Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #4 – Sophia – Sophie
So, this was happening, huh? From being in the Metaverse again to seeing Alice Hiiragi famous girl in Shibuya, Central Street for the fans of Alice's 'to seeing her creepy goth type of Shadow' to stealing...gems shaped like hearts from their chests? And then turning into bug-like things known as Gegasites? Something was up. Not only that but Keiko, Akechi, Ryuji, and Morgana are back to their original looks from the Phantom Thieves again! You know – Joker, Crow, Skull, and Mona. From powers, weapons, guns, and Personas 'for Keiko to have many of them' to still be the same old things, but with more Shadows to be standing in their way. Almost way too many of them! So how can they win this battle without knowing anything about the event that just happened out of nowhere. And for two other Personas watching the thieves – Kaguya Hime and Kaguya Picaro see some good to soon become allies later. This was getting very weird otherwise. So the four Phantom Thieves escaped in time and hid, they needed to figure out what to do next.
Keiko: Is everyone okay?
Seems like no one was hurt at all which was good.
Akechi: I think we're all good.
Ryuji: Okay, what in the hell IS this place?
Keiko: It's the Metaverse.
Yeah, but not like any other events they've gone through before.
Morgana: …..I think...this could be Alice's Palace.
As shocking as it sounds to not be true, but somehow it was to be back in the Metaverse of Alice's Palace this time.
Ryuji: A Palace?! I thought those were done for, though! I mean, we don't even have the Meta-Nav on our phones anymore!
Yep, it wasn't on either of their cell phones to not have the nav at all.
Akechi: There are none of our phones.
Morgana: I don't know what's going on...But I don't think anything else could explain this. You saw Alice on that screen just like I did. No matter how you look at it...that was her Shadow. We just happened to wander into Alice's Palace using EMMA...That would be the most logical explanation.
Keiko: So it's all real.
It's like something brand new to be all new in this type of Metaverse.
Ryuji: Dammit! Whatever it is doesn't change the fact that we're in deep shit...
Morgana: We need more intel. Let's investigate the area. If this really is a Palace, the distortion has to have a core somewhere...We need to find the treasure. I'm even getting a faint whiff of it. If we look around, we may be able to learn what's going on, too. We'll get a better idea of what to do next depending on what we find.
Sounds like the only thing they can do which sounds about right.
Keiko: We might as well do it.
Ryuji: I guess we're doin' this...
It was time to move on out. Jumping from the other side of the building for Keiko, Ryuji, Morgana, and Akechi have a look around the Metaverse of Alice's Palace and to be on their guard at all times. Seems to have all cleared to move on out, until...lots of lights were being pointed out at them to be surrounded for more Shadows to stop them again.
Akechi: We've been spotted!
Morgana: No good-it's an ambush!
A net also falls down at the four to be trapped in, they were caught!
Ryuji: This ain't fair!
One Shadow comes up to Keiko to hit her on the head.
Akechi: Stay away from her-!
That had to hurt!
Keiko: No, Crow!
But Akechi gets hit first for his powers to start fading a bit to still keep his outfit on and then Keiko was next to go out cold, to then be the same thing.
Morgana: Joker!
Keiko: (No...! Our powers are...Fading...!)
Now what? There was no way out of this mess for the four to get captured, along with both Akechi and Keiko's powers starting to not work all of a sudden. As the Shadows bring them to Alice Shadow to see what they'll do to them now.
Shadow Officer: Keep moving!
Akechi: Joker?
Keiko: My powers are having problems, Crow.
Akechi: I know, mine too. From the hit to the head to start fading. I don't like what we're going to meet next.
If their powers aren't working, then this was bad news. Once they've entered the room, they see Shadow Alice...Or rather, Alice Hiiragi King in this Metaverse to be new. All goth like, to act like a royal princess, with her cane, bad makeup on her face, and a very bad attitude from her other self was back in the real world.
