WARNING: The following chapters contains attempted suicide, mentions sexual assault and mentions of non-con. Please proceed at your own risk.
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-Later that Night; Leblanc-
After Dide came back from his calming session and a cal relaxing dinner, the group gathered in the attic. Inside they informed their eldest friend what they learned. Needless to say he was very surprised.
"Huh---to think she said that--The Ann girl ain't a bad person after all." Dide said. "Glad yall were able to get info."
"Wow, I thought you would be more mad at the fact a teacher is blackmailing a student." Kai said, stunned.
"Oh no, I'm absolutely pissed." Dide replied casually and still with a smile, "You just don't see me raging out like usual." He noticed his phone vibrating as he looked to see who it was only for him to reject it. "See Calm Rage."
"... Still I can't believe a teacher is just forcing himself on a student." Haruto said, "It's just unbelievable."
"And if it's happening to Takamaki-chan---" Kiku said, "---Maybe it's happening to other students too."
"... You might be right." Ren said.
Dide flinched at this, "How---Do you figure?"
"I---Heard something similar happened before." Ren explained, "At a different school before I was transferred to Shujin."
"And I heard something like that from the person who almost bought me." Kiku added, "He hit on other girls before me."
Haruto soon noticed his expression, "Hey, are you okay?"
"Uh--Yeah, yeah, totally fine!" Dide said as he looked at his phone before pocketing it.
"If Mo-chan says we can steal his treasure---" Kiku said, "---Then maybe he'll confess to harassing other students too."
"Assuming that we don't kill him by accident." Haruto said.
Ren sighed, "... I just don't know if we can take that chance."
"Yeah the last thing we wanna be labeled as punishers." Dide said.
"..you mean murd--" Kai asked
"I Do mean Punishers, Kai." Dide said
Kiku soon noticed the time, "Let's sleep on it, we can talk about it more with Sakamoto-kun tomorrow."
"Yeah, you're probably right." Dide said as he went to his bed, "Come on guys, we got class tomorrow."
Without another word each and everyone of them went to bed as Kai got the light. Even Dide's chicken and rooster settled in close to their friend. Each of them slumbered and drifted off in their own dreams.
Though Kiku---Seemed restless.
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Upon opening her eyes, Kiku found herself drawn to the sound of a clock ticking. She looked around noticing it had been the afternoon. She looked a bit startled as she found herself standing on the roof of a building. She looked panicked, not sure how she had gotten up there.
The clouds had been dark and grey, rain threatening to pour any second from above.
Kiku looked around frantically, trying to figure out when she got there when---
"Oh my God, she's going to jump!"
Kiku could hear someone shout from down below, that was when she realized… Someone was behind her. When she turned she saw someone had been on the roof where she had been standing.
Kiku's eyes widened in horror at the scene that had unfolded before her… As she had been helpless to stop it.
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-Shujin Academy-
The day was carried out as it usually did for the students. The moment they arrived on campus, they went to their classroom and the lessons had gone on. As Ren and Kai sat in their own classroom hearing the teacher talk, Ren had been off in his own world.
"... Kiku-san was acting way more off then usual this morning." Ren thought, as he looked at a certain paper, which looked to be a doodle of something, "She ended up handing me this without much of an explanation…" He examined the picture more closely, "... What could she be trying to tell me?"
"Amamiya!" The teacher--Ushimaru said, getting his attention, "Perhaps you can answer this question. Can you tell me the three separate powers in our government?"
"Oh---" Ren started to say as he had quickly dug the answer in his mind, "---National Diet is legislative, the Cabinet is executive, and the Supreme Court is judiciary."
Everyone in the classroom looked surprised by this. All except Kai who seemed to smile.
"Good." Ushimaru said, "This division of power provides checks and balances which ensures no one branch becomes unstoppable."
"Have you guys made up your minds?"
Ren and Kai jumped at a familiar voice. When they looked over they say, Morgana had been sticking his head out from Ren's own desk. "What the fuck???" Kai couldn't help but whisper, "Is that Morgana??"
"No matter how much thinking you do---" Morgana said, "---There's only one option. You'd be better off just listening to me."
"What are you--Why are you in my desk?!" Ren whispered.
"Huh?" Ushimaru said, as they flinched, "Did I just hear a cat just now?"
