Iron Mario: Yeah. Ren only got to rank's 7 or 8 with everyone involved.
Shiho has the classic Social Link's for the Phantom Thieves and a few other new ones to be included.
And yeah, Lavenza has her own perks which will be revealed soon
Also... yeah, no other new TYPES of Confidant

warrior of six blades: You thought LAST chapter was long? CHECK THIS OUT!

Vu Phi Ho: Will do.

Mewtwo-TheLoneShadow: Yeah, future knowledge should be helpful in this sort of story in my opinion.

Dracul1789: They are twins and I am stupid laughs

UnsanMusho: As we said beforehand in this fic, the Wild Card's have a tenancy to get harems. We DID already imply Yu with Rise as well.
But no, Ryuji's senpai was not a 3 reference. Or if he was, it was not one we made.

Xerzo LotCN: laughs in FanFiction

xhope14x: Well... yeah. We didn't want to go over all the details of every day nor get repetitive so we focused on the key elements of the days.

Guest chapter 8 Jun 21: Thanks

E. Hero Caliber: Hi again.

GUIPA: We have... plans

Power Taco: Yeah, but that's rare.

Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Technically Lavenza knew Joker longer... if you include time travel.

Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:

Shadow Joestar: Yep, the fruits of their labours.

Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Oh trust me, there's going to be Double references.

GUIPA: We've got plans for some more members joining.

DragonNightmare90: Wait and see, we've got more coming up.

Mewtwo-TheLoneShadow: Yeah, well... most of them.

Disclaimer: We do not own Persona 5. That belongs to Atlus.

Co-written by GhostKaiser23

AUTHOR'S NOTE

BOOM! BOOM!

KABOOM!

We are back!

I hope you all enjoy because this one is where everything gets 'real'

Persona 5 New Game Plus, Joker's Second Chance
Chapter 9: The First Victory, the Endless Labyrinth

The hall went silently, seeing the gym teacher and volleyball coach suddenly slam open the doors to the gymnasium

Suguru Kamoshida was walking to the podium of the stage. Many of the people looked worried, gym had been cancelled while he was off. Ren just looked on at him, seeing the look on his face; while others thought they saw hidden anger, Ren saw the absolute weight of Kamoshida's sins.

"Ah, Mr Kamoshida. So glad you could-." The principal spoke before he was interrupted by him.

"I. I have to say something. No, not say... confess." Kamoshida spoke up, holding his hand to the principal to not hold his speech. "I. I have done many terrible things, while I have worked at this school." His head hung low, but his words reached every student and teacher. "I have bullied, abuse akin to torture and threatened several students, even those on my volleyball team."

You could hear the cracks in his voice as he confessed. Students and teachers looked on in horror as Kamoshida confessed.

"And, I have also sexually abused some female students, forcing them to have relations with me." Kamoshida's eyes wept as he confessed; he fell to his knees, almost like the weight of his sins dropped him to the ground.

All Ren could do was watch, all while Ryuji tried to tell him something. Like he was excited that Kamoshida was going to confess. Ren stepped forward. "Dude, what're you-?"

"You also baited Ryuji Sakamoto; right?" Ren spoke up, making people part like the Red Sea.

Kamoshida saw Ren, almost like he was the judge in a courtroom and nodded. "Yes. I-I intentionally baited and enraged him. Causing him to lash out." The students and teachers were stunned. "I called it 'self-defence', but the truth was, I was planning of breaking his leg! And-and you, Amamiya, I was the one who spread the knowledge of you being sent to jail."

That revelation caused the students to almost erupt in shock, held back by the teachers. The principal was terrified; why was he confessing all this?

Within the crowd, trying to push through, trying to get their answer from the scum of a teacher. "A-and me! What did you try and do to me?" Shiho's voice called out, making Ren internally smile.

"Suzui." Kamoshida broke down and grabbed his hair in disgust. "I-I attempted to rape you. I'm so sorry! I'm scum! Worse than scum! I'll pay for everything with my death!"

The hall turned as silent as the grave, no one knew what to say. No noise despite the crying the man gave out

Seconds to a minute passed as Kamoshida confessed his crimes, only to be broken by a single voice.

"Coward."

"W-What?" he gasped

Ann stepped forward, a fierce look in her eyes. His death wouldn't be enough to wipe the slate clean. "If you die, you're a coward. You should pay properly for the crap you've pulled!" Her fists where clenched, shaking "Your victims don't get to just die and forget it! They have to live on, trying to move past what you did to them! If you want to be punished then turn yourself in!"

"Takamaki... yes. I'll do that. Please. Someone call the police!" Kamoshida begged, not moving from the spot "I'm turning myself in! I need to be put in jail!"

"Mr Kamoshida, please wait-." Principal Kobayakawa asked, trying to get him off the floor, only to fail while everyone started talking

"Broke Ryuji's leg on purpose? Raped Suzui? I can't believe it. Yes, police. I'm reporting a crime." Those we're just some of the voices that overlapped.

Ren and his friends were the talk of the school now, all eyes were on them, for the most part. "We-we did it." Ryuji whispered in awe, touching the top of his thigh as he felt his formerly broken leg was healing emotionally.

