Persona: The Phantom Masquerade.

They all stepped into the elevator, its doors gliding shut with a soft click. The descent began immediately after Mitsuru gave a nod to the camera. Ren glanced at the glowing numbers above the door, noticing they passed the first floor without stopping, continuing their journey far below ground. 

A few moments passed, and just as he began to wonder how deep this facility went, the elevator finally slowed, coming to a halt. The doors slid open, revealing a long, sterile hallway, its end marked by a heavily reinforced door guarded by a pair of stoic guards.

"Welcome…" Mitsuru said as she stepped out. "...to the Specialized Extracurricular Execution Squad, or S.E.E.S. for short."

Ren followed close behind, watching as the guards straightened and gave Mitsuru a respectful nod before stepping aside. 

"It's a legacy name, really… but it stuck around." Naoto added, falling in step next to Ren with a faint smile.

Something felt off, which caused Ren to activate his Third Eye ability instinctively. Through which, he could see several cleverly concealed cameras along the walls and ceiling, quietly watching their every move.

The doors ahead opened on their own as the group approached, which closed behind them after they passed by. They went through a few more doors like it before finally entering into a sprawling, bustling room.

Scientists, some in lab coats and others in tactical gear, hurried between stations. Screens displayed complex data, and the air hummed with the soft sounds of ventilation.

"What is this place?" Ren asked, hiding the slight tension he felt as Morgana shifted uneasily in his bag.

Mitsuru's heels clicked against the polished floor as she led the way, the researchers moving out of their way as they ventured deeper. 

"As Naoto may have explained, we've been combating Shadows for a long time. This facility is dedicated to their research and containment. We established it here after noticing a sharp rise in Shadow activity around two years ago."

Ren absorbed her words, but an unsettling feeling remained. The deeper they ventured into the facility, the more oppressive the atmosphere became. Passing door after door, each one sealed and secured, he couldn't shake the gnawing sensation of something lurking behind them, something dangerous… something familiar. Morgana's quiet squirming only reinforced the feeling.

"What's inside there?" Ren stopped suddenly, his gaze fixed on a door with the number 115 on it.

Mitsuru paused, glancing back over her shoulder. 

"Shadows." She answered bluntly. "Whenever a Shadow manages to slip into our world, we either retrieve or eliminate it. Lately, though, they've stopped emerging, which is both a relief and a cause for concern."

"Shadows can escape?" Ren asked with genuine surprise. "How come no one else knows about them? Even if it had been for a few moments, I'm sure it would have become huge news."

"Shadows can't be perceived by regular people in the real world, not in the way we see them in the Cognitive World. Or, well, at least not normally. However, they can still influence the people and objects around them." Naoto explained, getting a nod from Mitsuru in agreement. 

"We've developed ways to detect and track them, so they rarely go unchecked for long. Still, their presence here is not without risks." Mitsuru finished, picking up where Naoto had left off.

The group continued walking, finally reaching a large door. 

"This way." Mitsuru announced.

They stepped into a vast, empty room that resembled a gymnasium. The floor was spotless, with wide-open space stretching before them. Yet, Ren's third eye caught the subtle signs of hidden cameras in every corner, their lenses glinting faintly, and the barely discernible outlines of figures watching from behind one-way mirrors.

"We brought you here because your method of entering the Collective Unconscious is… unconventional compared to ours," Mitsuru said, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "We must proceed with caution. The last thing we need is an incident."

Her expression tightened momentarily as if recalling something unpleasant. She took a breath and looked Ren in the eyes. 

"Now, if you would, please show us how you access it."

Ren's eyes narrowed slightly as she heard her, giving the room around them one final look before nodding. He was too deep to retreat now; however, there was a slight issue with their location.

"Well... to enter the regular Collective Unconscious, location matters quite a bit… Otherwise, entering it gets a bit… rough." Ren explained, thinking back to his first time entering Mementos. He had practically been flung to the entrance and then down the stairs of the train station.

"It should still be possible." Ren continued. "But when we exit, we won't be here. We would exit at Mementos' entrance, near the train station."

Mitsuru's brow furrowed ever so slightly, a flicker of surprise crossing her usually composed face. Still, she accepted the explanation without much hesitation.

"I see…" She said, a sigh escaping her lips. "It seems I should have asked more about the process before bringing us here." Her gaze then shifted toward Naoto, who appeared to be lost in thought.

