It was a long, exhausting day. When they returned to Leblanc, Haru ended up falling asleep on the couch in Ren's room. Everything caught up to Haru at once and nobody wanted to disturb her after what happened. Eventually Haru awakened, only to realize she was doing so. "Oh, I'm sorry. I fell asleep."
"Are you okay? Did you get enough rest?" Makoto asked.
Haru nodded slowly. She was feeling a lot better. She then glanced at Morgana, who was on the table. "Mona-chan…?"
"…It's just as I told you. I can't have you guys risk your lives anymore for someone useless like me." This was ultimately the decision Morgana came to. He couldn't do anything on his own and was just in the way at this point. Getting kicked into a wall by Sugimura made him feel this way. "To be frank, there's no assurance I'll turn back into a human either. This can't be called a fair deal. That's why I think we should split up."
Yusuke found the notion to be silly. "Who said we were acting as Phantom Thieves for your sake? I'm doing it to expand my horizons."
"No need to tiptoe around the situation. We're splitting up." Morgana shook his head.
"I think you're being a ridiculous." Hifumi said before pointing at herself. "You should know it's pointless to lie to me. That's not how you really feel, is it?"
"…" Morgana was trying to fight that, but it was hard. Hifumi saw right through him because of her power.
Haru decided to help this cause, picking Morgana up and setting him into her lap. "Hifumi is right. You should stop lying. Do you remember what you told me when we were escaping my father's Palace for the first time? You said you were a phantom thief. That you wanted to get stronger and have the others acknowledge you. You love being here, don't you?"
Morgana wiggled out of Haru's arms, landing on the table. "O-Of course not…!"
"I was lying to myself too, but when I formed a contract with my Persona, I understood it all." Haru said. "Doing this because my father is doing something horrible…was nothing but a superficial reason. The truth is, I…"
"You don't want to get married, right?" Ann asked.
"Or rather…you don't want to listen to the whims of your Father?" Hifumi hit the nail on the head. She could relate to Haru, so she knew.
"I thought that since an adult with responsibilities made the decision, it couldn't be wrong. I was such a fool, tied down by vague obligations as my marriage partner was chosen. But I won't tolerate this anymore! I can't stand that creep!" Haru exclaimed with all her might. Letting that all off her chest felt amazing. "Phew…that's how I truly feel." Her gaze then went to Morgana.
"W-Why are you looking at me all of a sudden!?" Morgana asked.
"Mona-chan, why is it you always talked about becoming human again?" Haru asked, tilting her head a bit.
There was a lingering silence as all eyes were on him. "At first, I thought of this team as a temporary dwelling until I regained my memories. But I wasn't making any progress on my memories or why I was born…"
"Morgana…" Ann frowned.
"…I wanted a reason of my own – a reason to stay with the Phantom Thieves. But I don't have anyone I want to save or get revenge on. Someone like me has no reason to stay here…" Morgana's head lowered.
"That's not true…" Hifumi shook her head. "I think…you're very cool, Morgana. When I said you were an amazing Phantom Thief before, I meant it. I hope you did not think I was patronizing you."
"Yeah! Look at Inari here. He doesn't have a real reason to be here, but he just is." Futaba said with a smile.
"…Was that an insult?" Yusuke wasn't sure.
"Yeah, we all have our reasons…but there's also a reason we're all still friends. Still a team." Ren added. "So…how do you really feel?"
"…I…." Morgana began.
"Come on, you can say it!" Ann was encouraging Morgana to say it!
"This is where I belong! I want to stay here forever!" Morgana finally said it, letting all his feelings out.
"That was refreshingly honest." Yusuke closed his eyes, smiling.
"You shoulda said so from the start! Geez…" Ryuji lightly shook his head. He was glad this was all behind them now.
"This is where I belong! My mind's all set!" Morgana said firmly. "I'll work hard to pay my dues. It's too late to cancel out on our deal, got it?"
"Yeah. We'll do this together." Ren said firmly.
"Hehe. Well, in the end, wouldn't you say our encounter was destiny?" Ann said playfully.
