Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #5 - Little Cyber Avatar Friend
From being back in the Metaverse again, four Phantom Thieves 'or rather Team Drago of the Phantom Thief of Hearts' – Keiko/Joker, Akechi/Crow 'with those two having new powers, looks, and fine from almost losing it all', Morgana/Mona, and Ryuji/Skull are trapped from the underground dumps. All done by Alice Hiiragi Shadow 'being called Alice King' in her world type of Palace. As they try to find a way out and help out Sophia being an android to aid humans and memory lost on the rest 'and aiding the lovers', she'll do what she can to find the exit for them to be somewhere in the stink up room.
Keiko: Is everyone ready?
Seems like it follows Sophia to try finding a way out.
Akechi: I think we all are.
Morgana: All right, let's be careful. We'd be fine, but we don't want to endanger Sophia. Try staying out of sight.
From following Sophia to find the exit from the stairs to go up and more around the corner to not be a dead end.
Ryuji: Where to now? We better not get lost or anythin'.
Moving around some more to find more Shadows to be wandering around.
Morgana: Wait! A Shadow!
Hiding from one side of the corner, what a close call. This one Shadow looks like it's powerful. These guys who are like cops are known as Sentries 'or Sentry' - for this one is a Soldier.
Keiko: Not good.
Ryuji: Shit, it's still hangin' around...
Morgana: We've got Sophia with us. We should just avoid it if we can...
Worried about Sophia's safety for the others to fight off more Shadows, she looks at the enemies to question the others about stopping the rest.
Sophia: Are you saying that's in your way?
Ryuji: Yeah, we can't escape unless we get past here.
Sophia: Okay, I've got it.
Off she goes...Wait, Sophia can fight? This confuses the others to hear this.
Akechi: Excuse me?
Ryuji: Huh? Got what?
Keiko: Sophia!
They feared for her safety...
Ryuji: Wait, what the hell?!
Akechi: We have to save her!
Rushing over there for the four to try rescuing Sophia from any Shadows who were going to hurt them again in a hurry.
Ryuji: Yo, wait up-
Now they were all in danger.
Shadow Officer: Who are you? Intruders?!
This Shadow turns into 3 clones of Jack O'Lantern 'or Pyro Jacks' to be ready to fight with the Phantom Thieves. Sending out a fire blast at Sophia to be one powerful explosion for the others feared the worse...Sophia was fine. To Keiko, Akechi, Ryuji, and Morgana's surprise – her own Persona saved her life by being the strong shield to also have strong ESP powers. No way...So she's a Persona-user too and her Persona was known as – Pithos.
Sophia: SP Piercer!
Tayla: Persona #15 – Pithos = powers ESP from the mind
A pithos is a large ceramic jar used by certain ancient civilizations that bordered the Mediterranean during the Neolithic, the Bronze Age and the Iron Age. It was primarily used to store liquids, such as wine and oil, or food, such as grain. Some pithoi were also used for rituals and burials.
According to the ancient Greek poet Hesiod's Theogony, Pandora's box was originally a large jar, a pithos. The shift in object is attributed with the 16th-century humanist Erasmus of Rotterdam, who erroneously mistook the Greek pithos (storage jar) as the Greek pyxis (small box) when he translated Hesiod's original story into Latin.
In Greek mythology, Pandora's box is said to have contained all the evils of mankind, such as death and disease. Pandora, or her husband Epimetheus in some variants, opened the box and released all the evils, except for one, into the world. The one item that did not escape and remained within the box was hope.
As the smoke cleared up, to see Pithos out to save Sophia 'as living cube type of machines', and for her to show a cute computer mask to be wearing on her head to show up her big light up eyes only, and with EPS powers to take this fight to the next level. Then as her weapon were yo-yo's to throw at all three of the Shadows and skill them in seconds.
Akechi: Sophia?!
Keiko: No way...! Is she a Persona-user like us? A robot?!