"Shit!" Ren and Kai whispered.
"M-Meow!" Morgana quickly said as he hid himself in the desk.
Ushimaru looked around puzzled, "Strange---Could that rumored cat be somewhere?"
"N-No sir!" Kai exclaimed. "I-it's your imagination!"
Ushimaru looked skeptical as the students chattered, "Hey, settle down! We're in the middle of an important lecture!"
The students immediately silenced themselves as Ushimaru continued. Kai soon took out his phone before Ren noticed he had sent a message.
"Why is Morgana here?!" Is what he had typed.
Ren quickly typed back, "How am I supposed to know? He just showed up in my desk!"
"Huh? Are you guys talking about me?" Morgana whispered.
Kai shushed him as he wrote to Ren "Tell that damn cat to keep it down!"
"Hey! Who said I'm a cat?!" Morgana shouted, as Ren immediately shut his mouth. He noticed Ushimaru looking over in his direction as Ren had an awkward smile while he gave a laugh.
"Fuck me…" Kai groaned, "... Why today of all days…"
Just then---One of the students noticed something odd outside. "Hey… What's that…?!" He said.
"Enough!" Ushimaru called out, "This is a classroom!"
Another girl noticed as she had a look of horror. "Wait---" She said, "---Oh my God—She's going to jump!"
All of the students, especially Ren and Kai looked shocked and startled by this. "Suzui?" Mishima said as he stood.
Ann immediately perked at the name as she stood in alarm, "... Shiho?"
Before anyone knew it, all of the students quickly ran out of the classroom; Ann, Ren and Kai included despite the teachers' protest. They ran to the window to get a better view and to their own horror, there she was…
…Shiho, standing at the edge of the rooftop.
It had almost been quiet as the students chattered, wondering if she was really going to or not. Only a second later…
… She fell forward off the rooftop, causing the students to shriek when she hit the ground.
Ann especially had been paralyzed with fear as the only thing she could was watch.
"N-No… Why…?!"
Without thinking, Ann quickly ran straight to the courtyard, bumping into Ren along the way. The doodle fell out of his hand, as he went to pick it up.
… It was then he realized something shocking.
The doodle Kiku had given to him moments before he left LeBlanc…
…It had been Shiho, standing on the rooftop of Shujin. It seemed like something in him had clicked as he realized she had been acting off earlier that morning.
"Holy shit---" Kai said, shocked.
"Come on!" Ren told him as he pocketed the doodle.
Without hesitation, Kai quickly followed him out towards the courtyard. Though not before they caught sight of a girl in third year running towards where she fell.
Just as they saw this, they heard---
"Guys!!"
Ren and Kai looked over and saw Dide, standing with Ryuji as he had been waving them down. They quickly ran over to him.
"Did you see what just happened?!" Dide asked.
"Yeah, we gotta get down there now!" Ren replied.
"Please tell me you know a fast way to get down there!" Kai said to Ryuji
"There is!" Ryuji said. "Just follow me! We'll cut through the Practice Building to get to the courtyard!"
The boys quickly followed Ryuji towards a path towards the practice building, though as expected, they noticed a crowd. "Shit!" Ryuji said, "No choice, we gotta push through!"
"Right!" Dide said, "Lucky for you I've dealt with Black Friday crowds back in America!"
"What does that mea---" Ryuji started to ask before--
"HANG ON TIGHT!" Dide shouted as he began to shout "MOVE BITCH! GET OUT OF THE WAY! GET OUT OF THE WAY!"
Dide managed to get through the crowd by tackling everyone while holding onto Ryuji, Ren and Kai as they were in shock. Before they realized anything they were in the practice building.
"Used that one for one of my shoots and when I had to do some Christmas Shopping--" Dide said triumphantly as he set the boys down on his feet, "---NOW MOVE!"
Ryuji quickly lead them towards the door as they pushed through another crowd of people. By the time they had gotten to the courtyard, there had been onlookers and paramedics on the scene. And teachers tried to get the students back to the classroom but it fell on deaf ears.
They noticed the third year girl helping the paramedics, though Dide recognized her to be--
"Seiko?!" He exclaimed out of shock as it shocked the boys.
"Seiko?" Ren asked.