*time skip*

"WE DID IT!"

Shiho was crying joy as she was sitting with Ann, Ryuji and Ren on the roof, with Morgana smiling at their job well done.

"WE DID IT!" Ryuji cheered once again

"Dude, calm down." Ren spoke with a smirk. "We get it."

"Joker, the guys overjoyed. Give him a minute." Morgana commented while stretching

Ren just nodded gently and sat down next to the cat.

"It's alright, Shiho. It's over." Ann smiled, hugging her friend.

"We did it!" Shiho cried happily

"Take pride everyone." Morgana smiled as the sounds of police sirens still lingered in the air, even though they had long since left. It was all anyone was talking about downstairs, even some of the teachers were telling students to go home "We've done a good thing."

Ren slowly took a deep breath, feeling more fulfilled than he did the first time around. Kamoshida will pay for what he did, but now his sins would be heard by everyone.

"We should do something! Let's go celebrate!" Ryuji thought out loud.

"Yeah." Ann nodded, holding the still happy-crying Shiho close

"Where can we go?" Morgana asked

"I think... Shiho should choose." Ren offered making everyone look at him and then the black haired girl

"Y-You're sure?" She asked

"Yeah, definitely." He nodded

"... There's this nice place I'd like to go. It's a little expensive." Shiho responded

"We've got 30,000 Yen. It's fine." Ren reassured her.

"Wait... when did we get that much money?" Ann blinked

"We sold the medal earlier." Ren answered. "I've been saving it for something like this."

"That's... A lot of money." Shiho blinked

"I know, but we earned it." Ren responded. "Ryuji and I checked the web."

"Well, I suppose that's fine." Ann answered

"I guess the Fancy restaurant it is then." Shiho responded, with a growing smile on her face.

"Fancy restaurant?" Ryuji asked

"Yeah, a place Ann and I have heard about. It's supposed to be high class." Shiho answered "I am sure we will all love it."

*Time Skip*

"WOW!" the group gasped

"See, told you it was fancy." Shiho commented as they saw it. "Table for four." She asked the waiter who almost seemed to sneer at them

"We did pre-book, Sir." Ann spoke up.

The waiter looked down at them before looking at the bookings. "...This way."

Ryuji felt a little insulted, having the guy look down at them... but Ren just pointed to one of the seemingly endless buffet trays and his thoughts went straight to 'Meat!'. "Look at all that!"

"And it's all paid for for the next couple of hours." Shiho smiled "All you can eat."

"Ah-ha-ha-ha-ha~!" Ryuji drooled as he heard that and headed straight for the meat table with a fresh plate.

"Looks like someone's excited." Morgana commented inside of Ren's bag.

"Don't worry, I'll get you some fatty tuna, if I see some." Ren whispered into his bag.

"Thanks Joker." he chuckled

The group began to go around the buffet, gathering what they wanted

"A steak, some beef, pork-!" Ryuji licked his lips, taking bits up

"Take it easy, Ryuji. You don't want indigestion." Ren commented, vaguely recalling Ryuji's problem at the hotel last time.

"Ice cream and cake and pie and..." Ann muttered

Ren smiled as he saw Ann's selections. It was just nice... however he was wondering what Shiho would choose. He was very curious what she'd have. Ge didn't know her that well yet

'Okay, fatty tuna, rice, noodles, some pork... Salad.' Ren thought as he piled on a full plate. Eventually he returned to the table, seeing what everyone else had gotten

Ryuji had a large pile of meat, Ann had a tray of sweets, Ren himself had a half-plate for Morgana and a half-plate for himself and finally, Shiho had a lot of rice and fish, much like an athletics dinner. Compared to the others, Ren was the most 'normal' of the meals

"Wow~!" Morgana's eyes sparkled as he saw all the food.

"Here you go, buddy." Ren smiled, passing over the fish section.

"Yes!" Morgana cheered and dug in play

Ren just chuckled as he saw Morgana go to town on the food, while his friends did also. It was a great relief that they could enjoy this win properly. This finally it... He felt at home again, truly. Sure there where still a few very important people missing but... He missed this

"Hmm! Hmm-hmm-hmm~! Thish meat ish sho go~od!" Ryuji moaned happily, feeling the mouth melting tear-ability of the pork and its flavours.

"Thesbe shweetsh are delishioush~!" Ann moaned happily at the flavour

"How's yours, Shiho?" Ren asked, before he ate some rice.

"Hmm. Great, thank you." She responded, before eating. "Better than 'Big Bang Burger'."

"I think they're good." he shrugged

"Well. I only say that cause I want to keep my athletic body." Shiho answered as blushed, having to be careful with her diet and exercise

"And what a lovely body it is." Ryuji joked

THUD!

"OW!" Ryuji grunted as he was punched in the arm by her. "What did I say?"

Ann huffed, looking away

"Careful of what you say, Ryuji." Morgana informed as he finished eating his first piece of tuna.

"Not eating much, Ren?" Shiho asked

"Trust me, I'm pacing myself." Ren answered, vividly recalling the last time that he was here... and how Ryuji and he almost threw up on the carpets of this place trying to find the bathroom. Sure it was a fun memory to look back on, but it wasn't a fun moment

"Okay." Shiho nodded "I was just worried."

