[June 21 2020, Sunday]
[9:00 AM]
[LeBlanc Café, Yongen-Jaya]

(Ren puts on his black blazer, and equips his grappling hook. Morgana notices.)

Morgana: You seriously need that?

Ren: Anything could happen outside.

(Ren heads downstairs, he sees Sojiro at his usual counter, Akechi over it and drinking coffee while Ryuji sitting by the customer's seats browsing on his phone. Ryuji notices Ren.)

Ryuji: You' headin' out now?

Ren: Yeah, but a little change of plans.

Akechi: Hm? What is it?

Ren: I decided that you two aren't coming along, only me and Futaba.

Ryuji: Huh? Why?

Ren: Well on one hand, we have an Osakan fugitive. And on the other hand, a dead man walking.

(Ryuji and Akechi are silent as they stare at Ren with a neutral expression.)

Ren: You too, Morgana.

Morgana: Oh..... okay then.

(Morgana jumps to Ryuji's table and curls up, He then yawns.)

Ren: Just..... you guys hang tight for a while. Sojiro-san, any idea where Futaba might be?

Sojiro: At this time? She'd usually be by the house.

Ren: Thanks.

Sojiro: Stay safe.

Ren: Yeah.

(Ren heads out from the café and walks his way to the Sakura's house.)

[Front Door of the Sakura Residence.]

(Ren buzzes the doorbell.)

Ren: ......

.....

(No one responded, he then buzzes it again.)

.....

(Thuds are heard insides.)

Ren: ?

(The sliding door opens, which is Futaba who has recently woken up. She has a very messy hair and tries to put on her glasses.)

Ren: .....

(Ren watches Futaba fix herself in front of him as she walks to the gate.)

.....

Futaba: Oh!..... Hey.

Ren: *ahem*...We're heading out to visit Yusuke, remember?

Futaba: Ugghhh I didn't had much sleep especially what happened last night. Alright, just wait.

(Futaba walks away and slides the door shut.)

Ren: ......

(Ren waits around as she prepares herself.)

[6 minutes later.]

(Ren yawns as he leans by the wall near the gate with his hands on his pockets.)

.....

.....

(Futaba opens the door, all dressed up with a black T-shirt that bears a graphic design, fit denim pants that has multiple rips and dirty sneakers. Ren notices her.)

Ren: Ready?

Futaba: Mmhmm.....

(Futaba heads out the gate and closes it, she then locks it.)

Futaba: Hey, where are the others?

Ren: I left them behind, felt dangerous.

Futaba: Considering the reputation of these two, Yeah I'd see why. But you were "dead" once and managed to ease through with a hoodie.

Ren: Well to be fair no one knew my face.

Futaba: Right..... Wait, did you also left the cat?

Ren: Yeah, why?

Futaba: N-nothing...

(Ren and Futaba head to the train station.)

[9:53 AM]
[A Hospital, Bunkyo City]

(They head in to the lobby, Ren talks to a female receptionist on his left.)

Ren: Hi, is Yusuke Kitagawa here?

Receptionist: Hold on....

(She browses through the hospital's log of patients.)

Receptionist: Yes, what's your relation to him?

Ren and Futaba: We're his friend.

(The receptionist nods and tells them where Yusuke is. Ren nods and quickly bows a little before they head to him.)

[Yusuke's Room.]

(Yusuke is bedridden as his wounds heal.)

Yusuke: ..... (Akechi..... Why is he going for Ren?..... It has been years since we met but it felt so..... instant. What is happening?)

(A knock is heard on his door.)

Yusuke: Hm?.....Come in!

(The door opens, it's Ren and Futaba, taking Yusuke by surprise.)

Yusuke: Ren!

Futaba: Hello, Inari!

(Futaba quickly goes to Yusuke with a smile.)

Yusuke: Hey.

Ren: How are you holding up?

Yusuke: I'm recovering. Had it not been for my Persona, my wounds would've gotten worse.

Futaba: We're glad you're still alright!

.....

(The room goes silent, as the three understood the room.)

.....

Yusuke: ..... Surely you must've heard it by now?

Ren: Yeah..... I just ran into him yesterday.

Yusuke: !?- What happened?

Ren: *sigh* It's a long story...

Futaba: Mhmm, things have been a lil' confusing, and overwhelming.

Yusuke: What? Can you elaborate?

Ren: I'll save it, Which is why we came here today. We're gonna need you in our meeting back in the café.

Yusuke: A meeting?..... Well that's something we haven't done in a while.

Ren: Heh, yeah. We're going to at least summarize everything we can based on what happened to us.

Futaba: It seems that your situation has mixed in with Ren and the others.

Yusuke: I see now....

Ren: How long till you'll recover?

Yusuke: About a week, the doctors are surprised on how fast I healed within a day. Makoto must've patched me up while I was out.

Futaba: I guess that makes sense, I'm surprised why you're not in the ICU.

Ren: Well...

(Ren pulls out a pill from his pocket.)

Yusuke: Hm? What's this?

Ren: Take it, It'll make your recovery faster in no time.

Yusuke: Are you sure?

Futaba: Mmhmm *nod* Just trust us.

(Ren hands the pill to Yusuke, he swallows it.)

Ren: We should get going now.

Futaba: I'll see you again, Inari!

Yusuke: .....yeah, likewise.

(Ren and Futaba head out from the hospital.)

[10:12 AM]
[Taking the train back home.]

Ren: ......

(Both Ren and Futaba's phone vibrated.)

Ren and Futaba: !

(They pulled out their phones and check the notification, It's a message from the group chat.)

[Phantom Thieves Group Chat - ENCRYPTED]

Haru: "Is it true?"

Futaba: "?"

Haru: "He's alive!?"

Ren: "Yeah..."

