All His Masks: A Persona 5 Fanfiction

Chapter 7

        There was a short, silent journey between Yongen and the thieves' destination. As they passed the city, they observed the differences of it from how it truly looked. Most of the large billboards were either advertising this show that Joker was the "main attraction" of or spiteful jabs at corrupt people, such as most politicians that were spoken about often in the public. Many of the buildings were much taller than they really were as well, in addition to large crowds but very little people that seemed actually real; most people were just transparent shadowy figures with glowing white eyes. Many were mindlessly spilling through the streets and out of the subway station. The train station had more differences than similarities to the real world compared to the rest of their surroundings, which was quite a switch.
        "Are we sure this is the train station? It looks weird." Ryuji peered into the dark void that supposedly was the entrance to the train station. 
        "I share your sentiment; it does look rather strange," Yusuke remarked as he crossed his arms and stared into it. They exchanged glances with each other, waiting for a call to be made by someone. In this brief moment of confusion, another group emerged from one of the platforms. However, one of them stuck out from the others.

        Ann leaned to the side towards Makoto. "Is it just me, or does that one look like Akira?" She was pointing at one that had features unlike the others, with the silhouette of messy hair, glasses, and a bag over it's shoulder. 
        "No, you're definitely not seeing things. All the others look the same, but that one has actual defining features." Makoto squinted her eyes at the shadowy figure as she responded. Then, as if on cue, the figure seemed to spot them and started walking towards them.
        "Uh, should we be running?" Ryuji asked as he recoiled slightly once he realized it was walking towards them. 
        "I'm not detecting any enemy readings from anything in this area at all, so I think it's fine," Futaba informed him as she shuffled through some readings on a levitating screen that she pulled up. "Only outside of here."
        "Then that must be Akira's shadow, correct?" Yusuke kept his arms crossed as he carefully watched the enigmatic figure that was approaching.
        Futaba stayed silent for a moment as she stared at her readings on the screen. Going through data that was steadily appearing, her brow was furrowed slightly. "Um..."
        The form stopped in front of them, and they all turned their attention to it. It didn't appear hostile in any way, and now that it was closer, it was obviously Akira. His actual face could be seen if you looked closely enough. He didn't appear to be able to speak, but he waved at the group as if this were a normal interaction. Even though they were technically seen as a threat, considering that each of them were in their Theives outfits, he didn't seem bothered. He pointed at the stairs that led down to the station as a way of asking if that was where they were going. 
        Makoto's eyes followed his hand, then they returned to him. "If you're asking where we are going, then yes, that's where we're heading." 
        He nodded and reached into his bag to pull out a small map of the station. It seemed like he knew where he was going when it came to the subway station, but he wanted to make sure they knew, too. 
        "Oh, thank you." Makoto reached out and took it from his hand. She seemed to want to ask him more, but he turned his head to look behind him and started walking to the next platform without doing anything more.
        Now that the group seemed unsure of what to do after such a strange interaction, Morgana turned around to face the rest of them. "Now that we have a map, we can navigate the subway better. We might as well go in." 
        Futaba held up a hand. "My scanners are detecting a tough enemy right at the entrance" She warned, "So we need to be ready."
        Haru nodded, brandishing her axe in the blink of an eye. "I'm fully prepared."
        "You scare me, Haru." Ryuji backed up a bit from the blade of her axe as he pulled out his own weapon. Ann snickered at him as she gripped the leathery handle of her whip. 
        "Well, I guess let's go in."