Seems like it!
Sophia: We are...the Phantom Thieves.
Ryuji: Holy shit! She just beat 'em!
The other four were very surprised that Sophia could fight, so it was good to still be tagging along with them and getting out of the dumps.
Morgana: No way...Was that a Persona?!
Akechi: An android who can use a Persona in battle like this...So many different discoveries I'm seeing in one day.
A lot of Shadow Officer armies arrived to stop the five from getting out of Alice Shadow's Palace alive.
Shadow: Who the—What are you doing?!
Sophia: I am helping the Phantom Thieves. Don't take it personally.
Morgana: ...In that case, let's get in there too!
Time to go all out from here.
Keiko: Got it. Team, let's move out! (Man, I miss saying those words.)
Here we go! From Keiko and Arsene to burning the Shadows all the way from darkness, same with Morgana with Zorro to cutting through the rest of them, Ryuji to electrocute the other ones with Captain Kidd's help, and leaving Akechi with Robin Hood to fire away with the power of light. And let's not forget about Sophia having the Shadow's to be pushed back, used, controlled, and hit a lot with Pithos backing her up as well. This was amazing. Talk about teamwork for the room to clear up afterwards as Sophia shows her face from the hoodie she had on her head to be very happy for helping them out.
Sophia: Okay, we beat them.
Everyone else was left speechless.
Keiko: That was awesome, Sophia! You can fight just like us.
Ryuji: ….Wait, wait, wait...You're so effin' strong! You shoulda told us right away you could fight!
But here's the thing – neither of the team asked if Sophia could. So true.
Sophia: But you never asked.
Keiko: I have to go with her there.
From power, looks, Persona, and skills for Sophia to have everything she needed.
Morgana: Not just that, but your clothes! What in the world...? It's completely different from our own transformation.
Sophia: I copied what you do and ended up like this.
Try to... Like Sophia was programmed right away after seeing them fight in battle?
Keiko: So, Sophia, are you a Persona-user like us?
It was there from Akechi's great detective skills to think about how Sophia did all of it on her own.
Akechi: Maybe she was programmed to become just like us after we saved her a little while ago.
Keiko: Do you really think so, Crow?
Akechi: From her being an android...She analyzed skills, powers, looks, and weaponize to make her own up. Like a simple system backup data to use in battle, but Sophia doesn't realize when it does happen. Maybe there's more than her looks to turn out this way. Besides restoring our powers. (If only I could see the creator of Sophia this way.)
Now that you think about it, this makes a whole lot of sense.
Ryuji: Yeah, it's not just the attire. So, you're a Persona-user?
Sophia: Persona?
I take it that Persona was new to Sophia to hear about since she just did it.
Morgana: The things you were using during the fight-those boxes flying around.
Sophia: That was a weapon. I needed it to fight.
Wait, she just got it by luck from her programming? Leaving the other four to be left confused.
Akechi: "Needed it to fight"?
Sophia, just what are you?
Morgana: Sophia...Just what in the world ARE you?
Sophia: I am Sophia, humanity's companion.
Ryuji: Yeah, we already heard that one.
Same old thing, same old programming to remember only.
Morgana: Hmmm...There's still just too much we don't know. But we don't have the time to figure it out now either. Getting out of here needs to be our number one priority.
Keiko: Even if Sophia doesn't know who or what she is right now, we'll still help her out later.
Ryuji: Yeah, we really don't need her getting any more attention from the enemy. Hey, let's just have her help us out. Considering what we just saw, I don't think we'll have a problem.
For now, they fight to get out of here first.
Morgana: Agreed. We have no idea what's ahead of us; the more firepower, the better. Can you lend us a hand, Sophia?
Sophia: OK, I've got it.
The more on the team, the better.
Keiko: Then we'll be counting on you, Sophia. Welcome aboard.
Sophia: Right, you'll be counting on me.
