Persona 5 x persona 4

chapter 50

"I'll give you guys a moment," Yu called to the two teenagers before proceeding down the hall.

Joker glanced at him before he disappeared down the hall. Queen sat in his arms seemingly content to just be there. Joker had been worried about her. Stupidly worried when he couldn't seem to persuade her to leave the cell-like he had his other friends. He tightened his grip ever so slightly as he rested his cheek on the top of her head. He had promised her that he would win, but did she realize that she was part of his strength? He could fight better when she was at his side.

"So are you really going to leave?" Joker asked quietly.

"No." Queen pulled away from Joker and looked up at him. "I just thought I lost my spirit of rebellion and couldn't fight anymore, but like some cheesy movie line... I guess it was inside me all along."

Joker couldn't help the slight chuckle that escaped his chest. "Good." He reached forward and put his hand on Queen's cheek so he could continue to capture her gaze. "Because you do realize you're someone I deeply depend on, right?"

Queen smiled back at him. "You think I didn't know that?"

"Of course not, just reminding you how important you are to me," Joker replied as the thief stole a quick kiss from his Queen before he put his mask back on his face.

The sound of footsteps down the hall pulled Joker's attention away from his Queen. Crow was heading down the hall no doubt having finished what he wanted to discuss with Igor. Queen also cast a look in Crow's direction, before looking back up at Joker.

"So do you have a plan to win yet?" Queen asked, a brow barely arched above her mask.

"I'm working on it." Joker smoothly responded. "Hey, Crow."

Queen shook her head. "So I take that as a 'No' then."

"You wound me. I have the start of a plan! Get everyone together and figure things out from there. Speaking of which everyone is meeting down the hall in the big room at the end." Joker explained.

Joker could feel Queen roll her eyes at that. Crow shot the two a hesitating look as he stepped up to them. Joker ignored his Queen's displeasure at his remark and looked towards Crow. He had asked for him to come to find him after his talk with Igor was done. Futaba had still yet to be located and Joker wanted to see if Crow could help him with her. Not that Joker wasn't confident that he couldn't talk Futaba out of one of these cages, but in a way, it was a test to see exactly how deep the two friends were.

"I'll go ahead to the big room and talk with everyone there. See if we can come up with a better plan than you working on it. Crow keep an eye on this one for me." Queen nodded to Crow before heading off down the hall.

"Sure..." Crow's eyes followed Queen before looking back on Joker. "You needed me for something?"

"Yeah, come on let's go find Futaba together. Yu-senpai went ahead, but he may need help with Naoto too. You got bonds with both of them and maybe you can help us free them." Joker explained.

"Okay, I'll do what I can to help." Crow nodded.

Joker turned and motioned Crow to follow him however they didn't make it very far before Naoto came into view. Joker had to admit he was impressed, only a couple of minutes had passed since Yu had left. He had already managed freed Naoto in that short time. The guy worked fast, or maybe Naoto was just that easy to get out of her cell. Naoto noticed both of them and stepped up.

"Yu is up ahead," Naoto explained before she looked in Crow's direction. "Crow, it's good to see you safe."

"Good to see you are safe as well Nee-san. Kanji is waiting for you in the main room." Crow informed his sister figure.