-The Story so Far-
After a heist in Noblecourt, our thieves come out with the Ruby Dragonstone in hand.
Now having made their way to Wellspring, they now must infiltrate the Black Market in order to retrieve the Emerald Dragonstone.
"Agh, it's so hot… I'm dyin here!" Skull said.
"This is even worse than our trip to Egypt." Panther said.
"That wasn't an Egypt trip...that was my palace." Futaba said.
"Right...it's just so hot." Skull said as they walked through the sands.
"Shut it. We're close." Therion said seeing the cave that housed the black market. "A lot of goods...but there's also a lot of guards here too."
"Yeah. Looks like the cave entrance is the only way in and out. Now how do we slip in?" Jack pondered as they saw an aristocrat with a mask approach the guards before they let him in. "So they only allow people wearing masks in, huh?"
"And I left my mask in my other pants. Excuse me for a bit...I'll be right back." Therion said running into town.
It was about 10 minutes later that Therion returned in a black mask. "There...we're all set to head in." Therion said.
"Mona, turn into your cat form and slip into my-" Skull started.
"Like I keep telling you, that's not how it works." Mona said as they headed inside. "Besides, everyone is wearing a mask here. No one even knows us."
It wasn't long before they heard screaming outside.
"They killed him!" a voice outside shouted as many people in masks ran in as Therion took the thieves into a corner as the people ran by.
"What the heck is going on?" Noir asked.
"A band of thieves other than us." Therion said. "Seems we weren't the only ones planning to raid this place."
"What about the dragonstone?" Joker asked.
"Looks like they took it along with the other valuables. They're headed for the back of the cave...they must know another way out." Therion said. "A secret way so merchants can escape if the law comes."
"Well we can't let them get away." Queen said. "Johanna!" she said summoning her Persona. "Grab onto it. We're chasing after them."
The thieves grabbed on as Queen gave chase to the thieves before reaching the back of the caves.
"We should be safe here. Ain't nobody stupid enough to chase us this far. Now to hand this to the boss-" one of them began before they noticed the thieves.
"What's the hurry?" Therion asked.
"Who are you?" one of the thieves asked.
"Just some thieves who need that stone. Hand it over." Joker said.
"You all are fools for coming after us." one of the thieves said ready to fight.
"The real fool is a thief who leads others back to their own hideout." a voice said as out of the shadows came a face Therion knew all too well…
"Boss!" one of the thieves said.
"It can't be...is it you….Darius?" Therion said shaking a bit.
"Wait...I know you." Darius said approaching. "Hahaha! Well, if it isn't Therion."
"I never thought I'd see you again, lest of all here." Therion said.
"Likewise. I heard another tealeaf was after the stones too, but I didn't think it'd be you. I'm surprised you're still kickin." Darius said.
"Still kickin? What's that supposed to mean?" Jack asked.
"Oh...let me tell you. Me and Therion...we used to be partners. But when I got an opportunity to work with a better thieving organization...I had to ditch the deadweight...off a cliff." Darius said laughing a bit.
"So you got yourself some new partners?" Skull asked.
"Partners? Not one bit. These men all work for me." Darius said.
"Work for you? Where's your sense of Loyalty?" Noir asked.
"Loyalty? That gets you nowhere in this business. But...there really is no point in reminiscing. They're all yours boys." Darius said as the thieves pounced on the Phantom Thieves as Darius headed out.
"Damn it. He's got the Dragon Stone." Skull said.
"Let's take care of these lackeys and get after him." Mona said.
"Persona!" Joker said summoning Arsene. "Arsene!"
Arsene then attacked with its chains and curses quickly dealing with the thieves before they gave chase as Darius not looking back took notice.
"Gareth, take care of it." Darius said.
"Yes, sir." a man in purple with two daggers said as he charged at them.
"These guys just don't quit. Fox!" Skull said.
"Come, Goemon!" Fox said as Goemon blasted Gareth with Ice. Fox then drew his Katana and slicedat him, doing damage. "Therion!"
"Right." Therion said running Gareth through with a dagger, finishing the man off.
"Now we can go get Darius and…" Panther said.
"It already too late...he's gone." Jack said.
"It's possible he also has the gold dragonstone." Oracle said.
"We best confirm that with Heathcote back in Bolderfall." Jack said.
After returning to Bolderfall…
"Hmm. Yet another thief. If I were to assume...they were brigands from Northreach in the Snowlands. They're no small group either, and are led by a man named Darius. They rule that town with an iron fist. And it seems they are already in possession of the Gold stone. I will make my way to Northreach first and try to gleam any information I can." Heathcote said departing.
"We'll be leaving for there soon ourselves. I need to finish this myself." Therion said.
"Same with us...he stole what we had planned to. We don't plan on letting him get away with it." Jack said.
"Guess we finally see eye to eye. Can I count on you and your ...weird group... to help me finish this?" Therion said.
"Yeah…" Jack said.
"Mr. Therion. Mr. Jack...I have faith in you both. Please be careful." Cordelia said.
"I will." Therion and Jack said as they departed.
And thus Therion and the thieves set forth one more to reclaim the Dragonstones from Therion's former partner in crime.
But Cordelia's words would not leave him and he could not hide the restlessness in his heart as he made way for Northreach and his inevitable reunion with an old friend…