Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #7 - Loki's Lost Spirit and Akechi's Wager
What!? Loki is back? Who was Fallen One? Akechi's Shadow? The one who was in love with Keiko? He was killed after saving the Phantom Thieves' lives? And...Who's now a wandering ghost, and weak? Okay then, but why was he in the real world bothering Akechi and Keiko to feel him out first...what was going on here?
Tayla: Persona #18 - Loki = powers of unleashing rage mode from within
Akechi: What do you want?!
He tries to keep Keiko close to him to not let Loki get away again 'or so they thought'.
Keiko: (I know I did change Akechi's heart to still be himself and a Phantom Thief member, but Loki was separated out of his body. And here he is-!) Wait, Akechi-Cun, look. Loki's much different than the last time we saw him. He was killed to now become a...)
Now Akechi notices as well like Keiko just did.
Akechi: ….! You're a ghost!
Bingo! That's what Loki is right now to not be a threat and is a ghost to be very weak, to still be wandering around to not be moving on to the next world yet.
Loki: I am dead, yes...I just can't pass on without completing something first...As weak as I am, I can't hurt any of you even if I could...I just wanted to talk with something I can give to you, my other self.
Akechi: Hey! You try to ruin my life and try to have sex to pregnant my Princess! Why should we listen to you?!
Loki: Suborned as always I see...I may've been stubborn and almost trying to take over your life, but you've won fair and square...Keiko, I just wanted to see your face again.
For some changes to still have feelings for Keiko to never change with Shadow's behavior.
Keiko: I see you still have feelings for me, Loki, are you sure you're not here to get even?
Moving around like a real ghost he was, I think they'll be fine.
Loki: See? I can't even hit any of you...Damn, it still sucks. Besides, I'm not here to get my revenge...In fact, quite the opposite...I'm asking for your help to be a bigger enemy in the Metaverse for what've witness...Someone has murdered my step-father Odin and step-brother Thor in that world, a bigger threat...has created Jails for human's Kings this time. Demiurge has a twin itself.
Keiko and Akechi: What!?
Remember from the Holy Grail Grail of the Fake Igor was really Yaldabaoth for the Phantom Thieves to have beaten? Yeah, but this one is like a minion clone of it to be far different and very deadly to threaten all worlds.
Loki: It's a lot to explain about other Demiurge, but I'll try to make this story short...When I was killed and when Queen Lilith the one who used you guys to work for Yaldabaoth himself, when some Shadows get killed who are not part of someone or is free...we go to the after life, but if only it wasn't taken over by his other clone; for this one is far different to take over a human with wicked desires it has to create something brand new. Like a parasite type to be weak at first to find a human host with sicken desires to have he or she in full control to lie and trick them to have anything they want, and once it's gotten hold of your body to go from one world after another...it's strong enough to kill those Shadows all the way from Asgard to spread even worse to other human all over, starting with yours...mostly in Japan. Once your Desires of gems which are shaped like hearts, you'll turn into those parasite monsters. Or in other words...Gegasites.
First word of the disfigured looks being Gegasites.
Akechi and Keiko: Gegasites?
From the Shadows removing the three guys from having Alice's card for their Desires to be taken, it is what they turn into.
Loki: It's what I said. I take it you've found someone with a Shadow like the singer girl? She is known as King in this one and they have Jails, not Palaces anymore since the Metaverse is long gone. And because of this new threat...I've been unable to move on, but the ruler of Shadows will allow for me to move on if I do one task with you guys were the only people I can think about...Until I was caught a bit to follow you back here...Things changed for the last six months I see. So here I am and seeing how the danger has gotten from bad to worse to help out each other. And that's not all, my world of all other Shadows and Personas worlds are in grave danger from this threat. They're all prisoners to fight with no free will, unless Keiko has the powers to free them like she always does.
So that's why Loki's ghost has been searching for them, this was so hard to take in. He can only escape but no other Personas like Kaguya and Picaro cannot.