"... You know... this feels good." Ann said suddenly "Knowing... we helped so many people."

"Yeah, it was. But, what do we do now?" Ryuji asked as he leaned back. "After sorting out Kamoshida..."

"... we find someone else?" Shiho commend suddenly "We helped those people so... shouldn't we keep helping them?"

Ren was stunned. Shiho was taking the initiative and he didn't have to mention it, nor Morgana.

"You think we should keep doing this?" Ann blinked in shock

"I think so." Shiho nodded. "There are probably more people like Kamoshida out there." Her hands gripped her fork tightly, almost bending the metal "We can't let what he did to me... we can't let people do stuff like that to anyone else."

"Miss Shiho." Morgana whispered as he looked up.

"... Yeah, I agree." Ren followed up as Ryuji rubbed his leg. "Ryuji?"

"You're right." he nodded "Hell, what if there's someone worse? I mean my leg was a start."

"So? We're in agreement? We're in this together?" Ren spoke up and the others nodded

"Y'know. We actually need a name. I just went with 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts' as a one-off." Ryuji admitted

"What to do?" Shiho hummed

"How about we let out leader decide?" Ann smiled at Ren

"Yeah, what do you think?" Shiho asked.

Ren leaned down and began to 'think'. "You know. I do like the name 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts'." He smirked... "Wait, I'm the leader?" he asked, pretending to be shocked

"Well, yeah. You're the level headed one. And you brought us together." Ryuji nodded. "No offense, Morgana."

"None taken! He is the best bet!" Morgan nodded happily

"So it's decided? Ren's gonna be our Leader." Shiho smiled

"No argument's here." Ann added

"Right on, leader buddy!" Ryuji cheered as he help up a drink for a toast

"To the Phantom Thieves of Hearts." Joker said passionately as the four humans clasped glasses together, Morgan grinning in his catty way

"To the Phantom Thieves of Hearts!" they all agreed, including Morgana, while making sure to keep their voices quiet

"Just make sure you don't hog all the hot girls, buddy." Ryuji added with a laugh, elbowing Ren in the arm slightly as he looked at Ann and Shiho as he saw how the two looked at him

"What's that supposed to mean?!" Ann and Shiho snapped slightly before they froze and looked at each other with blushes

"Oh boy." Ryuji laughed

"You guys do know you're running out of time, right?" Morgana asked as he picked his lips, having finished his fish

"... To the buffets!" Ryuji immediately stood up and pointed to the several tables.

"Any more?" Ren offered.

"Err. Maybe." Morgana answered.

"Guys, don't overfill." Ren spoke up as Ann hurried off to get more sweets. Ren shook his head with a smile, rubbing the back of his neck. "I wonder if Sojiro would like any of this?" He wondered

"Maybe."

THUMP!

"Ah~, here we go!" Ryuji smiled, sitting down heavily with a mountain of meat and rice.

'... Oh sweet merciful crap, not again.' Ren groaned and facepalmed.

*time skip*

"Hurry up!" Ryuji whined, holding his stomach as he and Ren waited for the elevator

Ren rolled his eyes. History repeating itself. "I told you not to over-fill."

"Dude, shut up." Ryuji groaned, holding his stomach. "Why did they put the bathrooms so far away?"

"Don't know." Ren admitted

Seconds later, a group of five walked to the elevators, pushing Ryuji away as the elevator pinged its arrival. All five men were wearing suits, four of them wearing tough-looking suits with earpieces, dark shades and short haircuts. The fifth was a bald man, rectangle frame orange-tinted sunglasses with a small black goatee, a smart black jacket and white button shirt; he was distinguished, stern-looking, tall and imposing. His whole aura exude strength.

Ren was stunned. He saw this man...the man who ruined his life. The one who set him on this life as a 'delinquent', a 'criminal'...a 'trickster'. He wanted to glare right at him. To plunge his fist so far into this man's skull his brains would be splattered all over the wall. But no. That wouldn't do. Such a terrible thing, he'd be put down by his guards within seconds. And what would be better, would be to see him confess his sins.

"Hey, man. What's your prob-hey! That's ours!" Ryuji panicked as they just entered the elevator that Ryuji had chosen.

"Back off."

"What d'you-?" Ryuji snapped before Ren stopped him.

"Don't." He shook his head as the elevator closed, never taking his eyes off of the bald-headed man. He felt his blood... Boil

The glasses-wearing man gave little notice to Ryuji and Ren, only seeing two wastrels before him as the door close.

Ryuji looked at Ren, seeing the blue flames of anger in yellow iris eyes. "Dude... Are-are you okay?"

"That's him." was all Ren said

Ryuji's angry face melted away, before he pointed at the elevator and stared at the closed doors. His anger came back once again... but not before the pangs of his indigestion kicked in again "Ah! I'll be angry later, bathroom now!" he groaned

*time skip*

Ren was back home in Yongen-Jaya, back in Cafe LeBlanc; having calmed down from that ordeal back at the hotel. "You're back, I was getting worried." Sojiro commented as he was closing up shop. "What's that in your bag?"

