Urban Legends

by Kanius

"It's coming. It's here." Said the female Revenant. A man with no memories and a Shogi woman meet again. Thieves and Revenants cross paths. Fates intertwine when dark entities manipulate and tweak the timeline. Mysteries of the dark entities will be unraveled. [A Persona 5 and Code Vein crossover with Kakegurui and Nioh elements. A sequel to Ford1114's Persona Vein.]

18. Envoys of Vein, A November to Remember

Chapter XVIII

The Envoys of Vein; A November to Remember (静脈の使節; 覚えておくべき11月)

xxxxx

Roppongi (六本木)/Minato, Tokyo (港区, 東京)/10:40 PM (JST)

"Eheheh! Skyler's body is ripe with potential for me to utilize! And what can I say? I've acquired Skyler's handsome looks." Mido-Sion announced flamboyantly, laughing to his giddy heart's content. He got scornful glares from the Thieves, Tennyo, Ivy, Jack, and Eva. "C'mon, why the long faces? You're all about to witness me implement a goddess' power into myself. I wonder what happens when I combine the power of a Revenant and a goddess. It should make for an interesting experiment."

"That won't happen!" Joker protested as he and the Thieves spread out and surrounded Mido-Sion, but the mind frenzied Engineer, Stinger, and Yakumo intercepted them.

Engineer cut off Queen and Noir. Stinger quickly intercepted Mona, Oracle, and Fox. Yakumo stopped Skull. Mido-Sion halted Joker and Panther.

"Surely you haven't forgotten Skyler's dear friends are under my control?" chortled Mido-Sion. Lifting his hands up, two swords materialized. In his right hand, he produced Sion's Regicide Blade. In his left, he held Mido's Judgment Edge. "Does anyone wish to step up and face me now?" His eyes veered from the Thieves, settling on Tennyo and Ivy. "Or, perhaps you'd be willing to volunteer, Vein Remnant? Or, does Hifumi wish to surrender her body to me?"

Tennyo frowned disapprovingly and with much contempt. "I'll never let you do what you want with his body!" Brandishing her ko-naginata, she rushed head-on with Mido-Sion.

"Hifumi!" The Thieves and Ivy called out.

Ivy wasted no time chasing after her. As Tennyo lunged for Mido-Sion, the other three Revenants stepped in and intervened on his behalf. Tennyo readied her ko-naginata, refusing to let anyone stand in her way. Engineer invoked his Ogre-Type Blood Veil and attacked Tennyo. Tennyo dodged and swung her ko-naginata, countering Engineer's demonic hand. When Stinger went for her Blood Veil, Ivy conjured spikes from the ground and stopped the metal scorpion's tail. Hound unleashed his Hound-Type Blood Veil, as the two metal hound heads went for Tennyo and Ivy.

"Hang on!" Yelled out Joker as he sent Arsène to stop the canine heads. Arsène countered the head heads's attacks with blue flames.

The other Thieves, Jack, and Eva joined in, standing beside Joker, Tennyo, and Ivy. Mido-Sion clapped his hands so loud everyone turned to face him.

"Bravo! Splendid show!" Mido-Sion cackled gleefully much to the chagrin of Tennyo, Ivy, Jack, Eva, and the Thieves. "That was quite the appetizer. Now, we get ready for the main course." With a finger snap, the Successor of the Beasts and the Virgin Born awoke as they advanced toward their adversaries.

"Great, what now?" Skull muttered.

"What else? We fight like we always have," Queen added, her attentive gaze fell on Engineer.

"We must save them," Noir nodded, not taking her eyes off Engineer, too.

"I'm going to need more than just Arsène," Joker remarked as he conjured two more Persona. On Joker's left is Satan and on the right is Lucifer. "Mido, save your laughter, because you won't be celebrating for long!"

"Ooh, is that right, Ren-ren?! Then, do come and get me!" Mido-Sion goaded the Phantom Thief leader to attack him. "Or, perhaps you'd like Annie to fight your battle since she resents me after all I've done to destroy your relationship!"

Upon hearing this, Panther's whip cracked the ground, splintering the earth with tremendous force. Angry flames burst from the whip and shot toward Mido-Sion's path. Jumping up at the last possible second, Mido-Sion evaded Panther's attack and noted her eyes burning with vexation.

"Call me Annie again… AND I'LL BURN YOU ALIVE!" Panther screamed with fury, matching the intensity of her wild flames.

"Panther, that's Sion's body you're still attacking!" Fox reminded her.

"That's right. Our priority is purging Mido out of Skyler and free the others," Tennyo stated. "Then, after that, you can burn Mido for all I care."

"Then, we know we have to do," Jack affirmed, locking eyes with Mido-Sion. "Hang on, Skyler. We're getting that bastard out of you!"

"How about we get the horror show underway?!" Mido-Sion openly declared as the Virgin Born, the three Revenants, and the Successors of Beasts attacked.

Joined by Hound, Grappler Behemoth attacked Fox and Oracle. Fox summoned Kamu Susano-o to defend him and Oracle from the giant hippopotamus-like monster. Hound drew out his greatsword, taking Fox and Oracle on.

Joined by Stinger, Abyss Leviathan attacked Mona, Skull, and Eva. Skull and Mona summoned their Ultimate Personas to hold off the giant eel. Stinger frantically unleashed her metal tail on Mona, Skull, and Eva. The Successor of the Throat conjured defense magic, protecting Mona and Skull from any damage.

"Lady Mia, you've got to stop this!" Mona pleaded to Stinger.

"Afraid she can't hear us anymore!" Skull growled as he swung his mace at her, but Stinger disarmed him with her metal tail and tossed it aside. She then ran up and punched Skull so hard, she nearly knocked the wind out of him.

Eva unleashed a whirlwind attack, knocking Stinger back. This gave Mona time to heal Skull.

"You dummy. There's no way you can beat a Revenant in a fist fight!" Mona chided him.

"First off, I wasn't even fighting with my fists! And second…" Skull then cracked a stupid grin. "What can I say? I'm a dumbass that does what his body tells him."

Mona scoffed. "Ugh, you…" He then heard Stinger's horrifying screams, prompting him to turn and watch Stinger relentlessly striking Eva with her metal tail. "We're going to save you no matter what, Lady Mia!" He took out his slingshot. "Even if I have to beat you myself." He shot and hit Stinger with an explosive, quickly drawing her attention. "Yeah, it's me, Lady Mia. You want me? Come and get me!"

Letting out a beastly roar, Stinger chased Mona.

Joined by Engineer, Zealous Ziz went straight for Queen and Noir. Clenching her fist, Queen jumped up and punched Zealous Ziz's bird visage, but the Engineer tackled her away and dropped her to the ground.

"Louis, you have to snap out of it!" Queen yelled into Engineer's face, but her pleas fell on deaf ears. Struggling to match the Revenant's strength, Queen still managed to kick him off.

Hearing footsteps approach him, Engineer instinctively dodged Noir's axe nearly splitting him in two. He turned and saw the axe-wielding disheartened Noir.

"Please don't make me do this, Louis," Noir begged him.

Scanning around, Engineer was boxed in with Queen and Noir circling him. The two ladies exchanged nods and went straight to neutralize Engineer. However, the Revenant fought back, defending against Noir's axe with his sword and using his demonic arm against Queen.

Zealous Ziz found itself cornered by Astarte and Anat. The two Personas relentlessly attacked the Successor of the Beast, holding it off from attacking the Thieves and their allies.

Separating himself from the rest, Mido-Sion sent the Virgin Born to attack Joker, Tennyo, Ivy, Panther, and Jack. Joker sent Arsène, Lucifer, and Satan to hold off the Virgin Born. The Virgin Born expelled blue miasma again, attempting to poison Joker's Personas, but they strayed away from getting caught by the creature's mist.

With his two swords drawn, Mido-Sion rushed at Joker and attacked him. Joker barely evaded being sliced apart. Interjecting on Joker's behalf, Tennyo summoned two Shogi pieces that slammed into and knocked Mido-Sion back.

"I shall exorcise you!" Tennyo declared, summoning a thunderbolt with her ko-naginata. She launched a Lightning Thorn at Mido-Sion, who barely rolled away. She fired again, but he jumped up and evaded getting struck.

"You're going to shoot me faster than that, Togo Hifumi!" Mido-Sion shifted around, mocking and laughing at Tennyo. Just then, the ground shifted under him as spikes came shooting up at him. He realized it was Ivy, who just conjured her Ivy-Type Blood Veil. "Almost had me, Vein Remnant! But, still not good enough!" He jumped over the spikes.

Ivy jumped up to reach Mido-Sion and swung her halberd. Mido-Sion countered with his swords, lifting the Judgment Edge overheard to slash her. Then, a blur quickly pushed Mido-Sion back and sent him crashing to the ground. Stirring and sitting up, Mido-Sion saw Jack with his readily drawn sword.

"Jack, you made a mistake to quit as a mercenary. We could've done great business in this timeline." Mido-Sion scoffed.

"Now that I know your true character, I think I made the right career move for me and Eva," Jack retorted.

"Ah well, allow me to finish by terminating your services permanently," Mido-Sion rushed forward and swung his two swords at Jack, who evaded close quarters fighting with the Mido-possessed Revenant.

Two hound heads materialized behind Jack as they eyed their intended target and attempted to ensnare Mido-Sion. Mido-Sion quickly swung his two swords, defending himself from the hound's bone crushing jaws. Jack rushed ahead and clashed swords with Mido-Sion. Fiercely glaring into Mido-Sion's frenzied eyes, Jack's eyes glowed blue.

"This is not quite how you wanted to duel with your friend, huh, Jack?" Mido-Sion taunted the blue-eyed Revenant.

"Shut up! Don't talk like you're Skyler Jones!" Jack angrily retorted, swinging his sword against Mido-Sion's Regicide Blade.

"Eheheh, gee you don't say?!" Mido-Sion quipped, snickering much to Jack's annoyance.

Allowing a cooler head to prevail, Jack shut off Mido-Sion's taunts. He evaded close quarters from Mido-Sion's Judgment Edge. Delivering a quick swing with Judgment Edge, Mido-Sion unleashed a powerful slash that cut through the ground and headed for Jack. Jumping at the last possible second, Jack escaped the clutches of death. He glanced past his shoulder and Mido-Sion was gone.

"Jack!" Eva called out to him.

"Eheheh! Nice dodge there, skippy!" Mido-Sion chimed in with a mocking tone.

Hearing Mido-Sion's voice, Jack turned around as a demonic hand grabbed him. Jack managed to block with his sword. Then, two similar hound heads popped out behind Mido-Sion. Jack's hounds came out and clashed with Mido-Sion's.

"Hahah, what is that all?! Why not transform into that dragon to fight me?!" Mido-Sion cackled as a metal tail materialized behind him, which he then turned loose on Jack.

