Chapter Text
“Ren! Wake up~!” A girl’s voice trilled.
“Mmm…?” Ren groaned. When he opened his eyes, he was greeted with an unfamiliar ceiling.
This isn’t Leblanc.
“Ren! Wake up before I break your door down!” The girl’s voice shouted again, along with the pounding of a door. Ren turned his head towards the door, and gave out a sleepy groan.
“I’m awake…” Ren grumbled. The doorknob turned, and a girl that Ren never saw before stepped into the room.
“Ah!” she cried. “You have a butterfly on your head!”
Ren titled his head in confusion. He patted the top of his head slowly, and he felt something sitting on his hair.
Mmmm… A sleepy voice spoke in his mind. Good morning… my Trickster…
“Oh, that’s just Lavenza,” Ren said absentmindedly, still half asleep.
“You gave it a name already? That’s so cute!” The girl gushed. “Anyway, c’mon, we’ve got to get to school!”
“Alright, alright.” Ren mumbled. The girl turned around and left, while Ren scratched his head in confusion.
“Who the hell was she?” he muttered to himself.
She certainly seems familiar with you, Trickster. Lavenza said. He could almost visualize Lavenza shrugging in his mind. I have faith that you will find out in due time.
“Well…” Ren huffed. “Time to start all over again.”
As Ren looked around the room, he couldn’t really recognize anything special about it. Last time around, he remembered his room was pretty personalized, having lots of posters and figures. Now, his room was kind of bland, and… pretty sterile, all things considered. It looked neat and orderly, but there wasn’t any life to it.
Maybe he could change that, the short couple of months he’d be here.
Kasumi died on March 20th, Ren mused. About a month before I went to Tokyo. So I chose a month before all that, to try and get used to my surroundings first.
He went to pick up his phone, which was charging on his desk. As he’d expected, all his contacts and the groupchat was wiped. He couldn’t exactly expect data to follow him back in time, although he was a slight bit disappointed his pictures had been deleted. Those were fond memories, after all.
What he did note, however, was that the custom encryption Futaba put on it still seemed to be on it. His phone background still had the Phantom Thieves logo, and all his custom settings were kept as well.
“I, um,” Lavenza said sheepishly. With a start, Ren noticed that Lavenza was in a human form again, standing slightly behind him. “Tried to restore your cell phone to the best of my ability. It seems I didn’t get everything, though…”
“Don’t worry,” Ren smiled softly. He reached down and patted the top of Lavenza’s head, and she closed her eyes in bliss. “It’s all right. I’ll just make new memories.”
Lavenza pouted cutely when he pulled away, and looked up at him. “What shall you do now?”
Ren shrugged. “Go to school, I guess. I wonder if I still go to Yasogami here.”
“Well, who knows?” Lavenza shrugged. “Wherever you go, I don’t doubt that you’ll be able to acclimate to your new situation quickly.”
“Alright, then,” Ren smirked. “Wonder how things’ll go.”
“Ren!” A man’s voice this time. “Come on down, we’ve got a visitor!”
“Coming!” Ren called back. He began rifling through his drawers and closet, looking for anything that resembled a school uniform. To his delight, he found a Yasogami High uniform, and he donned it with a small smile.
Granted, he didn’t remember much from his time there before getting booted to Shujin, but the little that he did remember was pretty nice. The people there weren’t as harsh on him as Shujin was after the news broke out, and there wasn’t anyone as bad as Kamoshida there.
At least, that he knew of.
Ren opened the door, and Lavenza fluttered onto his shoulder. Ren smiled softly, before stepping out of his room. The rest of the house seemed to be pretty similar to what he remembered. The hallway seemed to be longer, and there was another room right next to his, but otherwise, everything seemed to be the same.
“Home sweet home,” Ren snarked quietly. He wandered down the stairs, and as he approached the table, he recognized his father and mother, both looking at him expectantly. The girl that woke him up was smiling cheerfully and chatting animatedly with another girl that seemed oddly familiar.
Is that… Risette?
The idol glanced at him, giving him a slightly guarded look and a wave, before turning back to the girl at the table.
“You’re up!” The girl cheered happily. “Remember dear old Rise?”
“Uh…” Ren scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Can’t say that I do?”
“Seriously?” The girl gawked. “You were like, entranced the last time she was here! You couldn’t keep your eyes off of her!”
Holy shit, I’m so glad Sumire isn’t here to hear that, Ren thought to himself. Also, what?
“Well, um,” Ren’s eyes shifted to the side. “I- She’s memorable and kind of pretty?”
“What do you mean kind of? ” Risette demanded. “I’d think I’d deserve a bit more than kind of if you were stalking me all the time!”
