"Blow them away, Captain Kidd!" Ryuji yelled as a figure appeared behind him.
A massive ship tore into existence, hovering above the ground. Standing atop it was a bulky skeletal figure clad in a stylized pirate outfit—a blue undershirt beneath a black coat lined in red. A captain's hat sat proudly atop his skull. One arm ended in a vicious claw, while the other had transformed into a cannon.
"YARRR! Let's go, mateys! Zio!" the Persona roared.
Lightning split the sky, slamming down onto one of the remaining Bicorne and knocking it out instantly.
Seizing the opening, Morgana and Zorro shouted in unison, "Garu!"
A powerful blast of wind slammed into the fairy-like Shadow, knocking it off its feet.
"Electricity works on the horses! Keep it up, Ryuji!" Morgana yelled.
"Ren!" Ryuji shouted as he dodged an incoming fireball.
Arsène appeared behind Ren, adjusting his stance with a flourish.
"And now a pirate," Arsène mused. "We look like quite a ragtag group of thieves, do we not?"
He snapped his fingers stylishly. A purple glyph flared beneath the pumpkin-headed Shadow before it disintegrated instantly.
"Aye," Captain Kidd replied casually. "You still up for some swill?"
"All-out attack!" Morgana announced.
Ren and Ryuji rushed forward, striking the remaining downed Shadows in tandem.
"Show's over!" Ren declared as he landed, adjusting his red gloves.
"Let's go get that bast—" Ryuji started before his knees nearly buckled.
Ren caught him immediately.
"No. We're all way too exhausted, and the alarms are still blaring. We're leaving. Now."
"But—"
"Ren's right," Morgana cut in. "Another fighter is great and all, but we can't keep this up."
"Ugh… fine," Ryuji groaned.
Ren helped him stagger toward their entry point. The world warped around them, and suddenly they were back in the alleyway.
Catching his breath, Ryuji groaned, "Ugh… you made it look so easy. I feel like I could pass out."
"Same here," Ren exhaled.
"You really don't show it," Morgana and Ryuji said at the same time.
After a moment, Ryuji perked up. "So… yeah. We're going back, right?"
"Most likely," Ren replied. "But for now—"
"SHIT! I TOLD MY MA I'D BE HOME EARLY TO HELP HER—GOTTA GO!" Ryuji yelled, sprinting off down the street.
"…So much for being tired," Morgana muttered.
Ren glanced down at his bag. "Do you have somewhere to go, Morgana? I've got some questions."
Morgana hopped inside.
"It's good of you to ask. I don't," he said quietly. "All I remember is waking up in that cell. I might have a home, but I don't know where it is… and I don't want to go looking like this."
"Well," Ren said carefully, "if you play along with me, I think I can convince my guardian to let you stay. You might have to act like a normal cat sometimes."
Morgana was quiet for a moment.
"…That's better than the alternative. Thank you, Ren."
---
Meanwhile, Shiho and Ann had just left Ann's part-time job.
"It's always surprising how professional you get when you're modeling," Shiho giggled.
"Try?" Ann replied in mock offense. "I'll have you know—hey! Don't change the subject."
She stopped, her tone turning serious. "What the hell is going on? That Ren guy doesn't seem bad. His eyes are a little intense, but still. But…"
"I quit the volleyball team," Shiho said.
"You told me that already. But why? You love volleyball," Ann replied.
"Well…" Shiho began, explaining everything that had happened.
.
.
.
.
"…What?" Ann finally said, stunned. "I mean, I believe he acted that way at lunch, but… a castle? A power called a Persona? Monsters? A talking cat? Shiho, you sound really stressed."
"I am, but I prom—"
RING. RING. RING.
Ann's phone vibrated. Both girls froze.
"Kamoshida-sensei," the caller ID read.
"Ann…" Shiho whispered desperately. "Please. Just ignore it."
Before Ann could answer, an exhausted boy with glasses and messy black hair approached them.
Ann noticed a cat poking its head out of his bag.
"Ren! You look exhausted!" Shiho said, rushing over to inspect him.
Ann smirked. *She always said she was bi, but I've never seen her interested in a guy before… how cute.*
Realizing Ann's expression, Shiho blushed and stepped back. "I'm glad you're okay, Ren," she murmured.
Ann heard a quiet meow.
Shiho reached into Ren's bag and scratched the cat behind the ears. It lifted its head and purred loudly.
"You too, Morgana," she giggled.
"Hi again!" Ann said brightly. "Thanks for helping Shiho earlier!"
Ann's phone was still ringing.
Ren glanced at her hand and caught sight of the caller ID before she hid it.
"Haa… I guess it's too late to hide now," Ann sighed.
"Just ignore it," Ren said calmly. "He has no reason to contact you. You're not on a sports team, right?"
"Nope," Ann and Shiho said in unison, popping the 'P.'
They looked at each other—and burst out laughing.
"Well, something happened after you left," Ren continued, glancing at Shiho. She nodded. "In… that place."
Before Ann could ask, Shiho spoke. "I told her already. So it's okay. But we should probably talk somewhere else."
"I'll need a rain check," Ren said, scratching his cheek. "My guardian's expecting me back, and I'd rather he not call the police."
"Yeah, that would be bad," Morgana added quietly.
Ann only heard meowing, and decided not to question it.
"Let's exchange numbers," Ann suggested. "We can cover for you if your guardian gets upset."
"That'd probably be best," Ren muttered. "And… could one of you give me Ryuji's number and chat ID? He kinda just ran off."
"Typical," Ann and Shiho said together as they exchanged contacts.
"See you, Ren!"
"Be safe!" he called as they walked away.
Ren adjusted his bag.
"Alright… so, Morgana. How do we play this with Boss when we get there?"
---