[June 14 2020, Sunday]
[Fukuoka Airport]
[10:00]
(Yusuke is in line with passengers to Tokyo.)
Yusuke: ........
(He rethinks about his encounter.)
[Last Night]
Masked Killer: "If you plan to play on my game~? Here's how it goes: Don't go to Tokyo."
Yusuke: "Tch....And what if I do?"
Masked Killer: "You know the rules, Kitagawa..."
....
....
Masked Killer: "I'll let this slide and consider it as a penalty. But if you still plan to go against my rule, I won't be merciful next time."
Yusuke: (He plans to threaten me if I ever step foot to Tokyo......I have a feeling I won't make it in the plane but I have to see it myself.)
(Yusuke looks at the policemen arriving to the toilet that has been barricaded with police lines.)
Yusuke: (I need to get to Ren as soon as I can and give him a hand. It makes sense now, he is involved on Ren and trying to stop us Thieves. I need to warn everyone about this.)
(Eventually, Yusuke boards in to the airplane.)
[Resuming flight to Tokyo.]
[12:15]
Yusuke: .......
(Yusuke has a stern look as he thinks over what to do.)
Yusuke: (As soon as I get in to Tokyo. I'll have to meet Ren in back at the cafe and possibly gather in more of our friends. I need to inform them of the man we're facing as.)
(Yusuke looks at his right hand.)
Yusuke: (My Persona came back right before that man can finish me off...... So it did come at the heat of the moment. I guess I can conclude that my fate is what triggers it.)
........hm?
(Yusuke felt something warm in his pocket.)
Yusuke: Why does it feel warm?
(Yusuke pulls out the warm object from his pocket.)
Yusuke: Huh?
(It's his phone.)
......
(His phone's screen starts to flash and flicker a white light.)
Yusuke: !
(A distorted audio can be heard.)
???: "Ki-.......Kitagawa...."
Yusuke: W-......what!?
???: "I told you-....Kitagawa.......I won't be merciful...."
Yusuke: !?
(Yusuke makes a shocking look.)
[Unknown Location.]
???: Hmph.....
(He snaps his fingers.)
[12:21]
Yusuke: .......
(The lights went out in the airplane.)
Yusuke: !
(The passengers are shocked.)
.......
(The airplane's engines have stopped running.)
Yusuke: !?- Oh no!
(The airplane starts to gradually lose altitude, entering into a nosedive.)
Pilot: Mayday! Mayday! We have lost thrust on both engines! We're unable to do ignition!
(The airplane is nearing to the land.)
(Yusuke makes deep and slow breaths as he holds on to his seat.)
Yusuke: Goemon!
(Goemon appears and shields Yusuke as he switches.)
Fox: If I remember the name of this spell......Rakukaja!
(Fox's overall defense has been bolstered.)
(The airplane is about to reach to the ground as the passengers scream.)
GPWS (Airplane's warning system): "Terrain! Terrain! Terrain!"
*whoop* *whoop*
"Pull Up!"
*whoop* *whoop*
"Pull Up!"
*whoop* *whoop*
"Pull Up!"
Pilot: BRACE FOR IMPACT!
(Fox shuts his eyes.)
....
....
....
....
....
....
Yusuke: ........
"Over here!"
....
....
"Get him to safety!"
....
....
(Yusuke is half-unconscious, he sees through his half-open eyes himself on a stretcher, followed by the wrecked airplane.)
....
....
....
....
Yusuke: .......
(He opens his eyes.)
....
....
....
Yusuke: hmm
(He looks around...... sees himself on a hospital bed.)
Yusuke: oh......
(He looks at a digital clock on the wall.)
[4:55 PM]
(The doctor comes in to the room.)
Doctor: Oh!-
Yusuke: hm?
Doctor: Good Evening, Kitagawa-sama.
Yusuke: What.......happened?
Doctor: You have been in a coma for 4 days.
(Yusuke makes a shocked look.)
Yusuke: ......
Doctor: Don't worry, You happen to have survived a fatal plane crash. What's extraordinary is that you only happen to have minor injuries.
Yusuke: (Right! I used my Persona to protect myself.)
Doctor: You also happen to be one of the 10 of hundreds who survived. All of them but you had major injuries.
Yusuke: I see, my sympathies to the others.
