Hoo boy, I had to spend some time shifting things around on this story, specifically when each aspect is stolen. Anyway, here's the next chapter. We're getting into the new overlay here. Disclaimer: I don't own the Persona series, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, or Juni Taisen.
Heist 20: Tomb Raiders
July 31. Takemi allowed the group into her clinic. "Something's been very wrong with Oyamada," she explained, "He's been pressuring a lot of my suppliers to stop selling to me. It's like he doesn't know what the medical industry is meant for." She sighed. "I was very sick as a kid, too sick to even attend school. Medicine was all that was keeping me healthy. That's why I became a doctor, to make sure there wasn't another case like me, or Miwa…" She suddenly looked stern. "The chief's full name… Is Shoichi Oyamada. I've already informed the Phan-Site. Please… He needs to be reminded of what's really important." Ren nodded. "We'll take care of it."
That evening, after Ren got his usual aojiru, the group went to see Chihaya. "I've decided to cancel the Holy Stone business," Chihaya said, "I realize the chairman will be angry but…" "Chairman?," Sumire asked, "What chairman?" "He's the guy I was talking about," Chihaya explained, "The one who tried to sell me on the idea of the Holy Stones' power. He was the first person in the city to see me as more than a monster. You see, I come from a small, traditional village. It's the kind of place that's closed off in the winter because of all the snow. I remember this altar where I…" She shook her head before smiling. "I really shouldn't be talking about this. Anyway, I'll be continuing my regular fortune telling, so I hope you stop by soon."
August 01. Ren stopped by the second-hand shop to buy an old retro gaming system and Gambla Goemon, before hitting the nest level of Legion of Monsters. This let the group grab Tornado Devil, Demonic Warlord, Floodbringer Demon, and a blue blob with multiple faces called Gathering Devil. The group had actually gotten a bunch of dirtied gear in the various overlays, but luckily the laundry next the bathhouse had heavy-duty washers that could easily clean those items. Kawakami agreed to watch over the laundry while the group headed for Kanda. There Hifumi was talking with an older woman. "You finally have an official match against a professional," the woman said, "Make sure this win counts." Hifumi sighed. "Is this one going to try to lose on purpose too?"
The woman looked irate. "I have no idea what you're talking about." She then noticed the group. "So who are these people? More fans?" "No Mother," Hifumi said, "This is the shogi group I mentioned earlier." The woman, Missus Togo, nodded. "I see. Just mind yourself around the boys in this group. Remember, you're not allowed to date. Once you're famous you can get fifty guys like them." "Hey!," Sumire called out, "Ren is one of a kind! And spoken for, by the way!" Hifumi chuckled. "Besides, why I want or need fifty guys? Don't forgot I'm only going through with this to provide for our family. Unlike you, fame doesn't concern me."
Missus Togo sighed. "As long as you understand…" And with that, she left. "So that was your mother," Yusuke said. "She was even more terrifying than Makoto," Ryuji noted. Makoto blushed. "I don't know whether I should feel insulted or flattered." "Maybe both," Futaba quipped, "So this is shogi, huh? I've played a few games online but this is my first IRL shogi board." "Ah, I see you know the game then," Hifumi said with a smile, "That means I won't have to worry about getting you up to speed. Actually, it was my father who first got me into this game. He was a professional shogi player before he became ill from focusing too much on it. Mom always blames this game for taking away her happiness, yet she's okay with letting me play. It's bizarre."
"Not to mention the whole idea of turning you into some sort of shogi idol is kinda bogus," Ann pointed out, "I mean, shogi's not really the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the idol industry." "One more reason why I'm not well-liked in the shogi community," Hifumi admitted, "I meant what I said earlier, I want to be able to use this game to provide for my family. But my mom is turning it into one big stage production, hoping to live vicariously through me. Now then, today I'll be throwing a lot of offensive moves out to help teach you how to escape from unwinnable situations."
August 02. Mishima called Ren to tell him about a new development. 'Yuuki Mishima: So I've been hearing about a corporate manager who keeps claiming the work of his employees. I have the name of the business, but it's a big one and there are several managers.' 'Ren Amamiya: And the employees won't open up? Maybe if they had more liquor in their systems… I know a bar that salarymen frequent in Shinjuku. I'll request a job there and see if I can get some info. Speaking of that, it's been a little quiet among the Zodiac warriors.' 'YM: They're all busy gossiping about Misaki retiring. I haven't been able to pick up any names.'
