A/N: This is the final part of this longer than expected mega arc, which means that there has to be a big showdown at the end. Oumagatsu has been lurking in the background and now it's time for him to take centre stage. It's going to be a hard fight but it's nothing compared to what's ahead because the endgame is coming. After five and a half years or slightly longer.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything apart from my OCs. Anything that belongs to a third party is a property of that third party. Also, any OC created by another author that I'm using in LNWU (with the aforesaid author's/authors' expressed permission) is the property of that author. Obviously.

Chapter 193

February 19, 2012

Temple of Calamity, Mayonaka

They had finally made it to where Oumagatsu had been waiting for them. And he looked pleased to see them, which was quite a surprise given that they had killed the various members of the Omega Franchise that attempted to block their path.

"I wasn't quite sure if you were going to survive getting to this point. But here you are. You're merely puppets dangling from a string, but yet there's so much more to you. Isn't there?" Oumagatsu asked.

Yu stepped forward until he was just a short distance away from Oumagatsu. The rest of the group hung back and waited to see what would happen next.

He looked Oumagatsu right in the eye. "Why exactly are you doing all of this?"

"I could think of a few reasons. Which ones would you want me to give?" Oumagatsu retorted.

Yu kept on looking at Oumagatsu. "I really don't think it matters."

Dylan walked forward until he was standing on Yu's left. Sho and Brianna had also walked forward, so they were now standing on either side of Yu and Dylan.

"May I should just tell you anyway. Power and Freedom. More specifically, I wanted to get my true power back and I want to free the world and its inhabitants from the chains and masks that hide its true nature. That, naturally, would include cutting the strings off of any puppets. Puppets just like you." Oumagatsu smirked.

Dylan was quick to jump in. "I don't see how allowing people to give into their basest instincts is going to "make things better." Just look at all the people you've empowered who committed horrific acts of violence in your name. And, for all your talk of cutting strings, you still want to be in control. Which makes you a hypocrite."

"How disappointing. Out of all the puppets that the Velvet Room and Crimson Room have at their disposal, I would have thought that you understood the sort of world I want to create." Oumagatsu was quick to answer.

Dylan responded with a quip. "What world is that? A world where people kill themselves and each other just for your own gratification? Or because you want power? The problem with that is…"

"I think we might be getting a little side-tracked. You just want to be in control and don't want anybody to challenge that control. Which would give you power but wouldn't give anybody or anything else freedom." Yu said.

Sho grimaced. "He's got a point. As much as I'd hate to say it."

"I'd rather be free than be under your thumb." Brianna added.

Dylan grinned. "You're just another obstacle. And you're going to get moved whether you like it or not."

Oumagatsu was listening to them in silence. Until he wasn't.

"Oh, this is just too much!" He burst into raucous laughter.

Yu was nonplussed. "We're not joking."

"Do you honestly believe that recombining the two halves of Izanami will change anything? The little game between the Velvet Room and the Crimson Room along with their respective masters will continue. And nothing will really change. I, on the other hand, am offering actual change. So, I will offer you this choice once… Join me or be cast aside." Oumagatsu sneered.

Yu shook his head. "We're never going to join you."

"I see you've made your choice. There's just one little thing that I should probably mention. I have learnt a lot from observing you and your little group. Including being able to spontaneously generate the power of a "Wild Card." I believe it's time for the main course." Oumagatsu got into a fighting stance.

Yu summoned Izanagi no Okami. "We're not going to make it easy for you."

Dylan, Sho and Brianna summoned Nari no Okami, Tsukuyomi and Leon respectively.

The rest of the group were watching to see when would be the right time for them to intervene.

"Your courage is admirable even if it is misplaced." Oumagatsu was unruffled.

Dylan looked over at Yu. "So, what's the plan?"

"We'll just have to fight him with our weapons and our Personas. At least until the others can get involved somehow without him noticing or until he decides to let them get involved. Hitting him with whatever element we have is pointless at this stage." Yu answered.

Dylan nodded. "Cool. I guess that plan works for Sho and Brianna too. Even if they're not going to say it."

Yu and Izanagi no Okami led the charge, attacking Oumagatsu hard while Dylan and Nari no Okami attacked Oumagatsu from different directions.

"I expected more from you." Oumagatsu was quick to counterattack.

Only for Sho and Tsukuyomi to stab him in the back.

Sho then turned around and stabbed Oumagatsu through both legs and cut through his chest while Tsukuyomi stabbed him in his side.

