Date: 4/16 Saturday
Location: Shujin Academy, Aoyama-Itchome
Looking out of the window and listening to Dr Oobleck talk about the three branches of our government, I couldn't help but wonder when we would be able to see Zwei again and if the rumours that I heard in the morning about Ilia staying late with Taurus were true.
I did wish that I was in Mr Ports class instead, as when he starts talking about the past, it's hard to stop him and I probably would have been able to fall asleep. Taking a look to my right, I notice that some of the other students were either taking notes or sleeping and I could see a couple of them on their phone. I would have chosen to take a quick nap as well, that is if I wanted another bit of chalk thrown my way. Grabbing my pencil and flipping to the back of my notebook, I start to draw some of the personas that I've seen.
When I heard the sound of a chair scraping against the floor, I put a line through Arsene's face.
"Hey… What's that?" I looked over towards the front of the class to see a wolf faunus standing and looking into the school.
"Enough! This is a classroom!" I heard Dr Oobleck say but my eyes never left the wolf faunus.
"Wait… She's going to jump!" My eyes dart to the girl sitting behind the wolf faunus and then to Arc-san as he stands. "Amitola."
My eyes go wide hearing her name. 'Oh shit!' That is when I notice that most of the other students have gotten up and had left the classroom, but more importantly, I saw Blake heading for the door as well. Feeling my pencil snap, I got up and I chase after her.
Arriving outside the classroom just as Ilia dropped pasted the window; there was a collective gasp from everyone. My eyes never left the spot where Ilia disappeared until Blake pushes past me and then Sun and heads down the stairs.
"Hey! What's goin' on?" Sun asked with a wide-eyed look.
"Ilia… she jumped!" I said as I made my way to the stairs.
"Wait… what do you mean?" I heard Sun's footfall in behind me as we reach the first floor.
"Ilia jumped off the roof Sun!" I said again, but with anger. We stopped in front of a large group of students blocking the way to the courtyard. "Shit, there's no way we're getting through there."
"Let's go through the practice building." Sun said tugging me in the direction.
When we got to the courtyard, I found Blake trying to push her way through with little effort. Nudging Sun, I point at Blake and watch as anger takes over him. "Sun, you pull and I'll push." I said and when he nods, he walks over to stand in front of Blake as I stand behind her.
"What are yo…" She starts but I cut her off.
"We're helping, now hang on!" I place both of my hands onto her back as Sun reaches back and grabs her hands.
"Thank you." She mouthed as she looked back at me with wet eyes.
As we pushed through the crowd, I couldn't help but see a lot of phones out, taking photos or recording videos and when we get to the front of the crowd, me and Sun stood either side of Blake and that is when I saw the scene, there was a pool of blood on the ground where Ilia must have landed.
"What the hell's wrong with these people?" I heard Sun say as I looked at the prone body of Ilia lying on a stretcher with a couple of paramedics attending to her.
I watch Blake walk gingerly over to Ilia and crouch down, that is when her tears start to fall again. One of the paramedics starts to talk to her and soon they are lifting her into the back of the ambulance with Blake following her in.
"We both know why she jumped, so why don't we give him some of his own medicine?"
'We just can't go and murder him for three reasons, one, I don't have a weapon and two; we don't know if it's truly him and three, I think we should try Zweis' way first.'
"You're no fun!"
'When it comes to your ideas, then yeah I am.'
I turn to Sun when I start to hear a panicking teacher trying to get everyone back to their classrooms but to no avail, that is when in the corner of my eye, I see Arc-san running towards the practice building.
"Why is Arc running?" Sun asked as he watches him leave.
"He must know something, let's go and find out shall we." I said coldly as I started to walk in his direction.
We managed to catch up to Arc in the main campus and corner him up against some locker and some tables after Sun grabbed him. Standing there, I watch Arc rub his wrist after Sun lets go.
"That hurts!"
"I can do a lot worse than him." I said looking him dead in the eyes and I watch him pale slightly.
"Don't hurt me."
"Just tell us why you ran off like that." I said coldly as I never broke eye contact with him.
"I didn't…" Arc started but was interrupted by Sun hitting his fist into a locker.
"She jumped and tried to kill herself!"
"L-leave me alone." He said cowering and moving back up against some tables.
"Tell us what you know and we will." I said taking a step closer to him.
"She's right; we ain't tryin' to get you busted. We won't say you talked either!" Sun said in a less angry tone and crossing arms.
I watch as he grabs and shakes his head. "She was called out by Mr Taurus!"
"Wait, what does that mean?" I asked and my question falls on deaf ears.