Ryuji: Well, let's move! Lead the way, Shorty!
Nice nickname to give to her, Ryuji. Now then, all set and ready to go.
Sophia: Understood.
Off they go to finish escaping the dump thing down below, as Sophia guides the others to the exit.
Morgana: Oh, right-keep track of how you're holding up. Need any healing items, Joker?
Keiko: Yes, there will be plenty, Mona. Thanks.
With some items to get, treasure chests to open up, healing a little, and keeping an eye on things with Keiko's good old Third Eye to be working again. Once they reach down below to see four other Shadow Officers to turn into Pixies. Yet another fight will soon happen again.
Morgana: Shadows incoming! A whole load of 'em...Get ready! There are more ways to target an enemy's weakness than skills alone, remember?
Yeah, this battle was cool. From soldier Sentries and now they had Drones 'or a Drone'. From Keiko's weapon cutting and gun shooting at the Shadows 'from cops and droids' and Pixies, an All-Out Attack group thing 'for Sophia to be doing well in battle'; and of course jumping from different areas of the room to keep on fighting.
Morgana: Stay on your toes, Joker-they've got skills just like we do!
Akechi: Don't stop, just keep attacking them!
Another song for Keiko to sing from Lyn Inaizumi - Last Surprise (for another appearance in this game to be a remix version of some kind).
Keiko 'singing': You try to run me through
Hold on
Think again
Don't you know
What you're starting
But...you sure ain't got a clue
How bad
This will go
Don't you know
Know my art
(Art of war)
And as you look to the horizon
Not a cloud
But then stormy weather's caught you cold
Seems like it crept up out of nowhere
All around
You it's not quite what you foretold
You'll never see it coming
You'll see that my mind is too fast for eyes
You're done in
By the time it's hit you, your last surprise
You think you got your game
Planned out
To a T
Yet I'm two
Steps ahead yeah
So...you step into my way
Stand down
It's a trap
One more step
And you're dead
(Yeah you're dead)
Why just a picosecond ago
Clear blue skies
But now lightning's struck your last resolve
It's not an accident that no one
Hears your cries
As your last strength seems to dissolve
You'll never see it coming
You'll see that my mind is too fast for eyes
You're done in
By the time it's hit you, your last surprise
I'm coming
For you
My game's always so fast, so fine
You're spun in
By the net you didn't catch it in time
Better think
About your game
Are you sure
Your next move's the right one for you?
Are you sure
You won't get outmaneuvered again
And again my friend?
Moving around some more with even more Shadows to be on the other side of the corner.
Morgana: Wait-Shadows ahead! They haven't spotted us yet.
Sophia: Should I "wipe them out" for you?
Morgana: Here's a tip on us Phantom Thieves-we avoid charging headfirst into battle whenever possible.
But they look strong to not mess with them right now.
Keiko: We just need to sneak around them to find our way out somewhere.
And they do, from further left show the stairs up.
Morgana: Right, let's try those stairs for now.
They make it up to have to climb above the Shadows next.
Akechi: I see a path on the other side.
Morgana: Yep. See that hanging there, Joker? You thinking what I'm thinking?
Keiko: I do. We'll jump from up top and then...give the Shadows a drop down attack!
Powers, weapons, gun shooting, Personas, and for Keiko to spin on the pole of the hanger for Akechi and Keiko give it their all and their double attack again on the Shadows.
Morgana: Crow! Joker! Do it!
Keiko and Akechi: Light and Dark - Energy Blast!
A direct hit! And the Shadows were all defeated.
Sophia: Yeah, we won!
Ryuji: Don't celebrate just yet...Aren't we in a dead end?
Kind of looks like it, so there must be another way out somewhere else. But wait...Sophia spots something to be their way out.
Sophia: ...There. If we climb there, we can proceed.
Morgana: Guess there's no other option...
