Tuesday, Sept. 15, Leone's Headquarters (Editing Room), PsykoNet; Afternoon
After arriving back in the editing room, Seven pointed out an air vent which was embedded in the ceiling, and looked big enough for the teenage spies to crawl through it. However, it looked like it would be difficult to climb up to it.
Agent Rose looked around and used his holographic digital visor to help him discover anything he could use to get his partners up to the height of the air vent. With a bit of clever thinking, he noticed that there was a ledge on the back wall of the editing room, which was slightly hidden behind a large projector screen used to view the edited work. There were a few boxes stored up on the ledge, but with careful footwork, they would be able to sneak across it. However, that still left half the room to cross before they could reach the ceiling vent.
Agent Rose pressed the button on the headpiece which his visor was projected from, and analyzed the stage lights hanging from the ceiling which were pointed at the small viewing area. After analyzing them, he found that they would be able to hold one person's weight, as long as they were careful.
He began pushing a blocky-looking loveseat towards the back of the viewing area, and then vocalized the plan. "See that ledge on the wall behind the projector screen?" he asked. Everyone looked towards it, and then affirmed their view of it. "We'll use that to reach the appropriate height, and then we should be able to jump over to the stage lights hanging from the ceiling."
"Why are there stage lights in here anyways?" Luke asked, to no one in particular. "It's just an editing room."
"I don't know. I guess for aesthetics," Agent Belle shrugged. "Either way, it's good that they're there. Otherwise, how would we reach the vent?"
"Everyone understand the plan?" Agent Rose asked.
"Yes, sir," everyone responded in unison, even Seven.
The spies, along with Luke who was evidently enjoying playing the part of a spy despite not having a disguise or a Persona, used the loveseat to jump up to the ledge. Luke had to grab onto the lede and pull himself up because he didn't have the same level of experience as Agent Rose, Agent Belle, or Android 07, and also didn't have the additional stamina of a Persona. However, he managed to pull himself up thanks to his own impressive upper body strength.
Suddenly, they heard the door to the editing room creak open. All four of them jumped and ducked behind the projector screen that they were thankfully already situated behind.
"Hmm..." It was the distorted voice of a Shadow, but not the same distorted voice of Shadow Leone. It must have been one of the generic bodyguard Shadows who were serving her. They scanned the room, which Agent Rose could see as he carefully peaked around the edge of the projector screen. "Huh, that seat isn't supposed to go there. The Director hates when things aren't as she planned them. I'd better put it back in place before she noticed."
The Shadow pulled the loveseat back into the spot where Agent Rose had pushed it from. Luke, getting a bit nervous in the presence of a Shadow, felt a twitch in his leg, which rubbed against the projector screen, causing its thick vinyl material to ruffle ever so slightly. The Shadow noticed it, and walked up to the projector screen. Everyone covered their mouths to silence their breathing, with the exception of Seven who didn't need to breathe.
After a few moments, the Shadow conceded. "Must've just been the A.C." With that, the Shadow left, and the door was closed behind it. Agent Rose scanned the room below one more time to make sure it was clear, then stood up, and gestured to everyone else to do the same.
"That was close..." he admitted. "Now, the light fixtures can only hold one person's weight at a time. I'll go first." He jumped over to the fixture nearest to the ledge they were standing on. He grabbed onto the rods and monkey-barred his way across the stage light fixture until he reached the opposite side. He did that twice more until he reached the third fixture. Pulling himself up so that his chest was resting on the top of the light fixture, he looked up at the air vent directly above him. There were four screws bolting it to the ceiling. He held out his hand and in a glitch-looking flash of lime-green pixels and code, a screwdriver appeared in his palm.
"So cool..." Luke gushed. He held out his own hand, and grunted as he tried to make something materialize within it as well. After nothing appeared, he let out a defeated sigh. "He makes it look so easy..."
"That's 'cause he has a Persona," Agent Belle chuckled.
"I want a Persona..." Luke pouted. "How do I get one?"
"I..." Agent Belle sighed, and lowered her head. "I don't know if you can... You have to face your own Shadow in order to obtain a Persona... and... I don't think you have a Shadow..."
"Fuck," Luke cussed. "Well, whatever. It's not a big deal anyway."
Agent Rose successfully unscrewed the air vent cover and gently placed it on top of the stage lights to avoid it making a loud sound. "Okay, I got it," he said, grinning.
"The live talk show interview is now On Air!" the intercom announcer exclaimed. "Everyone in positions now, please!"
"We better hurry if we don't want to miss too much," Agent Rose said. He hoisted himself up with a grunt and crawled up into the vent. Thankfully, the vent seemed to be mostly horizontal except for where it stuck out from the ceiling.
Seven jumped from the ledge to the nearest light fixture.
