I own nothing. Monika does.
The Phantom Thieves met up the next day, ready to figure out exactly how they were going to send the calling card. Sayori had to admit she was rather nervous. They were all going to be really busy now, and she wasn't sure she was quite ready yet. Still, they had to keep moving forward. What was the point, otherwise?
At the meeting, Makoto was the first to speak. "All that's left is the calling card, right? We should send it out at once."
"I would agree, but it will not be an easy task this time," Yusuke said, looking down with a troubled expression.
"Yeah, nobody actually knows him…" Ann trailed off.
"I guess we should send out the calling card…" Ryuji muttered.
"Now the question is, how do we deliver the calling card to him?" Yusuke asked.
"Yeah, we don't know where he lives…" Ann began.
Makoto felt it was her time to make a suggestion, as nobody else had any ideas. "Why not use the same method as before?"
Sayori felt confused. "Before? Didn't we just say that we shouldn't do that?"
"No, that's not what I meant. You'll find out later. Ryuji needs to come with me to do it though…" Makoto trailed off. "Sayori, now that I think about it, I might have use for your creative mind as well. Can you come along?"
Everyone looked confused, but nevertheless decided to follow the student council president's advice. Honestly, after witnessing her skill in the Metaverse, they were all too frightened to find out what would happen if they didn't. The thieves departed for the day, while Makoto dragged Sayori and Ryuji with her.
"You got home late last night. Did anything happen that I should know about?" Goro asked the next morning. Exiting the kitchen, he brought a small bowl of cereal over to her. "I think it might be time to go food shopping again. I've been so preoccupied lately."
Sayori nodded in acknowledgment to his last comment. "I'm sorry for staying out so late. I had to make sure of something at the… Gardening Club." The girl looked down shyly before she began to eat her food. Her nervousness outweighed her hunger, but she knew that if she didn't eat now she would regret it later. Afterall, she needed all of her strength for the heist.
"It's not a problem. Just try to be more mindful of it in the future," the detective replied, picking up the remote. As he began flipping through channels to the news, he noticed out of the corner of his eye Sayori slightly perk up, as a happy blush began to spread across her face. Silently admitting to himself that it was rather cute, Goro also couldn't help but wonder why she was so happy all of a sudden. That is, until he stopped on the news channel.
"It seems that once again the Phantom Thieves have left their mark. Calling cards have appeared all across Shibuya. They're everywhere!" The camera zoomed away from the reporter to show the walls of Shibuya covered in the Phantom Thieves' latest stunt. Goro's hands began to tremble as he noticed the target's name at the bottom of the screen. Junya Kaneshiro… Sayori, what did you do?
As the news continued to cover the crime lord's calling card, Sayori's smile seemed to grow even larger. "I've heard a few rumors going around school. Apparently a lot of my classmates have been coerced out of a lot of money. From the description on the card, this is probably the guy. I'm glad he's going to be taken care of. I don't know what I'd do if something like that happened to us." The girl traced circles on the rug with her index finger, looking down with a smaller smile now.
That statement was enough to make her roommate's heart feel as if it had stopped. Sayori, is that what happened?! Goro forced himself to remain calm, even though on the inside, he wanted to throw a chair out the window, and probably pull his hair out for good measure. If he had known about this earlier… Kaneshiro, you dumbass!
How could such a pathetic waste of space in this stupid operation make such a horrible error? Targeting the roommate of your boss's number one hitman... Good informants, my ass! The detective continued to silently brood. There was no doubt he was going to receive yet another phone call… Though what exactly would he need to do this time? Would he need to go as far as to perform a hit on Kaneshiro?
Akechi's swarming thoughts distracted him. This was why he didn't notice Sayori until she had to resort to pinching. "Ow! What was that for?"
"I'm sorry. You were just really quiet for a second there. I wanted you to know that I'm going to go ahead and get to school. I can get groceries on my way home today, if you want." The girl's kind smile that normally was enough to melt the thick layer of ice in his heart had lost its effect.
"Yeah. Do what you feel is necessary," The detective hid his rather somber expression behind a layer of hair.
Sayori noticed the change in demeanor. She wondered what it meant. He's probably just grumpy that the Phantom Thieves got to bring Kaneshiro to justice first. Nodding in assurance to herself, the girl was about to head for the door when another thought struck her. "Hey, Goro?"