Fighting off all of Mido-Sion's Blood Veils, Jack struggled to even land a hit on him. Mido-Sion rushed forward and caught Jack with a quick swipe with his Regicide Blade. Knocked off his feet by Mido-Sion's attack, Jack received a chest wound.

"Not quite Skyler's equal, are you, Jacky boy?" Mido-Sion chuckled, licking the Revenant's blood from his Regicide Blade. "Eh, ichor doesn't quite have the refined taste as a full-blood human." As he said this, his attention turned toward the Tennyo, who was tending to Ivy.

As Mido-Sion turned his metal tail toward Tennyo and Ivy, Joker fired bullets at him. With a swing with his tail, the Revenant blocked the blasts. Joker nodded to someone behind Mido-Sion. Looking past his shoulder, a pillar of flames headed his way. Mido-Sion sidestepped the raging fire, coming from Panther and Hecate.

"You just can't let bygones be bygones, huh, Annie?" Mido-Sion devilishly grinned much to Panther's irritation.

Screaming with fury, Panther and Hecate unleashed incandescent fames toward Mido-Sion. Mido-Sion jumped up, madly swinging his two swords to fight off the flames.

"HOLD STILL!" Panther screamed.

"Oh, did I strike a nerve, Annie?!" Mido-Sion cackled.

"SHUT UP!" She retorted and blasted him with Agidyne

Observing the intense fighting, Tennyo and Ivy stood poised to fight Mido-Sion. After Panther and Hecate's flames pushed him back, Tennyo and Ivy quickly ran up to Mido-Sion. Tennyo struck him with Lightning Thorn, allowing Ivy to hit him across the back with her halberd. After sending him crashing into the ground, Joker jumped Mido-Sion and put a dagger to his throat. Struggling to hold on, Joker was outmatched by Mido-Sion, who flipped him over and tossed him aside.

"Alright, no more child's games," angrily scoffed Mido-Sion. With his eyes glowing, a dark red aura formed over him. The aura pulsated like a heart's beat as the Revenant's power coursed through and augmented him. Gaining a strength and speed boost, he attacked Joker, Panther, Tennyo, Ivy, and Jack with lightning fast strikes.

None were able to discern Mido-Sion's newfound speed. He turned and smiled over his beaten foes.

"Had enough already? Gee, and I haven't even gotten started," Mido-Sion taunted them.

Upon arriving in Roppongi, the Successor of the Ribcage descended near the battles with Shinya, Nicola, Reiko, and Emily.

"Look over there! They're fighting all over the place!" Nicola pointed to the four separate conflicts simultaneously taking place.

"Alright, how are we going to split up?" Reiko asked.

"I know where I must go," Emily said as she saw Hound fighting Fox and Oracle. "What?! Why is Yakumo engaging the Phantom Thieves?!"

The Successor of the Ribcage spoke in Aurora's voice. "I sense corrupted energies within our four friends."

"Sion, Louis, Yakumo, and my sister?!" Nicola exclaimed in horror. "C'mon, we need to put an end to this fast! Mia needs me!" With that, a veil of invisible air coalesced with him and turned him back to the Successor of the Breath.

"Now you're talking!" Emily added as she transformed into the Successor of the Claw.

"But, what are those four giant monsters?" Reiko asked worryingly.

"Who cares? We'll take them down after we find Joker and the others!" Shinya said, taking out his new laser gun. "And besides, we've beaten four giant monsters already! We'll four more." He replied with a big smile exuding confidence to win over Reiko.

"Ok, you've convinced me, Shinya."

"Right, let's get in there and figure out what's going on," Aurora said.

The Successors, Shinya, and Reiko stormed into the fray, each splitting into splintered groups. Sensing Stinger's aura, Nicola went on his way toward Abyss Leviathan's location. Reiko and Aurora headed toward Zealous Ziz's location. Shinya and Emily went toward the Grappler Behemoth's area.

"YAKUMO!" Emily shouted as she dove straight into Hound, pushing him away from Fox and Oracle.

"Huh?! What the heck was that?!" Oracle was taken aback by Emily's fast entrance. "Was that an overgrown cat I just saw?"

"Yes, but who is it?" Fox asked as he and Oracle watched Emily pinning Hound into a wall.

"Hey, guys!" Shinya called out. "That's actually Emily!"

"Shinya?!" Fox and Oracle cried out in unison.

"What are you doing here? This area is too dangerous!" Fox chastised the teen.

"Not if I'm packing serious heat now. See?" He showed off his laser gun.

As her eyes lit with intrigue, Oracle leered over Shinya's laser gun. "Whoa! How did you get this?!"

"I'll explain everything later, but Emily, Nicola, and Aurora went through some big changes. And I do mean big in Nicola's case," Shinya said.

"Big changes? Something like that happened with Eva just a few moments ago," Fox realized what Shinya alluded to.

"Ok, kid. Just stick with us, got it?" Oracle instructed. "But, you gotta show me that thing in action."

"Sure," Shinya winked while posturing with his laser gun.

Taking a few mad swings at Emily, the frenzied Revenant forced her to withdraw 20 feet back. Emily extracted long red claws.

"Yakumo, it's me, Emily! Listen to me, I don't know what happened, but you're under the enemy's control!" Emily pleaded with him.

Gnashing his teeth, Hound snarled and swung his greatsword at the Successor of the Claw. Emily parried his sword slashes. Suddenly, Emily's mind became flooded with images of herself fighting Hound once before, which were likely vestiges from the other timeline.

"Why am I remembering this now? Did we fight before?" Emily wondered while parrying Hound's strikes. "I know you can hear me, Yakumo! The enemy has you under their control! Resist their control!" She delivered a claw strike that Hound countered with his greatsword. "Yakumo!"

Hearing his name uttered by this humanoid cat only irked Hound, who went to stab her with his sword. Emily briefly undid her mask, revealing her real face. Upon seeing Emily's face, Hound ceased his attack as his sword stopped a few inches from her face. Standing unfazed, Emily gazed directly at Hound.

"It's me, Yakumo! You can stop this! Resist whoever's manipulating you!" Emily pleaded to him.

Gritting his teeth, Hound struggled with his mind seemingly resisting Mido's control. Hound's eyes switched from the glowing red to their natural color. His eye color switched as he mentally struggled.

"Is he going to be ok?" Shinya asked.

"I-I hope so," Emily replied cautiously, eyeing Hound's mental struggle.

"C'mon, Yakumo!" Oracle called out. Just then, a loud beep came out of her visor. She turned toward Grappler Behemoth, whose tusks glowed with dark purple light. "Crap, the big tusked bastard's about to attack us!"

"Kamu Susano-o, come to our defense!" Fox beckoned his Ultimate Persona.

When Grappler Behemoth mounted an offensive charge, Kamu Susano-o interjected on his summoner and company's behalf. As its tusks glowed, Grappler Behemoth unleashed its Judgment Charge. Kamu Susano-o quickly struck back, hitting it with a Vicious Strike. The sword slash fazed, but merely slowed the Successor beast down.

"I don't know how long Kamu Susano-o can hold it, but we need to get Yakumo back to his senses," Fox stated.

"Doesn't mean we have to stand idly by like a couple of dumbshits," Oracle said, whipping out her laser sword. "Hey, kid. Mind showing me your new toys?" She turned to Shinya, who gladly readied his guns. He fired laser shots at Grappler Behemoth, prompting Oracle to slash the beast's back legs.

As Fox, Oracle, and Shinya assisted Kamu Susano-o, Emily embraced Hound, who lashed out and growled. He pushed her off, but Emily hugged him tighter. Hound's growls slowly ceased and the red in his eyes faded.

"Come back to us, Yakumo."

Upon arriving and attacking Zealous Ziz, the Successor of Ribcage collided with the Successor beast. Reiko convened with Queen and Noir. Reiko formed a white barrier, halting Engineer and giving the Phantom Thieves recovery time.

"Thank you," Noir said as she utilized Astarte's Amrita Shower to heal herself and Queen.

"Reiko, what are you doing here? And how are you able to do this?!" Queen asked, confounded by Reiko's sudden abilities.

"It's because of Nicola! He gave me and the others powers to beat these monsters!" Reiko replied while augmenting her barrier.

"Nicola did this?" Noir queried.

"Yeah! Now we're like Phantom Thieves!" Reiko said excitedly.

"Can't be Phantom Thieves without masks," Queen added with a slight chuckle.

Suddenly, Engineer's demon hand cracked the face of the barrier, alarming Reiko. Reiko augmented the barrier further, but a punch from Engineer's fist shattered the wall. Queen and Noir promptly rushed at the Revenant. Lunging head-on with Engineer, Queen forcefully pushed the Revenant into an infrastructure.

"Louis! I know you can hear me! Resist Mido's control!" Queen passionately yelled into the frenzied Revenant's face.

"We know you and the others have strong wills! Don't let Mido's influence overtake you!" Noir openly pleaded to him.

With Anat and Astarte's assistance, the Successor of the Ribcage pushed back against Zealous Ziz. The giant white wolf conjured electrically charged blows against the large Roc bird-like monster. In retaliation, Zealous Ziz flapped its wings and unleashed a strong wind force against Aurora and the two Ultimate Personas. The wolf cast a barrage of icicles, which stopped and froze Zealous Ziz's Redemption Acrobatics. After halting the Roc bird's attack with her Frost Bolts, the Successor of the Ribcage faced Engineer's way.

Aurora called out to the brainwashed Revenant. "Louis, you must stop attacking them! I don't know what happened, but you're under someone's control! You're attacking Makoto and Haru!"

Upon hearing Aurora's voice, Engineer snarled. This distracted him long enough for Queen to punch him hard. Queen then elbowed and swiftly uppercutted him high into the air. Engineer flew up and crashed hard on the floor. Queen then mounted Louis and reared her fist back.

"Mako-chan!" Noir shouted to her.

"Don't hesitate to strike him!" Aurora called out.

"That voice…?" Queen muttered. "That sounds like Aurora."

"Yes, Karen is somewhere safe, but myself, Nicola, and Emily have somehow reawakened our Successors powers," Aurora added. "If you and Noir truly love Louis, then you'll use any means to save him. Makoto, do what you must."

Smirking, Queen clenched her fist. "Oh yeah?" She looked into Engineer's frenzied eyes. He snapped at her hand, but the Phantom Thief swiftly punched his face.

"Louis, try and come back to us," Queen pleaded as she punched him again.

"Mako-chan, wait!" Noir called out as she slid over next to Queen. "If you keep hitting like that…!"

"I might kill him? It's better than letting that psychopath control him against his will! I'd rather that than let him be someone else's plaything!" Queen snapped, her eyes brimming with tears. Upon noticing her fresh tears, she withdrew even meeting Noir's gaze. "Sorry, I don't want you seeing me like this."

Noir smiled. "No, do what you must, Mako-chan. But, we can try another way."

"What?"

"C'mon, you'd dare ask?"