"Hey, wait!" Luke whisper-yelled. After noticing that Seven's metal wasn't weighing down the stage lights, Luke gasped. "Okay, what the fuck!? He's made entirely out of metal! That light should've broken clean off!"
Agent Belle giggled, and watched Seven pull off similar maneuvers to their Leader as she waited for her own turn. "Seven isn't actually made of metal, he's digital. He's made of code... and... data, and digital stuff like that. In this world, he's actually about the same weight as an adult man."
"I swear to God..." Luke groaned, holding his head. "This place is just full of surprises..."
"You have no clue," chuckled Agent Belle. "Ooh, my turn!" She jumped off from the ledge and skillfully grabbed onto the rods of the nearest stage light fixture. "I guess my muscles still remember my childhood gymnastics!"
Luke realized that it was his turn. He gulped, and attempted to recreate the maneuvers he had seen two people and an Android demonstrate before him. He clumsily grabbed onto the rods of the light fixture. His upper body strength served him well, but he clearly was not as experienced in such precise, high-stakes maneuvers as the others. He panted, starting to feel the strain. He was waiting for Agent Belle to climb into the air duct so he could jump to the last fixture, but his arms were starting to grow quite tired.
He tightened his grip, but his arms only got more tired. He decided that if he was going to make it, he would have to jump between light fixtures now, or else risk losing his grip and falling to the ground below. Summoning his strength, he jumped across from the light fixture he was hanging from to the next. However, he wasn't able to propel himself far enough, and fell just short of it! He could instantly feel the petrifying sensation of having nothing to gravitate to, as he began to plummet towards the tile floor below!
"Luke!" shouted Agent Belle. She reached down and grabbed his hand just in time before it could fall out of reach. Luke's weight put a lot of strain on her shoulder, but she soldiered through it. Swinging her arm like a pendulum, she attempted to build up momentum to hoist Luke upwards. Just then, there was a loud creak, and a flash of sparks, before the light fixture came off from the ceiling, unable to hold the weight of two people at once! In sharp timing, Agent Belle summoned all of her strength and the momentum she had been building and hoisted Luke upwards. He grabbed onto the lip on the inside of the air duct and climbed in, panting and pale in the face. Agent Belle had to think incredibly fast as the light fixture she was holding onto plummeted quickly beneath her!
With skilled speed, she pulled herself up so that she was standing on top of the light fixture, now with more than enough space between her and the ceiling so that she could stand atop it. She pressed her feet into the black-painted rods of the plummeting stage lights, and used her thighs to push her whole body weight into a jump. She threw up her arm, hoping she could grab onto the lip of the air vent. But alas, she just couldn't get enough height.
She cussed under her own breath as she felt herself falling again. But just then, Luke threw his hand down and caught Agent Belle by her wrist! He grunted as he pulled her up into the vent. Seven, who was ducking right behind him, grabbed onto his back and helped him pull Agent Belle's weight up. Agent Rose grabbed onto Seven's back and helped as well.
There was a very loud crash and a bright flash as the stage light fixture crashed into the floor below, launching glass and sparks to every corner of the room. Luke and Agent Belle panted, almost in unison, but everyone was safely inside the vent system now.
The teenage spies heard the sound of at least a handful of footsteps below them. "What the Hell was that!?" "Who goes there!?" The voices of multiple angry Shadow guards shouted as the Shadows rushed in to investigate the loud noise.
"Is everyone all right?" Agent Rose asked.
"My shoulder hurts, but I think I'll be okay as soon as I get a chance to rest," Agent Belle responded. "Luke?"
"I'm sorry... I was losing stamina, and I was afraid I'd fall if I didn't jump when I did..." He sounded quite upset, even though no one was facing in the right direction to see his face. "Oh God, I'm so sorry, Heather."
"No, it's okay," Agent Belle reassured. "I saved you, and you saved me. That said... it doesn't look like we'll be able to use this vent again, if we can't reach it... Let's be extra careful to memorize where these vents lead."
"Keen as always," complimented Agent Rose. "We're late for the show. Let's get going."
Seven compared the layout of the vents as the Agents and Luke crawled through them with the recorded map that his programming had automatically been keeping of the floor below them. "We should be getting close to the talk show stage," he said.
"Yeah," Luke nodded. "I think you're right. I can hear chattering voices. Like, lots of them. Can you guys hear it?"
Agents Rose and Belle confirmed with nods and grunts of affirmation. Agent Rose noticed a horizontal vent cover to his right, and peered through it. Indeed, the bright lighting, colourful decor, and the sheer size of the room outside the vent no doubt belonged to the talk show stage. He could even see Shadow Leone and the familiar face of the principal of his school. Only, this version of Principal McCampbel was wearing a shiny bright red suit and had his graying brown hair done in such a way that only a professional stylist could capture.
