So now we start getting into the next major arc of this story. And I'm getting closer to catching up to where I was before I started this whole redux... Disclaimer: I don't own Jojo's Bizarre Adventure, the Persona series, or Miraculous Ladybug.

Heist 06: The Ice Cold Artist

May 13

Shortly before exams started, Lila and Aurore offered their Kwamis their favorite snacks. Nooroo liked sunflower seeds, and Duusu liked fruits, especially orange slices. "I notice that the overlays have such powerful magic that we don't need to worry about time limits," Aurore said. "The supernatural energy seems capable of recharging our powers," Nooroo noted, "Just remember that once you leave, if you have used your powers at least once, you will need to recharge us." Lila nodded. "I shouldn't have to worry as much, but Aurore is creating more familiars with each trip. Anyway, let's hurry to the exam."

Kobayakawa addressed the students after the exams were done. "After the incident regarding Ishishiro, the school board has been concerned for the mental well-being of those affected, and has asked us to bring in a professional psychiatrist. To be frank, I thought the idea sound. If you would address the student, Doctor?" Ren raised an eyebrow at the familiar mop of hair belonging to the guy that walked in. "That's Hakuto Maruki." "You know him?," Ann asked. "I was contacted by him as Joker in the time before I met Sumire," Ren explained, "While I was investigating the Dream of Italy."

As the group left the stadium after the assembly, they were approached by Maruki. "Ah, I thought I felt a familiar energy," he said, "So, Joker, this is what you look like under the mask." Ren realized Maruki was radiating Stand energy, something that didn't happen the last time they met. "Did you run into a Stand arrow?," Ren asked. "Well, no," Maruki said, "My Stand just kinda... Appeared while visiting my girlfriend in the hospital a few months ago." He manifested a tentacled creature with a golden mask resembling a human face. "This is Over Quartzer," Maruki said, "It can rewind a person's memories to help them face trauma from an outside perspective. It worked wonders on Rumi."

"Is it really that easy?," Ann asked. "Well, it is a little more involved," Maruki admitted, "Over Quartzer not only shows them the memories, but offers a guiding hand in coming to terms with it, fueled by my own expertise in psychology. It can ever offer a perspective on how things could have gone differently, letting the person understand their own pain. Oh, and the tentacles pack a punch. I know I was only supposed to speak with Ishishiro's victims, but since I'm aware of your actions as Phantom Thieves, I thought it might help if I give you some pointers on mental strength." "Not a bad deal," Ren suggested, "We'll take you up on that."

Ann had gone first, followed by Sumire. She was surprised as she came out when she bumped into Kasumi. "Oh, Sis. Did you have an appointment?" Kasumi nodded. "Yeah. I didn't want to anything before, but Ishishiro was starting to target the gymnastics team in preparation for when his victory over Kamoshida. Luckily my Stand let me enter and escape his overlay, but..." Sumire nodded. Kasumi's Stand wasn't meant for combat, but transport. "Well, I'm glad you're getting better." Kasumi nodded with a smile. "Thanks, Sis."

When Ren visited Maruki, he gave a brief rundown of everything that happened since their last meeting. "So it all ended with that disappearing casino," Maruki said, "Well, considering Ishishiro could create a castle I doubt you were hallucinating, especially with so many other witnesses. As for me, unlocking my Stand put a new perspective into my research. I've been trying to write a thesis on finding ways to cure mental pain, such as PTSD. Rumi had been suffering from it prior to Over Quartzer awakening."

"And how did you wind up changing perspectives?," Ren asked. "Well, I originally thought of removing it altogether," Maruki admitted, "But it turns out Rumi needed to remember every bit of her past trauma in order to be truly cured, like how sometimes physical injuries leave scars behind. The trick is to put them in an outside perspective. Now, for me it's easy, since it's how my Stand works. But I've been researching how to apply my Stand's power to real world psychology. As fellow Stand users, I hope that you and the other Shadows can give me some pointers. Stand power comes from the mind, after all." "Indeed," Ren agreed.

