bopdog111: Might be time to settle things with Kamoshida?
Ulrich362: Makes sense, but there's a lot more to explore in the castle.
bopdog111: Well they can't be wasting time cause the more time they waste the faster the deadline will approach.
Ulrich362: Agreed so let's not keep them waiting. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: We don't own Persona but we own any OCs.
4/17: Sunday (Days Until Expulsion: 15)
"How are you going to go to the palace with us if you're working?" Morgana asked while Jiyū gave him some cat food and Akira sat on the bed before LeBlanc opened.
"I'll figure something out Morgana." Jiyū said scratching behind his ear, "But you guys have Miss. Takamaki, and Akira-oniichan with their abilities if I'm not able to join you guys much."
"Not to mention Ryuji." Akira added. "Then again, we could always use the help."
"I know." Jiyū nodded at that, "But I promise, I'll figure something out. If I came in late, I'll message you guys, and we'll regroup at the Safe Room."
"Alright, but be careful. The Shadows are dangerous." Morgana mentioned.
"Oh... you're not part of the group text are you?" Akira asked suddenly.
"The Group Text?" Jiyū asked at that, "First time I'm hearing about that."
"It's so we can stay in touch." Akira explained handing Jiyū his phone. "You can add your contact information so we can keep you updated on what's going on."
Hearing that Jiyū looked before joining in the Group Text, "Okay, I'm in."
Akira nodded. "Alright. See you later."
With that Morgana jumped into his bag and Akira walked out of the room.
"Have a good day of school." Jiyū said with a smile to them walking downstairs.
"Well, the cat seems to be a good influence on him." Sojiro noted thoughtfully.
"It's always nice to have a loyal companion with him." Jiyū smiled to him.
"I suppose that's true, oh but that reminds me did you need any new art supplies?" Sojiro inquired.
"Well my brush is starting to crack, and running out of blue." Jiyū answered.
"I'll pick some up tonight then, though you're using a lot of blue lately." Sojiro noted.
"Well Miss Caroline, and Miss Justine asked me to make a portrait of them in a pose yesterday night." Jiyū explained to them.
"You spend a lot of time thinking about them don't you?" Sojiro chuckled. "You're quite the ladies man."
That made Jiyū turn red at that, "Uh... I suppose..."
Sojiro just chuckled.
'Would Big Sis tease me about it?' Jiyū thought before sighing.
Later...
Jiyū was wiping down the table before looking at the time, and asked, "Sakura-Sensei?"
"You said that we're out of the Long Black Coffee beans?" Jiyū asked him.
"That's right." Sojiro nodded.
"I'll go get them." Jiyū smiled to him walking to the door, "I'll be right back."
Sojiro nodded. "Thanks, I appreciate that."
Jiyū nodded walking out before starting to run to the direction of the school, "Time to go to work."
After arriving he got in the ally saying, "Kamodshida, Shujin Academy, Castle."
"Beginning Navigation." the App said before transporting.
(Theme: Kamoshida Castle)
He appeared at the entrance as Hangyaku looking around, "Okay, looks like they gone ahead. Okay message."
With that he quickly messaged them saying he arrived. A few moments later he got a response.
PANTHER: Right, Mona will come get you. Stay in the first Safe Room.
HANGYAKU: On it Miss Takamaki.
With that he got in evading the Shadows as best as he could while avoiding combat entering the Safe Room. A few minutes later the door opened and Morgana walked in.
"The others are trying to figure out how to get past a locked door, come on I'll lead the way." Mona told him.
Hangyaku nodded following him before reaching Joker, Skull, and Ann.
"Good to see you again Joker-oniichan, Skull, and Miss Takamaki." Hangyaku said with a smile.
"Actually I'm going by Panther." she mentioned. "We found a weird book but none of us know what to do with it yet."
Skull nodded showing Hangyaku a book called the King Book.
"King Book?" Hangyaku said seeing it, "And Mona said you came across a Locked Door?"
"Yeah, there's some kind of slot in the wall next to the switch." Skull answered. "We need to find a way past that door."
"Slot... Maybe there are books that are related to King Book, and maybe their the key?" Hangyaku suggested.
"Maybe, but we haven't found anything yet." Joker admitted.
"Well let's take a look around." Mona told them.
The others nodded as they left the Safe Room. They looked around the rooms before Hangyaku cried, "Hey, I found something!"