"How were you able to enter the Collective Unconscious before? When you were near Madarame's shack? That time, you were able to exit at the same place you entered." Naoto asked with some skepticism.

"That was a different case." Ren explained. "We weren't entering Mementos, the Collective Unconscious itself. Instead, we were accessing Madarame's Palace, his personal distortion. The entrance was tied directly to his shack."

Naoto nodded at the explanation, glancing at Mitsuru before giving a subtle nod of approval at the answer.

There was a moment of silence as the two of them thought about their options before Mitsuru spoke up.

"Even if the journey is rough, we should be able to manage. Can you take us there regardless?" Mitsuru asked, her voice filled with determination.

With a faint sigh, Ren reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. As expected, it had no signal underground, which meant that Futaba had probably lost her supervision over him. Though Ryuji and Makoto should still be in Mementos waiting for them in case anything happens to him or Mona.

He hesitated for a moment before finally speaking out the command word.

"Mementos."

[Beginning Navigation…]

[Error. The process cannot be completed. Unauthorized users in the area.]

"What?" Ren blurted out with genuine confusion. 

The only time the MetaNav had failed before was when the distortion was too far away. But Mementos should be everywhere, or at least everywhere there were people. 

"Unauthorized users?" Ren asked out loud, glancing at Naoto and Mitsuru.

Thinking back, the MetaNav had also never refused access to anyone else. Ryuji had managed to be dragged in by force back into the school because he had been too close. When he brought Makoto and Takemi, the MetaNav had simply brought them in.

The main difference he could think of was that Mitsuru and, almost certainly, Naoto both had Personas.

"Mementos." Ren spoke out again, trying for a second time, but in the end, he received the same answer as before.

[Error. The process cannot be completed. Unauthorized users in the area.]

-

"Well…" Ren muttered, looking up at Mitsuru and Naoto. "It doesn't work?"

"An app?" Mitsuru asked, her eyes narrowing as she asked the question. For a moment, Ren felt a wave of pressure. The same intimidating presence she had when they first met appeared in full force. 

"Yes," Ren replied, meeting her gaze without flinching. Hesitation would only fuel her suspicion. "It's how we've been entering and exiting the Metaverse this entire time."

Mitsuru's eyes remained locked on him, but before she could respond, Naoto intervened.

"Ren…" Naoto's expression shifted, her brows furrowing slightly. "This app… how did you get it?"

"It was when I first entered Tokyo. It appeared on my phone out of nowhere. I didn't know what it did, but on my first day at school, it activated on its own. All it needs is a name, a location, and a distortion."

As he spoke, Naoto and Mitsuru exchanged a brief glance, a silent conversation passing between them. Concern etched across their faces, though neither said a word at first. It was clear that Ren's explanation had stirred something in them, a deeper unease.

"I see…" Naoto finally spoke, her voice calm but cautious. "Could I take a look at your phone?"

Ren hesitated for a moment, then handed it over. His phone still displayed the MetaNav interface. Naoto took it in her hands, examining it closely. But as soon as her fingers touched the screen, the MetaNav app vanished, the icon disappearing without a trace.

"As I thought…" Naoto sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly as she passed the phone back to Ren. "Don't worry. There's nothing you can do."

Ren stared at his phone, processing what had just happened. The MetaNav… gone. He didn't need to say anything to connect the dots. The answer that came to mind was Igor. Igor didn't want them to access the Metaverse, not here, not with Mitsuru and her team.

'Maybe it would ruin the "entertainment" for him…' That was Ren's first thought. 

Mitsuru was strong, undeniably so. And with her influence, her reach, who knew what kind of forces she could mobilize? If she wanted, she could command a legion, sending out operatives to dismantle Palaces or even Mementos itself. The thought of an army of Phantom Thieves under her direction was both captivating and… unsettling.

As intriguing as that scenario was, it left a sour taste in Ren's mouth. The Phantom Thieves weren't just a team of operatives. They were his friends, his confidants. The reason they worked, was because they all trusted each other.

But another possibility crept into his mind. 

Maybe the issue wasn't external. Maybe the MetaNav's rejection had something to do with him. Deep down, did he want Mitsuru and Naoto in the Metaverse? Was the app responding to his hesitation?

If it hadn't been for Shiho, Ann, Ryuji, Makoto, Tae, Futaba, and Yusuke… would he have even accepted Mitsuru's offer? In another timeline, a world where it was just him and Mona, Ren might have just chosen to vanish into the Metaverse, becoming a "ghost" in the real world.

