Tae Takemi didn't believe in ghosts, gods, or any of that Mementos nonsense.
She believed in blood types. Vitals. Proper medication dosages. Infections that killed slowly if ignored, and truths that hurt more than any scalpel could cut.
But after the night the Phantom Thieves stayed over at her clinic—bandaged, bruised, and yet still laughing in that absurdly close, too-tender way—she found herself unable to sleep.
Because she'd seen something shift in them.
Especially in Ren.
Something that sent a tremor straight through her clinical detachment.
So when he asked her the next morning, "Would you come with us? Just to see," she'd narrowed her eyes… then said yes.
The subway tunnel was colder than she expected.
She followed close behind, dressed in her black coat, heels clicking against the damp stone as they descended into the belly of Mementos.
Takemi hadn't expected much—maybe more illusions, like a lucid dream.
What she hadn't expected was how alive the place felt.
The walls pulsed faintly. The shadows whispered.
And Ren? His presence wasn't just charismatic now. It radiated like a slow-burning sun. The others orbited him almost unconsciously.
"You shouldn't be in here without a Persona," Makoto warned gently.
"I'll be fine," Takemi replied. "I came to observe."
But Mementos had other plans.
It started when a Shadow lunged unexpectedly—crude, malformed, more twisted than the others.
Before Ren could intercept, it struck.
Pain bloomed along her side. She staggered—actual pain. Not some psychic pressure, but blood-and-nerve agony.
And then… something inside her snapped.
She heard a voice. Not external, but deep—buried in her bones, sharp as crushed glass and smooth as silk.
"You cut lies from the truth, don't you, Doctor? Then let us dissect this world together."
The world ignited.
Fire burst behind her eyes, cool violet-blue flames licking along her limbs. Her clothes tore in a swirl of transformation, leather and latex wrapping her in a tight, sleek bodysuit, silver clasps glinting at her neck and thighs. A long coat flared out behind her like surgical drapes mid-operation.
She rose to her feet, steady.
The Shadow charged again.
And Takemi… smiled.
"Let's begin the procedure."
With a flick of her fingers, her Persona surged forth—a towering feminine figure, masked and wielding an enormous syringe-lance, surrounded by a halo of red vials.
In one swift motion, she impaled the Shadow. Its screech died mid-throat.
Afterward, no one spoke at first.
Then Ryuji—female now, still getting used to her voice—whistled. "Holy crap, Doc."
Ann grinned. "That was hot."
"Impressive control," Yusuke murmured, sketching already.
Makoto stepped forward, placing a hand on Takemi's arm. "You awakened to a Persona… You're one of us now."
Takemi looked down at her gloved hand.
She felt her heart beating faster. Not out of fear—but exhilaration.
"I always said the system was sick," she said softly. "Maybe it's time I start treating it at the source."
Ren finally approached, his eyes unreadable—but warm.
"You came to protect us. And now… you're part of us."
Takemi allowed herself a rare smile.
"Don't think I'll go easy on any of you. Especially you."
He only smiled back.
And in the distance, Mementos shifted again. As if welcoming its newest thief.