Encounter. That word. It rang a bell for Morgana. "Encounter…" He mumbled. His musings caught Futaba's attention, but he was too in his head to answer.
Ryuji pulled out his phone, checking the time. It was extremely late. "Crap! The last train's coming up!"
"Time runs short! I had more I'd like to say, but Mother would kill me if I am late…" Hifumi said with a quick nod, scurrying out along with the others.
Haru lingered behind a bit. She wasn't exactly ready to go home. Futaba already had an idea. "Stay at our place. I'll arrange it." She told Haru, leading her downstairs so they could ask Sojiro about it. Sojiro was pretty likely to say yes; he was pretty nice.
Once everyone left, Morgana yawned and stretched. "I'm gonna head to sleep. I'm exhausted." He looked around at the room, his gaze pretty fond. "Hah…this place is as drab as always…"
.
.
September 18th.
Ren, Futaba, and Haru met in Leblanc for an early breakfast. Sojiro leaned in to whisper to Ren. "So…all these girls you've been bringing over…"
"I-It's nothing…" Ren cleared his throat. Sojiro was messing with him, but it still wasn't a line of thinking he didn't want to think about.
Futaba couldn't help but notice the grin on Haru's lips. "What's up, you seem happy."
"I really like this place." Haru said with a soft smile. "I also haven't had a big meal with so many people before either."
"You're free to stay as long as you'd like, but at least go home before it gets too late, yeah?" Sojiro said. "I'm sure your parents are worried." Having said that, he went behind the counter to prepare for the day.
"It's fine if you don't want to go home either." Futaba added.
"No, it's okay. I'll go home." Haru replied. "If my father suspects something, it'll be more difficult to change his heart, right? I'll contact you all later."
"Will you be okay on your own?" Morgana asked from a seat nearby. "I can go with you."
Haru smiled softly at the offer. "You belong here, don't you, Mona-chan?"
Morgana would be smiling sheepishly if his cat muscles allowed it. "W-Well…yeah…."
.
.
Haru returned home. She attempted to keep her upbeat expression, but her father was an expert at sucking any joy she had out of her. At the very least, she was adamant in not subconsciously switching to a meek stance when talking to him, but it was hard when he had control over everything she did. A single misstep was practically fatal. She had a little control…but only enough to avoid making her situation worse.
"The matter has been settled." Okumura told his daughter. "You'll be welcomed into his household."
Haru blinked, thoroughly surprised by what her father was referring to. "What?!"
"You won't be officially registered yet, but isn't that how things are with young people these days?" Okumura asked, referring to people moving in together prior to a relationship growing serious. "Go prove your sincerity to him. You can do that, can't you?"
"So I'm not even allowed to decide where I live…?" Haru quietly asked. Her own father was selling her off to Sugimura and she didn't have a say in it.
It took Okumura everything he had to avoid scoffing at that question. Haru only had one use as far as he was concerned. "Not only do you come home late, you've even stayed overnight without permission. I thought I told you to be mindful of the company you keep. I've even heard they've been bothering that young man on occasion, which is why you need to go and prove yourself to him."
So Sugimura ratted Ren and the others out after all, did he? Haru was hoping that wasn't the case, and it just made her position that much more difficult. "But Father! They aren't like…!"
Okumura's phone rang and it was his priority to answer it. "I have my hands full with the company. Don't cause any more trouble for me." Standing up, he started to walk off. "Hello? No, it's fine. Go on."
This put Haru in a pinch. She just got home, but she already felt the need to go back to Leblanc. So she pulled out her phone and called Futaba. "Hello Futaba-chan? I know it's soon, but I would like to ask everyone back to Leblanc again. There's something I need to discuss with everyone…I'll be back there soon."
.
.
The first thing Haru had to do was change into more casual attire; a nice blue dress with some pink heels. Once she changed, she headed out to Leblanc and met up with everyone in the hideout of Ren's room, explaining the situation to them all. "I'll…be sold to his house on the 11th."
"That means our deadline is the 10th." Morgana said.