"I was called by him a number of times too… to the teacher's room. It wasn't just me or Amitola either. He'd nominate someone when he was in a bad mood… and hit them or worse." He grabs his arm and lowers his head.
"So the physical punishment thing was for real…" Sun said taking a relaxed stance.
"But yesterday, he called Amitola out of the blue. She didn't make any mistakes or anything… Mr Taurus seemed really irritated yesterday, so it must've been… worse than usual." Arc said and then it dawns on me that Taurus took his frustration out on Ilia all because I stopped Blake from going to him.
"He didn't!" Sun said as his face contorted in anger as he turns and runs to the practice building. "That son of a bitch!"
"Mr Taurus is probably in the PE faculty office, that's on the second floor." Arc said as we ran after Sun.
'Shit… I thought we agreed to with Zweis' idea.' Opening the door to the PE faculty office, I saw Taurus sitting with his back to us at a desk and he turns to look at us as the door closes. There was a bunch of sports equipment sitting in boxes nearby.
"You basted! The hell did you do to that girl?" Sun said in an angry tone.
I watch Taurus wave us off as he turns back to his desk. "What are you talking about?"
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Sun kick a chair over. "Don't play dumb with me!"
"That is enough!" Taurus said raising his voice at us.
"What you did… wasn't coaching!" I heard Arc say from behind me and Sun.
"What did you say?" Taurus said as he finally turns in his chair to look at us.
"Grab the bat and hit, end this now!"
I heard a muffled noise from Arc and I watch as Taurus stands and walks forward and saying something with the same muffled sound as before.
'I'm not a murderer.'
"Grab it!"
All sound goes as she continues and it felt like I was in an old black and white movie. I watch everyone's movement in the hope of finding out what's going on.
'No, now leave me alone.'
"Does this mean we need to have yet another case of "self-defence"?" I heard Taurus say as I look over to Sun when the sound returns.
"You shut your mouth, you son of a bitch!" Sun said as he steps forward and raises his fist back to strike Taurus.
I take a step forward and grab Suns' arm and pull him back slightly. "Don't let him get to you."
"But still!" Sun said after shaking free from me.
With a fake look of shock, Taurus speaks up. "Oh? You've stopped him? What a surprise." He crosses his arms and stands straighter with a smug look.
"There's no need to hold back. Why not attack me? Ohhh, you can't." He laughs before continuing. "But of course you can't!"
"Everyone present right now… will be expelled. I'm reporting all of you at the next board meeting." Taurus said as he turns and sits back down at his desk.
'What! Fuck… I hope Zweis' idea works.'
"You can't make a decision like that!" Arc said as he stood next to me.
"Who would seriously consider what scum like you say?" Taurus said as he looks back at us again. "You threatened me too, Arc, so you're just as responsible."
I look at Arc and if this was a video game, I swear that a question mark would have appeared above his head given his facial expression. "Huh?"
"To think you didn't know why I kept someone as talentless as you on the team." A snarl leaves Taurus as he spoke. "You act like you're a victim, but you where the one who leaked her criminal record, didn't you?"
I look at Arc and watch him fall to his knees. "He told me to do it. I had no choice…"
I heard Taurus laugh in the background as I continue to look at Arc. "So he was the one who did that. Let's kill them both." My other self said in an all too cheery tone.
'He did it? Why would someone do something like?'
"Who cares why he did it, grab his neck and squeeze."
"Let's go, Ruby." I heard Sun say as I feel a hand on my shoulder again.
Looking at Sun, I nod and grab Arc by the scruff of his neck and drag him out of the office. When the door closes behind us, I drag Arc away and to an empty area of the school and throw Arc up against a wall.
"Why!? Why did you do it?"
He stands and whippers before he answers me. "He said if I did it, then I'll be able to continue to play."
I let a scream out before I punch the wall next to Arc and with my other hand; I grab his turtle neck and throw him away from the wall. "Get out of here you asshole!" Hearing Arc runoff as I turn and slump to the floor and curl up. My hand stung with a slight bit of pain.
"I thought you were gonna hit him there." I heard Sun say as I hear him sit next to me. "You can get scary sometimes bro, but I guess that's good for us for when we need stuff."
I heard some movement from Sun and as I raise my head to look and I see him eating another banana and I couldn't help but laugh. "How many of them do you have?"
"I keep a couple of them on me at all times." He looks at me as he takes another bite. "Hey! I thought you had silver eyes, not gold."
"What?" I pull my phone out to look at my reflections and I did, indeed have gold eyes. It didn't take long for my eyes to turn back to normal. "That must be "her" doing."
"What is her deal with you again?" Sun asked in between bites.