May 14

"Today's the last day of exams," Ryuji said, "And... At least I won't be failing. But I really struggled on some of the courses." "I actually did pretty well," Sumire said. "I pretty much aced it," Ren admitted, "By the way, where's Ann?" Ann walked up with Lila and Aurore. "Hey guys," Ann said, "Well, I think I did better than I was expecting." "My only difficulty in understanding the kanji," Lila admitted, "I can speak Japanese fluently, along with English, French, German, Chinese, and of course Italian, but reading it is another story." Ann turned around and started scanning the subway.

"Something wrong?," Morgana asked. "I've been getting this feeling like someone's been following me for the last week," Ann replied, "I think they're here now." "I am feeling some strong emotions directed towards Ann," Lila noted. The group nodded to each other. Ren, Sumire, and Ryuji used their Stands to zip ahead in elemental form. Aurore, and Lila walked on ahead. Morgana hid in Ann's bag as she walked up the escalator. "He's still following us," Morgana whispered. "You gotta be kidding me," Ann muttered, "Who is this guy?" She stood in an agreed upon spot and waited as the figure approached, only to get blocked the rest of the group.

However, they were surprised when it turned out to be a blue-haired boy their age. "Are you sure this is the guy?," Ryuji asked. "Is something wrong?," the boy asked. "That's what I wanna know!," Ann called out, "I spotted you following me from the train!" "Ah, my apologies," the boy said, "I saw you from Sensei's car and couldn't help chasing after you." He got really close. "You're the woman I've been searching for all this time! Please..." Ann started to get flustered. "Please...?" The boy waved his arm in a flourish. "Won't you be my next art model!?" The entire group face-faulted.

"Wait, you're an artist?," Sumire asked. "Indeed," the boy replied, "I'm a second-year at Kosei High School's fine arts division. My name is Yusuke Kitagawa, a pupil of Madarame-sensei." Ren was shocked. "You mean Ichiryusai Madarame, the famous artist?" Yusuke nodded. "Yes, you know of him?" "I've been to my fair share of art galleries," Ren replied, "Some of which featured him." Sumire knew pretty much all of those galleries were owned by art thieves, with Joker working to steal back the art.

A black car pulled up and the back window rolled down, revealing an elderly man in a kimono. "Ah, Yusuke. So this is where your passion led you." "Forgive my sudden impetuousness, Sensei," Yusuke said. "It's fine," the man said. "That would be Madarame himself," Sumire explained to the others. "Oh yeah!," Ann realized, "I remember seeing him on Good Morning, Japan the other day!" "Yusuke, we need to get going," Madarame said. "Just a moment," Yusuke said. He pulled out some tickets from his pocket. "Here, these are tickets an art exhibition Sensei is hosting to showcase the work of his various students, myself included. I should get going." He got back in the car next to Madarame.

Morgana noted the driver in a business suit, and familiar energy around him. "Something about that driver is suspicious..." "So what should we do?," Lila asked. "Well, I'd like to go," Aurore admitted, "Some of Madarame's work has been featured in the Louvre, so I'd like to see how his students stack up." "We might as well," Ryuji suggested, "Yusuke did give us free tickets. "Well, first we should get back to Shujin," Ren said, "We need to finish exams before we even consider going."

Tetsuressha contacted his next subordinate. "Have you completed your overlay?" 'Yes,' the figure on the monitor said, 'And already most of Madarame's students are being affected. All save for one, his adopted son Kitagawa.' "Keep an eye on him," Tetsuressha warned, "If he is not feeling the effects so easily there is likely a good reason. You made sure to stay off the beaten path?" 'Oh yes,' the figure assured him, 'Since I'm working for Madarame, I know where his students are staying. There's no way the Shadows will find it.'

After the exams were over, Ryuji started scanning the Phan-Site. "Nothing definitive. Just a basic idea that some art students are showing up at school feeling tired and overworked." "What about the tickets we got?," Ann asked, "That exhibition is tomorrow." "It is featuring the work of his students," Sumire noted, "If any of them are being affected it would be beneficial to get some idea of what he's like." Ren nodded. "Plus, a true Phantom Thief should have an eye for fine art. Meaning you guys need the experience." Ryuji nodded. "Okay, we'll go tomorrow." Ren finished the even reading some of Tidying the Heart.

