Lucas made the mistake of turning around, his blondes friends voice causing him to hesitate.

That was a mistake, as Lucas turned around his ears exploded due to the sound of a gunshot, and his vision went as red as Ryuji's chest, the blonde sprinter was knocked off his feet by the bullet's impact, and Akechi caught him midway, causing both of them to fall down.

Lucas turned around pure rage driving him and shot his own gun four times. But the bullets only impacted the wall where Christopher used to be.

"Ryuji! Just hang on!" Akechi yelled out and began dialing a three digit number on his phone.

Lucas looked around, mind hazy with anger and despair, only to realize that Christopher completely disappeared. Out of thin air.

Lucas didn't hesitate, he couldn't be sure but he didn't hesitate, he pulled out his own phone and disappeared as well.

Into the Metaverse. Akechi tried to stop him but couldn't because he was on the phone with the operator, who was asking for his address. Akechi began to compress the gunshot wound as best as he could to stem blood loss, thankful that the bullet seemed to cleanly pass through at the very least.

"Just hang on Ryuji, help is on the way." Akechi said to the comatose blonde.

Line Break.

Lucas didn't appear in the castle like he expected, instead of the tower he in fact appeared dead in the middle of Shibuya, bodies littered the streets, but his focus was on the one thing he hated more than anything else, who was staring back at him with a nervous, manic expression. It wasn't the shadow version, but the real deal.

"This is the end of the road for you, Christopher." Lucas said, his voice was cold and detached.

"I don't know how you guessed I came in here. But it wasn't a good idea." Christopher took a step back.

"I know." Lucas smiled. On Queue, the world around them cracked and split, buildings creaked and groaned, and a loud crash like an atom bomb let Lucas know a skyscraper had collapsed somewhere. "You came into your own palace, the world inside your dead heart, and because of that this world is breaking apart."

"I had some idea as to why my world was breaking apart… but this is worse than I expected." A voice behind Lucas spoke, eerily similar but yet distorted Lucas didn't even blink.

Christopher on the other hand looked past his nephew in surprise, he'd figured out he had his own shadow world long ago, but never had actually been into it. Until now.

"Your… me." Christopher said to his deformed shadow. His shadow other throwing his head back and laughing.

"No… Your me!" Shadow Christopher lunged, and this time Lucas did flinch, he dived out of the way just in time for Shadow Christopher to grab the regular one by the throat.

"I never thought I would get this chance… To hunt myself." Shadow Christopher growled at his real self, and Christopher struggled to break free but couldn't.

"W-what the hell are you doing!?" Christopher choked out, his throat slowly being crushed by his shadows grip. "H-he's the one we should be worried about!"

"You come into my world, and begin to shatter it's very being by your mere existence, if I consume you… fuse with you… I wonder what would happen? How much power would I gain?" Shadow Christopher ignored the words his real self spoke, and stroked his cheek with his right thumb.

Lucas had enough of waiting. "You both won't get that chance. Screw this change of heart stuff, getting you to confess for you crimes, I'm going to kill both of you here and now."

Lucas felt power welling up inside him, and his Persona burst out of his body, in front of him was Grim Reaper, however he looked radically different than before, instead of the skeletal body he had before, he was now flesh and blood, he was packed with muscle, and in his hands he held two hybrid type weapons, some sort of mix between a sword and a scythe. His cloak was still tattered and his hood over his head hid some of his face, but it was still him.

Still Grim Reaper.

"R-Reaper?" Lucas asked, taking a small step forward. Lucas touched his face and was surprised to find that he didn't have a mask anymore.

"Master… your finally realizing your true strength." Reaper said, his face had a smirk on it. "No longer do you hide behind a mask, for you are no phantom thief, one that hides in the shadows." Reaper turned back to his two foes and spun his blades in his hand.

"But a king! A conqueror! Hear my true name, Reaper the Conqueror!" His Persona said.

A strange feeling spiked through Lucas' brain, and his dual scythe in his hands began to change, morphing into the same two hybrid scythe-swords that his Persona had, straight black with red flame patterns running along the scythe part of the blades.

"A power boost means nothing." Shadow Christopher said confidently, the hand around the real Christopher's throat began to glow black, and Christopher began to scream in agony. "When you have a world where rules don't matter!"

A bright light enveloped the area around them, and Lucas was forced to look away, even though he heard his uncles screams hit a crescendo he couldn't look forward. When the light faded Lucas' eyes widened at the sight.

His uncle was gone… No… not gone, but fused with the shadow of himself, forming… himself, no notable changes were made except for the fact that one eye was yellow, while the other was Christopher's natural color, and the fact that he looked stockier and beefier.