Just then, Engineer shot up and tried to wring their necks, but Queen and Noir pushed him into a wall. He struggled to break loose. With resolved looks, Queen and Noir nodded as they took off their masks and kissed Engineer's lips. Queen lip locked Engineer first, but resisted and tried biting her lips. Taking her turn, Noir kissed Engineer. With her lips meeting his, Queen quickly grabbed Engineer's crotch to try arousing the Revenant.

Reiko blushed upon seeing the romantic intercourse. "Oh, wow…"

A chuckle came from Aurora, who was still in the middle of staving off Zealous Ziz. "Well, that's one way of saving the one you love."

During Queen and Noir's romantic intercourse, Engineer's red eyes slowly faded. His will struggled to resist Mido's control, but Engineer's love for his girlfriends gave him a fighting chance.

The Successor of the Breath dropped in and punched Abyss Leviathan's face. The eel-like monster quickly rebounded and slapped Nicola back with its tail. The eel unleashed a tidal wave that crashed into the large armored Nicola. The Waves of Retribution pushed the Successor of the Breath back, sending it crashing into a heap on the street.

"Mia! It's me, Nicola!" The Successor of the Breath worryingly called out to the frenzied Revenant.

For a moment, Stinger's eyes turned to normal, but her frenzied state returned. She continued her attack on Skull and Mona. Eva eventually joined in, breaking away from Joker's group.

"I can't believe that big armored thing is really Nicola!" Mona exclaimed.

"Because he's a Successor like me! Our true potentials have been awakened in the wake of this crisis. Mido's presence is likely responsible for this," Eva stated while parrying Stinger's metal tail. "Somehow, his words had an effect on her."

"Nicola, keep talking to Lady Mia! You were able to get through to her for a brief moment!" Mona called out to the Successor of the Breath.

"Yeah, but easier said than done!" Nicola called out while fending off Abyss Leviathan.

"Leave to us!" Skull added as he beckoned Seiten Taisei, who delivered a Swift Strike to batter the giant eel and followed it with Mazionga to electrically stun the Successor beast.

"Go, Mercurius!" Mona beckoned his Ultimate Persona, who blasted Abyss Leviathan with a Magarudyne. "Keep calling to her, Nicola!"

"Mia! It's been, Nicola!" The Successor of the Breath yelled out, drawing his brainwashed sister's attention away from the heated battle.

With red eyes locked with Nicola, Stinger snarled and shot her metal tail at him. He stepped in and used his armored body to deflect Stinger's tail.

"That's not going to work on me, sis. Stop this now," Nicola pleaded. As Stinger continued attacking, he guarded himself against Stinger's metal tail. While Nicola preoccupied his sister, Skull interjected and charged up a yellow aura around him. He rushed in and rammed into Stinger, charging himself like a lightning bolt and blasting her back.

After Skull delivered his Electric Kaio-ken, Mona jumped up and shot Stinger between her eyes with an explosive smoke ball. Blinded by a billowing smoke cloud, Stinger frenzingly swung her metal tail around, missing her targets. Nicola quickly picked up and hugged Stinger.

"Sis! Please, stop this! I know you can hear me!" Nicola pleaded, hoping his heart-wrenching words can reach Stinger. For a brief moment, Stinger's frenzied state lessened. The red in her eyes faded. "Mia?"

"Lady Mia! Don't let that jerkass take hold of you and the others!" Mona cried out.

Letting out a high-pitched wail, Stinger's will seemingly started resisting the miasma's influence.

"C'mon, sis! You can do it!" Nicola encouraged her.

Witnessing the other three Revenants resisting his control, Mido-Sion didn't take anymore chances and went straight for Tennyo. Joker, Panther, Ivy, and Jack attempted to cut him off, but Mido-Sion brushed them off with his two swords. Joker fired with his Tyrant Pistol, but Mido-Sion pushed him back with his Judgment Edge. Jack went for a sword strike, but the possessed Revenant countered his blow with his Regicide Blade. After parrying Jack's strikes, the possessed Revenant conjured a bullet made of his own blood and struck Jack's with it. The Blood Bullet quickly struck Jack's side and knocked him far back.

Defending Tennyo, Ivy summoned her Blood Veil, but Mido-Sion wiped them out with a double sword swing.

"You're just delaying the inevitable," growled Mido-Sion, who rushed over and delivered a double sword strike, knocking Ivy's halberd away. After disarming the pale-skinned Revenant, Mido-Sion conjured two black orbs, which surrounded Ivy. "Now play dead, Vein Remnant!" With a finger snap, the two orbs combined into a single red sphere and exploded like a bomb, hitting Ivy full force and knocking her away. "Now, it's down to you and me, Togo Hifumi. Ren-ren and the others can't save you now."

Gazing over her fallen colleagues, Tennyo quivered with trepidation. Mido-Sion felt the young woman's fear and relished in it.

"I can feel your fear. Are you afraid of what I can and will possibly do to you with your lover's body? Well, how about I show you?!" Mido-Sion shot up and grabbed Tennyo's neck before her mind can even click and react. He seized Tennyo and flew far away, carrying her away from the others.

Joker quickly came to and called out. "HIFUMI!" He sent his Personas toward Mido-Sion and Tennyo's direction, but the Virgin Born intervened and halted the Personas. "Damn it!"

Distancing himself and Tennyo from the others, Mido-Sion slammed Tennyo against the back of an abandoned bus. With his hold tightening, Tennyo felt her strength leaving her. Discarding his mask and evilly grinning, Mido-Sion dropped Tennyo. When she tried crawling away, Mido-Sion grabbed her leg and flipped her over. He quickly mounted on top of Tennyo and pinned her arms down.

Tennyo screamed. Mido-Sion cupped her mouth shut and put a finger to his lips as if telling her to hush.

"Now, now, we can't have that, Togo Hifumi," Mido-Sion chortled as the woman had an expression written all over her face that described her plight: contempt. "Heheh, you must despise me so much. Well, you're going to hold even more contempt for what I'm going to do to you. One way or another, Sophia's power will be mine."

Between her muffled screams and her contempt for Mido, Tennyo was still looking into the face of the man she loves. Now, this same monster was prepared to use Sion's body to violate her and implant a fragment of himself into her. Recalling every beautiful and erotic intercourse they've indulged themselves in, Tennyo resisted with every fiber of her being against Mido-Sion's forceful penetration.

"With Sophia's power, I can carry out my intended wish and force humanity to evolve into my desired perfect specimens to populate the world. We can create a haven of superhumans like Revenants, leading to the dawn of a new age of superhumans! And with me on top of the food chain!" Mido-Sion declared as he grabbed Tennyo's top half of her dress and ripped off fabrics off it, revealing her breasts. "Heheh, yes based on Skyler's memories, I can see why he loves you. You have a magnificent body, Togo Hifumi. Perhaps you can be my personal experiment once I have control of your goddess powers?"

Tennyo muffled screams continued as she kicked at him. She even tried biting him, but this act of defiance didn't deter him. It encouraged him to restrain Tennyo. Mido-Sion's eyes started shifting toward the lower area of her dress.

"How about a little more before I put a little red bow on my plan?" The perverse Revenant slowly placed his hand over the lower part of her dress. As he slipped his hand under her dress, a defiant voice shouted inside his mind. "What?!"

"Leave her alone! LEAVE HIFUMI ALONE!"

Feeling his hand trembling on its down, Mido-Sion was bewildered by this involuntary action. He felt the body suddenly going against his will.

"What the hell is this?! Skyler Jones?! How are you doing this?!"

Upon seeing Mido-Sion struggling against Sion, Tennyo bit his hand again. Mido-Sion withdrew his hand away. Letting out an unbridled roar, Mido-Sion's mind was in an internal struggle between two wills: Skyler's and Mido's.

"Skyler! Resist that monster! You can do it!" Tennyo encouraged him. As Mido-Sion grabbed his head and violently thrashed around, she picked up her ko-naginata.

"Skyler Jones! You can't resist me! I have your woman now! She will be the precursor to a new age of humanity! How would you be against this next step in human evolution?! We will make a beautiful future together!" Mido-Sion berated the man whose body he's claimed.

"Because you don't make that choice! And you're about to violate my woman!"

"Heheheh, well it's not too late to do that, now is it?!"

"STOP!"

Turning around, Tennyo swung her ko-naginata at him, but Mido-Sion sized and disarmed her. He pushed her down and mounted her. He prepared to finish what he started. As he leaned in for a kiss, Mido-Sion's face contorted. His left eye turned back to normal, a sign he regained control of half of his body.

"YOU WILL NOT RESIST ME, SKYLER! ACCEPT THE FATE THAT'S ABOUT TO BEFALL HUMANITY! I WILL AUGMENT HUMAN EVOLUTION BY A HUNDRED YEARS!"

Sion's voice came out of Mido-Sion's lips. "NEVER!"

"SKYLER!" Tennyo screamed to him.

"Hifumi… please… forgive me…" Sion muttered.

Before Hifumi can offer a single word, Mido-Sion bit Tennyo's neck and drained some of her blood through his vampiric fangs. After drinking his girlfriend's blood, Sion utilized the goddess' power coursing through him to severe Mido's control.

"NO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! STOP!" The apprehensive roars of Mido came out as Sophia's power coursing through Sion's body forced Mido's contaminated essence out.

Having been forced out of Sion, the blue miasma reformed into Mido, who fell to a knee and panted hard. Gazing toward Sion and Tennyo, Mido was beside himself.

"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE, SKYLER JONES?!" Bellowed an inrate Mido, who struggled to stand. He quickly swung Judgment Edge at Sion, who didn't have time to counter.

However, Joker's Persona, Satanael, interjected and blocked Mido's attack.

"NO! DAMN YOU, AMAMIYA REN!" Mido roared as Joker, Panther, Ivy, and Jack arrived to stop him.

"You thought you could control Skyler like that? Attacking his woman was the biggest mistake you can ever make," Jack plainly said.

"Skyler, Hifumi!" Ivy called out. Upon seeing Sion holding Tennyo, he kissed her and returned the goddess' power he borrowed to purge Mido from his body. That energy was used to restore the torn upper dress Mido ripped apart.

"Hifumi, can you hear me?" Sion asked her.

As she awoke, Tennyo let out a deep gasp.

"Hifumi, thank goodness."

"So, it worked," Tennyo smiled, realizing Sophia's power saved her and Sion.

"You're fools! We could've had something beautiful to work with! With Sophia's power, we could've produced the next step in human evolution! We could've had superhumans! Something to replace the weak, feeble, and corrupted simians that currently propagate this planet! But, you'd rather let this world rot into decadence?!" Mido scornfully lambasted the group. "Skyler Jones, I thought you and your friends would understand, but it seems that living among these simpleton humans has softened you. The humans that refuse to evolve would only serve to become our food source. That's survival at its fittest!"