"Oh, just some stuff." he smiled as he pulled out a small bag with the fancy food in

"Is that for Morgana?" He asked

"Nope. It's actually for you." Ren responded with a proud smile

"Really? What is-? Holy CRAP!" Sojiro asked before he double took in shock at the sight of the luxurious food.

"Hope you enjoy. I had to be real light fingered to get all that and sneak it out." Ren winked jokingly

Sojiro looked at Ren and then at the food, getting conflicted about it... but then he saw the receipt and calmed down.

"Joking!" the Joker smirked in victory

Morgana snickered in the bag lightly, trying to stay quiet

As they got upstairs, Morgana leapt out of Ren's bag and turned a little sombre. "Are you okay, Joker?"

"... I saw him."

"'Him'?" Morgana asked "... Oh. 'Him'."

"Yeah." Ren nodded, gripping his hands angrily, holding back his rage "It was so hard to hold myself back."

"I understand. Anyone would." Morgana nodded in understanding. "But we'll stop him. We'll beat him just like before."

"Yeah." he smiled softly

Morgana leapt into Ren's lap and lay down in it, indicating it was time to sleep.

Ren was silent, stroking his little brother in cat form's back to sooth the both of them

*Time Skip*

It was school once again, Ren saw his homeroom teacher and placed a coffee on the desk for her "Morning." he nodded at the brunette

"Mr Amamiya." she nodded back

Ren took his seat, smiling at Ann

Ann was silent, nodding lightly while also seeming... slightly distant

"You okay?" Ren asked

"Huh? Oh. I-I'm fine." She mumbled.

"Okay?" he blinked

"Sorry, I didn't get much sleep last night." She apologised.

"Right." he nodded in understanding

"What about you?" Ann asked

"I managed." He answered

"Ehem." Ms Kawakami coughed

"Sorry, Miss." The two apologised as their lesson continued... or should we say 'started'.

*Time Skip*

"Art now... I can't believe it." Ann frowned as she didn't quite know how to react with it.

"Why?" Ren asked

"I was struggling with math's before." Ryuji followed up as he slumped on his make-shift seat. "That's why."

"I can tell that a painting is good... but knowing the history and who made it is beyond me." Ann admitted

Ren shrugged, happily sitting at the edge of the roof

Shiho was staying firm in the middle of the roof, with Ann and Ryuji. "Still scared of the edge?" Ann whispered nervously.

"Hmm." She nodded even if there almost seemed to be... Tension between the two of them

Morgana looked at them both, worried that something was going on since he had never seen this situation before. "Lady Ann, Lady Shiho, is something the matter?" He asked respectfully.

"No!" they snapped lightly

"S-Sorry!" Morgana backed off immediately

"... Okay." Ren blinked in worry "So... What do we do?"

"Well... Unless we can check for someone who's being a complete and utter ass, we can't do much." Ryuji answered

"Wait... there is a way. Mementos." Morgana answered.

"Huh?" The three asked

"Mementos." Ren realised, facepalming at his lost memory. 'But we don't have Mishima's website... wait.' He thought again. "Has there been any news on the Phantom Thieves?"

"Oh, yeah! There's been this fansite which started up the day after Kamoshida disappeared!" Ryuji cheered

'Mishima, you awesome person!' Ren thought with an internal smirk. "Really? What's it about?"

"Here. Err... ah, here it is." Ryuji spoke and showed the site on his phone.

The group all leaned forwards, looking at the phone

On Ryuji's phone, they saw a message board of sorts with the website name being called the 'Phansite'; a dedicated fan website who support the Phantom Thieves, there was even a 'Are the Phantom Thieves real?' poll; which showed a measly 0.5%. But that wasn't the main part, there were people commenting about either the ineptitude of the site or giving suggestions on who they could target next.

Morgana, Ann and Shiho where all shocked that such a website existed, amazed by the situation

"This is cool!"

"So... What's this Momentos thing?" Ryuji asked

"I'll tell you tomorrow after school." Morgana explained

"Seriously? Why not now?" Ryuji asked

"It's too soon. Plus, it's the weekend tomorrow. We'll have more freedom." Morgana answered

"Yeah. We have all day to deal with it tomorrow." Ren nodded

"Makes sense." Ann nodded

"So, we just head home now?" Ryuji asked

"I can't yet. I've got a few things to pick up." Ren answered.

"... Shiho. I'd like to speak to you before we head back." Ann commented

"Um. Sure, Ann." Shiho nodded as she looked at her best friend.

"Later." Ryuji waved

"Meet at the train station?" Ren asked and when the girls nodded, he left

That left Ann and Shiho alone, the two looking at each other...

"We are so stupid." Ann groaned

"I know, I'm sorry." Shiho apologised.

"No, I'm sorry. I mean, what where we thinking?" Ann thought as she shook her head

*flashback, last night*

Both Ann and Shiho were walking home together, having just enjoyed the buffet together... though there was a tense air.

"So... What do you think of Ren?" Ann asked, some tension clear in her voice

"Ren?" Shiho asked "... What do you think of him?"

"No way! I asked you first!" Ann all but snapped, pointing dramatically

"But you-! Fine!" Shiho glared and stomped her foot "He's real nice and charming and handsome, alright!"