Alice King: Who're these lil' guys? There's a girl in black, a talking cat, and two cute boys...But I like the one in white.
Ew, trying to flirt with Akechi wasn't going to happen at all.
Akechi: No thank you.
Ryuji: Hey! How come you don't find me hot lookin'?!
Now wasn't the time, Ryuji. This was serious.
Keiko: Skull! Please don't!
Alice King's Shadow guards explained who the other four were.
Shadow Guard: Your Majesty, we captured these thieves, but we couldn't seize their Desires but the other male humans so far. We have instead brought them to you.
Looks like the Phantom Thieves' wishes can't be taken away. So that's where the strange heart gems were to be removed from the fans of Alice's and turned into Gegasites, it is still very strange.
Alice King: Couldn't seize their Desires? Explain yourselves.
Someone didn't look or sounded so happy either, as Alice approaches Keiko first in a sexy way.
Keiko: (Wishes...? The gems shaped like hearts being removed from the Shadows from the fans were their wishes? And then turning them into horrifying demons?) Hey!
Alice King: Hmmm...You look kind of cool, girlfriend. So, what's your name?
Keiko: Grr...Let us out of here already, Alice! Why did you turn the men into monsters?! And don't you even dare get near my team or Crow!
This made Keiko jealous of Alice King and caused problems for them already. And for Alice King to strike Keiko down with her cane and her feet on Joker's head. Ouch...
Morgana: Joker!
Akechi: Leave her alone!
Alice King: Ah, so you're Joker, huh? But you're a girl from the looks of it. Come now, Joker. You need to answer properly when your Queen asks a question.
So much for Alice in the real world to be as nice as her Shadow self is in the Metaverse.
Ryuji: (Keiko!) Quit it, asshole! Even if you're a girl, you don't hurt my friends like this!
Alice King: Ugh, would you shut your mouth? Or are you looking for punishment too?
Like Ryuji cared what Alice King had to say.
Ryuji: Wha-You shit! Just try it!
Akechi: If you hit Joker again...I'll kill you!
Well, these guys mean business when it comes to aiding their leader and friend, even if Akechi won't take this kind of crap from anyone trying to hurt his Keiko one bit. But for Alice King, she just laughs it off. With or without powers, Akechi will fight back...Same with Keiko too.
Alice King: What a bore. I just stopped caring. Get rid of 'em however. I don't want toys that don't do as they're told. Bye-bye.
And because of Alice King's orders, her Shadow army throws them down the hole to make sure they're killed in battle and out of their ruler's way. Talk about a long and painful fall there. For Keiko to be fine to have Morgana saving her.
Keiko: Mona?
Morgana: ….Ugh...! I'm fine, Joker. It's a gentleman's duty to aid a woman.
They seem okay, and for Ryuji to have Akechi land on top of him must've hurt ten times more.
Akechi: Ouch...! Joker?
Keiko: I'm okay, Crow? Are you?
He just places his hand on Keiko's face to gently rub the soreness from it.
Akechi: I am now.
Keiko: Good. But Skull isn't.
Yeah, this has Akechi get off of Ryuji's back.
Akechi: Sorry, Skull!
Ryuji: Ow ow ow ow...Hey...You guys okay? I'm cool if you three were wondering, welcome.
Seems like they were all fine from the fall 'even for Ryuji to take many hits'. Minus the powers of Keiko's and Akechi's was another issue.
Morgana: Yeah, luckily...
Getting back up on their feet and for this Summer break to turn out bad now at a time like this.
Ryuji: Man...That was some real shit...
Keiko: So much for planning our camping trip now. (If this is what Alice is like for her Shadow to be mean and very demanding, then she might be the same thing back in the real world.)
Maybe more on that later on, just as soon they can figure out what they have to do next.
Ryuji: Even worse was that effin'...So that's what she's really like, huh?
Morgana: ….
Hmm...What was Morgana thinking about now?
Ryuji: How 'bout you, Joker? She really whacked you good.