"You know her?" Kai asked.
"Not Important!" Dide told him
They noticed she had looked irked by the students' recording. "What is wrong with you people?!" She said in anger, "Your classmate could be dying and you're just recording for views?!"
She soon swiped the phone from the student before tossing it, "Quit that crap! You should know better! You're human beings!"
"Hey!" one of them shouted.
"Geez, Just because you're a famous teen idol doesn't mean you get to act like a bitch!"
Seiko glared, "Never EVER bring my career into this! And if any one of you keeps recording, I promise you, there WILL be hell to pay!"
The students immediately put away their phones as they felt a menacing aura come from Seiko.
"... Seiko…" Dide said, stunned.
Ryuji turned to Dide as he said "wait--you mean know famous teen idol, Seiko Yamaguchi?"
"Again, NOT important!" Dide told him. "What's important is that girl that just fell off!"
"Shiho!" Ann exclaimed as they watched her leave the crowd and run to her side.
"Takamaki!" Seiko exclaimed, a bit surprised as Ann kneeled beside her.
"Shiho…" She said tearfully, "... Why would you do this…?"
They saw Shiho had opened her eyes, as she weakly looked at her. "...A…Ann? I… I'm sorry… I… Can't take it anymore…"
"Shiho…" Ann said, fearing for her friend's life. She soon whispered something to her, which put her into shock.
"Huh? Kamoshida?"
And just like that Shiho passed out again. "No! Shiho!" Ann cried as Seiko held her back gently, not to aggravate her wounds.
"We need someone to go with her!" A paramedic soon announced, "Are there any teachers?!"
They could hear the teachers talk.
"Uh--She's not in my class."
"W-We should have the principal go with her!"
"Y-Yeah good idea."
"I'll go!" Ann said as she raised her hand.
"Me too!" Seiko said as she stood.
"This way!" The paramedic said, leading the girls inside the van. Everyone watched as it drove away. All of the students couldn't help but chat about what had just occurred.
"Shit… Why would she even do something like that?!" Kai said, frustrated.
"Guys--" Ren said as he gestured over in a certain direction. They looked over and noticed Mishima looking distressed. They even saw him run out from the crowd.
"Ain't that guy from your class?" Ryuji asked Ren and Kai.
"Yeah---And I overheard the other day he's on the volleyball team!" Ren said before he quickly broke off before he started to run after him.
"Wait, Ren!" Dide called out before he followed behind, with Kai and Ryuji.
Morgana, who had watched the scene unfold, started to follow them through the window of the school.
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The day quickly passed as before they knew it, it had been after school hours. Ren, Ryuji, Dide, Kai and Morgana had gathered at the courtyard, as they made a decision that could alter the course of their future.
"We can't waste any time!" Ryuji said, "We gotta hurry up and go to that world to beat the shit outta that asshole!"
"You're speaking my language." Kai said as he cracked his knuckles.
"Hey, whoa!" Morgana said, "We're not beating the shit out of him! We're simply stealing his distorted desires! Aka his treasure!"
Ryuji and Kai flinched.
"Yeah, yeah that too!" Kai said.
"So---" Morgana said, looking at the group, "---I take you guys made up your minds about this---About how he might suffer a mental shutdown?"
"It's worth the risk." Ren said, "Someone almost died and we can't let him get away with that."
"I concur!" Dide said, "No Way in HELL is he gonna walk scott free-Not with EVERYTHING that happens.." He clenched his fist as he said "One way or another, Kamoshida is gonna get his karma.."
"... Who are you and what have you done with Dide?" Kai asked amused.
"Woah--I didn't know you could get like this." Ryuji said.
"It can't be helped--I can't STAND People like him." Dide said, "They think they can just walk over people just because they're of a higher standard than them--It gets me So--" he let out a scream as he just grunted.
He turned to them as he said only one thing with a dark look.
"LET'S STEAL HIS FUCKING TREASURE."
"Now that's what I'm talking about!" Morgana said, "That's the kind of energy I need when we invade the palace!"
"Speaking of which---" Kai said, "---Is getting a treasure in a palace hard?"
"Yeah, is it easy?" Ren asked.
"I mean it should be considering you've done it before." Kai said.
They all looked at Morgana as they eagerly waited for an answer. But---
"When did I ever say that?" Morgana asked, causing them to faint.