After that the group headed for Madara's overlay. The thick doors in the pyramid were sealed rather tightly. "How on earth are we going to get past this?," Mona asked, "Not even Joker's ability to turn intangible can help us since this technically isn't a solid object." "There was a town on the way in," Queen noted, "Let's see if we can find anything there." "I think one of the guards here might have the overlay's map," Oracle said, "I can track it once we get into town." Inside the town were guards dressed in mummy bandages and Egyptian gear. The first had Thief of Tablets, a bird with a lion's head. The second was a humanoid figure holding a bag with a crescent moon for a head, called Envoy of Slumber.
Soon enough, the group came upon what looked like a bandit. "What's bandit doing in this place?," Oracle asked, "I thought everyone here worked for Madara." "Oh you're under the wrong impression," the bandit said, "I'm actually an agent for Akira, sent here to check in on him. There's one in each overlay. I'm surprised you haven't encountered them yet." He held up a papyrus. "But I'm not gonna let you get your hands on this. Raging Bird God!" He summoned a giant bird with a reptilian tail and legs. He made to attack the Phantoms, but quickly got his rear handed to him.
Oracle scanned the papyrus. "Okay, I've got the map. Let's use it to explore the pyramid." However, a surprise came when the Phantoms reentered, as the floor of the entrance gave way and dropped them into a quicksand pit. Luckily, Oracle was able to activate her Stand before falling in and used the tentacles to get them out. Skull breathed a sigh of relief. "Thanks Oracle." "Can we cut it out with the death traps!?," Mona said irately, "Contrary to popular belief, we cats do NOT have nine lives!" "I think I'll be looking at tentacles in a calmer light from now on," Violet joked. "Did Madara realize we returned?," Fox wondered.
"Doubtful," Queen said, "Otherwise the overlay would have vanished again. More likely he set up this trap for whoever held the map without permission." Joker nodded. "Let's find our way up, before this winds up being our tomb." Oracle shivered. "I get the odd sensation that in some other universe, this might have already been mine…" The group started to climb out of the pit. Along the way was also a guard dog with Chanting Baboon, a white baboon dressed in Egyptian finery and reading a book. Eventually the winding path led to the entrance. "Looks like we have a more stable infiltration point," Queen noted, "Let's enter from here from now on."
The group went back down and into a small chamber where a guard caption noticed them. "So the boss's trap didn't work as planned. No matter… Coffin-borne God!" He summoned a giant sarcophagus with an ornate front. There was something inside with arms, but there was no definite sign of what it was. Whatever, it was, it was weak, forcing the guard to retreat. The next room had a large ballista pointed at a nearby room. Oracle pointed out a nearby button which triggered the ballista, causing light from a mysterious sphere to hit the nearby door.
"That door looked like the ones sealing away the center of the pyramid," Queen noted, "If we can find similar devices, I'll bet we can make them open the doors." As they continued through the overlay, they encountered a guard with She of Life and Death, which resembled an Egyptian priestess. Two rooms in the area had statues of the Egyptian god Anubis, each of them with small gemstones in their hands. These stones were to be placed in two pedestals above the great stairs, shifting the light from a nearby device to open the first door. "So this is how we will be proceeding," Fox noted. The group finally had a chance to reach a safe room before heading to another section of the tomb.
The group continued through the tomb, shutting down a trap to move forward and grabbing a supposedly cursed gem, which really just activated a trap near the switch they had just activated. That same gem let the group disable a trap by placing it in a new statue. "It's been said that Anubis is a guide for the lost," Violet noted, "It would seem Anubis is trying to lead us to our destination. Well… Let's not keep him waiting." Following the path, the Phantoms reached a switch that activated a ballista, smashing open a nearby wall and letting light stream through it to a puzzle.
Solving the puzzle shifted the light source so that it hit the next door, causing it to open. "So far so good," Queen said. "Once we get through all the doors," Joker said, "We'll have a straight shot to the treasure." The next chamber had a nasty surprise down the main corridor, a boulder trap. Luckily, the first usage of it cleared a path across for the group. The mechanism in the back was a complex one. After kicking down a path to one of the slabs that controlled the system, the slab lit up. "It has a code to it," Oracle noted, "B01010. The number of digits corresponds to the number of sarcophagi on each side of the main room.
"Yeah, and they just lit up with holograms," Skull noted. "I guess it's because Madara is a computer expert," Violet said. "So if we start with the blue hologram," Joker said. He turned off the necessary holograms and hit the nearby button, unlocking a door close by. Past it was another slab with R01100 and B10011. "This is reminding me of binary," Queen noted. "Well, Madara is a hacker," Oracle pointed out, "In fact, a lot of this pyramid has shades of modern cyberspace." Getting the code right and hitting the button turned on the trap with the boulders, put pushing it a second time only made it go faster until it broke down.