Doctor: It is greatly appreciated by them and their families, We are glad to have you awake. Given the condition you're in, You will be discharged this evening. We need to make way for the treated patients.
Yusuke: I see then, Thank you, Doctor.
But I have something to ask, Where are we?
Doctor: You're in the Onomichi Municipal Hospital, Hiroshima.
Yusuke: Oh, alright.......Thank you.
(The doctor bows, he then leaves the room.)
Yusuke: (Hiroshima......I still am far away from Tokyo for 4 days now.)
(He tries to recall the events before the plane crashed.)
???: "I told you-....Kitagawa.......I won't be merciful...."
Yusuke: (It obviously seems that masked killer was behind this. I will not stop on getting back to Tokyo!)
(Yusuke looks at the small table with a vase next to him.)
Yusuke: ........*relief sigh*
(His wallet is there.)
Yusuke: .....!
(A small envelope is placed there.)
Yusuke: .....
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
(Yusuke takes the envelope and inspects it.)
Yusuke: !
"To Yusuke Kitagawa"
(He opens it, and pulls out what was stored inside.)
Yusuke: Tch!
(It's the Phantom Thieves calling card again.)
Yusuke: Another one of his....
(He takes the card and flips it over.)
"leT's rAisE ThE stAkEs, shAll wE?"
Yusuke: ......
(A news fanfare is heard.)
Yusuke: !
(Yusuke looks at the TV placed on the wall.)
News Reporter: "This just in, A musician in Tokyo has been caught up with the recent blood-marked murders this evening, This time the police were able to catch the killer in the act but it managed to escape, Authorities say that the killer happens to wear a Fox mask-"
(The news channel shows a video of a detective investigating the dead musician.)
Yusuke: !
(It's Makoto who happens to be the detective.)
Yusuke: Makoto! She must've passed her test. That's very good for her....
...
Wait-.....I think I should need her aide once I reach back to Tokyo and help me identify the killer.....I'll take a train this time.
[June 18 2020, Thursday]
[Onomichi, Hiroshima]
[7:00 PM]
[700 Kilometers (400 miles) away from Tokyo.]
(Yusuke exits the hospital [https://img.wattpad.com/9c311f19a6f99814e8cee30953d1ee50abcf570a/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f58567933326f45472d5f595a53773d3d2d313131333436323131352e313639626537333038366666336563333332303238333131363136342e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
(Yusuke exits the hospital.)
Yusuke: Fee was sufficing but I have to make this quick, Train would usually arrive in 30 minutes
(Yusuke hails for the taxi, It stops and he enters in.)
Yusuke: to the Train Station
Taxi Driver: Right away.
[Onomichi Train Station]
[7:15 PM]
(Yusuke is running to where the Tokyo Train will be.)
Yusuke: *huff*......*huff*
(Yusuke makes it.)
....
....
Yusuke: !?
(There are dead bodies with their faces blood-marked with the design of a Fox mask.)
Yusuke: Tch!
(Yusuke looks around.)
Yusuke: ........
.......
Yusuke: (Come on.....show yourself!)
???: Still planning to go?
Yusuke: !
(Yusuke quickly turns around, It's the Fox-Masked Killer.)
Yusuke: You......
Fox-Masked Killer: Don't worry........Changed the game's rules, I won't stop you this time. All I did was make Tokyo interesting, Given that you're too stubborn about going there.
Yusuke: You went to Tokyo and came back here?
Fox-Masked Killer: Precisely~ I was doing my.....work! While you were out cold.
(The Killer snaps his fingers and disappears.)
Yusuke: !
(Yusuke looks around.)
Fox-Masked Killer (echoey): I must say Kitagawa....You surviving that crash was impressive, Well given by the characteristics of your Persona based on my observation. I must say.....I wonder what's your next plan once you arrive in Tokyo.
(Yusuke gives an upsetting look.)
Yusuke: Tch!-
Fox-Masked Killer: I'll guess....
Yusuke: .....
(The Killer slowly appears on the back of Yusuke.)
Fox-Masked Killer: You plan on going to that detective friend of yours~?
Yusuke: !?
(Yusuke steps away and turns around.)
Fox-Masked Killer: I must say.....she is an impressive fighter when we first met. I could see why you'd consult to her.
Yusuke: Tch!