"What is it?"
Before Akechi could really process what was going on, Sayori was holding him in a tight hug. "I don't think I've said this enough lately. I'm really grateful for all that you've done for me. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you. Thank you."
Goro Akechi once again felt stunned. It finally occurred to him why Sayori wouldn't tell him about what had happened with Kaneshiro. The answer was enough to make his heart feel a bit lighter. Hugging her back just as tightly, he swallowed the lump forming in his throat. "Be careful today, Sayori."
Although Sayori knew that Goro thought she wasn't a Phantom Thief, she liked to think that his last words for her today were for the heist. She practically ran to school with that thought in her heart. She couldn't wait to get started. Don't worry, Goro Akechi. It doesn't matter how scared or useless I feel right now. I'll happily do this for you!
"The calling card's been posted all over Shibuya," Morgana began. Despite everyone else's relaxed demeanor, Sayori could sense the tension that sentence had created. It was now or never. Just as predicted, seeds of doubt were beginning to form in her stomach, but she chose to be numb to them.
"A good idea, no?" Makoto inquired, seeming quite sure of herself. The idea was in fact genius, and Sayori knew that Makoto was being modest. "Given the theatrical nature of this one, Kaneshiro must surely have been contacted about it."
"You truly are the brains of the Phantom Thieves operation! Ryuji, you should follow her example!" Morgana exclaimed.
"Y'know, I'm the one who went postin' it everywhere, right!?" Ryugi shot back. "I even had to get all dressed up so they wouldn't notice me!"
"Guys, don't fight! I'm nervous enough as it is!" Sayori whined. Despite her stubbornness, the more they talked, the more shot her nerves became.
"We don't have time for this," Makoto muttered. "You two, listen to Sayori's advice and kindly stop speaking. Let us get moving."
"We're going up against a truly horrible criminal this time…" Ann added. "We can't have tension make our valiant defense sick with nerves."
Ryuji had a look of determination on his face. "You got that right! That dick ain't gonna stop us now that we have two awesome new members!" Looking at the said members, he made sure to confirm one last thing, "You two remember how all of this looks?"
"Well, I mean I've already witnessed it. Why wouldn't I remember?" Sayori asked, a confident smile appearing on her face.
"Once we steal the treasure, the Palace will crumble and the Palace ruler's heart will change," Makoto confirmed.
"Wow, you got that quick! I think Ryuji's still struggling to comprehend it all," Morgana began.
"Don't you dare! What did we literally just say?!" Ann asked, an angry expression on her face.
The cat looked shocked, before looking down in slight shame. "Sorry, Lady Ann."
"Anyway," Makoto began, choosing to ignore the blossoming argument. "As I was about to say… Evil adults are nothing more than garbage, and I am no better… I will resolve this, I swear it!"
"Yeah, let's go!" Sayori cheered, happy to move on from the fighting as well.
"Sounds like you both are fired up," Morgana commented. "All right, Joker! Give us the signal!"
"Let's do this," Akira agreed. Opening the app, the Phantom Thieves of Hearts triumphantly entered the Metaverse, ready to take on their target.
"Is that Kaneshiro!?" Queen asked. The group had only just entered the Vault, and already they had found a troubling new obstacle. Remembering what happened last time, Valiant got out her shield, preparing for the worst.
"He was waitin' for us!" Skull exclaimed. The group knew there was no getting around it. They all ran to meet with their foe, hopefully for the last time.
"A safe!? This wasn't here the last time we came!" Mona exclaimed. The giant metal door's combination keys were swivelling around at a tremendously fast way. How would they get to the treasure without serious injury?
"He changed the entire room so quickly…" The cat creature stated, shocked. "I guess this Palace isn't a bank for nothing."
The group looked as Shadow Kaneshiro stepped up to meet them. The confident look on his face made them all grit their teeth. "Greetings," he spoke. "Welcome to my private city bank." Three Shadows that looked like his lackeys in the real world stepped up beside him. "I'm surprised you made it here alive. It seems you are quite lucky."
"Lucky? Don't be ridiculous," Queen replied. Valiant nodded in agreement. It was skill that had gotten them this far.