May 15

The next day the group arrived at the exhibition. Yusuke came out to greet. "Ah, thank you all for coming. Come to think of it, I don't believe I caught your names yesterday." The group introduced themselves. "I see. Miss Takamaki, if you found follow me, most of my works are that part of the exhibit over there." The rest of the girls went with him, whilst Ren, Ryuji, and Morgana checked out the rest of the exhibit. "Madarame sure has a lot of pupils, doesn't he?," Ryuji noted, "Hey, look, this one was done by Nakanohara." Ren looked at the painting, a portrait of a young woman, and saw Nakanohara's name signed on it.

"So Nakanohara has an art hobby on top of working for city hall," Morgana noted, "Oh, there's Madarame in the center of the exhibition." Madarame was standing with the driver from earlier. On the column next to them was a gorgeous painting of a woman in red looking lovingly at the baby in her arms. Several reporters were in attendance. "The works of your students are just captivating," a female interviewer said, "It's clear they learned much from your expertise." "Thank you," Madarame replied, "Sadly my own well of inspiration dried up long ago, but I was inspired by the last great work of my first student, Nanami Kitagawa, to pass my vast art knowledge to a new generation."

"Kitagawa?," Ryuji noted, "Isn't that Yusuke's last name?" "The Sayuri is Nanami's love letter to the son she would be unable to the son she would never have the chance to raise," Madarame continued, "But in raising Yusuke in her stead, I discovered that he shared her talent for art. He and my other students live in a small shack under my name, which is used as an atelier for them to express their artistic creativity. However, due to unfortunate circumstances Yusuke is the only student who could make it for the premier." Ren noted the suited man had a subtle smirk on his face.

"Wow," Lila said, "I didn't know there were so many types of Japanese art." "Madarame has his own distinct style," Yusuke noted, "But he simply taught us the basics and let us create as we please." "Oh!," Ann said, finding a particular painting, "This is the painting I wanted to see in person! And it looks like you made this." "Yes, a recent work of mine," Yusuke said. "It feels like a lot of frustration went into this piece," Aurore noted. "It was painted when my fellow student started falling to maladies whilst I remained unaffected," Yusuke explained, "It all started when Madarame hired his current manager, Mitsuhide Kinmyujiamu." The girls looked at each other in concern.

At the hideout, Ryuji did a search on the Phan-Site for Kinmyujiamu. "Yeah, some people noted that Kinmyujiamu just sort of... Forced himself into the manager's position. Not illegally mind you, he just declared his own art expertise with a painting he himself did called the Golden Labyrinth." "And it was afterward that the students started feeling unwell," Sumire noted. "Except for Yusuke," Morgana added, "Now, I did recognize Kinmyujiamu as the driver from yesterday, and he was radiating with a familiar Stand energy. But could Yusuke also possess a Stand?"

"Maybe," Ren said, "We know that Mishima was able to avoid serious damage from Ishishiro's overlay due to his own Stand." "Maybe we can ask him in person," Ann suggested, "Yusuke gave me the address for Madarame's shack. It seems he's real intent on me being his next model." "And while we're there we can check for an overlay," Sumire said. "Yeah, that's where it would likely be," Lila noted, "After all, all of Madarame's students live there." Ren spent the rest of the evening finishing Tidying the Heart.

May 16

Ren was a little surprised to see Maruki teaching a class that morning. "So thanks to the school I'm able to give lectures about how mental health and perception can affect you. Don't worry, I don't intend to stress anyone out. It's mostly going to be some simple ideas that can really get you thinking about how the mind and body are linked. Thing is, what's going on in your mind can actually affect your body. In some cases, it can even heal the body. Mister Amamiya, do you know what we call the phenomenon where believing in a treatment's power can improve your condition?"

"The placebo effect," Ren replied. "Precisely," Maruki replied, "Now, some people point out that placebo don't actually have curative properties, but that's only from a chemical perspective. From a mental perspective, it can actually make you feel better. On the other hand, if you don't trust in the medicine to begin with, it can make you feel worse. That's referred to as a nocebo. That's just one way in which the mind affects the body." Morgan looked thoughtful. "My shapeshifting is based on my perspective. I wonder what would happen if I understood enough about humans..."