Futaba: "yes..... :weirdchamp:"

(The group chat comes into a halt for a bit.)

.....

....

Haru: "This must be Maruki's doing again"

Makoto: "I highly doubt that. The Metaverse is gone and so is his ability to wield the power anymore. I too am shocked about this."

Ann: "How could he have survived those years back?"

Futaba: "irdk even my Persona had to confirm it, unless if I was wrong"

Ren: "Look, Akechi is back at Leblanc rn."

Haru: "What!? Explain why?"

Ren: "Look, I know what he did to Yusuke but it's justified. I'll hold a meeting back in the café to explain, Everything is a shitstorm lately so it felt best if we all get together in person."

Ryuji: "Really!? When?"

Ren: "Until Yusuke recovers"

Haru: "I swear if I smell a scent of treachery, I'm going to make sure to remind why he shouldn't cross us like last time!"

Makoto: "How is he holding up btw?"

Ren: "Oh he'll recover in no time"

Ann: "That's good to hear at least, I hope he does!"

.....

Ann: "Oh and speaking of which, is it also true Maruki is with you???"

Ren: "Yeah, he too has his Persona back and wants to lend a hand."

Haru: "Woah!"

Ren: "Crap I forgot"

.....

Ren: "Futaba, do you mind adding him here?"

Futaba: "gimme a bit"

.....

.....

"TAKUTO MARUKI has been added to the group"

Maruki: "Hello everyone, It's been a while since we've all seen each other."

Ann: "Hiiii ^w^"

Haru: "Welcome aboard to the Phantom Thieves of Heart, Councillor!"

Maruki: "Please don't call me that..... I'm a taxi driver now."

Ren: "I'll catch you all later."

Maruki: "I'll see you!"

(Ren and Futaba close their phones.)

[Yongen-Jaya Station]
[10:42 AM]

(Ren and Futaba head out from the train and walk back home.)

Futaba: Word about Akechi spreads fast within ourselves, hope it doesn't reach the public. Hehe.

Ren: Reminds me of something.....I think he still won't tell his story, Which I understand to some extent.

Futaba: What are you gonna do now?

Ren: Just wait till Yusuke recovers, catch up with the boys. How about you?

Futaba: Spread misinformation online.

Ren: .....

Futaba: What? You gotta start some discourse online every now and then. Helps take the minds off from you guys. I'll be by the house when you need me. I'll also be focusing on finding this Aoyama and his other two boys whilst trying to get ourselves under the radar.

Ren: Yeah, thanks.

(Ren and Futaba part ways, and the former heads back into the café.)

[Leblanc Café]

(Ren enters, he sees Sojiro at his usual spot while Akechi sitting on the customer's seats with Ryuji sitting in front of him over the table.)

Sojiro: Hey, Welcome back!

Ryuji: Yo!

Akechi: .....

(Morgana quickly runs downstairs.)

Morgana: How's Yusuke?

Ren: Gave him the pill, He'll recover in a few days.

Ryuji: After that, A meeting, right?

Ren: Yeah....

(Akechi lets out an anxious sigh as he leans near to the table.)

Ren: Huh? What's wrong?

Akechi: Nothing....

Ren: ......

(Ren is concerned.)

Ryuji: So....what now?

Ren: We......wait.

.....

.....

(The air flows through the silent room. Everyone but Sojiro is completely clueless about what to do as the awkward tension lingers.)

Sojiro: You two mind headin' up? You're sitting on where the customers are supposed to be.

Ryuji: Oh- Sorry!

(Ryuji and Akechi stand up and head upstairs to Ren's room. Ren follows.)

[Ren's Room]

(Ryuji yawns and drops himself to the couch.)

Akechi: Tch-..... I was going to sit there.

Ryuji: First come, first serve.

(Akechi sits down on Ren's bed.)

Ren: Well..... I got nothing else to do so...... Guess it's time for me to work.

(Ren heads to his desk and sits down, he removes his grappling hook, grabs his tools, and puts them onto the blueprint-covered desk.)

Ren: Ooookay, Where was I?

(Clicks and creaks are heard.)

Ryuji: Hm? 'You working on your tools again?

Ren: Yep. Gotta stay on top as always.

(Ren focuses on creating the necessary tools he needs as a Phantom Thief, as more clicks and creaks are heard.)

....

....

Ren: There.

(Ren has finished creating a smoke bomb, the two noticed.)

Akechi: So is that where you create your tools during your infiltrations?

Ren: Yeah. Gives us much edge outside as it was in the Metaverse.

(Ren then unequips his grappling hook from his wrist and places it on the table, he then dissects its contents with his set of screwdrivers as his eyes squinted.)

Morgana: Hm? Something's wrong with your hook?

Ren: Not really, You could say I'm servicing it.

Ryuji: You sure have been improvising more lately, You really caught me off guard with that kick of yours.

Ren: Y-yeah! Sorry.

Ryuji: It's alright, I mean all is justified with our situations, right?

(Ren smiles.)

Ren: Yeah.

(He assembles back the parts of his grappling hook and equips it back to his right wrist. He stands up and equips his grappling hook, and fires it.)

Everyone (but Ren): !

(The hook is shot out with a sharp, metallic snap, catching everyone's attention but Ren. It quickly grabs onto a Jack Frost plushie that's sitting on Ren's shelf, He then pulls it as the reel is quickly being reeled back and catches the toy. At the same moment, Ren quickly fires his grappling hook again, latching onto a Black Frost plushie from his shelf, he pulls it in again as the hook is being reeled at a faster speed than last time. He catches the toy as the hook returns to place, briefly pulling Ren.)

Ren: Ah!-

(Ren briefly loses balance, as it takes everyone's attention into concern.)

Morgana: W-woah Ren!

