Last Time on Persona Railgun..................

Panther walked up to a plaque right next to this piece of art. "'The Infinite Spring?'" said Panther.

Valkyrie walks up next to Panther. "A conglomerate work of art that the great director Madarame created with his own funds. These individuals must offer their idea to the director for the rest of their lives. Those who cannot do so have no worth living! " Said Valkyrie as she reads the rest of the plaque for Panther.

"Hey... this is most likely about the plagiarism right?" Asked Panther.

"Dammit! What a phony geezer!" Said Skull.

"In other words, his pupils are his property. He doesn't qualify as an artist if this is true." Said Mona. "He is stealing the ideas from talented students in exchange for securing their livelihood."

"Wait a minute... those portraits........" Said Atomic.

"Yes. I wonder about the portraits on display...... They must all be his 'pupils' through his cognition. This evens says that they have no worth. Couldn't this be about the abuse?" asked Mona.

"Dang it......" Said Valkyrie.

"Madarame will keep them around as long as they are useful to him. But the moment they are not..." Said Mona.

"He will throw them away..... Like trash........" Said Joker.

"He is treating them like slaves or tools!" Said Panther.

"Why is Yusuke keeping quiet about this? He's got no right to cover this up!" Said Skull.

"He did say that he owns Madarame his life for being taken in......" Said Panther.

"But still.......!" Said Atomic.

"When we were at the exhibit, I praised one of the pieces on display. But... Kitagawa-kun acted strange. Maybe that piece was plagiarized too...." Said Panther.

"What is the call Joker? Isn't this enough to take down Madarame?" asked Skull.

"What do you all think?" asked Joker.

"We need to confirm this facts with Yusuke first." Said Mona.

"Yeah." Said Panther and Atomic.

"Confirm what though!?" asked Skull.

"He is saying that we need to get solid evidence that such crimes took place here. For all we know, we could be of track of what his crimes could be." Said Valkyrie.

"What a pain......" Said Skull.

"Besides, there is too much we don't know about Madarame yet." Said Mona.

"...Your right." Said Panther. "I will try contacting Kitagawa-kun. I might be able to get the truth out of him if I accept his modelling offer."

"Wait, you are going to do that!?" Asked Mona.

"You all better come with me, okay? I am scarred to go alone." Said Panther.

"Understood." Said Joker.

"Famous renowned artist huh? This might be tougher than Kamoshida." Said Skull.

"Well, lets just prep ourselfs until Panther gets a responds from Yusuke. This will be our real first mission as Phantom Thieves. Lets succeed no matter what." Said Atomic. Everyone nodded their heads to that.

They went to Madarame home to confirm the post on the Phantom Site. Yusuke quickly denied such rumors that existed. Just when they though they don't have a target, the app changed everything. They suck inside of Madarame Palace and saw something disturbing. He views his students as nothing but tools for his art. Can they get some real info out of Yusuke to confirm what they saw in that Palace?

==============================

5/17.....Shujin Academy, Courtyard...........

After learning about what Madarame views his pupils in his Palace yesterday, they left the Metaverse. Ann has contacted Yusuke and is waiting for his response back. After school is over, they decided to meet up in the Courtyard.

"I got a response from Kitagawa-kun. He said he wants me to come over after school today." Said Ann.

"Perfect!" Said Ryuji.

"He properly dropped any plans he had for today to make room for you today Ann." Said Mason.

"Remember everyone, we have to find out from Yusuke if what we saw from Madarame Palace is true." Said Akira.

"Uh-oh. Hey Morgana...... Is that who I think I see over there?" Asked Mikoto as she sees someone on the other side of the courtyard.

"Yes. Everyone watch out! It is the Student Council President." Said Morgana.

"And it looks like she is talking to someone we know." Said Mikoto.

Everyone turned around to what Morgana and Mikoto are seeing. They saw Makoto talking to Mishima.

"She got a hold of Mishima today?" Asked Ryuji.

"Not good." Said Mason.

"It would be a problem if she noticed us here." said Akira.

"Come on, lets split up." Said Ryuji.

"Okay." Said Ann.

"Where should we meet up?" asked Mason.

"Um......." Said Ryuji.

"How about the Teikyu Building Accessway? That seems a good area that is safe." asked Akira.