"Aren't you worried?" Hifumi tilted head.
"If we change your father's heart, he'll definitely be taken by the police. The label of a criminal's daughter will forever stick with you. Your current living situation may change as well…" Yusuke said, already thinking of the repercussions for Haru if they were successful.
"…I've been worried about that myself…" Hifumi rubbed her arm. Another reason she couldn't follow through with changing her mother's heart yet was precisely for the reasons Yusuke describe. This was about Haru, though…she didn't want to make it about her.
Haru heard her. But that was something to respond to later. "If I accept a lifestyle on the misfortunate based on others, I'd be no better than my father. And to tell the truth, I've…actually left a request before. If I had known it was all of you, well…"
"She did so when we were mulling over our next target." Morgana said.
"I met Mona-chan around then. So I thought it was fate." Haru replied.
"Seems like our interests are finally aligning…." Yusuke said.
"So…will you cooperate with us now, Haru?" Makoto asked with a slight smile.
"Of course!" Haru responded with her own smile. "Although, I should be the one cordially asking to be a part of the team. I'd love to work with all of you."
"I have to warn you guys, though. Haru is still new to this…she may slow us down a lot. Her Persona doesn't even have a solid form yet." Morgana said.
"I can still hardly use mine without exhaustion, so I suppose I relate there." Hifumi said sheepishly.
"I'm sorry. But I will do my best to not get in the way!" Haru said.
"I'm glad things are finally looking up for us again." Ann remarked happily.
"It's pretty convenient for us to take out that CEO too." Ryuji said. "Things are getting nasty online."
To prove the point, Makoto read some of the comments online. "The names of criminals have come up, so why haven't the Phantom Thieves done anything!? And similar comments."
"The way they're getting heated is on a different level…" Futaba sighed.
"This is why I was against acting earlier." Hifumi frowned. She was no stranger to the influence of comments online. "I'm glad we didn't let the pressure of fame get too us too much. But I dislike how the public is beginning to push this sort of thing on us."
"We don't have much of a choice now." Ren adjusted his glasses. "But we just have to make it count…and get the squeeze out of those mental shutdowns too. So…we start tomorrow?"
"Good idea! The sooner the better." Morgana and the others agreed to the notion. "Remember, our deadline is the 11th! So we have to do this by the 10th. Any questions?"
"None at all!" Haru said firm in this.
"Great! Now, I'm hungry. It's lunch time. Join me if you dare!" Futaba let out a laugh, heading downstairs to bother Sojiro for food. The others were going to follow, but Haru lingered.
"Hifumi-chan." Haru called out to Hifumi, who was bringing up the rear.
"Huh?" Hifumi blinked turning around to face Haru.
"…Are you okay? I…read the news." Haru wasn't entirely sure how to proceed on such a delicate topic.
"I…I'm alright." Hifumi replied with a tiny smile, grateful for Haru's concern. "I'm more concerned about you at the moment. I relate very strongly to your situation. As I'm sure you're aware…my mother is just as controlling of my life as your father is of yours. That is why…I want to do everything I can to help you. It's all I can really do, since I lack the proper resolve to stand up to my mother after all that's happened. When I attempted to confront her Shadow and her cognitive vision of me, I completely folded."
"Oh, Hifumi-chan…" Haru frowned.
"I wish I had your resolve, Haru. I…I'm really jealous of you." Hifumi had a smile, but it lacked energy. "I know how Morgana felt, lacking a place on the team. But I know it's where I belong too. So I'll do my best to help you, I promise. Now let's get some lunch." With that said, Hifumi went downstairs to join the others.
"…You're so kind, Hifumi-chan. Putting people before yourself…" Haru didn't get to say everything she wanted. Hifumi was still bottling some things inside, things that wouldn't come out so easily. But Haru knew she could connect with Hifumi due to their similar situations. "…I'm going to help you too, I promise. Just like how you helped me…"
.
.
September 19th.