He couldn't resist the urge to taunt Oumagatsu. "That's funny. Because I could say the same thing about you."

"How pitiful. The Master of the Crimson Room couldn't send his strongest agents to confront me, so he sent you. Which is utterly and completely pathetic, if you really think about it." Oumagatsu punched Sho in the gut with enough force to cause him internal bleeding.

When Tsukuyomi went to attack Oumagatsu, Oumagatsu punched him into the ground.

He was about to press his advantage when Brianna and Leon intervened.

Brianna pointed her sword at Oumagatsu along with Leon.

She waited for Yu and Izanagi no Okami to make their move along with Dylan and Nari no Okami.

Brianna kept her gaze focused on Oumagatsu. "What you're offering isn't freedom. It's just an excuse for you to reclaim the power you once had."

"You think you know everything, don't you?" Oumagatsu asked.

Brianna shook her head. "I never said that I did. However, I do know better than to turn my back on my opponent. Or, opponents in your case."

"Oh? Is that right?" Oumagatsu smirked.

He blocked Brianna and Leon's respective weapons before sending them backwards.

Dylan and Nari no Okami attacked Oumagatsu from one side while Sho and Tsukuyomi attacked him from the other side.

Oumagatsu blocked their attacks only to be stabbed through the stomach by Izanagi no Okami and cut by Yu.

Yu faced down Oumagatsu as Dylan, Sho, Brianna and their respective Personas regrouped.

He levelled his katana at Oumagatsu. "Maybe it's time for you to stop toying with us. I know that you're stronger than this because your little admission about somehow managing to obtain the power of the Wild Card just proves that you've been holding back this whole time."

"You're clever for a puppet. Unfortunately, that cleverness might not be enough to help you." Oumagatsu replied.

He then summoned multiple cards that floated around him.

Yu motioned for Dylan, Sho, Brianna and their respective Personas to make a tactical retreat back to the rest of the group.

He was quick to give the order. "Everybody who didn't summon their Personas already, now would be a good time!"

The rest of the group quickly summoned their Personas and prepared themselves for Oumagatsu's next move.

"Anything you can do I can do just as well or better! I summon thee, ARKHAM!" Oumagatsu exclaimed.

The cards that Oumagatsu had summoned began glowing before the different points of light combined into a pillar of light.

Dylan looked at the other members of the group. "So, today isn't anybody's birthday, right? Because that thing is starting to look a lot like a creepy clown."

"It's really not a good time for jokes, Bro." Stephen said.

Dylan rolled his eyes. "I wasn't trying to be funny. That thing genuinely looks like a creepy clown."

"I think something's starting to emerge!" Rise exclaimed.

The light had faded. The Persona that Oumagatsu had summoned had pale skin that resembled marble or plaster in terms of colour. His face had what appeared to be red clown make up on it, and the area around his mouth had been cut as though someone had taken a knife to his face. He was wearing a green and purple chequered jester's outfit that covered the majority of his body apart from his arms. His hands were covered by green and purple chequered gloves and he was wearing black jester's shoes with bells on them. Instead of a hat, he had green hair that extended halfway down his back and his hair had bells tied into it.

Sho regarded Oumagatsu and Arkham with disdain. "I thought you looked down on us for being "puppets," but here you are using puppets of your own. You hypocrite."

"I can access my full power at any time. But why rush? Arkham! Now!" Oumagatsu quickly gave the order for Arkham to attack.

Arkham summoned numerous swords and sent them at the group.

They were about to connect until Tsukuyomi got in the way and took the hits.

Sho felt the swords stabbing into him by proxy. "HRRRRRGH!"

"I've managed to get a reading. Arkham Nulls Light and Dark. Resists Physical, Fire, Ice, Wind and Lightning. He's got quite a lot of HP and SP. And he's probably not the only Persona that Oumagatsu is capable of summoning." Kouzeon had scanned Arkham as Rise had moved to a safe distance.

Yu nodded. "Okay. Let's just try and whittle this thing's strength down! If we can find a way of getting around his immunity to Light and Dark then do it, but that's not the priority! Let's go!"

"Come on then! Let me see what power you have!" Oumagatsu roared.

Yu smiled despite the seriousness of the situation. "You heard him. Time to show him what we've got!"