"WERE YOU JUST PULLING THAT OUT OF YOUR ASS?!" Ryuji shouted.
"WHAT THE FUCK KIND OF GUIDE ARE YOU?!" Kai yelled.
"I'M GONNA KICK YOU TO THE GODDAMN STRATOSPHERE!" Dide exclaimed as Morgana flinched
"... Is it true that you're getting expelled?"
The boys looked over and saw that it had been Ann. "Takamaki-san---" Kai said surprised, though his face looked a bit red.
"..yeah, we are." Dide said as he turned his head before it clicked, "Wait---How did you know about that?"
"How do you think?" Ann said, "Kamoshida is talking about it."
"... Damn it---" Ryuji said, "---So that asshole's at it again…" He soon looked at her, "... Did you come all this way just to tell us that?"
"No…" Ann said, "... But if you're going to deal with Kamoshida… Let me in on it too."
The boys and Morgana looked shocked by this sort of thing. Ann's fist clenched, "I can't just sit back and do nothing after what happened to Shiho!"
"Takamaki-san…" Ren said, concerned.
"This has nothing to do with you…" Ryuji said, "... Don't butt your head into this…"
"But it does!" Ann argued, "Shiho's my---"
"I SAID DON'T GET IN OUR WAY!" Ryuji shouted as they flinched.
Ann had been silent at this before she went off before any one of them could say anything. "Hey---" Kai said, "---What the hell? That was too far!"
"I have to agree---That was harsh." Morgana said.
"We can't take her somewhere like that." Ryuji said.
"Even so---" Kai started to say.
Dide soon added, "it's messed up I get she can't get involved but there were better ways to deal with it."
He looked at his phone to see 25 missed calls along with a couple of angry text messages from Seiko as he only put it away.
Morgana sighed, "Still---I hope she doesn't do anything crazy. Women can be bolder than men sometimes."
"We just gotta hurry and deal with Kamoshida." Ryuji said, "Right guys?"
"Right." Ren, Kai, and Dide said.
"Alright---" Morgana said, "---Seems like you guys are ready. But we're going to need Kiku-chan and Haruto's help."
"Them?" Ren asked, "Why?"
"Because they know how to pick locks." Morgana replied, "And trust me when I say we're going to need their help."
"That makes sense but--" Dide said. "---They don't have the same powers as Ren, Kai or Ryuji."
"Neither do you." Morgana argued, "But you'll still go right?"
"Duh, Obviously!" Dide said, "I'm not just a passenger, plus I know Aikido."
"Then, we'll be counting on you to keep them safe when push comes to shove." Morgana said.
Dide nodded as he said "you got it."
"Then it's settled." Morgana said, "Let's get underway."
"... I'll call them over." Ren said as he got his phone and made one call.
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-A Few Short Moments Later-
Kiku and Haruto had gotten over to Shujin as fast as they could the moment Ren messaged them. They practically ran from one transfer to another before they met with them just in the alleyway near Shujin Academy itself. They even came equipped with their backpacks. Beside them had been their dog Shiro as he looked to have his own equipment.
"We came as soon as we could." Haruto said, "Were you waiting long?"
"No, you're fine." Ren replied, "But---Are you two sure you want to go to the palace? You don't have to if you're scared."
"If we're going to help the other victims, like Takamaki-chan and the others on the Volleyball team---" Kiku said, "---Then we have to."
"Alright listen up---" Morgana said, "---The moment we cross over we'll treat each other like Phantom Thieves so be ready for anything in there."
"You already know." Dide said before he felt another vibration as he clicked his tongue before putting it away. "We're ready for anything."
"Wait a second---" Ren said, "---Did you just say Phantom Thieves?"
"Uh-huh!" Morgana said with a smile, "We are those who covertly sneak in and stylishly steal Treasure---That's who we become!"
"... Well that sounds dumb." Kai said.
"What? I think it sounds cool!" Ryuji said with a smile.
Dide's phone vibrated as he only hit his pocket causing it to stop.
"Seriously, what 's up with your phone?" Kai asked.
"Oh you know--Since they know I'm a celebrity, they decided to find my number." Dide said. "I gotta change it soon."
"... Weird." Kai said, perplexed.
