Chapter Text
The escape hadn’t unfolded as they had planned. Just when the Phantom Thieves believed they had slipped through the grasp of fate, the air was pierced by the blaring sirens of the police force. The most recent member of the Phantoms, Joker, found himself ensnared in the clutches of law enforcement, handcuffed and powerless as he was led away to an interrogation room that felt more like a cage.
Inside the dimly lit room, shadows danced on the cold, sterile walls, a stark contrast to the chaos outside. Sae Nijima, a formidable public prosecutor with steely determination in her gaze, concluded her relentless questioning and exited the room, leaving behind a thick tension that hung in the air like a storm cloud.
The door creaked open once more, and in stepped Akechi, his presence commanding immediate attention. The two were now alone in the cramped space, a climax of conflicting emotions swirling within its confines. Akechi moved with a calculated grace, his briefcase clicking open with a sense of finality. With a chilling nonchalance, he extracted a gun, its metallic sheen reflecting the stark overhead light. Ren's heart raced as the weight of the moment bore down upon them—one man’s betrayal looming heavy in the air.
“If our positions were switched, would our fates be different?”
↢ ❦ ↣
An act of injustice altered Ren’s life. He was unjustly framed for assault, which led to his one-year-long probation. He had to leave his hometown and relocate to Tokyo, taking residence with a family friend, Sojiro Sakura, the owner of Café Leblanc. The cozy café, with its inviting atmosphere and rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee, became his sanctuary. In this place, he could begin to piece his life back together amidst the chaos that had disrupted it.
Ever since he was charged with assault, a haunting voice began to echo in his mind. This shadowy figure, identifying itself as Yaldabaoth, whispered insidiously, insisting that true “justice” could only be achieved through methods of destruction. Compelled by this relentless call, Ren embarked on a series of self-imposed missions, convinced of a higher purpose.
With calculated precision, he began to stalk those he deemed “corrupt,” selecting the most opportune times and secluded locations for his ambushes. Each target, in his eyes, was a symbol of the decay he believed plagued society. He induced fatal mental shutdowns to his perceived societal ills.
A mental shutdown can manifest symptoms reminiscent of a sudden heart attack. During this episode, the affected individual's eyes may roll back into their head, and they might produce a black liquid from their mouths.
Ren took pleasure in the art of deception, weaving his crimes into the fabric of accidental misfortune. The disturbing thrill of evasion gripped him as he left behind no signs of his malevolent influence, all while convinced he was balancing the scales of justice in a world that had lost its way.
He believed society was inherently corrupt, and only through extreme measures could it be cleansed. Thus, he emerged as an unseen vigilante, a self-proclaimed “hero” of justice, willing to deliver a reckoning for those he deemed unworthy.
At his school, he could feel he was unwanted, drifting through the hallways while his peers steered clear of him. Whispers trailed behind him like shadows, rumors labeling him a delinquent and other ominous titles that hung in the air like a thick fog. Classmates exchanged furtive glances, their words laced with judgment, and even the teachers seemed to keep their distance from him. Devoid of companionship, he navigated the lonely corridors, burdened by the weight of isolation and the sting of unkind words.
It was not like he wanted them to know the truth behind his probation, a weight that pressed heavily on his shoulders. He didn't need others or their understanding. Instead, he preferred the solitude of his thoughts, believing that some burdens were meant to be borne in silence.
↢ ❦ ↣
The evening was serene as he made his way home after a long day at the police department. As he approached the entrance of the subway, a sleek black cat sauntered over to him. The feline gracefully weaved around his legs, purring softly, inviting a moment of connection amidst the hustle of the city. Akechi knelt to pet the cat. Behind him, the murmurs of the crowd were filled with admiration. People spoke about his charming demeanor and the soft kindness that radiated from him. His presence was captivating, and in that moment, he embodied the essence of a beloved celebrity, drawing hearts closer with his gentle spirit and captivating charm.
As Akechi fished his phone out of his pocket to glance at the time, he couldn't help but notice a peculiar app that had mysteriously appeared on his home screen since that afternoon. No matter how many times he attempted to uninstall it, the stubborn icon would reemerge, as if taunting him with its presence. Frustrated yet intrigued, Akechi sighed and decided to explore the mysterious app instead.
As soon as he tapped on it, an unusual sensation coursed through him, as if the very air around him was shifting and morphing. He suddenly stood in a labyrinthine underground world, where the train tracks twisted and turned in disorienting patterns, leading to uncertain destinations. He wandered through the dimly lit tunnels, the air thick with anticipation and the echoes of his footsteps bouncing off the cold, metallic walls. Each step deepened the mystery of this peculiar place, as he tried to comprehend how he had ended up in this uncanny reality.
It wasn't long before he found himself in the presence of eerie creatures that lurked in the darkness, Shadows. With glowing red eyes, they lunged at him, their movements swift and determined as they closed the distance between them. Backed against a wall, Akechi struggled desperately to break free, his heart racing and muscles straining. No matter how hard he tried, every attempt seemed futile. He clutched his hands, knuckles white, a desperate tremor running through him. As the Shadows lunged, their clawed hands reached out. Suddenly, something snapped within him. A searing heat ignited in his chest, radiating outward and pushing against the confines of his own dread.
He wanted to scream, to let it all out, but it wasn't just a cry of fear, but a declaration of defiance. It was a fierce refusal to be devoured by the suffocating weight of this nightmarish reality that loomed around him like a dark cloud.
A surge of raw power coursed through him, overwhelming and exhilarating. Images flashed in his mind: a justice-seeking hero.
The chains that had bound his spirit shattered. A brilliant azure light burst forth around him, swirling and dancing with an electrifying energy. Gradually, it took shape, coalescing into a monumental figure that radiated strength and defiance, embodying the very essence of unyielding power and rebellion. A roar echoed through the Metaverse.
“Robin Hood”
He unleashed a powerful Bless attack against the first Shadow. The attack swept through the battlefield, obliterating the Shadows that had once loomed menacingly.
He felt utterly drained after the fierce battle, his body ached from the toll of the fight. As he surveyed himself in the flickering light, he took in the striking ensemble he wore. Clad in an attire reminiscent of a prince with a red cape. The red mask covered his face ominously.
Determined to find a way to get out of the place he’s in, he began to explore his surroundings, searching for any sign or clue that might lead him to the real world. He paused in his tracks when he heard a loud bang ahead. There, in the flickering shadows cast by the dim light, stood towering figures whose grotesque forms twisted and writhed in combat. To his surprise, they were battling against… a monster cat? The feline, with its eyes glowing fiercely, seemed unfazed by the chaos around it, ready to defend itself against the monstrous adversaries.
“Zorro”
The cat summoned an ally, a Persona, who overwhelmed the enemy ranks, striking them down with ferocity. One by one, the adversaries slumped to the ground in a slimy form, slowly dissolving into nothingness under the weight of their defeat.
“It’s almost scary how good I am.”
As Akechi observed the scene before him, a rush of curiosity swept over him. The cat, with its curious eyes gleaming, finally shifted its gaze toward Akechi.
“A talking cat?”