Luckily there was a means of getting over the boulders and continuing along the path until group reached another puzzle. Solving it allowed them to get through yet another door. "It feels like we're nearing the end," Fox noted, "I think now would be a good time to retreat temporarily and finish this another time." Joker nodded. "Now we have a better understanding of the security in this place. Let's head back. We could all use some rest." Once back in reality, the group called Kawakami to their hideout so they could get a energizing massage.
Now full of energy, Ren got to work helping Lavenza. "You should know I have been able to strengthen my Stand thanks to the efforts of you and your friends to weaken Legion of Monsters," she said, "I can now make use an Electric Chair to turn Stand energy into items. Now then, let's see what else we can use." She thought it might be possible to gain further power by stealing Captivating Dancer. Ren got to work, creating the needed energy to steal the aspect. "Excellent," Lavenza said, "It seems I am able to achieve greater power. Now I can use the Guillotine to fuse even more shards at once, up to six in total. Your diligence as a thief shows. Next let's try stealing Misnamed Taoist."
While grabbing this one, Ren was able to obtain Perverted Lancer. "Excellent," Lavenza complimented, "It appears many are getting drawn into your fate, whether they chose to or not. Still, it seems your path is clear, though not free from obstacles. And I can sense a certain fate closing in, one that will align you with the very fate of the world." Before leaving, Ren grabbed Immortal Firebird, King of the East, and Righteous Protector. "Every new shard weakens Akira more and more," Lavenza noted, "Before long his Stand will be cleaned out."
That evening, Ren mentioned the contents of the bag to Iwai. Iwai didn't seem angry, but looked around to make sure there were no other customers. "Follow me to the back." Inside, Ren noticed a strange cauldron in the center of the room. "What's this?," he muttered. Testing a theory, he summoned W Boiled Xtreme. Iwai nodded. "Yep, I figured you had one. With the kinds of goods you've been selling me I figured you had to have used a Stand to get them. And those things all go in my own Stand right here…" He pointed to the cauldron. "Thrift Shop. It takes the items I put into it and makes perfectly detailed replicas of actual weapons."
"They've been pretty handy too," Ren noted, taking out his pistol and aiming at the wall, focusing his Stand through it. The shot didn't damage anything since it wasn't a physical blast, but the implication was not lost on Iwai. "I was wondering why you needed that gear… Listen, if you're willing to do a few chores around the shop for me, and maybe help me out with a little business I have elsewhere, I can introduce you to the special menu. Normally it's really expensive, the items often costing millions of yen. But considering you're a frequent customer I can offer a significant discount." Ren smirked. "Very well. I think we have a deal." They shook hands.
August 03. Ren started the day on his game console playing the first part of Gambla Goemon. That evening he went to Shinjuku to grab the books Flowerpedia and Game Secrets before working with Iwai. He was meeting a yakuza named Masa at the diner. Ren was supposed to wait for a signal and call Iwai. The others were there as well in case backup was needed. Ren overheard how Iwai wanted to meet up with an old friend named Tsuda, and that it had to look like a coincidence so that Tsuda wouldn't get suspicious. When he gave a little cough, Ren took that as the signal to call him.
"Sorry, this is work related," Iwai said, "I need to take this elsewhere." Once he was in the bathroom, he told Ren, 'Stay on the phone so I can hear Masa.' Masa had called someone, Tsuda as it turned out. "Yeah Boss, I was just talking with Iwai. He said he wanted to bury the hatchet, but I think he's on to that big deal of yours. Probably wants to squeeze ya for money. No… No! I wasn't implying-" He winced as there was a faint sound of someone yelling in his ear. "Yes, Boss. Sorry, I won't question your judgement again." He quickly left. 'Nice work kid,' Iwai said, 'Go ahead and order whatever you like. It'll be on me. I already cleared it with the waitress.' Ren hung up, then got a call from Mishima inviting him to Harajuku. Ren decided it might be fun to go.
August 04. Ren and Mishima were on Takenoko Street, and the pace was bustling. "Why did you come here in the first place?," Ren asked. "I was hoping to get some idea on the public opinion of the Phantom Thieves," Mishima explained. "Oh, hey Ren," Ryuji called out, approaching the duo, "And Mishima too." "What are you doing here?," Mishima asked. "I was hoping to get some new workout clothes," Ryuji explained, "But they were all used, and smelled way too much. Hey, since we're all here, wanna grab a bite?" "I guess we did come all this way," Mishima agreed. Ren nodded. "The best way to get to know a place is to know its food."
That evening, Ren was able to catch the game show again. This time the question was whether taking money from a lost wallet or joyriding but returning the car counted as larceny. "Joyriding but returning the car," Ren noted, "Since you're using up the gas and wearing down the tires, it counts even if you return the car itself. Taking money from a lost wallet is just theft by finding." "How do you know so much about law?," Morgana asked when he saw the answer was right. "You need to know these things in our business," Ren pointed out, "Makes it easier for the lawyers should you ever need them."
