Of Phantoms and Thieves

Dealing With the Wildcard

Morgana turned around and ran. He didn't want to be killed before he could free the other Phantom Thieves. Ignoring the pain, he ran into the lobby, fancy sofas and gold lining him on either side. Morgana jumped over them, nearly tripping on the soft crimson. He ran to the left, the direction in which he'd come from.

"Zorro," he breathed, and his persona appeared behind him. 

I need time to heal myself. 

Morgana leaped up onto a curtain and hid himself in it. He was hoping that it was good enough to shake the shadows and even Joker. He knew that Ren had a keen eye. He could make out small details that most people couldn't.

And if I do this wrong, he'll kill me, Morgana reminded himself.

Morgana quickly healed himself and Zorro disappeared right as the shadows came down the hall. They were moving slowly now, confused on Morgana's location. Joker came up behind them, pistol in one hand, knife in the other.

Morgana steadied his breathing. He tried to make himself as small as possible.

"Seven o'clock tonight," Joker stated, getting the shadows' attention. "Forget about the cat. I'll deal with him. Go guard the prisoners."

The shadows nodded and stalked down the hall. Joker began to study the hallway, looking for flaws and anything out of the ordinary.

"I know you're here," Joker called out. "You can't hide from me. Speak."

Morgana kept his mouth shut.

"Come out now and perhaps I'll spare you."

"You still have the urge to kill me," Morgana stated, poking his head out from his hiding spot. He could feel his grasp on the curtains starting to slip. "Why? After all we've been through, why?"

Joker put the weapons away and put his hands behind his back. His clothing changed to his school uniform. He bent over a bit, his dark bangs falling in his face. He smirked.

"So, you've finally come out to play."

Morgana tried not to shudder. The way he was acting was very unnatural, almost inhuman. Ren had never killed before. Why did he want to do it now? His clothing had changed, probably showing that he wasn't a threat.

"Come down now," Joker softly spoke. "There's no need to be afraid anymore. I was wrong for hurting you."

Morgana thought for a moment. Ren's voice seemed to drip like honey. He sounded innocent. But Morgana knew that what it came from could sting.

"I'd... I'd rather stay up here," Morgana countered. "If that's fine with you?"

Joker shrugged. "Suit yourself." He sat cross legged on the floor and rested his chin on his hands. "Explain to me why you're here." 

Now he's acting all carefree, trying to make things seem comfortable and lure me down to die. 

"We've come to steal the treasure," Morgana stated. "I've told you this before."

Joker's face turned to an expression of disgust. "And I've told you no."

"Why are you against us?" Morgana asked. "This pain that you've been feeling... don't you want it to be gone?"

Joker sat there for a moment, again seeming confused whenever Morgana would bring up the topic.

"Ren," Morgana whispered. "It's not your fault. Why do you keep on blaming yourself?"

Joker stared at the floor.

"Ren. Listen to me. This isn't like you. Let our friends go. Let us steal your treasure. It's the only way to change your heart."

"These scars aren't just mental, Mona," Joker replied. "They're physical too. How can you take that away? Can you truly alter reality to take it all away?"

"That would be wrong, no?" Morgana asked. "Sure, we've used it to our advantage before, like when you had to escape from Akechi, but... Remember what Yaldabaoth did? He wrapped his disgusting finger around you and made you play his game, ruining your entire life for his gain. We'd be doing that to other people."

"Morgana, there's something I'd like to ask," Joker breathed.

"What's that?"

"Why did you except the name Mona? You told my why you called me Joker. It must be beside the point that Ryuji couldn't remember your name at first." 

He's starting to remember, Morgana thought. He's remembering what we did. 

"Well, Mona means noble, doesn't it?"

Ren grinned.

"And so that's why you accepted it?"

"Yeah. Ren, I-"

Ren suddenly hunched over and grabbed his head.

"Ren?!"

Morgana slid down the curtain and ran over to him. Ren then stood up and his clothing changed back to the Phantom Thief outfit he was wearing before. He spun around and lashed out with his knife. Morgana barely had time to dodge.

"Why?" Morgana exclaimed. "Why are you fighting this?!?"

Ren glared at Morgana.

"It's going to hurt no matter what. A change of heart is going to hurt. Realizing what you and others did wrong..."

Morgana turned and started running down the hall.

"Morgana!"

Morgana heard a metallic click, and he quickly rolled to the right as Ren fired. 

At least he's accepting his real name now, Morgana told himself. I bought myself some time, ignoring his response. 

Ren put his gun away and began to chase after him. Morgana's eyes widened. Ren had the advantage over him. Ren was much taller and faster, while Morgana only had small cat legs.

"Curse these small hallways..." Morgana growled. "I'd shapeshift and turn into a car if this place wasn't so narrow. Oh wait. I can't drive myself."

Ren tackled Morgana, and they both tumbled to a stop. Morgana reached up to punch Ren, but Ren grabbed his paw and held him down.

"You're not going anywhere," Ren growled. "Stop running."

Morgana squirmed and tried to escape Ren's grasp. Ren picked Morgana up and held him firmly.

"Stop struggling, it's pointless," Ren hissed. "You'll wait with the others until morning."

"I doubt you'll keep your promise, you-"

Ren slammed Morgana on the ground, and Morgana groaned. He was too small to fight back against him. 

There must be a way to free the others before morning, Morgana told himself. I've got to outmaneuver Ren somehow. 

"Are you going to behave yourself now?" Ren questioned.

Morgana didn't answer. He let Ren pick him up again and continue down the hallway. 

I've got to let him take me to them. I've got to rebel at the last second. It's his turn to fall for my trap.