Here we are again, folks! Few things first.
Thanks to RosyMiranto18 (Thanks once again! I hope you continue enjoy) and TwilightKnight17 (Thanks so much for your reviews, I'm so glad you're reading and enjoying this story!) for reviewing along with all 23 followers, 15 favorites and 2,348 readers!
So, this chapter is shorter than a lot of the previous chapters (a lot of them, this chapter is probably only longer than the prologue and nothing else), but I can promise the next two chapters will be the longest chapters yet to make up for it!
Fair warning though: I will be on vacation next week, so an update next week is possible, but I cannot guarantee when it will be posted, or if it can be. So, there's a chance there will be no chapter next week, sorry folks.
Anyway, this chapter is short because it is the rest of the infiltration of the museum, which is how I will be handling most Palaces from now on. I will skim the beginning parts, explain the traps/puzzles that must be solved with more detail and the most detail will go to Awakenings and boss fights. Hopefully you guys won't mind too much, I just don't think focusing on something that doesn't change is worthwhile.
That's all I can think of. Enjoy!
The next day found Miku making the journey to Kosei on her own to pick up Yusuke. She had been sent (Ryuji and Akira found the phrasing hilarious. It's not like she was going on an undercover mission or anything…) to bring Yusuke to the 'hideout' (she still didn't consider the walkway a good hideout, but whatever…) because she felt a kind of kinship with Yusuke and wanted to talk to him.
Goro hadn't protested, which allowed Akira to be convinced she could go.
He probably thinks Yusuke can help me…Miku thought as she finally reached the front entrance to Kosei. Probably the same way as Chika thinking Chidori-san can help me…
Miku was startled out of her thoughts when the bell rang, and several students began to leave the school.
She easily spotted Yusuke, he was so tall, had blue hair and dressed differently so it wasn't too difficult, and waved at him once he spotted her.
"Hi Yusuke." She smiled.
"Mikumo." Yusuke nodded in greeting, sporting a small smile of his own. "What can I do for you?"
"We're all meeting today, and Akira asked me to show you the way." Miku answered.
"Of course, then lead away." Yusuke waved her towards the direction they needed to go.
Miku found herself giggling and relaxing as she placed her arm in the crook of Yusuke's own and began to drag him off. The taller boy stumbled as she pulled at first only to right himself and share in her giggle, as it was a ridiculous moment.
"You're okay at Madarame's, right Yusuke?" Miku suddenly asked, breaking the silence that fell over them. "You're not in any danger, are you?"
"No…I simply made Madarame believe that I am remorseful of my actions and have claimed the painting I have started is for him to use." Yusuke shook his head.
"What painting?" Miku asked curiously.
"It is a painting Awakening my Persona inspired in me." Yusuke answered. "It is a series of icicles as I saw them within my soul through Goemon. He confirmed that they were accurate."
"That sounds really pretty. I'd love to see it." Miku smiled. "Though it must be weird for you, suddenly having another presence in your mind."
"It is a bit difficult. How did you adjust?" Yusuke curiously asked.
"Well…Nimue is just another facet of me, so she's basically another side of my thoughts." Miku explained. "Anything she says is something I think. But at the same time, she's a separate entity that I identify as Nimue. It took a little time, but now it's like she's always been there."
"I see…" Yusuke nodded thoughtfully. "I was wondering, Mikumo, are you an artist?"
"What, why would you ask that?" Miku asked, surprised.
"The way you acted when I attempted to paint Ann…you were in a state of concentration similar to my own." Yusuke explained. "I was curious if you were in fact an artist as well."
"Well, in a sense, yes. I'm a song writer and…I guess watching you work helped me focus on my own work." Miku shrugged. "I've been in a bit of a block, so it was nice to have some inspiration to work with."
"I see…in that case, you are allowed to come when I am painting, if it will help you in your own artistic endeavor." Yusuke offered with a small smile.
"S-seriously?!" Miku cried, shocked.
"But of course. I am happy to help a fellow artist in need." Yusuke nodded.
"Thanks, I may just take you up on that offer. I'll even treat you to food to help fatten you up, you twig." Miku grinned as she nudged Yusuke with the elbow she had resting against his own. "Now come on, the hideout's this way."
With that, the two made their way to Shibuya Station.