On the train to Yusuke's address, Ann talked with Lila. "So, Sumire told me about the previous holder of the Butterfly Miraculous and how his costume was basically supervillain-like. But yours looks nothing like that." "The transformation is different from person to person," Nooroo explained, "Gabriel wanted to act the villain, so his transformation made him look like one." "But in my case," Lila said, "It's based off the mafia heroes I grew up admiring in my native Italy."

"Oh yeah," Ann realized, "You would have been a baby when Giorno Giovanna took over Passione. Under his leadership Passion turned into true protectors of the community." "Yep," Lila said, "They've got the trust of both the police and politicians, and work hard to make sure that trust isn't misplaced." "In my case I'm channeling a little of Stormy Weather," Aurore admitted, "The villain I was transformed into when I got Akumatized. In hindsight, it was stupid to get upset over a contest, but at the time I was sure I was the more popular pick. Though recently me and Mireille started a show together."

Yusuke was a little surprised to see the group outside the door to the shack, their Stands on full display. "I didn't realize you were not Stand users." "Not the two of us," Aurore clarified, indicating herself and Lila, "We have other abilities." "Given that you're a Stand user as well," Morgana said, "We were wondering if you've seen anything strange about the shack." "Actually yes," Yusuke admitted, "Naturally I suspected Kinmyujiamu to be behind the torment of my fellow students. I thought he might have some sort of ability and tried to feel it out with my Stand. Imagine my surprise to see the shack turn into a museum."

"A museum?," Ann asked. Yusuke nodded. "I spotted Kinmyujiamu speaking with some masked guards inside, referring to the museum as Wax Museum, likely the name of his Stand. I haven't attempted a repeat entry in case I raised Kinmyujiamu's suspicions." "We might be able to check it out instead," Ren offered. Yusuke nodded. "Please do. I'm not confidant enough in my skills to use my Stand for combat." The group moved away from the shack a bit. "Okay," Ren said, "Time to transform!" "Duusu! Spread My Feathers!" "Nooroo! Dark Wings Rise!" "Life is Showtime! Burn and Blaze!" "Switch On! Strike Like Thunder!" "Anything Goes! Ride Like the Wind!" "Be The One! Shine Your Light!" "W Boiled Xtreme! Reign in the Shadows!" As they transformed, the overlay shifted into view.

"Whoa, it really is a museum," Skull said, "That's like Phantom Thieving 101." "I have broken into the odd museum during my time," Joker admitted, "Usually privates ones owned by corrupt art moguls or con men." Violet nodded. "Yeah, we even infiltrated a frozen castle once." Mona took a look around the parking lot. "Place looks largely quiet. I think Kinmyujiamu hasn't realized we entered his overlay. We may have a chance to take a look around." They used a truck parked right up against a low point in the well to sneak through the outer garden and up to an open skylight.

"How are we getting down here?," Panther asked, "We need to have a way to climb out." "Leave that to me," Violet said, "I am the team smuggler after all." She got out a length of rope and tide one end off on the handle of the skylight." Inside, they spotted several paintings of people, which seemed to be moving slightly. "Check it out," Monarch said, "I think these are the mental forms of Madarame's students. Kinmyujiamu drew them in here and sealed them in paintings."

As they moved through the halls, they spotted a pamphlet for the museum, which included part of the map. "Well, this is helpful," Joker said. "Hey guys," Pavo said, "Look at this." Inside the main lobby was a large statue of Kinmyujiamu, declaring himself shogun of the art world." Joker read the inscription. "He intends to discredit Madarame by making it look like he abuses his students and steals ideas from them. We'd better let Yusuke know about this." "I can accept his offer to model," Panther suggested, "It'd be the perfect cover." Joker nodded. "Okay, we'll contact him tomorrow."

May 17

Yusuke invited the group over the next day. Morgana walked around the shack while Yusuke was busy at the canvas. "Wow, he's really into this," Aurore noted, seeing Yusuke engrossed in his artwork, "I've seen Paris street artists that don't get this zoned out while painting." After a bit, Yusuke. "Alright, Miss Takamaki. I'm done with the modeling aspect. You can relax now." "Wow," Ann said, impressed, "I didn't think it'd be so short." "When inspiration hits me this hard," Yusuke said, "The work just seems to flow from my brush. Sensei often notes that if I had been born just a year later, I could have become Hope's Peak Academy's Ultimate Artist after the graduation of Angie Yonaga."