Fox-Masked Killer: *chuckle* You know Kitagawa.....I did say on just letting you off the hook for now.
Yusuke: ......
Fox-Masked Killer: But I do want another bite of you~.
(Yusuke makes a slightly disgusted look.)
Fox-Masked Killer: Persona!
(His dark ghastly Persona appears behind him, purple flames surround it.)
Yusuke: Hmph......Goemon!
(Goemon appears as Yusuke's switches into his Metaverse form.)
Fox: I'm going to put an end to this madness, you will not take another life!
Fox-Masked Killer: Oh we'll see about that.......
(He snaps his fingers.)
(A black broadsword appears out from thin air. The masked Killer grabs it.)
Yusuke: Tch...
[7:17 PM]
(Both Fox and the Masked Killer slowly move in circles as they look at each other.)
Fox: .......
Fox-Masked Killer: .......
(Fox glares at the Killer.)
Fox: HMMPH!
(Goemon makes a chop to the ghastly Persona with his right hand.)
(But it blocked the attack.)
(The Killer makes a running charge to Fox.)
Fox: !
(The Killer slashes Yusuke.)
Fox-Masked Killer: sshah!
(But he side rolls to the Killer's open spot.)
Fox: Hmph!
(Goemon quickly hovers to the Killer for a punishing attack.)
....
(But the Ghastly Persona blocks it again.)
Fox-Masked Killer: Nice try!
(The Persona grapples Goemon.)
Fox-Masked Killer: Hmmmh!
(The Killer makes an overhead slash on Fox.)
Fox: !
(Fox rolls to the side.)
Fox: Gotcha!
(Fox makes a push kick onto the Killer's exposed body.)
Fox-Masker Killer: GHH!-
(The Killer is pushed away as both of their Personas disappear.)
Fox-Masked Killer: heh...
(The Killer dashes to Fox and makes several slashes.)
Fox: !
(Fox quickly jumps backwards as he summons Goemon to attack him.)
Fox-Masked Killer: !
(The Killer leaps over Goemon, dodging his attack. He lands near to Fox.)
Fox-Masked Killer: Shhha!
(He lets out a swing and manages to make a scratch on Fox's left cheek.)
Fox: GUH!-
(Goemon disappears, Fox touches his left cheek and looks at his hand.)
Fox: !
(There's blood on his fingers.)
Fox-Masked Killer: Hmmph!
(He follows up with an another slash.)
Fox: Huup!
(But Fox jumps away, dodging it.)
(The Killer disappears.)
Fox: !
(Fox looks around.)
(The Killer reappears.)
Fox-Masked Killer: SHAH!
(The Killer makes a slash, But Fox dodges.)
Fox: SUH!
(Fox throws a punch but The Killer disappears again.)
(Fox looks around again.)
(The Killer reappears.)
Fox: There!
(Fox telegraphed the attack and summons Goemon.)
Goemon: OUULLAH!
(Goemon slams the Killer to the ground.)
Fox-Masked Killer: GAH!
Fox: *huff* *huff*
(Fox walks towards to the downed Killer, Goemon grabs his head.)
Fox: HmmmMP!
(Fox kicks the Killer's head.)
Fox-Masked Killer: !
(But he disappears.)
Fox: !!
(Fox's eyes widened, he loses his footing and slipped because of the force of his kick.)
Fox: ACK!- Damn.....
(Fox quickly gets up.)
Fox: Sukukaja!
(Fox's overall speed has been increased.)
(The Killer appears above Fox.)
Fox-Masked Killer: HMMMMMPH!!
(He goes for an oncoming slash as he falls onto Fox.)
Fox: !
(Fox summons Goemon.)
Goemon: SHOH!
(Goemon parries away the Killer's incoming slash.)
Fox-Masked Killer: GAH!-
(The Killer is sent flying far away from Fox to the ground.)
Fox: *huff*.....*huff*
(Fox withdraws his Persona and switches back.)
Yusuke: *huff*.......
(Yusuke turns around as he catches his breath.)
Yusuke: *huff* *huff*
.....
(A faint sound of metal is heard behind Yusuke.)
Yusuke: !
???: HMMPH!
(Yusuke instantly crouches and catches the sword above him with both his hands open-palmed.)
Fox-Masked Killer: !?