The infiltration began for real this time. The Phantom Thieves were not wasting any time in breaking into Okumura's Palace. The security levels were normal now, so they had to sneak around while making sure Haru wasn't caught in any crossfire. She couldn't fight yet and would simply slow them down. But thanks to Haru's presence, they were able to open and go through the door that barred them last time. This allowed them to continue deeper into the space station. "So uh…I got a question." Skull said as they passed through the door. "That whole beauty…thingy. Was that an act Mona put you up to? Should we still be calling you Beauty Thief?"
"I…I was trying to be a heroine of justice…" Haru said, pretty embarrassed about the Beauty Thief name. She wasn't entirely sure she wanted to keep going with it, but she declared the name with her chest, so it wasn't going to shake off so easily.
"…Really?" Skull blinked.
"I panicked thinking of a name." Mona admitted.
"Don't be insensitive…" Dragon said in a hushed whisper.
"Ever since I was young, people around me have never seen me for who I really am." Haru explained her lonely life. "They would be kind to me just to please my father, and would get money and presents in exchange. Adults, teachers, even friends. It seemed like everyone smiled at me for their own personal gain."
"…So…that's why you never told us your full name when we first met." Queen understood.
"To be honest, I was a little worried you all were like the others. But you quickly showed me that wasn't the case." Haru smiled to the group. "You saw me for who I was, gave me a nice safe haven in Leblanc, and let me be myself. I have a lot of fun when I'm with you all. You were an inspiration to me, just like the female superheroes I used to see on TV. They were so great! They always fought for others, not themselves…and they were always happy. I wanted to be just like that! Even though I knew it was a fantasy, I still looked up to them."
"Everyone goes crazy over heroes at some point, right?" Skull said.
"Mhm! I'm the same way!" Panther said with a bright smile. "I loved those female super heroes too!"
"I like the ones in manga…" Dragon admitted sheepishly.
"Yeah, it's nice having someone like that on our side. We have a few already." Joker said with a nod.
The casual conversation was cut short. "What are you doing here?" That voice came from Shadow Okumura. He looked vastly different than he did in reality, clad in a robot space suit with a glass helmet over his head. Also, his skin color was blue, which was somehow not the most jarring thing about him.
"This is insane on so many levels…" Panther didn't know how to react to this sight.
"He appears to be some sort of robot overlord!" Dragon exclaimed.
"I thought I told you not to associate with vulgar people?!" Shadow Okumra yelled at Haru. As he did that, Cognitive Sugimura walked next to him, wearing that same grin he would in reality. That alone said a lot about how Okumura treated Haru.
"That bastard!" Skull grunted.
"He persists, even in the Metaverse!? That is a lot of tenacity for a single man…" Fox said.
"What a creep! It's like nothing's changed!" Oracle huffed.
"Him…!?" Haru gasped. Sugimura was the last person she expected to see in the Metaverse. "Did he come into the Palace, too?!"
Mona quickly shook his head. "No! He might look and act the same, but that isn't the real person. Remember what I explained to you earlier?"
"You mean the cognition thing?" Haru was still having a little trouble wrapping her head around it.
"What are you mumbling about?" Shadow Okumura's tone implied this was a demand to know and not a mere request.
Haru stepped forward slowly, with all the willpower she could muster. "Do you recall how I said I'd do my best for you? This is my answer to that!"
Shadow Okumura peered behind Haru, looking at the Phantom Thieves. "Are those the rumored Phantom Thieves? …I see! You're handing them over to me as a plea for forgiveness!" His expression went from stern to elated.
"How did he get that idea!?" Dragon gasped.
"Overcome failure at any cost, even if it means betraying others. You truly embody the Okumura motto!" This was probably the first time Okumura had any sort of pride for Haru. Which wasn't a good thing. "Very well, join me!"
"What kind of family motto is that!?" Skull was floored by the absurdity of that statement.
"Why do you only think about gains and losses!?" Haru exclaimed. "That's why the company has a bad reputation. All because you treat people like tools! I've seen the way the workers are treated here…this is how you view them in reality, isn't it? You just think of them as robots that do your bidding! Robots that can be replaced! They aren't robots, they're people!"