Ryuji: Are you okay?

(Ren removes his grappling hook.)

Ren: Yeah. It works exactly like how I want it to be.

.....

.....

(Many hours pass by, Ren spends his time creating more tools, Ryuji plays video games while Akechi sleeps on the bed alongside Morgana on top of him.)

[Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department]
[3:21 PM]

(Makoto is at her work desk, working on her assigned tasks on the computer as she thinks about everything that recently happened.)

Makoto: *sigh*..... Minami with those instant murders and now Akechi's reappearance? What is happening right now?..... I can't even tell the department about Minami since I fear we're all gonna be in danger..... Can't even let them know I'm part of the Phantom Thieves too..... God I hope Yusuke is alright...

[Okumura Household]
[5:42 PM]

(Haru sits down on the couch, expressing contemplation from her face as she thinks about recent events.)

Haru: ..... I never thought it'd be real..... the return of the man who murdered my father, Akechi-san. I still have a hard time processing all of this. Why would he attack Yusuke-san? What is there to explain? If anything, it isn't really far off from what Akechi is.

(Haru then slowly lays herself on the couch.)

Haru: *sigh..... Ren should really explain this.

.....

(A day passes by......)

[June 22 2020, Monday]
[LeBlanc Café]
[11:00 PM]

(Sojiro is about to exit the café.)

Sojiro: 'Up to you again for tonight, Ren. Just make sure you all three don't do any suspicious things in my shop

Ryuji: Yes, sir!

(Ryuji salutes.)

Akechi: Yes.

(Akechi bows.)

Sojiro: ..... Goodnight.

Ren: Take care, Sakura-san!

(Sojiro closes the door and flips the sign to "Close".)

Ren: ..... Well, just us again.

Ryuji: Uhhhh so boring! Maybe if it weren't my stigma with the cops then I could've gone out at ease!

Ren: Come to think of it..... We haven't hung out in years.

Morgana: Would be awesome if we do! Actually, I think we can still go out.

Ryuji: Oh yeah sure! A boys night out featuring one of the most wanted criminals, a guy who punched a mayor, AND a celebrity whose everyone in this country is currently thinking he's dead!

Ren: .....

Akechi: .....

Ryuji: Sorry- Its just, why not just do something here? Its surely fun right?

Ren: I don't wanna mess around Sojiro's shop.

Morgana: I wouldn't either!

Ryuji: How about crashing at Futaba's?

Morgana: Watching her on her computer can be like watching paint dry I gotta admit.

Ren: Hmm......

....

(Ren's eyes widened a bit as an idea of a place sprung in his head.)

Ren: How about we all go to Kichijoji for some pool or darts?

Akechi: Huh, I haven't heard that in a while.

Morgana: Yeah! That suits it.

Ryuji: Dude..... did you even just forgot my point?

Ren: I know I know...... But I was proclaimed "dead" once and still managed to blend with the public.

Ryuji: That's because you were faceless, Unlike being a fugitive with your face being plastered all around national TV!

Morgana: If only you didn't keep dyeing your hair, Ryuji.

Ryuji: H-hey! Blonde fits my character!

Ren: Well..... we could just circumvent that. If I did it on Akechi, surely it'd work on you?

Ryuji: Huh? What did you do to him?

Akechi: He ruffled my hair and lent me his glasses just so I could hide from my fans.

Ryuji: Really, that worked?

Ren: Yep! Works like a charm..... *sigh*..... I'll lend you my hoodie and a cap, Just don't go removing it.

Ryuji: Ain't it gonna be a lil' hot with it?

Morgana: It's either that or you get arrested. And hey! It worked once for Ren.

Ryuji: *sigh* I'm putting all the blame on you if this foils!

Ren: How about you Akechi? Wanna come along?

(Akechi scratches the back of his head as he looks up to the ceiling and thinks it over.)

.....

.....

Akechi: I guess it'd be fine, For old times sake.

Ren: Alright, then it's settled! But first..... We gotta clean this place up.

Ryuji: Huh!? Dude, it's already clean as it is-

Ren: Sakura-san has been working hard to keep this shop running for years and he is kind enough to let us all stay. So let's repay the favor.

Morgana: Mmhmm!

(Morgana nods.)

Ryuji: Ughh, alright then.

Ren: Come on, it'll be quick.

.....

(Ren, Ryuji, and Akechi work on cleaning the entire café. Ren works on mopping the floor, Akechi wipes the tables and counters while Ryuji cleans the toilet.)

Ryuji: !!

(Ryuji is about to vomit as he feels disgusted by how awfully dirty the toilet is.)

....

....

[Minutes later.]

Ren: *phew* That's about it!

(The entire café is sparkling shiny from top the bottom. The floors glimmer with the reflection being clear enough and so are the counter and tables, with having little to no dust anywhere else.)

Ryuji: *tired exhale* So we're done here?!

Morgana: Yep

Ren: Before we go.

Ryuji: What now!?

(Ren quickly heads upstairs and rummages through his stuffs.)

.....

.....

(Ren heads back down with his duffel bag and a light grey hoodie, and he throws it to Ryuji.)

Ryuji: !

(Ryuji catches it, Ren follows it up with a white and red cap that says "Panasonic TOYOTA".)

Ryuji: Right....

(He puts on the hoodie and the cap.)

Ren: Alright, let's go.

(Akechi puts on his face mask, They all head out with Ren being the last, He switches off the lights and locks the door of the café. Morgana jumps onto Ren's bag.)

[Yongen-Jaya]

Morgana: Wait!-

(The three stop as they took Morgana's attention.)

Ren: Hm?

Morgana: How are we gonna get there?

Ryuji: Actually- yeah, Now that you think about it..... I think my train card can get me caught.