"That's what I think too!" Ann snapped back, agreeing with her "He's so cute and cool and kind! it shouldn't be possible to be that kind!"

"Huh! You like him!" the two gasped

The two stared at each other in both frustration and embarrassment, seeing that their friend was the center of their affections.

"I can't believe you!" Ann commented a moment later

"I can't believe you!" Shiho responded, feeling embarrassed that she and her friend had feelings for the same boy.

And that's when the arguing began...

*end flashback*

"Fighting over some boy... Our first fight since we where twelve." Ann admitted in embarrassment and shame

"I know. I mean... Ren's nice. Really nice. But... I don't want to lose my best friend." Shiho agreed.

"Being mad at you all day... I hated it." Ann admitted and agreed "... Shiho... I don't know what to do. I mean Rem's cute and he's a cool guy, if he asked me out I know I'd say yes, but at the same time I don't want to date him if it hurt you."

"Isn't there? I don't know. Some sort of compromise we can do?" Shiho asked

"'Compromise'?" Ann asked

"Yeah. say if, we both wanted to date him... but we'd only go out with him on opposite days?" Shiho asked

"What... You mean sharing him?" Ann blinked

"Yeah. Exactly." Shiho nodded. "I know it sounds crazy and like it came out of an ecchi manga, but... Yes."

"I... I couldn't imagine life without you, Shiho." Ann agreed

"I feel the same, Ann. You're my best friend. I don't want to lose you to a stupid reason." Shiho agreed.

The two looked at each other... And blushed lightly

"... So. This... this 'split week'. How would it work?" She asked

"Well, one of us would have Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The other would have Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. We both hang with each other on the Sunday without him." Shiho answered

"So... We're a threesome?"

"I suppose." Shiho nodded, though nervous that Ann called it that, indicating that it was more than dating.

It made sense to call it that but it was a bit lewd

"Are we still good?" Ann asked

Shiho looked at her friend... and then hugged her. "Yes, we're still good."

*time skip*

We are once again in the secluded interrogation room, Ren slowly recalling all that had happened to him, his head in his hand as he leaned on the table. Sae was sitting opposite him and still had the files before them. "So, after Kamoshida, you looked to someone else; correct?" She asked

"I already knew out next target, and a change we needed to do after that to save a life, but yes." he nodded "I needed the save a friend before it was too late."

"And this 'friend' of yours. He was a former member of the next 'victim'?" Sae asked as she pulled out the file's paper, with a picture of a grey-haired man in a kimono.

*Flashback*

The Phantom Thieves were sitting outside of the train station's opening during a sunny day, people were walking about with their lives while they were looking at this 'Phansite' for information.

"So.. This Momentous thing?" Ryuji asked

"Not 'Momentous', 'Mementos'." Morgana sighed.

"Right, right." He responded with a bored tone and looked at the site. "So what is it exactly?"

"Yeah, I've been wondering that too." Shiho asked as Ren came back with drinks for them.

"Hmm... Think of it as a collective Palace. A place where everyone's thoughts and desires come together." Morgana pondered and tried to make it simple.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a sec! You mean to tell me it's one huge ass Palace we have to go through?" Ryuji panicked

"Kind of. Mementos is everyone's Palace. It has no fixed desire, so it takes the form that everyone can agree on." Morgana responded

"So... Instead of it being a castle, like Kamoshida's, it's somewhere that's familiar?" Ann asked

"Something like that. Question: what place in Tokyo does everyone see every day where people gather and leave?" Morgana asked

"Err..." The three asked

"The Train Station." Ren walked up, passing the drinks over.

"Correct." The cat smiled in response.

"The train station?" the others asked

"I mean, it makes sense. Where else would you see any public place we can go in without arousing suspicion?" Ren commented

"I guess that's true. But how can we access it?" Shiho asked

"We just need to enter the pass-phrase into the app. And figure out who we'll go after first." Morgana responded

BWEEP!

"Oh, hey! We got one." Ryuji spoke as he flicked through messages. "It says; I'm being stalked by my ex-boyfriend, he doesn't get the hint."

"Stalkers are the worst." Ann frowned, realising that this was going to be troubling right off the bat.

"Okay. It's Showtime." Joker nodded

Skull smirked as he input the instructions into the App and the group were teleported into Mementos. The purple skies and terrible red water on the floor.

"Whoa, it really does look like the station." Dove commented

"That's right. And I have to give you all a word of warning." Mona followed up.

"What is it, Mona?" Panther asked

"This time we enter will be different compared to all subsequent visits to Mementos. Due to the sheer number of people here, its levels and layout will be different as well." Mona explained

"Huh? I don't get it." Skull asked. "'Levels' and 'Layouts'; the heck; Mona?"

"Hmm, how to explain it so that you can understand, Skull." Mona pondered

"It's like playing a dungeon crawler game, where the dungeon changes each time we visit." Joker explained "And the dungeon is very deep."

"Oh, okay. I got you now." Skill answered

"Look at the size of this place. How are we going to navigate around?" Dove asked, since this place was so massive, making Morgana grin and Joker, who knew what was going to happen, couldn't help but smile.