Giving it a good shot, Keiko leads from jumping skills to spin, jump, and climb very fast and reach it to the other side for all five of them to make it. Still, they needed to fight more Shadows in their way.
Keiko: Crap! There's more of them!
Shadow Officer: I've got eyes on them!
Well, what other choice do they have?
Morgana: They just don't quit! Let's take them down, Joker!
More battle time! From more attacks to use and Keiko's other Persona Ame no Uzume with her own ESP skills to move all of the Shadows to back down, with one powerful force.
—-
Tayla: Persona #16 - Ame-no-Uzume = powers of ESP mind control
So far, so good...
Morgana: Ooh, you got more Persona powers! Looks like they're alive and well to still be working normally, Joker!
Sophia: Powers to copy from other Shadows for Joker to do...?
Keiko: It's a lot to explain.
A lot to all be worth it in battle little at a time. And more with the boosting for Akechi and Keiko to have restored and looking even better than before for those two.
Morgana: It's just something special for Joker to have and to use in battle, absorbing them wise.
Sophia: Oh. Interesting.
Another part to fight, and another part to keep on going...And going up top, with another Shadow Officer to be standing there.
Keiko: And yet, here's another one we have to face.
Ryuji: Figures...
Morgana: Hm, an enemy...!
This one turns into a Bicorn for the five Phantom Thieves to face next.
—-
Tayla: Persona #17 - Bicorn = powers of ground stomping control
Akechi: Here comes another one!
A powerful form of a Biocorn is also known as a Dirty Two-Horned Beast for some strange reason. Time which out Keiko's many Persona powers, with Unicorn again with his gravity powers to fight off against Bicorn with full force. Feeling weak, this was an All-Out Attack for Ryuji, Morgana, Akechi, and Sophia to join in as they and Keiko give it their all to finish it off.
Ryuji: Here's our chance!
And it's done, with the snap from Keiko's fingers for the Persona to blow up and the others in the background. Nice!
Sophia: Great job, Joker!
Morgana: How are you holding up, Joker?
Keiko: I'm good.
Morgana: Then make sure you heal yourself when you need it. Or us too.
Moving a bit more to soon see a door to some exit from the looks of it.
Keiko: Is this it?
Morgana: Hang on-it looks like this exists!
It was about time and up their go and out of the dump room for good this time.
Ryuji: Oh hell yes! Let's get our asses OUTTA here!
Akechi: Exit stage left.
A nice way to be out, for right now they look like they were in an underground railway of some kind. Better than being somewhere to be stinky and all.
Ryuji: *sigh* We finally made it out!
Morgana: This is still the Metaverse, though. Stay on guard.
Just then, Sophia spotted something.
Sophia: Please wait.
Morgana: What is it, Sophia? Find something?
They needed to know what Sophia was saying since she was staring from afar.
Sophia: ...I've found it.
Keiko: Found what?
Sophia: I have found it. "A way outta here" is nearby.
Seems like it is in some type of room.
Ryuji: For real?! Wait, how'd ya figure that out?
Sophia: I suddenly knew it. Like, PHEEW.
More like a robot's instinct maybe...Besides making silly sound effects.
Akechi: Maybe it was programmed with Sophia's systems. You sure are a very special one.
Ryuji: "Pheew"? Seriously?
Still, it was better than staying down below and trapped forever.
Sophia: The exit is close. Follow me.
And off she goes first for the others worried and follows Sophia from behind, she does run like a ninja almost.
Morgana: Hey, wait! Sophia!
She can move really fast when running as I already said.
Ryuji: What is her deal?
Keiko: Maybe it's programmed in Sophia's system without knowing about it like Crow said.
Morgana: I don't know, but we need to move it!
Keiko: Then let's see where she'll lead us to next.
Going out of the place to be outside of a building to see the neon-lights at night time of the Metaverse of Alice King to be a nice view, but very dangerous to be in.
Morgana: Is this the way out you mentioned, Sophia?