"Honestly," I put my phone away and look at Sun. "I really don't know, she's said that she wants my power but it's hard not to believe her sometimes."
Moving so that I was sitting crossed legged; I lean back and close my eyes. With the whole incident of what happened, no one was allowed to go home and I had the feeling that we'll hear that classes would be cancelled soon, so it ended up as a waiting game for when we could find and speak to Zwei.
By the time that we were allowed to go home, most of the students did. But after collecting my bag I headed to the covered area of the courtyard to meet up with Sun Zwei. When I arrived there, I saw only Sun, standing next to the vending machines.
"Hey, where's Zwei?" I asked dropping my bag on the table.
"I don't know." I watch him hit the vending machine. "We're wasting time waiting around. We gotta hurry up and go to that world and beat the shit outta that asshole!"
Hearing something to my left, I saw Zwei hop up onto the table. "We're not beating him up. We're simply stealing his distorted desires. I can assume that you've made…"
"Yes we have, and after what's happened today, I don't care what happens to him now." Sun said turning to look at Zwei.
"Then it's settled…" Zwei started before Sun interrupts him.
"So how hard is it to get rid of the palace? You have done this before this right?" Sun asked, which raises a good point.
"When did I ever say that?" Zwei said with the straightest of faces a dog can make and a sense of dread go through me.
"WHAT? Were you just pretending to know?" I asked and I watch him dart behind my backpack. 'What the…?'
"Is it true that you're getting expelled?" I heard from behind me and as I turned around, I saw Blake standing there with a sad look on her face. "Everyone's talking about it."
"That asshole's at it again!" Sun said as I look at him.
"I think that's the fastest I've had a rumour about me spread." I said lightly.
Sun looks at me and shakes his head before look at Blake. "So you come all this way to tell us that?"
A look of anger falls over Blakes' face. "If you're going to do something to Taurus, then I want in on it too."
'She can't be serious, can she?' I looked over at Sun then back Blake.
"I can't just sit back and do nothing after what happened to Ilia!"
'She's serious alright, but we can't take her there…'
"This has nothing to do with you. Don't butt your head into this." Sun said taking a step towards her.
"But it does!" She stomped her foot. "Ilia's my…"
"I said don't get in our way!" Sun shouted at her and I take a step back at his outburst.
"You're a real ass Sun Wukong!" Blake said before running off.
As the silence falls between me and Sun, Zwei pokes is head out. "That was harsh."
"I agree, but we can't take her to that place." I said looking back at Zwei.
"I hope she doesn't torment herself over this. When it comes down to it, women don't hesitate."
"And how do you know about what women are like?" I turn to look at Zwei proper.
"I just do, ok." Zwei said in an annoyed tone.
'And I thought one Teddie was enough.'
"You two done? We've gotta hurry up and deal with Taurus." Sun said as he moved over to the table. "Let's go already!"
"Get your paws off of me!" Zwei said as Sun picked him up and placed him into my bag.
Standing in the alleyway in of the school, I drop my bag and let Zwei out and watch him jump up onto a small aircon unit. "The moment we cross over, we'll treat each other like phantom thieves, so I hope you're ready."
"Huh? Phantom thieves?" A puzzled look crosses Suns' face.
"I'm really starting to get the feeling that we're playing a video game here." I said leaning against the wall.
"This isn't a "video game", this is real. Phantom thieves covertly sneak in and stylishly steal Treasure-that is what we become!" Zwei spoke with passion.
"That sounds kinda cool!" A wide grin appeared on Suns' face as he spoke. "So we just gotta say the school, Taurus's name, and… castle? Then we end up in that bizarro world."
"Well, that's how we got there the last time." I looked at Sun as he takes his phone out.
"So how the hell does this work? Someone make it?"
"Ozpin made it and I'm not really sure how it works." I scratch the back of my neck.
"Oz… pin…" A glazed look appears on Zwei face.
"Who is this Ozpin guy anyway?" I heard Sun say.
"He's… I don't know where to begin with that." I said before I change the subject. "Shall well get going then?" After they nod in unison, Sun actives the app.
Location: Taurus' Palace
Feeling the blue flames wash over me is a feeling I think I'll never get used to and when the flames disperse, I could feel Arsene and her with me. Taking a brief look around, I realized that we were standing before the drawbridge.
"All right! Time to bust on through!" Sun said with glee before we heard a scream from behind us.
As we turn around, the last person I expect to have followed us here was Blake Belladonna. "What… What is this?" She said as she moved towards us.
"B-Belladonna?" Sun shouts with a surprised look and I couldn't blame him for it.
"That voice… Wukong?" I watch her go wide-eyed as Blake looks over at me. "And… are you Rose-kun?"