"You don't get to decide that. The minute you decided to experiment on people, you lose any privilege to dictate humanity's fate!" Joker said, pointing his dagger toward Mido. "Juzo Mido, we won't take your heart. A monster like you can't be allowed to exist. So, prepare to meet your end!"

As the other three Revenants' started regaining control over their bodies, white auras formed over them. Sion, too, became enveloped in a white aura, which surprised him.

"What the hell is happening now?" Mido was confounded with this new development.

"This is your power, Hifumi," Sion muttered as he faced her. "Sophia's will not only purged Mido from me, but it's essence has purified the others and granted us new power."

"That's right. I have now bestowed you the power to invoke your full potential and in turn immunize your bodies from Mido's miasma."

Upon hearing this, Sion genuinely smiled. "Is that so? Hear that, Mido? That means you can't pull another dirty trick and try taking my body again, because I'll just kick you out. Your free rent service is permanently void."

Scowling, Mido backed away. "Damn you! No matter, I'll find other ways to defeat you and your friends!"

"You can try, but you'll fail," the voice of Engineer chimed in.

As Mido turned, he saw Engineer, Stinger, and Hound float over next to Sion. The other Phantom Thieves and the Successors arrived to confront Mido.

Facing the four Successors, Mido growled. "So, you four have reawakened. This is the last thing I wanted."

"Our memories of you have resurfaced, Mido," Emily added with contempt. "We now know of all the insidious crimes you've committed from the other timeline."

"And we won't let you repeat those crimes in this reality," Aurora firmly stated.

"Because you're going to die again, Mido," said Eva.

"So, you won't hurt anymore innocent people!" Nicola exclaimed.

"You say that now, but I am not yet defeated!" Mido rebuked, swinging his Judgment Edge at his adversaries. However, the four Revenants stopped his incoming attack with a white aura.

"It's time, Vein Remnants. Awaken and become the Envoys of Vein!" Ivy called out.

Clasping her hands, Tennyo herself became enveloped in a similar white glow. Four beams of light connected with the Vein Remnants. With that, the white auras surrounding the four Revenants enveloped and changed their outfits. Tennyo's power kept Mido at bay, preventing him from attacking the Vein Remnants.

"Skyler Jones, you will become the Envoy of Matthew," Ivy said as Tennyo's power invoked Sion's power-up. The Vein Remnant then pivoted toward Hound. "Yakumo, you will become the Envoy of Luke." She then faced Stinger's direction. "Mia, you will be the Envoy of John." Tennyo then turned toward Engineer. "And Louis, awaken into the Envoy of Mark."

As the four Vein Remnants' raised their heads, the white auras washed over their uniforms and produced recolored versions of their Revenant uniforms. Their base dark uniform colors took on white and gold uniform appearances. In Stinger's case, her blue skirt became pale pink trimmed with white that nearly matched the color of her white uniform. The other Vein Remnants also gained specific colors to balance their white uniforms. Sion gained dark gray colors to go with his white uniform. Engineer gained crimson. Hound gained army green.

Upon completing their uniform color transitions, the Envoys of Vein emerged fully healed of their previous injuries and with every trace of Mido's corruption purged by Tennyo's power.

The Phantom Thieves, the four Successors, and their allies were mesmerized by the Vein Remnant's new upgraded forms.

"You look magnificent, Louis," Aurora muttered, witnessing Karen's brother adorning his new uniform.

"It looks good on you, Yakumo," Emily happily complimented his Envoy of Vein look.

"I'm loving the new you, sis!" Nicola called out.

"How do you like it, Skyler?" Tennyo asked the Revenant.

"I love it. Thanks, Hifumi," Sion kissed her.

A sly grin adorned Joker's features as he remarked. "Well, at least our colors don't match anymore, Skyler."

"Hey, you're right. The white clashes against your black and red," Sion realized.

"What? No upgrade for me and Eva? I feel insulted," Jack quipped, making light of Sion and his friends's situation. "Interesting your titles are named after the Four Evangelists and creators of the Gospel in the New Testament."

"Isn't that from Christian tradition?" Panther asked.

"That's right. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are also four of the original Twelve Apostles," answered Eva.

"Interesting that our vampire friends have titles based off religious figures," Queen duly noted the irony of supernatural creatures with powered up forms named after holy figureheads.

"You look more radiant than ever, Lady Mia!" Mona peppered her with appraisal of her new look.

"Thanks, Mona," brightfully smiled Stinger.

"Well, Mako-chan? Anything to say about our Louis?" Noir slyly smirked as she elbowed her girlfriend's side.

Queen slightly blushed and put on a tough demeanor. "Well, he does stand out better than before."

"Digging the new look, Yakumo!" Skull called out.

Hound merely smiled and nodded. He noticed Emily smiling in approval of his new look.

"Ugh, all this positive energy is making me retch!" Mido spewed his disdain of the ongoing praise of the Envoys of Vein. "I don't have control of you four anymore, but I still have the Successors of the Beasts and the Virgin Born!" With a swing of his Judgment Edge, he beckoned the five entities toward his adversaries. "I don't know how much power Sophia has given you, but I doubt it can defeat all that stands before you!"

Having assembled the Beasts and the Virgin Born by his side, Mido pointed them toward their enemies. The Phantom Thieves & their Personas, the Envoys of Vein, the four Successors, and their allies assembled as they headed off Mido's forces. Then, all hell broke loose in the Roppongi prefecture.

Leading the charge against Mido and the Virgin Born, Joker and Sion amassed Tennyo, Panther, Jack, and Ivy. Joker's four Personas quickly collided with and attacked the Virgin Born. Throwing its left claw outward, the Virgin Born tried to swipe the group away, but the Thieves and Revenants rolled away. The Virgin Born launched thorn projectiles, which Satan and Lucifer neutralized with offensive attacks. Using Diamond Dust, Satan wiped out some of the Virgin Born's Purging Thorns. Lucifer unleashed a fiery wave, wiping out the remaining thorns. After purging the thorns with its Blazing Hell, Lucifer cast Heat Riser on Satanael, increasing its strength and defense. Gathering energy through its claws, the Virgin Born tossed a fast moving beam that wiped out Lucifer.

"Joker, we can't simply destroy that creature! There's still two people inside! Louis wouldn't appreciate if anything happened to Gregorio and his daughter," Sion reminded the Phantom Thief leader.

"Yeah, I realize that," Joker replied.

Swinging his Judgment Edge with murderous intent, Mido charged toward Joker and Sion. Coming to their defense, Tennyo, Jack, Panther, and Ivy engaged the villain. Tennyo conjured large Shogi pieces, which fired lightning blasts. With lightning bolts hitting him, Panther furiously unleashed a fiery wave from her whip. With his Judgment Edge, Mido guarded himself from Panther's flames.

With unbridled and volcanic fury, Panther screamed. "YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY WITHOUT A SCRATCH, YOU SON OF A BITCH!" Her fiery rage was enough to slightly unnerve Mido.

An apprehensive look formed on Joker's face, conveying newfound fear of his wife's volatile behavior. The last time Panther showed this level of aggression was when the Yami Matter possessed her and spawned Cognitive Ann. However, her current anger has greatly surpassed that.

Upon summoning Hecate, Panther gave herself and her Ultimate Persona a Burn Boost. Augmenting their power, Panther amassed fire from Hecate and blasted Mido with Blazing Hell. Mido defended himself with Judgment Edge, pushing back against Panther's fiery wrath.

Panther furiously screamed. "BURN, YOU MONSTER!"

Noticing his own feet being pushed back, Mido was taken aback with Panther's unrestrained anger increasing her fire's power. Joker noticed Mido left himself unguarded from the back and sent Satanael to blast him with Riot Gun.

"Alright, let's see how this Envoy of Matthew works," Sion said. "Joker, Panther, I'll take it from here!" With that, he took out his Regicide Blade and imbued it with the same white aura surrounding him. He made a quick dash for Mido and jumped up. "This is for violating Hifumi and stealing my body! Take this!" He dove in and slashed Mido's upper body with his glowing white blade. He then delivered lightning fast and consecutive slashes, which broke Mido's defenses and shattered sections of his armored body. As Mido fell on his back, Sion raised his glowing blade. "How do you like that, Mido?! Not even you can handle the Will of d'Artagnan!"

Raising his face, Mido seethed at the sight of Sion, Joker, Tennyo, and the others standing their ground.

"Virgin Born! Destroy them!" Mido beckoned the entity toward the aforementioned Thieves and Revenants.

As the Virgin Born swiped Satanael, Lucifer, and Arsène away, the creature prepared an attack on the group. After sheathing his blade, Sion's body started to grow.

"Skyler?!" Tennyo watched him transform and grow.

"Besides being granted new Envoy powers, Sophia's light has bestowed Skyler, Mia, Louis, and Yakumo the ability to transform into beasts," Ivy informed Tennyo. "This is because of you and Sophia, Hifumi."

"What the hell is he turning into now?!" Panther was flabbergasted by Sion's sudden form shift.

"Based on this body structure, it's a dinosaur," Jack scanned the 11-foot tall, bipedal allosaurid theropod Sion had become.

Sion's skull grew in relation with his allosaurid head, becoming narrow and disproportionately large. The allosaurid has dark gray scales covering most of its body, black stripes covering its back, and a cream underbelly. Attached to its base arms are cream membrane-like plane made of skin, which doubled as wings. Tufts of black feathers covered the edges of its arms and the entire base of its tail.

The group witnessed ten small spikes form across Sion's back, five on the left side and five on the right.

As the Virgin Born bellowed at the allosaurid, the fierce theropod let out a loud snarl which then became a deep bellow.

"Sion has invoked his alternate beast form: the Successor of Julius Deinos," Ivy revealed.

"Successor of Julius Deinos?" Jack repeated what the Persona Vein said.

The Virgin Born and Sion quickly collided. The Virgin Born grappled the 11-foot tall allosaurid and pushed it to the ground. It fired a fast moving projectile, known as the Thorn Spear, from the energy charge in its claws, but the allosaurid ensnared the creature's front left leg and delivered a bone crushing bite, breaking off the front leg. The Successor of Julius Deion then stood up and smacked it with its feathered tail. Then, the allosaurid stomped its hind legs, sending a powerful seismic wave through the earth. Unleashing its Vasto Quake, the allosaurid quickly knocked the Virgin Born down. Then, the allosaurid mounted the Virgin Born's back, using its jaws and claws to tear open its back.

"Satanael! Pillage that monster!" Joke beckoned his Ultimate Persona as it fired a Sinful Shell through the back of the Virgin Born. Once its bullet tore through the monster's back, the Virgin Born let out a blood-curdling bellow and violently thrashed around, swiping Sion and Satanael away.

"No! NO! WHAT HAVE YOU DONE?!" Mido roared and incessantly cursed. "DAMN YOU! DAMN YOU ALL!"