“I was stalking you?” Ren asked, bewildered. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, you were! Tell him, Homura-chan.”
“You kinda were, Ren,” The girl, named Homura, said. “Not like, ‘I’m going to keep staring at you and following you around until you spot me and tell me off in which case I’ll go away and return in two minutes,’ like that Mitsuo guy, but like ‘I’m going to very coincidentally end up in the same spot as you and gawk at you for a bit before I go away to another place where I can once again coincidentally end up in the same spot as you.’”
I don’t… Huh? I don’t remember meeting Risette in person... Ren mused.
“Well, shit,” Ren sighed and bowed in apology. “Sorry if I caused you any trouble, Kujikawa-san.”
Rise looked a little startled at being addressed so formally, before shaking her hand. “It’s alright, really. Just as long as you don’t repeat it.”
Ren snorted internally. I don’t stalk people. That’s Akechi’s job. Makoto’s, too, to an extent, although she’s not really good at it.
“I won’t.”
“Well then, son, let’s eat, alright?” Ren’s father asked.
Ren nodded, sat down, and clapped his hands. “Itadakimasu!”
The rest of his family and Risette followed the gesture, clapping their hands and repeating the phrase. After they began to eat, Rise turned to Ren and began to ask him some questions.
“So you and Homura have been going to Yasogami High, right?” She asked. Ren nodded mutely in response.
“I can show you around, if you want!” Homura exclaimed cheerfully. “I know all the ins and outs of the place!”
“I’d like that a lot, thanks, Homura-chan. And you, ” Rise added, jabbing a fork at Ren. “You’re different from before. You’ve changed.”
“Me?” Ren asked, pointing to himself. He knew that he certainly changed during his “probation” in Tokyo, but before that, he remained largely the same.
“No, the guy with wings wearing red in a top hat behind you.” Rise snarked back.
“Arsène?” Ren blurted out in shock. Rise’s face morphed into one of confusion.
“What did you say?” she asked, furrowing her eyebrows. “In any case, you, Ren. You’ve changed.”
“How so?” Ren raised an eyebrow. “As far as I know, I’ve been fairly the same.”
“You’re… I dunno. You’re brighter, more animated. Before, you were kinda apathetic. Listless, just responded to everything kind of dully. When you wanted or were attracted to something, it was kind of obvious. You’d often go back and keep looking at things you wanted, or in my case, just coincidentally meeting me almost every time.”
“See, even Rise says so!” Homura chimed in. “Happened around a year ago. You just… I dunno. You just walked out of your room different. More determined, more energetic, more confident. You also put on some fake glasses. Not that they don’t look good! I think you look really nice like that. But you kept insisting nothing’s changed. You sure you didn’t get up to anything?”
“I’m fairly sure I didn’t?” Ren said with an upward inflection to his voice. “I’m… pretty sure I didn’t.”
What on earth? Ren thought. The hell’s happened to me this time around?
I’ve no clue, Trickster, Lavenza replied in his mind. Perhaps it would be best if we discovered our answers along the way. This is a continuation of your Journey, after all.
Ren shrugged to himself before Homura’s voice tore him out of his thoughts.
“I’m telling you Rise-chan,” she whispered. “He got laid and is refusing to-”
“That’s enough, Homura,” Ren’s mother smiled sweetly, although Ren could tell it was slightly strained. “We’ve already discussed this. Ren did not, as you so eloquently put it, ‘get laid.’ Now hurry on; You’ll be late for school.”
“You’re no fun,” Homura pouted. “Anyways, let’s go, Rise-chan, Ren! Don’t wanna be late!”
“Coming,” Ren sighed. He stood up and grabbed his things, and followed the strange little girl out the door. Rise followed him out the door, closing the door with a soft thump behind her.
Homura skipped ahead, stopping at a few flowers and occasionally gazing at little bugs along the path. All too soon, she doubled back towards Ren, and stared at the little blue butterfly on his shoulder.
“Ren, can I hold it?” Homura asked, looking upwards at him. Ren paused for a moment, thinking, before Lavenza fluttered into her outstretched hand. Homura giggled joyfully, twirling around, while Lavenza hummed happily.
She’s warm, Trickster, Lavenza spoke in Ren’s mind. It’s quite nice.
The gates of Yasogami High greeted them, and Lavenza fluttered back to Ren’s shoulder. Homura sulked slightly, unhappy at the loss of her little companion.
“I guess it’s really fond of you, big bro,” Homura pouted. “Time for school! Meet me back out here, okay?”
“Alright,” Ren shrugged. Homura jogged into the school, and Rise followed her. Ren stood outside awkwardly, only just realizing the problem.