"Morgana~!" He began to speak, getting into a pose, doing two quick punches, raising his right paw over his head so it was opposite of his resting paw; before he jerked his left paw towards his right shoulder in a diagonal spot, pulling his right paw back so it rested on his hip. "Henshin!"

And with a single jumping leap into the air, Morgana disappeared into a cloud before reemerging as a black bus, blue eye-like headlights, a silver bumper, white-wall tires with black tread, a silver grill on his face, two double-level mirrors on the side on his bus form and a yellow stripe over his 'nose' and down his back... to his cat ears and tail that had remained.

"DA HELL?!" the other three yelled, falling over

"Ladies first. Panther, Dove." Mona spoke even in his bus form.

"How is that even possible?!" Dove double-took, switching to Mona and Joker, who just stood there.

Joker smiled, taking the drivers seat of the va "Are you guys coming?" Joker asked.

"How are you this calm?" Skull responded annoyingly to which Joker just shrugged

"Is this still okay? I mean... you're still a cat." Panther asked

"It's fine, Panther." Mona answered "Get in, don't worry. It's purr-fect."

"Bad joke." Joker smirked

"Nyeh." Mona responded as the remaining Phantom Thieves entered the Bus-Mona. "Let's drive, Joker!"

"Wait, does anyone have a license?" Dove asked

"I've played a few games that required driving. I'll be alright." Joker answered as he gripped the wheel, and they where off

"Y'know, after this, I don't think I'll see Tokyo Station the same way again." Skull commented as he looked out the window

"I know what you mean." Panher nodded

Dove looked out at the warped reality of train tracks, tunnels and black goop covered walls of Mementos. Until she clocked something that made her leap into Panther's arms. "Wh-wh-what the hell is that?!"

"A shadow!" Morgana cheered

"THAT'S a Shadow?" Dove shouted

"Of course, Shadows are all compiled desires from people. It would make sense that they all look like this." Mona informed

"Yeah, they have no real shape and so you combine a lot of people's minds you get creepy nothing." Joker nodded

"Note to self... Beat these guy quickly." Skull answered making the others nod

"Well then, Mona. Let's ram 'em!" Joker smiled as he aimed Mona right at the Shadow.

"JOKER!" the others yelled as Joker rushed forwards with the car at full force

Both Mona and Joker were laughing as they crashed into a Shadow, causing it to shake and explode into a small group of physical Shadows that the group could fight against!

"Wh-what the 'eff, dude? Are you nuts?" Skull shouted

"Stop complaining, we got a Shadow to crush!" Mona called as he reverted to his normal car form, the group landing for battle

The Shadow's party consisted of large green globules of sludge with red eyes. "Slimes." Joker commented

"Eww! Are you serious?" Panther groaned as she saw them. "Didn't we have enough of these guys to deal with?"

"Well, we can get more money and experience." Mona pointed out

"... More money?" Shiho asked

"Yeah, meaning we can get better equipment and not worry about supplies for a little while." Joker answered. "Suzaku! AGI!" Summoned from Joker's soul was a red and purple bird Persona with a golden beak and claws, shooting out a burst of flame at a Slime.

"Wow!" the group gasped

"When did you get that one?" Dove asked in shock.

"When we were getting supplies." He answered as one Slime was knocked down "Panther, you're up!" he called, Passing the Baton

"Right." she nodded as the two preformed a high five "Let's go, Carmen! MARAGI!" She called out attacking the Slimes all at once, not knocking them all out, but did enough damage to cause them to get 'ambushed'. Luckily the skill they gained from Kamoshida's Palace had really helped their powers. Most of the Slimes where killed, with one being knocked down "That was easy." Panther smirked as she flicked her hair back after a quick All-out Attack

"Yes. But got us this." Ren added, showing the item he got from the monsters defeat

"What is it?" Dove asked as Joker got the items, showing holed pieces of metal.

"Did we just risk our asses for worthless bent metal?" Skull groaned

"It's more than that, Skull. It's money made from pure rare metals." Mona answered as he transformed back into the bus.

"Basically people give money for this stuff." Joker responded as they started driving again

"... Are you serious? You mean if we come here every day we'll be rich?" Skull asked, thinking 'greedily', but also had a good ulterior motive.

Wack!

"Ow!" He groaned, feeling a welt on his head, given to him by Panther.

"Is money all you think about?" Panther frowned.

"We can't spend all day every in here." Joker pointed out "I mean we do have lives, Skull."

"I have my reasons." Skull grumbled and rubbed his head.

"So, what now?" Dove asked.

"We try and find this person on the Phansite." Joker answered "We need to keep going deeper."

"Deeper?" The three asked

"Of course, people like that are deep within Mementos. The deeper we go, the more Shadows we'll meet and the stronger we'll get." Mona answered

"So let's get moving." Joker nodded

*time skip*

The group where on the third floor, and they had done so much "Urgh, that was tough!" Skull groaned, feeling his butt go numb.

"I guess." Dove nodded

Panther was silent, pulling at her suit a bit

"Your suit giving you trouble?" Dove asked gently.

"Yeah, just giving me a slight wedgie." She nodded "It's this tail. It keeps pulling upwards whenever I move. So uncomfortable."

