"Are you okay, Kasumi-chan?" Ann-san asked as she and Shiho-san looked at her from their seats. The three were sitting at desks that had been pulled together in Shiho's classroom.
When Kasumi came to her and suggested they stick together, the two admitted that they had never thought of that, and even if they had, their different schedules and activities just got in the way. However, Kamoshida's actions had proven that they now needed to stick together, and so that was what they did. Still, it wasn't like safety was the only reason why they stuck together.
As Ann-san and Shiho-san enjoyed their lunch, they couldn't help but worry about Kasumi, who was slowly making her way through her lunch. Usually, she was a fast eater.
They didn't tell her that though, and definitely part of the reason why she was eating slowly was because she was also stretching her arms in the process. There were also sometimes they had to stop her from stretching her legs.
Kasumi smiled as she continued to work out the aches. "Yeah, Coach just really worked me hard for missing practice. But don't worry, it doesn't hurt as much as it did when I got back from it that night, and Coach did make sure that I didn't hurt anything before I left."
"Seems a little extreme…" Ann-san said as she nibbled on a stick of strawberry pocky. "I mean, isn't that like what Kamoshida did?"
"Ann… no offense, but even I can tell that Kasumi's coach doesn't do what she does because she likes having power over her students. She sounds like she really did care, and really worried for you."
"Kasumi, I know that you are still going through some rough times, but please do tell me if there is a change of plans on your end. I was getting concerned when you didn't show up, even more so just like your parents when I found out that they had no idea where you were."
"Sorry, Coach Hiraguchi…" Kasumi had thought about how to explain her absence that day. "I… I found out that one of my friend's friends was being harassed for a long time, and they have just admitted to it. I spent my time… helping to make sure that they are alright."
Coach Hiraguchi stared at her. All the while, Ren's advice echoed in her head. 'Senpai, don't forget. The best lies are those that got some truth mixed into it.'
Eventually, she sighed. "Are they okay? Are they taking any steps to address the problem, bringing it up with anyone?"
Kasumi didn't have to try to look like she was thinking about something as she tried to come up with something. "It's… really complicated. They're really scared, and everyone's trying to come together to help."
"...Please do tell your friend to reach out to someone." Kasumi looked up at Coach Hiraguchi, her face more serious than she had ever seen it before. "While it is good that you are giving your friend support, please remember that you are still only teenagers, and you should try to get your friend to go see professionals. That is their job, after all."
Kasumi briefly wondered if Suzui-san or Takamaki-san would be allowed to see professionals, or the principal would gladly block them just in case even the slightest bit of suspicion would fall on Kamoshida. "We're doing the best we can, Coach. They were even adamant that I… keep practicing, and not let their problems distract from what we do."
'Act natural, Senpai. Me and Ryuji are already going to be big suspects if this works, so try to keep to your schedule.'
"...Are you sure about that, Kasumi?"
Uh oh. "Positive."
"Okay, keep me posted on your friend. When they want help, go ahead and talk to me too. I got a few contacts that could help. However, I want you to promise that you would work during that time as hard as you will tomorrow."
"...Tomorrow?"
"Yes, seems the person that was scheduled for that time came down with something, so fortunately, I have a session where we can… make up for lost time."
"Y-Yes, Coach. I'll be there tomorrow!"
"Yeah, she really does, even if me and my… sister sometimes cried after one of her practices. By the way, Coach wanted to offer whatever help she could if… something happens. I don't know who she knows, but I know that Coach always comes through." Kasumi said to the two.
Ann-san and Shiho-san looked at each other, before Shiho-san looked back at her. "Actually, I was hoping to ask you, did you find out what Amamiya-san and Sakamoto-san were planning to do?"
Kasumi was still for a bit, debating how to answer. "Well, whatever they are doing… it's off the grid. By the time I knew where they were going, they were gone, no trace, nothing. They only assured me that they were doing the best they could to make sure that they were safe doing it."
"And you trust them?" Ann-san asked. Kasumi smiled sadly as she finished the last of her food.
"...More like I have faith in them, that they'll do the right thing."
Ann-san and Shiho-san quickly exchanged a look. Just as Ann was about to ask more, the warning bell began to ring. Kasumi immediately checked to make sure that everything was cleared before helping move the desks back. As she did, she heard her phone ping.
Ren: After school today
Kasumi stared at the message before quickly typing her response.
