Here is chapter 3 of my McBusted and Persona 5 crossover story where the McBusted boys team up with the Phantom Thieves to clear their names featuring guest star David Platt from Coronation Street.
Having to awaken their Persona, the McBusted boys explores Melissa's Palace with the Phantom Thieves helping them to fight with their Persona while finding out about Melissa's dark secrets. However, they are being watched by someone. Enjoy and stay tuned for more.
McBusted X Persona 5 Melody of Truth
Chapter 3 - Beginning of a heist with secrets and revenge
Having to awaken their Persona, the McBusted boys teamed up with the Phantom Thieves to fight the shadows that roam around Melissa ’s palace. To start things off, the McBusted boys asked the Phantom Thieves what they do.
“What we do as Phantom Thieves is that we enter the palace that is formed in the Metaverse by people’s manifestation based on their dark desires or negative emotions,” explained Morgana. “We have to find and take their treasure that represents their corrupted desires in order for them to confess their crimes, whereas they would refuse to do so in real life,” added Ren. “It’s the only way for us to stand up against these corrupted adults and to change society,” said Ryuji. “Trust us, we have been wronged by those adults before, so we have to take matters into our own hands when we have no one else to turn to,” added Ann solemnly.
The McBusted boys understood and sympathised with their intentions. “It sounds brave of you all to fight back,” said Tom with admiration. “Yeah, it’s sad to hear that there are some nasty people in the world,” said Danny sadly. “I guess it’s our only way to stop Melissa before she makes us the bad guys just for standing up to her,” Dougie said somberly. “We all saw what happened. I couldn’t leave you all to take the blame. I know what it’s like to take the blame for doing the right thing,” said Ren with sympathy, referring to the time when he was accused of assaulting the politician Masayoshi Shido, who was harassing a woman.
The McBusted boys appreciated Ren for that. “Thanks, we’re just a super group doing what we love doing best,” said James gratefully. “By joining you, Phantom Thieves is our way of repaying you all now that we have our Persona,” said Matt.
“But first, we have to come up with codenames for you all. It’s how we refer to each other while in the Metaverse to keep ourselves anonymous. Mine is Oracle” said Futuba. The other Phantom Thieves added that Ren is Joker, Morgana is Mona, Ryuji is Skull, Ann is Panther, Yusuke is Fox, Makoto is Queen and Haru is Noir.
The McBusted boys were intrigued by coming up with their codenames. “Now this sounds fun. I could be called Rhino, just like how Danny and I were disguised as in The Masked Singer, with Danny dressed up as a Piranha,” suggested Charlie. Danny smiled at Charlie’s suggestion. “I failed to see how your outfits resemble such beasts,” said Yusuke sceptically. “I could be called Drummer while the rest of you get to be referred as singers,” said Harry, teasing them. “Oh please, you’re not the boss of us,” said James mockingly, though they were having trouble coming up with codenames.
“What about D-Dog for me while Tom gets to be called T-Bag?” suggested Danny. “I would keep our nicknames out of this, thank you very much,” said Tom. “How about The Pooping Dinosaurs?” said Dougie, who, not so surprisingly, comes up with inappropriate suggestions. “What? What kind of codename is that?!” said Ryuji with Danny, Harry, James, and Matt sniggering while Tom and Charlie blushed in disbelief. “Maybe The Kitty...Kats,” said Matt, who was running out of ideas.
“Oh come on, this is taking too long!” cried Makoto. “Then I’ll settle this; I’ll call you all Rockers since you are all a band after all,” said Futuba. She also suggested that they could also be referred to by their outfit colours, which goes as follows: Danny as Rocker-G, Tom as Rocker-Y, James and Rocker-I, Charlie as Rocker-P, Dougie as Rocker-R, Matt as Rocker-O, and Harry as Rocker-B. The McBusted boys agreed with that, as said by Tom, “Come to think of it, we do dress up like those Power Rangers.” “I see a splitting image of the Phoenix Ranger Feathermen” said Yusuke.
You can use this soundtrack from Persona 5
Or this one from Persona 5 Royal
With that out of the way, the Phantom Thieves were ready to show The McBusted boys how they fight. “As you all have witnessed, we call our Persona to fight these Shadows,” said Ren who summoned Arsène, who took out the snowmen like Shadows known as Jack Frosts using Eiha. “Calling upon our other self!” said Morgana, helping out Ren, who summoned his Persona Zorro, who blew away with Jack Frosts using Magaru.
