It is time to rescue Vanilla and I know someone who's been waiting a long time for this part, but it won't be simple for I have a few slight twists ahead...

The Tower Of Fertility

Night had arrived, there were no rainclouds this time, so we could see the moon rising up clearly till it set in the evening sky, then the two remaining towers appeared.

BGM: Persona 3 OST - The Voice Someone Calls

My party walked to the city and our powers came on, this more than confirmed a part of the mystery. When it's a clear night, the moon rises and all of this happens. If there are rain clouds blocking it, then it doesn't. We proceeded to the next tower in our clockwise method, this would be the fourth tower we're taking down.

"This one is the Tower Of Fertility." Morgana said.

"Pardon me for interrupting, but how do you know the names of these towers?" Forte asked.

"It's like I said yesterday, I've been in this world much longer than you all. Thanks to my sneaking ways, I was able to get some information about the towers."

"I see, in any case, this tower should be where Vanilla is." I said.

"There's no sign of Strega this time." Mint added. "But I am sensing some strong powers from within this tower."

"It'll probably be stronger shadows, watch your backs in there." Morgana advised.

We entered the tower and walked up the stairway, opening the doors and entering the first floor.

BGM: Metal Gear Solid OST - Warhead Storage

The interior of these towers do not even compare to each other. Now this one looked like we stumbled into a research facility, there were photo frames of plants and flowers on the wall and a pile of sealed boxes were in a tower form in the corner. There were no shadows present, but there was someone standing several feet away from us.

We all gasped in unison. Standing in front of us was the angel wing girl we knew we would find here, the white dress, the light green hair, her red eyes...wait, something's not right. Her eyes are red, but the pupils were bigger than they should be, why? Then we saw her nanomachines appear and turn into a small blue fox, it didn't look friendly.

"Vanilla?!" I exclaimed. "Is that you?!"

"Welcome to the Ivy Nanomachine Research Facility." She greeted in a toneless manner. "Do you wish to speak with my mistress?"

"Huh...what are you talking about?" Milfie asked. "Don't you recognize us?"

Vanilla looked at us and she did not blink once. "I do not. This is the first time we have met."

"Come on, Vanilla. Don't joke around like that." Ranpha said.

"You are incorrect, I am not Vanilla." She put a left hand below her neck and closed her eyes. "I am Valerie Hart and I follow the orders of Mistress Ivy."

"Valerie?" Mint asked. "What's going on?"

"You may explore this facility if you wish, but it is taboo to proceed beyond the fifth floor." She turned around and walked up the stairs.

Forte had a serious expression. "There's something going on here."

"I get the feeling we're dealing with something more than just a boss of a tower." Morgana added. "We should be on guard at all times here."

I nodded, trying to get my head around at what Vanilla was saying, we walked up to the second floor where we dealt with a pair of shadows and obtained a Jikokuten. Onto the third floor we went and we suddenly stopped to see a familiar person. Sitting on a bench that matched the colors of the wall was Chidori and she was...drawing?

"Hm?" She noticed us. "Oh, it is only you."

"Chidori?" Mint blinked. "Wait, if you're here, how come I didn't sense you earlier?"

She didn't reply.

"If you're here, then the other members of Strega are around." Forte said.

"Takaya and Jin are not here." Chidori replied.

"Yeah right, do you expect us to believe that?" Ranpha asked who was getting ready to battle.

Chidori looked back at her sketchbook that she was holding. "I do not expect you to, for there would be no point."

"Then what are you doing here for?" Milfie asked.

She resumed drawing something. "I prefer to use my time towards simple matters."

I was confused by that answer. "I don't get you, Chidori. You're our enemy, yet here you are doing some kind of artwork whilst we're right here."

"I gotta agree with Arnold, what's your game here?" Morgana asked.

She looked at us. "If you must know. I wish to see the powers of your Personas myself."

"Well if it's a fight you want, we'll bring it to you." Ranpha said.