Akechi: The original enemy has a parasite to make things much worse as Gegasites...That's also when the other events happened, so a human could be making this all happen to the others. To lose their Desires to turn into those demon things.
Keiko: Like with Alice Hiiragi's Shadow...But they're called a King this time and their Jails in the Metaverse. And Loki's adopted home? Is this why the Shadows are different with no free will of their own?
Loki: Now you're all getting the picture. I wish to make a deal with you thieves.
They do, but not just yet to be able to trust in Loki entirely. Hey, how can they after what he has done to them both?
Akechi: And why should we believe in you-?!
Keiko: Wait, Akechi-Cun! Let's listen to Loki first.
Akechi: Are you sure...?
Keiko: I feel like Loki's not lying to us. He's dead. And even if he was, he would've attacked with his trickery by now. Think about it. For what we've heard from him so far, it sounds serious and a bigger threat than what he once did.
True, he would've but he didn't.
Loki: She's right.
A tricky thing to be doing with something like Loki, Akechi hears his old Shadow self out first while guarding Keiko.
Akechi: Fine...I trust in Keiko's words, but never yours, Loki...! Now start talking.
Loki: Hey, can't blame you there...Alright, here's my request...I'll help you out the stop this event and find the mastermind behind it all, it might take some time of course...In return, let me kill the parasite leader who is trying to rule the entire Metaverse in order for me move on to die...They might have other people like you guys to do all of the work and finding worthy humans to cause this mess to spread a lot further. I guess peacefully, along with my so-called family as well, you'll never see me again. As well as you, Akechi, I'm giving this to you to use in battle. The last of my powers to have...Same old gun boost up, same with your weapon, armor, light powers of a mega boost times ten, and your other backup Shadow of my old spirit, but that's all I can do from there.
Giving Akechi a type of orb for Loki's remaining powers to be in there for him to have a second upgrade, could come in handy. A bit more for Akechi to get it, and a few left for Keiko to build left later on.
Keiko: It is the last of Loki's powers.
Akechi: Like I'll use this if it'll kill me or with side effects.
Loki: Heh...Nah, I took all of it out. I only gave you the boost up powers only. I won't take over your body again, we'll become one to fight what's right only and that's it. No tricks, no taking over your body again, not forcing Keiko to love you, and no more betrayals. I'm done with it all. Just do me this small favor, for my other family who did love me to make amends. I was wrong before, but I've changed if you, Keiko, haven't changed both of our hearts from the battle we had.
Good, no side effects from it at all. It seems Loki's not the enemy in this one anymore but a lost soul to make something up in return, with the orb for Akechi to hold on to for him to follow the others to come up when needed until then, I guess the wager has been made.
Keiko: I sense it...Loki has changed even after death.
As Keiko is saying this to be true, Akechi makes sure Loki was being serious to go along with this.
Akechi: Promise me with this power, I can fight what I know what's right. My job, my true friends, and my Keiko. (Still, this was my old Shadow at one point.) I want you to hold your word to it with no tricks.
Loki: I deserve the bad mouthing from you, but you do have a good life with friends and a woman you really love so much. I can live with it. I promise. Even so, you can melt my spirit if I did turn out to be bad...OK, we have a deal then. Thanks.
Taking Loki's words for it and the orb for Akechi to hold to 'if needed', it was all set to help out one another.
Keiko: But where do we start to find this Gegasite leader of these creatures who's controlling this person?
Loki: That's where you Phantom Thieves come in to do it all, I can't do all the detective things alone.
So it's all up to them to take care of it.
Akechi: I'll do what I can and for everyone else to find other things on their end. Princess, we need a lot to be done.
Keiko: I guess so. Well, we should get some sleep and tell the others about it tomorrow and what we've learned so far.
Seeing if it was fine with Loki, he was cool. And it's cool for Akechi to have both Robin Hood and Loki as his powers of light and berserk mode. As Keiko has the darkness power of Arsene and other random Personas too.
