MAY 20TH (THURSDAY 5/20)(AFTER SCHOOL)

Ann, Yusuke, Morgana and I fell into Madarame's museum from the sky, flailing around in the air.

If we don't do something, we're going to break our backs in half! Ezio!

Worry not, the brotherhood is here for you all...

At that comment, loud cries from what seemed to be large hawks were heard, flying under us quickly to cushion our fall. We all rolled off the birds with grunts, the large creatures flying away soon after.

"I thought I was gonna die... H-Hey, what were those things!?", Panther asked.

"I don't know, but we're safe, so that's good.", I lied, helping Panther up. Yusuke was on the ground, rubbing his head. He looked up and gasped in surprise.

"Who are you all!?"

"Calm down, Yusuke! It's us!"

"... Takamaki-san? Koga-san? That means you two are...", Yusuke looked at the guys then turned to Mona. "I don't recall ever seeing this cat costume before though... What is this place...?"

"We're inside Madarame's heart."

"Inside... Sensei's heart? I'm sorry, Takamaki-san... but are you sure you're feeling OK?"

"She ain't lyin'. This is what that bastard truly feels. He's nothin' but a greed-filled money-grubber.", Skull shrugged.

"Enough of this rubbish!"

"Yusuke, stop denying us. I'm sure you noticed something was definitely wrong with Madarame.", I interrogated.

"That's..."

"You may not want to believe it, but this is another reality as viewed through Madarame's eyes... This is his true nature.", Panther sighed.

"This repulsive world...? Just who are all of you!?"

"I guess you could say... we're a group that changes the hearts of rotten crooks.", Skull explained.

"If everything you say is true, then the sensei I know doesn't exist..."

"You gotta snap out of it."

"Still... he has kept me safe these past ten years. My gratitude for that won't just disappear."

"You're gonna forgive him!? At this rate you'll...!", Skull's words died out when Yusuke fell to the ground, his head seemingly spinning.

"Yusuke, are you okay!?", I held onto Yusuke's shoulders to check on him.

"I'm trying to be rational about this, but my emotions are overwhelming me..."

"Sorry, but we don't have time to dawdle. The security's level's gone through the roof! We need to get out of here, at once!", Mona instructed.

"Here, lean on my shoulder, Yusuke.", Akira offered but Yusuke shook his head, standing slowly.

"... No, it's all right.", with the reassurance, we ran to get to the entrance. Just as we were about to pass the golden statue, we were stopped by Madarame and his shadow police guards.

"The exit is right there!", Mona whined angrily.

"Madarame...", I growled, turning to see the shadow man himself. His shadow looked ridiculous, wearing a golden traditional kimono, his hair tied upward and he had white makeup on. "You a shogun, huh? Ridiculous."

(Madarame)

"Welcome to the museum of the master artist Madarame..."

"Huh... Sensei? Is that you? That attire...", Yusuke looked stunned, not moving his stare from the shadow Madarame.

"Disgusting.", Panther spat.

"This... This is all one big lie, isn't it...?"

"My usual ragged attire is nothing but an act. Besides, a famous person living in that shack? I have another home... under a mistress's name, of course."

"Some setup you've got...", Joker growled.

"Hahaha! Don't make me laugh."

"If the "Sayuri" was stolen, why was it in the storage room? And if you had the real one, why make copies!? If it's really you, Sensei... please tell me!", Yusuke yelled.

"Foolish child. You still don't see? The painting being stolen was just a false rumor I spread! It was all a perfectly calculated staging!"

"What do you mean...!?"

"Let me see... How does this sound? "I found the real painting, but it can't go public... You can have it for a special price, though..." Haha! How's that for preferential treatment!? Art snobs'll eat it up, and pay good cash at that!"

This old geezer has no respect for the arts...

"No...!", Yusuke choked as he fell to the ground in defeat at Madarame's words.

"The worth of art is purely subjective... Thus, this is a legitimate business transaction! Though I doubt a brat like you would ever come up with such a brilliant scheme!"

"You keep goin' on and on about money this, money that. No wonder you ended up with this disgusting museum!", Skull scoffed.

"You're supposed to be an artist, right!? Aren't you ashamed of plagiarizing other people's work!?", Panther stated in pure rage.

"Art is nothing but a tool... A tool to gain money and fame! You helped me greatly as well, Yusuke..."

"That right there, Yusuke, is your pathetic teacher.", I pointed.

"But what about the people who believe in you...? Who think you're a master artist...!?", Yusuke asked desperately.

"... I'll tell you this alone, Yusuke. If you wish to succeed in this world, I'd advise you don't rise against me. Do you believe anyone could find success with my objection holding them down? Hahahahaha!"

"To think I was under the care of this wretched man...!"

"You thought I took you in out of the goodness in my heart? Plucking talented, yet troubled artists allows me to find promising pupils and take their ideas... After all, it's much easier to steal the futures of children who can't fight back."

"I can't believe this..."

"Livestock are killed for hide and meat! This is no different, you fool! ... But I tire of this little chat. It's time that I..."

"... You are unforgivable."

"Hm?"

"It doesn't matter who you are... I won't forgive you!"

"So... you repay my keeping you around for all these years with ingratitude...? You damn brat! Men! Dispose of these thieves!", the shadows took a step forward, the rest of us taking fighting stances.

"Get back!", Panther yelled.

"How amusing..."