Yusuke: Hmmmph!
(Yusuke disarms the sword and turns around to gain momentum.)
Yusuke: Hmph!
(He hits the Killer's face with the hilt of his sword.)
Fox-Masked Killer: GHH!
(Yusuke grabs the Killer.)
Yusuke: Tch! Goemon!
(Yusuke puts up his right hand, as Goemon's right hand appears around it. He then slaps the Killer's face back and forth repeatedly.)
Yusuke: hmmMMMPH!
(Yusuke readies his hand for a finisher.)
Yusuke: SHOH!
(Yusuke makes a finishing and grueling slap.)
Fox-Masked Killer: UGAAH!
(The Killer's Fox mask completely breaks apart as he is sent to the ground.)
Yusuke: *huff*....*huff*
(Yusuke twirls his right hand.)
Unmasked Killer: hah......hahahahahaha
Yusuke: !
(The unmasked Killer slowly stands up as he covers his face with his hand.)
Unmasked Killer: I wasn't disappointed, Kitagawa-kun~ Just like I expected!
Yusuke: Hmph. You're not bad either.
Unmasked Killer: I can't wait for the ultimatum of this.....Until then. See ya~
(The Killer snaps his fingers and disappears.)
Yusuke: ......
(Yusuke looks at the blood-marked dead bodies.)
Yusuke: Damn him, he's going to make me look like I'm the one who's responsible. Best if I take the train tomorrow, once this place is cleaned up.
(Yusuke exits the train station.)
......
[Outside the station]
[7:39 PM]
......
(He checks his wallet that was stored in his left pocket.)
Yusuke: Still have a lot of cash and credit. Wouldn't hurt to make a one-night stay.......
(Yusuke then grabs something from his right pocket.)
.......
(Nothing is there.)
Yusuke: Right, I don't have my phone anymore.
(Yusuke looks around him.)
Yusuke: Well.....guess I'm going to get a new one.
(Yusuke goes to ask the people of Onomichi for any nearby electronic store, Eventually, one of them led him to a used electronics one.)
[7:25 PM]
(Yusuke exits the used electronics store.)
(He opens the second-hand phone. The phone's logo appears on screen with a loading bar below. It slowly fills up.)
Yusuke: .......
(As he waits for the phone to finish booting up, he begins walking...)
......
(The phone finishes booting, and he checks for the nearest hotel.)
Yusuke: Alright, found one near the train station.
(Yusuke walks to the hotel, spending the night there.)
[June 19 2020, Friday.]
[6:30 AM]
(The alarm clock is beeping, Yusuke is quickly awakened by it [https://img.wattpad.com/0d72f585d8b5cded4c78b0c21c35f3b61a47147d/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6957485462365a716d58594950773d3d2d313131333436323131352e313639626537353738616636393966393734383030363032363333392e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
(The alarm clock is beeping, Yusuke is quickly awakened by it.)
Yusuke: !
(Yusuke instantly snoozes it.)
Yusuke: (I got 30 minutes, Let's go.)
[Onomichi Train Station.]
[6:59 AM]
Yusuke: .....
(As Yusuke waits for the train, He is standing behind the investigation line alongside a small crowd of people.)
Yusuke: (The perpetrator......He doesn't seem to like his face being shown. Some killer you are.)
(The train arrives.)
Yusuke: (I can now worry less about this trip. But I'm expecting my arrival won't be welcoming.)
(Yusuke enters in and sits down on his designated seat.)
(The doors close as the train departs.)
Yusuke: Everyone is not yet awake, guess I'll wait for some time to pass.
.......
.......
.......
(Hours have passed, the train is making its way to Tokyo.)
[9:22 AM]
Yusuke: ........
(Yusuke opens up the IM messaging app.)
[Phantom Thieves' Group Chat.]
Yusuke: "Hello everyone."
Futaba: "we've been worried about you inari! (T ^ T)"
Ren: "What happened? Are you okay?"
Yusuke: "I'm fine now, And I'm sorry for the delay Ren, It seems we have an enemy gunning for us. Specifically me."
Futaba: "what?! who?!"
Ann: "What is even happening rn??....."
Yusuke: "This man is a known killer. He has already been preventing me from going back to Tokyo. And he is the one behind those recent blood-marked murders. But at least I managed to activate my Persona back."