"Wh-Wh-Why are you here!?" Sun said as he took a step forward.
A stern look washes over Blake as she scratches her head. "How should I know!?"
'How the hell did she get here? Was she close by when Sun activated the Navigator?' I scratched my head in thought.
"What's going on? Where are we?" Blake said as looked around.
Hearing a head shake, I look to my right at Zwei. "I see. Perhaps she was dragged in because of that app thing. If multiple people can enter with the person who uses it, it stands to reason it'll pull anyone nearby."
"So how come we haven't pulled in anyone else then?" I asked in an annoyed tone.
"How should I know, I don't really know how it works either." Zwei said hopping up and down a couple of times.
"Wait, so THIS is related to Taurus?" Blake looked back at us with a wary look.
"Anyways, you gotta leave!" Sun shouts again and I pray that we don't get discovered.
A look of anger appears on Blakes' face again as she stomped her foot and shouts at us. "NO! I will not leave!"
Crossing my arms, I lean against the wall that Zwei was standing on as he spoke. "The Shadows are going to find us if you make a scene."
"No way! It talked?" Blake lets a hiss out as she takes a step back. "Oh my god, it's a monster dog!"
Hearing a whipper come from Zwei and I place a hand on his head and pat him gently. "I'm… I'm not a monster."
"You better explain what's going on! I won't leave until you do!" Blake exclaimed, stomping her foot again.
"It looks like we've got to force her then." I said as I move away from Zwei and towards Blake. 'If we push her towards where we entered the first time, then we might be able to push her out of here.'
"We'll explain after everything's over!" I heard Sun say as he came up next to me.
Spinning her around, Sun and I grab a hold of her and push her towards the alleyway. When we get there, with one big push from both of us, Blake disappears.
"At least the cat isn't out of the bag." I said as I walked towards the bridge.
"Dude! Just stop, okay?" I heard Sun say lightly from behind me. "But we better be careful from now on when using that app."
"For once I agree with you there. If we don't keep a check on our tools, more people could get involved." Zwei spoke up from his perch near the bridge.
"Geez, Belladonna found out right when we were startin' off…" I look at Sun. "We gotta deal with this fast!"
"That's girl's name is Blake Belladonna, right?" I turned to look at Zwei only to find him standing next to me.
"Yeah, why do you ask?" I asked looking down at him.
"Lady Blake…" He said with a look of longing before he shakes his head again. "From here on out we'll refer to each other by code names."
"Like nicknames?" I heard Sun say as I look over at the castle.
"Don't refer to it in such a lame way. What kind of stupid phantom thief would use their real name? And there's no telling what kind of effect yelling our real names will have on a Palace." I look at Sun when Zwei finishes talking and shrug.
"So what should our names be then?" I asked as I looked between the two of them.
"Let's see… Suns' should be… Thug." Zwei said with a determined look on his face.
"Are you pickin' a fight with me? I'll choose it myself!" I watch Sun grasp his chin in thought. "When it comes to me it's gotta be this mask. Honestly, I actually kinda like it."
"It does suit you Sun," I said as I put my hands in my pockets.
"What if we named me after this?"
"Fine… why not "Skull" then?" A sad look appears on Zweis' face.
"Ooh! That sounds awesome! I'm Skull!" Sun shouts with too much joy. "So what do we do about this one's code name?"
"Well, his persona is Zorro… and his name begins with a Z as well… so I was thinking "Zee."
"That's better then what I thinkin' about." Sun said scratching the back of his neck and looking at me.
I get the sense of dread when they both look at me with a quizzical expression. "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"Oh…" They look at each other and then back to me. "We… can't think of a codename for you."
"Oh… ok then." I look down at my clothing in the hope that I might be able to help them, but when I come up with nothing, I sigh. "Sorry, I can't think of anything as well."
"We could call you "Red" for now?" Sun suggested as he scratches his head.
I sigh. "Yeah… sure."
"All right. From here on out we're Skull, Zee and for the time being, Red." Zwei takes on a heroic stance. "We need to be absolutely thorough about using those codenames from now on!"
"Finally, let's go."
Climbing through the vent that we left through the last time was easier this time around, I don't know if it was the palace or the power of the persona but I felt lighter, faster. Landing in the small mess hall, I notice that everything is still the same as it was. 'They must have been busy if they left the room as it was.'
Leaving the room and looking right, there were a couple or so of dozen Knights in the foyer being addressed by Shadow Taurus. Signalling to Skull and Zee that we can't cross the foyer, I head towards the other door.