Later the group headed for Chihaya's booth in Shinjuku. As it happened, she was speaking with a young man. "I know the chairman is concerned Tokoda," Chihaya said, "But he needs to realize that none of the stones are working as intended." The man, Tokoda apparently, looked sullen. "Please, Maiden. Our group is still looking to you for guidance." "And I'm giving it," Chihaya pointed out, "But with my own power and my own advice. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm meeting with a few friends right now." She nodded to the group, and Tokoda looked them over. "I see. Very well."
He walked off, and the group approached. "Who was that?," Ann asked. "Someone I know," Chihaya said, "He's part of a group that was using the Holy Stones. I think most of them don't realize the stones don't even work." "Why would he call you 'Maiden'?," Yusuke asked, "Seems a rather odd nickname." Chihaya sighed. "it's a title… One I deeply regret… But I don't wish to talk about it right now. The important thing is, I've been helping a lot of clients free of charge lately to make up for selling them fake stones. Unfortunately, I don't really have the money to pay them all back. Most of it went to that group." Before the group headed home, Yusuke invited Ren to see the movie Les Miserable. Ren nodded in agreement.
August 05. The movie turned out pretty good, all things considered. In the lobby, Yusuke was still talking about it. "I must admit I was more into the artistry of the scenery than the actual plot." "That's fine," Ren said, "I'm not really concerned. That said, it was an excellent production. It makes me wonder why the French Revolution was not as successful as the American Revolution. I mean, on the surface it worked, but ultimately what was created was no democracy." "It has been said that the road to Hell is paved with good intentions," Yusuke noted, "Anyway, let's meet up later, shall we?"
That evening, Mishima called in with another request. 'Yuuki Mishima: It looks like there's been several cases of assault in the Shibuya Underground Mall. Unfortunately I can't get a name, no one knows who it is. It might be possible to find a name if you go undercover and listen to the rumors spreading around.' 'Ren Amamiya: As it happens I have a part-time job at the flower shop in that mall. I'll go there and check things out. Most people don't pay attention to workers. I'll have that name before long.' 'YM: Thanks. I'm still keeping my ear to the ground in other matters.'
Ren and Mishima met up at the Hilton, on Ren's tab. "So that woman Misaki," Mishima said, "I kinda read up a little bit on her. Turns out for a warrior, she hasn't really killed that many people. In fact, she's most often called in to stop wars, rather than fight in them. Her ability to talk people into peace is interesting." "But not foolproof," Ren pointed out, "Some people don't want to believe that what she suggests will truly lead to peace for a number of reasons. In fact, the first time me and Sumire 'beat' her it wasn't so much that we defeated her in battle as we did what she was unable to do… Get two countries to stop fighting over a territory."
"How did you pull that off?," Mishima asked. "Misaki had been called in settle talks, but found they were getting nowhere. But she noticed that the armies were made up of descendants of that territory, which had once been a country in its own right. She convinced these people to reform the country, hoping that would shut up both dignitaries trying to argue over territorial rights." "But it didn't work," Mishima reasoned. "Not from anything she did," Ren clarified, "But the incident got the attention of the Speedwagon Foundation, who got the new country allies from the UN, which helped when the other two countries teamed up to try and declare the new country rebellious. But there was another reason they were there."
He leaned back. "And it all has to do with two different heists Joker and Violet pulled off. As it happened, both countries' dignitaries had purchased two different treasures, not realizing they were part of the Joestar collection. A pair of identical jeweled masks created by one Lyegrove Joestar. However, one of the masks was made with fine glass beads instead of real jewels, and both countries swore they had the real mask. They invested quite a lot of money into these treasures without also purchasing insurance. So if they had been stolen, it would have bankrupted the two countries. Once me and Sumire found the treasures, we came up with an ingenious scheme. We sent a calling card to each country, signed individually instead of as a pair."
He chuckled. "Like clockwork, the two countries brought the two treasures to a predictable spot we knew we could more easily infiltrate. Had they chosen to leave the treasures where they were, it would have been near impossible. Needless to say we made off with the treasures and left both countries too bankrupt to continue an expensive military campaign against the new country and its allies. Thus we showed that we could do what Misaki couldn't… Make two stubborn political officials stop fighting. That's how we beat her the first time." Mishima stared in awe. "I had no idea you guys could be so amazing!"
Great to still be getting these out. Anyway, that's all for this chapter. I finally got down to writing out the Stands from this story written in my archive file, which I use to copy and paste onto Jojo New Universe as needed. Read and review.