Kasumi: understood
~~~~~~~~~~TAKE YOUR TIME~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Coast is clear over here." Morgana-senpai called out as he ran over to the group. A moment later, Ren came back as well.
"Everything is clear back there too. No one followed us, and even if they did, they got nowhere to hide."
As everyone met at the spot, a little part in the alleyway that was just far enough from both ends that anyone couldn't get caught when they teleported to the palace, Kasumi had to control herself. She was voluntarily entering a place in another reality filled with monsters in order to help steal the distorted desires of Shujin Academy's abusive PE teacher and Volleyball coach with the help of her kouhai, her yearmate, a talking cat, and the manifestations of their true selves. Part of her still wondered if this was simply a long dream.
"Senpai." Kasumi blinked out of her reverie and looked back at Ren. "You okay?"
She nodded. "Yeah, let's get started."
She didn't want to admit that there was something bothering her as Ren began to look over his phone. It had been at least four days since she wanted to talk to Ren about what he had seen in Kamoshida's palace, only for her practices, the explanations about the capabilities she should have, and Ren's own preparations to delay that talk. At least that was her excuse. However, she had to put those regrets away, she was going to fight again and those thoughts had no place there.
Briefly, she felt Cendrillon's presence in her head as she decided that, not disapproving or approving, but simply there before she disappeared. Kasumi idly wondered how the others dealt with their personas. More specifically, she wondered what it was like for Ren, who could have more than one.
However, all idle thoughts immediately left her head as soon as the world shifted, blue sky turning red, and a familiar mask hung over her face. As she adjusted her mask, she looked down and remembered that she was wearing heels. She also realized that wasn't the only thing that was different.
Twisting around herself, she took in her new outfit. She knew that her hair had been tied in the same kind of bun when she usually went and competed in a meet. She wore a darker pink leotard with sleeves with some of the material clear to show off just a little collarbone. It was also covered by a black tail coat with ruffled sleeves and three mini tails that came down to her ankles. Her legs were covered by black stockings that came up to mid thigh, her heels staying on her feet with ribbons that looked like what a ballet dancer's shoes would be. Finally, a sheath for her rapier hung around her waist.
Feeling her mask, she realized she never did examine her mask. Taking it off her face, she looked it over. It looked like what she would expect at an european masquerade party. Black with silver accents, it looked v-shaped, covering the nose and both ends slightly extending past her face. Putting back on, she looked over to the others, who were waiting for her.
"I'm ready to go." She said, which Ren shook his head.
"Not yet, Senpai. We need to come up with your codename." At that, Kasumi tilted her head at Ren's words.
"A codename?" Morgana-senpai nodded.
"Yeah, while we don't know all the specifics of how the metaverse work, I'm sure that shouting our real names inside the heart of our targets isn't a good thing." Kasumi nodded at the logic of that, as Morgana-senpai continued. "Besides, we're thieves, and good ones at that? Why would we use our real names?"
"Another good point." Kasumi agreed as she thought about it. A codename… what should she call herself? "Actually…" She then looked up at the others, hoping for some advice on what to choose. "What do you call yourselves?"
"Skull." Ryuji said as he pointed at his skull mask. "Obviously."
"Mona." Morgana-senpai shrugged. "Doubt people will be looking for me, but better safe than sorry."
"Joker. Many personas, can be anything the team needs me to be." Ren answered.
Kasumi thought to herself after hearing those answers. Then she thought about her persona, about the story that enchanted her, and the circumstances that led her to this point, and what she planned to do about it. "...Cinder. Though I may be covered in them, I will find the strength to brush them off and rise above them."
"Cinder…" Joker tested the name, before grinning. "Alright, welcome to the team. Now let's go."
As the team started to move on, Cinder frowned. "Wait, is that it? You're just going to walk in and do something strenuous just like that? What about warm-ups, stretches?"
The group stopped and faced her, a little confused. "What do you mean by that?"
Cinder formulated her response. "Well, you said it yourself. This is supposed to be a world of cognition, what people think is true. Well, everyone knows that exercise is good for you, and enough of them know that if you plan on doing something strenuous or exhaustive, you should warm up your muscles to reduce risk of injury and to limber up."
"You know, Cinder does have a point. It might not hurt to try that." Mona-senpai commented.
Skull patted Joker on the shoulder. "Alright, come on! I'll show you some warm-ups from my track days."