"I know how that is at times." Mona answered

"Your tail is a part of you, not a piece of clothing." Panther responded as she tugged her tail lightly

"You still look good, Panther." Joker admitted, trying to be polite.

"Huh?!" she gasped, blushing bright red for a moment "Th-Thanks." she whispered

Dove frowned as she heard that, but she was happy to hear that Joker was this polite. A bit jealous he didn't say that about her but she controlled herself

"Wow! What's that?!" Skull gasped

"Huh?" The group asked as they turned to Skull's direction and saw a... Hole

The hole seemed to defy gravity. Train tracks twisted into a spiral into a vortex of black, purple and red warped colours that sucked into oblivion.

"What? The hell?" Dove asked in shock.

"That's where we need to go." Joker spoke up

"Are you serious?!" Skull panicked

"That's where the person is going to be." Joker answered "Medal to the metal!"

"Isn't it 'pedal to the metal'?" Skull asked

"Whatever." Joker answered as they raced through the hole and entered a different location.

They skidded to a stop on the other side of the portal, jumping out of their trusty car "Mwrow!" Mona meowed and turned back as everyone leapt out.

"Wait, is that the guy?" Dove asked as they saw a figure stood motionless with a dark black aura shooting out of him.

"That's the guy." Joker nodded and as one they drew their weapons, getting ready

As they approached the man, they could hear his voice. "She's mine... No-one elses. Mine. Mine. Who're you?" The man mumbled before looking up at the Phantom Thieves.

"We're here to steal your heart, we're the Phantom Thieves." Skull answered

"No. You won't steal from me! Not again! Not ever again!" The man glared and began to erupt, turning into a Shadow. A dumpy, purple bowl-cut haired humanoid figure with a bottom jaw tooth out of his lip.

"Eww. Not gross but... Eh." Panther flinched

"Well guys. Its Showtime." Joker said confidently as he took the first strike

"Argh!" The person-Shadow grunted as Joker struck him, feeling his body slashed by Joker's knife.

"Batter up!" Skull called out, ready to him him.

"Eat lead!" Panther called, opening fire a moment later

The Shadow grunted as he was being peppered with bullets, almost being forced back by the impacts. "Hrargh!" He leapt up and smacked his fists down at Joker.

"Mind if I cut in?" Mona called out, readying his blade. He did a series of rapid slashes, throwing the Shadow off balance before he fired his slingshot right between its eyes

"FIRE IN THE HOLE!" Dove called as she jumped high into the air and literally SPIKED a grande into the Shadow's face

"Huh?"

BOOM!

"BLEHG!" He groaned and was knocked down, defeated.

"Wahoo! We did it!" Panther cheered as she sat down, her arms wrapped around one leg as she pulled it up to her chest

The shadow vanished revealing the man beneath. Who was disheveled and weeping. "I just... I don't want to lose anything else again."

"What are you going on about?" Skull huffed

"He stole from me, Madarame... All I wanted... was to have something that was mine." The man wept. "I'm so sorry. I-I didn't mean too."

"Huh? Who's 'Madarame'?" Skull asked

Joker walked down and knelt to his face. "It's okay now. Apologise to her. And own up that you can be better. Be a better person."

"Really? You... You think I can?" he asked in fear

"I know it." Joker answered. "Stand up and be better."

The man looked up at Joker like a saviour. "Thank you. Phantom Thieves." He spoke as he disappeared and turned into a small glowing white ball.

"Is that it?" Dove asked. "Did we win?"

"Yeah, we won." Joker nodded, taking the ball into his hand.

"Wait, isn't that-?" Panther asked

"It was the start of a Palace. And that was his treasure." Mona answered to clarify everything. "If we didn't stop him, we would've had to face a Palace again."

"... Oh..." Skull nodded

"Well. What do we do now?" Panther asked

"We can go deeper now." Mona responded. "There are levels deeper than here that we need to explore."

"Let's keep going." Joker nodded

"Yep!" Mona nodded, leaping into the air and turned into a bus again.

'Does he do this often?' Skull thought as everyone got in. However as they did, Dove tripped... And landed in Joker's lap, face first

"Are you okay?" Joker asked as he caught her.

"Hmm... Uh-huh." She nodded and blushed as she felt his leather pants against her face, she knew she was milometers from his crotch but was too nervous to look

"... Want to get up?" Joker asked nervously.

"S-Sure. Okay." She responded and got up. Her hands gripped his left thigh as she pushed herself up, sitting in the shotgun seat with a blush

"Oh man, I wanted 'shot gun'." Skull groaned

"You already have one, don't complain." Panther grumbled as they drove deeper into mementos... and fighting some more Shadows along the way.

*time skip*

"Alright, here we are." Joker spoke.

"Did you have to ram... every Shadow?" Skull asked

"Don't pretend that wasn't fun." Panther commented

"Oh no, it was a blast." He answered. "Just there was a lot of them. We where lucky." he commented

"Huh? Wait, is this the end of the line?" Skull asked as they approached a blocked off area.

