Twisted Phantoms

Everything seemed so hazy at that moment. What just happened? How did it happen?

Why did it happen?

All what he can recall is his reflection through a looking glass, words engraved in gold...then a blinding light. Was it a dream? Was it all real?

Did anything even make sense at this point?

Apparently, it was the same thing. No matter what, something was bound to occur. Whatever it was, he knew he has to prepare himself for the worst. He needed to remain standing...or it will all be for naught.

Ren carefully opened his eyes, feeling a bit woozy as he held his head for a moment, trying to take a deep breath.

"What...what happened? Where am I?" He questioned himself, feeling more bewilderment creep into him by each second that passes. Then he turned around as he heard a certain boyish voice groaning in pain, hinting at none other than Morgana. Out of concern, the teen checked on his cat like friend as he asked:" Morgana! Are...Are you ok?"

"Y-Yeah, just a bit lightheaded..." The feline reassured the worried ravenette as he shook his head a bit to adjust his vision from the haze that clouded it for a moment. A sigh escaped him then as he had a weary expression before adding:"Goodness, that was something. That...mirror....where did it take us to? Do you think it was a Shadow?"

Ren shrugged his shoulders, an uncertain expression was drawn on his face as he too had no idea what just happened in that shack earlier. As he checked their surroundings, he immediately noticed they were in a forest not different from the previous one back home...only that this one had quite the sinister touch to it. Why did it seem like the trees...were watching him with malicious intent?

The bespectacled boy tried to shake off the sudden dread that was trying to find its way into his heart. He shouldn't let such things cloud his perception, not when it's needed right now. Maybe it was his instinct as a leader of the Phantom Thieves acting up, but then again, even if he was no longer Joker he did spend quite the time with his friends inside the Palaces or Mementos, taking the lead in many occasions. What was even weirder is that up ahead, the sound of neighing could be heard in the distance. It wasn't that long until his obsidian-colored eyes widened in shock and intrigue, along with Morgana's sea blue colored orbs the moment they listened to the sound of hoofs on the ground growing louder and louder. Soon, a carriage, as pitch black as ebony, pulled by two stallions colored like ash, made itself appear right in front of the two and stopped in front of them.

Morgana:" Huh? Is that...a carriage? Why is it here?! No one seems to be driving it!"

Ren stayed quiet for a moment, as if he hadn't heard the cat's bewildered comment nor questions. Suddenly he declared bluntly as he had his usual neutral look on:" I kinda wanna get in and see where it would take us."

"HUH!?"Morgana shouted, flabbergasted as he did NOT expect that from the dark haired teen one bit."WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT?! WHAT IF IT TAKES US SOMEWHERE DANGEROUS AND–HEY! REN STOP! ARE YOU SERIOUS!?"

the tuxedo feline was even more shocked as the boy simply walked up to it, as if something possessed him and ordered him to do so. He didn't know why did he want to hop in. Was it mere curiosity perhaps? Or...something more?"

"Ah, my dear esteemed Benefactor,"

"The most noble, proud and beautiful flower of evil..."

"You are truly the fairest one of all...."

"O Magic Mirror, thy wisdom I entreat..."

"Reveal unto me the visage I seek..."

As Ren quietly got inside the carriage, a panicked and exasperated Morgana had no choice but to follow him before the carriage left as he got inside immediately. And so, the horses neighed one last time before they started taking the duo to the unknown, the full moon and emerald green lights of the carriage's small lanterns being the only the source of light in the almost pitch-black forest. Morgana still had a sensation of unease gnawing at him as he then looked at Ren, who to his surprise, had his eyes more duller than usual and a rather...emotionless face. Mona was getting even more concerned, believing it had to do with what Ren discovered earlier. Alas, he knew that trying to say something won't do much right now, so he decided to remain quiet until they reach their destination..whatever it was.

"—For thee, whose image the Dark Mirror did beckon forth..."

"Follow thy heart and take the hand of the one reflected in the mirror."