"Good idea." Said Ryuji. Everyone then split up before Makoto noticed them. They have to be extremely careful around her. Makoto is very sharp and can possible discover their secret.

====================================

Teikyu Building Accessway.......

The three boys have managed to get place they planned to meet up. The only ones that are not here at the moment are Mikoto and Ann.

"We have finally landed a big target." Said Ryuji with a smile.

"Yeah. This target is probably twisted just like Kamoshida." Said Mason.

"Yeah, lets get some dirt on Madarame." Said Ryuji.

"Yeah. If things go as planned." Said Akira.

"Yeah. Where at the girls?" asked Ryuji.

"Well, we did try to split up to avoid getting spotted by Makoto. So, Ann is somewhere with Mikoto at the moment." Said Mason.

"Yeah but they are late." Said Ryuji.

"Sorry." Said a familiar female voice. The boys saw Mikoto and Ann walking up to them.

"Sorry that we are late. Ann was thinking of some things and didn't noticed how much time has passed. I had to remind her that we all planed today." Said Mikoto.

"I said I was sorry." Said Ann.

"What was she thinking about?" asked Akira.

"Yeah. Come on please tell us." Said Ryuji.

"She was thinking about Yusuke." Said Mikoto.

"Don't you think that Kitagawa-kun has to be protecting Madarame?" asked Ann.

"Why would you think that Ann?" asked Mason.

"They both lived together correct? Yusuke has to be aware of Madarame true nature by now. But the fact he is defending him must because of something Madarame has on him......" Said Mikoto.

"Yeah that is weird." Said Mason.

"But that is why we are going to check it out. So, you ready to be a model?" Ryuji asked Ann this question.

"Yeah, I am prepared." Said Ann.

"What do you mean prepared? Prepared for what?" asked Ryuji.

"Something seem different about her to you Akira?" asked Ryuji.

"Hmm......." Said Akira as he try to see if their was anything different about Ann. "No, nothing. She looks the same as before."

"Exactly." Said Ann.

"W-Well...... lets get going." Said Ryuji.

"Yeah. Time to go talk to Yusuke. And lets hope things go as we planned." Said Mason.

"Kitagawa-kun seemed really happy when I agreed to be his model." Said Ann.

"Okay. Once Yusuke is finished drawing, and gets a little bit friendlier, we will ask questions about Madarame." Said Mikoto. The boys nodded their heads to agree with that plan.

==============================

Outside of Madarame Home.......

You always wonder if plans go exactly as you think they would go? Well........Things...... didn't go as planed. While Ann was doing a pose for Yusuke to draw for his art, he was so deep in his concentration that he didn't hear the groups questions. Akira let Morgana out of his bag so that Morgana can explore this place for a while. After about a few minutes or so, Yusuke stopped for a awhile because he feels a little bit off today.

That is when Ryuji decided to ask those questions again. And he kept pressuring Yusuke for answers that Yusuke threats them that he will contact the police of their actions. However, he will not do that unless Ann continues to be his model. Whats worse, he decide to create a portrait that has Ann...... well..... how do I say this...... nude. Yusuke is giving Ann to think about it until the day Madarame exhibit ends, which is at June 5th.

Not wanting to make this situation any more worse than it already is, the Persona Users gathered back outside of Madarame home with Ann still blushing and furious.

"He is totally out of his mind! I am going to pose nude if this keeps up!" Said Ann in frustration.

"How dare that Yusuke....!" Said Morgana as he leans over Akira shoulder.

"And that is not the worst of it." Said Mason.

"What do you mean?" asked Akira.

"The way he said it, it is not going to be semi........." Said Ryuji.

"Yusuke means.......... the whole thing......." Said Mason.

"F-F-Full nudity? Lady Ann's gonna ......" Said Morgana as he was speechless at the moment.

"Drop it!" Said Mikoto.

"And please don't finish that sentence!" Said Ann.

"You know, you can at least look at one positive thing." Said Mason.

"AND WHATS THAT MASON?!" asked Ann.

"You don't have to worry about that if we make Madarame confess before his exhibit ends." Said Ryuji.

"We know that........" Said Mikoto.

"But Kitagawa-kun thinks he owes his life to him. Is there a need to make Madarame confess?" asked Ann.

"And you are just going to give up just like that?" asked Akira.

"Then, Lady Ann... you are fine baring it all?" asked Morgana.