The next ten minutes were spent stretching, Cinder going a little farther than everyone else like holding her leg up to her head. Afterwards, everyone did feel noticeably better, though it remains how that translated onto any noticeable effect in the palace. Though Cinder did wonder why Skull was complaining about Joker hitting too hard.
As the group made it to the front of the castle, Joker's gaze seemed drawn to one specific spot. "Hold on, you guys. I got to do something."
Before anyone could say anything, Joker went and stood in that exact spot, his eyes unblinking and staring straight ahead. Before anyone could say anything, Joker blinked before nodding his head towards the vent. "Alright, got everything. Let's go mess up Kamoshida's palace."
Cinder looked over at Skull and Mona, wanting to know what that was about. Both of them simply shrugged back.
~~~~~~~~~~~TAKE YOUR TIME~~~~~~~~~~~
As the lone knight patrolling the hallway passed by their hiding place, Cinder bit her lip as she saw the knight go past Joker's hiding place. As the knight turned around, it could have clearly seen Joker, only to pass by him. Quickly, Joker jumped out and jumped on the knight's back.
"SHOW ME YOUR TRUE FORM!" Joker shouted as he pulled off the knight's mask. As he jumped off the shoulders, the knight writhed before its form vanished, transforming into two dark blue cats wearing red hats, red capes, and red boots while clutching falchions. Seeing two new shadows he hadn't seen before, Joker called out, "Fire everything!"
"CENDRILLON! MAKOUHA!" The bolts of light struck the two cats, who screeched but remained standing.
"ZORRO! GARU!" The moment the gust of wind hit one of the cats, it screamed as it fell on its knees.
"DO IT AGAIN!" "ZORRO! GARU!"
The moment both creatures were on the ground, Joker pointed at one of them with his pistol. The rest joined in, with Cinder able to pull her gun out in time.
"Well… this is certainly a right pickle you've stuck me in. Perhaps we can discuss things like gentlemen?" The cat shadow asked, still a little upbeat besides the guns to his face.
"Alright, we can talk." Joker smirked. "Want to join up with me?"
Cinder did her best to keep the questions off her face. Was Joker really asking this shadow that he had at the end of a gun to join him? Was that how he got more personas?
"Well, let me get a measure of you, make sure you're the kind of guy I'm okay with."
"Joker, this guy looks like he's real friendly. Banter with him a little bit."
"First of all, looking at you… I have to ask. The mask is kinda cringy, don't you think?"
Cinder spared a look at the cape and boots, and Joker simply laughed and shrugged. "Guess I'm just a kid at heart. The mask makes me feel cool."
The cat laughed out loud. "GUESS THAT MAKES TWO OF US! The cape and boots make me feel cool too."
"Heh, imagine that." Joker actually chuckled. "Anything else you want to talk about?"
The cat actually looked contemplative for a little bit. "To be honest, I feel a little ashamed of myself. Getting taken out like this… Maybe if I got serious from the start, I wouldn't be in this state…"
Joker's easiness slipped off his face as he thought about the best answer he could give. "You know, if it helps… I wasn't exactly taking it seriously myself."
The cat looked at him before smiling. "Well… thanks for making this one feel better about himself… Himself… WAIT A MINUTE!"
The cat stood up straight, his falchion high in the air as he seemed to regain his vigor. "THANK YOU! I REMEMBER WHO I AM NOW! ALLOW THIS ONE, CAIT SITH, TO AID YOU IN YOUR BATTLES!"
With that, the now named Cait Sith turned into an identical copy of Joker's mask, before turning into a ball of light and shooting right into Joker's mask. His mask pulsed pure white for a little bit before returning back to normal. Cinder looked back at Skull and Mona again, hoping for an answer.
They could only shrug back.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TAKE YOUR TIME~~~~~~~~~~~~
"LET'S SEE WHO YOU ARE!" Joker shouted as he ripped the mask of a knight patrolling by himself in a dining area. Everyone took their positions as a mossy green horse with half its body replaced with seaweed appeared. Cinder knew it to be a Kelpie. Before it could do anything, Skull pointed at it.
"CAPTAIN KIDD! ZIO!"
The bolt of lightning brought it down, everyone immediately surrounding him and aiming their guns at it.
"Help me. Me won't tell King Kamoshida."
"Alright, give me an item and I'll let you go."