“I… don’t know where my classroom is.”
_______________________
Ren groaned as he trudged out of the school. He somewhat remembered the layout of the school from his years before Shujin, but evidently, some things were different. He’d wandered into two different classrooms before finding his own, and he was fifteen minutes late to his first period.
God, King Moron had seriously chewed him out for that.
…It almost made him miss Ushimaru.
Is that what you people seriously call “school?” Lavenza muttered. It… does not seem rather effective for your… oh, what was the word…
It’s called “education,” Ren chuckled internally. It’s where you learn skills that are useful in society.
I don’t find this… Morooka person to be a very effective teacher. Lavenza seemed to shake her head.
Yeah, me neither. Ren chuckled.
“Hey, Ren!” Homura’s voice tore him out of his mental conversation with Lavenza. “You ready to go back? Or do you wanna go do something?”
“Dunno, what do you wanna do?” Ren shrugged. “I don’t really have anything on my plate at the moment.”
“We could hang out with Rise-chan!” Homura exclaimed excitedly. “She’s fun to be around!”
Ren shrugged noncommittally. “Let’s see if we can find them.”
“I remember her saying that her friends go hang out at Junes pretty often! We could go search there!”
“Right,” Ren nodded. “Let’s go, then.”
Ren made his way over to the local department store, tailed by his energetic and apparently younger sister.
He never had a sister before. That’s what was setting him off.
Hey, if I broke the chains of time, shouldn’t everything be identical to how it was before? These things shouldn’t have changed since I didn’t go that far back, right? Ren asked.
I’m unsure myself, Trickster, Lavenza replied, worry in her tone. Your logic is sound, and yet, things still changed. But you just have to do what you do best- fly on the plan, I think is how you say it.
Plan on the fly, yes, Ren chuckled. Homura tugged at his hand curiously, getting Ren’s attention.
“What were you laughing about, Ren?” she asked him curiously. Ren shook his head fondly, and replied with a simple “Nothing.”
“Eh, whatever,” Homura shrugged. “C’mon, I see Rise-chan! Let’s go!”
Homura grabbed Ren’s hand and dragged him along to a table, where Rise seemed to be conversing with a silver-haired boy, along with a few others.
“...Midnight Channel,” Ren heard a brown haired boy say as he got near. “Creepy, huh?”
“What midnight channel?” Homura piped up, approaching the table. The group looked towards them, startled, before Rise spoke up.
“It’s something that Senpai and his friends were telling me about,” She explained. “There's a rumor around town about the Midnight Channel. Apparently, if you watch the TV at midnight during foggy days, like today, your soulmate will appear on the screen.”
“Is it true?” Ren tilted his head. “I’ve never heard of something like this.”
“Who’re you?” The silver haired boy asked him. Ren turned to him and bowed in greeting.
“I’m Ren. Ren Amamiya. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Homura’s-”
“He’s my older brother!” Homura broke in. “He’s kinda dumb, though.”
“Excuse you?” Ren snapped back jokingly. “I’m smarter than you give me credit for.”
“Nice to meet you,” The silver haired boy replied. “I’m Yu. Yu Narukami.”
“Guess we all gotta introduce ourselves then, right Senpai? I’m Kanji. Kanji Tatsumi.” Kanji said.
“Yosuke Hanamura! Son of the manager here at Junes!”
“I’m Chie! Chie Satonaka. I’m the one responsible for keeping this guy in line,” She added, grinding her knuckles into Yosuke’s head.
“I’m Yukiko Amagi. My family runs the Amagi Inn.”
“And you already know me,” Rise smiled.
“So, yeah, the Midnight Channel is something that’ll show up on the TV at, well, midnight, and for some reason, only on foggy nights.” Yu explained.
“You wanna watch for it tonight?” Ren asked Homura.
“I wanna sleep,” Homura pouted. “You watch and you tell me what you find.”
“Hey, let me know if you find anything,” Yu smiled. “We’ve been looking into the rumors, but haven’t really come up with anything super solid yet. We just want to know where it came from.”
“Alright,” Ren said, pulling out his phone. Yu did the same, and they swapped numbers.
“I’ll let you know what I find tonight,” Ren smiled. He held out a hand, and Yu shook it.
I am thou… Thou art I…
Thou hast awakened to a new vow…
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Leo Persona
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
Shall lead to freedom and new power…
Ren recoiled with a start, and he could clearly see Yu having a reaction to it as well. Yu had an eyebrow raised at him, but shook his head quickly and smiled.
“Well, I have to go to work now. It was nice meeting you, Ren. Let’s talk some other time, yeah?”