Kiku soon caught a glimpse of his phone, recognizing the name. "... Seiko?" Kiku said before something seemed to have hit her, "Oh no…"
Dide hid his phone before he noticed the expression on her face, "Kiku? Is something wrong?"
"Dide-san, that girl Seiko---You should know---" Kiku started to say before she was cut off.
"Alright I got the phone ready, let's head inside." Ryuji said.
"Got it." Ren said.
"Let's save it for after we deal with this, okay?" Dide said with a friendly smile.
"Wait, Dide-san you don't under---" Kiku tried to protest before she pouted a little.
"Everyone stand together in a circle---" Ryuji said, "---I'm gonna start her up. So all I gotta do is put in Kamoshida, Shujin and castle, right?"
The group quickly gathered around as Ryuji started up the app. Unbeknownst to them---
---Ann had been watching them. "... They really are up to something…" She said thinking aloud, "... Are they doing something with their phone…?" She soon took notice of Kiku and Haruto, "... Wait, why are those two there?"
All of sudden Ann jumped when the world suddenly turned red. In almost a blink---Ren and the others found themselves back at Kamoshida's castle. The only ones who had looked different, had been Ren, Ryuji, Kai, Morgana and even Shiro as he was back in the strange humanoid form.
"Huh---It happened again." Shiro said as he looked to himself.
"Well, this is---" Kai said as he looked to himself as he patted the edge of his hat, "---Gonna take some getting used to."
"All right!" Ryuji said, "Time to bust through!"
"Right, lets g---" Dide started to say before---
"WHAT IS THIS?!"
The group jumped at a new voice. When they turned they saw it was Ann---Looking confused and a bit disoriented.
"Takamaki?!" Ren, Ryuji and Kai exclaimed.
Ann jumped before she looked at the three of them closely, "... Sakamoto? Inoue? Higuchi? And---Amamiya?"
"H-Hey." Ren said awkwardly as he waved.
"WHAT THE HELL???!" Dide exclaimed. "OH MY GOD!"
"Takamaki-chan, what are you doing here?!" Kiku asked.
"Shouldn't I be the one saying that?!" Ann said.
"Who's this?" Shiro asked as he tilted his head.
"A girl from their school." Haruto replied.
"IS THAT A TALKING MONSTER DOG?!" Ann exclaimed.
"... Still sounds mean." Shiro said awkwardly.
"How did she even get here?!" Morgana exclaimed.
"WHA---A TALKING MONSTER CAT?!" Ann exclaimed as Morgana felt an arrow go through his chest from her words alone
Ren pondeed before he came to a conclusion, "... I'm guessing when we used the meta nav---She was nearby."
"SO IT GETS ANYONE IN RANGE?!" Dide shouted, "WHO PUT IN THAT FLAW?!"
"HEY!" Ann shouted as Dide jumped at the sheer voice, "Someone tell me what is going on!? Where are we?! Isn't this the school?!"
"Uh---" Kiku said, "---That's---Sort of a long story."
"Look, let's save the explanations for later---" Ryuji said, "---You gotta leave!"
"No!" Ann protested, "I'm not leaving until you tell me what this is!"
Kai sighed, "Okay Takamaki-san---I can't lie to you, and we obviously can't come up with a good lie. So for you we'll---GRAB HER LEGS DIDE!"
Dide immediately grabbed her by the legs while Kai took hold of her upper body. "HEY, STOP LET GO!" Ann shouted as she struggled a little.
"Sorry Takamaki-san!" Kai said as he and Dide carried her out, "You'll get an explanation I promise but for now, you gotta go!"
"Be back in a second!" Dide shouted as they carried Ann out despite her protests as the group just watched in sheer confusion and disbelief by what had happened.
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-A Few Seconds Later-
Kai and Dide caught their breath after they had gotten Ann safely out; even the group sighed with relief. "Alright---" Dide said, as he raised his hand, "--Making a new rule---Check for any people---Before we use the app!"
"Agreed." Ren, Kiku, Haruto, Ryuji, Kai and even Shiro said.
"... Seriously, you guys are real amateurs." Morgana said as he shook his head.
"OH LIKE YOU KNEW THAT WAS GONNA HAPPEN!" Kai shouted as Morgana jumped.