At that moment, Ren felt his eyes grow heavier by each second that passes. Soon, his lustrous and thick eyelashes fluttered gently as a last effort to keep his coal-colored orbs open, before succumbing to the strange and odd weariness that took over his body, lulling him to the depths of sleep...

"As flames turn even the stars to ashes,"

"As ice seals even time itself,"

"As great trees swallow even the sky,"

"Do not fear the power of Darkness."

"Come now, demonstrate it to us..."

Everything seemed to fade into nothing but a black void. As for him, he was slowly falling...falling...falling into the abyss that threatened to consume him whole.

However, before he knew it, Ren opened his eyes..and found himself alone, and there was no sign of Morgana anywhere.

"Morgana?" The former vigilante called out for his feline companion, his eyes peering at every corner to catch a glimpse of him anywhere, to no avail. It seems like he was on his own.

But not for long...

Before he could blink his eyes, he gasped in shock and covered his ears as he was startled by a very loud, monsterous roar that ripped through the silence of the mystical, abandoned ruins Amamiya found himself in. Then, all of a sudden, right before his very own sight...

A monster has indeed revealed itself, an unsettling, huge ash-colored beast that had the head of a cat with menacing demonic cyan eyes, the mane of a lion that was actually made out of bright azure flames similar to the one he used when he was Joker as a representation of his Rebellion, dark tentacle-like appendages sprouting out of its neck in a grotesque manner like those parasites that grow out from corpses, front limbs shaped like human hands dipped in black goo which added more to the uncanny vibe this entity gave off ; while the second pair where more akin to those of a predator bird with their sharp, crooked claws. Its back was covered with a thick tuff of black fur which was quite the contrast to its body that had the scales of a reptile, and it possessed a pair of big dark wings similar to those a dragon along with a serpant like tail.

Ren could only stay there, speechless and immobile from the rather horrifying entity that now bared its sharp, razor fangs that looked like thousands of daggers that were sharpened well for slaughter. So the child figured out something that was rather obvious but still petrifying, he was this monster's next meal judging by the demonic roar it unleashed before it spit a fireball that could have roasted him alive had he not dodged immediately thanks to his cat-like reflexes.

"Shit, what the hell is that thing??" Ren questioned himself aloud, bewilderment and caution clear in his eyes as the beast snarled yet again, showing off its fangs as it was ready to lunge at him.. possibly to maul him alive and devour his soul. And what was even worse...is that he was at a disadvantage since he no longer had his powers with him.

Is this how he was going to die? With no one by his side? No family, no friends, nobody at all?

"No..." Ren mumbled as he picked himself up, his eyes now narrowed in anger gave off a sharp glint of defiance and determination as he glared at the hybrid monster in front of him before retorting:" I'm not the same kid I was...and if you...you think you can scare me, you are seriously making a big mistake. I faced things far worse than you!! And I'm not giving up anytime soon nor letting go..FOR I AM JOKER!"

Suddenly, he felt a sharp pain pierce through his skull as he eyes made a golden glow, the aching jolt that was agonizing but familiar coursed through his entire being. At that moment, a deep and velvety voice he recognized so well echoed in his head, speaking to him:

"Ah, so you remember who you are supposed to be. Very good, mon ami (my friend). That desire for freedom, that strength of the wild card...and that burning will of rebellion...it's all coming back to you as it should be."

"A-Arsène..." Ren whispered the name softly, finding sudden comfort reach his heart the moment he heard his Persona reach out for him, almost making the pain seen non-existent to him. Meanwhile, Arsène continued his speech:

"Whatever burdens you may have had or pain that remained...you shouldn't let it drag you down. Don't forget the promise you made to yourself, Ren. Your choices, they weren't mistakes...they were your salvation from the slavery of the injust. So, how about you let this pain be your weapon again, and reforge our contract together once more?"

His eyes widened as he realized that..this could be his chance. He can finally have the thing he wanted back to him again, his powers..his other self Joker...and whatever freedom that helped through the pain and misery he went through few hours ago. So without hesitation he nodded as he replied with a newfound resolve:" Yes, of course I accept. Come back to me Arsène!!"