Passing through a small dining room and into a corridor with a door at one end and gated doorway about halfway down, we moved as quietly as possible. When we got to the other side, I push the door open and take a look inside and noticed three Knights on patrol.
I look back at Skull and Zee. "There are three Knights inside, it looks hard to pass unnoticed on the ground, but there are beams of wood that we might be able to get on above them."
"Good observation Red, you're picking this up quick." Zee said as he moved up to look as well.
"Nice, it looks like the other door is open," Zwei said as he looked back at us. "Watch this." He said before he crouches down and then leaps up onto one of the wood beams and into the darkness.
"Woah!" Skull said as we watch him leap.
Sun and I look at each before we both try and land next to Zee. "Not bad for newbies."
Hearing the clinking of the armour, I was glad that I learned to dance with my mother as the beams weren't the widest things to walk on. It was kinda exhilarating sneaking through an armoured castle.
As we made it to the other side of the room, Skull spoke up in a whisper. "Hey, is that chest down there?"
Looking down, there was indeed a chest sitting there on its own table next to the wall and my video game instincts were telling me to loot it. "You sure we're not in a video game?" I whispered at Zee.
"Yes, I'm sure Red and why are you guys whispering, whilst we are in the shadows, the Shadows can't see nor hear us unless they are standing next to us," Zee said looking at us. "You should check it out Red; these chests will appear throughout palaces and should contain gear that we can use."
"You don't need to tell me twice… just keep an eye out will you; I don't want to be ambushed." I said before dropping down and landing in front of the chest.
Looking at the chest, it looked like any treasure chest, just smaller. I noticed that there a padlock on the front but it was locked. 'Odd, you would have thought that would have kept this locked.' Putting the padlock on the table and opening the chest, I found a Silver Dagger sitting there. 'Why is this in there?' Hearing the sound of armour moving towards me, I put it into a pocket and back up from the chest and jump towards the wall and leap back to beam.
"So what did you find?" Skull asked me as I landed on the beam.
"I found a Silver Dagger," I said pulling it out and showing them and I saw a sad look in Skulls eyes.
Putting the dagger away, we continued along the beams, I started to think that we might be able to get to the treasure faster than I originally thought and when we got to the other door; we dropped down and passed through unnoticed. As we made our way down the corridor, we came across a door with a slight hazy-look to it.
"Oooh, it's another hazy-lookin' door! This is that thing! Uhh, what was it called?" Skull said as we stood in front of the door.
"It's a safe room. We can discuss our strategy inside; there are a lot of places even I don't know about in here." Zee said as he walked inside.
Following him in, I was glad to see some chairs and after sitting down, I speak up. "Is it me or does it seems like there are more Shadows than before?"
"It's all because you guys provoked Taurus, you know," Zee said as he jumped on the table. "Still… he seems to be awfully in guard."
"Anyway, how're we supposed to steal that Treasure thing?" Skull said as he sat next to me.
"Don't be so hasty. First, we'll need to secure an infiltration route." I heard Zee say as I close my eyes and relax a bit.
"A what?" Skull said.
"A path to the Treasure's location… but honestly, I think we'll need a little more manpower in order to accomplish this. At the very least, one more person would be nice…" Zee said with little joy as I open my eyes.
"Hey, you say you don't have your memories and all, but somehow you still know about this kinda stuff? Do you think this thing's really got amnesia?" Skull said as he looked at me.
"Well, I have heard of selective amnesia before so…" I said looking between the two of them.
"I knew there was a reason why I like you!" A happy look appears on Zees' face as he spoke.
Shortly after Zee had spoken, there were very heavy footsteps outside of the room as we fall silent, I get up and move over to the door.
"Still, why was the princess in such an odd place?" I heard through the door from a Shadow Knight and I gesture for the others to come over.
"I could have sworn we were pursuing the readings of an intruder." We heard before they walked off.
"It doesn't matter now. We must take her back to King Taurus!" Another Knight said.
"Who are they talking about?" Skull asked and before I could reply, Zee speaks up.
"I should probably look into this!" I watch as he opens the door and disappears.
"And yet another question goes unanswered, still stuff like this castle and that navigation app are mysterious… but Zee's got 'em both beat." Skull said rubbing his neck before he reached into his jacket and pulled out a handgun and hands it to me. "Don't worry, it's only a model, my bother has too many that he won't notice one gone."
"Thank you?" I said as I take hold of it. "This feels and looks real Skull, you sure it's only a model?"
"Yeah, I'm pretty sure it is." He said looking at it.
Aiming down the sights, I point the gun at the wall and pull the trigger. What I didn't expect was for it to go off. "What the hell?" We both shout as I look between the gun and Skull.