They went in to find Hangyaku found something called, 'Queen Book.'
"The Queen Book, good eye Hangyaku." Mona grinned. "There must be a connection between them."
With that they head off looking around until Joker called, "Hey, I got something!"
They head in seeing he found, 'Slave Book'.
"The Slave Book, come on what the hell?" Skull questioned.
"Three books each with a title..." Hangyaku trailed off before snapping, "Whoa what is that?"
They looked before Joker frowned.
"Nothing good." Skull frowned. "Should we take it down?"
"Well it's in our way." Mona admitted.
"Let's do this, Joker-oniichan." Hangyaku told him.
Joker nodded before attacking the shadow.
(Battle Theme: Take Over)
The Shadow transformed into a warrior riding a ram known as Brutal Cavalryman who called, "Power Slash!"
He attacked but they dodged as Hangyaku called, "Lozenge Magus charge in with Psi!"
His Persona attacked the Shadow. The shadow winced from that.
"Zorro show your might!" Mona called as his persona appeared and struck the shadow with a gust of wind.
"Gah!" the shadow cried out before charging at Joker, "Power Slash!"
He swiped down his spear. Joker dodged to the side before firing his gun only for the shadow to not react at all.
"Gun skills won't work." Mona frowned.
"Then we're gonna have to beat it to a pulp!" Skull decided smacking it with his pipe which dealt some damage before it tried to thrust with it's spear only for Skull to dodged, "Holy shit!"
Panther charged in calling, "Dance Carmen!"
Her Persona charged in attacking with a fire attack only for it to deal minimal damage, "Huh? Fire skills aren't effective?"
"I guess not." Joker mentioned. "Arsene!"
His main Persona appeared attacking as Hangyaku charge in, "Let me try this! Okay, Lozenge Magus Fire Break!"
At that a fire shield broke from the shadow.
(FIRE RESISTENCE NULLIFIED)
"What do you just do?" Skull questioned.
"I think... I had given Panther an advantage." Hangyaku admitted.
"Only one way to find out." Panther mentioned. "Carmen!"
The Persona appeared attacking with another fire attack which unlike last time dealt a bit of damage.
"Awesome." Panther grinned. "Thanks Hangyaku."
"Just glad to help." Hangyaku smiled nodding.
"Ok, Captain Kidd get him with Zyodyne!" Skull called as a lightning attack struck the shadow causing it to winced before charging at Mona to attack.
Mona cried out as he was hit.
"Mona!" Hangyaku cried getting to him before Joker called a woman priest as a new Persona.
"Silky, Bufu!" Joker called as the Persona done an Ice attack which knocked the Shadow down.
(HOLD UP!)
Joker, Panther, and Skull aimed their firearms before Joker called, "All-Out Attack!"
They charged in from the photos attacking before Joker pulled down his gloves with a grin as the shadow shattered behind him.
Hangyaku called, "Lozenge Magus, Dia!"
"Thanks, sorry about that." Mona apologized.
"As long as your okay, I'm cool." Hangyaku said putting him on his back, "But you should rest up, Mona."
"Alright." Mona nodded as Skull opened a door. "Huh, is this some kind of library?"
They walked in looking around as Hangyaku looked over one, "This has a lot names involving; Ryuji Sakamato, the Vulgar Ape."
"Huh?" Skull questioned running over. "What the, these are all the guys on the volleyball team."
Joker getting an idea gives the Slave Book to Skull, "Put this in that row."
"Huh, well if you're sure." Skull nodded putting the book in with the others.
Following that Hangyaku gives the Queen Book to Panther walking around for the King's Book spot. That's when he noticed several books all talking about Kamoshida.
"Tracing Kamoshida's steps, Kamoshida's Heroisms, and Kamoshida's Law?" Hangyaku asked grunting slipping the King Book in.
"Over here... these are the names of girls from our school." Panther mentioned putting in the Queen Book.
At that the book shelves opened which startled them all as Skull cried, "Whoa, it opened up!?"
"You got it, Joker!" Mona grinned before saying, "Let's take a look inside!"
They all got in seeing it's a shrine dedicated to a girl having brown hair, and a ponytail with pictures of her everywhere.
"That... Shiho..." Panther whispered in horror.