"Okay, me have good thing here, yes." The Kelpie managed to throw something to Joker. He caught it in his hand and looked at it. From what Cinder saw, it was a Recov-R: 50 mg. He closed his hand around it as he nodded.
"I'll take it, you can leave." With that, the Kelpie immediately disappeared out of sight as Joker pocketed the item.
"Joker, are you just going to let him go, not gonna try to recruit him too?" Cinder asked.
Joker shook his head. "Nah, Cinder. Already have one of him."
"Wouldn't it be better if you have more others like him?"
"...No."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TAKE YOUR TIME~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Yeah… there's no way we're getting up there." Skull grimaced as the group stared up at the broken stairway, and the floor they needed to get up to.
"You think Kamoshida actually managed to think ahead and do this?" Cinder asked, feeling a little unnerved that such a thing happened so conveniently to block their progress. It was one thing to be accidental, but this was supposed to be Kamoshida's palace. Why would he even let even one corner even be run down?"
"Well, if this happens more than once, then we can definitely say that we're… in trouble. Skull, think Captain Kidd could get us up there?" Joker remarked as he pointed at the floor to him.
Skull shook his head. "Sorry, Captain Kidd can only float. Can't exactly fly up there… Maybe we can armor someone up and I can get Captain Kidd-"
"Before we entertain Skull's… idea there, allow me to introduce what I've been working on." Mona-senpai cut in before taking out a spool of rope with a hook on the end.
Joker stared at the device before looking up at the higher floor. Cinder followed his gaze and saw that his attention was not on the floor itself, but on the side of it. There was a decoration of a ram's head, a hook in its mouth. She took a second look at the device as she got a better idea of what it is.
"So… what is that supposed to be?" Skull asked, puzzled over how such a thing could help them in their situation. Mona-senpai shook his head at Skull before gesturing at Joker to hold out his hand.
Joker held out his hand, and Mona-senpai rolled up his sleeve and attached the device on his wrist. Testing the weight and looking over it, Joker stared at the device before looking up at the ledge. His breath jerked as he seemed to realize something. "Mona! Is this-"
"Go on, try it." Mona-senpai crossed his arms as he smirked. "Aim for that ram's head, then press that button on your wrist."
Looking at the device, Cinder realized that there was a button near the wrist area that Joker pressed with his fingers. A hook shot from the device, attaching itself to the loop on the ram's head. The moment the line was taut, Joker rocketed up in the air, dragged up by the line. Skull's jaw dropped while Cinder gasped in shock as Joker stumbled a little bit as he landed on the higher floor.
"DUDE! A GRAPPLING HOOK?! THAT'S SO SICK!" "Quiet down, Skull. I know my grappling hook is amazing, but pipe down before you alert every shadow in this castle."
Looking down from the higher floor, Joker waved. She waved back as Mona-senpai and Skull settled their argument.
"Come on you guys! Let's get going!" Joker called down. Skull and Cinder looked at Mona-senpai, who suddenly looked sheepish.
"...Mona, you made more than one, right?" Skull quietly asked, though she could also hear the annoyance behind his words. Mona-senpai looked down at the ground as he rubbed his hands.
"I...I'll get to work making more soon."
"Well, no use complaining." Joker commented as he lowered himself to their level. He gestured to them. "Alright, who's first?"
"I'll be!" Mona-senpai immediately jumped onto Joker's shoulder, attaching himself like a barnacle. Joker didn't say anything, adjusting Mona-senpai until he had a hand on the cat's two rocketed back up to the higher floor, where Joker dropped Mona-senpai off before coming back down.
"Alright, who's next?" He asked. Cinder and Skull looked at each other, before the blonde shrugged.
"Alright, let's see what's the best way to do this."
After they tried a few ways for Joker to carry Skull, with Skull maintaining that the piggyback ride was still the best position, and only relenting when Joker threatened to let go midair, Skull had his arm around Joker's shoulder while Joker had his open arm around Skull's armpit. The two shot up and landed on the higher floor no problem.
Then Joker came back down, before holding out his hand. "Alright, Cinder. Come on."
Logically, she knew it was the only way to get up to the higher floor. She knew that the way she held onto Ren was the safest way to be transported through the air. She knew that it was nothing awkward and she should stop making it awkward.
However, all that didn't stop the blush on her face as the two flew through the air. Joker's hand was around her waist, holding her tightly to his chest as he stared straight ahead. Cinder followed his example, tightening her hold on his shoulders before the two landed safely. She turned to Joker and bowed to him as she smiled. "Thank you for the ride, Joker."