Loki: Whatever, just as long as we made truths and helped out one another...it's fine. I'll find you guys when you do the missions only, so I'll be seeing ya.
He was still a freak, but this was serious. Morgana, Sophia, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru have a lot to hear 'to not like it at first to understand it soon'. They need to get somewhere to not let these things happen again afterwards.
Akechi: Grr...He still pisses me off...But he's right.
Keiko: I know how you feel, Akechi, but it'll be fine. I'm here for you.
Hugging each other, they'll make it through all of this somehow.
Akechi: I know, Keiko. Thank you. We'll talk more later tomorrow, let's just sleep. You're the best.
Keiko: So are you too, Akechi-Cun.
Akechi: Princess...
As they were holding hands and sleeping, I think it was all good for those two to keep their eyes on Loki 'just in case'. Other than how and what to look for throughout this whole thing...They'll find something out to solve and stop a new threat for good, with some new surprises in return; and an old familiar enemy's parasite type of powers to spread on to a bitter human this time to search for. What does this all mean...? Meanwhile, from the other world of the Metaverse – two other enemies appeared to be doing their jobs for someone, twins of the boy and girl to be hanging around the throne. The ones who were spying on Keiko, Morgana, and Akechi from earlier.
?: Hey! Looking at girls again?! What about me?
Yeah, it was that type of mess up relationship for them to one of the made up of mine OC bad guys.
?: Relax, Ellen. We're related, remember? What type of girl I look at is my business only.
They were Hans Guyver as the handsome bad boy look with long black hair in a ponytail, looking like a bike gang member, pale skin, red eyes, and he was no ordinary human being. Same with his twin sister to be the beautiful one name Ellen Guyver. Long purple hair, sort of having big hooters, red eyes, pale skin, and also worth a goth-like type of black clothing too. Hans wants control to have every good looking woman to have in order to rule the world 'or any'; as Ellen takes things for her collection to still be pretty and young forever 'and loves no other guy but her brother way too much'. Gross! Hans cares for his sister to be the only family in his life, but it's still wrong!
Ellen: But, Hans. Come on. I do all of the Gegasites making, while you find the right human to take over other areas to take Human Desires. As well as making more Gegasites to harness energy of the location and use Pandora's Box to our control.
Hans: Yes, you get other things you like as your reward. We do our jobs right as I also want all women to breed with. That's good enough.
Ellen: But with so many? I thought I've been good enough...What's the point of having a lot to keep captive just to breed with them all for a new population in the future?
Still caring, they have a goal to be done.
Hans: Hey, we get one thing in return for Mommy's sake just to find Pandora's Box somewhere in our world or the human's...
Ellen: Well, yes...It's all for Mommy in order to get what we want to make a better tomorrow. So you're saying...the Living Being of Pandora's Box is the keeper who's using it for a weapon and the energy we gather from human Desires can change everything.
Hans: But we're being stopped somehow. Isn't that right, Alice King?
From members who were targeted to be doing all of it right now – from Alice King and four other members to appear on stands to carry out their other tasks in other areas in Japan. Already spreading really fast here. Who the other four were was still a mystery.
Alice King: Yes, about four of them, plus one other weird doll. Not the type of toy I want. Weird...Still, I'll stop those whose Desires can't be taken while I gather the rest to still be doing my job as promised. I would've made it there without you two backing me up. Thank you so much.
Hans: Just as long as you do your job right.
Ellen: And don't even think about going near my brother, Ms. Know-It-All! You may look cute, but you can never be as beautiful as I am!
Jealous too much? Damn...
Alice King: He's your brother, so go nuts. I know who my true love is. Still do my job, yours, and find Pandora's Box, right? Anyone else standing in my way, will be disposed of. Even for some Personas to go rogue, I'll handle it.
Crap! She must know about Picaro and Kaguya to be fighting back. Those two better be careful, same with Lava too.
Hans: Then go. We need more Desires from your fame and upset fans must continue. Give these worthless humans a taste of lust.