"I thought you said it was a fake?"
"It is, the guy at the store he goes to said that they're all models."
"Whatever you two are talking about can wait." I heard Zee say.
"So what's the problem?" I asked as I turned to look at him.
"Your friend… Lady Blake!" He beings with a sad look before an outburst of energy. "She's been taken by the Shadows!"
"Wait, didn't we send her home earlier?" I said looking at Skull as he nods.
"If Lady Blake does indeed have the app, it could be possible," Zee said with a paw to his chin.
I saw Skulls' eyes go wide as he spoke in a panicked way. "Oh no… don't tell me it got put on hers just like mine?"
"Why are we standing here when she needs rescuing?" I said opening the door ajar to scout.
"Dammit… your right!" Skull said. "Let's go."
Running out of the Saferoom and back the way we came, we could hear Blake shouting. After jumping back and making our way along the beams and back in the corridor with a gate across one doorway and as we made it there, I notice that the gate was up.
"She's that way." I heard Zee say behind me.
Running past the suits of armour, I could hear Blake voice on the side of the door. 'Just hold Blake.' Shoulder charging the door as hard as I could, I watch it open upon me contacting it and as I do a roll into the room, the first thing I noticed was that where scantily clad girls lying on the ground moaning in pleasure. 'What the hell is going on?'
"Wait… these girls are from our school." Skull said as I look around for Blake.
When I find her, she was tied at the arms and legs to an X stand with a Knight either side of her and a Gold Knight in front. Looking to the right of her, I saw Shadow Taurus and his version of Blake there.
"Belladonna!" Skull shouts as we stop just short of them.
"Just when I was about to start to enjoy myself…" Shadow Taurus said with a snarl.
"What's the deal with this guy!?" Blake said as she pushed against her wrist restraints.
"How many times are you gonna come back?" He snarls again before looking back at Blake. "I bet you're just like those thieves. You came because you're pissed at me, huh? But, ah… I forget that chick's name, but it's your fault she jumped, you know."
"What?"
"You were so reluctant to throw yourself onto me that I had her take your place." He said with that smug look.
"You bastard!" Blake shouted as her eyes burned gold and she goes limp.
"Leave her alone you asshole." Skull shouts and as he goes to take a step forward, the two knights on either side of Blake raise their swords up to her neck.
"Take one more step and I'll kill her on the spot." Shadow Taurus said with an evil look in his eyes.
He laughs when Skull takes a step back. "Just sit back and enjoy the…"
That was when the screaming started, as all eye turn to Blake and a wide smile appears on my face. Honestly, I was kinda worried when it started as when it happened to Sun, he had the space to thrash around on the floor. But because Blake was restrained, I thought that she would break her arms and legs with the amount of force it looked like she was putting on those restraints.
But when a black cat-like mask appeared, I could see a dark shadow appear behind her and I could feel her watching intently. Hearing the sound of metal groan and then a snap, Blake grabs the side of her mask and pulls till a burst of red mist appears and then the familiar blue flame cover them.
When the flames disperse, Blake stood there wearing a black skin-tight latex catsuit with a cleavage window cut-out with loads of zippers running about her, deep purple gloves and thigh-high boot and when she dashes towards the Knight on her right and kicks the sword aside, I notice a tail clipped onto the suit as well.
Watching the sword spin in the air, I watch Blake leap towards it and when she grabs the hilt of the sword, she slams it down on her cognitive copy herself and in a cloud of black smoke, it's gone. A look of shock appears on Shadow Taurus's face as he backs up behind the Gold Knight.
"You know what? I'm not some cheap girl you can toy with… you scumbag." Blake said as she stood to full height and plants the sword into the ground. "You stole everything from Ilia… You destroyed her… Now it's your turn!"
As we walked up to stand next to Blake, I notice her Persona. With a mask and hair similar to Blakes, her Persona looked very top-heavy whilst wearing a rose looking dress with her foot on top of someone wearing a heart-shaped helmet with another person floating behind her with a chain attached to his neck.
"I will rob you of everything!" I heard Blake shout as the Gold Knight dissolved into the red/black bile and formed into a bearded daemon sitting on a toilet.
"How dare you deny King Taurus's love, you selfish lass! Pay for this insolence with your life!" It said as it floated just above the floor.
"Don't make me laugh with that "love" bullshit!" Blake said as she reached for her mask. "Dance, Carmen!"
Hearing a click of fingers, I see flames appear beneath the Shadow and shoots up; I point with the dagger in hand at the toilet daemon and call forth my Persona. "Go down!" I watch as Arsene fly towards it and bring a leg down on its head and watch it explode into black dust.