"We're gonna change your heart and make you confess everything you've done," Skull cockily warned. "That'll save all those people who're suffering 'cause of your shitty actions. Even the police are strugglin' to deal with you, so this'll make the public believe in us too!"
"Those in power work the ones below them to the bone for money. Such is the hierarchy of the world," Kaneshiro stated. It probably sounded like a logical fact to him. The Phantom Thieves were disgusted. "Just accept your fate as a source of my wealth!" He exclaimed, an enraged expression finally revealing itself on his face.
"We'll never agree to that!" Fox answered angrily.
"And hierarchy? You have to be out of your mind," Panther added.
"All of that was forced on me too, you know!? I went through shit until I crawled my way out of the dregs! Now it's my turn to profit on everyone else!" Kaneshiro Thieve's felt their skin crawl.
"Still! Don't you think you're getting back at the wrong people?" Panther asked. Not that it really mattered what he thought right now. Either way, his heart was about to be stolen.
"What a pitiful man," Queen commented. Valiant cringed. Alarms went off in her head that told her that was the wrong thing to say.
"It doesn't matter whether you're clean or dirty! Only the clever come out on top!" Shadow Kaneshiro became more defensive. "The strong and the smart devour the weak. That is the natural order of things. You damn brats who think you know the world through the shit you read online will make perfect prey."
"He is utterly hopeless," Queen remarked.
Valiant began to tune the wicked man out. He was saying a lot of things about fools, but the only fool here was him. She had to agree that he was a rather hopeless hypocrite.
"Will you just shut it already!?" Skull interrupted the tirade. Valiant nodded happily. She felt herself getting dumber every time Kaneshiro opened his mouth.
"I guess there's not much point saying anything to you fools!" Kaneshiro exclaimed for the hundredth time. "This is where my gracious lecture ends. Now then, I hope you're ready to work as slaves here for the rest of your lives."
"That's outrageous!" Fox dismissed.
"Yeah, everything that comes out of your mouth is so ridiculous. Your stupid web of foolishness and lies is about to be destroyed," Valiant exclaimed. She had to admit she was proud of herself fore coming up with that one.
Shadow Kaneshiro only snickered. "I'm gonna swarm all over you… and squeeze out every last penny!" The man then went through a horrifying transformation. Everyone looked in confusion and alarm as he rubbed his hands together and made horrifying buzzing noises. He coughed up black ooze as wings sprouted out of his back. His associates all screamed and ran away.
When he looked up, revealing his now bug like eyes, Valiant wanted to kick herself. He's a fly. Of course I had to make a spider metaphor about him. That's my fault for giving him too much credit.
"I can take care of this myself. Wassup yo!? Now come get some!" The ugly man exclaimed.
Valiant cringed, reminded of a quote from her book. It's like his mouth is making sounds, but no words are coming out.
"You filthy fly on dirty money… Get the hell out of my face!" Queen made a swatting gesture, revving up her bike.
Shadow Kaneshiro just laughed maniacally. "Aight, here we go, yeh pieces of shit!"
The fight from there was a strange mixture of terrifying, frustrating, and ridiculous. Valiant did her best to offer support, determined to take the crook down. It had always been a strange feeling, having a Persona, but the energy she felt at that moment was especially electrifying. The noble thief wondered if her teammates always felt like this during an especially hard battle.
"This fly is so hard to swat," Valiant muttered, raising her shield as she did her best to dodge his volleys of shots.
"Now you're getting the hang of it," Mona exclaimed, boosting her health as a reward.
Valiant felt herself smile back at the cat creature, only for her expression to drop when she felt something in the air. Looking at the humanoid fly, her eyes widened when she noticed a grin on his face. Was he planning something? The disgusting thing was eyeing both her and Queen.
It was then that the fly finally launched his own attack. A swirling purple mass then came out of the Shadow, inflicting both girls with an uncontrollable fear. Valiant kneeled down, her breaths coming in short gasps. She was pumped up on adrenaline in the worst way possible. Distantly, she also heard Queen going through the same thing, mumbling about her own fears that they would not succeed.