Continuing on, Alice King understood to go back to her Wonderland.
Alice King: Thank you, siblings. I'm off. I didn't attempt these powers for nothing. (A sister and brother love type of relationship...? How gross.)
She's right on that part for once. For these two enemies the intro was only the beginning. For someone like Alice to be a victim, who's to say the other four members of the Guyver siblings are, at least for the time being.
Ellen: I hate people like her...
Hans: But her powers are useful, remember? She's good, and yet her charms will never work on me. Come, Ellen. We'll study any enemy who steps in from our true goals. This is all for our Mommy.
And the main leader who holds the key of the Gegasite holder to be this Mother 'who I'll be calling her for the time being', who really wants the many human Desires or any kind, energy for some to turn into Gegasites from their Shadows, and find Pandora's Box.
Ellen: For you, Hans, I'll work on anything with you.
Pandora's Box. We know what that is, right? Was it an item or a living being...? What do you guys think?
7 – July/26th/Wednesday
Another sunny day and a perfect time to look around the Jail of Alice Shadow's area in the Metaverse first. Well...Just not after Keiko and Akechi had to tell the others the entire news on what Loki told them and what's been going on from this whole thing – from Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sophia to get the entire story down. It was hard to believe at first, see? I told you so.
Keiko: (We went back to our former hideout in Shibuya to go check out the Jail together...)
Also, talk about some good old times to be back at the second hideout for the Phantom Thieves in Shibuya like this, huh?
Akechi: And that's what has been going on...
Seems like Loki as a ghost will be flying around to watch over and help them out when need be.
Ryuji: Loki?! For real!?
Ann: Loki?!
Yusuke: As a ghost?!
Makoto: Is he back to make a deal?!
Futaba: Because a new threat like the other one is on the loose?!
Haru: And killed his family?!
Sophia: [….?]
A lot for Sophia to gather data about on her own there.
Morgana: Powers from him and can rest in peace because of the mess in the Metaverse? Give me a break! Why didn't I sense this out but you two did?!
Keiko: Hey! Guys, keep your voices down...! Look, Loki's not a threat to us anymore, it's this Demiurge parasite thing. Known as a Gegasite's leader of the deform demon looks and who's using a human after taking their Desires and to make all of this happen on others with distorted desires again, only ten times worse and new editions.
There was no need to talk about right now, a lot to learn little at a time if they work together on this.
Akechi: She's right. (And all he's doing right now is by watching us 24/7.) I'll deal with Loki...My other Shadow half if I have to, it's what's happening now we're dealing with.
Loki: So much for my welcome reunion like this.
Morgana: YOU'RE NOT HELPING!
Keiko: We can argue later, Morgana...He'll get this since they're sort of the same person.
Yeah, it was time to get back to business. For they will save the world again and free the Shadows and Personas from this unknown mess. All of it. Also, since they all see Loki as a ghost now, nothing bad will happen from him again...The rest, they needed to do this wager to solve all of their problems.
Morgana: *sigh* Fine...Great, everyone's here...And some truths with some former Shadow. So we're going to be infiltrating the Jail. Are we ready?
Yusuke: We've done this many times. I can't imagine anyone being fazed by this.
Futaba: Y-Y-Yeah, bro! Bring it! I ain't afraid of no ghost! Loki's dead spirit or not, we can stop him again.
Akechi: I won't let him go crazy again.
Keiko: And Futaba, I don't think we don't have to go all Ghost Busters please.
So yeah, Loki was in good hands this time.
Makoto: We're very short on intel, so we need to be cautious. We'll just scout the general area for this trip.
Haru: We use EMMA to enter, right? Is there anything special we need to do?
Using the app from EMMA in order to get back to the Jail again was the only way.
Ryuji: Um, nah, we just opened the app and said the right keyword...
Futaba: Find the right name is EMMA's search results, then enter the correct keyword on the friend request screen.
