SMG4: The Royal

Chapter 5: Return To The Castle

As you wake up, something felt... off. Your bed didn't feel this hard, add that with the lack of a pillow and blankets. Trying to move your arms, they felt restricted. You look down to see that you were handcuffed and was in a black and white striped jumpsuit. On your ankle was a chain connected to a ball.

Getting up, you walk over to the cell door and look out to see an elderly man sitting at a desk with two smaller girls next to him, dressed like wardens of a prison.

???: Trickster, welcome to my Velvet Room.

Warden 1: So you've come to, Inmate?

Warden 2: The you in reality is currently fast asleep. You are only experiencing this as a dream.

Warden 1: You're in the presence of our master, stand up straight!

?: Welcome, I am delighted to make your acquaintance. This place exists between dream and reality, mind and matter. It is a room that only those bound by a "contract" may enter. I am Igor, the master of this place. Remember it well.

You notice that even when he talks, his grin doesn't go away.

Igor: I summoned you to speak of important matters. It involves your life as well.

Y/n: My life?

Igor: Still, this is a surprise. The state of this room reflects the state of your own heart.

You look over and notice that there are multiple other prison cells.

Igor: To think a prison would appear as such. You truly are a "prisoner" of fate. In the near future, there is no mistake that ruin awaits you.

Y/n: Ruin?

Igor: I speak of the end to everything. However, there is a means to oppose such a fate. You must be rehabilitated. Rehabilitated toward freedom... That is your only means to avoid ruin. Do you have the resolve to challenge the distortion of the world? Allow me to watch your path to rehabilitation.

The two girls turn around to face you once more.

Igor: Ah, forgive me for not introducing the others. To your right, Caroline, to your left, Justine. They serve as wardens here. But we will speak of their roles later, the night seems to be waning. We will speak again soon.

A bell sounds as your eyes begin to feel heavy.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You feel your body being shook. As you slowly open your eyes, the image of your Inkling friend coming into view.

Meggy: Hey, you feeling alright?

Y/n: Yeah, I'm feeling a bit better.

You reach for your glasses, but they are nowhere to be found. Meggy then hands you something.

Meggy: Here, I found these in the main room. But I noticed that they were fake. Why wear fake glasses?

You put them on and sigh.

Y/n: So I can look a little less intimidating. Not that I am in the first place.

Meggy looks a bit saddened as you said that.

Meggy: Oh, by the way, SMG4 wanted to talk with the both of us about... you know.

Y/n: Oh, alright. Well, I'll be down there in a bit.

Before Meggy went out the door, she thought of something to say to you.

Meggy: By the way, I think you look a lot cooler without the glasses. But you look good with them too.

She goes out the door and leaves you red-faced. But, with a smile on your face and renewed confidence, you get up and go out the door and run into Saiko.

Y/n: Oh, I'm sorry Saiko.

Saiko: It's fine, just watch where you're going next time. By the way, Meggy might trust you, and I might be fine with you cause she is, but if you try anything, you're dead. Got it!?

Y/n: Y-yes ma'am!

Saiko: Good.

She walks away letting you release the breath you were holding. Continuing down to SMG4, you see him and Meggy sitting on the couch.

Y/n: What's all this about?

SMG4: Alright, I'm gonna make this brief for you, Y/n I want you to try and take me back into that twisted version of the castle.

Meggy: What?! Why?!

Y/n: I'm gonna agree with Meggy, why?

SMG4: Because, on our way out of there, I thought I saw something in a few cells. And since Y/n here is the only one who can use that Persona thing, he's the only one who can fight. Well... and Morgana.

Meggy: But how are you even going to get in?

SMG4: Well... there's this weird app on my phone, and it has Kamoshida, pervert and castle.

You check your phone and the app from this morning was back.

Y/n: Fine, plus I want to find some answers myself. You don't have to come Meggy.

Meggy: I'm sorry, but I don't want to. After seeing Kamoshida like that after all I've seen him here...

She shudders as the image of "King" Kamoshida enters her mind again.

Y/n: Like I said, you don't have to. Well SMG4, whenever you're ready..

SMG4: Ready to go. And... thanks Y/n. For saving us and going back there with me. I know that from now on, you are someone I can trust.

Time stops for you once again, just like with Meggy when she called you her friend. And once again, that same voice from before echoes in your head.

I am thou, thou art I.

Thou hast acquired a new vow.

It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh the chains of captivity.

With the birth of the Chariot Arcana, I have obtained the the winds of blessing that will lead to freedom, and new power.

Quickly recovering your composure as time moves forward again, you pull out your phone and open the strange app.

Meggy: And guys, please be careful. Especially you Y/n. Since you're the only one who can fight, I don't want to see you... either of you come back hurt.

Y/n: No need to worry about me. I'll try to find that Morgana again, that way there'll be two of us.

You press the navigate button and the two of you disappear in front of Meggy.

And a certain pink haired girl, who dropped her wine glass in surprise and shock.