She felt Fox begin to shake her, trying to get her to snap out of it, but Sayori already felt that she was on a completely different plane. What am I even doing here? I want to go home! But which home did she even want to go to now? I'm never going to go home. I'm going to die here…
Her thoughts were blending together into one massive feeling of panic and unstableness. She was going to let everyone down. I can't do this… I just want to get home… I just want everyone to…
"I'm going to help you guys out!" Out of the void came a different voice, yet it was strikingly familiar. Sayori let out a small unnoticeable gasp. This was the voice that was inside of her all along. Yet again, Psyche was speaking to her. The girl didn't know what was going on, so she continued to listen as the world around her faded in and out.
"After all of these long years… Thank you for raising me up. I won't be a hesitant coward anymore… " Sayori felt a familiar feeling rise up inside of her. By hearing her inner voice talking, perhaps to someone else, the girl was overwhelmed with feelings of companionship and love.
"It's really a funny thing. Being around you made me realize something I knew all along…" Psyche sounded normal now, older somehow. Sayori wondered what memory she was peeking in on. What was she being shown? However, the desired effect had obviously happened, as Sayori immediately felt the fear wear off. Her vision cleared, and she found herself looking up at Yusuke's worried face.
"Valiant, are you alright?" he asked, staring up at something behind her. Sayori followed his unmasked gaze, and found a ridiculous sight. Shadow Kaneshiro now seemed to be break dancing on top of a giant robot piggy bank.
"Yeah. I'm fine, Fox." The girl reached up to push her hair away from her face, only to notice something off. "Where'd my mask go?"
"I have it right here," The artist held up her mask. 'It fell off when Kaneshiro hit you. Your persona has been acting rather strange while you were out. Thankfully, Panther took some of your place."
Valiant quietly put her mask back on, noticing that Queen was still in action. Obviously, her fear had worn off earlier. "Did I miss anything important?"
"Not really. Just the unveiling of that ridiculous monstrosity." Fox looked in disgust at the robot that had recently taken a bit of damage. "I got so abhorred looking at it that I needed to look at something else for a little while. I never noticed, but compared to most things in this bank, your mask is rather intricate."
"Um, thank you," Valiant got back on her feet. "We should get back to the battle."
"Indeed."
The two ran back, Valiant landing a large hit on the robot's metallic surface. It was then that she noticed a slight increase in her strength. Ripping her mask off, raising her shield, the electricity in the air almost overwhelmed her. It was hard to say whether she should call it her persona's power, or her own power. All she knew was that it was exhilarating.
Watching proudly as Akira finally landed the finishing strike, Valiant felt the victory in her heart. I shall be your sword and shield, my friends, supporting you until the end.
"We're gonna do something about that distorted heart of yours… Free of charge," Ryuji proclaimed.
Shadow Kaneshiro was sat upon a stack of massive gold bricks, as his massive pig machine was destroyed. "Seriously? You guys don't have any tact. Especially with that incredible power… These palaces could net you loads of cash! You could do whatever you wanted to people's hearts!" exclaimed Kaneshiro, with a legitimate sense of disbelief.
"We're not like you!" shouted Ryuji.
"Where do you find meaning in that naive sense of justice…? You know, there's already someone out there taking full advantage of what Palaces have to offer…" Kaneshiro said, grinning.
The team were all puzzled, but Sayori in particular started to get worried. There was only one other person she knew with the ability to enter Palaces.
"I'll let you in on a little something…" said Shadow Kaneshiro, looking up at the thieves. "There's a criminal using other people's Palaces to accomplish whatever they damn well please. They don't care about consequences. Psychotic breakdowns, mental shutdowns… Anything goes."
"Is that… the same person Madarame's Shadow spoke of…? The man in the black mask?" inquired Yusuke.
"Spill it! Who're you talkin' about!?" shouted Ryuji, agitated.
Shadow Kaneshiro chuckled. "Don't even bother. You are nothing compared to them… Better be careful… A chance encounter with them could prove fatal…" Shadow Kaneshiro faded away with one last grin, in a flash of rainbow light.
"We can think about that later! Grab the Treasure; there's no time!" shouted Yusuke. The team jumped into action. However, Sayori's panic only rose from this point onward. The more she thought about it, the more it made sense.
Could it really be… Goro!?
I hope I did that right. I probably have no idea how Personas work, but I've seen people do similar things in other fanfics. So if you want something to blame, blame my laziness to not just wiki something. Anyway, I hope you enjoyed this week's chapter. Please read, review, and I'll see you all next time.