"To gain, you must give. One must be resolved to give even more if they wish to stand above others." Shadow Okumura responded to Haru's outburst calmly, answering her questions. "We are on vastly different levels…and soon, I will rise to a new stage. The political world! The cold reality of kicking people down is a part of business. Virtue and sentiment are for losers." A chuckle followed his words. "Okumura Foods shall be the foundation of my victory!"
"His company is just a stepping stone. It's no surprise that he shows no far for the people that work for him…" Queen said.
Cognitive Sugimura stepped forward, stroking his chin. "Mr. Okumura, we don't need a girl who's been soiled by thieves. Unless you make some…compromises, I can't introduce her to my father."
Shadow Okumura waved a hand dismissively. "She needn't be your lawful wife anymore. Take her as your love or…whatever it is you desire."
Cognitive Sugimura just gave a slimy grin in response. "Very well…I accept."
"How sickening!" Dragon clenched her hand into a fist, feeling her anger surface. It felt like a repeat of the scenes she witnessed of Sugimura actively forcing himself on Haru. The fact that it was no different here made her sick. Haru's own father was perfectly aware of Sugimura saw Haru!
"Lover…?" Haru couldn't believe what she was hearing. She took another step forward. "I was raised under this company's wealth. I even accepted a political marriage for you. This is NOT what we discussed! Father, you want me to be that man's plaything just for your own ambitons!?"
Shadow Okumura scoffed. The gall of his daughter. "Why fret? You should be overjoyed that you're fulfilling your role as an Okumura daughter. You should feel honored that you're helping me achieve my grand desire of ascending into the political world. That is all you're good for. It's the only value you've had since the very beginning."
"Even his own daughter's life is a commodity to him…" Fox had seen his fair share of bad parents, but Okumura was quickly rising up the ranks.
Haru couldn't believe what she was hearing. The news was so much, she ended up collapsing to the ground on a knee. "…I…"
Cognitive Sugimura started walking forward, his grin becoming more and more menacing. "Now…why don't you come…to my place…." His form shifted so rapidly. He turned into a large robot that towered over Haru. "Now, let's have some fun! I'll play with you until I get bored…! I high school fiancée…what a turn on…!"
Haru's hand clenched around her knee, her tone lowering. "So vulgar…"
"No…! Haru's Persona won't stand a chance against that…!" Mona exclaimed.
"Haru…!" Dragon was about to start rushing forward, but Oracle stopped them, grinning.
"No! It's okay!" Oracle said. Though those words had everyone doubtful as Cognitive Sugimura brought his robotic arms down on Haru to crush her. There was a blinding flash of light that caused everyone to look away, but as that late faded… "She hadn't awakened to her real power! That's all!"
Haru's Persona appeared; a woman holding mask to her nonexistent face, clad in an elegant pink dress. Her free hand was holding a fan out, which easily blocked Cognitive Sugimura's fist. The robot was offended by this. "How dare you…?!"
Haru let out a cry of pain, gasping as she collapsed to the ground, clutching the side of her head. The spotlight was on her as her Persona spoke to her. "I see you finally made your mind, my dear, fated princess! Freedom for you must stem from betrayal. If you still yearn for it now, then you must not err. Now tell me…Who shall you betray?"
"My heart is set. You should know…Milady." Haru said while slowly picking herself up, brown eyes burning a fierce yellow.
"Yes! That gaze! I can finally display my true strength. "I am thou, thou art I! Let us adorn your departure into freedom with a beautiful betrayal!" As soon as Milady said this, Haru swiped her left arm to the side, a vortex of red roses swirling around the two of them. Milady's dress then opened up, revealing the heavy artillery of guns hiding inside her.
"GEEZ!" Skull stepped back in shock.
"Farewell dear father!" Haru said, leaning to the right, grasping the tip of her hat with one hand, while the other pointed dramatically in the air behind her. "I am no longer your subservient puppet!" She exclaimed with her heart and soul, pointing directly at Shadow Okumura as she said this. If this was the path her family name was going to take, then she was going to break that cycle before it even began. No more would she be used and abused, she was putting a stop to that here and now!