The Phantom Thieves also showed how they explore palaces and other skills with their aerobatic abilities, leaping to high areas with their grappling hooks and taking out enemies with their guns. “It’s how we get around huge palaces like this one,” explained Ann. The McBusted boys were intrigued throughout. “Let me try reaching that castle! I have been working out and getting all this energy for my shows after all!” said Danny eagerly as he attempted to leap up to a castle wall, only for him to miss and crash into Tom, knocking them both onto the ground. “Well, that was sloppy yet typical of you Danny,” said Tom, though they all see the funny side of it and laugh with Danny and Tom looking at each other with joy and affection. “I guess you need a little more work,” said Haru, giggling.
“There are some enemies. Why don’t you give your Persona a try?” asked Ren to Dougie and Harry, who were nearby. “Now watch the experts!” said Dougie.”Witness the greatest power from the Rhythm Duo!” bragged Harry (with him willing to do it with Dougie) as they summoned Huehuecóyotl, who unleashed some PSI musical notes projectiles towards the Jack Frosts, but they missed and almost hit Ryuji and Morgana by mistake. “Now that was a blast!” boasted Harry. “What’s the big idea?!” yelled Ryuji as he angrily fired his Captain Kidd’s Mazio at Dougie and Harry. “You both could have gotten us killed!” cried Morgana who commanded Zorro to attack them with his Magaru. “Finally, something you both can agree on” muttered Makoto.
The Busted trio were having trouble against the Jack Frosts, who kept on getting frozen by their Mabufu. “Never thought my career would involve getting frozen by these snowmen,” said James, shivering. “Rockers, you gotta fight back!” called Futuba. Yusuke and the others have to help them out, with Yusuke saying, “Fighting with ice, I guess,” with his Goemon blocking Jack Frosts’ Mabufu with his own Mabufu. “How do you fight Futuba?” asked Charlie. “My Persona isn’t made for fighting. I act as the navigator to provide you all assistance, including finding enemies’ weaknesses and to warn you all of any danger,” replied Futuba. “Sounds like you have it easy just sitting back,” said Matt who sounds like he was getting worn down. “Hey, I have to work hard to guide you all to victory, you know!” answered Futuba crossly.
Although The McBusted boys lack the experience fighting with their Persona, they were able to make up for it by using their Persona’s ability and their musician talent to aid the Phantom Thieves including the McBusted boys getting out their instruments to sing their songs and summon Huehuecóyotl who helped to manifest their singing voices and the sound from their guitars, bass and drums into power to heal or power up the Phantom Thieves.
“Wow, those songs of yours have given us power,” said Ren with fascination as Arsène became powered up, which helped him to take out the multiple snake shadow Yamata-no-Orochi with his Maelga. “Your singing makes me feel so much better,” said Haru cheerfully, who became healed from the damage she took while fighting the Yamata-no-Orochi. “It makes me feel energized, just like from your show earlier!” said Morgana excitedly as he used the extra speed boost to dodge the attacks. “Thanks for enjoying our performance!” cheered Danny. “It’s what we do best,” said James. “Nice that we’re making use of our talent,” said Charlie admirably.
They can also use their singing ability to lure enemies or cause random effects, including sleep or dizziness. “Now that is like the Pied Pipers from earlier,” said Makoto as she witnessed the Shadows luring towards The McBusted boy’s singing voices as if they were in a hypnotic trance. “At least we don’t have to fight them,” said Futuba as the Phantom Thieves took out the shadows, taking advantage of this. “I guess they couldn’t resist our singing!” laughed Tom.
“Bet our performance was too much for it!” said Matt as he witnessed several Succubus becoming dizzy from their song. “Just like our trick, especially from me, of course,” boasted Harry. “Night, don’t let the bed bugs bite!” taunted Dougie after the Maras fell asleep from their song. “Such fascination using your singing abilities to fight!” said Ann as she and the others took out the shadows.