"Yeah, right now; people don't believe in us enough. But with more people believing us we'll be able to go deeper." Mona answered

Joker honestly tuned everyone out, thinking 'This is where we need to go. The damn Cup.' Memories upon memories flashed through his mind. Remembering the countless hours he and his team had spent in here. And the times they spent fleeing from a near un-killable Shadow when they wanted time to explore.

"Joker? Are you okay?" Dove asked

"Yeah." he sighed deeply "Let's go home."

"Sure man. If that's what you want." Skull answered. "Hey, we got a lot of good stuff." he tried to lighten the mood.

"Yeah." Joker nodded "I'll split the cash when we sell this stuff."

"Wait, are you serious?" Panther asked

"I'm serious." Joker nodded. "It's a group effort."

"Well let's head out." Mona said, the group heading out

Joker waited until the others had gone up the lift... And pulled out his gun. He opened fire on the door, using up all the rest of his amo and frustration "GRARRRHHHHHH!"

BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
BANG!
CLICK!
CLICK!
CLICK!
CLICK!
CLICK!
CLICK!
CLICK!
CLICK!
CLICK!
CLICK!
CLICK!
CLICK!

"Damn it!" He punched the wall in his anger, before breathing heavily "I'm coming for you." he mouthed, not knowing how much it could hear or see. But he was coming 'Just you wait, you damn cup.'

Joker pocketed his gun once again and walked out, rejoining his friends.

But we don't follow The Phantom Thieves. We're going deep down. Following Joker's voice.

Deep into Mementos.

I'm coming for you...

One level. Two. Three.

But we go deeper, falling deeper and deeper into twisted desires. The warped world going further down

...coming for you...

Ten. Fifteen. Twenty.

Even further still where the Shadows were getting gargantuan in size. Yet it still wasn't the bottom.

...for you...

Further, deeper, more twisted and distorted.

Until. Down there. Right at the very bottom.

Hidden in shadows. Covered in the darkness and prison bars of the distorted desires of man.

There it was. The 'Damned Cup'

...You...

...

And it shook.

Just once.

It heard him!

*Back in Tokyo*

"Err, Ren; you okay? You were last out." Skull asked as he had his hands in his pockets.

"Yeah. I'm fine." Ren half-lied.

"Is that the time?!" Shiho asked as she looked at her watch.

"Huh?" everyone asked

"Is it this late? I can't believe it!" Shiho explained.

"What time is it Shiho?" Ann asked

"It's after five!" Shiho answered. "We've been in there for seven hours!"

...

"WHAT?!"

"We didn't get a time dilation or something? Sheesh!" Ryuji groaned

"This isn't a manga, Ryuji!" Ann stomped her foot.

"Really? It seems like one." Ren joked while rubbing his eyes

"... Fine." Ann frowned. "Shall we head home?"

"... Yes." everyone nodded

*time skip*

"Man, I slept like a rock last night." Ryuji commented as the group arrived at school

"Yeah, I know. I think I shed like a pound during all that." Shiho commented

"You should be careful there. There is such a thing as too thin." Ren teased softly, poking her forehead

"I-I know." She blushed and nodded

"So what was the haul from yesterday?" Ryuji asked

"Haven't had a chance to sell it yet. Going after school." Ren replied

"Oh, okay. I guess that's cool." Ryuji answered.

"You're a greedy little Thief, aren't you, Skull?" Morgana remarked with a cheeky grin.

"What's that supposed to mean?!" the died blonde hissed

"Morgana, that's enough. I'm sure he's just messing with you, Ryuji." Ren calmed the situation.

"Okay. So... Who's our next target?" Ann asked

"I. Dunno. Maybe we should stop?" Ryuji asked

"I don't think so." Ren answered. "What that guy said before, about 'Madarame'."

"Hmm... I've heard that name before." Ann pondered as they arrived. "From somewhere."

"Same." Shiho nodded

"Well, if he's our next target, then we should prepare; right?" Ryuji asked.

"Exactly. This is us." Ren nodded as they approached their respective classrooms.

"See ya later, man." Ryuji waved as he and Shiho went to their rooms... And Mishima was there, right in front of Ren

"Gah! Mishima!" Ren backed off in shock, not expecting him to stand right there.

"You guys did great!" he whispered to the two

"What're you talking about?" Ann whispered, a little nervous about their identities being exposed this early!

"Don't worry! Your secret is safe with me!" he grinned "By the way, you like my website?"

"That was you?" Ann whispered

"Yeah, I mean. You got me back in school. I can't thank you enough." Mishima responded.

"Wow." Ren blinked

"I'm in your guys' corner. If you need anything for the Thieves, you can count on me." Mishima followed up, before heading to his deck as the teacher came in.

I am Thou, Thou are I.
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy bonds of captivity.
With the birth of the Moon Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and a new power.

"Alright everyone, take your seats, please." Miss Kawakami asked, rubbing her eyes

As Ren walked towards his seat he gave her another can, knowing what would come soon

"Ahem. Please bow. And be seated." Ms Kawakami asked as she took the roster.

CONFIDANT RECAP:

Fool: Rank 10

Magician: Rank 10

World: Rank 4

Lovers: Rank 3

Lust: Rank 3

Death: Rank 2

Strength: Rank 3

Chariot: Rank 3

Hierophant: Rank 3

Moon: 1