Ren nodded. "Listen, we found something regarding Kinmyujiamu inside his overlay." Yusuke tapped his chin as Ren explained everything. "I feared as much... Kinmyujiamu seemed irritated by something last night." He finished his brush strokes and revealed the painting, a full body shot of Ann with an aura resembling a jungle cat. "Ooh, that's striking," Ann said. Meanwhile, Morgana had spotted a locked door with a distinct pattern on it, with a man arguing inside. "What do you mean there are signs of break-in!? Kitagawa has been here all yesterday! The only other people I could think of would be..." The voice went silent. "Hmm...," Morgana muttered, "I'd better warn the others of trouble..."

"You really think Kinmyujiamu might have figured us out?," Lila asked. The group was now just outside the shack. "I don't think he's figured out our identities," Morgana clarified, "But in all likelihood he HAS realized that we managed to infiltrate his overlay. And since Wax Museum can alter the overlay however he pleases, we can expect updated security once we return." "Excuse me," a woman said as she approached. The woman had a camera around her neck. "Can we help you?," Ann asked.

"I was just curious since you seem to be hanging around Madarame's atelier," the woman said, "But there's a rumor that his current manager, Mitsuhide Kinmyujiamu, has targeted and nearly ruined several prominent artists in a number of cities across Japan. It's even been speculated that the Golden Labyrinth, his crowning achievement, is a stolen or plagiarized piece." "We haven't really heard anything like that while here," Ryuji admitted. "I see," the woman said. She handed Ren a business card. "Well, let me know if you do hear anything. I happen to be a prominent journalist." She walked off, leaving the group curious.

That evening, Ren got a call from Mishima. 'So check it out, one of the people who got changed by Tetsuressha's influence returned to a normal state of mind and wants an audience with the Shadows. He wants their help in saving his peer group.' "What's his name?," Ren asked. 'Nakanohara,' Mishima replied, 'He mentioned that he suddenly came to his senses after a cursed statue he was sold got stolen.' "Okay," Ren said, "We'll meet up with him." He read some of Hachiko's Story before going to bed.

May 18

Nakanohara looked nervous as he entered a secluded part of the Underground Walkway. "You wanted to speak with us?," Joker said as he appeared, nearly freaking out Nakanohara. "Oh... Yeah. You see, in addition to working for city hall I have a passion for art. Imagine my joy when I was picked up as a student for Ichiryusai Madarame himself. It was great at first... Until Kinmyujiamu entered the picture. Me and fellow student wound up with night terror and... One student even keeled over dead..." Joker grimaced.

"One day I was approached by a man named Ishishiro," Nakanohara continued, "He offered me a 'statue of protection' for a small fee. My ex thought it was cute, so I thought I had no reason to refuse. That's when the problems happened. I stopped my art career, started abusing my ex, and turned to stalking her when she dumped me. But that all abruptly ended shortly after I found your calling card online, and later noticed that statue had been stolen. I've seen Kinmyujiamu selling off a few of those statues, so I know he's up to no good."

Joker nodded. "You want to help. I think we can arrange that." Monarch appeared as well, an Akuma in her hands. "This butterfly is called an Akuma. With it I can deputize you into a powerful Champion. If you accept this power, you must use it only to serve the greater good." Nakanohara didn't hesitate. "Very well. If I can help Yusuke and the others, and prevent another death, I'll do it." Monarch smiled. "Then I hereby deputize you as Yokai, with the power to generate and control gem shards!" Nakanohara transformed, gaining a large white coat and hannya mask.

Just at the entrance, Joker spotted Lavenza outside the door to the Velvet Room. "You have already made great strides in protecting this world, Trickster," she noted, "And to that end, I would like to offer the full service of my own Stand, Dead Man. It takes the form of various execution devices that can manipulate Stand energy, such as the guillotines used to fuse familiars. At first I could only do two at a time, but now I feel as though I can do more. Please, continue to steal Tetsuressha's aspects, that I may continue to strengthen my own Stand."