The McBusted boys can also use Huehuecóyotl’s musical abilities offensively as well as some psychokinesis attacks as manifested from the McBusted boy’s PSI abilities (which they learned some time ago) although they were still having some trouble getting to fight the shadow as they missed their attacks or their attacks were not strong enough so the Phantom Thieves have to do the fighting for them. “Can we become stronger?” asked Charlie doubtfully. “Don’t worry about it, you’ll get used to it,” said Makoto genteelly. “Just think of it as band practice,” said Ryuji. “That’s one way to put it,” said Tom, agreeing with this. “Yep, going to keep resilient to failure and don’t give up, just like what I’ve been telling aspiring young musicians,” said Danny with optimism. “We’ll keep on fighting by your sides,” said Ren.
Also, the McBusted boys have to stick closely together to use their Persona ability effectively. This was shown during a fight against a Queen Mab who attacked them with its electrical attack, Mazlonga, which caused them to become separated as they fell on their backs far apart from each other. Although they can still summon Huehuecóyotl, their powers and singing abilities weren’t as strong (their voices or their instruments weren’t able to reach to the Phantom Thieves or have an effect on the shadows). This shows that they needed each other as a band, let alone a supergroup.
Having to become separated, the McBusted boys became surrounded by shadows, which made them uneasy, but the Phantom Thieves helped to clear them out. The McBusted boys ran up to their nearest band mate, comforted for each other’s safety. “Dougie! Matt! I’m glad you’re safe!” said Danny with relief as soon as he reached Dougie and Matt. “Yeah, I thought we were toasted for sure,” said Dougie as the trio gazed at each other for reassurance and adoration. “I can’t do this alone without you all,” said Matt as they smiled and affectionately held onto their elbows and hands.
Charlie helped to pick James up. “Why, thank you, Charlie, so generous of you,” said James as he got up. “Anytime for you James,” said Charlie as they held each other tightly with their eyes gazing on each other.
With the McBusted boys back together, they were able to use their abilities to help the Phantom Thieves fight. Tom said to Harry, “Great to do this with you,” said Tom. “Same here Tom, always,” said Harry as they both warmly stroked each other’s chins. The Phantom Thieves were happy to witness their love for each other and to safety reunite them.
With the shadow knocked down by the Phantom Thieves with help from the McBusted boys’ singing powers, Morgana said to the McBusted boys, “This is where we finish off our enemies together using an all-out attack!” “Now this sounds exciting!” said Matt, who was intrigued. “Just follow our league as we don’t hold back!” said Ryuji, who was getting ready to lunge at the downed enemies. “Now we ravage them!” said Joker, and they all charged into the enemies, darting about everywhere. Even the McBusted boys were able to pull it off successfully. “Now that was thrilling...and something that we can do right,” said Dougie after the execution.
They still have a way to go, but for now, the group was able to proceed ahead with Morgana transforming into his van form to help the group get around Melissa ’s mansion more quickly. The McBusted boys were surprised to see such a transformation. “Whoa! You can transform into a van?!” said Danny with surprise. “It happened to be one of my specialities, which is how we navigate the Metaverse,” explained Morgana. “It really beats setting on foot,” said Ann. “You know, this reminds me of this anime that my kids have been watching,” said Charlie. “Well, hop right in and enjoy the ride!” said Ryuji. As they all got in, Harry said, “I would have thought that the seats would be softer like cat fur.” “Oh shut up,” muttered Morgana with annoyance and drove off. Little do they know that another masked figure with a Persona was watching them.
The Phantom Thieves and The McBusted boys explored more of Melissa ’s Mansion, which consists of large rooms with lots of trophies and expensive furniture. “I can tell that Melissa has achieved a lot,” said Tom as he looked around the trophy room with wonder. “It’s that or she likes to show off,” said Ryuji.
Just then, the medal room shows a cognitive memory of her past, as said by James, “Looks like we’re watching a movie of her life,” said James. “It must be a cognitive fragment of her past,” added Morgana. The cognitive memory shows a young Melissa being bored, trying to find a way to get attention. She was able to come up with ways to gain attention by singing and dressing up to make her eye-catching, as shown when a lot of grownups gathered around, admiring her singing and outfit. There’s one point when she was given a medal for a singing contest. “Now that looks like an admirable memory,” said Matt with astonishment.