Akechi: I guess I'm in a similar position, Mine's been expired for years.

Ryuji: Can't you turn into a car?

Ren: We have been chased by the cops not too long ago.

Morgana: Where's that blue van you guys had when Ren left Tokyo years back?

Ryuji: Remember? We had to scrap that thing since it was flagged by the cops.

Morgana: Right.....

Akechi: So I guess we opt out for the taxi then?

Ryuji: A fare to Kichijoji would cost around 4,500 yen. A little costly, don't ya think?

Ren: It's fine.

(Ren checks his wallet, he has ¥120,000.)

Ren: Still glad Shadows can drop some cash.

Ryuji: For real!? They still do?

Morgana: Mmhmm!

Ren: I'd advise you not to beat up any people you see.

(Ren calls in the taxi, and they all head to Kichijoji.)

[Kichijoji]
[11:38 PM]

(They head in to the bar.)

Ren: So, which first?

Akechi: Hmm, I feel like trying something I haven't played in awhile. Does darts suffice?

Ryuji: Darts? Hell yeah.

Ren: Alright then.

(Ren heads to the counter and pays the fee to play darts. They all head to the darts board.)

Ren: So, how much score are we starting at?

Ryuji: 301 sounds nice.

Morgana: A little low, how about 501?

Akechi: 701 is good.

Ryuji: Are you crazy?!

Ren: 501 it is.

[Author's note (skip if you have played darts before): In this rule of darts, they all start with the agreed score of 501. The goal here is to reduce it to exactly 0, the first player to do it wins. Only a total of 2 players are allowed on this version.]

(All of them but Morgana play darts, They all competitively battle each other as they take turns by replacing who loses first. Ryuji and Akechi are now battling in the final round.)

Ryuji: ........

(Ryuji slightly sticks his tongue out a little as he aims his final dart.)

Ryuji: There!

(Ryuji throws his dart on the double ring side of number 3, his score does not reach to 0.)

Akechi: Not bad...

(Akechi steps in, He then lets out a focused exhale.)

Akechi: ......

(He throws his first dart into the inner ring bullseye, he then quickly and effortlessly throws his final two darts into the same bullseye.)

Ren and Ryuji: !

(Akechi has won.)

Akechi: *phew*.....still got it.

Ren: D-Damn....

(Minutes pass by as they play darts. After that, they all head to "Jazz Jin", A club Ren and Akechi frequent in Kichijoji.)

[Jazz Jin]
[12:24]

(All of them are sitting on a round table, and Akechi ruffles his hair so he can avoid being seen as Ryuji tries to make himself look less suspicious.)

Ryuji: *yawn*

(The waiter approaches them with cocktails.)

Waiter: Here you go gentlemen, 3 cocktails of the day, The "Mightini".

Ren: Thank you.

(The waiter places the cocktails on their tables. Akechi drinks first, followed by Ren.)

Ren: Ahh..... man I miss this taste.

Akechi: Same.....

(Ryuji then drinks too.)

Ryuji: Ahh! Never fails to pump me up! Heh, I remember when I was surprised that you were ballsy enough to be in the jazz club because of how young we were..... Now look at us, it feels.....normal now...

Morgana: I never see you all being adults, really. I still think you're high schoolers.

Ryuji: ..... Is that some sort of compliment or an insult?

Morgana: It's just a thought of mine.

(Ren sips his cocktail.)

Ren: Hah..... I remember when I used to take Sumire here, She too had the same reaction as you Ryuji. And she also used to say that she felt like an old woman every time she drank a cocktail.....

(Ren sighed out of dejection.)

Akechi: Oh..... Sumire.

Ryuji: Yeah, to think she's possessed by a Shadow too....

Akechi: I think we should cast aside that topic..... But I must ask, Ren.

Ren: Hm?

Akechi: How was she? Before she became a Shadow.

Ren: Well....S he was-

Ryuji: They're together.

(Akechi's eyes widened in surprise for a brief moment then nods with his lips raised and puckered.)

Ren: ..... Yeah.

(Ryuji smiles as Morgana giggles a little.)

Akechi: I have to admit, I actually saw that coming for a long time now. I would've thought you two are together even during my time away in Hokkaido.

Ren: I figured.

Ryuji: 'Can't fool a detective.

Akechi: I remember when we used to hang out, you sometimes act a tine little different with Sumire-chan. And also there was a time she told me you protected her from a pervert. I figured you liked her but I just kept that thought to myself, I guess I was right.

Ryuji: The two really went through a lot of shit, They actually broke up from each other once but like almost a year later they reconciled. Ren wasn't much in a good state at that time though.....

Ren: You don't have to mention that....

Morgana: Still I'm surprised how you and Sumire got back, I thought it was really the end of you two but I guess life gives us mysteries.

Akechi: Really?

Ren: It wasn't really, we just took a break from each other. We really had arguments from time to time. After that, we spent those times improving ourselves to become better persons and then we forgave each other in the end.

Akechi: I-..... see. But Ren, don't you used to live far away from here?

Ren: Yeah, It took amounts of dedication and trust just to keep us afloat. To be honest, One of the reasons I moved to Tokyo is because I wanted to be with her.

Akechi: Wow- I actually was going to ask you what brings you to Tokyo, But I guess I have my answer.

Well, I have to be honest. maybe it's because of how we used to hang out a lot..... but I can't imagine another girl with you other than Sumire.

Ryuji: Ehhhh..... I felt like Ann paired with Ren better.

Morgana: Really? I see you with Ann because of how close you both are and the fact you two have the same hair color.

Ryuji: Ehh?? That's a weird ass opinion. I mean I really have no feelings for Ann, I see her as a sister I never had.

Morgana: Yeaaaahh....

(Morgana looks at Ryuji with his eyes squinted.)