Inside the museum, the group noticed a snag. "They've set up infrared lasers," Violet noticed, "But we're in luck. There's a gap we can duck under." The guards now wandering the exhibits were dressed ass typical museum security guards, albeit wearing valentine masks. The first one had Mokoi, a short humanoid with wrinkled skin, no hands or feet, and carrying a boomerang. Another had a fairy in a Chinese dress named Hua Po, and a third had an Indian girl with blue skin named Apsaras.

The hallway just in front of the main lobby was now full of lasers, but the Shadows were easily able to grapple through it, Yokai using his crystals to leap through. On the other side, Joker hit a button to unseal a door leading back to the skylight. Yokai took brief note of the statue depicting Kinmyujiamu's intentions as the group moved past it to the hall beyond. "Do we know where we're going?" Skull pulled out their map. "Right around this point. There should be another map right around here that'll let us figure out where the center is." One of the guards past that point had Shiisaa, a goofy looking lion with a beard.

The next room over had a guard with Koropokguru, a tiny old man carrying a large leaf over his head. Yet another guard had Shiki-Ouji, a large humanoid figure made out of paper. Soon enough the group passed by a golden vase on a pedestal. "Ooh, this looks so valuable," Mona said. He hopped onto the pedestal, only to set off a security alert. "Get back!," Joker warned. The group scattered, separated by a massive laser grid. Joker and Violet were one side of the hall. Monarch, Pavo, and Yokai were stuck on the opposite end. Panther, Skull, and Mona had gotten isolated by the lasers, with Mona in the middle.

"We need to get them out," Violet said. Joker spotted a way past the glass partition on Panther's side. In the small alcove was a button, which Joker pressed to lower the glass and get Panther free. This also let them regroup with Monarch and her team. On the other side was a button behind a painting, letting the group free Skull. Nearby was a vent leading to the control room, but the controls for the laser grid needed a password. Luckily, two guards were talking nearby. "So I was asked to change the code for the laser grid," one said, "I went with 'hello'. Read it upside down and you get 07734."

The password worked, letting the group free Mona. "I found out why this vase is so important," Mona said. He broke the vase, releasing a large blue diamond with a ghost coming out of it. Joker quickly applied one of Igor's cards to swipe it. "Good find. That's the familiar Regent." The next room was blocked by lasers, so the team leapt through a low part of the nearby wall. Skull freaked when he saw what looked like a hole in the floor, but then realized a guard was walking over it no problem. "A forced perspective painting," Yokai realized, "One of the other students would use tricks like this to hide funny things in his own art pieces."

The next exhibition room had an electric barrier trap set up, but luckily Joker was able to find the button to shut it down higher up. Plus, the rafters in the room lead the group to a new Magic Seed. Just past it was a heavy laser barrier with no way to shut it off. "Great," Pavo said, "Now what?" Mona checked out a nearby sign. "It says this can only be shut down from the other side. And I recognize that pattern beyond it. There was a room just like that at the shack." "That's Kinmyujiamu's personal quarters," Yokai noted. "We enter from there," Panther said, "Then we should come out beyond the barrier. And we can shut it down."

"Yusuke is letting us return tomorrow," Ann said, "Under the pretense of making a new piece. Kinmyujiamu will be at the exhibition all day, so he won't notice us sneaking in." "We can use that time to deal with the security barrier," Ren said, "Once it's down we shouldn't have any further issues." Once back at the cafe Ren sat down for the crossword. "Mustachioed surrealist... Dali... Paris museum... Louvre... Wall artwork... Mural... And finally, where art is shown off and sold. A gallery." He ended the night finishing Hachiko's Story.

May 19

Inui was holding classes that morning. "Come to think of it, Madarame is holding an exhibition of his students' work right now. I remember seeing Madarame's works from his prime, and his interviews show he's a charming fellow. Most artists tend to be the eccentric sort, so a person like Madarame is truly rare. Mister Amamiya, you seem like you have an eye for the arts. There's a particular ukiyo-e artist of the Edo period who is said to have moved residence over a hundred times. Do you know his name?"