Every member of the group apart from Rise used their Personas or Personal Items against Arkham. They hit him with Physical Attacks, Fire, Ice, Wind, Lightning, Almighty, Nuclear and Psionic attacks and spells. Everything apart from Yu's and Naoto's Almighty spells and Kei's Nuclear and Psionic spells was met with firm resistance.

"Is that really all you've got? I was expecting quite a bit more from you. Arkham, time to show them how it's done! Mad Bomber!" Oumagatsu issued Arkham another order.

This time, Arkham summoned numerous bombs and threw those bombs at the group and their respective Personas until there were no bombs left. The damage caused by the bombs would surely have been enough to defeat them.

Yu was the first to get to his feet and was followed closely by Dylan, Sho and Brianna.

He wasn't going to give up any time soon. "You keep underestimating us. We're more than just puppets."

"Are you trying to be tough or do you actually believe the nonsense that you're spouting? It doesn't particularly matter to me, but you should be aware that you're leading them into certain death and that you're merely delaying the inevitable." Oumagatsu sneered.

Dylan made an unprintable gesture at Oumagatsu and Arkham. "Inevitable, my ass. The only thing that's "inevitable" about this situation is that we'll get through it. I doubt that you're going to be able to say the same."

"Are you going to keep talking for the sake of it? Or are you going to do something?" Oumagatsu mocked.

Dylan grinned. "Oh, I'm going to do something, alright. Nari no Okami, ROARING BLADE!"

Nari no Okami lunged forward. A loud roaring noise that sounded like a roaring lion emanated from his nodachi as he slashed Arkham with it. Additional slashes appeared despite the fact that Nari no Okami had only made one.

Dylan followed this up with an attack on Arkham that had unexpectedly stunned him.

"How did you…?" Oumagatsu was at a loss for words.

Yu directed the group. Or most of it. "ALL OUT ATTACK!"

They attacked Arkham in unison.

The Persona flickered in and out of existence briefly, but it was still standing.

"That really was quite something. You almost had me worried for a second there. But you forgot just one little thing…." Oumagatsu was about to finish that thought before he was interrupted.

Sho and Tsukuyomi launched themselves at Arkham. "Your penchant for stroking your ego?! For all your empty words, you still haven't managed to take us down!"

They both ran Arkham through while the others looked on.

"You really should have let me finish. What I was going to say before I was so rudely interrupted was that you're not going to be able to derail everything that I had planned up until this point. Arkham! Deathly Mist!" Oumagatsu finished what he was about to say before he had been interrupted.

Arkham spat out clouds of poisonous mist that left the majority of the group in absolute agony. Both Oumagatsu and Arkham used the opportunity to inflict as much damage on them as possible.

Sho and Brianna were, for the most part, unaffected by Arkham's Deathly Mist attack. But they still sustained damage from Oumagatsu and Arkham's coordinated attack.

Yu forced himself to stand and fight despite the effect the poisonous mist had on his system.

He was still a little unsteady on his feet. "We can still fight…."

"But not like this! Sumeo Okami, SALVATION!" Yukiko quickly healed the rest of the group.

The damage that they'd taken from Oumagatsu and Arkham disappeared along with any of Deathly Mist's aftereffects.

The rest of the group either put up buffs or attempted to de-buff Oumagatsu and Arkham. Sho, Brianna and their respective Personas attacked Arkham in order to distract the Persona from going after anybody else. Even if Arkham's resistance to Physical attacks made it harder for them to damage him.

Dylan got back into a fighting stance. "That was way too close, even for me. But at least the poison's gone and we can get back to kicking your ass and Cosplay Joker's ass at the exact same time. Unless you're going to rustle up some more "Friends" for us to fight."

"That might not be such a bad idea, actually! After all, this party could use a few more guests!" Oumagatsu's face seemed to contort into a gleeful, hyena-like snarl.

He summoned cards that were similar to the ones he had summoned earlier and let them float around him.

Yosuke looked over at Oumagatsu. "Oh great. That's exactly what we need. Right, guys?"

"Well…" Chie trailed off.

Yu looked over at Oumagatsu. "Rise, is it possible for you to get a read on what Oumagatsu is summoning?"

"Not yet!" Rise replied.

Stephen said what most of them were thinking. "Great. Then we'll just have to take whatever else is coming our way head on."

"I summon thee, GRAIAS!" Oumagatsu extended his arms out wide.

The cards that Oumagatsu had summoned turned into points of light which combined a pillar of light.

Practically everyone in the group covered their eyes or averted their gaze in order to avoid being temporarily blinded by the light.