On an opposite side from the Mido and Virgin Born, Zealous Ziz was losing ground against Queen, Engineer, Mona, Reiko, and Aurora. Queen beckoned Anat as the Ultimate Persona blasted the Roc bird with an Atomic Flare. The nuclear-charged beam ran a giant hole through Zealous Ziz's upper body. Mona's Mercurius used Salvation, restoring Aurora's power. Receiving a boost from Mercurius, the Successor of the Ribcage amassed lightning and a violet mist into her hands, coalescing both elements to fire her Arc Beam at the Successor of the Beast. The beam cut through and blasted off Zealous Ziz's left wing. The Roc bird attempted Redemption Acrobatics with its one wing, but Reiko conjured a barrier to stop its physical attack.

"It's about time to finish this!" Engineer declared, taking out his sword, which he imbued with the power of his white light. Much like Sion, he produced a glowing sword, but he instead ran it through Zealous Ziz's torso and slashed upward, cutting through its feathered chest. "How do you like my Blade of Athos?!"

Zealous Ziz gave a loud screeching roar as it stumbled back while covering its wound with its one wing.

"Queen! Give it a knock-out blow!" Engineer called out.

Not one to disappoint, Queen was catapulted by Anat and sent flying toward Zealous Ziz. Channeling raw energy in her right hand, Queen balled her hand into a fist and punched Zealous Ziz's face, not only shattering its skull but breaking off its upper beak with her Nuclear Fist.

"That's the way, Makoto. Now, save me some more!" fiendishly smiled Engineer as he got down on all fours. His fearsome yelling turned into a deep lion's roar. A white aura enveloped over the Revenant's body as he grew into a 6.5-foot tall Barbary lion with dark golden feathered wings.

Ivy noted Engineer's beast transformation. "The Successor of Babylon Leo."

The Successor of the Ribcage muttered in Aurora's voice. "Louis, your loyalty to your friends and devotion to Makoto & Haru has allowed you to take the form of the lion, the animal of majesty, strength, courage, and might."

Setting its sights on the dying Roc bird, the Successor of Babylon Leo unleashed a powerful roar with enough force to shake the entire vicinity. With its Vapula's Roar, Engineer blew up Zealous Ziz's head. The headless corpse collapsed in defeat.

"Yuck," Reiko expressed her disdain for the gory aftermath.

"Louis," Queen gasped as the Successor of Babylon Leo gave a victory roar. The lion then headed over to meet Queen. He leaned over and rubbed his maned face against her. She happily stroked his mane and embraced him.

"We performed spectacularly, Makoto."

"Yeah, but what about, Haru?"

Elsewhere, Abyss Leviathan was being outmatched by Stinger, Noir, Oracle, Eva, and Nicola's numbers gain. With her Bayonet rifle, Stinger fired rapid shots that pierced holes through the eel's body. She then shot her Stinger-Type Blood Veil and stabbed the base of the eel's body. Abyss Leviathan pulled Stinger along into the air.

"Hang on, sis!" Nicola called out as he hopped over Abyss Leviathan and rammed his shield into its face while using said shield to perform a spinning attack and smash it over the eel's back.

As the Successor of the Breath and Abyss Leviathan crashed on the ground, Oracle used Prometheus's Subrecover HP EX to restore Stinger and Nicola's powers.

"Thanks, Oracle," Stinger said as she readied her Bayonet rifle. "Alright, you big slimy freak! It's go time!"

As Abyss Leviathan raised its face and went for Stinger, Noir beckoned Astarte to forge Tetrakarn. The eel crashed into the barrier that Noir's Ultimate Persona conjured.

"I owe you and Oracle, Noir," Stinger added, a white aura then materialized around her. Channeling that white energy into her Bayonet rifle, she unloaded a barrage of white beams that blasted the eel back. With her eyes locked on her target, Stinger snarled. "How did you like my Bullets of Aramis, you big bastard?"

In response, Abyss Leviathan recoiled and angrily screeched at Stinger.

"You think that's all? Think again!" she dropped her rifle and like Engineer she got down on all fours. The white light spread over Stinger, transforming the blonde-haired Revenant into her beast form. Her grunts became snarls. Stinger transformed into a 5.5 foot tall snow leopard with its tail ending with a scorpion's stinger. It also has wasp wings and antennas. Uncoiling her stinger tail, Stinger howled with ferocity at Abyss Leviathan.

"The Successor of Alexandra Panthera," Ivy identified the scorpion-tailed, winged snow leopard.

As it sprinted toward Abyss Leviathan, the Successor of Alexandra Panthera lunged at the front of the eel's face. It swung around and pierced the back of Abyss Leviathan's neck with its venomous tail. Abyss Leviathan hissed and pried Stinger off its neck. Eva swiftly summoned tornadoes, which expelled enough power to knock away the giant eel.

"This is your chance! Take it!" Eva called out to the Successor of Alexandra Panthera.

With that, Stinger lunged at Abyss Leviathan. The eel unleashed its Waves of Retribution, but Eva's tornadoes blasted away the water attacks. The scorpion-tailed snow leopard quickly cut through Abyss Leviathan's body, delivering her Ose's Vespula Strike to carve through and bisect the giant eel. The Successor beast let out a pained screech as its bisected body collapsed and fell to the ground in a heap. Stinger landed on top of the eel's remains and let out a victory roar.

"Beautifully done, Stinger," Noir stated.

"Yeah, we did it, sis!" The Successor of the Breath cheered Stinger.

On the opposite side from Abyss Leviathan, Hound, Skull, Fox, Shinya, and Emily pummeled the last Successor beast, Grappler Behemoth. With his greatsword, Hound delivered quick and powerful strikes on the Grappler Behemoth. Though its tough hide could withstand most precision strikes, Hound's greatsword was imbued with his new white light, which effectively sliced through the creature's tough skin.

"We're fired up now, Seiten Taisei!" Skull boastfully yelled out, beckoning his Ultimate Persona to attack the Successor beast.

Casting Maziodyne, Seiten Taisei's electrical blast neutralized Grappler Behemoth. Fox then sent Kamu Susano-o to deliver a Brave Blade slash. With his laser gun, Shinya fired beams into the tusked beast's eyes. Emily hastily delivered consecutive claw strikes, slashing out the beast's left eye. Then, the Successor of the Claw drew out a sword and used it to cut off its left tusk, but the Successor beast charged and went for a Vicious Strike. Attempting to run its tusks through Emily, Hound dove in as he folded both arms in front.

"Get back, Emily!" Hound called her back, opening his arms up and conjuring a projectile shaped like a canine's jaws. He then invoked his Hound-Type Blood Veil to ensnare and hold the hippopotamus-like beast in stationary place.

When Grappler Behemoth's tusks glowed with purple energy again, Hound's jaw-shaped projectile collided with the beast. The powerful jaw-like force snapped and broke the beast's tusks off, undoing its ultimate defense.

"Your tusks are not a match for my Jaws of Porthos!"

"You did it, Yakumo!" Emily cheered him.

Just then, the infuriated Successor beast charged head-on with Hound. The Revenant shoved his greatsword into Grappler Behemoth's face, but the beast bit down and tossed the sword away.

"Is that how's going to be?!" Hound snarled as he got down on all fours. Much like Engineer and Stinger, his body became shrouded in white light. The light transformed him into 6-foot tall Doberman Pinscher with the massive build of a dire bear. His four legs could be described as having the amalgamated build of a doberman and a bear. Shield-ie wings adorned his back.

Taken aback with her friend's beast transformation, Emily was baffled. "Oh my god, Yakumo?!"

Ivy muttered. "And the Successor of Persian Ursine."

The bear-like doberman let out a deep roar and rushed head-on with Grappler Behemoth. As they collided, the beast traded blows. The Successor beast tried shoving its horns into Hound. Despite his large build, the Successor of Persian Ursine quickly evaded Grappler Behemoth's horns. Hound sidestepped Grappler Behemoth and focused on the latent power coursing through him. He invoked an aura shaped like a large bear. The spirit bear roared.

"Here he comes, Yakumo!" Emily wasted no time and teleported on top of Grappler Behemoth's back. She shoved her sword and claws through its back. "I've got him neutralized! Take it down!"

With that, Hound unleashed his Savagery of Marchosias, which engulfed Grappler Behemoth. The bear spirit delivered the fatal blow and crushed the Successor beast's skull, causing it to flip over on its right side.

"Yeah, we did it, Yakumo!" Emily happily cheered as Hound bellowed a victory roar.

Upon witnessing his beast vessels massacred, Mido was deeply aghast. "H-How is this possible?! They've managed to slay all three of my Successor vessels?!" Scowling, he clenched his right hand as the three beasts vanished as their essences converted into glowing red orbs, all of which represented Mido's soul fragments. He beckoned the three soul fragments toward him. He amassed the three orbs and reabsorbed them inside his body. "Now, it's time for me to lea-!"

However, the four Revenants marched toward Mido, who turned to face them. Still in their beast forms, the Envoys of Vein hastily charged and attacked Mido. Fighting and defending with Judgment Edge, Mido tried to fight them off. However, Hound delivered a headbutt, knocking Mido back. Stinger slashed him with her tail. Engineer let out a powerful roar, which repelled Mido 20 feet back. As Mido slowly stood, Sion charged into and tail whipped Mido through a nearby infrastructure.

As the four Revenants transformed into their normal selves, Sion stepped forward with Tennyo and Ivy joining him.

"Mido, don't think you're getting off easy!" Sion shouted, imbuing his hands with white light. "You're not getting away with what you almost done with Hifumi!"

"And I'll make you regret it!" Tennyo fiercely readied her ko-naginata.

Realizing they weren't giving him any chance to escape, Mido instinctively attacked and defended like his life depended on it. Sion, Tennyo, and Ivy triple teamed the Revenant scientist. With his bare hands imbued in white light, Sion unleashed the Will of d'Artagnan in the form of a white flare of light that knocked Mido back. Summoning two Shogi pieces, Tennyo sent them to deliver electrical blasts on the villain. Ivy then summoned spikes from the ground to pierce through Mido.

Tennyo didn't stop there as she unleashed a Lightning Thorn on Mido. However, her desire for vengeance wasn't satisfied. She blasted him again. And again. And again. She kept this going until Mido was unable to lift his Judgment Edge to defend himself.

"That's for taking my boyfriend's body and trying to violate me!" Tennyo responded with a chilling look and tone that could kill, possibly enough to disturb Mido, realizing he could cause Sophia to emerge and destroy him at any moment's notice.

"Let's go!" Joker declared as he, the Phantom Thieves, and the Vein Remnants launched their All-Out finish, delivering a flurry of attacks that pummeled Mido relentlessly.

As Mido collapsed, the Phantom Thieves cleared the big boss.

"That should do it then," Emily said.

"No, he's still alive," Sion sensed Mido's life.

"But, he's not getting up anytime soon," Joker added.

"Good, now I get to kill this bastard," Panther turned toward Mido with murderous intent.

Suddenly, their surroundings became distorted by a black mass. The Thieves, the Revenants, and their allies were taken aback.