Shortly afterwards, the cognitive memory has also shown Melissa causing all sorts of mischief at school, including drawing on the wall or breaking toys and blaming it on other students, causing them to get into trouble. When the accused students tried to claim that Melissa did it, the teachers didn’t believe them because of Melissa’s acting and looking innocent. Melissa finds that she craves for attention by not only having the potential talent that could lead her to fame and having the looks, but by lying and getting away with it, giving her the thrills. Once the cognitive memory ended, Yusuke said with disproval “It seems like she’s the kind who lets fame and looks get over her head”. “Looks like she’s not as innocent since her childhood,” said Harry.
They then went into another room that contained ragdolls that resembled men stuffed in bins. “Hey, are they supposed to be men whom she has previously dated but has abused her?” asked Haru.
They were then shown cognitive memories that show Melissa’s dark secrets. “Hey, does she know that she’s here?” asked Dougie nervously. “No, that’s another cognition of her memories,” answered Ren. It shows Melissa dating multiple men in a seemingly happy relationship. However, in reality, Melissa has been abusing the men she has been dating, including hitting them whenever they make a mistake (including accidentally spilling a drink on her dress), treating them like garbage (such as pushing them down the stairs), saying abusive, hurtful insults and advancing herself on them even if they refused too.
If that wasn’t bad enough, she lies about the abusive relationship, claiming that she’s the victim, pretending to look vulnerable and cry to get the public on her side. This causes the public to rally their anger on the men she scapegoats in real life and online, resulting in the men she’s dating committing suicide. The only reason for Melissa to date those men was for frame or money, dumping them once she was done or bored with them.
One example shown was when one of the men she dated begged her, “How could you do this to me? I did everything you said to help with your career, and now I’m ruined. Please tell them the truth!” “As if anyone will believe you because you are a man. After all, everyone falls for me because I am so pretty and innocent,” said Melissa mockingly.
Once the cognitive memory ended, everyone was shocked by what they had seen. “That....that’s horrible,” said Danny, who looked pale. “That poor man...” said Haru tearfully. “To receive unwarranted attention is bad enough, but to lie about it...!” said Ann with anger. “To think that there are famous people like her,” said Charlie in disbelief, with the McBusted boys holding their hands tightly with comfort.
They went into another room with showed a lot of voodoo dolls with pins on them. Many of them resembled girls. Everyone was crept out with the unnerving sight, as said by Makoto, “I dread to think what this represents.” “Yeah, I don’t think it’s going to be pretty,” said Tom nervously as another cognitive memory appeared, showing Melissa witnessing other female idols with contempt, seeing them as threats, especially if they looked prettier than her or happened to have more talent. To that end, she anonymously sends them abusive messages (saying that they have no talent and should give up on their career), spreads rumours, drags them into her drama, and makes herself the victim or finds out about their past mistakes, leaking and exaggerating them to expose them. This causes them to end their career and/or commit suicide, which, to her eyes, knocks them out of the competition.
Melissa is also known to get into fights with those she disagrees with, including with LGBTQ+ lifestyle, claiming that loving the same or multiple genders is wrong, that those with different pronouns are abnormal, and transgender people are predatory. True to her nature, she refuses to consider other people’s opinions but hers and blames on others for bullying her just for having an opinion.
Once the cognitive memory was finished, Matt bluntly said “Well, she may look angelic on the outside, but she’s truly the devil on the inside.” “So those stories of people giving her a hard time were a lie!” said Futuba appallingly. “To be jealous is one thing, but to ruin their career just for the competition is too far!” said James with condemnation. “I love that she uses the ‘it’s my opinion’ card, though she’s a bigot and a monster anyway,” said Dougie scornfully. “What a pity for her to let fame get over her head,” said Morgana with disapproval. “We can’t let any more people suffer and take the blame. She has to be stopped!” declared Ren. Everyone agreed and set off to find her treasure.
The McBusted boys and The Phantom Thieves approached the locked door. Futuba then said out loud “Oh, I am detecting that behind the door is where Melissa ’s treasure is located.” “Well then, I guess we’ll have to find the key to open the door,” said Ryuji. “Then once we find it, our names will be cleared and we should bring her down to justice, right?” asked Harry.
Ren however, felt that they were being watched. He looked over his shoulder and spotted an incoming attack. “Everyone get down!” he warned, and they all quickly ducked from the attack. They all got up and saw a young man in a crimson and black thief outfit. Right next to him is a demonic entity. “If you’re thinking of stealing Melissa ’s treasure, then you all should step aside and let me be the one to deal with this personally,” said the man. “And who are you?!” demanded Ann. “Is he a Persona user?” said Morgana with surprise.