Hell, he might have even been more careful and never been caught in the first place. A bigger group had its benefits, but it also made you easier to spot.

But in the end, it was all speculation. No amount of wondering could change what had just happened. And in the end, he just had to be thankful he still had control on his side. He could leverage the protection of the Kirijo group without handing over the loaded gun that was the MetaNav.

Ren snapped out of his thoughts, realizing that Mitsuru was speaking again, her voice calmer now.

"Well… it seems there's no need for us to linger here any longer." She muttered, shaking her head slightly. There was a resigned frustration in her tone, but she quickly hid it as she turned around and opened the door.

Leaving the room, Ren followed with Naoto by his side into the cold halls of the research facility.

"There are some final things we must ask you so that we can make plans for the future. But you should be able to leave soon." Mitsuru spoke as she led the way back.

The walk was quiet, almost eerily so. The only sounds were the soft footsteps echoing off the cold, sterile walls. 

Yet, as they approached the containment area for Shadows, the stillness was broken by a faint thumping. The sound reverberated through the ground and walls; it was subtle, but Ren couldn't help but feel a slight discomfort as he heard it. It was almost as if something or someone was slamming repeatedly onto the walls, trying to break out.

Mitsuru stopped abruptly, her brow furrowing as she registered the noise. Her sharp gaze darted toward a group of researchers rushing past, their faces tense with focus. One of them caught her eye and gave a quick, reassuring nod. Mitsuru responded with a nod of her own, though her expression remained skeptical. Without a word, she resumed walking, her heels clicking against the polished floor.

After a few moments, they entered a room dominated by a large table in the center, its polished surface reflecting the overhead lights. It resembled an ordinary meeting room, yet the metallic cases stacked neatly in the corner gave the space a more tactical feel. Ren's eyes flicked to the cases, but he chose not to comment, taking a seat as the others did the same.

Mitsuru sat across from him, her hands resting lightly on the table as she fixed him with a steady gaze. 

"I stopped you earlier, but now I'd like you to continue your story. The last thing you mentioned was a 'Black Mask.'"

Ren closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath to collect his thoughts. When he opened them again, there was a faint smile on his lips. A smile he had put on to appear more genuine.

"You know, when we first started the Phantom Thieves, we didn't have a clear goal," Ren began. "We just wanted to help people, people like us who were being taken advantage of. That's what led us to Kaneshiro. He was exploiting students, pushing them into… rough situations."

As he spoke, he furrowed his brow and clenched his fist slightly. Intentionally drawing every bit of anger he could muster.

"Maybe it was a coincidence. Maybe it was fate. But after learning about the Black Mask from Kobayakawa, we started piecing things together. We found more information about them inside Kaneshiro's Palace, just enough to create a trail."

"Which led you to Madarame?" Naoto asked, her voice cutting in softly, though her focus remained on Ren.

"Yes, he was providing financial assistance to the ones behind the Black Mask." Ren answered with a nod. "Our next target is the CEO of Big Bang Burger Kunikazu Okumura. The information we have on him is a bit spotty, but by going through his Palace, we will be able to learn more about him and, in turn, the Black Mask."

"I see…" Mitsuru muttered, her fingers tapping lightly on the table in a steady rhythm as she processed the information. She fell silent, her eyes distant for a moment as her mind raced through the information.

"But that's not all," Ren continued, leaning forward slightly. "We've confirmed one member of the group behind the Black Mask. Shiryuu Daiko, the current SIU Director."

"The SIU Director…" Mitsuru muttered, her lips pressed into a thin line, and a slight frown appeared on her face. 

She went quiet once again for what felt like an eternity, her finger tapping on the table as her expression changed from anger, concern, sadness, and finally, determination.

"Ren Amamiya…" She began, still searching for her words before finally letting out a sigh, her expression turning into one of pity. "The Phantom Thieves… it's a heavy burden, isn't it? You've done an impressive job so far, acting independently. I can't deny that. But is this truly what you wish to do?"

Naoto let out a quiet sigh, her head bowing slightly as she listened to Mitsuru's words. 

"This conspiracy goes far deeper than school principals or even criminals. Whoever is behind the Black Mask has ties to one of the largest CEOs in Japan, and now we know they've reached the SIU Director as well. There's no telling how many politicians and officers are under their control. So I'm giving you a choice." Mitsuru continued, her gaze never leaving Ren's.