Ryuji: What!? This is coming from a cat who used to simp the hell out of Ann the most!

Morgana: Hey- it took a lot of acceptance and endurings to get past that! Besides- I'm a cat, what else could I do?

Ryuji: Man I really gotta admire you for that, you went from being in pure denial to accepting yourself.

.....

.....

(Ren is slightly looking down, slightly frozen with a sense of worry over his face. The three notice.)

Ryuji: Hey, Ren.

Ren: Hm?

Ryuji: Don't worry man, we'll get her back. If you come this far for her, Then we're here to help you out.

Ren: ..... Thanks.

Ryuji: Besides, we are all here because we got our asses handed by that nitpicking piece of shit Takumi is.

Akechi: Aoyama.

Ryuji: I mean- yeah, he's the one who's truly responsible!

Ren: Hehe.

(Ren chuckled as he smiled, then sipped his cocktail.)

Ryuji: I call this a toast.

(Ryuji raises his glass.)

Ryuji: To us! The Phantom Thie-

(Ren and Morgana's eyes widened out of alarm, instantly recognizing what Ryuji is about to say.)

Ren and Morgana: !!!

(He quickly summons Arsène and covers Ryuji's mouth.)

Ryuji: !?

Morgana: Ryuji!

(A handful of people on the bar notice Ren and the group.)

Ryuji: Right! Sorry....

(Ryuji puts down his glass as he closes his lips firmly.)

Morgana: *sigh*

.....

.....

Akechi: Forgot to ask, how did the Shadows get here?

Ren: Oh- well, It was sudden really. Shadows possessed and disguised as humans. It happened not long ago, last week I say. But now that I think about it....

(Ren remembers Kyosuke's words, two nights ago.)

Aoyama: "Don't even try to threaten me, Amamiya. She's a valuable asset to our team and the only one to easily corrupt."

Ren: Maybe..... This Aoyama person was actually behind all of this.

Ryuji: How? I still think its Takumi's doing. He got Sumire and the damn Kaneshiros back from the dead!

Ren: Yeah, I still consider him too.

Akechi: Hmm, If we're assuming Aoyama is the only one who's making them possessed. Then he must be really powerful.

Ryuji: That's pretty much the obvious part, unless if he has a machine or some kind of Back to the Future shit.

Ren: Wait.....

(Ren recalls Aoyama's aura bearing dark, purple flames, everyone notices his deducing expression.)

Morgana: Why?

Ren: Maybe Akechi is right, he is powerful.

Akechi: Expand?

Ren: I didn't mention this before but I gained the ability to tell a human if it's a Shadow or not, and it's based on the aura that I can see. But I remembered when we saw him after our clash, the aura he bears..... it's unique.

Akechi: Interesting.

Ryuji: Shit, Maybe it's gonna take all of us to take him down.

Akechi: Okay so if there were a human possessed by a Shadow, is there a way to revert it back?

Ren: I'm not so sure, Whenever I knock down a Shadow. They enter into the state of..... "Apathy Syndrome", if I correctly remember the name.

Akechi: Wait- as in that same syndrome that was spreading around Port Tatsumi 12 years ago?

Ren: Yeah.

Ryuji: Damn.

Morgana: Unless, Aoyama has the ability to return it back?

Ren: That..... could be the possibility.

.....

.....

Akechi: Hmph, The reason I joined back to the Phantom Thieves was so we can save Sumire and settle some of my debts. After all, she's my close friend..... our close friend. I'm gonna make sure our tasks don't go out of hand. Ren, it's your job after all to make Aoyama regret.

Ryuji: Hey, I really don't know how many are there from his side, but one thing for sure: no matter how many guys he sends, he'll always be afraid deep down. Because he goes to fight one of us, not us united.

(Ren smiles, along with Morgana out of determination and pride. Akechi nods with a slight smile too.)

Ren: Yeah!

Morgana: Couldn't have said it any better than myself.

Ryuji: Hehe, I gotta say..... its honestly good to have you back, Akechi.

Akechi: I'm looking forward to our meeting.

...
....
.....
......

(Days pass by, Ren spends time refining tools and helping Sojiro while Ryuji and Akechi hide under the public eye, Futaba researches about Aoyama, Makoto continues to work on other cases that relate to Kyosuke, While the others continue on with their daily lives, uneasy.)

[June 24 2020, Wednesday]
[Isezakicho, Yokohama]
[9:35 PM]

(Aoyama is at an alleyway in his detective attire, wearing his gray trenchcoat. He leans by the wall, as cars pass by. He pulls out a box of cigarettes and a lighter, places it on his mouth, and lits its end before letting out a smoke.)

Aoyama: .....

.....

.....

"So? What's the play, Detective Watanabe?"

(Aoyama, hearing that smooth and soft voice of a man coming from his right, looks his way there with a neutral expression. He sees Takumi and Sumire, the latter dressed in a black, turtleneck, long-sleeved top and fitted trousers, and ankle-high heeled shoes. Aoyama lets out another smoke as he looks away.)

Sumire: These Phantom Thieves are still running free and are out to get us.

Takumi: Amamiya especially.

Sumire: Every move we make, they'd possibly be there.

Aoyama: I'm well aware.

Sumire: You shouldn't have revealed your true self in the first place.

Aoyama: They'd find out either way. Kyosuke, regardless of his abilities, won't hold out for too long when handling against Futaba Sakura's Persona. I'm willing to take that risk.

Sumire: I fought Ren before, despite the support of the Public Security weakening him down, I can feel his determination. Remember, he's the reason why the Metaverse is gone.

Aoyama: I am not willing to resort to a direct confrontation until necessary. We still must tread carefully toward our goal without entirely risking ourselves being defeated by them, just like when we planned for "Operation Shadowfall". Given that they still live, They will try to stop us no matter where we go.