"Uh… Yeah, no problem… Let's go see what's on this floor!"
Joker ducked his head as he rushed forward, leaving everyone else to quickly follow after.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TAKE YOUR TIME~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Maybe you should try talking to this one. I don't think I've seen you with this one." Cinder suggested as they held the shadow in front of them hostage in a room with a bookshelf in it. Joker looked at Cinder, before taking another look at the small pink devilish creature with the… particular codpiece.
"...I'm not sure if I want to have that guy inside my head. Not to mention, I don't like this guy's attitude." "Eh, don't worry about it. I'm used to not being wanted."
"It might not hurt to have this guy included in your arsenal." Mona-senpai commented. Joker thought for a moment before sighing.
"Alright, you want to join?"
"Hmm, can I ask you a few things?"
Joker shrugged. "Sure, whatever. Let's get this over with. Ask away."
"Well…" The Bedside Brute rubbed its chest, a few wounds from the bless spell Cinder cast on it. "You really got me good with that last spell. Like, what if this becomes a scar? What am I going to do?"
Joker looked over at the rest of the group before looking back. "I don't know. Get plastic surgery? Or get someone to heal that? Can't be that hard to get that taken care of."
The Bedside Brute look incensed. "Well gee, I'll go ahead and talk to my pals for that one. You know, the ones I wished I had?!"
Joker shook his head. "Sorry, sorry. Just… find it weird that you actually care about that. Anything else?"
The creature thought about that for another moment before speaking aloud. "This is a good place you're trespassing in. It's a lot better than the place I remember being in. I have to ask, why are you trampling in here? What are you guys thinking?"
At that, Joker's countenance was utterly furious. "Shut up. You don't know anything."
"Well, no offense, but I think I'll take my chances with King Kamoshida, thank you."
Before he could react, Cait Sith was out. "CAIT SITH! AGI!"
As the fireball hit the Bedside Brute, it fell to the ground, barely hitting the ground before Joker was on it with his knife. As the shadow faded into nothingness and Cait Sith went back into Joker's head, Joker rubbed his face.
"Joker, have to admit, sometimes you scare me." Skull admitted, with Cinder giving her silent agreement. It really did feel like Joker and Ren were two different people…
"As long as I scare the shadows and Kamoshida, I'm cool with that…" His eyes seemed to be drawn on one book on the bookshelf. Picking it off the bookshelf, Cinder was able to see the front cover.
"Book of the Queen?" "Joker, you're just going to take that along? Another piece of loot?"
"I don't know. Just a feeling I have."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TAKE YOUR TIME~~~~~~~~~~~~
"See Skull, told you that picking up all those books wasn't a waste of time!" Ren smirked as he inserted the king's book into the empty slot in the bookshelf. Skull simply shrugged as the rest of the group put their own books in the other empty slots.
The group were in a library area, with several rooms with several filled bookshelves. Several spots were left empty, spots that were easily filled by the books that they had found in several other rooms in the area. Though Cinder was glad not to know why they were called Book of the Queen, Book of Slaves and Book of the King.
The moment all the books were inserted in the right place, one of the bookshelves immediately slid backwards. Joker shook his head. "Wow, how cliche can you b-"
The moment he looked inside the secret chamber, he paused as he stared inside. Confused, everyone peered inside. Cinder stepped back as she wrapped her arms around herself.
Inside the chamber, a familiar rack sat there, the wall around it plastered with pictures of her.
Cinder looked away, taking deep breaths, as she heard someone approach her. "You alright, Cinder-senpai?"
Slowly calming herself down, she looked at Joker, who looked concerned for her. She could feel a little bit of gladness that perhaps Joker and Ren might not be completely separate. "I...I'll be fine. Was there anything in there?"
"We found another map, looks like it covers the other half of the castle." Mona-senpai commented as he looked at.
"I also found this medal. Not sure what we can use it for." Skull said as he looked over his prize.
"Wait, I remember that there was a slot that was shaped like that medal in that door guarded by that strong shadow. I think this will unlock it." Mona-senpai said.
"Alright, sounds like we can move forward." Joker took out something from his coat and held it out to Cinder. "You want to do the honors, Cinder?"
Cinder took a look at the object and blinked. "Joker… When did you get a Molotov Cocktail?"