Her voice grew softer, more serious, as if the next words carried a heavy weight. 

"You don't have to carry this burden on your own. You and your friends— you can go back to your normal lives. Leave this to the Kirijo Group. We have the resources and the connections. We'll make sure nothing happens to you or your friends. All you have to do is ask."

She fell silent, her words hanging in the air, almost like an offering.

"Mitsuru…" Naoto muttered, her expression conflicted. It was clear she had more to say, but in the end, she simply sighed, her gaze dropping to the floor as she fell into silence.

The atmosphere in the room grew heavy for a few moments until Ren finally let out a genuine smile.

"No." he said, his voice calm but resolute. "We are the Phantom Thieves. We're going to finish what we started. We haven't come this far just to stop now."

Mitsuru's gaze softened, a faint smile curling at the corners of her lips. She let out a quiet chuckle, the tension in the room easing as she absorbed his resolve.

"I see… If that's how it is, then we will offer you our support," Mitsuru said, standing up and walking to the side of the room. She retrieved one of the metal cases, bringing it to the table before sliding it toward Ren.

Curious, Ren opened the case to reveal a small, sleek pistol, its surface engraved with the emblem of S.E.E.S. Though just by looking at it he could tell that it was no ordinary gun.

"This is an Evoker." Mitsuru explained. "While you may not need it to summon your Personas, it can assist you in moments of dire need. This version is designed to temporarily enhance the strength of your Persona. Be warned, though—it can be quite exhausting. Unfortunately, with our current lack of access to the Collective Unconscious, I can't offer a full demonstration, but I recommend experimenting with it."

Ren picked up the Evoker, feeling its weight in his hand. A strange connection pulsed through him the moment he touched it.

'This… Theurgy?' Tartuffe's voice echoed in his mind, his Persona momentarily roused before falling dormant again.

Ren's eyes widened at the mention. The last time he had accessed Theurgy, it had allowed him to overcome Kaneshiro's robot, albeit through the use of a scalpel. If this Evoker could tap into that same power, it could become another ace up his sleeve, another hidden card to play. 

Between this and the star, they might be able to escape or win almost any situation they found themselves in. Though he had yet to see Okumura's Palace, he had a feeling it would be worse than Madarame's.

"How does it work?" Ren asked, running his fingers over the engraving, still processing the potential of the weapon.

"You aim it at your head… and then fire." Mitsuru's response was immediate and matter-of-fact. "Though for the enhancement to work, there are certain emotional requirements. Fear, anger, or any emotion will work, it just has to be intense."

Ren's expression shifted to one of instant disbelief, his brow furrowing. 

"We can't do that." He interrupted firmly. "In the Metaverse, things that look like guns shoot real bullets. Even airsoft guns are lethal to Shadows. I don't know how this works, but in the Metaverse, this would almost certainly fire for real."

Mitsuru and Naoto exchanged a glance, surprise flashing in their eyes.

"That… does complicate things," Mitsuru admitted, her voice thoughtful. "However, Evokers are built differently. They're made from a rare and valuable material that originates from the Collective Unconscious. There is a good chance that they might behave differently. Especially because of how they were built. However, you should be careful when using it.

Ren remained unconvinced, frowning for a few moments as he considered the risk. After a moment, he nodded, slipping the small pistol back into the case.

"I'll experiment with it." Ren said cautiously. "But we might need to modify the design, depending on how it functions in the Metaverse." The last thing he needed was for one of his friends to accidentally take their own life.

It might work by simply shooting the mask, but in the end, they would have to experiment more with it.

"Either way… Thank you." Ren said, looking back at Mitsuru. "I appreciate your help."

Mitsuru smiled faintly at his words, offering a simple nod in response. 

"Don't worry about it, Amamiya. We're here to support you, nothing more."

She tapped her finger thoughtfully against the table, her eyes momentarily drifting as she considered her next words. 

"For now, we won't interfere with any of your Phantom Thief activities. Just keep us informed. Regular updates are all we'll need."

Ren's eyes narrowed at her comment, trying to find any traps. But after a moment, he nodded.

"Thank you. I was worried there might be restrictions." Ren admitted. "I know we're young, but we're not reckless. We'll be cautious." His words were meant to reassure her, but there was also a subtle plea for her to trust in their capability, to reinforce her decision to let them act independently.