The light eventually dissipated and three other Personas were standing close to Arkham.

Graias was the Persona that Oumagatsu had summoned to act as backup for both himself and Arkham. He was taller than Arkham and more muscular in addition to having tanned skin. The Persona's head, and by extension his face, was covered with a helmet in the shape of a boar's head. His upper body was uncovered and heavily scarred while his lower body was covered in a combination of animal skins and armour down to his lower legs due to the fact that he was barefoot. Graias was also carrying a trident that was roughly the same height as him.

Takeru scowled. "Great. What are we going to do now?"

"Hope he isn't going to summon more of those things?" Travis wondered aloud.

Yu was working on a plan. "We need to hit them with everything we have. That and get ready for what Oumagatsu's next move will be. He said he's gotten enough power to "become his true self" already. Whatever that's supposed to mean."

Everybody in the group agreed with that course of action, even Sho.

All that remained was for them to carry it out and see if it would be successful.

.

Rise and Kouzeon acted as "Mission Control" and offered tactical support as the rest of the group took the fight to Arkham and Graias.

They split their efforts more or less evenly between targeting Arkham and targeting Graias. Both Arkham and Graias had taken some heavy hits but were still standing.

"Perhaps it's time for me to interject? I am the one hosting this little soiree, after all. And I get to decide what happens!" Oumagatsu unleashed an attack that hit pretty much the entirety of the group apart from Rise and Kouzeon.

Eddie glowered at Oumagatsu. "I'm really starting to not like this "Party." But we're just captives here, aren't we?"

"Yu! Dylan! You're technically the leaders of this extended group, so maybe it'd make sense for you to deal with Oumagatsu along with your Personas and for everybody else to focus on Arkham and Graias? It's just a thought!" Rise chimed in with a tactical suggestion.

Yu and Dylan both agreed. "Got it!"

They went to go and fight Oumagatsu along with their respective Personas.

"There's two of you when there was four of you before. You do realise that I'm still more powerful than either of you, right? It's not as if I need to resume my true form to defeat you. At least not yet, anyway." Oumagatsu was amused by the idea that Yu and Dylan would be able to defeat him.

Dylan growled. "Yeah right. Tell that to someone who gives a shit."

"I think I'll just have to show you my strength. Again." Oumagatsu retorted.

Yu blocked an attack from Oumagatsu and watched as Izanagi no Okami countered it.

He got into a fighting stance. "You're not the only one who's strong!"

Yu, Dylan and their respective Personas then proceeded to attack Oumagatsu all at once.

Only to be pushed back yet again.

"See. What did I tell you?" Oumagatsu's voice took on a mocking tone.

Dylan shrugged before attempting to attack Oumagatsu again. "I stopped paying attention after the hundredth pointless speech you gave us. But seriously, though? How do you expect us to keep track of every little thing in those stupid little speeches of yours?"

The rest of the group was having more success in taking the fight to Arkham and Graias. Which was a welcome positive, if nothing else.

"You really don't get it, do you? Why I meticulously planned all of this for years? Yes, I may have done it for my benefit but…" Oumagatsu got interrupted.

Yu and Izanagi no Okami found an opening and struck. "I don't care. You want to put the world at risk just because you want power. And then you pretend that you're doing it for our benefit. We're more than capable of seeing through your lies!"

Dylan and Nari no Okami attacked Oumagatsu while he was distracted before firing off an elemental attack or two.

Yu and Dylan noticed that Oumagatsu was observing the fight between the rest of the group and the duo of Arkham and Graias.

"Just a little bit longer, and then I'll show you my true power. It'll be a sight that you won't forget, let alone survive!" Oumagatsu laughed malevolently.

Dylan hit Oumagatsu in the face with Stormbreaker. "That's just like, your opinion, man."

Yu, Dylan and their respective Personas watched as Oumagatsu's face regenerated into its undamaged state.

"I think you've all waited long enough." Oumagatsu dismissed Arkham and Graias.

This gave Yu and Dylan enough time to re-join the rest of the group along with their Personas.

Yu watched as Oumagatsu moved to a point where he was standing directly in front of them.

He slowly got into a fighting stance. "Whatever you're planning on doing, you'd better do it now."

"Wonderful! And now, it's time to truly welcome you to your final resting place!" Oumagatsu started laughing like a hyena.

Dylan rolled his eyes. "Oh great. You're probably going to tell us to "be prepared" next."