Sophia: Yes, this is what I had detected previously.
Seeing a portal open up and glowing, this might be the way back to the real world the easiest way.
Keiko: A portal?
Ryuji: Uhhh, and it iiis...?
Seeing it a bit closer to look like a computer portal type of gate for Akechi to study it more, he knows what it was since Sophia detects the rest.
Akechi: I might've seen this in many video games...I think this could be our way out of the Metaverse and back into the real world again.
Sophia: Crow is correct. It's fine. It leads outside.
More connected than entering this time?
Morgana: Leads...outside?
Keiko: But I thought we can use our phone app on the Nav at one time to go into one world and into the Metaverse or Mementos.
Sophia: Everything will get all WOWOWOWOW for a moment, but then you'll be outta here.
A triply type of feeling when leaving for this one.
Ryuji: What the hell kinda explanation is that? How do ya know we'll be okay?
Sophia: Trust me, Joker.
Keiko: Right. I trust you, Sophia.
Her system is better for Keiko and Akechi to feel out to trust in Sophia's special programming more and more.
Sophia: I'm glad you're willing to trust me.
Someone was happy because Keiko knows who to trust in more and more people 'or living beings' she comes across with.
Morgana: Hmmm...Looks like we've only got one option here.
Akechi: I think the system is safe. Let's head back to the real world.
As they do for the four Phantom Thieves, they have to tell the others about this to leave the Metaverse for now, but not for Sophia to just stand there.
Keiko: Sophia? What's wrong?
Ryuji: Huh? Ain't you comin' too?
Sophia: I am...What should I do?
I think it'll be fine if she did.
Keiko: Let's go together. Also, this place is really dangerous to stay here alone.
Morgana: Joker's got the right idea, Sophia. This place is crawling with Shadows. Staying here would only end badly for you.
All part of the team no matter what you are or look like.
Sophia: But...
Ryuji: Geez, what's it gonna take?
Having a soft spot for Ryuji, he takes Sophia's hand to take her with them.
Sophia: Wait! What are you doing?
Akechi: Please go easy on her.
Ryuji: I know Crow, I'm not hurting her...We don't leave folks behind to die. Just get in the damn portal with us.
Something to get used to as she'll go with them.
Sophia: So you want me to come with you? Okay.
Keiko: You'll be fine with us around, Sophia. Trust us.
And now going near the portal...
Ryuji: Welp, here goes! One, two...
Keiko: Jump!
And there the five go through the hole to head back to the real world. Keiko, Akechi, Ryuji, Morgana, and Sophia join them to get out of the Metaverse. If they're going to find out and stop Alice King's rampage in her own mess up Palace, then they're going to need all the help they need from the other Phantom Thieves. After the two Kaguya twins have seen them in battle so far...
Kaguya: Did you see?
Picaro: Oh, yes! I think these humans, a robot, and a cat might save our world yet.
From there, someone else appears to also help out the sisters.
Lava: I thought you'll ask for our help soon enough. Come, we have much to talk about.
Leave it to Lava to aid Picaro and Kaguya on what's to happen next. And so much for a good Summer vacation to have for some of them, huh? Even more with something else also joining there for Akechi to feel it out.
?: Please...help me...I need...help...
It was weak, but it sounded like Akechi himself, to sound familiar, to feel out and fade in seconds. Who was it?
Keiko: Akechi-Cun?
Akechi: It's nothing, Princess. Let's just tell the others about what happened and Sophia too. It'll be fine.
Keiko: If you say so then. (Still, I can't help but feel that something's on Akechi's mind. I too hear a voice who sounds like it's in pain. Someone familiar to both Akechi-Cun and I. With a lot more out there too, whoever they are. I hope they're on our side.)
She notices too for Akechi to let his Keiko know that all was well. So was this wandering ghost type of spirit a friend or an enemy? Besides the Kaguya sisters? More on that later just as soon as the five return back to the real world first.