Once all seven thieves were together, they made sure to explain everything about the Metaverse to Yusuke, so he could understand it all and Akira gave him his new gear. Specifically, Yusuke was given a toy katana that looked impressive in Miku's opinion and a model assault rifle, which Ryuji had to be shushed over how loud he was being over how cool the model was (they did NOT need the police setting their sights on them because, again, they're in PUBLIC).
After a bit more discussion and explanation, Akira announced they were ready to head into Madarame's Palace for the day.
Once they were in the Metaverse, Mona spoke up as he turned to Yusuke.
"Oh yeah. We haven't decided on the new recruit's code name yet." He pointed out.
"It has to be 'Kitsune'. You know, with that kitsune mask and everything." Panther insisted.
"Hell yeah. That really leaves an impression." Skull nodded in agreement.
"I think that's a bit too literal, Panther." Raven chuckled. "Though I can't say a code name like 'Ninja' would be much better." As Joker moved to speak, Raven raised a single finger to his lips. "One ninja pun, and I slap you."
Joker was instantly silent, to Skull, Panther and Mona's awe. Joker never stopped when he was going to make a pun (they learned that fairly early on, especially with all the puns he spammed when their group chat wasn't serious).
"Are you talking about me?" Yusuke questioned as he turned to the more experienced thieves.
"Yes. Over here, we do not want to yell our real names, in case it effects the thoughts of the Palace ruler's real self. So, we use code names instead." Crow explained before he turned to Mona. "Did I remember everything?"
"Yep, good job, rookie #1." Mona grinned before he turned back to Yusuke. "Over here, we are Mona, Joker, Skull, Raven, Panther and Crow."
"Is there a name you prefer we call you?" Joker asked, changing the subject. Yusuke crossed his arms thoughtfully before he answered.
"I'd say 'Da Vinci'." He answered.
"Nope." Skull vetoed.
"And why not?" Yusuke asked, confused more than offended. Joker had to give him props for that.
"Well, you've got that mask like Panther said…and there's that weird tail…" Skull hummed to himself before he grinned brightly. "Alright, you're 'Abura-age'!"
Mona and Joker instantly stifled their laughs while Raven and Crow sent the blonde boy equally deadpan looks of disbelief. Panther looked like she wasn't sure who she should join.
Yusuke, however, shocked them all.
"Very well." He said, stretching his neck as he did so.
"He's agreed to it!?" Mona cried, hopping in the air and waving his arms.
"Is this actually happening…?" Crow whispered in disbelief to Panther.
Joker looked as if he was ready to fall over from stifling his laugh. Raven looked confused as to whether she should support Joker, who was falling slowly closer to her, or to literally roundhouse kick Skull in the head for the suggestion.
"It's decided then: Abura-age." Skull grinned happily.
"Nuh-uh! Not happening!" Panther cut in. "Raven?"
"Happily." Raven scoffed as she kicked the back of Skull's good knee, sending him to the ground. "Idiot, don't suggest something like that when you know what Yusuke's like!" Even though her words were harsh, Raven made sure she helped Skull back to his feet and that he was steady before she moved to knee Joker in the gut. "Now stop laughing and take this seriously!"
"We cannot call him after some food, Skull." Crow sighed. "Calling him 'Abura-age' would be the same as calling him 'Inari'." Seeing the look in Joker's eyes, the brunette narrowed his own. "We are not calling him 'Inari', so don't even suggest it."
Joker visibly deflated before he actually took the time to think about it.
"What about 'Fox'?" He finally suggested.
"I like it." Panther nodded in agreement.
"Not bad." Skull admitted as he stretched his arm.
"Short, sweet and to the point, I'm in." Raven agreed.
"It's not food, so I agree." Crow shook his head with a fond smile.
"What do you think, Fox?" Mona asked as he turned to the newest thief.
"It's acceptable." The newly christened Fox stated.
"That's Yusuke for 'yes', so let's move!" Skull pumped his fist in the air.
"Alright, follow me." Joker grinned as he led the way in.
The thieves made their way to where Joker, Skull, Raven and Crow had made it last time, taking every fight they could afford to on the way, for the sole purpose of training Fox so he was better acquainted with their fighting styles, as well as his own.
