Moving away from Paris for now, but this won't be the last time we visit the Miraculous group. Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, the Persona series, Lupin the Third, or any other referenced media.

Forty-Sixth Caper: A War and a Coup, Iris Brooch

Even with Hawk Moth removed from the equation, there were still villainous forces for the Miraculous holders to contend with. Though they were now getting a new ally in the form of Japanese exchange student Kagami Tsurugi. "Longg, Bring the Storm!" As the new Dragon hero Ryuko, Kagami proved to be a powerful ally to the team. With the new villain defeated, Joker took a look under the mask. "This man was a techno-soldier sent from Padar. He has the Shake Hands Corporation logo on his uniform."

He and Violet looked at each other. As Ren and Sumire, they were due in Padar as part of the Speedwagon Foundation's efforts to negotiate away from civil war. But certain agents had noted that the High Priest was wearing a particular brooch that looked like a flower. Yet another piece of the Joestar Collection. "Looks like we won't be in Paris for a while," Violet noted. "Think you'll swing by again?," Ladybug asked. She and Violet had gotten to be good friends as of late, especially when the two Phantom Thieves trusted the Miraculous holders with their true identities.

"Hopefully," Joker said, "After all Padar is suffering a crisis right now, what with the arguments between the Traditionalists and the royal family." "Be careful out there," Cat Noir said, "Wars can be a ugly thing." Joker grinned. "Well danger comes with being a Phantom Thief. And besides, we do our best work when there's chaos around." He grabbed Violet by the waist before swinging off using his grappling hook. Ladybug walked up to her partner. "We'll see them again. I know it." "I hope so," Cat Noir said, "Dad's been looking for an ideal best man for our future wedding and Carapace is already busy with the music detail." Ladybug turned as red as her outfit.


Ren and Sumire were soon in Padar at the Speedwagon branch located between the two parts of the country. Ren quickly dialed Lupin's number. 'You have the most impeccable timing,' came Lupin's voice, 'I was just about to infiltrate an important location with Emmy's help.' 'It's Ami,' came Ami's voice. "We just got in from Paris," Ren said, "You can give us the details later. For now we need your location." The GPS activated with Lupin's signal showing up. "Always with that crazy monkey face," Ren muttered. "I guess he thinks it's amusing," Sumire suggested.


Meanwhile, the High Priest was getting annoyed at how badly his plans were going. Not only was the king nowhere to be found, but his strike force that had targeted Lupin had not yet reported back. Neither had his special cyborg agent whom he secretly sent to Paris to retrieve the mystical Miraculouses. The High Priest had heard about them from an ancient text, showing such heroes had once existed in Padar, and he desired that power to be in his hands. Yet when he sent someone to obtain it, the mission seemed to have failed. 'What else can go wrong today? If I'm not careful my coup will completely flop...'

Coming up behind him was a rather large man dressed in military fatigues and a muscle shirt, his huge arms covered with gauntlets and his head bearing a helmet with a horse mane decoration. "Ah, Yoshimi Soma," the High Priest said, some relief in his voice, "At least I can count on your protection." Yoshimi was the final Zodiac Assassin, the Warrior of the Horse. The big man nodded, and noted the brooch the High Priest wore. "Having one of those is dangerous," he noted, "You already have plenty of enemies. Joker is not an enemy you want to add to that list."

The High Priest gave a visually pleasant but ultimately sinister smile. "But that's what I have you for. The Zodiac Assassins have never once failed to complete a mission." Yoshimi sighed. "And this is why I told you it was a bad idea to cut off all internet access. The reality is that including me, every Zodiac Assassin has failed at least once. Especially when we crossed paths with Joker. Not even the Ox could defeat him, and he is the strongest of all of us." The High Priest chuckled. "There's no need for such modesty. Just be ready for when Joker or Lupin decide to show up." Yoshimi facepalmed at the High Priest's foolishness.


Joker and Violet were on the Traditionalist side of Padar when a sudden TV announcement came in from King Rajahara Sinha. 'Turns out that cyborg was bribed by the High Priest,' Alibaba chimed in, 'Shake Hands is firmly on the royal family's side.' "I get it," Joker said, "The High Priest must have desired the Miraculouses in an effort to gain more power, but needed something strong enough to take them. So he went behind his own party's back and sent in a technologically advanced soldier to do the job." "And with his own party's money, no less," Violet noted as she read the reports.

'Shake Hands has been getting more and more prominent in the technology department,' Alibaba noted, 'It's believed that at the rate they're expanding, several third-world countries could vanish off the face of the planet.' "Countries are nothing more than lines on a map," Joker pointed out, "The country may vanish, but not the culture, the landscape, or the people. The world is evolving, and those that need to keep secrets are evolving with it. We still need the past, for without its lessons... We could be doomed to repeat it endlessly. The CEO of Shake Hands doesn't seem to realize this."

'Eh, we can deal with them if we ever have to,' Alibaba said, 'But for now we have other issues to deal with. Lupin's scheme is already in motion. Stealing a princess... Interesting concept.' "It wouldn't be the first time," Violet noted, "I seem to remember his caper in Cagliostro." Joker nodded. "And we have our own plans in place. Looks like once again our goals run parallel to Lupin without interfering." He held out a copy of the calling card he had sent. "High Priest of Padar, we are the Phantom Thieves Joker and Violet. Today we will steal the Iris Brooch from your possession."