"…." Dragon was simply amazed at Haru's resolve.
"Then so be it…you're WORTHLESS." Shadow Okumura shook his head, turning to walk off, planning to leave this situation to Cognitive Sugumura. "Deal with them as you wish."
"You poor thing…I'll toy with you until you break!" Cognitive Sugimura said excitedly.
"Ugh, what a creep…" Panther shook her head in disgust.
"I don't expect you to come to reason at all…" Fox said.
"Uh-huh. We've been telling you this shit from the start, asshat!" Skull pointed at Cognitve Sugimura.
"We are the Phantom Thieves…" Mona began.
"And we are here to take your bride!" Dragon suddenly exclaimed, much to everyone's surprise. Not only did she steal Mona's line, but it also seemed like she briefly regained some lost confidence.
Cognitive Sugimura was not having any of this. Accompanying him were two regular working robots, forced into the situation or they'd lose their jobs. "Thieves who steal from others need to be severely punished. Haru! Come be my toy!"
"I have no intentions of talking to you." Haru said simply. "In order to change the heart of my father, I cannot lose!"
"So this is Haru's true power…" Queen was amazed.
"Haru…alright! Let's take town this scummy robot and get going!" Mona exclaimed.
"…Is it bad that I've been hoping for this chance?" Dragon asked honestly.
"Leave it to me!" Haru said while pulling out her gu-no. That was just straight up a rocket launcher. Haru stood next to Milady, the two of them taking aim at Cognitive Sugimura and his robot assistants. "FIRING!" Haru clicked the trigger, shooting off multiple rockets along with Milady. Numerous explosions occurred upon Cognitive Sugimura on the robots.
"HOLY SHIT!" Skull continuously stepped back. Haru's firepower was incredibly powerful and honestly extremely frightening.
"OOOOW…" Cognitive Sugimura did not appreciate the beating he took. "OBEY ME!" He then moved fast, aiming to return the favor to Haru while rearing his fist back, swinging it right at her. But his fist was blocked by Belle Star's shield. "WHAT!?"
"I've had enough of you thinking you can touch Haru however you want!" Dragon blurted out on impulse. She was well aware that this wasn't the real one, but it may as well be, considering it looked, talked, and walked just like him. "We've got your support, Haru!" Dragon said with a firm nod.
"Johanna!" Queen rode forward along her bike, driving forward along with Mona, who turned into the bus. The two of them drove towards the Corporobo enemies, knocking them high into the air, leaving them sitting ducks for Skull and Fox.
"Let's go, Seitan Taisei!" Skull grinned, missing the feeling of beating some enemy ass. He gladly took his mask off, calling for this Persona alongside Fox.
"Kamu – Sussano-o, strike!" Fox yelled in time with Skull. Both of their Personas let out their elemental attacks; ice and lightning specifically. This caused the Corporobo duo to be frozen and shocked at once, crashing into the ground since they were unable to help themselves. But much to Fox and Skull's surprise, the two robots broke free and slowly sauntered forward.
"What the hell!? They just ate that?!" Skull said, jaw hanging open. He put all he had into that attack!
"Must keep working….no matter what…" One of the robots said as they slowly approached. They didn't even have the strength or will to fight, but they were attacking purely because they were told to.
"Those robots aren't strong at all, but they can take a beating!" Oracle reported. "Panther, Joker, I think you're up!"
"Say less!" Panther spun around, pulling her mask off to summon Carmen. "Carmen, let's light 'em up!" She said while cracking her whip, igniting it in flames. Carmen started by hurling a large fireball at the closet blue robot, watching as it exploded and sent it flying. Apparently that was effective enough and Panther finished the job, cracking her blazing whip against the robot's body to completely destroy it. She landed in a crouched position, now shooting off towards Joker with her hand extended. "Joker!"