"What the hell now?!" Engineer growled.

As he stirred, Mido heard the whispers of the Yami Matter communicating with him.

"I-I've lost this battle… but the war is far from over," Mido muttered as the Yami Matter dragged him through the black hole distortion. "We will finish this another time, Phantom Thieves and Revenants!"

"No! You're not getting away!" Sion shouted as he, Tennyo, Ivy, and the other Revenants rushed over to stop him.

"The Yami Matter is pulling him from this dimension!" Ivy cried out.

"He can't be allowed to escape! Not after what all the shit he's done!" Panther roared as she ran as fast as her legs could handle. She threw her whip at Mido, who vanished inside the Yami Matter portal. "Ugh, so close!"

Joker quickly ran up and patted his wife's shoulders. "We will get him next time and make no mistake we're ending his sorry ass."

Mona deeply sighed. "Lady Ann, please don't try and scare us like that again. I'm all for killing that sorry bastard for what he almost did to you and Ren, but let us help you slay him."

"He indirectly nearly made me kill myself, but he and the Yami Matter underestimated my will," Panther replied with ire in her tone. "You're right. We're in this together, but grant me the chance to see him die with my own eyes."

Joker hugged Panther. "Deal. You'll get front row, my angel."

"Hey, Hifumi," Panther addressed Tennyo. "I'm sorry. I should've maybe let you get your licks in after what he almost did to you."

Shaking her head, Tennyo smiled. "I'm fine now, Ann. If that didn't happen, I wouldn't have been able to grant Skyler and his friends their new powers."

"Yes, the powers of the Envoys of Vein," Ivy affirmed.

Suddenly, the group heard the Virgin Born let out its last bellows as it collapsed and its body dried up like a husk. Once the Virgin Born's body became a hollow shell, it broke down into dust. Then, a glow of pale blue light emerged, revealing Cruz and Gregorio's bodies falling on top of the Virgin Born's dust remains.

"Cruz!" Engineer shouted as he ran over to her side. Holding his ex in his arms, Engineer shook her, trying to awaken her. "Hey, Cruz! It's me Louis!"

At first, Cruz was unresponsive to Engineer's pleas. Queen and Noir arrived to see him holding Cruz. Queen wanted to say something, but Noir stopped her. The other Thieves, Revenants, the four Successors, and their allies gathered quietly watching the heart wrenching scene.

"Louis, listen…" Noir sadly muttered, but before she can get another word out, a slight gasp came from Cruz.

"Cruz?!" Engineer reacted to her brief revival.

"Louis… thank goodness, you're ok…" Cruz muttered weakly, slowly scanning the faces around them. She recognized each of the Revenant's faces. "And you've all survived… that's good…"

"Cruz, we're going to get you and your father to medical center. I'm already about to call for one now!" Engineer said, taking out his cell ready to speed dial for the nearest hospital, but Cruz pushed the phone away. "Cruz?"

"Please, don't bother, Louis… it's… too late for me…"

"Don't you dare say that! We just need to get you and Gregorio treated!"

Shaking her head, Cruz teared up. "...the Yami Matter has damaged my body beyond repair… I'm only hanging on this long because I'm a Revenant again…"

"What?"

"Yes, I have all my memories, Louis… I know all that happened between us in another timeline. We were schoolmates and a couple before… and I was subjected to experiments… that changed me not just into a Revenant, but… an experiment that would potentially save humankind… and ours as well." Cruz suddenly let out a wretched and pained cry, causing Engineer to hold onto her with dear life.

"Cruz!"

"It's fine… it's just my body breaking down… I don't have much time left… but there's enough to tell you what I want you to do for me."

"Anything. What do you want?"

Cruz grasped Engineer's hands and sorrowfully smiled. "After I pass… spread my ashes into the sea… wherever you want… tell me father what you're planning to do." She said as she and Engineer gazed over Gregorio's comatose body.

"Wait, but wasn't your father possessed by the Yami Matter, too? His body should should've been damaged…?!" Hound pointed out.

"But, the Yami Matter used me as the base for the Virgin Born's revival. I served as its main power source… my father was but a back-up source should I have perished…"

"No, this isn't right! You shouldn't have to die because Mido used you and your dad to revive that thing!" Stinger nodded disapprovingly.

Shaking his head, Sion turned to Ivy. "Io, isn't there anything you or Hifumi can do? Hifumi has access to Sophia's power to restore and rewrite reality. Can't she do it for these two? She can save Cruz!"

However, the response Sion got wasn't what he expected. Ivy had a vacant look on her face. This placed the Revenants in a disquieting state. Engineer began tearing up.

"Please don't cry for me, Louis," Cruz smiled as she touched his left cheek, feeling the warmth of his tears. "As part of the grieving process… move on from me… and stay with the ones who love you." She motioned over to Queen and Noir, who both sat beside Engineer. "They'll take care of you in my place…"

"Cruz, I'm sorry," Noir muttered sadly. "Sorry it had to be like this. Rest assured, Louis is in our good care."

"But, you don't have to die," Queen frowned.

"Actually, I'm afraid despite Sophia's ability to rewrite history and reverse the law of universal physics, she cannot save Cruz Silva's life," Ivy addressed them, bewildering most if not all present.

"What do you mean? Surely Hifumi can use that power to save one person! She helped restore that dimension the Yami Matter damaged!" Sion said, referencing Joker and the Thieves' brief venture into the P5-Crimson.

"It's because the Cruz Silva from the original timeline is already dead," Ivy revealed to the shock of the Revenants.

"Is this true?" Engineer queried to Cruz, who nodded.

"Having gained Cruz's full memories, this Cruz took on her entire identity and became a Revenant much like the rest of you," Ivy informed the Vein Remnants and the four Successors. "That is partly why she's still hanging on by a thread to speak now. Any normal human possessed by the Yami Matter would've surely died by now, but Cruz's now Revenant body and self-healing is allowing her to live… but only briefly. She has but a few moments left."

"So, we can't save this woman because she has the other Cruz's memories? We can't change her fate?" Joker asked Ivy.

"Having gained the other Cruz's memories, she was left with her tragic fate. No matter what happens, Cruz Silva was meant to die. The Yami Matter's influence was so strong it engulfed this Cruz's mind, granting her shared memories of the other Cruz Silva. The Cruz that died in the other timeline contained so much power and darkness that she ultimately became incurable. Once the Yami Matter took hold of this Cruz, she gained shared memories and the same terminal infection that transformed her into an unstable entity."

The Persona Vein's logical comments brought silence to the group, who hoped to never hear the most likely scenario.

Not one to handle the cold and hard facts, Engineer cried and grasped Cruz's now cold hands.

"I'm very sorry, Louis. I wish there was a way I could..." Tennyo tearfully apologized.

Gritting his teeth, Engineer pulled Cruz into a heartfelt embrace. Cruz shut her eyes and folded her arms behind his head.

"One more thing before I go... " As Cruz said this, her skin started to dry and crack. A painless ripple formed through her body as white light leaked out like mist. "...continue to live your life to its fullest with Ms. Niijima and Ms. Okumura. Love them as much as you loved me… help your friends defeat Mido before he harms anymore lives… and tell my father that I love him. And I…" She smiled as her body quickly burst into cremated ashes. "...love you, my dear Louis…" Her final words rang out, internally tearing Engineer apart as he broke down and felt the ashes of his old love flowing through his arms. The man's tears fell atop the ash remains.

Every male present dropped their heads, paying their respects. The women tearfully cried. Joker held a crying Panther. Sion embraced Tennyo, who cried for not only for the tragedy but the notion her power still wouldn't have prevented Cruz's tragic fate. Noir cried onto and embraced Queen. Reiko broke down, holding Shinya. Likewise, Nicola held Li-Ming.

Emotions poured out for a few minutes. Queen and Noir stayed close with Louis, who listlessly stared over Cruz's remains.

When Gregorio finally awoke, he was confronted by the other Vein Remnants. They regrettably informed him of Cruz's passing and Mido's meddlings. Eyeing his daughter's ashes, Gregorio sobbed and closed his eyes. Tennyo used her power to purge the Yami Matter's influence from his body.

"But, I don't get why Sophia can cure Gregorio but not Cruz. It's just not right." Stinger muttered.

"Because the original Gregorio Silva survived and was saved from meeting a tragic end. Me… or rather, the original Io saved him." Ivy briefly explained.

"Original Io, Original Gregorio, and Original Cruz," Stinger sighed, placing a hand over her forehead. "It's still hard to imagine we have memories of these other people from another timeline. But, I'm starting to see the picture clearer ever since Hifumi gave us these new Envoys of Vein forms."

"Yeah, I'm starting to understand why we're so close, Emily," Hound acknowledged the shared memories he has with the other Yakumo.

"Don't dwell too much on it, guys," Sion addressed the other Revenants. "While we share their memories, we were physically born in this timeline thanks to Sophia's reality rewrite. Think of us as those people but with all their memories purged and given a second lease at life."

"Dude, that's pretty deep," Skull said while trying to make sense of what Sion explained.

"It's the best I can come up with on the fly."

"You just came up with that?" Oracle blinked in befuddlement.

Glancing over his necklace orb, Jack grasped it. "And I still have no memory of ever having this orb. The original Jack didn't seem to have it nor could he ever turn into a dragon."

"Because the Drake-Type Blood Veil holds no bearing to the other timeline," Ivy addressed his concern. "I know you've been seeking an answer about its significance, but in truth this Blood Veil doesn't exist. Sophia created exclusively for you to use in this current timeline. She knew there'd be greater enemies to face, so you were chosen to command this power."

"Me? Well, I'm not complaining," Jack smirked, turning over toward Tennyo. "But, send my regards to the goddess."

Tennyo nodded. "I will."

Jack approached Eva and held her hand. "Are you ok?"

"Yeah, thankfully this Successor form protected my body and our unborn son." Eva said, scanning her abdomen.

Engineer queried to Gregorio. "So, what will you do now?"

Facing the direction of the Silva Estate, the man deeply sighed. "I'm going to dissolve The Consortium. It holds no meaning to me anymore. I understand Jack and Eva have resigned from being my mercenaries. I don't bear any grudges for their decision. After all, The Consortium was only formed thanks to Mido."

"What about the others? Like Kirari, Ririka, and Sayaka?" Joker asked Gregorio.

"If they choose to maintain business and relations with me, that's fine, but they're free from our Consortium affiliations." Gregorio plainly stated, severing further ties with other Consortium members.

"I'm sure they'll understand. Those three weren't too bad people." Panther said.

"Just like Jack and Eva. I misjudged those two and the fractured memories I had of their original selves didn't help matters." Hound said as he watched them.

"No lie. I thought based on those distorted memories, I was led to think Jack hunted to kill my brother, but that wasn't the case," Stinger said. "And the ones I threatened to carve out their hearts was…" She pointed to Sion, Engineer, and Hound. "...you guys."