Somehow that was more nerve-racking, instead of some gross abomination to represent the evil inside himself, Christopher was so evil that he simply looked like himself no matter the change.

"You see, boy?" Shadow Christopher asked. "In this world, in my world. I can do whatever I want, be whatever I want. You can't stop me, I am invincible."

Lucas remembered the pain and fear on Akira's face, as he wondered about his fiance's condition, the rage he felt and the despair when he thought that Ryuji might die from the gunshot wound inflicted on him. And he felt his body burn with power, that power transferred from himself onto Reaper the Conqueror, seemingly making him stronger also.

"Everything you care about, desire, your power, your dreams and aspirations… I will take it all away, along with your pathetic life… this isn't for me, a King doesn't get angry for himself, he gets angry for his people. This isn't for me… this is for all the lives you've TAKEN!" Lucas screamed out.

The world began to crack even more, skyscrapers around them fell, catching themselves on each other, glass and rubble began to rain down around them, but Lucas ignored It all.

Lucas brandished his blades. "It's just you and me, I will kill you."

"I'd like to see you try!" Shadow Christopher lunged forward, he feet shattering the ground around him with each stomp.

Lucas dashed forward, ignoring Reaper's calls and swung his weapons, meeting Shadow Christopher's strike with his own blades. Lucas expected his weapons to slice through his foe's fist, but instead it was like colliding with a building, the resounding impact ricocheting through the street, shattering windows and making the already unsteady buildings all the more weak.

Lucas payed this no heed, his own anger fueling his every action, he swung both of his unique weapons and missed once as Shadow Christopher leaned away from the strike, pivoting, Lucas swung his blades again as fast and hard as he was able, deeply cutting his foe.

Shadow Christopher grunted and flipped back, kicking both the swords out of Lucas' hand, landing on his feet he immediately lunged forward and slammed his fist into his nephew's stomach.

White hot agony blistered it's way through Lucas' body, and Lucas was positive that if it wasn't for Reaper the conquerors power, he would have had all his ribs shattered right then and there. Lucas was launched straight through a car and into a stone pillar, hitting the pavement in a heap.

"H-How?" Lucas coughed blood into his hand. "How are you so strong!?" he demanded, Reaper manifested in front of his master, his stance defensive, protective.

"Because child, this is my world." Shadow Christopher lunged, Lucas raised his hands instinctively.

Reaper suddenly roared and charged forward. Lucas' eyes widened as his persona's dual blades exploded into light needles and struck Shadow Christopher all at once.

Reaper slammed his fist into the jaw of the shadow, and suddenly the light exploded in every direction. A single phrase popped into Lucas' mind, and he mouthed the words to himself as Reaper finished off the attack, hundreds of light needles began to form from the propelled light around Shadow Christopher, as he looked around in surprise, struggling to break free from the grip of Reaper the conqueror. Then, those needles began to drive into Shadow Christopher as he screamed in pain.

"Judgment needles..." Lucas mouthed. Reaper leaped back and watched as the needles continued to stab themselves into his masters uncle.

Lucas relaxed a fraction.

That was another mistake.

Suddenly, Shadow Christopher let out a loud scream that pierced Lucas' ears, and those light needles suddenly exploded back into light particles gathering in the palms of Reapers hands, morphing back into his two scythe-swords.

Lucas felt fear, stronger than any anger he could muster up. Not even the anger that driven him to try to kill his uncle was enough.

Standing in front of him and Reaper, was a twelve foot tall white werewolf with mangy fur, black and red eyes, snarling like a demon.

No… like a werewolf, because even demons are less terrifying than something that can change at will…

"I am through playing these games..." the werewolf said. "Because of my fusion… I can now access my strongest self… it was fun my nephew, but now it's time to die."

The werewolf swung his giant clawed hand, slicing straight through Reaper like he was nothing.

And Lucas' chest, blood sprayed out in a long red arc and Lucas fell back, his vision already going dark.

"The heart of my nephew… I wonder how it would taste..."

This… is it… Lucas thought, surprised that he was still even the least bit aware, he no longer felt pain, he no longer felt anything, which he decided in a split second it was a good thing.

At least I don't die in agony…

Your not going to die at all.A voice said, Male, familiar despite him only hearing it only one time.

Are you sure you want to try this? He might not accept it, and this is a complete out the butt theory and possibility. A different voice said, completely unfamiliar, also male, yet somehow Lucas still had the idea who it could be.

We have to try….

Line break.

Lucas opened his eyes and shot up, instantly knowing where he was due to the familiar sand on his body.

However, it was radically different, the sky was no longer bright and clear blue, it was completely black like night with no stars or moon, all around him in fact, was nothing but darkness, the only color leading into an endless abyss being the golden sand around him.