"How droll. But now, it's time to feast your eyes on this! The reawakening of my true self!" Oumagatsu exclaimed.

They looked on as Oumagatsu started to gather the energy necessary to take on his true form, whatever that might be.

Kei spoke up. "There's no point in attacking him now."

"He's right, unfortunately. I doubt that anything would get past the shield we put up even if we tried. The only thing we can do at this point is wait. And prepare." Rise looked troubled.

Yu nodded. "You heard her! Heal up and get ready!"

They healed up and watched as Oumagatsu started transforming.

.

Oumagatsu surrounded himself with a pillar of light as he began transforming. The floor started to crack and bits of it began levitating only to be gradually ground down to nothing until there were just motes of dust floating around.

The pillar of light grew progressively brighter as it started rapidly changing colour.

Random beams of energy emanated out from the pillar as well, causing everybody in the group and their respective Personas to get out of the way of those beams. Especially when they cut through the floor.

The pillar of light faded after what seemed like an age.

"There. Now you will finally bear witness to the full extent of my power." They could hear a voice that both sounded like Oumagatsu's voice and something else entirely. Something darker.

The dust had settled, but who or what Oumagatsu had transformed into remained hidden.

Yu detected movement out of the corner of his eye or was imagining it. "I think it's long past time for you to show yourself. Mainly because your obvious pride in your own abilities won't allow you to remain hidden."

"Very well." The source of the voice wasn't going to hide himself for much longer.

Song: Clint Mansell – Lux Aeternum (Requiem for a Dream OST)

Oumagatsu had now transformed into his true state, Oumagatsuhi no Kami. He had grown taller and larger in this state in comparison to his more diminished form. Most of his body with the exception of his head and part of his chest were covered with a strange black metallic substance, and there was a purple crystal jutting out of his chest. His hair was still white, but it had grown into a mane of shaggy spikes that almost extended to waist level. There were large spikes protruding from his shoulders and back, while shorter spikes protruded from his knees. He now had a multicoloured third eye that was open vertically in the middle of his forehead and horns growing out of various points of his forehead into a shape that resembled a crown.

Nobody was sure about what to think about this transformation.

Yu was on guard almost immediately. "We might not have time to think of a plan if Oumgatsuhi no Kami has anything to say or do about it. So, get ready!"

"That's right. The shackles are off and there's no reason for me to hold back anymore! TAI-ITSU!" Oumagatsuhi no Kami roared.

Everybody in the group and their Personas except for Rise and Kouzeon were hit with beams of purple energy multiple times before being blasted by a larger beam of purple energy.

They were somehow able to survive the onslaught, even though they were heavily damaged.

The members of the group whose Personas had healing spells healed everyone who had been damaged by Oumagatsuhi no Kami's Tai-Itsu attack.

Yu had an idea. "Rise, could you check if that attack has any sort of a cooldown? Or…?"

"I think Tai-Itsu does have a cooldown. But that might just be for this particular phase. Or until he finds a way for Tai-Itsu to not have a cooldown." Rise replied.

Sho scowled. "Who cares?! You can stand around and talk or you can hit this bastard with everything you've got! I know what I'd rather be doing!"

"He's right. It's time to hit him where it hurts." Brianna said.

The rest of the group watched as Sho, Brianna and their respective Personas attacked Oumagatsuhi no Kami.

Kei quickly followed after them along with Chironnupu. "We may not get a better chance to strike than this one. Perhaps we should take it?"

They couldn't really disagree with him.

Which was why they attacked Oumagatsuhi no Kami almost immediately afterwards.

They scored multiple Critical Hits on Oumagatsuhi no Kami before landing an All - Out Attack.

"Not bad. I expected you to take advantage of the fact that I couldn't use Tai-Itsu without having to go into a state of cooldown afterwards. At least for now." Oumagatsu was still able to fight, apparently.

Dylan rolled his eyes at that statement. "Oh great! Don't tell me you're just going to magically eliminate that one flaw, or weakness, that you have. Because that'd just suck."

"Indeed I am. How unfortunate for you and your friends. TAI-ITSU!" Oumagatsuhi no Kami was overjoyed at the prospect of them suffering.

They were hit with the Tai-Itsu attack again, and it was just as damaging as the last time.

Dylan slowly picked himself up. "Fuck. That really hurts…

The members of the group who had Personas that could use healing spells and abilities quickly used them.

"Something's not right. He seems to be…" Rise trailed off.