Chidori sighed. "Do not waste your energy here, for I am in no mood for fighting."

"Well, we can see that." Mint replied. "If you're not going to, then you should leave before this tower collapses."

"I do not have a reason to worry." Chidori then grabbed something from her left side and showed it to us, placing it on the bench. "I believe you are looking for one of these?"

"That's a crystal sphere." I said. "Where did you find that one?"

"A shadow on this floor would not let me have my peace." Chidori resumed drawing. "Now, leave me be."

Thinking there was no point to carry this further, I took the crystal sphere and we left her alone, walking up to the fourth floor to find four men in lab coats.

"Hold on, we've got other people in here?" Forte asked.

"All of you, stay on guard, I can sense shadows near them." Mint answered.

The scientists then showed their faces they were shadows indeed, their lab coats evaporated and turned into monsters!

BGM: Persona 4 OST - Reach Out To The Truth

"Looks like we have a pair of Fuu-Ki's and a pair of Flauroses to deal with." Morgana said.

A Fuu-Ki, another persona that Lavenza wants.

"Those Fuu-Ki's are weak to electricity, go for it." Mint said.

I was so glad we had Mint in our group, We focused on eliminating the Flauroses and Milfie went for electricity attacks on the Fuu-Ki, bringing them both down. One of them started pleading for mercy, I smirked knowing that I had this one where I wanted it. I chose my words wisely and the Fuu-Ki became a card, another persona acquired. The rest of them finished the battle.

BGM: Metal Gear Solid OST - Warhead Storage

We walked up to the fifth floor and we saw Vanilla by the stairs.

"Vanilla, are you okay?" I asked.

"My name is Valerie." She answered. "I ask that you do not call me by any other name in future."

Morgana sighed. "It's no good, Arnold. I bet that Ivy person is behind all this."

"If she is, then we should hurry to the top." Ranpha said.

"I have already said that you are forbidden to pass beyond the fifth floor." Vanilla responded as her nanomachine appeared.

A few dings went off suddenly.

Valerie Hart! I require your presence! Please report to my office!

That sounded like a female voice, could that be Ivy?

"Excuse me." She bowed before turning and walking up the stairs.

"She really doesn't remember us?" Milfie asked.

"It's gotta be either brainwashing or manipulation for sure." Morgana answered. "Trust me, I've seen that kind of stuff happen before."

"Hmm, I know she said not to." I said. "But we have to, we've got no other choice."

We walked up to the sixth and seventh floors, the shadows we dealt with were tougher, Morgana said they were Pisaca, Black Ooze and Neko Shogun. During those battles, I could only obtain a Black Ooze. I checked over my stock of personas and it was almost full, I would have to either get rid of the weak ones or fuse them when I have time.

Upon reaching the eighth floor, we spotted Chidori on a bench and with a sketchbook...wait a minute, didn't we pass this part before?

"It's her again." Forte said. "Wait, is this deja vu?"

"I do feel like we've seen this before." Mint added.

"It is not deja vu as you would call it." Chidori replied. "This is the eighth floor of the tower."

"Then how did you get here before we did?" I asked.

Chidori huffed, as if she didn't want to answer, but then she spoke. "It is related to my powers."

"What? Your persona can do that, like teleporting I mean?"

She didn't answer this time.

"Then tell us this, why don't you say much when the rest of Strega are around?" Forte asked.

"I have my reasons..."

This was kinda strange. The other times we've seen Strega, she would barely say a word. Now she's being very talkative to us.

"Come on everyone, we need to focus on getting Vanilla back." I said as we walked on ahead.

The ninth floor had four shadows and a pair of lab doors by the stairs, we were almost at the top. We had quite a battle with them all, but we were strong enough to win as well as feeling our powers stronger. In fourth wall terms, it appeared that we had all leveled up again and now we were all past level 30.

We walked up the stairs and found ourselves on the top floor of the tower.