Ren nodded, an eyebrow raised.
The Leo Arcana? Ren wondered. That… That isn’t in the Major Arcana, as far as I’m aware.
This is quite interesting… Lavenza mused. Do be on the lookout for this Midnight Channel, my Trickster.
Huh? Why? Ren asked.
All will be revealed soon. Lavenza promised.
“Wow, he really makes friends that quickly, huh?” Yosuke’s voice broke Ren out of his thoughts. “Nice to meet you, new guy! Let us know if you see anything, yeah?”
Ren nodded quietly. He closed his eyes momentarily, and activated Third Eye.
What he saw shocked him.
The entire group glowed a bright blue, much like his confidants, but he couldn’t detect any tarot cards above them. He looked at Yu’s retreating form, and saw the outline of a unique Arcana design, but when he looked at the rest of them, no cards could be seen.
He blinked again, deactivating Third Eye, and saw the group whispering to each other, shooting glances at him.
Ren tilted his head. “Something wrong?”
“It’s probably nothin’,” Kanji said, slightly disoriented. “Just a trick of the light.”
“What was?” Ren asked curiously.
“I could’ve sworn your eyes turned bright gold. Your expression turned really serious as well.” Yukiko said. “Do you know what a Shadow-”
“Yukiko, be quiet!” Chie said, panicked. “Sorry about that. Um, we’ll be going now.”
“A Shadow?” Ren asked idly.
So, they’re Persona users.
“Like, the thing that never leaves you?” Ren added. “It’s really just made by light being blocked by a solid object, no?”
“Y- yeah!” Kanji confirmed. “Anyways, just let us know what you find, alright?”
“Alright,” Ren shrugged.
“I wanna hang out with Rise-chan,” Homura pouted.
“You do that,” Ren said distractedly. “I’ve got something to check. You guys have fun, yeah?”
“Okay…?” Homura nodded. “I’ll see you at home then, big bro!”
Ren nodded. “See ya.”
He darted off to where his house was, his mind running a mile per minute.
Persona users? In Inaba?
Well, we’re not entirely sure if they’re all Persona users, Lavenza spoke back. Although it’s highly likely, you do have some bonds that attach to some without Personas.
Such a large congregation, though? Ren asked. No way they’re not.
Ren reached his house, and fished around in his pockets.
Good, he still had the keys.
Unlocking the door, he noticed his parents were out at the moment. He stepped carefully into the room, and stared at the TV in the living room.
Ren took a deep breath, and let it all out. He could practically feel his Personas vibrate in excitement. He closed his eyes, opened them and activated Third Eye…
Only to be extraordinarily disappointed when nothing out of the ordinary showed up.
“Perhaps it’s only going to show up at midnight, like the name implies,” Lavenza suggested. Ren looked down, and Lavenza stood there in human form.
“Maybe,” Ren said, disappointed. “Damn, now I have to wait another eight hours.”
“It’s not that bad,” Lavenza reassured him. “You just have to pass the time for a bit. Maybe wander around your hometown again? You do have some memories attached to it, yes?”
“...I do,” Ren admitted. “I’d like to wander around again, actually enjoy it before I’m ripped away from it again.”
“Very well, then!” Lavenza cheered. “Let’s be off, Trickster.”
Ren smiled softly and went out the door. As he stepped out into his neighborhood, his eyes flitted to the spot where, in approximately a month’s time, Shido would come and harass a woman. Lavenza seemed to sense his apprehension, and tugged on his sleeve.
“Let’s not focus on the events of the past,” Lavenza smiled softly. “For now, plan. Use the time to enjoy yourself and create plans in motion that will help you achieve your goals.”
“My goals, huh?” Ren murmured. He stopped in the middle of the road, looking up to the sky, contemplative.
“My goals… They’re not the same anymore, are they? Things have changed,” Ren said quietly. “Before, when Ryuji, Morgana, Ann, and I founded the Phantom Thieves, we vowed to change society. But now… It’s not only that, right?”
Lavenza nodded with a small smile on her face. “Indeed. Knowing this… what will you do?”
“I’ll reform society, and protect the world from falling into Maruki’s delusion. I’ll protect my friends; the ones dearest to me, and I’ll do everything…” Ren raised a fist determinedly into the air. “EVERYTHING I can do to protect the world. You have my word, Lavenza.”
Lavenza giggled softly. “You need not swear it to me, my Trickster. You just need to swear it to yourself.”
Ren nodded, and repeated the vow inside his heart. He could feel something stirring from within, some small power bubbling up.
He’d deal with that later. For now…
“C’mon, Lavenza. I’ll show you around town.”