"I am not!" Said Ann.

"We know....." Said Mikoto.

"Madarame is no different from Kamoshida." Said Ryuji.

"He is using Yusuke, who doesn't have any parents." Said Mason.

"You are telling me that we should just ignore how how he is been treated horribly like his other pupils?" asked Ryuji.

"No.... It is frustrating to leave this alone, even if Kitagawa-kun is fine with it himself....." Said Ann.

"You can't leave it alone because of what you had to endure with Kamoshida." Said Mikoto.

"Yeah...." Said Ann.

"Anyways, we have got to go after this guy. Madarame the kind of target we have been looking for." Said Mason.

"Lets help Yusuke come to his senses too.... before it is too late. Before he becomes just like us." Said Ryuji.

"Right." Said Ann.

"We need to look into Madarame first." Said Morgana.

"We still don't know much about Madarame." Said Mikoto.

"Their might have been some other stuff that hasn't been exposed yet that Madarame has done as well." Said Mason.

"Exactly what I was thinking." Said Ryuji.

"It might be easier for us to investigate his Palace if he is preoccupied with his exhibit." Said Morgana.

"Also there is the thing about me modeling! Kitagawa-kun said there'd be ' inconveniences' unless he submits a new piece." Said Ann.

"Maybe the artwork Yusuke is planing to create might get announced as Madarame next work......" Said Mikoto.

"Does that mean the whole country is going to see you nude!?" asked Ryuji.

"Properly. With how much fame Madarame has, it is most likely." Said Akira as he made a educated guess.

"No way! Hell no!" Said Ann.

"That is extremely bad." Said Mikoto and Mason.

"We must deal with Madarame, no matter what, before his exhibit ends!" Said Morgana.

"Lets start after school tomorrow." Said Ryuji.

"Can't meet on the rooftop anymore Ryuji. Remember?" asked Mason.

"Right...... it would be a pain if Miss President finds us on the school rooftop again.... where should we meet up......" Said Ryuji.

"What about the Teikyu Building Accessway? It is near Madarame place too." Said Mason.

"Good idea." Said Ryuji.

"Changing our hide out periodically, huh? That is a plan I don't mind backing." Said Morgana. 

"It is settled then." Said Akira.

"Hey, can I talk to you kids for a sec?" asked a female woman voice. They turned around to see woman walking up to them and has a camera strap around her neck. Ichiko Ohya.

"Huh?" asked Ryuji.

"From the look of things, you all don't seem like ordinary, stalking fans." Said Ohya.

"What are you talking about?" Asked Mikoto.

"Oh sorry. I should have been more clear. I am actually looking for people that know Madarame pupils. There is this painting 'Sayuri,' that was supposedly stolen in the past" Said Ohya.

"Stolen?" Akira quietly asked himself.

"But there is this rumor that it was taken by one of his pupils in retaliation for being abused. Have you heard anything about that?" asked Ohya.

"No.... we haven't. That is new to us." said Akira.

"I see...... There is no case unless there is a victim, and if there is no proof of abuse..... I can't write either. Looks like I am back to square one. Sorry for taking your time." Said Ohya.

"Who are you?" asked Mason.

"I am a journalist. If you ever get any leads, mind contacting here?" asked Ohya as she hands Mason and Akira a contact card. "See you then." She then turns around and left the group.

"I guess we should go home for the day." Said Ryuji. Akira and Mason nodded their heads to Ryuji suggestion.

=====================================

5/18......Shibuya, Teikyu Building, Ginza Line Gate............

After school was over, the group has used the subway to meet up near their new hideout. Akira walked over to where the others have gathered in the subway.

"Hey Akira." Said Ryuji.

"We are just about to head to the hideout." Said Ann.

"We were just waiting for you before we get there." Said Mason.

"Huh? Who is that?" asked Mikoto as she noticed someone walking over to them. The others turned around to see a man in a business suit walking towards them. His face looks familiar. Natsuhiko Nakanohara.

"Excuse me..." Said Nakanohara.

"Hey, that's Nakanohara. What is he doing here?" whispered Mason.

"Mishima told us to meet him here today." Said Morgana.

"For real?" Asked Ryuji.

".......My name is Nakanohara. Natsuhiko Nakanohara, the one who was posted about on the Phantom Aficionado Website." Said Nakanohara.