"The hell is this room? There're tons of pictures of Suzui here!" Skull said in shock, "Wait, it's all pics of her?"
Hangyaku walked taking a picture off looking at her, "So this is the girl that tried to do suicide Joker-oniichan? He'll not get away with this."
He pocketed the picture at that. Joker nodded before noticing something and walking over. "A medal? And another map."
"That size, and that shape... I think that's our key!" Mona realized as they looked to him, "Remember that round indentation we saw back near those bars?"
"Right." Joker nodded taking it.
Hangyaku at that looked over the map as Mona looked over it where the boy asked, "Can you find out where the Treasure is on this?"
Mona looked before grinning. "Yeah, it has to be in that main tower."
"Okay let's head over!" Skull grinned.
Mona shook his head telling him, "No. Now that we know how much is left, we can calculate the best way to pace ourselves. Let's keep exploring, but take breaks when you need to, Joker."
"Right, but we can still go a bit farther for today." Joker replied.
They nodded hearing that exiting the room where they heard, "Hey! What are you doing?"
They looked to see a Guard running to them as Hangyaku grunted, "We don't got time for this!"
(Theme: Take Over)
He attacked the shadow as it spawned into two Bicorns, and a bigger middle one in a purple aura.
"Huh, that Shadow..." Mona started staring at it.
"Get out of the way!" Hangyaku yelled firing a shot which damaged the bigger Shadow only for it to retaliate catching Hangyaku off-guard, "Ow! Hey, what was that?"
"Careful, that shadow is dangerous." Mona told him. "Watch and learn."
He took out a slingshot before shooting the shadow multiple times before it exploded damaging the other two Bicorns.
"What the... it exploded!?" Skull asked in shock.
"I'll explain later! Focus on the other two!" Mona told them.
Joker, and Panther defeated another two before a second Shadow Spawn like the last one appeared.
"Take him down Captain!" Skull grinned as a bolt of lightning struck one of the shadows. "Hangyaku, take them down!"
"Got it! Lozenge Magus get them with Mapsi!" Hangyaku called as the Psychonic skill attacked the three.
The Bicorn Skull hit was destroyed at the other two winced from the attack. Hangyaku looked on before aiming, and shooting the middle Bicorn. It collapsed in pain. Then Joker called, "Arsene, Cleave!"
The Persona attacked the one on the right destroying it before Mona attacked the remaining one with his broadsword.
"Awesome you guys." Skull grinned.
"What was with that big Shadow?" Hangyaku asked.
"I call them Disaster Shadows, they usually don't attack unless we attack first, and you saw what happens when you defeat them." Mona answered.
"As long as we can handle them we'll be okay right?" Skull asked with a grin.
"Right! If we run across any more of those, I saw we focus on them first!" Mona grinned.
"That sounds like a plan." Joker agreed.
They exited the room going to the door as Joker put the medal on the statue allowing them to open the door as Skull grinned, "Sweet! It worked!"
"Now we can keep doing!" Panther smiled.
"This must lead somewhere important. Let's go!" Mona called to them as they nodded heading in before he said, "This feeling. Another Safe Room nearby!"
'That's good." Panther smiled.
After getting a break they reached a huge room where Hangyaku lifted his bayonet rifle to stop Skull from moving forward.
"Huh, what is it?" Skull asked him.
"Think for a minute Skull. This room is real big, and we haven't encountered much of Security. If I'm not fooled, I'm thinking there's an ambush planned in this room somewhere." Hangyaku told them.
"I agree." Mona nodded. "We should be on our guard."
"Still this the only path to the Treasure. Keep your guard up as we trek here." Joker said as they walked in before a distorted plane happened in the gym showing a huge gym with a Kamoshida Statue at the end of one room.
"Huh, what was that?" Hangyaku asked.
"That was a distortion of which area of the school we're in which Kamoshida view as." Mona answered.
"Of course the gym. This place is like a Holy Ground for him since he's the Gym Teacher, treating himself as a God." Skull said seeing the statue.
Panther grunted with a glare, "Can't believe he thinks like this... especially after what he did to Shiho..."
"This son of a bitch makes me really fricking sick!" Skull cursed with a growl.
Suddenly Joker frowned. "Did you hear something?"
"I see... So you're the ones who tampered with the library." a voice stated, "It seems my time waiting here has paid off..."
At that another bronze captain appeared as Hangyaku grunted, "I knew an ambush was planned."