"YEAH STUPID CAT!" Dide shouted as he grabbed Morgana, "YOU MADE US LOOK BAD!"
"I AM NOT A CAT!" Morgana argued before he shook off his rage, "More importantly, we gotta deal with this fast---So we're counting on you Joker!"
The group looked confused before they realized---He had been referring to Ren himself. "... What did you just call me?" Ren asked.
"Joker---" Morgana replied, "---It's your code name. Since we're in uncharted territory, there's no telling what kind of effect yelling our real names will have on a Palace. So from now on, we'll refer to each other through a codename---Hence Joker."
"... Joker huh?" Ren said.
"... It does have a nice ring to it, gotta admit." Kai said.
"Yeah, it does." Kiku said.
"Wait, why is he Joker?" Ryuji asked.
"Because he's our trump card when it comes to fighting strength." Morgana said.
"Well---If that's the case---" Shiro said as he raised his hand, "---How about I go by Wolf?"
"Wolf huh?" Morgana said as he smiled, "I like it! It does fit considering you're big."
"Then Wolf it is!" Shiro said with a cute smile, despite his canine teeth.
"Next up is Kai---" Morgana said as he pondered, "---How about--Cowboy?"
"What kind of a generic name is that?!" Kai exclaimed out of confusion.
"It suits him." Dide said.
"The fuck it doesn't!" Kai shouted as he hit his head, making Dide shriek. Kai soon started to ponder, "It's gotta be a better name then Cowboy… But what…?"
Kiku looked over his outfit again as the name seemed to click. "How about---Gunslinger?"
The boys looked at her a bit surprised. "Does that codename sound okay?" Kiku asked Kai.
"Gunslinger---" Kai said before he smiled, "---Yeah, now that's what I'm talking about!"
"Alright I'm next--!" Ryuji said as he pondered, "---What should be my codename?"
"How about Yankee?" Morgana suggested.
"THAT NAME IS WAY TOO GENERIC!" Ryuji shouted.
"How about Thug?" Dide said.
"Isn't that the same thing?" Kiku asked.
"Come on, I thought we were cool, Dide." Ryuji said with a sob.
"Hmmm---" Ren said, "---How about we go with something simple?"
"Like what?" Kai asked.
Ren soon pondered as he looked at his mask, "How about---Skull?"
"Skull huh?" Ryuji said, as he smiled, "I like it man." He soon looked at Morgana, "How about him? Should we just call him Mo-chan?"
"Uh no!" Morgana said, "Only Kiku and Haruto get that privilege!"
"Then---" Haruto said, "---How about Mona?"
"Mona huh?" Morgana said before he sighed, "Well, if Joker thinks its okay---"
The group looked over to Ren as he pondered on this. "Yeah, that sounds alright."
"Then, Mona it is!" Morgana said.
"If we're done, Let's get going." Dide said. "The sooner we can steal his treasure, the sooner we can bring him down."
"Aww You're speaking my language, dude!" Ryuji said.
Kiku noticed Dide's tone as he and Ryuji went on ahead. She was about to say something… But she couldn't. She had been brought out of her thoughts when she felt Ren---Or rather Joker take her hand.
"Stay close to me, okay?" He said a reassuring look.
"... Okay." Kiku said with a smile.
Thus the group had gone inside through the vent and into the castle. They were careful as they snuck about, and they stayed close to one another. With every shadow in the corner of the castle, they hid in plain sight avoiding the Knights and guards.
They soon approached the entrance of a corridor, as they kept close to the wall.
"Look, up ahead." Kai---Or rather Gunslinger whispered.
They looked over and noticed a Knight right in front of the door.
"Looks like they tightened up security last time we were here." Gunslinger said.
"Man, you guys must've caused a lot of trouble." Haruto whispered.
"So---How should we do this?" Dide asked in a low voice.
"I could just rush him and take him out---" Ryuji---Or rather Skull suggested.
"That's a you thing." Morgana---Mona said, "Plus we don't want unnecessary attention considering we're trying to steal Treasure."
"So what should we do?" Kiku asked.
Shiro---Or rather Wolf raised his hand, "Mind if I give it a try?"
"You sure you're up for it?" Joker asked.
"Yeah. I think that Persona you talked about or at least mine might be able to do something." Wolf said.