"Yeah, but seems those memories we share with those people have finally been pieced, or at the very least are almost complete," Sion stated.

"Hey, so I wanted to say, sorry," Hound confronted Jack.

"Yeah, we feel bad for all those names we called you," Stinger openly apologized.

"You're forgiven," Jack accepted their generous remarks.

"Everyone, we better leave here," Joker addressed the groups. "The authorities are about to come."

"I better stay in case sis shows up," Queen said.

"And I'll stay to tell them what happened," Gregorio offered to take any possible heat the Thieves and Vein Remnants may possibly get.

"Thank you, Mr. Silva." Sion expressed his gratitude to the former Consortium head. He then turned over to Tennyo and Ivy. "Ready to go?"

"Yes," Tennyo said, holding Ivy's hand.

As everyone split up into various parties, Shinya, Nicola, Reiko, and Li-Ming departed with Stinger and Aurora.

"I can't believe all that happened just now," Reiko was still baffled with the entirety of tonight's unforgettable events.

"Not only can Nicola can turn into walking and living armor, but I can turn into a catgirl and summon the zodiacs!" Li-Ming beamed happily with her new abilities.

"One thing's for sure, guys. This is going to be a November to remember," firmly stated Shinya, which got nods from his three friends.

xxxxx

Café Leblanc (純喫茶ルブラン)/Yongen-Jaya, Tokyo (四軒茶屋, 東京)/November 23, 2019 (2019年11月23日) (Reality: November 23, 2021)/5:15 PM (JST)

Over a week has gone by since the fallout from the Lost attacks, the Thieves and the Revenants decided to remain low profile. This was to help get attention off them after the recent Fifth Yami Matter event. This allowed Gregorio to publicly speak on behalf of the Phantom Thieves and the Vein Remnants, thanking them for saving their selfless efforts to slay the monsters and prevent severe collateral damage.

However, Cruz Silva's death still severely affected the Thieves and the Revenants. Gregorio placed no blame on them for her death, but instead opted to accuse Juzo Mido and vowed to see justice right this wrong in Cruz's honor.

Continuing to lay low, the Thieves and the Revenants met for a group meeting at Café Leblanc. More than happy to provide the Vein Remnants with his coffee and curry, Soujiro welcomed them.

"So, you went and spread Cruz's ashes?" Ren asked Louis, who nodded and stared at his reflection inside his coffee cup.

"Yes, just as she wanted."

"Was Gregorio ok with it?" Yusuke queried.

"Yes, when I told him it was Cruz's request, he honored it."

Haru placed a hand on Louis' shoulder. "But, are you ok now?"

Makoto added. "We gave you the space you wanted to grieve."

"And I'm thankful for you two, but yes I'm fine. I won't forget her passing, but she'll have a special place in my heart and my memories," Louis said with the utmost respect for Cruz. "I have to move on as she wanted me to."

"We're glad you're not grieving anymore, because we still have Mido out there somewhere," Yakumo reminded him.

Upon hearing the monster's name, Louis tightened his grip on his cup.

"Yes, I know." He muttered through clenched teeth, failing to hide his obvious indignation of the aforementioned Revenant scientist.

"Guys, check this out!" Futaba pulled open her iPad and showed them news video feeds of various Tokyo locations covered with thank letters to the Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, and local law enforcements.

"On this Labor Thanksgiving Day, we send our thank you to not just the local police and the Special Investigation Department for their hard work and continued services, but to the urban legends the Phantom Thieves and their allies calling themselves the Vein Remnants."

"I'm not sure how to respond to that," Skyler remarked.

"To pride of what we've done, Skyler. We prevented what could've lead to countless casualties." Hifumi genuinely said.

"Yeah, we won a battle, but this whole thing with Mido and the Yami Matter is far from over."

Just then, Ryuji slapped Skyler's back and wore a big grin. "C'mon, dude. Let's just be thankful we're still here, alive, and ready to kick Mido's ass next time!"

Lying on Mia's lap, Morgana yawned. "Yep, I knew you'd say something reckless like that. Expected from a numbskull."

"Say that in my face, hairball."

"Come over here and I'll claw your eyes out."

Clearing her throat, Ann interjected in Ryuji and Morgana's spat. "Not here, you two." She warned them in a menacingly cool tone, giving them a sense of trepidation they never felt from her before.

Having seen how volcanic Ann has been lately, Ryuji and Morgana shrank back in their corners.

"Yes, ma'am," whimpered Ryuji.

"Sorry, Lady Ann," Morgana murmured as Mia patted his head.

"Don't count on me to save you from Ann, Mona-chan," Mia giggled.

"Hey, Makoto. Have you heard anything about those four jerks? You know the ones that call themselves The Pack?" Ren asked the policewoman.

"Sis and I heard their side of the story. They confessed to working with The Consortium and were subjected to Mido's latest experiments. They expressed their deepest regrets and have turned themselves in. Minami even resigned and gave up her badge."

"Wow, so those four are committed to reforming themselves? Well, good for them, I guess," Futaba added with no regard for The Pack.

"Shinya, Nicola, and the others didn't need our help to kick their butts. Good on them!" Ryuji said.

Raising his coffee cup, Ren beckoned everyone else to lift their drinks. "It's going to be almost a full year since this Yami Matter conflict started. Now we know the culprit. He knows we'll be coming for him, but let's be thankful it's because of him we've been united. And together we will bring him down."

"I'm with you there, Ren," Skyler added.

"Same here," Hifumi nodded.

"Down with that bastard," Ann muttered.

"Here's to us kicking his ass and setting things right!" Ryuji declared, raising his coffee cup.

"And here's to Yumeko and her friends who can't be here with us," Yusuke reminded them of their other allies.

Watching the Thieves and Revenants raise their cups and drinking together, Sojiro smiled proudly for them.

"Anyway, we have a birthday coming up," Makoto said as she pivoted over to Haru. "Have you decided what you want to do?"

"Yes, I think the perfect place to celebrate, Mako-chan," Haru replied earnestly.

xxxxx

Tokyo DisneySea (東京ディズニーシー)/Urayasu (浦安市)/Chiba Prefecture (千葉県)/December 5, 2019 (2019年12月5日) (Reality: December 5, 2021)/3:30 PM (JST)

Over a week later, Haru's birthday celebration took pace. The Thieves and Revenants amassed and invited friends for a fun outing at the Tokyo DisneySea theme park.

Meeting at the front entrance, Ren, Ann, Ryuji, Morgana, Makoto, Haru, Yusuke, Futaba, Skyler, Hifumi, Io, Mia, Louis, and Yakumo went into the theme park with every intention to enjoy every minute of the festivities. For some, it would be therapeutic, especially for Ren, Ann, Skyler, Hifumi, and Louis, who all needed it following all the traumatic and tragedy they've endured.

Coming in separately from the main group, Shiho, Miyako, Shinya, Nicola, Reiko, and Li-Ming would also join them as soon as the groups convened inside the theme park. The four teens joined up with Ren, Ann, Skyler, Hifumi, Io, Mia, and Shiho to explore areas of the park.

"Hey, we should really check out Fantasmic!" Reiko reminded Shinya and Nicola.

"Why? Do they have something new?" Shinya queried to his girlfriend.

"No, but they're going to shut it down in March 25th of next year."

"No way! They're really closing it down?" Nicola was baffled to hear this.

Li-Ming added. "Yes, it's sad. I really liked Fantasmic!"

"Then, why don't we all see it together?" Hifumi suggested. "Io hasn't seen it."

"You want to go see it tonight?" Skyler asked the white-skinned Revenant, who nodded.

"Yes, I would like to see it."

"Then, it's decided. We're all going to see Fantasmic!" Ann openly declared.

Grabbing Mia's hand, Shiho smiled to her Revenant lover. "That sounds like a good time. You want to watch it together?"

"Anywhere you want to go, I'll come with, my love," Mia lovingly responded, kissing Shiho's face.

The Thieves and Revenants would later be joined by Emily, Sojiro, Karen, Aurora, Sae, Hojo, Davis, Rin, Coco, Jack, and Eva. The older adults such as Sojiro, Sae, Hojo, Davis, Coco, Karen, and Aurora explored the park. Karen and Aurora took pictures together with various Disney mascot characters. With Sojiro accompanying them, he helped take pictures of Sae and Hojo near a few of DisneySea's attractions, including a picture in front of Sinbad's Storybook Voyage.

xxxxx

Near the Arabian Coast area, Ryuji, Miyako, Yusuke, and Futaba scoured around. They spotted the recognizable Genie from Aladdin.

"Yo, it's the Genie in his blue glory!" Futaba pointed out to the Genie mascot. "Wanna take a selfie with him, Inari?"

"I suppose. Hold on wait!" Yusuke nodded as Futaba dragged him along.

"Thanks for buying this for me, Ryuji," Miyako said, holding a Rajah plushie he purchased for her.

"Hey, I told ya I was gonna get you anything you want."

"Then, how about a pic with the Genie?"

Taking out his cell, Ryuji grinned. "Coming right up, babe."

xxxxx

Jack and Eva rode on the Caravan Carousel.

"Having a fun time?" Jack awkwardly asked, riding on the Genie carousel.

"I'm having the time of my life thanks to you. Now, hold that pose," Eva smiled, snapping a picture with her cell.

Jack tried but failed hard to conceal a blush. "I wouldn't do this for anyone, but you. And only you."

Eva giggled. "I know."

xxxxx

Elsewhere, Louis, Makoto, and Haru explored the 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea section. They went inside a submarine to participate in the Tokyo Disney Submarine Ride. The Revenant and his two girlfriends were enamored with the wondrous underwater experience.

"Isn't it just pretty?" Haru asked the two.

"It is, but being here with you two makes it much better," Louis genuinely added.

"We made a good choice to come back here to celebrate your birthday," Makoto smiled, leaning her head against Haru's shoulder and holding her hand.

"Thank you, Mako-chan. I'm glad all of you came," Haru said, returning the favor by holding Makoto's hand.

Inside the Toy Story Mania attraction, Shinya, Nicola, Reiko, and Li-Ming competed in an active shooting game. The boys got a little too competitive as they shot every target a Buzz Lightyear and Jessie hologram held up.

"C'mon, Nicola!" Li-Ming cheered him on.

"Do you two always have to make it a competition?" Reiko sighed.

"Heh, we can't help it. It's what real men do!" Shinya laughed it off and shot up the last target, but Nicola fired the last one, too.

Nicola boasted. "Oh, we got the last one!"

"I think you two tied!" Li-Ming pointed to their score.

"150,000 points to 150,000 points! I'd call that a tie game!"

Shinya sneaked a grin. "How about a tie breaker, Nicola?"

"After this ride, how about we look for other games to play?" Reiko suggested.

"We can go check out the Tower of Terror next," Nicola said.