Akechi: That's how it works.
And they're going to go back and enter from there again, but as a group this time.
Ryuji: Yeah, you got it, Futaba! Leave it to the super-hacker to explain this stuff!
Futaba: That had nothing to do with hacking. Even if you know how to explain it...
Keiko: We got the rest on our own to say the least.
From someone, name request, and putting it all on the EMMA app is all how it's done.
Makoto: All that's left is to choose our point of entry.
But before that, Sophia scanned around the area she was in to be all clear to enter.
Sophia: [There will be no enemies in the area from which we escaped yesterday. Upon reaching the relevant location, you will only need to speak the keyword.]
And that's how it'll be done.
Makoto: ...Looks like all we can do is trust you and see it for ourselves.
Ryuji: Then let's do this thing! And you, Loki, don't you even think about double crossing us-!
Loki: Noted already thank you. Now go on, clicky click.
I think he gets it to not do it anymore.
Ryuji: Shuddup!
It was time to use the EMMA app on the phone to enter Alice's Jail.
[Sophia: As for you two—Keiko and Akechi, your new looks and power ups for your Personas to still be active, also having a double transformation too. Another program to be humanity's companion. With this Shadow calling Loki, his form is what you'll be controlling, as Black Crow. For your love for him, Keiko, will be ten times stronger. Now say these words when transforming for you two... "Suit up! Code names – Joker and Black Crow." Whenever you're ready.]
Double the transformation for those lovers, huh? Then let's begin.
Loki: It's fine. You can take control of it and I'll guide you to kill off the affected Gegasites only. Any innocent ones-I won't lay a finger on them. Trust me...Keiko did change my heart too, remember?
Well then, here goes nothing for Akechi can control the look when Loki took over now, for this Shadow who's now a Persona is trustworthy.
Akechi: From Crow into Black Crow and having two Personas now. Keiko, let's do this.
Keiko: Here we go then, Akechi. And Loki, thank you again. I guess it's time to explore for today...Now team, time to move out!
And back to the new mess up type of Metaverse again, a click on the phone to all go there as Loki was on invisible standby anyways...You all know what this means, right? Suit up! With a brand new double of love transformation for both Akechi and Keiko to do as the others powers were back in action too – besides Ryuji and Morgana's so far. Wow, for Sophia to have this much power to aid the team, she's a real lifesaver.
Keiko and Akechi: Suit up! Code names – Joker and Black Crow!
Morgana: Suit up! Code name – Mona!
Ryuji: Suit up! Code name – Skull!
Ann: Suit up! Code name – Panther!
Yusuke: Suit up! Code name – Fox!
Makoto: Suit up! Code name – Queen!
Futaba: Suit up! Code name – Oracle!
Haru: Suit up! Code name – Noir!
With Keiko, Morgana, Ryuji, and Akechi 'with his new update looks and the other one to show when stopping stronger Shadows with Loki's help to appear as a special power up' for they were all back in their clothing – Joker, Mona, Skull, and Crow. Same with the others too for the Phantom Thieves were back in action! Again, Akechi has his upgrade look from Crow to change his code name a little and has the other armor to use when needed only under Akechi's control instead. All was good for the others - Ann/Panther, Yusuke/Fox, Makoto/Queen, Futaba/Oracle, and Haru/Noir.
Keiko: We're in.
Seeing from the two new outfits on Akechi for him to use.
Akechi: We've made it. Wow...So I can go into this armor when I need to?
Loki: Our deal to each other, and payment to atone from my sins.
Keiko: While Akechi has some powers, I can use other Personas with their element skills.
Cool how those two were themselves with some new upgrades, and some back up too. For this type of Metaverse of a place to be back to watch themselves this time.
Loki: Back into hell of the Metaverse again for me.
Futaba: Yeah, yeah, whatever...Well, did we make it?
I think they are since they were just standing around and so on.
Keiko: We did make it, Oracle. (Wow, it's good to be in our old outfits again. Plus from Loki's powers to give to Akechi a little when needed.)