End Of BGM

The whole area was like a massive indoor garden area, in the middle of the large area was something that nearly made us jump.

BGM: Metal Gear Solid OST - Mantis' Hymn

Vanilla was standing there, but beside her was an enormous plant, all in green with four orange flytrap heads as arms. In the middle and at the top of was the shape of a female human in a large green attire and a wreath made in sharp vines. What the hell is this?! Why does this female have a plant body?!

"Vanilla, get away from that!" Forte said.

Vanilla however did not move. "You were forbidden to travel beyond the fifth floor."

"Oh-hohohoho, she is correct!" The female human spoke and it was creepy, like two voices spoke at once. "I am the blossoming and ever growing, Mistress Ivy!"

"What the hell!" Ranpha exclaimed.

"Argh! That's kinda scary!" Milfie added.

"I humbly welcome you to my secret garden, but alas, I am not expecting visitors right now." Ivy's eyes opened and they were in black. "This tower is my domain and Valerie here is one of my greatest servants. Her loyalty and dedication to me fills my body with joy. One day, you too can become one with the plants."

"With the way you are, not a chance." Morgana replied. "Now then, let her go."

"Ho ho ho, you are mistaken. Valerie volunteered to be at my side, isn't that right?"

Vanilla nodded.

"You're lying...you did something to her." Mint said. "I can sense it with my persona."

Ivy's smile faded. "And what if I am dishonest, do you really believe you can stand against the forces of nature?"

"The nature you're on about isn't the same!" I exclaimed. "You're just an abomination created by evil!"

Ivy growled as the arms started flailing. "Then show me the powers you hold, prove to me that I can be cut down!"

A battle immediately begun, we tried to do some damage on her and it was going okay.

Ivy then attacked. "Try to fight me whilst you are tangled up!" Suddenly, loads of vines appeared around us and they wrapped around our arms and legs tight.

"Ngh! What the...we can't move!" I exclaimed.

"No fair...ngh! That's cheating!" Ranpha added.

"Oh, you call this cheating?" Ivy remarked. "I call it fighting with the powers I have, now for your lesson in humility."

The flytrap arms attacked us and there was nothing we could do, we were tightly tangled up.

"Vanilla! You've gotta help us!" I called her.

"My name is Valerie." She responded.

"No, it's not! You've always been-glawrgh!" I was cut off when I felt a vine smacked me by the lips. "Cough...hah..." I was bleeding a little.

"Arnold!" Morgana exclaimed. "Ngh...this is really bad...am I going to be useless again?"

"Vanilla, snap out of it!" Ranpha exclaimed. "Argh!"

"That was your power, I expected much more than that." Ivy remarked. "It appears that your power do not match mine, it brings shame to my tower's growth."

Everyone of us continued to struggle, but the vines had us well trapped...there's no way this can end. I had to do something...I looked at Vanilla's eyes.

"Vanilla...look into my eyes." I called. "Do I look like the kind of guy who lies?"

She looked at me, the large pupils in hers were still big. "My name is-"

"I know, but the truth is...glawrgh!" I felt a vine smack me again. "You've always been Vanilla and the Vanilla I know would never betray her friends!"

"He's right. Come on Vanilla, you should know better." Mint said. "You're part of the Angel Wing and have always been so."

"Don't you remember the Whale Room?" Milfie asked. "You would mostly go there to look after the animals."

Vanilla started walking towards us and then her blue fox appeared, ready to strike.

*GROWL*

"Ho ho ho ho! Your words are having no effect on her." Ivy smirked. "Why don't you consider surrendering your bodies to this place?"

I sighed and looked down in sadness...and then thought of a risky idea. "Yes...I...accept defeat..."

"Arnold! No!" Morgana exclaimed.

Ivy laughed. "You finally understand your place...you shall be the first..."

I felt the vines losing thier grip and vanish, I was now free but I fell to one knee. Now for my risky move, I had one shot at this.