Dylan was starting to get an idea of what Oumagatsuhi no Kami was doing. "Adapting? Shouldn't that be impossible?"

"It should be. But it's not. PRIMORDIAL CURSE!" Oumagatsuhi no Kami was practically cackling with malevolent glee.

The group were hit with a range of status ailments in quick succession. And that was before Oumagatsuhi no Kami attacked them and their respective Personas.

Yu slowly picked himself up. "Shit…"

"You've won quite a few battles to get to me, but I'm afraid that I'm going to win the war. And when you're out of the way, I'll leave this wretched place in order to destroy

the masters of both the Velvet Room and the Crimson Room. All before I build a new world out of the ashes of the old one. It's a pity that you're not going to live long enough to see it." Oumagatsuhi no Kami sneered.

Dylan rose to his feet again. "Fuck that. And I thought my old man was a twisted, heartless bastard. But you? You're on a level that he could have only dreamed of reaching. Which means…"

"That I have to be stopped? You and the rest of your group that are currently fighting me can barely stand up. What hope do you have of stopping me? Let alone hindering me?" Oumagatsuhi no Kami grinned.

The group were still affected by the various status ailments that Oumagatsuhi no Kami had inflicted upon them. Which made fighting Oumagatsuhi no Kami even harder than it already was.

Yu attempted to restore order. "Damn it! We need to find a way to recover, or stall him at the very least! But it might be easier said than done!"

The members of the group who had healing spells quickly used them.

Which gave them an opportunity to regroup.

"As entertaining as it is to watch you struggling like this, it's starting to get a little bit repetitive! CALAMITOUS SCYTHE!" Oumagatsuhi no Kami split himself into various copies of himself and attacked the group along with their Personas before the copies reformed back into him.

This attack had the added side effect of cancelling the Personas of everybody in the group apart from Rise.

Fortunately, this was only temporary, and the members of the group who had their Personas cancelled were able to summon their respective Personas again.

Dylan shook his head. "You're going to have to do a hell of a lot better than that if you're going to put us down for good!"

"If they're not going to give up, then I'm not going to give up either!" Rise went to go and join the rest of the group.

Stephen looked concerned. "I thought that Kouzeon wasn't capable of combat?"

"Actually, she is. Which is a pretty good thing, if you think about it." Rise replied.

Stephen nodded. "You're probably right. Then again, it wouldn't hurt to make sure."

"Alright then! It's time to finally test this out! Kouzeon! Switch to your Combat Mode!" Rise exclaimed.

Kouzeon was surrounded by a bright light as she transformed into her combat form for the first, but definitely not the last, time.

After a matter of minutes, the light faded and Kouzeon was standing beside Rise. Rise had also gained a weapon in the form of a microphone stand complete with a microphone.

There were various differences between Kouzeon in her Support Mode, or her Analysis Mode, and her Combat Mode in terms of her appearance. Firstly, the planets that were orbiting Kouzeon in her Analysis Mode state had disappeared. Her dress had decreased in length until it covered about halfway down her knees. The telescope that covered her head had shrunk in size so that it resembled a helmet more than anything else. Two different layers of red and gold hair now extended from the back of her head, which was yet another contrast with her Analysis Mode.

Kouzeon's Combat Mode had four arms just like her Analysis Mode.

Stephen could feel his jaw dropping. "Okay. That was pretty impressive."

"I think that may have bought us some time. Let's not waste it." Kei swiftly interrupted.

Dylan made an exaggerated show of cracking his neck. "Fuck yeah. Time to ice this son of a bitch or fail gloriously in the attempt! Whichever one is less painful!"

The group prepared to resume their fight with Oumagatsuhi no Kami with a newfound focus and determination.

"How interesting. And here I was thinking that she was merely a pretty face." Oumagatsuhi no Kami smirked.

Stephen glowered at him. "You'd better watch it."

"Or what?" Oumagatsuhi no Kami retorted.

Stephen was trying his best not to get drawn in by that taunt. "That's for me to know and you to find out."

"So be it. REGENERATION!" Oumagatsuhi no Kami used a powerful recovery spell in order to recover from a great deal of the battle damage that had been inflicted on him.

Yu wasn't going to give up. "You can heal yourself all you want. It's not going to dampen our resolve."

They kept on fighting against Oumagatsuhi no Kami. At least until Oumagatsuhi no Kami used various Elemental spells on the members of the team that had Elemental weaknesses in order to buy himself some extra time.