"Hokusai Katsushika," Ren replied. "Indeed," Inui said, "And not only did Hokusai change his residence, he had a habit of changing his name. At least thirty times, in fact. His sole interest was in the arts, so he stayed in poverty and only wore tattered clothes. All master artists, whether past or present, tend to put art above fame. Madarame was the same before he took to teaching instead." "Must be why his students just live in a shack," Morgana noted, "But if Kinmyujiamu isn't stopped, Madarame will be remembered for a different reason."

"Here it is," Yusuke said. "I've never actually been inside before," Madarame admitted, "But Yusuke has... Several times in fact." Yusuke demonstrated by freezing the lock with a touch, causing it to break off. "My Stand can control cold temperatures. With enough focus I can freeze something to absolute zero." Madarame was shocked at what he found inside the office. "I'd been concerned with how nonchalant Kinmyujiamu was about my students, but... Wait... Where did your friends go?" Yusuke looked around to find they were the only ones in the room. "They must have slipped into the overlay," he realized.

The team found themselves back in the room with the barrier, which was now shut down. "Okay," Joker said, "Let's hurry through and shut it down permanently." A minor complication came up in the form of a local guard. "They through the security!? Damn it... Kinmyujiamu will fire us if anything happens... Nue!" He summoned a large ape tiger stripes, a snake for a tail, and a lion's mane. "I got this," Panther said, "Life is Showtime!" A flurry of flames surrounded the guard, letting Panther knock him out easy.

Madarame heard the door to the shack open. "Damn... Kinmyujiamu must had decided to come here. It could be bad if he discovers us." Yusuke thought for a moment, then nodded. "There's only one place we can hide." He grabbed his sensei and quickly felt out the overlay. The Shadows had just finished shutting down the security when they dropped in, literally. Mona quickly caught Madarame using a light tornado, whist Yusuke wound up landing on Panther, his head resting right on her boobs. He got up quickly. "My deepest apologies! I had no intention of landing there!"

"Well, at least you had plenty of cushion," Panther joked, easing Yusuke's tension. "This makes things complicated," Pavo noted. "Yeah, we'd better get them out of here," Skull said, "If we take the front entrance it should dodge whatever they were running from." The trip out was a somber one, Madarame heartbroken at how Kinmyujiamu was treating his students. Unfortunately, several guards blocked their way out. "You won't be escaping so easily!," a captain said as he approached, "Kinmyujiamu has plans for you two!"

"Plans that involve wrecking the dreams and future of my precious students, it seems!," Madarame growled, his sorrow turning to anger. "I always there was something wicked about Kinmyujiamu!," Yusuke called out, "But I never imagined that this would be how low his vanity could sink! This wretched, gaudy, tacky, garish museum? Sounds perfect for a man like him! And I can no longer it idle as he does what he pleases! Just Live More! Freeze Solid!" Ice and snow surrounded him, forming a jumpsuit with high collar, boots, a fox mask over his face, and a fox tail clipped to his belt alongside a katana and machine gun. His Stand was a kabuki samurai carrying Japanese smoking pipe called a kisaru.

"Madarame!," Monarch called out, "I can sense your need to help your students! If you will allow me, I can give you the power to do so!" "By all means!," Madarame agreed. Monarch called forth a new Akuma. "Then I empower you as Ukiyo-e Guardian, with the ability to manipulate ink and paint to your will!" The Akuma merged into Madarame's hairpin, and he glowed bright before changing into a kabuki-style warrior modeled after the very art style he was named after. Yusuke stamped the ground as Just Live More froze the guards behind the group, Ukiyo-e Guardian pinning the ones in front with a mass of ink.

"A breathtaking sight," Yusuke said, "Imitations they be, but together they make a fine spectacle. Though the flowers of evil blossom, be it known... Abominations are fated to perish!" "Damn it!," the captain said as one of his subordinates approached, "We can't let them reach Kinmyujiamu! Ippon-Datara!" He summoned a one-legged blacksmith with an iron mask over its face. "Koppa Tengu!" The subordinate guard summoned a small tengu dressed as a monk. "I'm afraid it's no use," Yusuke said, "You're end is here! Just Live More!" With an icy blast, both guards were knocked as the team struck as one, Yusuke landing gracefully, "IT WAS FUN WHILE IT LASTED, GOODYBE!"