Sumire: The Phantom Thieves are a resourceful bunch. They managed to bring down top names such as Madarame, Okumura, and Shido. All influential men whom the public didn't know of their sins until they came around. Their disadvantage is the absence of the Metaverse, sealing any possible trace of knowing us..... Not until Takumi's constant beckoning and your decision to reveal yourself.

Takumi: Well I figured by luring them to battles, it shall do the trick..... Actually, now that I think about it..... how about we take some flair of our past plans?

(Aoyama looks at Takumi as the latter smirks, his words enticing his attention.)

Aoyama: Go on.

Takumi: We take the fundamentals of "Shadowfall", especially the baiting aspect. The Thieves are definitely upset for being lured in, and with you revealing your identity? We all know Ren is going to gun for you, especially with Sumire around no matter where we go. So let's make every step we take a trap for them to be lured in. If we're all connected in one line, we can see them clearly from the rearview. So why not cut off the string between us?

(Aoyama looks away, thinking over Takumi's suggestion.)

.....

Takumi: Think about it, you recruited many soldiers to stand with us. We got strength in numbers.

Aoyama: You forgot that Amamiya shredded down your Kaneshiro mafia and the Public Security, right?

Takumi: Well..... wouldn't it be a perfect opportunity to show your power then? You've been keeping it a long while now while you're still playing pretend. How about we show The Phantom Thieves what it really means to mess with us..... especially, you.

Aoyama: .....

(Aoyama looks at his right hand, a dark purple fire encompasses it as a faint series of agonizing screams are heard.)

Aoyama: Hmph.....

(Aoyama clenches his right hand into a fist, as he looks at Takumi and Sumire with a determined spirit under his cold gaze.)

Aoyama: Then I may have an idea.

(Sumire nods her head sideways while maintaining a cold expression as Takumi smiles.)

[June 27 2020, Saturday]
[Cafe LeBlanc]
[11:20 AM]

(Ren is cleaning the counter as Sojiro refills the coffee beans.)

.....

(His phone vibrated.)

Ren: Hm?

(He checks his phone, seeing a message from the group chat. He opens it.)

[Phantom Thieves Group Chat - ENCRYPTED]

Makoto: "Good news! Yusuke will be discharged tomorrow."

Futaba: "yay! ☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆"

Ren: "Knew that pill would work."

Ann: "So when you're calling in the meeting?"

Ren: "Tomorrow at 11, once LeBlanc closes."

Haru: "Got it!"

Ren: "You got enough data Futaba?"

Futaba: "sadly not, it's hard tracking down their information. best we can use is your prior encounter."

Ren: "That's fine. Thanks anyway."

(Ren puts away his phone, he heads up stairs to his room. Ryuji is usually sitting by the couch and Akechi sitting on the floor next to Ren's bed, both on their phones.)

Ren: Yo, You've heard the news?

Ryuji: Hell yeah!

Akechi: I'm sorry, what?

Ryuji: Yusuke will be out of the hospital tomorrow.

Akechi: Oh..... I'm glad to hear that!

(Akechi starts to feel guilt regarding to his battle with him.)

Ryuji: So the meeting is tomorrow at 11, right?

Ren: Yeah.

Ryuji: Alright! it's been a while since we've got together.

.....

.....

.....

[June 28 2020, Sunday]
[11:00 PM]

(Ren and Ryuji are sitting on the café couches, while Morgana is resting on the table. The door of the café opens.)

Futaba: I'm here!

Ryuji: Yo!

(Futaba enters in, followed by Maruki. He nods to Ren while smiling, Ren nods back.)

Futaba: Hm? Where's Akechi-san?

Ren: Upstairs, probably asleep.

Morgana: I think he seemed pretty nervous about this, probably because he hasn't seen the others for years now.

Maruki: Agreed.

(Futaba sits down on one of the chairs near the counter. The door of the café opens again.)

Ren: ?

(It's Yusuke, having returned from this hospital.)

Futaba: Inari!

(Futaba quickly runs to Yusuke and hugs him.)

Yusuke: !.... Hey.

(She stops hugging.)

Ryuji: Good to have you back man!

Yusuke: Indeed.

(Yusuke walks to where the rest are sitting.)

Ren: How are you feeling?

Yusuke: I have a few wounds here and there but so far I'm good, I need to stop ending up in to the hospital.

Futaba: Still! It's good that you're okay.

Yusuke: Yes.

(Yusuke smiles. Akechi walks downstairs, having recently woken up.)

Akechi: .....

(He notices Yusuke.)

Akechi: !

(Everyone takes their eyes to Akechi.)

Yusuke: !?

(Yusuke approaches him with a threatening intent, as everyone witnesses.)

Ryuji: Oh shit....

(Akechi eyes widen, and he enters into a defensive stance.)

Yusuke: Goemon!

(Goemon is summoned and goes to attack Akechi.)

Ren: !!

(An alarmed Ren summons Arsène to protect Akechi, He gets into Goemon's way and stops him by holding him down.)

Futaba: Yusuke! Stop!

Yusuke: .....

(As Yusuke gives off an upset look, he backs away and withdraws Goemon. Ren also withdraws Arsène.)

Ren: *sigh* I know you're pissed about him. This is why I called this meeting.

Yusuke: Hmph....

(Yusuke stands next to where Futaba is sitting.)

Akechi: *pant*.....*pant*....

(Akechi catches his breath while feeling startled. He then stands back up and continues walking down. As he sits to where Ren and Ryuji are sitting, Yusuke glares at him.)

Yusuke: .....

Akechi: .....

Yusuke: Are you going to explain once everyone is here?

Ren: Yeah.

Yusuke: Understood.