Of course, the outlandish statue of gold Shadow Madarame deserved some mocking on their part. Fox had remarked how he wished he had a paintbrush or even a marker to mark the statue, so it matched the repulsiveness of who it was based on.
Panther and Crow had been shocked to hear that, but the rest of the thieves almost died from laughter.
They continued on this way for some time, however it took them another day to reach the next trap waiting for them.
"What a giant painting…" Panther commented as they reached said painting of a blurry landscape after making their way through a laser maze.
"I have a bad feeling about this…" Crow trailed off uneasily.
"Indeed. It bears such a bizarre texture as well. It's as though I could simply slip inside…" As he spoke, Fox reached a hand out towards the painting…only for his hand to actually slip inside. "Wh-what the!?"
"Bad feeling confirmed." Raven sighed.
"So we can go inside of this painting…?" Mona questioned, as if to confirm it.
"Uh, is that really a good idea?" Skull questioned. Joker stepped in front of Mona to prevent whatever biting comment the cat had planned for that.
"I can't see any other way out of this maze, so we might as well try." He said aloud.
One by one, all seven thieves jumped inside, only to hear…
"How dare you trample on my tranquil bamboo garden with those grimy feet! You shall not leave alive!"
"What the heck was that…!?" Skull and Raven cried in unison as the thieves looked around for any sign of Shadow Madarame.
"We're probably just hearing Madarame's thoughts. There's no need to panic." Mona reassured them.
"Madarame…" Fox trailed off, looking down. Panther and Raven gently squeezed each of his shoulders at the melancholy in his voice. "Never mind. Let's head in this direction."
Trusting the artist's intuition, the thieves followed him to the left…and ended up in another painting.
"Oh…we're in another painting…" Panther stated with wide eyes.
"Hm…so this space is not merely one, but a multitude of paintings." Fox nodded thoughtfully, placing a finger to his chin in contemplation.
"…you're tellin' me they're all connected? Which one goes where?" Skull asked, confused.
"If I study the painting enough, I should be able to figure it, if I knew where the connections were…" Fox trailed off, a frown pulling at his lips.
"Say, Joker, couldn't you use your third eye to see the connections?" Mona suggested.
"Hmm…" Joker hummed as he briefly closed his eyes only to open them, revealing his obsidian irises were gold. "Yeah, I see them."
"Then if you tell Fox where the connections are, could he not then lead us to where we need to go?" Crow suggested.
"That is an excellent idea, Crow." Fox smiled. "Joker?"
"I'm in." Joker grinned. "Let's see…there's only one other connection besides the one we just came through, over there." As he spoke, Joker pointed out the exact spot.
"Where do you think it'll lead, Fox?" Raven asked curiously.
"Based off the fact that there are no other paintings here and the location of the connection, I believe it will lead us out of here." Fox answered as he led the way to the connection. Sure enough, once he reached it, Fox stepped out of the painting as easily as he stepped in. Once he did, and the thieves joined him, he turned back to the painting. "So he dares call us thieves who dirty his heart…the one who has sullied the very nature of art itself has no right to accuse us of such a thing…!"
"Save your emotions for later. We have to keep moving!" Mona reminded him as he began to lead.
"Of course, my apologies." Fox shook his head.
"Don't ever apologize for how you feel." Panther scolded as she grabbed Fox's arm to pull him back. "We fight because of how strongly we feel, so don't be afraid to show them."
"Never mind that we're all emotional basket cases in some shape or form." Raven smirked as she wound her arm through Fox's. "A little emotion never hurt anyone, so don't feel bad."
"Thank you. You're very kind." Fox smiled.
"Hey, you're our friend, don't worry about stuff like that." Joker grinned as he waved them on.
"Yeah, man, you're cool." Skull added with a nod.
"We're simply low on time and Mona's stressed." Joker explained.
"We're a team, so we need to work with each other." Crow said. "That includes helping with our emotional outbursts."
Fox chuckled as they moved along.
In the end, they needed to take out a guard, gain a password that was 'Madarame's feet', which was more disturbing than anything else even if the password did turn out simple once they reached that awful gold statue, and use it to turn off all the annoying lasers, as well as lift all the shutters blocking their way.
Of course, once they found a safe room, they retired for the day after that.
It was the next day, May 25th, however, that they found the trap that the first painting only hinted at.
The next day, the seven thieves found the room they had been heading for, and the trap that waited within.