At that response alone, Arsène chuckled as he chanted the familiar ritual inside Ren's head to seal the contract, seeming very satisfied with the answer he got:

"Very well my friend. We shall begin. I Am Thou, Thou Art I. Thou who art willing to perform all sacrilegious acts for thine own justice! Call upon my name, and release thy rage! Show the strength of thy will to ascertain all on thine own, though thou be chained to Hell itself!"

When Arsène finished those last words, Ren's eyes were wide open as a gust of wind occured, and before he knew it...he could feel something—his precious white birdlike domino mask with black designs around the eyes that were reminiscent of full eyeliner and sharp lashes—clinging to his pale face. A smirk suddenly crept up to him as he then addressed the monster in a cocky tone:" You're so done for..now...COME FORTH, ARSÈNE!!"

All of a sudden, he ripped the mask off of his face, not caring for the crimson blood that gushed from him tearing it off of his skin while it soaked his forehead and streamed down, dripping on the floor. In this uncanny display of pain and explicit gore, Ren's smirk suddenly turned into an unhinged, mocking and defiant grin as azure colored flame engulfed him completely while a demonic face in red did show up briefly as the deep laughter of Arsène is heard. Then, the fire died down a bit as it revealed Ren in his Phantom Thief attire which consisted of a black ankle-length tailcoat, a high-necked dark gray waistcoat with gold buttons, cinched black pants, brown-black winklepickers boots with tall heels and vibrant red gloves. Meanwhile, a humanoid demon like entity was floating above him. A being with a very tall top hat, a long-horned mask for its face that had demonic red eyes with a crooked red grin, a cropped red eighteenth century-esque suit worn open with the collar popped, stitched heart designs on the shoulders, a white ruffle tie, a black, tailed corset running down its torso; large, black, feathery wings starting at around the small of its back; claws; red coverings on its legs resembling pants and boots with blade-like heels. It was none other than his trusty Persona and the gentlemanly thief, Arsène.

"I, The Pillager Of Twilight Arsène, have returned at last!" The Persona declared with a proud and rather cocky tone, showing off his sharp razor claws as he looked at Ren."Let us finish where we left off my friend, starting with that thing."

Ren, now as Joker, smirked in return and nodded, now ready for the fight uphead. On the other hand, the beast charged at him without hesitation, ready to tear the Phantom Thief to pieces. But Ren quickly dodged as he preformed a slide step. And as the entity turned around to unleash fire balls at him, Joker leapt gracefully as he performed a backflip then grabbed ahold of his handgun midair as his aim was in sight, firing few bullets at the monster that looked more irritated then ever by the projectiles reaching it. Soon, Joker landed gracefully and summoned Arsène as he shouted:"PERSONA!"

Then, when Arsène showed up, Joker immediately used the curse spell Eiga, making a black and a red orb of dark energy hit his opponent, dealing significant damage to the creature that roared in pain but seemed now more furious, giving the Phantom Thief a bloodthirsty look.

"Heh...come on..that the best you can do?" Joker could only chuckle at the entity, not being intimidated by it one bit as he kept that same smug and overconfident smirk on his face, not caring if it made it even more angry. He twirled his dagger gracefully in his hand and aimed his gun at his opponent, while Arsène was chuckling as he enjoyed this wild dance for sure. One thing was for sure, Joker was officially back in this game.

"To me. To them. To yourself..."

"The hours grows long, and time is scarce..."

"Keep steady your grip, no matter what may come..."

What happened afterwards? He.. couldn't remember. He doesn't know if he won or lost (though he hopes he really did win). But what he can remember for sure, is that everything around them faded to black. A soft familiar voice echoed in this void, as a shimmering blue butterfly fluttered its wings softly, a symbol of life and death...the sign of endings and beginnings.

"I am thou, thou art I... Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chain of captivity.

With the rebirth of thine Persona, thou have obtained the winds of blessing that shall lead to freedom and new power..."