"Oh yeah, since you're like that, you must have a Persona." Skull said, "Kind of curious to see what it is."
"Alright---Go for it." Joker said.
Wolf nodded before he took a deep breath before he concentrated. "...Persona!"
A Persona soon manifested from Wolf's shadow, which had been in the form of a large wolf. Yet this wolf had two tails and had strange red markings
Skull couldn't help but whistle.
"Man--You're really rocking the wolf aesthetic." Dide said.
"Get them---Okami." Shiro whispered as the wolf persona--Okami seemed to have vanished into flames. Much to the group's surprise.
As the Guards were taking turns watching the entrance, unknown to them a flame was behind them. Okami manifested again before launching himself at two of the knights, taking them out in all of them in one shot as they were screaming in pain.
"Talk about a sneak attack.."
"Well Wolf--it's a good thing you have your persona now." Morgana said. "We'll definitely need it for times like these.".
Wolf laughed nervously, "Ah-ha---It's not much but thanks Mo-chan---I mean Mona."
"Come on!" Morgana--Or for now Mona said, "Let's keep moving!"
The group started to move forward as they got the door open. Joker and Kiku had been behind as they were hand in hand with each other. "You okay?" Joker asked, noticing how nervous she looked.
"I-I'm alright." She replied, "I'm uh---Just a little anxious."
"Don't worry---" Joker said, "---I won't let anything happen to you."
"... I know." Kiku said with a small smile.
Joker and Kiku followed close behind the rest of the group. Though Joker couldn't help but ponder, about the doodle… About what happened earlier that day, and as to why she looked so troubled. He figured now would be a good time to ask her.
"... Kiku-san?" Joker soon said, "Is it okay if I ask you something?"
Kiku looked confused, "What is it??"
"You knew what was going to happen today." Joker soon clarified, "You knew and you tried to warn me. How did you even know what was going to happen to that girl?"
Kiku's expression changed at this, as Joker could feel her hand tighten. "... If I tell you--" She soon said, "---Promise you won't look at me differently."
"... Of course." Joker said.
Kiku sighed before she explained, "The truth is… I've always been able to see what others couldn't. I sometimes have dreams about events that'll happen to certain people. I don't get them all the time… Just to those that are in trouble. I don't know why I see them… But I can and always have…" She soon had an awkward look, "Sorry, that's a bit of a strange thing to say."
Joker shook his head, "On the contrary, I think it's helpful."
"... A lot of people would say otherwise." Kiku said, as her expression fell, "... Sometimes… I'm powerless to do anything to stop the events from happening… Like what happened with that girl…" She soon looked at Joker, "... I'm sorry I couldn't do anything for her…"
Joker patted her hand, "You did everything you could for her. And she's still fighting right now. So don't worry."
Kiku looked at Joker as she couldn't help but smile, which made Joker's cheeks turn red again. He soon cleared his throat, "I-In any case, I think it could come in handy in the future. Who else knows about this?"
"Other then you---Haruto-kun knows." Kiku replied, "If it's okay with you… I don't want the others to know just yet."
Joker's expression changed at this, before he squeezed Kiku's hand in a sign of reassurance.
"I understand." He said, "I won't say a word."
Kiku had a look of gratitude, "... Thank you." She said before she gave him a kiss on the cheek, which seemed to startle Joker a bit.
"Guys!" They soon heard Dide say, "Come on! We found another passage up ahead!"
Without another word and with their hands still intertwined, they moved forward and headed further into the castle.
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-Outside the Castle-
Ann looked befuddled to find herself back. She didn't know how or why, but she seemed to figure out how to return real quick. She looked around the area, still a bit perplexed by what she had been seeing.
"This is definitely that same place from earlier…!"
She soon took out her phone, looking at a strange app that had a red eye.
"... What's up with this app? All I did was say the words I heard from Sakamoto---"
"Princess?!"
Ann looked a bit startled as she noticed Knights coming towards her. Ann wasn't sure what to do, before they advanced on her.
"Princess!"
"H-Hey!" Ann exclaimed as they grabbed her, "Where are you taking me!? Get off me!"
Before Ann knew it, she ended up getting dragged inside the castle not knowing what sort of danger she had gotten into.