"Wait, what?!" "Joker, I didn't teach you how to make a Molotov Cocktail."
Joker shrugged. "How hard can it be? Just put some alcohol inside a glass bottle and stuff a rag in there. Sure, didn't test it, but as long as it looks like it works, it'll work, right?"
Cinder stared at the makeshift explosive. "What was the plan?"
"Oh, right. Thinking we need a distraction to get past that strong shadow. I say, part of the king's palace suddenly going up in flames would do nicely, wouldn't it?"
"..."
"SOMEONE QUICKLY PUT OUT THE FLAMES!" "OH NO, HIS MAJESTY WILL BE MOST DISPLEASED!"
"I can't believe I actually did that…" Cinder said in shock as the group entered the door, the medal set in the slot.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~TAKE YOUR TIME~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Where are we?" Cinder asked as the group entered the chamber. Instantly, they could tell that it was the largest room they had seen in the castle besides the front foyer. They walked between giant marble arches covered in roses, the roof high above them. Peeking out from behind the pillars, they saw rows and rows of fine crafted wooden pews, neat and orderly as they all faced the same direction.
There, standing in front of a circular stained glass window, surrounded by velvet ropes, stood a marble statue of Kamoshida. Standing proudly with an outstretched arm clutching a volleyball, the statue was tall, almost reaching the high up balconies that Cinder just realized was there. Even though it was Kamoshida, she did have to admit that the way that the statue was positioned in front of the stained glass window did give a subtly heroic effect.
Then for a brief moment, the area turned into a familiar hard wooded area, before turning back into what Kasumi would have called a cathedral.
"Was that what this place was supposed to represent?" Mona-senpai asked.
"I think that was supposed to be the gym." Cinder answered.
"The gym is supposed to be this to Kamoshida?" Skull looked around before giving a derisive sneer. "Yeah, I can see it. It's supposed to be a holy place, since in the gym, he gets to show off in there… You think we can tip over that statue?"
"Only if you want to alert people, idiot!"
Before Skull and Mona-senpai could fight, Ren turned to them. "Hey, everyone get behind cover then start checking the doors. I don't see any stairs."
Hearing that, the group split apart, slowly going through any place that gave them cover to a nearby door. As Cinder got close to the door, she reached out and tried to open it. She had no luck with either pulling or pushing. She was about to go find another one, only for Joker to gesture to her to join up. She was the last one to hide behind one of the pillars with everyone else.
"Yeah, I got nothing." "Nothing on my end too." "Didn't find anything to pick." "Sorry on my part too."
Joker grimaced. "Yeah, I was afraid of that. Everything is blocked, and the only thing that could get us to the balconies up there is that."
Joker pointed behind him. Everyone followed his finger towards the statue of Kamoshida. There, Kasumi could see the point on the volleyball where Joker could use his grapple hook on.
"Hey, there's our way out of here!" Skull remarked before looking at Joker and frowning. "...Something wrong, Joker?"
"That's the thing. I got a feeling that something's not right." Joker frowned.
Cinder looked around before it hit her. "Skull said that this place was supposed to be a holy place for Kamoshida, right? So where are the guards?"
Morgana-senpai then narrowed his eyes as he considered the area where the grapple hook needed to go. "And it's just positioned that we need to go near it, out in the open."
Joker nodded. "Can you just say 'it's a trap?' But… it's the only way we can go through."
"You go get Cinder and Mona there first, they're lighter." Ryuji quickly suggested. "I can probably hold off whatever comes after me with my shotgun and Captain Kidd. Not to mention that Cinder and Mona could just shoot at whatever comes up."
"Huh, so there is a brain under that dyed head of yours." Mona snarked. Joker rubbed his chin for a little bit, before turning to Cinder.
"Cinder, think you'll be fine once I get you up there? I was thinking we should keep Mona and Skull together, since you're the only one with a long range gun." Joker suggested, which Cinder actually agreed with.
"I'll be fine up there. Mona-senpai, you should stay with Skull and help him out."
Mona-senpai pondered this before nodding. "Very well, if that is what Lady Cinder wishes."
"Alright, we got a plan. Me and Cinder hide in one row, Skull and Mona hide in the other. Let's go."