He craned his neck to get a good look of the immediate surroundings of the vent's exit. He noticed that it appeared to exit onto some sort of balcony seating area. He looked at the Roles seated in the balcony. Their attention was so glued to the stage, and specific to Shadow Leone, that he was sure he could easily exit the vent and not have a single one of them notice him, or the others, coming out. He would just have to make sure to be quiet. He held out his hand again, and the same screwdriver materialized out of the digital void as the one he used to enter the vent in the first place. Carefully, he unscrewed the vent cover from the inside, and carefully pulled it open. Thankfully, it seemed to be attached to a hinge, so he was able to quietly push it open. He carefully hopped out, followed by Seven, Luke, and then Agent Belle.
"So, Shining Star-Girl," said the Role of Principal McCampbel with a slight laugh, "now that you've been formally introduced to the cheering crowd, are you ready to answer some questions for us? I'm sure everyone in the studio is dying to know more about you and your career as The Director!"
"Oh, of course!" Shadow Leone grinned, waving to the crowd and fixing her hair with a gentle gloved finger. "Where do we even start? There's just so much to talk about!"
"Well, Leone, why don't we start with the film that's going to be coming to theatres in only a couple of weeks?" Host McCampbel asked. "What made you choose the casting that you chose?"
"Well..." Shadow Leone chuckled. She put a finger to her chin, making herself look like a cute child as she thought about her answer to the question. "It just sort of... happened, to be honest. Luke Daniels was just... the PERFECT villain. After all, his reputation as a dangerous monster just seems to be known by all. He stumbled onto the audition stage one day, and I just knew... I was inspired to rework the entire script around his reputation!"
"Interesting! So you're saying that the reputation of Luke Daniels, your film's co-star, informed the entire film?" Host McCampbel asked. "How truly intriguing! Tell us more, Leone!"
The Shadow behind the whole HQ crossed her legs under her dress and elegantly rested her hands in her lap. "Well... How do I put it...? He just really embodies the message that I wanted to put out into the world with my film."
"And, pray tell, what message is that, my dear?" asked the colourful talk show host, changed so drastically from his usual self to play a Role in Leone's manipulative scheme.
"I don't want to say too much, now," chuckled the celebrity interviewee. "But, what I can say is... The message of my film is this: I am beautiful, popular, and universally beloved, and those who dare object to my reputation will pay with what matters most in this world."
A wave of cheering and shouting burst out over the audience. "That's such a beautiful message!" screamed one of the loudest audience members.
"That's so deep!" another audience member shouted.
"Everything you do is beautiful, Leone!" called out the loudest of them all. The Agents of TRUTH could even hear the shouting from the back of the studio audience, even over all the other cheering. Luke could hear it clearest of all, though. He clenched his fist and nearly literally growled in protest.
"Are none of them able to see this blatant cruelty?" Agent Belle asked.
"No..." Luke growled. "And I guess that means that it's the same in reality, too."
"I cannot confirm, for I have not experienced many interactions with Leone D'Archangelo in reality," Seven explained. "However, based on the nature of the relationship between PsykoNet and reality, it is a logical conclusion."
"We're fighting a losing battle, then..." Luke sighed, dropping his shoulders in defeat.
"We can't let this ugly truth stay hidden," Agent Rose said, with great confidence and resolve. "We are the Agents of T.R.U.T.H., and we won't stand for this!"
Luke's eyes lit up again. "You're right! Even if my reputation won't change, if I let Leone continue manipulating everyone around her the way she does... I'd deserve what I had coming!"
"Well... there's no need to spin yourself to be the villain..." Agent Belle muttered. "But yeah! More or less, that's the spirit!"
Host McCampbel continued. "It sounds like everyone really gets your vision. But just in case some people are still confused, would you elaborate on what is most important in this world? You would know, Mademoiselle Director."
"Of course, I don't mind!" Shadow Leone smiled, adjusting her hair again. "Reputation is what matters most in this world. It defines people, it directs the course of their lives, and it directs the course of their families' lives."
"Everyone seems to love you like a princess, dear!" noted Host McCampbel. "What is your secret?"
"Well, I use the people around me to project the reputation I want to have to the viewers," answered Shadow Leone with a deceptively innocent smile. "It's never failed me before. Except..."
"Except?" the talk show host asked.
"Oh, it's not important," insisted the Shadow.
"I'm sure everyone would like to know what you were going to say!" Host McCampbel encouraged. "You're going to leave us all in agonizing suspense if you don't say!"
"I said..." Shadow Leone sighed, clearing her throat. "Do you like your job, Mr. McCampbel?"
"Haha, well," the show host began. "I thought I was the interviewer here!"
"Well..." Shadow Leone said, pausing. "If you like your career, then it isn't important."
After a moment of glaring directly into the Role's eyes with her own pair of almost-flaming golden ones, she sat back in her chair and relaxed, fixing her hair and pulling her innocent celebrity mask back on.