A bit of a bruise up, but I think Keiko/Joker will be fine.
Keiko: It's no big deal. Still, Crow. Skull. Thanks for sticking up for me, it's very sweet of you both.
Akechi: We do love you a lot. But I'm in love with you more.
Ryuji: You said it. Damn that Alice! Actin' like she's top shit...I'm gonna be so pissed off until we finally get back at her!
Wow, someone sure wanted to get pay back at Alice King.
Akechi: Let's wait to do that when we do find a way out first, Skull.
Good idea. Somehow, they were lost for who knows where they were at.
Ryuji: So...Where are we now?
Keiko: Smells like crap down here.
Meaning they were the underground dumps from the looks and smell of it.
Morgana: Looks like we wound up underground...I'd say it's some sort of garbage dump. For now, let's focus on getting out of here.
It was better than being trapped and stinking up like this, so it was time to make their escape.
Keiko: Yeah, let's get out of here before we can think of something else to do next. (Even if Akechi and I have some power issues, fighting back is more important to escape first and then worry about it later.)
Ryuji: This place is disgusting. Who just dumps people into garbage like that?
Akechi: I'm going to need a shower after this.
Once they get out first and back to the real world would be the best thing to do.
Morgana: Let's find a way out as soon as possible. We don't know what we'll run into, either-let's keep an eye on how we're holding up as we press on.
Trying to have a look around to find some areas to get out of...from climbing up top for a hatch to be there, around the corner, and...wait, Keiko then stops to spot a very big box to be in the room and with lots of trash in the way. What's up with that?
Keiko: …? (This looks like some sort of container...)
For it to be a very weird looking Keiko without knowing it by accident, places her hand on it to glow up suddenly. A flash of light goes all over the room, for it automatically programs itself and wakes up like some type of computer.
[REBOOTING
SOPHIA VERSION 1.37
STARTING NEURAL NETWORK...
LANGUAGE...OK
MOTOR...OK
SENSORY...OK
VISUAL...OK
MEMORY...NONE
MEMORY SYSTEM INITIALIZING...
ALL SYSTEMS...OK]
[What would you like me to become?]
Seems to be workin fine. As this thing wakes up to see Keiko 'to her surprise' was something to be in the box once and now out of it for she goes by the name Sophia. With her looking like a real teenage girl, she was really a type of AI. Wow...With red hair to be breaded, an odd looking clothing to be wearing, and long boots to not know where she was right now or why she was made. This was like a new robot was brought to life. That's not all...Keiko's powers to go back and a bit more upgraded too, this time she was wearing short sleeveless clothing of her Joker outfit. Same with Akechi too with his outfit updated with a cape this time and powers to control from light still and some other ones from his...other Shadow self? Huh...?
Akechi: My powers...they're back!
From him for the other three to catch up to Keiko to also be fine again.
Keiko: Hey, my powers are back with some new looks. From me and Akechi too.
And now, back with this living being of Sophia who just awakened. One good thing is to resort to powers with new looks for those lovers, huh? Was it Sophia's doing?
Sophia: ….What is this place? Who are you?
For her seeing Keiko like this 'and a new look a little', so was she with Sophia too.
Keiko: (An android?) Ah...Hi. I'm a Phantom Thief, and you are?
Sophia: You are...a "phantom thief." I am Sophia, humanity's companion.
She seems to be very nice.
Keiko: Heh...You remind me of a doll I used to have. It's very nice to meet you too, Sophia.
Sophia: Nice to meet you as well. Are you human? Do you really have a name other than a code name?
Keiko: (I'll tell her my real name later once I know more about Sophia to help her out the most.) I just go by the code name Joker, as the leader of the Phantom Thieves. Also known as – Team Drago of the Phantom Thief of Hearts.
Sophia: "Joker"...Okay, I memorized it. Joker, do you know where this place-
Unfortunately, this was hard for Keiko to try finding a way out even though Sophia just woke up without knowing where she was right now. Just then, Ryuji spoke up.