The two duos carefully inched their way towards the statue, hiding behind each of the pews as they went along. As they got closer, the absence of the guards only grew more and more suspicious. Each of them readied their persona and had their fingers on their weapons. On the second pew to the first, Joker gestured to Skull and Mona. Nodding, the two drew their weapons and prepared.
Cinder and Joker nodded to each other, before switching pews and hiding behind the first. The moment they did, they could hear the floor burst in front of them. Cinder followed Joker, slightly peering over the edge.
The being that now stood at the foot of the statue was at least tall enough to reach its knee. Dressed in heavy looking chainmail and European armor and wielding an enormous broadsword, the helmet was open, revealing a severe looking face with completely blank eyes. However, the main thing that drew her attention was the two wings that stretched out from the being's back, keeping him aloft even with all the armor.
She had heard about angels, and the beings said to be another step higher, Archangels. As Joker began to signal to Mona-senpai and Skull, she looked back at the Archangel. And now she was fairly certain that this one was staring at her.
"Miserable rodents, you dare enter this monument to the king's glory?! Though I may not see you, YOUR ODIOUS PRESENCE GIVES YOU AWAY!"
"MOVE!" "CLEAVE!"
Just as the Archangel cut through the first pew, Cinder jumped over the second pew and landed in the one behind it on her back. Brief discomfort became pain as she screamed in pain. Looking down, she saw the second pew had fallen over, landing on her knee.
"CRAP! HANG ON!" Blinking through the sudden tears, she saw Joker laying in the pew like a hammock, trying his best to get off without causing her more pain.
The ground erupted around them. Looking around, she saw angels, though she was sure that the little scraps that they wore could barely qualify as clothing. She briefly wondered why she even noted that when they were in trouble.
Then a shotgun rang out, and one of the angels cried out as she fell to the ground.
"BOOYAH!"
Skull and Mona-senpai quickly popped out of cover, blasting every angel they could get their eye on. As all the enemies turned to face them, Joker ripped his mask off, summoning Arsene next to him.
"ARSENE! EIHA!"
The Demonic Thief looked even more demonic as it threw a ball of curse energy right at the Archangel. It staggered back a little from the impact, before righting itself. Joker cursed a little. "What the heck?"
Just as the Archangel was about to raise his sword again - "ZORRO! GARU!" "CAPTAIN KIDD! LUNGE!"
A blast of wind smashed into the Archangel before Captain Kidd slammed into him, pushing him away and giving the two some room. Quickly, Arsene lifted the pew off Cinder's knee. Joker was next to Cinder, ripping his mask off as he dismissed Arsene and summoned a tiny fairy in a purple bodysuit.
"PIXIE! DIA!"
The persona named Pixie pointed, and a light encircled Cinder's knee. Instantly, her knee felt better as she even extended it a little. Joker held out a hand. "Come on, let's get up there!"
Taking Joker's hand, she got up from the pew and ran towards the statue with him. Just as Cinder wrapped her arms around Joker, he raised his hand and aimed for the ball. He looked over and his eyes widened. "HOLY-"
Just as the two were pulled up in the air, she could feel something slicing just where they were. Landing roughly on the higher balcony, both got up in sync.
"What was that?" Cinder asked.
"That was the Archangel, but I didn't see Captain Kidd!"
Both quickly peered over the railing. The archangel was alone, its head on a swivel as it looked around for its two targets. Captain Kidd was nowhere to be found. Looking over at Skull and Mona-senpai, they were taking cover behind one of the pillars as six angels shot Kouhas at them as they flew overhead. Looking closer, they saw Mona-senpai and Skull shooting at the angels, yet something looked off to them.
Skull then took a Kouha to the chest and fell back behind the pillar, holding his chest. Mona-senpai looked him over. He shook his head, like he was trying to remember something.
"Why isn't he summoning Zorro? Skull needs help!" Cinder asked.
Joker grimaced. "The angels must have done something to them! Come on, we got better shots on them and they're distracted right now."
Quickly rushing to a better position, Cinder and Joker drew out their guns as they aimed. Taking careful breaths, she waited for Joker's signal as the group of angels slowly converged on the area, blocking the other two and making sure that every bullet would hit. Finally…
"NOW!"
As Joker shot his pistol as far as he could into the mass, Cinder was carefully aiming and shooting after each shot. Angels fell from the air, crashing into the pews below. Both Skull and Mona-senpai stared at the sight, before looking at them.
"GO!"
At that moment, Mona-senpai seemed to regain his thoughts as Zorro appeared before him. "ZORRO! DIA!"