Shortly afterward the team left the overlay. By now Kinmyujiamu had returned to the exhibition, though Madarame noted he had replaced the lock again. The group brought Yusuke up to speed. "So all that has been happening. To think I would be in the presence of the Lord of Crime himself..." He nodded. "In that case, allow me to join you. Now that I know I can use my Stand effectively in battle, I feel it is my duty to aid in your endeavors." "You want to join the Shadows?," Sumire asked. "We could always use another team member," Morgana noted.

Ren nodded. "Agreed. But you'll need to give yourself a codename." Yusuke thought for a moment. "Well that mask certainly looked distinctive. So I shall name myself Fox. As for Kinmyujiamu... From what I saw in his quarters he intends to implement his scheme against Sensei on the final day of the exhibition, June 5. So we must finish infiltrating the overlay by June 2." That evening, Ren noticed a game show was on the cafe TV. The question being asked was which of the following, unconsenting cutting of hair or using noise to cause distress, was considered bodily harm.

"Causing noise," Ren noted, "It disrupts the body's functions, which is what constitutes bodily harm in the first place. Physical contact has nothing to do with it. On the other hand, hair grows back, and most of the hair is dead cells to begin with, so unconsenting cutting of hair would fall more under the purview of assault." "You seem to know a lot about law," Morgana noted. "I'm a Speedwagon intern," Ren explained, "And part of the group I work with is involved with criminal investigation." He ended the evening watching his Ghost Whisperer DVD.

Next time we finish up regarding the overlay and do some other stuff. But for now, new Stands.

Over Quartzer (Theme song of Kamen Rider Zi-O)
User: Takuto Maruki
Ability: Over Quartzer can play a person's memories back for them, providing them with an outsider's perspective on past trauma. It can also alternatives to anything that happened, and even guide them through the pain based on Maruki's own psychology skills. It's tentacles are also combat capable, providing offense and defense.
Power: B
Speed: C
Range: A
Durability: A
Precision: C
Potential: A

Wax Museum (Song by Jay & The Americans)
User: Mitsuhide Kinmyujiamu
Ability: Wax Museum creates an overlay in the form of a giant museum, which can trap the mental forms of individuals within paintings. It should be noted that this and other Stands that use such overlays cannot affect Stand users, and said Stand users can explore the overlay if they search for it. The physical form of this Stand is contained within a hanging scroll, the image of which can come to life to attack if necessary.
Power: C
Speed: E
Range: A
Durability: B
Precision: B
Potential: D

Dead Man (Song by Pearl Jam)
User: Lavenza
Ability: This Stand has several aspects to it, all of which take the form of various execution devices and all of which can manipulate Stand energy, which is most commonly obtained when it is shed from Stand usage. There is a set of guillotines that can fuse the energy, a solitary confinement cell that can boost physical power, a gallows to increase Stand stats temporarily, and an electric chair to create items. Lavenza's power and access to these devices increases as she practices her Stand.
Power: D
Speed: E
Range: C
Durability: B
Precision: B
Potential: B

Just Live More (Theme song of Kamen Rider Gaim)
User: Yusuke "Fox" Kitagawa
Ability: Yusuke can use his Stand to control ice and even become as ice. He is completely immune to cold as a result of his Stand. The ice can be used to create objects as needed, most commonly platforms to higher elevations. He can also manipulate his ice so thoroughly that he can cut through anything he freezes with his power.
Power: A
Speed: B
Range: B
Durability: A
Precision: A
Potential: B

Just Live More is officially my 300th created Stand. And here's the familiar breakdown.

Joker: Shiki-Ouji Lv24
Violet: Archangel Lv19
Mona: Shiisaa Lv19
Skull: Kodama Lv17
Panther: Apsaras Lv16
Fox: Hua Po Lv15
Monarch: Koropokguru Lv15
Pavo: Mokoi Lv14
Magic Seeds: 4 (5 Champions possible)
Suguru Kamoshida: Coach Striker
Shiho Suzui: Nemesis
Akashi Kobayakawa: Centralizer
Natsuhiko Nakanohara: Yokai
Ichiryusai Madarame: Ukiyo-e Guardian

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