The McBusted boys, however, recognised him. “Hey, you’re David Platt, whom we met at our Meet and Greet, aren’t you?” asked Danny. David seemed surprised that they saw right through his mask and said, “You see through my eyes, haven’t you McBusted Boys? But like with Melissa , I’m going to have to stop you all, along with all the other celebrities, before they corrupt society.” “What? What have we done wrong that makes us just as bad as Melissa ?” demanded Dougie. “Yeah, we’re the ones who have been wronged by Melissa , so shouldn’t we team up together?” argued Matt. “That doesn’t change the fact that you pop stars and celebrities are as bad as each other; using your so-called fame to get away with your wrong doings,” answered David, glaring at them, which gives everyone nervous vibes.
The Phantom Thieves just realised something. “Hold on, we’ve been hearing about celebrities worldwide going comatose. Was this your doing?” asked Makoto. “You Phantom Thieves figured this one out. It’s all to put celebrities to justice using this Persona of mine, Azrael. I hunt them down by infiltrating their palace with Azrael reaping their souls,” said David. “As a pop star myself, I get that there are some famous people who need to be stopped for their wrongdoings, but why would you go through such extreme lengths?” asked Charlie.
David explained that he had an encounter with Melissa , who visited his country as part of her tour. His adopted son, Max, has been a fan of her and even he got into her with her songs and charms. But that is until he found out that she has been grooming Max to giving her money (taking advantage of the fact that he finds her good looking). When David confronted Melissa, she spread a rumour that David had assaulted her, which caused people to accuse him of hitting an international star.
Because of that incident, David gained a hated for celebrities, vowing to take them all down to justice. His desire of revenge is how his Persona Azrael has drawn into him, claiming that he can lend him his power to fulfil his desire. From this point on, David has been looking up on incidents and scandals that celebrities were involved in, which later escalated to whenever they make 'minor mistakes', including being politically wrong, making insensitive jokes and other trivial mishaps. He then enters their palace and takes down their shadow self with Azrael stealing their souls to power itself up, causing them to fall into a coma. He added that it’s to build up his powers before getting his revenge on Melissa and then any other celebrities who he deems are corrupt or morally wrong. “This world is full of corrupt celebrities, and I’ll be the one to deliver justice to them,” said David.
Although The McBusted boys and The Phantom Thieves felt sorry for what he had gone through and understood his reasons, they knew that he was going too far, especially with him going after those who are ‘flawed’, rather than ‘bad’. “We get that there are many famous people who are corrupt, but we can’t allow you to hunt them down like that,” said Yusuke. “Yeah, it’ll make you no different to those corrupted celebrities, including Melissa,” said James.
“But isn’t that what you Phantom Thieves do? Don’t you all stand up to those corrupted adults to make your society a better place?” asked David. “We only do it because we have no other choice than for the sake it” answered Ren. “I get that you and your son were the victims, but please hear us out; you’ll only end up losing your way as you become blind with your definition of justice,” said Haru with some sorrow. “We Phantom Thieves go after anyone regardless of their stats, treating everyone as equals as long as they’re corrupt,” said Ryuji. “You must also remember that even if there are celebrities who are bad, there are still some who are good, including those who use their career to inspire others. Generalising them will only make you no better,” said Danny trying to reason with David.
“You McBusted boys are not the ones to talk like you Tom. Didn’t you and your wife scam someone by the government scheme? And you, Charlie, you had a fight with The Rock on your social media, didn’t you? And some of you have been taking drugs and alcohol, so I’m going to have to stop you all too,” argued David. “That was a mistake from Giovanna and me, not a deliberate scam. We wouldn’t do such thing!” said Tom. “You may not be wrong about that, but I’m over it by now,” said Charlie sternly. “And we have changed from that, but even then, it shouldn’t be your business but ours!” said Harry.
“It seems that you all can’t comprehend. I guess I’ll have to stop you all here and now,” said David, who got out a key, much to their surprise. “Let us see whose conviction is greater. If you all win, then I’ll let you all have the key that’ll lead you all to her treasure. Otherwise, I’ll take matters into my own hands and deal with her myself,” said David. “I guess we have no choice but to stop you,” said Ren as they were ready to battle him.
To be continued
Mega McBustedeon
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