With it gone, I look and saw Shadow Taurus running out of the room. "Go after him and finish this now!"
'No, we need to get Blake out of here.' I rub my head slightly before looking at Blake.
"Wait..." She shouts as she falls to the falls.
"Why'd you come here, man? And more importantly, how?" Skull said walking the little distance between them.
"Hey! Is that how yo…" Zee starts before I interject.
"Don't start Zee." I sighed.
"Are you alright Lady Blake?" Zee said looking at her with a sad look.
"Lady Blake…? What is this thing? Is it alive? How can it talk? And… wherein the world are we?" Blake said looking around.
"J-Just calm down. Everything's going to be ok; don't worry." Zee said with wide eyes and a worried tone.
"Calm down? How am I supposed to calm down?" Blake said putting a hand on Zees' head and stands up on shaky legs, she then looks down and it dawns on me that she's just noticed her outfit.
"Wait… why am I dressed like this?" She said as she covers herself up.
"I think you look good." I said look at her.
"What are you talking about? What the hell are you thinking?" She stands and looks at me with bright eyes before she falls backwards into Skull.
"I think that's our cue for leaving." I said looking at them. "Skull, carry her and we'll cover you as best we can."
Location: Aoyama-Itchome Station
When we got back to the real world, we lead Blake away from the school and to the underground. I gave some Yen to Sun and told him to get a drink for Blake. When he returns he hands her a bottle, that is when I feel Zwei move around in my bag and then poking his head out over my shoulder.
"Hey, did you bring me one?"
"No, 'cause you're a dog." Sun replied as he crosses his arms.
I watch Blake down most of the bottle, before looking at me and Sun. "I'm feeling better now, thank you."
"No worries." I wink at her and in the corner of my eye, I saw Sun turn red.
"Zwei… was it?" Blake asked as he nods. "I'm really talking to a dog… this feels so strange."
"Demanding that you understand all this right after what you went through is asking too much." I heard Zwei say as he rests his head on my shoulder.
Blake shook her before responding. "Honestly, I still can't believe what happened… that power… my persona."
"It's the will of your rebellion, Lady Blake. With it, you'll be able to fight in that other world."
"So if what you've told me is true, then you'll have to let me help… for Ilia's sake." A determined look shows itself on Blakes' face as Sun goes wide again.
"Wait… you want to help?"
"Don't act like that… I can fight too." Blake said with a sterner tone.
"I think she'll be great, plus with there being two guys on the team, we could do with another female." I said and Zwei chimes in all too quickly.
"I agree."
I look over to Sun and we hear him sigh before he spoke. "Fine!"
"Then it's decided. I'll do whatever it takes to take that bastard down!" Blake said looking at me and I could sense a resolve from her.
That is when I could feel a warm sensation on my back. 'Shit, not here, please not here!' Feeling her palm press into my back, the warm feeling starts to burn and I let out a scream as I crouch down in pain. "I am thou, thou art I…" I could hear the others raise their concern but the pain was overtaking me. I grip harder on my bag. "…the Lovers…" Feeling her hand move away, the burning goes as well and when it does, I stand with the help of Sun.
"What was that all about?" Blake and Zwei said in unison.
"Thank you, Sun." Catching my breath, I look between them. "That is… I have… someone… something else with me, someone who wants my power and when the time is right, she'll come and get it. Sun, do you still have it?" When he nods, I ask him to show the picture he took. "That is her way of checking my "power."
I hear a gasp from Blake and as the silences fall upon us, I feel Zwei moving around. "I thought there was something else to you. I'm going to have to stick with you to find out more about this." Zee said as he rubs his head against mine. 'Cool, I've always wanted a pet.'
"Here's our train." Sun said with a tired look.
"You're right about feeling lighter and faster in the Metaverse, Honey and I didn't know it was that bad back then."
"Huh… Oh hi Sweetie, yeah, it was painful back then, but after a while, I got used to it. Is everything okay?"
"Yeah, just been wondering where you've been."
"Still writing I'm afraid, I did promise him that I would write an account of what happened so…"
"I still don't know why you agree to do so, but anyway, I've got work tomorrow, so I'm going to draw a bath soon, so if you want to join~"
"I won't be too long then my Queen."
"Good. See you soon then my Jester."
Location: Leblanc, Yongen
As I was walking towards Leblanc, I could feel Zwei moving in my bag again. "So this is my new residence?"
"Yeah, this is where I'm staying for the year." I said as I moved the bag a bit.
"I expected something more grandeur then this."
"We beggars can't be choosers I'm afraid Zwei, now get back in, I don't think James-san will be too happy with me if he finds out." I said pushing Zwei back into my bag.
