---
"So you're saying there's a… uh… palace here?" Ryuji asked, scratching his head. "Didn't you say those are formed from distorted desires?"
"We're just taking a peek," Morgana replied. "Nothing extravagant. It's not quite a palace… but it isn't much different either. Ren, will you do the honors?"
Ann tilted her head, clearly not following the not-cat at all. All she heard was meowing.
"The collective unconscious," Ren began, slipping easily into lecture mode. "This 'palace' Morgana is describing is likely the distortion of the entire population. Or at least, that's my guess. The theory itself is… weird. And lengthy. I barely understood it after watching Serial Experiments Lain when I was younger."
"Never heard of it," the other four said in unison.
Ren shrugged. "Let's just say it's a mind-fuck of an anime."
"Anyway," Morgana continued, pointedly ignoring him, "Ren is correct. It's more complicated than we have time to explain. But yes. It's… everyone's palace."
Ren translated for Ann.
"But why here?" Ann asked, glancing around the busy station.
"This is where most people gather every day," Morgana said. "Why wouldn't it be here?"
Ren rubbed the back of his neck. "Okay. Translating for Morgana is making me feel insane. Let's just go in so he can talk for himself. What are the keywords?"
"It's only one," Morgana replied. "The name of this place. Mementos."
"Mo-men-tous?" Ryuji tried, leaning toward Ren's phone.
[Candidate not found.]
A synthetic female voice echoed from the device.
"Not quite," Ren corrected. "Meh-men-tos."
The phone chimed.
[Candidate found.]
The world twisted.
Sound warped first — announcements stretching into static — then light twisting like red and black water. Ann grabbed Shiho instinctively as her head began to pound.
The crowd vanished.
The station emptied.
They stood alone before the entrance.
The air felt heavier. Thicker.
"Well?" Morgana said. "We're here. Let's take a look."
"Huh? Who said that?!" Ann yelped, spinning in place — only to look down and jump backward.
"Monster cat?!"
"Monster?!" Morgana gasped, ears flattening as he sulked.
Shiho rushed forward, scooping Morgana up and hugging him tightly, squealing over his cuteness. Ann blinked as realization dawned.
"…Morgana?" she asked carefully.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lady Ann," Morgana said confidently. "I will do my utmost to ensure your safety while we are here."
"Gotta admit, that was smooth," Ren whispered to Ryuji.
"Not at all, man. I'm cringing just from witnessing that," Ryuji whispered back.
"Thank you, Morgana," Ann said with a small smile as they began descending into the underground.
As they entered, Ren and Ryuji ignited in blue flame.
Ann gasped in panic, instinctively looking to Shiho — who simply pointed ahead.
Before her stood Ren, clad in a long black overcoat, red gloves snapping into place, a birdlike domino mask framing sharp eyes. Beside him stood Ryuji, menacing in his gear, iron pipe resting over his shoulder.
"Woah — your clothes?!" Ann breathed. "I'm sorry for doubting you, Shiho, it's just—"
Arsène appeared briefly behind Ren, observing the two girls. He gave a subtle nod before dissolving back into Ren's soul.
'They hold the spark of rebellion,' he murmured internally. 'They simply require a catalyst.'
"Woah," Ann said, eyes lighting up. "It's like a Stand!"
"That was Arsène," Shiho said proudly. "Cool, right?"
"Very!"
Ren coughed as Morgana gave him a flat stare.
He turned to Ryuji.
"Don't look at me," Ryuji muttered. "The captain said he'll make a dramatic entrance later."
"Well," Shiho said, glancing around the dim tunnel, "what did you want to show us about this place, Morgana?"
Morgana's expression shifted.
"Something is telling me the key to my memories — and probably the reason my form changes — lies in the depths of this place. It goes farther than I can sense. But I can't descend past a certain floor…"
His voice softened.
"I was hoping that… with more Persona users… the path might open."
He straightened abruptly.
"But not today. We need supplies if we're going to do this properly. Medicine. Weapons. Armor. The layout changes every time you enter."
"Ehhh?" Ryuji blinked.
"It's like a massive roguelike dungeon," Ren translated. "Except real."
They lingered near the base of the stairwell when footsteps echoed down the tunnel.
Slow. Steady. Confident.
Morgana's fur bristled.
"Looks like we have company…"
"Let's bust loose!" Ryuji declared, slamming his pipe into the ground.
Ren drew his dagger.
"It's showtime."
The figure stepped into view.
It wasn't a Shadow they recognized.
It wasn't a monster.
It was—
Shiho.
Same posture.
Same uniform.
But her smile was wrong.
Too wide.
And her eyes burned gold.
"Shiho?" Ann whispered.
---