"What's… going on…?" Lucas mumbled.

"Your dead. Or almost dead." A voice behind him said. Lucas startled and whipped around, locking eyes with a boy about his age, with swept back black hair, blue eyes and a beauty mark under the left one.

"Your… Ryoji Mochizuki, the shard of death trapped inside my body…" Lucas realized, Ryoji smiled sadly at him.

"That's right… unfortunately before your death I wasn't able to come out to help you again…" He genuinely looked heartbroken by the words he spoke.

"Wait… you said I'm almost dead… and then you said im dead. Which is it? How am I speaking to you if i'm dead?" Lucas asked, confused.

Ryoji looked thoughtful for a moment. "Look around you…" He gestured suddenly. Lucas did so. "What do you see?"

Lucas raised an eyebrow. "Nothing, it's all black except the sand, Igor isn't even here anymore."

"That's because your still alive, but too far gone, brain dead would be the closest example, there's no saving you. Your body could recover but your mind is already gone. I'm sorry. Your cognitive world is dying, so Igor was forced out of here."

"Then… then why are you still here?" Lucas' voice cracked, the reality of what was happening hitting him, and he began to shake.

"We." Ryoji said.

"What?" Lucas asked, then realized. It wasn't Ryoji who spoke. Appearing beside him, still crucified, but there all together, was Makoto Yuki, the seal.

"H-how."

"We three are all connected, I was once a part of Makoto-san, while I'm now a part of you." Ryoji explained.

"And that's… probably the only reason your still even partially alive." Makoto said.

"It doesn't matter..." Lucas suddenly said. "I'm dying… no… I'm dead. This conversation doesn't matter."

"There's a reason your here." Ryoji said quickly. "There's a chance, a small chance. Albeit, and it's likely that it isn't even possible, shouldn't be based on the laws of reality itself, but if Tatsuya can recreate the universe, then I have to try."

"Who's Tatsuya?" Lucas asked, Makoto surprisingly, looked curious as well.

Ryoji smiled fondly. "It would take to long to explain, he's a legend. that's all you need to know."

"What…. What can you attempt to do?" Lucas asked, Ryoji took a deep breath and narrowed his eyes, Lucas opened his mouth to ask him what he was doing when suddenly a light flashed in the middle of the three teenagers.

The light faded and suddenly, floating in the middle of them was a large jagged piece of matter.

"This is the shard inside of you… in a sense… it's me. In an inanimate form, I'm not sure if it would work, but my plan to keep you… sort of alive is to switch your souls."

Lucas felt his legs wobble. "Switch our souls… you mean to replace my soul with Makoto Yuki's?"

Ryoji nodded. "If I switch your souls, Makoto's soul will go into your body, and repair your body… but there's a massive catch."

"I get it." Lucas said quickly… "I give up my body, my soul and consciousness becomes the seal for Nyx... while Makoto's soul and consciousness goes into my body, and his soul repairs my body. And he lives on, with my body."

Ryoji's eyes widened. But Makoto spoke. "You don't have to do this." He said.

"Makoto-san there is no other way." Ryoji said, his teeth bared.

"Dont give me that Ryoji. You said it yourself that this could be absolutely meaningless, you are attempting to bend the laws of reality, and if you fail all three of us will be obliterated." Makoto snapped.

Suddenly, he lurched and groaned in pain. "D-damnit… it's taking a lot of my strength to stay here and hold Nyx back. We don't have much time before I have to go."

"How did you even come to the conclusion that this was a possibility?" Lucas asked Ryoji.

"You two both had my essence inside of you at one point… as… weird as that sounds moving on: That gives you a deeper connection than you'd think, just Makoto being able to be here means that you two are connected."

"And even if we had a different way to get Makoto back… how would we get his soul and consciousness into a body he probably doesn't have anymore..." Lucas mumbled.

"There's one thing though." Ryoji said. "That will make this the best chance of it working, I don't know if I can do it, but if I can, I get the feeling that I cant do it alone. You have to want it Lucas."

"That's a load of bullshit!" Lucas snapped. "Who could want to let their soul and consciousness be ripped away from them!?"

"The selfless people." Ryoji said sternly. "The people who won't hesitate to sacrifice themselves for others… I would do it myself if I were in your position, because I know it'd be worth it, and I know your like that, I know Makoto-san is like that too because I've been a part of both of you!"

"I… I don't want to die." Lucas admitted, tears began to come out of his eyes.

"I wish there was another way." Makoto said. "But-"

"But nothing." Ryoji interrupted. "You have to make a choice Lucas… I won't force you, I cant."

'I have one last question..." Lucas said, and locked eyes with Makoto. "What are you going to do with my body if this works?"