Ryuji: Hey! I just heard somethiiing...
The other three guys join with Keiko to see Sophia in person to be very new to them. And the lovers seeing their new looks and powers.
Akechi: Joker, your look!
Keiko: Yours too, Crow!
Now Ryuji and Morgana see it.
Morgana: You almost lose your powers and now got it back?!
Ryuji: And the new looks!
Getting back to the topic at hand...
Keiko: It's fine now, I guess. And you guys...Look what I just discovered.
Ryuji: Uh. I mean, who are you?
Somehow. Akechi might already know what Sophia might be on his end just by looking at her.
Morgana: What is it, Joker?
Because of them, Sophia sees three new people to her surprise.
Sophia: ….
Morgana: Uh, can I help you?
Sophia: ….A raccoon?
Ah, and who was Sophia saying the name to Morgana? Calling him a raccoon out of the blue there, wow.
Morgana: Try a cat! Wait, DON'T try "a cat"!
And he was almost saying he wasn't one.
Ryuji: Make up your mind...Anyway, who's this? Got a real funky getup...
Keiko: Beats me, Skull. I touched an odd looking box, she came out of it, and she's cute as a doll type of robot. Also, both Crow's and mine powers have been restored and updated.
Good way to explain the best she could and such.
Akechi: If that's the case...I believe she might be an android. (Strangely, once Keiko opened the box to release a real AI...Our powers were boosted with new looks. Could it be a program thing? She's not a threat from the looks of it to have some help on the outside.)
See? Leave it to Akechi's detective skills to solve something like this along with other things that happened in between. Well, I think both Kaguya and Picaro might have something to do with it as well. Sorry to be called that.
Ryuji: An android?!
Sophia: I am Sophia, humanity's companion.
They see Sophia has been friendly since she woke up.
Morgana: Were you dumped down here by that Alice girl too?
Keiko: Do you think she was, Mona?
She also has trouble remembering who Sophia really is, how sad.
Sophia: ….I just learned that I have no memories. So I do not know.
Ryuji: Wait...What?
Seeing up close to Sophia more for Keiko to help Sophia out, Akechi studies a bit more of a real android in person.
Akechi: It must be a malfunction from being sealed up in some type of box. From Joker touching it with her hand, it must've activated on Sophia's release. Which also caused a lot of power to be restored.
So now what? They couldn't just leave Sophia all alone since Keiko released her.
Morgana: Hey, you three come here for a second.
Keiko: Ah, sure, Mona...We'll be right back. Sophia, just stay right here for me please.
As she does as Keiko tells Sophia to stay put and she does, the other four Phantom Thieves need to have a talk in the other corner of the room.
Morgana: Who is that, Joker?
Keiko: I'm not sure myself. I just found her. And look at Akechi and me...We almost lost our powers, but now it's back and some new upgrades with looks.
Sure seems like it.
Akechi: We're still ourselves too, so...I think it's safe. Now as for this Sophia AI.
Ryuji: Did she say she doesn't have any memories?
Explaining time here...
Keiko: Look, while we were looking for a way out to come across a strange box touching it. I didn't mean to...Then it glows up to wake up Sophia right away. As well as some upgrading. Without it, we would've been dead by now, or will while escaping.
Akechi: And then she helps out humans to also be super friendly.
Now both Ryuji and Morgana get the whole story.
Morgana: Wait! She came out of a giant box?!
Ryuji: What kinda crazy shit is that? Way too weird...
Akechi: I doubt she's a magician of any kind, Skull.
Yeah, far from it to be an android and not a human with magic powers.
Morgana: She doesn't seem to be a Shadow, though...She doesn't even seem hostile. And the power for both Joker and Crow to gain back and new looks...Maybe she knew her programming did the trick.
Ryuji: Whatever she is, we still gotta find a way out. Nobody's solving any problems in this dump, that's for sure.
And that's where Sophia approaches the other four to hear they were having some trouble.