Mitsuru's gaze softened, and she nodded again. 

"There's much we still need to learn about this new Collective Unconscious, but we've kept you long enough today. We can arrange another meeting later to dive deeper into it."

With that, she turned to the other metal cases stacked nearby. 

"These contain Evokers for every member of the Phantom Thieves. We'll deliver them personally. Make sure to warn your team about the risks involved. And next time, I'd like to meet them face-to-face, assuming everyone is comfortable with that. They're welcome here."

Ren nodded, watching as she pressed a discreet button on the side of the room. Almost instantly, an assistant appeared, standing by to escort him out.

"Naoto and I have some additional matters to discuss," Mitsuru said as she rose from her seat, extending her hand toward him. "But it was a pleasure meeting you, Ren Amamiya."

Ren took her hand in a firm handshake, offering her a smile. "It was an honor, Mitsuru Kirijo. I look forward to working with the Kirijo Group."

After exchanging a brief farewell with Naoto, Ren followed the assistant out of the room. Feeling slightly relieved about how smoothly things had gone.

— — —

"You're too kind, Mitsuru." Naoto muttered with a slight smile, shaking her head. "We would've been in a difficult spot if he had taken the offer to return to a normal life."

Mitsuru returned the smile, though there was a trace of melancholy in her eyes. She exhaled softly, her gaze momentarily distant. 

"I had a feeling he wouldn't accept," she admitted. "But I still had to offer."

Naoto sighed, her eyes drifting toward a small monitor that showed Ren's figure leaving the building. 

"Are you sure about not stepping in? The Phantom Thieves are clever, no doubt, but they don't have the full picture."

Mitsuru's expression grew more serious, the weight of her responsibilities settling over her. 

"Whatever god is behind this… "mess" clearly doesn't want us involved. The small access we once had to the Collective Unconscious is gone. Every attempt we've made to reopen an entrance has failed. We're blind now, Naoto."

Her exhaustion was evident as she spoke, the burden of their situation showing on her face now that she was alone with Naoto.

"The Phantom Thieves might be our only link to the Cognitive World. I'm wary of pushing too hard and risking them being locked out as well. That would be a disaster."

Naoto nodded slowly, her brow furrowing in thought. 

"And you're worried Amamiya might already be locked out because of us, aren't you? If that's the case, things would get… complicated."

Mitsuru sighed again, leaning back slightly in her chair.

"Exactly. If he's locked out, we're back to square one. Hopefully, he will be able to access the app again once he is alone. Letting him go wasn't an easy decision, but it's the only option right now. We can't afford to make any reckless moves."

"The only way to fight and grow stronger is in there." Mitsuru continued, her voice tinged with frustration. "Out here, the strain on our bodies is too much, and real progress is painfully slow. As long as they keep us informed, we can guide them in the right direction. Quietly."

Naoto's eyes flicked to Mitsuru, a question hanging on the edge of her lips. 

"You don't think we should tell him about what's likely behind the app?"

Mitsuru hesitated, her gaze hardening as she considered the possibility. 

"I want to." she admitted. "But… no. We shouldn't. Not yet."

Naoto gave a quiet nod, looking at the monitors before speaking up.

"Should I call the others back, then?" She asked, her tone more businesslike.

"No, not yet." Mitsuru answered with a shake of her head. "Everyone's occupied with their own missions, and pulling them back now will only cause more problems. We need to be patient. Let them finish what they're working on, and we'll adapt from there."

Naoto stepped toward the door, her hand hovering over the handle. She paused, turning back to Mitsuru. 

"I'll start looking into this 'Antisocial Force' and the Black Mask. Is there anything else you need from me?"

Mitsuru's expression softened slightly, but her tone remained resolute. 

"I want you to keep an eye on Amamiya when you can. Work with him, if possible. You might be able to teach him a thing or two, and any insight or guidance we provide him now will only serve us in the long run."

Naoto nodded in understanding and reached for the door, her fingers brushing against the cool metal before Mitsuru's voice stopped her once more.

"And Naoto…" Mitsuru's eyes locked onto Naoto's with a sense of urgency. "Be careful. We need to gather information discreetly. If we draw too much attention, this whole situation could explode in our faces. Even Okumura alone would be a nightmare to manage if things go wrong."

"I will be." Naoto reassured her, offering a brief nod before stepping out and closing the door behind her.

~Confidants~

Mitsuru Kirijo. (The Devil) Rank 1