Baton Pass! Joker's hand collided against Ann's passing the Baton. "Decarabia!" Joker's Persona of choice appeared, the one eyed star appearing above him. Decarabia began to spin around, igniting itself in flames and charged at the secondary robot. Contact was made, sending that robot flying into the air. Joker caught it with his grappling hook, spinning around to send it flying towards Skull. "Skull!"
"Oh, that's what I'm talkin' about!" Skull reared his club back, taking a baseball stance. Just when the robot was close, he swung for the fences with all his might, shattering the robot into pieces. "Homerun!"
"That's nice and all, but can we have a little assistance!?" Dragon asked. She and Haru were dealing with Cognitive Sugimura, whose large stature prevented him from keeping up with the movements of Haru and Dragon. He managed a lucky punch on Haru, slamming her into a wall and she let out a cry of pain.
"HARU…" Cognitive Sugimura was going to attempt to make a move, but Haru sneered, swinging her next weapon at him, an axe. It was such a forceful and sudden swing, his robotic arm was nearly severed from the impact.
"Don't you dare touch me! I'm VERYhandy with an axe." Haru said while narrowing her eyes.
"Haaaah!" Dragon jumped into the air, twirling her staff before slamming it down on the back of Cognitive Sugimura's head. The impact only caught his attention and he struck back hard with a punch. Due to Dragon's innate physical resistance, she was able to hold fast and slide against the ground. "I suppose that is the best you can muster if your only logical move is to manhandle women when you don't get your way. Belle Star!" Half of Dragon's mask came off as usual as Belle Star was called for, swinging her sword down upon Cognitive Sugimura's chest. "Shining Excalibur Attack!"
"Milady! Rain fire!" Haru pointed forward. On both sides, Milady bombarded Cognitive Sugimura with gunfire, while Belle Star's sword released numerous blades of light down upon him. The overwhelming combination caused an explosion.
"Let's take it him down!" Mona said. Everyone (excluding Orcale) charged in to attempt to finish Cognitive Sugimura then and there, but he grew wise. Gigantic arms extended and he spun around at high speeds, slamming into each and every single one of them with a powerful impact. They were all going to crash into the ground harshly, but Mona was able to flip and gain his bearings. "Zorro!" Zorro appeared, swinging his sword in the air to create a gust of wind around the Phantom Thieves. By doing this, he was able safely guide everyone to the ground. "Is everyone alright!?"
"Thanks, Mona! That was kick ass!" Skull grinned.
"Yes, thanks for the landing." Queen smiled.
"So what do we next…? This robot is surprisingly resilient…" Dragon asked.
"If you guys can manage one big push that might be enough to leave it weak to destroy." Oracle reported.
"I believe there is a solution to that." Fox turned to Panther. "Do you recall what we discussed earlier? I believe the Wishing Stone has turned our idea into reality!"
"You wanna do that now?!" Panther didn't exactly see any other options. "Okay, let's do it! It's Showtime!"
"Showtime…?" Dragon blinked.
Fox and Panther went into action. The scenery changed to a more Japanese styled home. Panther slowly walked forward with a parasol in hand. After a few steps, she sharply started to crack her whip everywhere, sending numerous tiles of the floor flying up into the air. Midflight, Fox crouched down behind one of the grounded tiles, drawing his katana. In the same instant, he appeared on the other side of the room, sheathing the blade as quickly as he drew it. His speed was impossible to comprehend, as the numerous tiles lingering in the air were all sliced in two, and Cognitive Sugimura was on the receiving end of countless slash attacks, causing him to recoil from the damage he sustained and fall to his knees.
"No…How could I…be defeated by such insolent brats…!" Cognitive Sugimura groaned.
"Beautiful…" Dragon mumbled.
"It's endurance is low now! This is the prime chance to take it down!" Oracle reported.
"Finish it, Haru!" Mona yelled.