(Akechi clears his throat.)

Ren: 'You okay?

(Ren looks to Akechi with a concerned look.)

Akechi: Yeah..... I'm fine.....

[6 minutes later.]

(The door opens.)

Ren: ?

(It's Ann, she enters in.)

Ann: Wow..... it's been a while since I've been here.

Ryuji: Ann!

Ann: Long time no see, Ryuji. You too Ren.

(Ren nods. Ann walks further in, seeing Akechi sitting. Her eyes widened out from surprise.)

Ann: !..... I thought you boys were messing with me.

Futaba: Nope! It really is him.

(Yusuke glares at Akechi with his arms crossed. Akechi feels a little uneasy. The door of the café opens again.)

Everyone: ?

(It's Haru and Makoto.)

Makoto: Hello!

Ryuji: Yo!

Haru: Quiet a pleasure to see you all.

Yusuke: Truly.

(Makoto walks to Yusuke.)

Makoto: Are you okay?

(Both hug each other.)

Yusuke: Yes, I'm getting better.

(Haru notices Akechi.)

Akechi: !

(Haru walks to Akechi with both a suprised and an upsetting look.)

Haru: I-..... can't believe it....

Futaba: Yeah, me too.

(Akechi briefly looks away out of shame.)

Ren: Alright, shall we get started?

Haru: Please.

[11:07 PM]

(Ren clears his throat as everyone gets together.)

Ren: Let's give a little rundown. Since the past two weeks, a lot of things have been happening lately: The return of Shadows and our Personas, the case of Sumire's disappearance in which Akechi happens to be involved too, Ryuji's arrest in Osaka being done by the Mayor who's a Shadow, and Yusuke with his case of Kyosuke Minami, a known murderer who's framed him. All of these cases led us to fight each other..... until we witnessed a huge revelation last week.

(Ren briefly looks away with a pained look then focuses back to everyone who is listening.)

Ren: All of this was an elaborate scheme to write us off the picture. These people called themselves "Sauveurs".

Ann: Sauveurs..... are you saying they want to kill us!?

Makoto: Simply put, yes.

Ann: But.... why!?

Yusuke: These Sauveurs..... who do they consist of including Minami?

Ren: This group is led by Shigeru Aoyama, who was behind all of this. He posed himself as a detective named "Watanabe" who played the part in to making us think he's just another pushover to us. Upon my observations based on my encounters with him as a detective, he's only there to witness his plans taking effect in person and further sell the lie. You, Yusuke, are under his plan that is being done by Kyosuke Minami. Ours was done by a man named "Takumi Matsushige".

Ryuji: That piece of shit, was behind mine's too!

Ren: Takumi is a force to be reckoned with, I had to deal with him many times. He was responsible for spearheading this plan, which led to the four of us fighting each other like it was some sort of tournament.

Yusuke: Are you saying that my fight with Akechi is under Matsuishige's manipulation?

Ren: Yes. He had to lie to Akechi about me and how I killed Sumire.

Yusuke: Akechi, is this true?

(Akechi looks away briefly out from guilt.)

Akechi: ..... Yeah. It was the reason why I had to go out from hiding. Fighting you and Ren, without realizing I played under Takumi's cards.

Haru: You had almost killed Yusuke there!-

Ren: Haru!

(Under Ren's intervention, Haru stops yelling as she looks at Ren with an angered look. She takes a deep sigh, composing herself.)

Haru: Sorry.....

Ren: It's what Takumi would've wanted. This plan was meant for us to get ourselves killed. By imposing such a deal that can be desired to be taken and the consequences being dire should we decline, we technically forced ourselves to fight each other. But in the end, it failed. So Aoyama, Takumi and Kyosuke stepped in, explained all about it, and tried to rid us by calling in Tokyo PD.

(Yusuke expresses contempt about Kyosuke.)

Yusuke: Minami..... I could've sworn I killed him.

Makoto: Me too..... but it seems that it takes a lot more for Persona users like us to get killed, just like you, Yusuke.

Yusuke: Tch- once I see him again, I will need to make sure of my actions.

Makoto: Thinking back to the entire situation..... Watanabe- no..... Aoyama..... He has clearly thought of this for a long time.

Ann: And how does he even know us!? Wait- Is that why Sumire is kidnapped too!?

Ren: Yeah..... about her.....

(He pauses for a bit and looks away with a pained expression. Morgana and Futaba followed which took the attention of everyone else. Ren takes a deep breath.)

Ren: Sumire is..... working with them.

(Yusuke, Ann, and Haru are taken into shock as soon as Ren uttered the truth.)

Ann: W-What!?

Haru: Sumire? But..... why!?

Futaba: Because she is a Shadow herself.

(The three's shock and disbelief are heightened in response.)

Ann: Her too!?

Yusuke: Impossible! How!?

Morgana: We don't know either. Our best deduction is Takumi has gained the power to influence someone with that.

Ren: Or Aoyama.

Ann: I-..... I can't even believe what's happening right now! How-.... how- the-.....

(Makoto lays her hands to Ann's shoulders.)

Makoto: Ann- are you okay?

Ann: Sorry- it's just.... A little hard to take in....

Ren: I understand....

Yusuke: So to summarize, these Sauveurs are a group of people who are out to eliminate us?

Morgana: Not just a group, based on our encounters alone, he has an army!

(Everyone, excluding Ren, Futaba, Morgana and Ryuji are alarmed by the information.)

Makoto: W-wait- AN army!?

Ren: Linking our situations up, it seems like it. The Kaneshiros, The Public Security, Tokyo PD, Osaka PD. I noticed all of them are Shadows, and the fact they keep intervening with us whenever we're confronting our dilemmas.