Sophia: In trouble?
She sure caught Ryuji and Morgana by surprise but Keiko Akechi wasn't.
Ryuji: Whoa! When did you-
Sophia: If you're in trouble, I can help. I am humanity's companion. My purpose is to be helpful to humans. Like with Joker's and the other one in white.
Akechi: I'm Crow by the way. These are Skull and Mona, we're also Phantom Thieves.
Sophia: Other code names. Well, from aiding humans to give them something like for Joker and you too, Crow. I detected danger to do what was right.
Akechi: Incredible. Well, Sophia, thank you for doing the right thing. (Very impressive...)
I guess this was the only thing Sophia can remember to be programmed to do.
Ryuji: Sooo, you wanna help us out?
Sophia: Correct. What is your problem?
She might help them get out somehow.
Akechi: So as an android, you do remember helping out people like us.
Ryuji: Well, uh...We're lost. I guess we're lookin' for a way outta here?
Sophia: A way...Will reaching the surface solve your problem of "a way outta here"?
Anywhere is better than being trapped in a dumpster forever.
Morgana: Uhhh, yeah...It would...
Keiko: Anyway, to help us out would be great, Sophia.
And so, she gets to help out the people as promised.
Sophia: Okay, I've got it. I'm searching for "a way outta here."
Off Sophia goes to get to work right away to help them out.
Keiko: Sophia?
Morgana: Wha-Hey, don't go out there alone! What now, Joker?
Keiko: I guess we'll go follow her.
It was time to find a way out.
Morgana: Also, she could be attacked by Shadows any second now.
Ryuji: You sure about that? She's still super suspicious...Buuut, I guess we shouldn't ditch her, either...Hey! Hey, you better watch out for Shadows!
Too late, one was already there!
Akechi: Oh no!
One of the Shadow Officers was down there to corner Sophia to be in grave danger.
Ryuji: Aw, crap, too late!
Looks like Akechi, Keiko, Ryuji, and Morgana have no choice now but to rush to Sophia's rescue to stop this Shadow and escape.
Keiko: Watch out.
Morgana: Get behind us, Sophia!
Time fights them off again to be more than just one Shadow, they just keep on coming. With Keiko using Berith's steel armor ability to protect her oncoming attacks; leaving the boys with their own skills and Personas to give it their all in battle. Wind, lightning/thunder, and light power abilities. As Keiko to sometimes use her darkness type of skills in between as her main powers of Arsene to aid her by her side.
Keiko: Arsene! You're okay!
Arsene: No matter what happens to me, Joker, I will always be there by your side. Now let us fight those who stand in our way!
Good to see Robin Hood, Arsene, and other Persona that Keiko still had to all be in check. As well as new weapons and guns. For Keiko to have her dagger to change into a long sword and her gun upgraded a bit more powerful to be from steel into crystal now and twice as strong; as for Akechi having his laser gun be double and his weapon of a two sided laser blade to be more powerful in battle.
Akechi: Our Personas are the same...The only thing that changed is our looks, powers, and two new weapons each. Right! I'm ready to fight for justice and my friends!
And hurry...! A lot more Shadows were still showing up. Weapons to have new guns too, hopefully it was plenty.
Ryuji: Where the hell'd they come from?!
Akechi: What matters the most is we get out of here alive with Sophia as well. Android or human, she doesn't need to get caught up in this mess.
Morgana: Also nobody's coming for us if we go down here. Let's get 'em!
From a tag team beat down for them to attacks and gun firing did the trick, with a close call for their lives.
Keiko: We got them.
Akechi: Thanks to Sophia's skills, our weapons and powers are twice as powerful now.
Keiko: It sure is, Crow! (Still, we need to get Sophia out of here.)
A lot of Shadows, but these guys can handle anything in their way.
Ryuji: Phew...We got through that somehow. Sophia, right? You hurt or anything?
She seems to be fine thanks to the Phantom Thieves.