"Huh?", we all turned to Yusuke, seeing him smirk to himself.

"It seems the truth is stranger than fiction, hm...? I wanted to believe it wasn't true... I had clouded my vision for so long... My eyes were truly blind... Blind, and unable to see the true self behind this one horrible man...!", at that cry of conviction, Yusuke suddenly grabbed his head in pain and toppled to the ground. He was clawing at the ground, his fingers bleeding from the floor beneath him. Yusuke looked up, suddenly dawning a fox mask, his eyes golden behind them. "Very well.... Come, Goemon!", He ripped the mask on his face with a dramatic flare, the sheer force of his released power pushing us back. Yusuke had officially transformed into a Persona-user. His Metaverse outfit consisted of a traditional kitsune-style half mask, a black high-collared puff-sleeved jumpsuit with a striped sash worn across his hips, white motorcycle boots, and bright blue gloves. Attached to the jumpsuit was a white foxtail. Behind him stood his persona; The gallant rouge ninja, Ishikawa Goemon.

I... am absolutely speechless in the best way possible...

Stop drooling over a hero and focus!

Shut up, he looks badass!!

"A breathtaking sight... Imitations they may be, but together, they make a fine spectacle... Though the flowers of evil blossom, be it known... Abominations are fated to perish!", with a dramatic flick of his arm, Yusuke cast an ice spell, freezing the shadows.

"Whoa, this is impressive!", Mona praised.

"So cool...!", I geeked in the back.

"Hmph! Who do you think you are!? The price of your insolence will be your death! Where are my guards!? Kill them all!", more guards spawned forth, standing in the way of us reaching Madarame.

"The children who adored you as "father"... The prospects of you pupils... How many did you trample upon...? How many dreams did you exchange for riches!? No matter what it takes... I will bring you to justice!", Yusuke growled.

"let's see what you're made of, Yusuke.", Joker called, taking a step forward while the rest of us follow behind our leader.

"Very well! Bring it on!"

-- TIMESKIP AFTER THE FIGHT -- 

We all stood before Madarame, Yusuke slowly walking forward before collapsing on his knees in pain.

The power must be overwhelming him...

"Yusuke, you've just thrown your bright future down the drain. I'll destroy every chance you've ever had of becoming an artist...!"

"Madarame!"

"You'll forever rue the day you dared defy me.", with that, Madarame ran off. Yusuke tried to follow him, but he fell again, his fatigue showing.

"Yusuke!", Panther called after him, the rest of us standing close to him to make sure he was okay.

"Why can't I move!?", Yusuke growled at himself.

"Listen, you're totally drained. You can't do much, even if you wanted to!"

"What a disgrace I am...!"

"We all felt this the first time, Yusuke. It's not a disgrace. The fact that you are even holding on is a feat in itself. I feel like anyone else would pass out.", I sighed, putting a hand on Yusuke's shoulder to comfort him.

"C'mon, just listen to her.", Skull muttered. We all lead Yusuke to the reception area to help Yusuke gain his energy back.

"You've known for quite some time, haven't you?", Panther asked quietly.

"I'm no fool. Strange people have been coming by for years, and the plagiarism was an everyday affair. But... who would want to admit that the man they owed their life to was doing such terrible things?", Yusuke sighed.

"My... parents weren't the best. They were good to me for a while, yes, but they did shady things on the side as well. They even abandoned me when I found out... We all need to learn that the people we "owe" something to need to actually be worth giving our all to.", I explained.

"You're... parents?"

"Yes. You saw Madarame as a father figure, judging by how you defended him... I guess we're not that different...", I smiled slightly.

"Koga-san..."

"Why didn't you leave, Yusuke?", Panther asked.

"Well, he is the one who painted the "Sayuri." On top of that, I owe him a great debt..."

"You mean 'cause he raised you?", Skull asked.

"I... never knew my father. I was told my mother raised me by herself, but she died in an accident when I was three. That's when Sensei took me in. I heard he helped my mother while she was still alive."

"Heard?", I muttered.

"To be honest, I don't remember much about my mother either. I did everything I could for Sensei. I thought of him as a father, just as Koga-san deduced... but he changed. To think he would treat the "Sayuri," the very foundation of his art, like that...!"

"... A lot's happened to you, huh?", Skull mumbled.

"When you had mentioned plagiarism... deep down I knew you were right. That's why I so vehemently denied you... I was simply running from the truth. I'm sorry."

"No worries. We all know the truth now.", Joker accepted Yusuke's reasoning with an understanding look.

"... Thank you. I'm grateful for the chance to face what I have been denying all this time.""You're way too serious, man. That's why you're gettin' stuck in your own head. Look at me! I just go with the flow.", Skull grinned.

"For real.", Panther giggled.

"Hey, isn't that Skull's line?", I sassed, making us all laugh. Mona cleared his throat to address Yusuke.

"What are you going to do now?"

"I don't know...", Yusuke sighed.

"Madarame has changed, we can't do anything about the past. We can, however, change his heart. He'll atone for his crimes.", I stated seriously.

"That remind me, you mentioned something about that "change of heart" earlier..."

"Have you heard the rumors? The ones about the Phantom Thieves that steal hearts?", Skull asked.

"...!? Don't tell me...", just then, shadows appeared behind us with their weapons at the ready."We'll finish this later, let's go!", Joker yelled. We all quickly ran and warped to the real world.

CHAPTER 26, END!