Didn't need to tell her twice. Haru ran forward, calling forth Milady once more. "This is your end!" A swirling, psychedelic twister of psychic energy appeared around Cognitive Sugimura, sweeping him up in the never ending storm. He was helpless against Haru's attacks, as it should have been. As the tornado exploded, Haru leapt high into the air, flipping horizontally with her axe in both hands. She plunged her axe into Cognitive Sugimura's chest, causing him to collapse to the ground with her on top of him. He did struggle and throw a few attacks, but Haru was in a blind rage at this point, thinking about every near assault on her he tried. With loud battle cries, Haru brought her axe up and slammed it down on Cognitive Sugimura's robotic head….over…and over…and over….she just wasn't stopping, letting out grunt after grunt. It only took one hit to finish it off, the robotic body stopping its resistance in assaulting Haru in retaliation. But Haru didn't stop even as oil spewed onto her body from the countless slams of her axe. This just left the others worried.
"H-Haru…! You can stop now…!" Queen said while waving her hands. "It's dead…!"
"I…know…!" Haru spoke between axe slams. Now everyone was even more worried. But eventually Haru calmed down, letting out a sigh as she released most of the aggression she was withholding all this time. "That felt amazing."
"…Is that what I looked like when we fought Kaneshiro?" Dragon looked to the others. They nodded slowly, which embarrassed her.
"…What were you sayin' about her Persona bein' weak?" Skull looked at Mona. After what Skull just saw, Haru being weak was impossible.
Haru then let out a gasp. "He disappeared?! Is that okay?! Did I…go too far…?!"
Everyone glanced at Mona now. "Are you sure you taught her how things work in here?" Panther said with a sweat drop.
"I…I was in a rush." Mona admitted. "But I swear I covered it all!"
"It's fine, Haru." Dragon said with a nod. "Unfortunately, he persists in the real world. This was just a cognition of him based upon your father. But I do not blame you for mistaking him for the real thing."
"Destroying a cognitive being has no effect on them in the real world. Don't worry. Queen reassured Haru. "He'll be okay."
"…I see…." While Haru wasn't exactly jumping for joy at the news, she was also partially glad she didn't kill someone. It was a mixed reaction.
"So does this mean we officially got a new teammate now!?" Skull was hyped. "Uh…wait. What do we call her?"
"She already has a code name." Mona said, pushing the Beauty Thief agenda.
"You can call me Noir." Haru said.
"N…o…ir…?" Skull was lost.
"It means black in French." Noir explained. "I'd like to be a heroine of justice, but the Phantom Thieves are on the darker side of the law. I chose the name Noir to remind me of that."
"I like it!" Dragon gave a nod of approval. "It holds a sense of dignity that shan't bow to others, along with the rebellious spirit indignant towards society!" As Dragon said this, Noir couldn't help but giggle.
"As long as she's into it…" Panther wasn't so sure, but she wasn't about to argue with Noir after what she just saw.
"She created quite an elaborate backstory…" Fox was pleased, however.
"I also like it." Queen smiled. Dragon also said what Queen was thinking.
"Welcome to the team, Noir." Joker nodded, smiling a bit.
"Thank you all." Noir said with a soft smile.
"Don't let your guard down, Noir! Our journey through the Palace doesn't end until we get the Treasure." Mona said.
"Yes sir!" Noir nodded.
"Someone's talking all big again…" Oracle remarked.
They were about to keep walking, but that's when Noir stumbled a bit and leaned against a wall. "Oogh…"
"Are you okay…?" Panther asked.
"I'm fine…just a little sore and tired. But it doesn't feel like it's from my Persona." Noir explained.
"That robot did kinda lay into you near the end there. You just kinda…powered through it." Skull pointed out.
"But I can keep going, don't worry!" Noir tried to smile it off, but Joker shook his head.
"I know you're eager to get going, as we are…but it won't do any good if you're injured. We do have some medicine that you can take, but it's probably best to play it safe too." Joker said. They didn't want to risk Noir collapsing in the Palace. "We have time, we promise we'll get this done soon. So we can take a day and call it here."
Noir wanted to object, but Joker was right. It wouldn't do any good if she slowed the team down by being reckless. "Okay…let's go back for today then. But when we come back, I'm going to show my father just how serious I am."