Sophia: No problems here. Why was I attacked? Assaulting others without reason is not proper behavior.
It appears Sophia doesn't know about this event or Shadows at all.
Ryuji: Uh, not exactly sure how to explain it, but those guys are called Shadows.
Keiko: They're part of someone's heart to sometimes be distorted in a bad way.
Akechi: It's our job to save many lives to give them hope by stopping people like them, bad ones.
Morgana: And we're the Phantom Thieves.
Keiko: More like Team Drago of the Phantom Thief of Hearts. That's us.
More to explain about this mess some more.
Morgana: We're considered dangerous rebels by the ruler of this place...Intruders they want to eliminate.
Now Sophia knows who they were to get used to their names being the Phantom Thieves.
Sophia: The Phantom Thieves...That's really cool!
Wow! Right away, she already likes them.
Keiko: Ah, thank you...? (What a strange android she is, but very caring.)
Ryuji: THAT'S what you have to say? Thanks for the compliment, I guess...Anyway, there is a shit-ton of Shadows around here. If you wanna help us, then let's all go together.
And in order to do so, they needed to find an exit first.
Sophia: I can find "a way outta here." You only need to wait for me.
Morgana: You're actually going to help us out?
Sophia: I have been helping you this entire time. Joker helped me first. Now, I will be more helpful for her and her boyfriend. I believe a girlfriend like her, you two are what they call a couple in love?
Correct on that part!
Keiko: Ah...Yes we are.
Akechi: Lucky guess...
Sophia: I program to also learn things too. Use me as needed, Joker.
She was also programmed to help people like Keiko and the others, for them to save Sophia's life to return the favor now.
Akechi: Knowing the name and programming methods on what she's supposed to do...Not bad.
Ryuji: Haha, all right- you're weird, but I guess you really do wanna help.
Morgana: It's your call, Joker.
Of course Sophia was more than welcome to aid the Phantom Thieves'.
Keiko: Let's go together.
Sophia: Okay. That sounds nice, Joker. Along with the...the man in white, cat, and the...skeleton.
Now she just needs to get to know their names next.
Akechi: Man in white? You mean me?
Ryuji: I'm not a skeleton!
This has Morgana laughing at what Sophia just called him.
Morgana: Nyahaha, Skull's short for skullington now-
Akechi: And I think she accidentally called you a cat too.
Yep, Sophia kind of called Morgana a "cat".
Morgana: Wait! Just because I look like this doesn't make me a cat!
This was just getting silly.
Keiko: OK, both you guys stop it!
Akechi: I think Mona would be a better Tanuki from the Super Mario video games.
Morgana: Crow! You're not helping!
That aside, it was time for another introduction.
Ryuji: I'm SKULL. Don't screw it up!
Akechi: I go by Crow. (I think I just explained our code names to her already...)
Morgana: And I'm MONA, okay? Don't you forget it!
For that part to pass, Sophia sadly doesn't get human emotions.
Sophia: What has upset you?
Akechi: As I thought, she might not get human emotions too much.
Either way, Sophia might have to learn a lot if she stays with them.
Keiko: Ah...Just stick with us, Sophia, and it'll all work out somehow. (More than being an android, she sometimes acts like a little kid.)
Somehow, it feels familiar to Keiko for some reason to bring up a doll to remind her of it just by seeing Sophia like this. As the Phantom Thieves were about to leave the dump room from below and Sophia to guide them out with some upgrades so far, Akechi also felt something on his end...of a very familiar life form he would never forget to feel much weaker than the last one, but was it? He keeps quiet for the time being.
Akechi: (What is this strange feeling I'm getting...? A bad one has come back to haunt me? I better keep my guard up.)
For him to be ready for anything, it'll be fine. It was Kaguya or Picaro though. For it was some type of Persona or a ghost of it to be following the four Phantom Thieves and Sophia.
?: I've finally found you...
Who or what could it be to know Goro Akechi/Crow so well?