More giant paintings, with some filled in and others blank. With Fox's artistic sense and Joker's third eye, they should've easily made their way through.
The problem came when they entered each painting and found they could hear Madarame's thoughts once again.
"Alas, this world is a desert filled with laymen who cannot understand true beauty…! The slow drain of my skill is inevitable when I am surrounded by such mediocrity…"
"The gods, even in their dormancy, are worshipped constantly…people gather under shrine gates, offer their money, and return home fully satisfied. Art is practically the same. In the end, it is all just a matter of imagination…!"
"Hard work is not what makes a sapling grow thick with green leaves. Too many young people do not see the true value in youth these days. What fools…is it truly wrong for an expert such as myself to capitalize on that youth before it wastes away?"
"Could a ship skirt across the ocean if its crew had to constantly worry about what sea life may lie below? Art, life, water…they are all identical. The one who ascends to the summit is the victor!"
"Beauty is merely a mirage…transforming that into money is what brings about true happiness. My fine mansion, my lifestyle among the chosen few…those things are the true 'art'!"
Of course, each thief had a very angry response to each thought they heard.
"…So, he's gonna blame the world for his declinin' skill? Heh, that bastard never had any real talent to begin with!" Skull.
"If you start to lose inspiration, you're supposed to work even harder to find it again, not to blame the world and use plagiarism to get by!" Raven.
"Huh!? Even if that's true, that doesn't give you the right to be deceiving people!" Panther.
"What the heck? He's basically saying he's jealous of young talent…look at me! I was turned into a cat, but I'm still fighting! Age isn't a valid excuse!" Mona.
"Using human beings as your 'art'…that is no way to treat anyone, they aren't some stepping stones to your victory!" Joker.
"Someone the public looks upon so fondly turns out to be a criminal with no remorse for his crimes and plans to continue them…I hate people like you!" Crow.
"So, running your atelier out of a shabby, run-down shack was simply an act after all…how foolish I was to have been deceived for so long…" Fox.
"Fox…" Panther trailed off as the newest thief spoke.
"That's why we're gonna change his heart!" Skull grinned.
"He will not get away with his crimes any longer." Crow promised.
"And you'll be safe from him and his influence." Raven added.
"This job is about helping you as much as it stopping Madarame." Mona reminded.
"We've got your back, so let's take this guy down a peg or two. And make up for all the years you were blind to what Madarame's done." Joker offered.
As each thief spoke, they crowded around Fox and pulled him into a hug, which shocked the artist greatly. It was obvious to Joker he wasn't used to such physical affection. He could see Fox was tearing up, though he pushed his mask aside and wiped his eyes before he returned their hug with a thankful smile.
They stayed like that for a little bit before they broke apart and agreed to continue the next day. They had four days left until they needed to send the card and steal the Treasure. They were close, they could afford another day.
When they returned on May 26th, they found what lied beyond the door at the end of the portrait, or as Fox called them "meaningless self-assertations placed into picture frames", maze and the hallway beyond.
Another maze. Specifically, a MC Escher style maze that was so bright and gaudy with gold, Joker was surprised none of the thieves went blind upon walking into the maze. There were so many different levels of stairs, so many twists and turns, that, at first glance, the maze itself looked like it would take forever to traverse.
That was, if they didn't have Raven with them. Just as she had when they fought Shadow Kamoshida, Raven pressed the black pin with the white skull pin on her headphones and she was able to see the secret lying within the paths. Specifically, she could lead them through it…until they reached a certain point.
That point was when they found two 'Sayuri' paintings and Raven revealed all she could see was what she described as a choice. Crow deduced that if they chose the correct painting, the way would open for them, or Raven would be able to see it.
Thankfully, Fox could easily identify the real 'Sayuri' among all the varying counterfeits they found. With him and Raven working together, the thieves easily made their way through the second maze, with Fox identifying the paintings and Raven tracking the light that appeared from the correct painting and guiding them to the necessary warp point.
They finally reached the end of the maze and went through the door there, only to find Shadow Madarame standing in front of a cage of lasers.
"There it is…" Mona pointed out as they hid to get a better look.
"That's a Treasure?" Crow pointed out in disbelief.
"It appears hazier than I imagine." Fox commented as he rubbed his chin.