"Well, folks," said the show host Role, like nothing had even happened. "That's all we have time for today! Tune in next time for another celebrity interview! Ciao!"
As the audience of faceless Roles started clearing out like mindless zombies, T.R.U.T.H. regrouped with their additional guest. "How are you holding up?" Agent Rose asked.
"I'm... furious... But, if I let my emotions go again, I'll just get in trouble again," Luke sighed.
"Well, it isn't healthy to bottle all of your emotions inside, either," Agent Belle reminded. "When we get back to reality, maybe you should see the school counsellor."
"Why? So they can tell me I'm exactly what everyone thinks I am? A monster."
Agent Belle sighed and looked down towards Luke's feet.
"Either way, we managed to learn quite a bit about how Leone actually views the world. And we also managed to learn a lot about how other people see Leone," Agent Rose said, trying to regain everyone's focus. "I've only ever fought one person's Shadow before... but... maybe Leone's Shadow is the key to making people stop trusting her so blindly."
"Right," Agent Belle nodded. "When we defeated my Shadow and I awakened to my Persona, people were finally able to start seeing the real me. And not only that, but I was finally able to show people my true self."
"Can we just... go over that one more time?" Luke asked. "About... Shadows? And HQs? Just to make sure I have a full understanding."
"Ooh! Allow me!" Agent Belle said cheerily, raising a hand. "Okay, so... um... When who you are in reality and who you are in the eyes of the majority of people are especially separated from each other, the 'you' that a majority of people see takes form in PsykoNet as a Shadow. And, your Shadow has it out for the real-life version of you. Your Shadow craves to be the true version of you, and will attempt to kill you if you come in contact with it."
"She's speaking from experience," Agent Rose added on the side.
"Heh... yeah..." Agent Belle chuckled awkwardly. "Anyway, a Headquarters is mostly there to support a person's Shadow, and allow it to continue its scheme of manipulation. But it's also built around the way people see you. So, a Shadow and a Headquarters are like a package deal."
"We call this the Collective Judgement Phenomenon," Android 07 added. "Or at least, that is what it is labelled under in my database. I cannot seem to recall where I learned that information."
"Does he have, like, robo-amnesia?" Luke asked, lowering his voice so as not to accidentally offend the Android.
"Well... yeah..." Agent Rose sighed. "He was running away from something when I first met him. But neither of us have any idea who built him or why his memories were lost... or maybe erased."
"Well, I don't think we're going to find much else in here, now that everyone's left. Let's go back outside?" Agent Belle suggested.
"Good idea," agreed Agent Rose. The spies, and their guest, took the easier way back to the lobby, through the hallway used by the audience members. When they got back out, they looked around. Then, they noticed Shadow Leone again. Only this time, she was getting into a limousine, assisted by a bodyguard Shadow.
"We should follow where that limo is taking Shadow Leone," Agent Belle suggested.
Agent Rose, as the appointed Leader of T.R.U.T.H., had the authority to decide where they went next. He could either deny Agent Belle's suggestion and say, No, we might get spotted. Or, he could take her suggestion and make it the next mission objective, and say, After that limo!
"After that limo!" Agent Rose ordered, pointing dramatically towards it right as it started to drive away.
Agent Belle giggled. "Sorry, that was just so overkill." She paused. "Oh, right. Let's go!"
The group of four followed the limousine from enough of a distance that they felt they wouldn't be detected. However, it was difficult for Luke to keep up, especially when they had to quickly duck behind things to avoid being spotted, or jump over things like railings to maintain their momentum.
"Guys...!" he panted, unable to keep up without the additional metaphysical stamina of a Persona.
"Oh gosh... you sound really winded..." Agent Belle noted, hopping down from where she was perched upon the top of a traffic light.
"...How are you even doing that!?" Luke shouted, still winded.
"It gets a lot easier when you awaken to a..." Agent Belle stopped herself.
"I can't do this... I should just give up..." Luke sighed.
Just then, everything seemed to go quiet around Luke, like he'd been pulled into a soundproof bubble.
"No, it's fine! We can take care of it for you," Agent Belle encouraged. "We won't let you be framed like this!"
However, Agent Belle's words were silenced to the point where Luke couldn't even make them out clearly. His attention was drawn to an alleyway between two concrete builds. Namely, the fact that huge, intimidating claw marks had been borne right into the concrete. He started walking towards it to check it out.
"Hey, Luke?" Agent Rose asked. "Where're you going?"
But Luke's attention had been fully pulled away, like a void was drawing him in. He paused for a moment to feel the claw marks. They were so deep... How could anything be powerful enough to claw that deep into straight concrete? And the claw marks were distanced in such a way that it seemed like they had been made by a human-like hand. He continued into the alleyway without a second thought. He could feel something dark pulling at his very heart.