"Then, there's where we'll go!" declared Shinya.

xxxxx

Elsewhere, Skyler, Hifumi, and Io rode on the Nemo & Friends SeaRider. They were greeted by the Finding Nemo characters. When the likes of Nemo and Dory popped up, Io's eyes filled with elation seeing the colorful characters.

"Are you enjoying it, Io?" asked Hifumi.

"Yes, they're so colorful!" Io gleefully replied.

Seeing Io smile brought warmth to Skyler's heart. The Persona Vein's behavior showed a great 180 whenever there wasn't a dangerous enemy present and she also showed curious, child-like qualities when met with things she hasn't seen before, such as seeing all the Disney characters in costume, holograms, or CGI form.

"I think you're going to like Fantasmic!" Skyler addressed Io.

Io beamed happily. "I hope so!"

xxxxx

Yakumo, Emily, and Rin screamed together on the thrilling Raging Spirits coaster in the Lost River Delta area. After getting off the ride, Rin jumped up with her right fist pumped into the air.

"Hell yeah! Let's ride it again!" Rin shouted.

Emily chuckled nervously. "But, that was our… 5th time on it."

"Yeah, give us a break, Rin!" Yakumo added his grievance.

"Heh, your loss. I'm getting on it again!" She ran back to the line.

Yakumo and Emily both let out hard exasperated sighs.

xxxxxx

Meeting at the Tower of Terror, Ren and Ann convened with Shinya, Nicola, Reiko, and Li-Ming. They watched overheard an old man's voice from a speaker interacting with a cursed spirit named Shiriki Utundu.

"Guys, I'm getting a little creeped by this," Li-Ming muttered as she heard a loud jolt, causing her to nearly jump out and hold onto Nicola. "Oh my god!"

Nicola chuckled as he patted her. "It's ok. It's just a special effect."

"Yeah, you guys are going to love this next part," Ann sneakily grinned.

After a creepy green spirit faded into the darkness, the group felt the floor they were standing on shifting upward and stopping.

"Is that it?" Shinya asked.

"Nope," Ren casually replied.

Then, they felt a sudden jolt and the floor quickly dropping at fast speeds. Shinya, Reiko, and Li-Ming screamed aloud. Li-Ming clinged to Nicola. Shinya and Reiko quickly folded arms around the other.

"YEAH!" Ann cheered and screamed.

Watching the teens screaming as if their lives depended on it, Ren wore his famous devilish Joker's grin. "Told you this wouldn't be for the faint of heart."

As the floor made a slow and steady descend, Ren and Ann turned to the teens. All but Nicola's faces were white all over.

"Geez, you three are wimps. That wasn't so bad," Nicola remarked.

"Hey, shut up!" Shinya retorted, trying and failing to hide the fear on his face.

"That was scary!" Reiko whined until a smile crept on her features. "But, it was a lot of fun!"

"Yeah, but my heart's beating so fast! I'm glad you were here with me, Nicola!" Li-Ming had a hand on her pulsating chest. "Next time, I won't be scared!"

Ren turned to Ann. "Seems like really enjoyed it. So, mission accomplished?"

Ann replied with a sneaky grin. "I think so."

xxxxx

8:00 PM

By nightfall, the groups met for tonight's Fantasmic! show.

"When is it starting?" Io excitedly asked Skyler.

"Any minute now."

Just then, some fantastical music was heard, leading to explosive fireworks lighting up a mountain-like structure. The sound of a woman crying "imagination" blared out out of some unforeseen speakers. More fireworks lit up and lights painted the mountain completely blue. White stars and a half crescent moon appeared. Now standing atop the crown of the mountain was Mickey Mouse garbed in his red magician's garb and blue magician's hat, as seen from the Fantasia film. Even scenes of Mickey pulled straight from the film were shown on a big screen.

The group watched in bewilderment and awe at the light and firework show. Io became mesmerized by the magical light show performance. Happily watching Io enamored by the show, Skyler and Hifumi leaned against the other.

Minutes into the show, boats with various Disney characters and costumed dancers on them. Two separate boats with Pumbaa and young Simba appeared as the Circle of Life briefly blared from speakers. Later, boats holding giant globes arrived. Scenes of the Genie straight from the Aladdin animated film played coupled with Friend Like Me playing from speakers.

After the Cinderella performance, the Magic Mirror straight from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves appeared. The creepy visage of the mirror entity appeared on the front of the giant mirror. Also appearing inside the mirror were some of the Disney animated movie villains, including the Wicked Queen, Ursula, Chernabog, and Maleficent. Fire expelled from areas near the mirror. After Maleficent vanished, her dragon form, revealed as a life-sized prop, came out of the mirror.

"The special effects are pretty neat," Louis remarked, sitting with Makoto and Haru.

"But, watching them with you two makes the whole experience that more magical," Haru commented as she and Makoto leaned against Louis.

The final part of the show approached. More boats appeared and fountains of water sprayed from the mountain. Amassed on a boat, Mickey Mouse and his friends waved to the audiences.

Io turned around, hugging Skyler and Hifumi. "That was a spectacular show. I'll never forget this!"

"We're happy you enjoyed it, Io. That's all that matters to us." Hifumi smiled and patted her head.

"I'm so glad we came here. It helps heal the emotional wounds we've suffered." Ann murmured as she patted her soft belly. "Hopefully, we can bring our son here one day."

Ren added with a hand caressing his wife's abdomen. "We will. I promise."

The festive show brought the Thieves, the Revenants, and their friends following Mido's insidious machinations and the Yami Matter's destructive influence.

xxxxx

Dimension: PV-CV-19

With his wormhole opening up, Mido was dumped outside a ruined citadel. His body, battered and broken from the last battle, crawled itself toward the citadel's entrance. Having to crawl his way into the mouth of the entrance, a humbled Mido crawled his way toward the darkest most area of the citadel's inner chamber. As he breathed, the hostile air and aridness was suffocating, though it didn't affect Mido. The pain and scars he sustained from the battle hurt him more.

"Those ingrates think they've won. This is just a mere setback. It's nothing I can rebound from," muttered Mido, his red eye veering toward a throne forged from obsidian stone and golden steel. "Any scientist always has a contingency when one plan goes awry. I still have my B-plan: the endgame." His eye scanned and discerned a recognizable figure sitting on the throne. "Time to awaken."

Awakening from the sound of Mido's voice, the figure opened her eyes. Stirring from her sleep, the figure emerged. She has a striking resemblance to Togo Hifumi minus some notable features. This Hifumi's eyes has dark blue pupils with black filling out her iris, similar to Cruz and Mido-Sion's eyes. Based on the nature of her eyes, she seemed to be a Revenant. Her outfit was similar to Tennyo's, except this one wore a dark blue sleeveless dress, has layers of black bandages covering her waist coupled with a gray waist belt, has dark blue fingernails & pedicure nails, black winged accessories rather than Tennyo's white, and a pair of black sandals with dark blue straps over the front of the toes.

The Revenant Hifumi waited for Mido to stand on his own feet. The Revenant scientist chortled as he faced the dark-garbed Hifumi entity.

"You…" mumbled Mido. "Did you have a nice nap?"

No response from Revenant Hifumi.

"Well, I hope you've had enough rest, because there's a big battle forthcoming. I need you at your best."

Revenant Hifumi nodded.

"Heheh, that's right my Jinyo. They've beaten me in that other timeline, but we can lure them to this timeline for the endgame!" Mido declared as he then communicated with the Yami Matter surfacing on the walls. "Yes, we shall have our way with them, won't we? Their luck shall run out when we're done with them!"

xxxxx

Chapter Soundtrack

Kingdom Hearts III OST - Desire For All That Is Lost - vs. Mido-Sion, his controlled Revenants, the Virgin Born, and the Successor of the Beasts.
Frenzy Cutscene Music (Long Version) - Code Vein - Mido-Sion attempting to rape Hifumi.
RE:ARR.X (THEMEX Rearranged) - Xenoblade Chronicles X OST - Hiroyuki Sawano - Sion resists Mido's control and bites Hifumi's neck for her blood to heal him. Vein Remnants free from Mido's control as the protagonists strike back.
Code Vein OST - Boss Fight Phase 2 Theme - vs. and defeating the Virgin Born, Mido and the three beasts. Mido retreats.
Happiness is Here! Tokyo Disney 30th Anniversary Theme - Tokyo DisneySea.
Fantasmic! - Full Show Soundtrack (Tokyo DisneySea) Heard in Sound Devices - The group watching Fantasmic! in Tokyo DisneySea.

xxxxx

A/N: Quite a cliffhanger there. Mido preps for revenge and a Revenant Hifumi meets him. Just what the hell's been going on in the other timeline?

So, this chapter took me a bit to finish. The DisneySea parts were the hardest parts for me to do, because I wasn't sure what more I could add. Moreover, my writing activity was delayed due to work and falling sick due to allergies. But, it's finally done.

On the Tokyo DisneySea parts, it's Tokyo Destinyland in the Akane no Mai continuity. So as far as this story is concerned, Haru celebrated her birthday here on the same night her father died. Thankfully, her birthday celebration turned out to be a magical experience with no tragedy to ruin it.

Who really thought Mido would keep Sion's body? We should've known better, but the method in which he purged Mido out was very desperate, but whatever works. This would be one of those instances when a vampire feeds to save himself and his lover. Since Sophia's power courses through Hifumi, her blood helps purge Mido's essence out of Sion.

The Envoys of Vein; These and their beast forms are exclusive fanon modes for the Vein Remnants. They would equivalent to the Thieves's Persona's Ascendancy forms, but not quite as destructive. They're at least shown to be comparable to Mido's Successor beasts, perhaps a little stronger.

Mido also learned the hard way to never incur the unbridled fury of a woman like Panther/Ann. He deserved every burning from her and every lightning bolt from Hifumi.

Then, we have Cruz's sad passing. In Code Vein, she became the Queen and ultimately met her end. Now, thanks to the Yami Matter's influence, she once again fuels the Virgin Born, regains all her previous memories of the original Cruz, and dies. Hifumi's power is shown to have limits and cannot restore the life of one who's already died before and would be fated to die again in similar fashion. Sophia's power is still not enough to undo that tragic fate. Gregorio, on the other hand, could be saved since the original one was implied to have survived. By this logic, Sophia would have a better shot at saving him since he has no such tragic fate tied to him.

The Pack get a passing mention. Yeah, there wasn't a scene to include them. Their run as story antagonists is over. They were always going to be secondary bad guys and their job was to help elevate Shinya & his friends as well as the four Successors's importance in the story.

So, all in all, Mido's beaten, the Revenants are freed from his control, and a character tragically dies. Now the Thieves and the Revenants have stronger motivation to finish Mido, who now has a Revenant Hifumi as an accomplice. It's going to get very interesting, but that will have to wait because the next chapter will be a Christmas and New Year-themed installment. Hopefully I'll have it out before or by Christmas since it'll be short.

Until the next chapter, send a review and see you again!