"It is nice to meet you Mr. Nakanohara" Said Mikoto as she bows in a polite way.

"He seems pretty nice. Doesn't seem like the stalker type. I think the change of heart have worked." Whispered Ann.

"Seems like it." Whispered Mason.

"The administrator of that website contacted me... They told me to look for someone in a Shujin uniform with a cat..." Said Nakanohara.

"So...... Is their something you want to talk about?" Asked Akira.

"You maybe of already heard, but there is someone I wish to trigger a change of heart in." Said Nakanohara. ".... An artist by the name of Madarame."

The moment he said that name, everyone got surprised and suddenly want to hear more of what he wants to say. "Ohh, you think this is it? The pupil gonna confess his master's secrets?" asked Ryuji.

"Possibly." Said Mason.

"His Shadow did mention Madarame as well......" Said Ann.

"May I ask how do you know Madarame?" Asked Akira.

"I.... am on of the former pupils of Madarame." Said Nakanohara. "He gave me lodging at his home, where I thought only about art. I genuinely wanted to be an artist....."

"I see..... " Said Mikoto.

"There was another pupil as well. A very talented man, multiple years my senior. Obviously, Madarame kept tabs on him. Everything he made was claimed as a Madarame original." Said Nakanohara. "He wasn't the only victim though......"

"Alright, we got some real proof of the plagiarism." Said Ryuji.

"In response to Madarame's actions..... that senior pupil committed suicide." Said Nakanohara

"What?!" Said Mason.

"Suicide......." Said Ann.

"He must have been unable to bear seeing his own work praised under Madarame's name. That is when I disobeyed Madarame's orders and left." Said Nakanohara. "... But he quickly pressured other parts of the art world, and my life as a painter was destroyed."

"Man..... Madarame was able to do that to you?" asked Mikoto.

"Yes. I tried turning over a new leaf  working at a ward office.... but it was no use. My attachment to art warped my emotions. Soon I began getting attached to everything.... In the end,  I even turned into a stalker...... Ha.... Haha....." Nakanohara said. ".... I like to ask again. Please, make Madarame have a change of heart. Not only for me. It's..... to save the life of another man as well."

"What do you mean?" Asked Akira.

"Even now, there is still one young man remaining under Madarame tutelage. I think he is about your age." Said Nakanohara

"That has to be Yusuke." Said Morgana.

 "Not only is he a talented artist, he also owes Madarame for taking him in after his mother passed...... He is the perfect target." Said Nakanohara

"So Yusuke's got no choice but to listen!" Said Ryuji.

"I actually spook to him a few times, back when I was still living at Madarame 's. I asked him if he found it painful to stay with Madarame...... and do you know what he said? 'If I could leave,  I would.......'" Said Nakanohara.

"Kitagawa-kun......." Said Ann.

"I have no right to say this given my prior cowardice, but I don't want to see another suicide!" Said Nakanohara. "I'd like to find another way to save this young man. He has a bright future ahead of him....... Please consider that when thinking about changing Madarame heart." After he said that, he left the group, as the Phantom Thieves were processing what they just learned.

" We have been asked to act directly on behalf of one of Madarame's victims." Said Morgana.

"I saw we don't have time to think about any of this. We need to go straight back into Madarame Palace and secure a pathway to his Treasure." Said Mason.

"Whats your call Akira?" asked Mikoto.

"Lets go.. to Madarame Palace." Said Akira.

"Sweet! Then lets go!" Said Ryuji. They went near to Madarame home and activated the app and begin transported to Madarame Palace.

================================

Madarame Museum..........

After they succeed in teleporting to Madarame Palace, they find themselves in the parking space area infront of the museum. Each of them had a look of determination on their faces.

"Alright everyone, let go find that Treasure!" Said Joker.

"We must avenge all the former pupils that Madarame stole their art work and ruined their lives!" said Atomic.

"Yeah!!" Said everyone.

They tried to get some info out of Yusuke but that plan backfired. They now have a new deadline to change Madarame heart or Yusuke will report them to the police. The former pupil of Madarame told the group the truth about Madarame and the what happened to one of the pupils. He asked them to make Madarame have a change of heart and save Yusuke from such a fate. Can they secure a pathway to the Treasure just like last time at Kamoshida Palace?

===============================

To Be Continued...........