Ryuji: That Aoyama was clearly like steps ahead of us. You can't imagine how much I had to bust my ass against the cops just to make it back here!

Yusuke: It seems Aoyama has focused on targeting you and Ryuji while I only had to deal with Minami.

Akechi: While, Aoyama, lied into getting me back here.

Ann: But why are we being targeted? Judging from what you said, Aoyama and the Sauveurs sounded like they have nothing to do with us especially since everything we did was in the Metaverse.

Morgana: That's the thing Ann..... I think they too had the Metaverse.

(Ann and Haru are taken into shock upon hearing Morgana's words.)

Makoto: You're maybe right. No one can dare cross or even know us personally, It only makes sense since they have Personas too.

Ren: I don't know about Aoyama since we barely get to see anything of him but by the looks of it? Yeah.

Ann: Didn't we destroy the Metaverse? If they had it, how come we never met them?

Ren: That's one thing that's scratching my head. These guys tend to be cryptic.

Haru: But what do they gain for eliminating us, given we really don't have a personal connection to them or the other way around?

Futaba: *ahem* Part of their plan for something bigger.

Ren: Yes. They dubbed it: "Twilight".

Haru: Twilight?

Futaba: Not much is known about it.

Ren: Other than something that involves about the return of "their mother."

Yusuke: Mother?

Morgana: Yeah, I don't even get what this means. But knowing how things go around, it's usually something big enough of a scheme especially with their efforts to take us out.

Ren: Aoyama said about "their mother returning for her to start her reign for the fall of this land."

Makoto: It's clear as day It meant that this "mother" who could possibly be some sort of being who would wreak havoc on this planet.

Ann: H-hey- don't say that! We don't even know what it truly means. But let's just be sure we can just take them out given what they have done!

Ren: Good point, Ann. Once we get them to our knees, I think they will cough out what we need.

Haru: My question is..... how and why is Akechi involved?

(Akechi lets out a dejected sigh in response.)

Akechi: ..... They find it that I'm still associated with you all and that I too have a Persona.

Makoto: Given that you're really strong, they wouldn't pass up the chance.

Futaba: Yeah, If we were to die but Ren and him. They fear both of them can pose a threat.

Ann: All for this? I'm not going to lie but it was impressive how he roped you all in together. Especially Akechi, and we didn't even know he was actually alive!

Akechi: .....

(Akechi felt a sense of resignation, as he looked away.)

Maruki: I actually wanted to ask about that.

Makoto: I too wanted to. But....

Ren: Same here..... But Akechi-

Akechi: No- it's fine. About time word should come out, It should be quick.

(Akechi takes a deep breath, as he composes himself.)

Akechi: All right.

(Haru sits down, while the rest gather in.)

Akechi: It all started around during our last confrontation. When I made Ren a promise to change Shido's heart. Right after that, you might've heard those gunshots. Yes, I did get shot, but I didn't want to make my death mysterious. So I had to exit Mementos before my eyes were too heavy for me to keep it up.

Futaba: No way! That explains why my Persona didn't detect any signal from you, You
exited Mementos!

Akechi: Yeah..... Right after that, I woke up in a hospital. Confused about how I survived, Sae happens to be here too. She explained to me that everything about my status is behind closed doors because the police fear it'll shatter my reputation.... because word got out of Shido confessing that he used me to eliminate any political enemies.

Ren: Yeah I remember, I had to stand-in for you which led me into to detention for two months.

Akechi: Heh.... sorry for making you go through that. Sae gave me a choice, either I confess my crimes or run away into hiding. But I had thought of the latter for a while now ever since I took up the "badge". So eventually..... I had my death certificate written, a new identity, as I ran away to Hokkaido.

Everyone: !

Akechi: There, I spent the rest of my days, months, years. Under a different name and a different job. Throughout those days I spent with all the guilt I have. Until just about a week ago, I was approached by Aoyama who's under the lying identity of Watanabe. He knew my identity and asked me about Sumire's disappearance. I played by his cards by taking on the case since she was my closest friend..... feeling it'll bring me some closure. And that bring me back to here, Tokyo, and what everything just happened.

(Everyone is left silent.)

.....

.....

Akechi: There.

Maruki: I'm at a loss for words.

Ann: I'm more concerned about how this Aoyama person managed to find you.

Haru: .....

(Haru has a slightly glum expression, although still remaining upset. Makoto notices followed by everyone else.)

Makoto: Haru, what's wrong?

Haru: A-..... kechi...

(Akechi looks at her.)

Akechi: Look..... Haru. I'm really-

Haru: It's..... fine.....

Akechi: .....

(Haru looks away, as Akechi is left in silence.)

Makoto: Damn..... So what's the plan now, Ren?

Ren: Ann, Haru. Your Personas haven't returned, So I want you to stay safe as you can until it comes back. I have a feeling Aoyama is preying on you since it's his intention is to eliminate all of us.

Futaba: I don't know how he is able to find us but I'm trying my best to keep you all safe. Hence why I had to make our group chat encrypted and everything else including our location.

Ann: Got it!

Haru: Understood, What about you all?

Ren: We'll continue gathering info and planning ways on getting to Aoyama and the others. Once after two of your Personas return, we will hold another meeting to discuss the plan.

(Ann nods in response.)

Morgana: Heh...... if you think about it, This is our first time being attacked at. When it used to be usually the other way around.

Ryuji: Yeah, so this is how it feels?

Ren: We shouldn't let our guards down. I know all of us can stop this, we are the Phantom Thieves after all!

Ryuji: Yeah!

(Everyone agrees by nodding and smiling.)

Morgana: I mean..... no thievery is going to be involved soooo..... I guess the "thieves" part is just practically useless now.

(Everyone makes a chuckle and a smile in response.)

Morgana: It's so nice to see all of us together again.