"I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't want to indulge myself, I haven't been free in a long time, but I promise you I'd find away to get your body back and mine. Because you don't deserve this, I don't either." He said immediately.

Lucas stared at him for a moment longer. "I believe you. Wholeheartedly." He smiled at Makoto despite the situation.

Lucas stared at the shard of death floating in the air, almost tranquil in it's appearance. He walked up to it and reached out, and it instantly floated softly into his hand, it felt strange in Lucas' hands, he was expecting it to feel sharp like it's jagged appearance suggested, but instead it was soft, almost like he was holding air in a physical form.

"If this doesn't work..." Lucas trailed off.

"Then all three of us die." Ryoji said. "Not like that wouldn't be a possibility anyway even if we weren't doing this."

Lucas laughed hollowly. "Yeah, your right…. What… what would happen to you?" he asked Ryoji.

"That's more than one last question." Ryoji said with a smirk, then his face grew serious. "If it doesn't work?"

"If it does work… what would happen to you?"

Ryoji shrugged nonchalantly, but it was artificial, fabricated, Ryoji was scared, scared because he didn't know.

So… regardless of the outcome Ryoji may still die… Lucas thought, somehow, that gave him strength.

Lucas took a deep breath, and let the shard go, it floated away from his hands peacefully…

"Okay…" Lucas eventually said. "This… this is my destiny after all."

Ryoji looked immensely relieved, but also sad, Makoto looked so regretful that it physically hurt, but in the deepest part of his eyes was something almost foreign to Lucas now-a-days: Hope, he was truly sad, but he deeply wanted this.

Their reactions made Lucas' resolve grow stronger, almost as if he was feeding off of their emotions. Maybe that's why he was so calm despite all of the ways it could go wrong, why despite all of this happening he was able to stay strong, as strong as he could.

Because he wouldn't die alone if they failed.

Line break

"Are you ready?" Ryoji asked them. They both nodded, calmly, it surprised Ryoji. But it made him also admire the wild cards even more.

"Lucas… thank you." Makoto suddenly said. Lucas waved him off, his eyes were shining with unshed tears, but his mouth was turned up in a smile.

"Just… don't die with my body alright?" Lucas said.

Ryoji stepped forward and closed his eyes, holding out his hands to both wild cards and began to mumble something.

Lucas began to feel strange, as if he was being pulled in several different directions, it didn't hurt, but it felt like as if his entire body was on pins and needles, Makoto was having a very different experience.

Suddenly, Ryoji's hands burst with light and Lucas and Makoto fell unconscious.

"Reality, bend to my will just as you bent to Tatsuya, give me the power I need, lend me the strength to switch these souls for their greater purpose."

The world, darkness that enveloped everything began to stumble and shift in upon itself, resisting. Ryoji felt a chill go down his spine, and from behind him a voice spoke.

"My foolish son." The feminine voice spoke. "You really think you can harness reality? You are doing nothing but freeing me faster, when all three of you die my darkness will envelop this world, consuming it."

"Mother… that's always been your downfall." Ryoji said, Nyx realed back suddenly as Lucas' dead cognitive world exploded with light that shimmered and danced, as the darkness began to somehow merge with it, creating something foreign even to him, and It began to envelope Lucas and Makoto. Ryoji felt hope surge through his body, something that shouldn't exist considering what he was.

"What is this!" Nyx hissed.

"This is reality, shifting, reality is light and darkness itself, it is the world, and the world is it. Like I said mother, that's always been your downfall… you underestimate. You underestimate everything."

"Your a fool to think that this little light show has worked!" Nyx attempted to move forward but was suddenly pushed back.

The same light that enveloped the two wild cards began to slowly envelop Ryoji, as if it was letting Ryoji speak. "It did work, Tatsuya essentially recreated us, I just did the same thing, if it didn't work… mother, we wouldn't be having this conversation right now."

Ryoji smiled one last time. Bending reality itself one last time. "Begone, false Arcana, Reality doesn't want you here." Ryoji held his hand out and light and dark power surged forward, Nyx retreated back and disappeared before it reached her.

"You underestimate one more thing mother, your biggest one. You underestimate the power of humanity's will." Reality's darkened light enveloped Ryoji.

And reality changed everything.

A/N: Dude, college fucking sucks, HOLY CRAP. So much work is taking away like all my time. Anyway, I decided to do something… massive with this chapter. This chapter changes almost the entire story.

Well… except for one thing, I kinda always meant for Lucas to die, I didn't really know how to go about It though, this is basically my declaration, the pole however about Lucas' love interest, wasn't useless, I still have a plan for that. you'll just have to see.

Hope you enjoyed this chapter, and if you didn't… well I dont know what to tell you.