Oumagatsuhi no Kami then used Regeneration to heal himself even further before attacking the group once more.

Naoto shook her head. "You might think this is a game, but we're not playing around. Yamato Sumeragi, SHIELD OF JUSTICE!"

"Exactly! Takehaya Susanoo, YOUTHFUL WIND!" Yosuke exclaimed.

Chie nodded. "Okay! Haraedo no Okami, DRAGON HUSTLE!"

They were fortified for the continuation of their battle with Oumagatsuhi no Kami. At least for a little while.

"You can strengthen yourselves all you want! It doesn't matter! PANDEMONIUM!" Oumagatsuhi no Kami unleashed a powerful Almighty attack on the group.

But it still wasn't enough.

Yu had an idea. "Everybody who can, get into a pair and use a Combo Attack, even if it doesn't look like we can!"

"You're really getting desperate now, aren't you? Come on then! Do your worst!" Oumagatsuhi no Kami laughed.

The members of the group that had learned or unlocked Combo Attacks paired up and nodded to Yu that they had gotten into position. Kei, Sho and Brianna were on standby in case those Combo Attacks weren't enough.

Yukiko and Chie were first up. "TWIN DRAGONS!"

Sumeo Okami summoned a flower underneath Oumagatsuhi no Kami that bloomed when a dragon summoned by Haraedo no Okami flew in a circle above the calamitous god.

"JUNES BOMBER!" Yosuke and Teddie were up next.

Takehaya Susanoo threw a bunch of Shuriken and knives while Kamui Moshiri dropped a large bomb with Teddie's face on it that said "Bomb" on it. The bomb inflated until it exploded, causing the Shuriken and knives to strike Oumagatsuhi no Kami.

Dylan and Stephen launched a Combo Attack of their own. "THUNDERSTRUCK!"

Hi no Kagutsuchi called down blazing fire on Oumagatsuhi no Kami while Nari no Okami blasted him with lightning. The two Personas then attacked Oumagatsuhi no Kami in unison.

"STORM FORCE!" Eddie and Zach exclaimed.

Ninigi no Mikoto threw his sword at Oumagatsuhi no Kami while Tenjin struck it with lightning. When the sword connected, it caused a strong wind to hit him several times.

Dylan and Yukiko looked at each other and nodded. "LA VIE EN ROSE!"

Nari no Okami summoned what seemed to be blades of ice before sending them crashing down into Oumagatsuhi no Kami. Sumeo Okami then caused flames to engulf him which had a colour similar to roses.

"BEAUTY AND THE BEAST!" Naoto and Kanji quickly followed with an attack of their own.

Yamato Sumeragi summoned dark blue energy while Takeji Zaiten attacked Oumagatsuhi no Kami before the energy exploded.

Chie and Yosuke were next to attack Oumagatsuhi no Kami. "DELTA ATTACK!"

Takehaya Susanoo threw knives and Shuriken to Haraedo no Okami, who then kicked them at Oumagatsuhi no Kami or hit them with her naginata. They then rushed Oumagatsuhi no Kami, attacking in an "X" formation.

Oumagatsuhi no Kami was still standing after being hit by all of those Combo Attacks.

And he was laughing.

"Oh, this is just too much! Did you really think that you could beat me with the power of your bonds? Such insignificant creatures! REGENERATION!" Oumagatsuhi no Kami was still laughing.

Whatever damage he had taken from the Combo Attacks was healed.

Which, unfortunately, put the group right back where they started.

Sho let out a disdainful snort. "Well, that was a complete waste of time."

"How pitiful. You might be siding with each other against me now, but what will you do if I was to be thwarted? Go back to taking part in the petty squabbling of your puppet masters?" Oumagatsuhi no Kami had stopped laughing and had gone back to taunting the group.

Dylan rolled his eyes. "Oh great. You're still finding time to make speeches. A "Deus Ex Machina" right about now would be great. I'm just throwing that out there in case anything might be willing to throw us one. Even if we may have exceeded our quota of them already…"

"There is absolutely nothing that can save you now. Just accept your fate and be…" Oumagatsuhi no Kami was about to say something but he noticed that there was a tear in space very close to where he and the group were squaring off.

Everybody in the group exchanged confused glances, even Sho and Brianna.

Song End

Yu looked on as the tear grew progressively larger. "I hope that whatever comes through that thing is on our side. And if he or she isn't on our side, then I hope that he or she wouldn't be on Oumagatsuhi no Kami's side."