Lupin, disguised as a corporal of the Traditionalist army, was with Ami, disguised as Dolma. He was a little surprised to see a biometric scanner in the royal palace, which was under Traditionalist control. He took down two guards that drew their weapons when the scanner came up negative. "Need a hand?," Joker asked as he appeared. "Your timing couldn't be better," Lupin said, "These biometric scanners are a real pain to defeat. Even with my Mistaken Identity Noble Phantasm there's always a slight discrepancy." "The world is getting more used to supernatural phenomenon," Ami noted, "Technology is adapting to account for things like magic."

She finished hacking the system to let the group inside. "We could have slipped through the wall to turn it off from the inside," Violet noted. "That could have tipped off our target," Joker pointed out. Violet nodded. "Yeah, good point. Our goal is to do more than rob him blind." Joker noticed Lupin and Ami talking behind them. Something he said must have gotten her slightly flustered, since she was blushing lightly. "Got her first crush, it seems." Violet giggled. "Shame she's a little young for Lupin. Come on, we should hurry before the High Priest reaches his escape vessel."


Yoshimi had sensed the thieves coming as the High Priest was preparing to put his plan into motion. 'My Mido Uma allows my cells to evolve in response to danger. It's a very versatile Stand. Yet how would it stand up to Joker's ability to phase through solid objects? More importantly, it cannot negate my need for oxygen, so if he should somehow remove my ability to breathe I would be at a serious disadvantage.' But neither of these became a concern for him. Rather it was a sudden blinding light, which came from Violet's Be the One.

Yoshimi's eyes quickly evolved to adjust to the sudden brightness, but that brought a new problem as Joker appeared, veiling Yoshimi's sight in shadow. "Damn! I can't fight what I can't even see!" He then froze as he felt a sudden grip on his lungs. "I'm going to make this as painless as possible," came Joker's voice, "With the right amount of pressure I can send your body into an unconscious state due to lack of oxygen. A giant like you is not an opponent I want to have an extended fight with. So just relax and think of your favorite hobby as you go to sleep." Yoshimi drifted off as he felt his lungs getting slightly squeezed, his mind filled with his model ship in a bottle.


Joker soon joined Kirei and Riko as they dealt with the High Priest's guards. Violet quickly snatched the Iris Brooch away from the man. "By now most of Padar knows you were targeted by us," she noted, "And that will get people talking. After all, me and Joker don't target innocent civilians." The High Priest quickly dropped the gun he had been holding. "Please, Lupin, Joker, Violet, let's be reasonable and make a deal. Once this is country is ours, I can offer you any treasure you wish."

"Not a chance," Lupin said, "For starters, Joker and Violet are far too honorable. They'd never let any sort of evil scheme fly under their watch. Joker is the Lord of Crime after all." Joker grinned. "I might have been more open to the idea," Lupin admitted, "But not at the request of a two-bit hustler like yourself. You need to be a proper villain, otherwise you'd never have control over the very power you seek." "He's right," Joker said, "You should take a hint from Giorno Giovanna or Fuyuhiko Kuzuryu. Now those two know how to handle power without losing control of it."

Kirei raised an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting the current king is the same?" "Well, when you let a civil war get out of hand...," Violet noted. Kirei nodded in understanding. "Yes, that is a good point." "Makes you wonder if there's anyone in this country who has the chops to be a real villain," Riko said, giving a subtle look in Dolma's direction. Lupin made a sniffle and wiped away a fake tear. "I couldn't have said it better myself! That's Daddy's little girl for ya!" Meanwhile, Dolma was giving Riko's words some serious consideration. She also noticed that Ami was wearing Lupin's special monocle, and had not taken her eyes off the High Priest. 'They must be up to some scheme...'

She started to get an idea of what that was as the High Priest offered Lupin a chance to operate out of Padar to avoid running from country to country, promising to tear up their agreement with the ICPO. He even tried to sweeten the deal with treasures and women. 'But even if the coup fails, the CIA can still take control of the country through my father... Unless...' Riko's words again rang in her ears. 'Could she be thinking of me? Do I really have what it takes to be the villain this country needs to stand on its own two feet? Can I truly handle the responsibilities that comes with that title?'

Suddenly several soldiers burst in. But they weren't there for Lupin or his fellow thieves. In fact, all their attention was on the High Priest. Joker held up his smartphone, letting Dolma see that everything the High Priest said had been broadcast across Padar. They also seemed angry at her, but that's when McQuire pretended to hold her hostage. Things were happening kinda fast after that. McQuire had suddenly been gunned down, but as she protested his innocence in working with America to infest the country, she caught the look in his eyes. In that moment, she understood everything.


"In the end the one who stole the country was Dolma," Ren noted. He and Sumire were returning to Paris. Sumire would be returning to patrolling with the heroes, but Ren had another interesting assignment to take care of. In his hand was a letter from a certain woman involved with an unsolved murder case. "I know who has the Pinned Castinets," the note read, "If I am right, they are the same ones who killed my husband. Work with Lupin to solve this case. The rewards will be substantial if you do." 'What could this mean...?'

We have a new Stand to introduce.

Mido Uma
User: Yoshimi "Uuma" Soma
Ability: This Stand causes Yoshimi's cells to mutate and evolve in response to outside stimuli at a rapid rate. It is most effective when Yoshimi is in any sort of danger. Its primary weakness is that no matter how Yoshimi evolves, he still needs to breath.
Power: D
Speed: D
Range: E
Durability: A
Precision: A
Potential: A

Next time, Ren joins Lupin, under the assumed identity of Detective Jim Barnett the Third, to solve a murder of one of Lupin's biggest fans. The culprit seems obvious, but his alibi seems airtight. And at some point the client who hired them gets killed. But whoever this killer is, they don't realize that two thieves have been sent to catch a deadlier thief. Read and review.