"Now then, what shall I do with the rest of you?" Ivy asked, turning her attention away from me.

I then got up and rushed over to Vanilla who didn't notice until it was too late, I grabbed her from behind and put my arms around her.

"Ah..." Vanilla gasped quietly. "...what is...this feeling?"

"Hmm, I should've expected you to fool me." Ivy said. "But do not think that Valerie's body can save you from your punishment!"

End Of BGM

She launched a vine my way and then in a split second, Vanilla shook me off and then gasped, she felt the vine struck her, causing her to fall down.

"VANILLA!" I yelled before being pushed down by more vines.

"My stomach...it...hurts..." She said, moaning.

"Oh dear, it seems Valerie took too long to stand aside." Ivy remarked. "I have grown tired of this charade, it is time to end this...say farewell to your unnatural lives."

"The only being that is unnatural to the world is you." A familiar voice intervened.

BGM: Persona 5 OST - Regret

We looked to see that Chidori had appeared, a few steps away from us.

"Ah, the Strega member, Chidori." Ivy said. "What are you doing in my sacred garden?"

"That is none of your business." Chidori then walked over to Vanilla who was in a bit of pain.

"What are you trying to do?!" Ranpha exclaimed. "If you lay a finger on Vanilla, I swear!"

Chidori kneeled down and then lifted Vanilla so she was laying on her back in Chidori's right arm.

"Hah...ngh..." Vanilla panted.

"Hold still." Chidori told as she raised her left hand and hovered it over the side of Vanilla's left waist. "This treatment won't take long."

We could only watch with worry, an aura of golden light appeared from Chidori's hand and it covered the area where the vine struck earlier.

"It is done." Chidori added as the aura in her hand faded.

Vanilla then opened her eyes and we gasped. "Ngh...huh? Who are you?" She asked.

"It is alright child, you do not need to strain your body."

Vanilla moved her head around. "Where am I?"

"Vanilla, do you remember us now?" I asked.

Chidori helped her up on her feet and Vanilla saw us.

"Arnold." Her eyes opened wide and the pupils were back to normal size. "All my friends, why are you here?"

"Oh, thank goodness!" Milfie said happily. "It's us, Vanilla. We came here to save you."

"To save me." Vanilla then saw Ivy and her face got serious. "Now I remember. I came to this tower and then, you tried to take control of me."

"ARGH!" Ivy yelled. "What did you do to my servant?!"

Chidori did not answer.

"Whose side are you on?!"

"If you must know, I do not follow yours." She replied. "I have my reasons." Chidori then walked away and left the floor.

End Of BGM

Vanilla then saw my face that had been gashed by the vine. She put her hands out and her blue fox turned into it's normal form, I then felt the warmth of her healing.

"Mistress Ivy." Vanilla spoke, turning to her. "I will never forgive you. You forced me to not remember them, you forced me to follow your orders. This cannot continue!"

BGM: Persona 5 OST - Awakening

Dear child, have you finally regained your senses? A faint female voice spoke.

Vanilla had a stern expression. "I have." The yellow colour then appeared in her eyes.

Then let us agree to the awakening of your powers.

"Ngh! Ah!" Vanilla felt the pain in her head, but I was sure that she would be okay.

You hold the gift of healing others, but you must also remember the bonds of fertility and creation. Such as the kindness and dedication of your sweet nature. I am thou, thou art I, do not put your health in danger anymore and allow your gift to be your greatest strength!

When Vanilla stopped feeling the pain, she saw a floating card, when she grabbed it, a surge of power came out and she gasped loudly.

BGM: Persona 5 OST - Will Power

Vanilla was now wearing the cloak we all had, her blue fox was there too, ready to strike at Ivy and behind her was a normal woman in a long orange dress, with a staff in one hand and a dove bird in the other. It seemed like the perfect fit for her in a way.