"For the time being." Mona said as he turned to the newest thieves. "Once we send the card and make Madarame aware it'll be stolen, it'll materialize like 'yoohoo!'"
"I wonder what form it'll take…" Fox said thoughtfully.
"Who knows? Bet it's something like a self-portrait." Skull guessed.
"For Kamoshida, it was a crown in the Palace." Raven reminded them.
"And in the real world, it was a gold medal." Panther added.
"The Treasure changes between the Metaverse and reality?" Crow questioned.
"We only have one example to go off of, but I guess it depends on what the Palace ruler views the source of their distortion as." Joker shrugged.
"The source of what distorted Madarame's reality this much…" Fox repeated thoughtfully.
"So, what now? Think it's safe to say we got our route set?" Skull asked curiously.
"Hmm…we know where the Treasure is, but I'm not sure that we've necessarily secured the route…" Mona trailed off.
"You mean with Madarame's presence, the guards and the lasers around the Treasure, yes?" Crow asked.
"Sharp eyes, Crow." Mona nodded in confirmation. "Forcing our way through will be difficult."
"So we'll need to find a way to steal it too…this is tougher than it was with Kamoshida…" Panther sighed.
"Come on, let's make one last push and check out the floor." Joker encouraged.
"If we could just find a control room, we'd be in a much better position." Mona stated.
"Then let us be off to this control room." Fox nodded, his eyes sparkling with fresh determination.
"Funny you should mention that…I can probably see one over there." Raven said from where she was peeking around the corner. Her hand was nowhere near her headphones as she spoke. "I believe we'll find it if we go that way."
"Gotcha. Thanks, Raven." Joker grinned before he led the way down the indicated hall.
When they found the room they needed, they managed to open the shutters and turn off the power for a few seconds, tops, but they could not turn off the lasers.
On top of that, their tampering with the electricity garnered attention from the Shadows, forcing them to act.
They got out safely, thankfully, but they still needed to find a way to steal the Treasure.
It took a bit of hunting, but they managed to find another security room. And from that security room, they reached the ceiling and used the catwalks there to find themselves right above the Treasure, where there were no lasers and a hook that could lower down towards the Treasure.
That gave Mona an idea.
If they tied Mona to the hook, turned the power off and lowered him down, they could steal the Treasure with ease. And, in order to do that, they would have to split the tasks up between the six thieves that remained.
Somewhat agreeing to the plan, the thieves made their way out of the Metaverse. As they made their way out, they agreed that Fox and Skull would work together to create the calling card, Fox's art and Skull's apparent talent in writing calling cards making them a formidable team.
And as they reached the entrance of the museum, Joker made a quick detour to the Velvet Room, smiling at Justine as he entered.
Even as he asked the twins for a fusion, Akira kept his eyes sharp whenever they graced Igor. Something about this man set him on edge, he could feel Arsene in the back of his consciousness warning him about the long nosed man specifically. The Persona appeared to trust the twins well enough.
If there was one thing Akira had learned over the course of his life, it was to trust his instincts. And Arsene was a part of that. If the Persona didn't trust Igor, then he wouldn't either.
Simple as that.
And there we are!
So, explanation time!
I have planned on Miku and Yusuke becoming close friends for a while now, because they balance each other and have similar interests, so I decided to lay official groundwork for that here. More Phantom Thief relationships will be explored as the story goes on, with some modified Confidants that involve more than just the thief and Akira being thrown in. I want these guys to be close and realistic friends, after all. How am I doing so far?
The last scene, Akira's thoughts on the Velvet Room and 'Igor', are a bit inspired by the anime, specifically a scene in, I believe, episode 7 where Ren shows a bit of mistrust to 'Igor'. I liked that, so I thought I'd nod to that with my Akira.
Also, the changing of the paintings and maze with it being Yusuke mostly leading the way was another anime nod, where I know Yusuke led them through the painting maze. Don't worry though, just because Miku had a bit of a role in leading the way out doesn't mean she'll steal the spotlight. I simply thought it would make sense that she could see the through the maze, similar to Akira's third eye. The other thieves will all be highlighted in other puzzles where I feel they fit to take Akira's 'protagonist/player character' actions.
Okay, so that's it for now! Next chapter, it's time to take on the Shadow Shogun himself! Look forward to it everyone!
Bye bye!