit it to me, and they still couldn't do it? I couldn't understand why.

"Oh shit, he's coming up to us?!" Someone yelled. I could hear the sound of running. I stood at the stairs, dumbfounded. Was I really that terrifying that people would run away from me? Those first years had been genuinely scared of me.

I shook my head, walking over to the first year. "Hey, are you on the Volleyball Team?"

"Y-yeah…?" he turned to look at me. "Why?"

"Well, I was just wondering how you got those injuries," I said. "It seems kinda excessive."

"It was from practice. Coach Kamoshida is really strict, but I guess that's what comes with playing on a National Level...though he does seem to be stricter on Mishima then most…"

"What do you mean?"

"Uh, I didn't mean anything by it!" He backpedaled as if remembering something. "Sorry, but you're gonna have to ask someone else." He ran, triggering mutterings about intimidation.

I shook my head, walking back to the stairs. My phone buzzed while a PA announcement went off.

Ryuji: Anything?

Akira: A little bit

Akira: The guy had to cut himself off

Akira: I bet Kamoshida told them not to answer any questions people ask

Ryuji: Yeah, I bet that bastard did something like that

Akira: I also heard that Mishima gets special training

Ryuji: Oh, yeah, he always looks more beaten than most people

Ryuji: Meet me in the courtyard. We'll talk more there

I hurried down the stairs. I was tired of all the eyes on me. The courtyard was empty, so I decided to buy myself a drink while I waited. With the 7 million yen in my pocket, it wasn't like I would be losing any money.

"Can I...talk to you?

"Huh?" I turned. Ann was staring at me. "Did I do something?"

"Not particularly…" She crossed her arms. "But I wanna know why you lied about being late on the first day...and that rumor about you."

"Which one?" I asked. "I've heard a lot."

"What's it to you, Takamaki?" Ryuji asked, coming up behind her.

"That's what I want to know. You've been hanging out with each other, but you're not even in our class."

"We just…"

"Troublemakers gotta stick together," I said. Ryuji grinned at me.

"...I know you two are up to something." Ann said. "Something to do with Mr. Kamoshida."

"...I get it." Ryuji glared. "Kamoshida sent you to get info. You are all buddy-buddy with him after all."

"That has nothing to do with it, Sakamoto!" Ann shouted.

"Don't say that, man." I chided.

"Look it doesn't matter!" Ann said. "I'm just gonna tell you, no matter what you're doing, no one's gonna help you." She paused. "I just wanted to warn you."

"Why is she so damn aggressive?"

"Bro, don't assume that she's working with Kamoshida," I said, offering him a drink. "I bet she hates him as much as we do."

"How do you know?"

"She's always making up excuses for why she can't hang out with him. I've been here for like...three days, and every time he's hit on her, she turned him down."

"Okay...then why was she like that inside the Palace?"

"Kamoshida probably just sees her that way." I shrugged. "He's delusional." I drank a bit. "You should know not to trust rumors."

"Yeah yeah…" Ryuji had the decency to look ashamed. "I guess you're right…"

"Anyway, I heard Mishima's been getting special coaching from Kamoshida. And he got hit with that spike today." I glanced back at the gym. "If anything, he's the best bet on gettin' information about the abuse."

"Uh-huh…" Ryuji drank his drink in one gulp. "Special Training…"

"What do you think it is?"

"I bet it's just a front for abuse…" Ryuji said, throwing his bottle away. "Let's see if we can catch him before he leaves."

Ryuji: I still can't believe that everybody knows

Ryuji: I mean, I can understand the teachers not saying anything

Ryuji: Kamoshida made Shujin Famous

Ryuji: But shouldn't their parents be at least concerned?

Akira: He's a medalist. It's difficult to bring a convincing argument against a person people trust

Ryuji: Yeah, but even then, you'd think that people would at least try!

Ryuji: I'm not ready to give up

Ryuji: What he's doing is just...wrong

Ryuji: I'm gonna try again tomorrow

I agreed. Parents should have been concerned at the level of physical injury their children possessed. Even if it was meaningless to go against Kamoshida, there should have been some parents that had at least voiced some concerns.

"I suppose that even now, Yaldabaoth was already coercing the people with his power…" Igor said. I stood, walking out the cell door.

"Yes. The Holy Grail already had enough power to take control of the Velvet Room. He must have had a hand in why nobody was speaking up." Lavenza said.

"Nothing has really changed…" I said. "Nothing important anyway."

"That may be true for now...but you must be cautious," Igor said.

"I have sensed that something great has happened in the background...something we have no knowledge of." Lavenza said. "But I wish to speak about you and Satanael."

"Yeah…" I looked down at myself. "What happened? Is Satanael like Arsene?"

"Not exactly." Satanael appeared. "Arsene is within me, but I am greater than that. I am your will to rebel personified. Your hatred of authority incarnate."

"And I am the personality that you repress." Arsene appeared by his side. "We are different."

"Arsene!"

"Yes, it is I!" He chuckled. "I have been waiting to meet you once again."

"I thought you'd been absorbed…"

"In a sense...but you and I can never be separated. We are one and the same. Satanael is just another version of you."

"...I'll pretend that I understand." I gave up.

"That would probably be for the best." Satanael said. "It is difficult to explain as well."

"To have The Rebel as a Persona...Trickster, you truly do have the will to stand against the world." Igor said. "I am impressed."

"...why does using Satanael hurt so much?"

"Satanael is the ultimate Fool. He who chose to rebel, knowing that the consequences would be drastic."

"I don't regret my choices. Demiurge wished for a boring and stagnant Universe. Life deserves more than that. I fell from grace, but I brought Freedom to the World."

"As such, Satanael is a Persona capable of shaking the very foundations of the World. All that power, contained inside a vessel can be dangerous...especially a vessel that isn't physically prepared."

"What do you mean?"

"If we were to determine your strength based on numbers...you and Arsene would currently be around Level 68." Igor said.

"Satanael is at Level 99." Lavenza finished. "He can grow no stronger than he is now. You still have room to grow."

"That may be true, but I can be enhanced. If you wish it, you can draw more of my power from the abysses of Hell."

"So...until I reach the pinnacle of my own power, using Satanael will hurt?"

"Essentially. The closer you get to Level 99, the less the difference will manifest." Lavenza nodded. "I would advise that you avoid using Persona that have a substantially higher level than you."

"So I should focus on using Arsene more." She nodded. "That's fine."

"It will be nice to stretch my wings once again." Arsene laughed.

"I will still be around, even if I am unneeded at the moment," Satanael said. "We are rebels." With those words, he wrapped himself in his wings, disappearing from view.

"I just need to get stronger."

"It will be difficult to do so," Igor said. "The stronger one gets, the more slowly they progress. Especially when facing enemies that pose little threat." He was referring to Kamoshida's Palace. He was right. Fight a Pixie or an Agathion wouldn't do shit for me. Even fighting an Archangel probably wouldn't help me.

"Where are Ryuji and Morgana on this power scale?"

"Morgana is near you. Level 65."

Ryuji Sakamoto has been reset." Igor said. "He will have to begin from Level 4"

"...why not Level 1?"

"...unclear," Lavenza said. "As people join you, they will be near your group's level. It may be you unconsciously lending them your will of rebellion, or it may be another factor."

"Okay…" I nodded. "I think I can do this...tomorrow is the day that Shiho gets raped."

"If you wish to save her, you must act swiftly," Lavenza said. "Her fate is bleak." I nodded. I had to do this right. There was no room for mistakes.