Arriving at the door to Leblanc, I open the door just as a tall, dark-long haired woman with amber eyes, wearing a dark-red, off-the-shoulder V-neck mini dress with yellow details along it, a short black jacket and a black studded choker was coming out. "My, what a cute little guinea pig we've got here."
'Holy crap she's hot… say something funny.' I went to say something but nothing came out.
I watch her reach out and push my mouth closed. "Cat got your tongue it seems. Don't worry, it happens to everyone." She turns back into café. "Thanks again, Boss."
When she walks past me, a wicked smile appears before so disappears down the street. "Who was that?" I asked as I walked into the café proper.
"Doctor Fall runs a clinic down the street and is way past your mark kid." James said as he moved towards the sink. "Rumour has it she gives pretty crappy examinations and sells some weird homemade medicines on top of that. At least, that's what I've heard."
"Huh… interesting." I said as I closed the door and walked towards the stairs.
"I'm going to close up soon by the way." I heard James shout as I ascend the stairs.
Feeling Zwei moving against my back, I walk over to my bed and I let Zwei out as soon as my bag hits my bed. "What the…? What is this place?"
"This is my room." I said as I took my blazer off and placed it on the back of a chair.
"Really? This looks more like an abandoned house!" Zwei said in a shocked tone before he hides behind my bag.
"Hey! I know it's a little messy still and some books still need sorting, but its fine for now." I said and then I notice that he had hid. 'Shit'
Turning around, I saw James standing there with a disapproving look. "I was wondering why I heard barking and whimpering. So why did you bring it here for?"
"He was abandoned so I had to take him." Turning and grabbing Zwei, I face James. "I don't know how anyone could have abandoned such a cute doggie." I bury my face into Zwei fur as I hug him.
"Look," He takes his glass off and rubs his eyes. "This place is a restaurant. Animals are a no-go… Though I guess you might stay on good behaviour if you've got a pet to take care of."
I watch him walk back downstairs and I put Zwei back down. "Sorry for that, at least you get to stay here though." I said as I sit on the bed and lean back.
When I see James walking back up, I notice that he was carrying a plate towards us. "Here." He places the plate (which had some ground beef on it) down on my bed and next to Zwei. When Zwei looks at me, I shrug my shoulders and watch him start to eat.
"It had to keep calling out in that cute little voice," I saw a small smile appear as James spoke. "Just keep it quiet when we're open for business and don't let it roam downstairs or I'll toss it out."
"I'll wash the dish after he's eaten." I said as I watch Zwei eat.
"By the way…" James said as he was halfway to the stairs. "Have you decided on a name?"
"Erm… I was thinking Zwei, after an anime that has a corgi called Ein." I said sitting up and I hear him mumble something before walking off downstairs.
"It looks like the chief likes me better than you." I hear Zwei say when he had finished eating.
Moving the plate off my bed, I sit back down and pat Zweis' head. "And who could blame him, you are cute."
"Remember how you guys asked me before about what I am?" I heard Zwei say as I feel him rest his head in my lap.
"Yeah, what about it?" I asked as I start to fuss him.
"To be honest… I don't remember anything about my birth." Zwei said with sadness. "I think the Metaverse's distortions made me lose both my memories and my true form."
"If it makes you feel better, I don't remember much of my birth either and I take it that form is human?" I asked and I feel his tail hit me.
"It has to be! I mean how else could I talk like this? There's no other possible explanation." When his tail stops, I knew that this was a problem. "There's no doubt that the distortions were what caused me to lose my real self."
"How about I help you find your memories and your true self?" I asked and I watch him jump up and sit on me.
"Your help won't be in vain. Due to my knowledgeable and dexterous nature, I have a lot of intel on infiltration tools." Zwei said in cheery tone and I raise an eyebrow at that. "Lock picks, that sort thing, so we have a deal then?"
Seeing Zwei happy was good till I felt 'her' palm on my back and warm sensation starting to heat up. 'Shit… got again!' I closed my eyes as I moved Zwei off of me. "I am thou, thou art I…" Felling my back start to burn, I let another scream out and fall onto my bed properly. "… the Magician…" Was the last thing I heard before passing out.
Authors Note
I would like to say thank you to everyone who reads and continues to read Beneath the Rose-Tinted Mask, I have been having fun writing this and I hope everyone has run reading it else. I honestly didn't think I would be posting a new chapter so soon after the last one.
I would like to know what everyone thinks of the story so there, of the character choices I've made and your prediction on which RWBY characters might appear and you're favourite Persona 5 moment.
If you do have any questions, please feel free to ask me.