"Just as that ape there said, this place is a holy ground for our great King Kamoshida." the captain told the team, "It is preposterous for miscreants like yourselves to come waltzing in like this!"
With that said he transformed into a crimson winged angel Templar captain holding a long silver sword.
"Careful guys, this one is strong." Mona warned them.
The angel known as Archangel declared, "You will pay for foolishly defying King Kamoshida... with your lives!"
"Go ahead, and try that guy doesn't deserve our respect!" Hangyaku yelled as they prepared themselves, "We took care of things more pretty then you!" 'Though I'm glad it isn't another toilet shadow.'
(Mini-Boss Theme: Keeper of Lust)
"Arsene Eiha!" Joker called.
The attack hit but Archangel called, "In thy name!"
He meditated as he3e build strength while Skull called, "Captain Kidd, Lunge!"
The physical attack charged in but missed Archangel who charged taking a slash at Hangyaku who barely blocked with his bayonet rifle as the force pushed him back, "Whoa... That nearly hacked me in two! Alright want to play that way? You got it! Lozenge Magus attack with Kouha!"
Magus attacked hitting Archangel but he shook it off flying back calling, "In thy name!"
He charged his energy again.
"Careful, he's planning something dangerous." Mona warned them.
"Yeah, no shit!" Skull told him.
Panther then called, "Carmen, Dormina!"
Her Persona appeared only for it to do nothing.
"What did you try to use?" Mona asked her.
"Uh something for it to sleep?" Panther asked rubbing her head.
Hangyaku at that said, "Well I think it's a chance like move so don't use it much Panther."
"Captain Kidd, Zio!" Skull called as the attack struck.
Archangel then called, "Vajra Blast!"
Joker, Skull, and Mona cried out as they were all hit.
"Guys!" Hangyaku cried at this before glaring, "Oh no one does that to my friends! Lozenge Magus, Sukukaja!"
He increased Panther's speed before charging it firing several shots while Panther charged smacking Archangel with her chained whip, and then Hangyaku stabbed Archangel with his bayonet rifle firing.
"Tch..." the Archangel grunted, "You thieves are so damn slippery!"
He charged at Panther, and Hangyaku slashing as they blocked several attacks before Archangel kicked Hangyaku at the gut before slashing upward pushing him back crying out landing back as his bayonet rifle slid across the floor groaning.
"Hangyaku!" Joker cried. "Change, Pixie Dia!"
Pixie appeared healing Hangyaku as he grunted shaking his head, "Ow, that hurt."
"It's time to end this!" Archangel declared charging up.
Joker frowned before his eyes widened. "Mona, Panther hit him together!"
Hearing that Panther called, "Carmen, Agi!"
"Zoro, Garu!" Mona called as they attacked Archangel.
The flames and wind combined to form a small whirlwind of flame that enveloped the Archangel.
"Grah!" the Archangel cried now weakened, "This cannot be!"
"Lead the charge Hangyaku." Joker smiled.
"Right!" Hangyaku said taking his rifle charging forward with a battlecry before a boost from Skull's pipe lift him up managing to stab Archangel at the torso firing a blast at the chest knocking it down with a groan shattering as Hangyaku managed to land on his knees, and hands.
(End Theme)
"Are you alright?" Panther asked him.
"That guy got me good." Hangyaku admitted.
"Well at least we beat him." Skull mentioned only for several more knights to appear surrounding them.
"Oh crud!" Mona cried.
"Should we head back?" Panther asked them.
"No, the Treasure is definitely up ahead, and there has to be a path to it somewhere." Mona told her looking around, "See anything that could help us zip by here? Keep your eyes sharp!"
They all looked around before Joker's eyes widened. "There, grab on!"
Hearing that they grab on him as he shot a grapple to Kamoshida's statue arm allowing them to zip to to the ledge.
"Quick thinking Joker." Mona smiled.
Hangyaku sighed at this. Panther rubbed his back. "We should find a Safe Room and get some rest."
"Yeah... I need that after what that Shadow done at me." Hangyaku admitted patting his lower back.
Joker frowned hearing that. "Alright, then once we get to that Safe Room we should stop for today."
They nodded at this.
"Is there a Safe Room nearby Mona?" Skull asked.
"Otherside from the one we passed though we can't go back with Security. Let's move forward, and see." Mona suggested.