"No! How could you have awakened to your powers that effortlessly?" Ivy asked in shock. "ACK!"

Suddenly, the vines that had tangled us were blown away and we then got healed up back to normal.

"Bring it, Ivy!" I exclaimed as we got into position for battle. "We're taking you down this time!"

"Fine! I will bring my natural justice down to your souls!"

BGM: Persona 5 OST - Blooming Villain

"Everyone, I am sorry." Vanilla apologized. "I behaved so poorly."

"It's alright, Vanilla." I replied. "We understand, but that will have to wait until later."

"Yes, I will fight with you all now. Me and Eir will not stop until Ivy is defeated."

The battle began with Vanilla going first, she ordered the blue fox to attack and it bit at one of the flytrap mouths, killing it in one go.

"Woah! Vanilla, your assigned weapon is that fox?" Forte asked.

"Yes, my Persona has given my nanomachines substantial strength." Vanilla answered. "I also seem to perform curse skills and ailments as well as healing."

"Those three flytrap mouths could pose a bit of a problem." Morgana said. "Arnold, want to send me to deal with them since I'm not at the front of the party?"

I nodded. "Yeah, go for it."

"Got it."

Morgana then rushed off to hide somewhere whilst we distracted Ivy and doing a lot of damage to her main plant body, Ivy then attacked back and we stood our ground this time. Going back forth twice more, Ivy started to realize something wasn't right.

"Wait a moment, one of you is missing." Ivy said. "Where did your cat friend go?"

"Already check and mate!" Morgana exclaimed from afar before launching a slice attack, zooming past Ivy whilst perfectly cutting the roots of the flytrap mouths.

"Arrrrrrrghhhhh!" Ivy roared in pain. "My beloved plants...you are all monsters!"

"Says the one who's nothing but an abomination." Morgana remarked. "We've got you now!"

Ivy seemed in so much shock that she had let herself open, so we went for an all out attack, dealing huge damage to her and she roared again before her body collapsed.

BGM: Persona 5 OST - Victory

Arnold reached level 33!

Morgana reached level 33!

Milfie reached level 33!

Ranpha reached level 33!

Mint reached level 33!

Forte reached level 33!

Vanilla reached level 33!

My persona didn't learn a new skill, but some of the others did.

Zorro learnt Wind break!

Fortuna learnt Swift Strike!

Aphrodite learnt Ambient Aid!

Maat learnt Speed Master!

End Of BGM

"I cannot...accept this...I shall not!" Ivy panted angrily.

"This is the end for you, Ivy." I responded. "We're done with this tower and the fifth one will go down soon."

She laughed. "If you have bested me, I'd would love to see you lose against the leader of the Tower Of Honour...but alas, I shall not..." She then vanished.

Vanilla then lost her footing and I grabbed her, then the floor started shaking, it was happening again.

I carried Vanilla and we rushed downwards and out of the tower, far enough to watch it crumble into a large pile.

We were back at the hotel since the Elsior was still being repaired and we were tired. That was one tough mission, but we did it, Vanilla was now safe with us.

"Arnold, thank you." She said quietly as I took her into a room that Forte and Ranpha were willing to share. "I would like to rest."

"Of course, take as long as you need." I replied before I laid her down.

We exchanged a smile, even though she doesn't smile often...

BGM: Persona 4 OST - The Power Of The Heart

I am thou, thou art I
thou hast established a new bond
With the birth of the priestess arcana
may your powers continue to grow

Social Link - Priestess - Rank 1!

End Of BGM

Vanilla then closed her eyes and fell asleep, she was obviously too tired to say goodnight.

"Goodnight, Vanilla." I whispered before leaving her room.

Now, only one more angel wing member was left to rescue...hold on a little longer, Chitose.

What can I say? I like it when I put in a few twists here and there. Also, I felt that the Priestess arcana would fit Vanilla the most.

Next time! Arnold continues with his social links whilst Vanilla recovers.