I'll just have to kill all of you before that tear fully opens!" Oumagatsuhi no Kami roared.

Yu turned his attention away from the tear and focused it back on Oumagatsuhi no Kami.

He shook his head. "You might want to hurry up. Because that tear looks like it's pretty close to opening completely. Don't say I didn't warn you."

"Enough stalling!" Oumagatsuhi no Kami charged at the group.

Fortunately for them, he wasn't quite able to make it as he was frozen in his tracks soon after he started moving.

They watched as the tear began to open and someone, or something, slowly begun to emerge from it.

Yu wasn't about to take any chances. "I know you're not on their side, but I just have to ask… Are you on you on our side? Or, are you on a different side entirely?"

"I suppose you could say that I'm on a different side. Or, rather, I'm on a different side." They could hear a voice coming from the tear.

Yu seemed willing to accept this answer. "Then there's nothing to worry about."

"Good. It appears that we have come to an understanding. Which would make things considerably easier. Please wait for a moment. The tear will be fully opened soon enough, after all." The voice responded.

The group watched as the tear opened up fully and the source of the voice that they'd heard slowly emerged from out of it.

Dylan rolled his eyes. "Are you planning on introducing yourself? Or are you just going to leave us in suspense?"

"Well, then. I suppose it's time to stop prevaricating. My name is Adeline Daladier and I am an agent of the Great Will. Or, the Axiom, if you prefer that particular appellation." Adeline answered.

Now that Adeline had fully emerged from the tear, they were able to see what she looked like. She was a relatively tall woman who appeared to be in her mid to late twenties but was more than likely far older than that. Her hair was a sort of whitish blonde and her eyes were blue. She was wearing a white dress and flat formal shoes as well as a small teacup hat that was perched on her head at a jaunty angle.

Dylan frowned slightly. "You look like you're either trying to sell me a house or want to sell me car insurance."

"You certainly have a way with words. But no. Your opponent tried to undermine the balance of this particular corner of the Amala Multiverse, which is unacceptable." Adeline replied.

Yu seemed to understand this. "That makes sense. However, we did try to stop him and his minions. It was easier to deal with them than it was to deal with him. What exactly would be done with Oumagatsuhi no Kami? I doubt that you're going to just let him go after everything that he's done."

"I won't. He'll get exactly what he deserves." Adeline said.

They watched as Oumagatsuhi no Kami turned to stone before shattering and turning into dust.

Yu heard a loud cracking noise. "Maybe we should make our exit before this place crumbles down around us. Unless anyone has any better ideas?"

"I do. You may want to close your eyes, because this could get a little messy." Adeline answered.

The entirety of the group closed their eyes, even Sho and Brianna.

And then they disappeared just as the Temple of Calamity collapsed around where they had previously stood.

Entrance, Mayonaka

The group, plus Adeline, ended up back at the entrance to Mayonaka. Their Personas had all been dismissed before Adeline had teleported them out of the Temple of Calamity.

"What Oumagatsu, or rather Oumagatsuhi no Kami, did to Mayonaka will be reversed relatively quickly. Which means that the path to your ultimate objective will be opened once again. I'm sure that you'll be able to handle it. Best of luck." Adeline disappeared.

Brianna walked to one of the TVs and jumped into it. "I think I'd better leave."

"You're lucky that we happened to be on the same side in order to deal with Oumagatsu. But we might not be on the same side in the future. In fact, I guarantee that we won't be." Sho was next to make his exit.

Yu looked over at Kei. "So, what exactly have you decided to do?"

"I'm still going to be "on your side." But I think that you all have a better idea about what had been going on around here than I have. And, you've handled things fairly well. As much as I'd want to help you, I think that I would be better off going somewhere else. After all, there are more existential threats besides Oumagatsu lurking around." Kei replied.

Dylan nodded. "I guess you won't be sticking around, then?"

"Probably not. I'll head back to the Amagi Inn and get my stuff. But I will be back." Kei said.

They looked on as Kei made his exit.

It was a certainty that they would see Kei again. He just wouldn't be involved in the confrontation with Izanami. Mainly because he hadn't been involved in dealing with the different events that had been going on in Inaba over the last ten months or so.

The group, now reduced to the people who were members of the Seekers of Truth before Kei had joined them, were next to make their exit.

Izanami was still waiting for them. Sure, she might have been corrupted into setting off everything that happened in Inaba but she still needed to be dealt with.