They others nodded at that. They looked around avoiding security before Skull said, "Huh? The hell is that?"
Mona looked to see a locked door. "This feeling, Joker."
"Yeah?" Joker asked him.
"There's something behind that door over there." Mona mentioned indicating a door that was sealed. "We should check it."
They head over finding a door covered in vines as Hangyaku admitted, "Looks abandoned."
"There's definitely something special in there." Mona grinned.
They grappled over as Joker sliced the vines off entering it as Mona widen his eyes, "That's..."
"What's this?" Hangyaku asked seeing a crimson root holding a skull.
"Joker, take that with us." Mona suggested.
Joker at that took the skull looking.
"I knew it, that's a Will Seed." Mona grinned.
"Will Seed?" Skull asked.
"It's a coalesced form of the Palace Ruler's desire... think of them kind of like miniature treasures where the distortions are stronger than the rest of the palace." Mona explained. "We should keep an eye out for them and the treasure."
They nodded heading out reaching a roof top with a huge tower.
"The treasure has to be up there right Mona?" Panther asked.
"Yeah it matches the map. Careful it's Security packed." Mona answered.
Hangyaku grunted a little, "Hopefully a Safe Zone isn't far now."
"Stay close to me." Joker suggested.
Hangyaku nodded as they avoided the Shadows doing quick fighting if caught jumping around to the side of the tower entering through a window where Mona senses a Will Seed entering a room where it's looking chaotic.
"Carmen, Dia!" Panther called.
It healed the group as Hangyaku looked around, "What's going on here?"
"I don't know, but I don't like it." Skull frowned.
"The Distortion's stronger here which means the Treasure's gotta be nearby." Mona answered that question.
"That's good, but we should find a Safe Room and head back." Joker reminded him. "Everyone's running out of stamina."
"I'm sensing one nearby. Not far." Mona told him.
"Then our first priority is finding it and then leaving the palace." Panther mentioned only to pause. "By the way Hangyaku, how did you manage to come with us anyway?"
"Huh? What'd ya mean?" Hangyaku asked as they walked around.
"You're a lot younger, and don't you have a job?" Panther asked. "Joker said that was why you might not always be available."
"Well... I told Sakura-Sensei, I would get some Coffee Beans that we run out of." Hangyaku answered.
"Won't he wonder what took you so long?" Skull questioned.
"Nah. Shipments of Coffee Beans take a long time since they fly from Africa, or Jamaica." Hangyaku answered, "Getting fresh Coffee Beans from multiple places around the world isn't a walk in the park from how long their either found, or delivered."
They nodded at that. Soon Mona lead them to a room where it shows of a elevator lowering down where they find a portrait of Kamoshida at the end of the hallway.
"Why is that here?" Skull frowned.
Hangyaku walked placing a hand before the portrait lurched forward as he cried out falling in, "Whoa!"
Joker's eyes widened before he ran ran after him only for his eyes to widen. "Wait, this is..."
He sees their in a room as he admitted, "Hey... This looks familiar."
"It should, it's the main hall. That's the front door of the palace." Joker mentioned. "Which means if this picture leads to that elevator we can come back tomorrow and head right there."
"And I'm sensing a Safe Room from the left." Mona told them.
"Right, let's get out of here." Skull mentioned. "We're definitely taking his treasure soon."
They entering the Safe Room exiting the Palace.
Back Outside...
Jiyū was by himself at the ally sighing, "Man..."
Akira walked over to him. "Are you alright?"
"Just exhausted." Jiyū admitted to him.
Akira nodded. "Come on, let's head back."
They walked on back.
"Jiyū?" Akira asked him.
"Yeah, Akira-oniichan?" Jiyū asked him.
Akira looked at him before shaking his head. "Never mind."
"Well if you have something on your mind be sure to tell me." Jiyū smiled to him.
"I will, just... take care of yourself. None of us want you to get hurt." Akira mentioned.
"I don't want you hurt either. You didn't deserve what that guy blamed you to do." Jiyū told him patting his back.
"Thanks." Akira smiled.
bopdog111: Their growing closer to the Treasure.
Ulrich362: True, it won't be long now.
bopdog111: And then a time to celebrate will come.
Ulrich362: Agreed, see you in the next chapter.
bopdog111: Be sure to review!