Skull immediately got up and grabbed Mona-senpai, getting out of cover and towards the statue. Joker saw this and took a glass bottle with a piece of cloth in its neck. Tipping his mask, Cait Sith came out.
"Joker, is that a-" "Yep."
Quickly aiming the molotov cocktail, he threw it at the writhing group of angels. Just as it was about to hit the ground, he pointed at it. "CAIT SITH! AGI!"
A fireball quickly shot forth, hitting the molotov cocktail. An explosion of fire and glass erupted, catching the wood on fire and creating a pyre for the angels. Looking to where Mona-senpai and Skull were heading, the two looked around.
"Alright, where's the Archangel?"
Noticing something out of the corner of her eye, she screamed. "MOVE!"
Pushing Joker out of the way, she leaned out of the way as the Archangel's sword cleaved through the ground. Quickly getting out of the way, Cinder saw Joker join her as the Archangel pulled its sword from the ground.
"YOU DARE DESECRATE HIS MAJESTY'S HOLY PLACE?! YOU MUST DIE!"
"I gotta get to Skull and Mona before the flames get them." Joker said he drew his knife and Cinder drew her rapier. She took a deep breath as she steadied her rapier.
"I'll distract him. You go get them." "You sure?" "CENDRILLON! DIA!"
A light healed her back up to full health. "You get going."
"Hang on." Joker pulled on his mask, dismissing Cait Sith and revealing what looked to be a little being in a clay jar. "AGATHION! RAKUKAJA!"
As another light swirled around her, she felt a little more hardy, like she could take another hit and keep going. Resummoning Cait Sith, Joker pulled out another molotov cocktail. "You go high, I go low?"
Cinder nodded. The two ran forward at the Archangel, who looked between the two, trying to decide which target. Jumping into the air, Cendrillon appeared behind her as she pointed. "CENDRILLON! POWER SLASH!"
Shooting forward, Cendrillon slashed at the Archangel with its pointed feet, rending some of its armor. As it staggered, Joker ran forward, before sliding on the ground. He left the molotov on the ground between the Archangel's feet before Cait Sith aimed.
"CAIT SITH! AGI!"
The fireball shattered the molotov, the Archangel crying out in pain as it was set ablaze. Pulling out her level-action, she aimed at the Archangel and backed up as she fired. It pierced through what must have been a tender spot for the Archangel as it gritted its teeth in pain. Picking up its sword, it charged at her.
At this point, the Archangel was driven as much by pain as fury as it swung its sword, just hoping to get Cinder with its edge. Dodging each and every attack, she saw her chance when the Archangel's assault paused for a moment.
"CENDRILLON! POWER SLASH!"
Cendrillon went in for another attack, when the pressure suddenly grew from the Archangel. "CLEAVE!"
Cinder felt her breath leave her as the broadsword slammed into her, sending her flying with Cendrillon in tow. Feeling pain in her abdomen, she commanded Cendrillon as she saw that the Archangel had also been hurt. "CENDRILLON! DIA!"
As the Archangel tried to go after her- "ZORRO! GARU!"
A burst of wind slammed into the Archangel's back, sending it on its knees as one of its wings became mangled.
"CAPTAIN KIDD! ZIO!"
A bolt of lightning struck the Archangel, further wounding it. Joker snarled as he jumped onto its back before savagely mauling the wing with his knife. Jumping off, he summoned Arsene and pointed at it. "ARSENE! CLEAVE!"
With one swipe, the wing was cut off. As the Archangel tried to get back on its feet, the group came back together.
"Cinder, you alright? That last strike looked like it should have… you know." Joker remarked, looking slightly haunted at that last part. Cinder reached over and patted him on the shoulder.
"It's alright, that spell you used on me really helped."
"Right, got to remember I got those." "You… dare…" "Oh right. Skull?"
"CAPTAIN KIDD! LUNGE!"
Captain Kidd shot forward, smashing into the Archangel, both breaking through the railing. The ghost pirate disappeared, leaving the wingless Archangel to fall into the flames. He wordlessly burned, but Joker paid him no mind as he walked up and grabbed the money that was left on the ground.
The moment the group realized that there was no more danger, their bodies nearly fell over as they relaxed. Then Joker coughed before he looked down at the raging inferno, then at all the smoke that the fires were generating.
"We should get out of here."