Ann: "No way!"
Futaba: "i knew it! those marks look similar to your mask and considering how inactive you were at the time yusuke o.o"
Yusuke: "Precisely."
Futaba: "but that man must be framing you, news sites have reported the killer as a "suspected phantom thief." considering how he has a similar mask as yours."
(Futaba sends a screenshot of the news article.)
"Suspected Phantom Thief member with a Fox Mask may be linked with the recent blood marked murders."
Yusuke: (Damn!)
"Where is Makoto?"
Ann: "She's actually investigating about said killer."
Yusuke: "Really? Then I'm going to inform her that I'm coming, I'm gonna need her assistance."
Haru: "She's really handy considering that she recently became a detective. We're going to help you guys out too at least."
Yusuke: "No. He is dead-set targeting on me and possibly Makoto. I don't want anyone being involved right now. It's our fight."
Futaba: "understood then, good luck! ٩( 'ω' )و"
(The group chat stood still for a few seconds.)
Yusuke: "How's everyone doing by the way? What did I miss out?"
Ren: "Ryuji has been arrested yesterday. Or so he was."
Yusuke: "What!?"
Haru: "He seemed to fight off the cops. Only we can now assume now that he is hiding"
(Futaba has sent a link which is a news report about Ryuji.)
"Osakan Man makes skirmish with the police this afternoon."
Yusuke: "Damn....."
Ann: "Sumire also happens to be a shadow.."
Ren: "I don't even know how it did happen..."
Ann: "How are you two holding up btw?"
Ren: "I'm recovering good."
Futaba: "same"
Yusuke: "What? What happened?"
Ren: "We fought off the public security 2 days ago. That's when I found about Sumire."
Yusuke: "How interesting. I knew you'd still put up a fight after all these years. But Sumire being a shadow.....How?.."
Ren: "I really don't know....."
......
"Wait, I almost forgot!"
Ann: "??"
(The group chat stays still again.)
.......
(A new member has been added to the group.)
Maruki: "Hello everyone, It's been a while since we've all seen each other."
Yusuke: "What!?"
Ann: "Maruki!?"
Ren: "We luckily found him 2 days ago."
Futaba: "he agreed to help us out! ＼(^^)／"
Maruki: "I knew something felt wrong with the world and it's unrelated to the cognitions. I can gladly confirm that Mementos has not returned."
Yusuke: "So what makes the shadows possess the humans?"
Maruki: "That I don't know yet, This is why I'm here to find out. And also I wanted to repay my debt to Ren and everyone."
Yusuke: "I see..."
Ann: "How kind of you. And now we have another prominent member on our side!"
Haru: "Welcome aboard to the Phantom Thieves of Heart, Councillor!"
Maruki: "Please don't call me that.....I'm a taxi driver now."
Yusuke: "Well it is a certainly interesting return, But I must go now. I'm running low on battery."
Ren: "All right, take care and let me know when you arrive."
Yusuke: "Yes I will."
(Yusuke closes his phone and keeps it in his pocket.)
Yusuke: .......
(He looks at his watch.)
Yusuke: I've got time to pass. I'll rest up for now.
(Yusuke sets an alarm on his watch and goes to sleep.)
[Shibuya Station.]
[12:01 PM]
(Yusuke is already awake 20 minutes prior.)
Yusuke: ......
(The train starts to slow down.)
Yusuke: Hm?
(The train stops, Then the doors open.)
Yusuke: Finally.
(Yusuke exits the train.)
Yusuke: .....
(He then walks to exit the station.)
[Shibuya, Tokyo]
[12:05 PM]
[Shibuya, Tokyo][12:05 PM] [https://img.wattpad.com/29ab2eabde2e581f0483bb42e405559e104f4f57/68747470733a2f2f73332e616d617a6f6e6177732e636f6d2f776174747061642d6d656469612d736572766963652f53746f7279496d6167652f6e7a4e775878646c5764743571413d3d2d313131333436323131352e313639626562373631366433313861613135333531313534343938312e6a7067?s=fit&w=1280&h=1280]
(Yusuke smiles.)
Yusuke: (I'll head back to my apartment first. Get myself rested.)
(Yusuke walks.)
[END OF CHAPTER, TO BE CONTINUED.]