Yusuke: *gasp* Your phantom thief attire!
Morgana: Yeah, you too.
It just been a while is all to not be used to this whole thing since they saved the world.
Yusuke: Ah...I'd forgotten this feeling. The fusion of form and function...Truly magnificent.
Keiko: It has been a while to be doing something good like this again.
Ann: Look, it's Beauty Thief!
I think Ann's referring to Haru as once called Beauty Thief, but she's really Noir.
Haru: It was fun trying to come with that code name at one time...My name is Beauty Thief!
Same pose and saying, it never gets old. Yeah...Not ever again.
Makoto: Let's...not fool around here. I admit though, these clothes do bring back some memories.
Akechi: Beauty Thief...?
He doesn't have to completely know it at all during that event, remember?
Keiko: Please don't ask, Crow.
Morgana: We can reminisce later-take a look at that view.
A nice city night view like the Metaverse to be to have...almost every type of other Jails all over from afar to so much so to see from a distance.
Makoto: So this is...the Jail?
Loki: More like many other Jails besides just one you're dealing with so far.
Hard to tell but it was the real thing, huh? It's all true.
Futaba: Just what IS that building? This place is bonkers...
Yusuke: Nothing escapes the atrocious color scheme of this place...
Haru: It looks like that because of someone's cognition, correct?
Morgana: Right, most likely Alice's. The distortion has to be exceptionally strong there for a reason.
From a distance to where Alice King's Jail is at, it's the one and only building of it. From the many searchlights and the building that proves it's Alice King's Jail.
Yusuke: So you're saying that's the stronghold of the queen ruling over this Jail-its appearance certainly fits the motion.
Morgana: The buildings around here still look pretty normal, though. Looks like that place over there has a limited range of distortion. The first time we came here, we entered by the Crossing down there. That's where we saw a group of cop Shadows taking stuff out of people's chests and turning them into those things...
From people's Shadows to have their heart of gem Desires taken and turned into Gegasites.
Loki: Gegasites...It's hard to believe, but they were sealed away from a powerful object. How did they get free? It must be the enemy responsible for all of this.
He was right. From the other people to get trapped in the Metaverse, and the Shadows taking their gem like hearts being their Desires and becoming the weak deform energy source of Gegasite slaves. That's another thing they needed to learn about next.
Ryuji: Oh, you mean that jewel we saw? The hell was up with that?
Keiko: A lot we don't know about those things yet to try figuring out next...For what Loki has told us so far is what he does know.
Just then, someone appears to tell the others the rest to be Sophia herself. Yeah! She's arrived with the others.
Sophia: That may have been a Desire.
Turning around to see her.
Loki: A new member, I see.
Sophia: Yo, Phantom Thieves and ghost old enemy.
Loki: An android with powers like the rest of you.
This is their first time seeing Sophia in person now.
Futaba: Aaaaah! Sophia?! Holy crap, an actual AI in human form!
Keiko: Oh right, you guys didn't see Sophia in person like this. Everyone, Sophia herself. And Sophia, everyone else as the Phantom Thieves.
They all see Sophia to look more like a doll than just an android.
Haru: Wow, you're so cute, Sophia!
Even Yusuke liked the looks.
Yusuke: Such a fascinating form you've taken...I can't stop starting at the beautifully curved lines. Although I find Ms. Makoto is much more beautiful in my eyes.
Akechi: Then please stop doing the poses before Makoto gets the wrong idea.
Good point, Akechi.
Ann: I've never seen an outfit like that...Can I try floofing it?
Sophia: Floofing?
She needs to get used to these words from them.
Makoto: I think she wants to get a feel for the fabric of your clothes while hugging you, Sophia.
Sophia: Request denied. I am neither a child nor a pet.
Keiko: Sorry, Panther.
Sad but it's true, Sophia was the same age and looked alike as Futaba was.
Ann: No floofing...
Yusuke: By the way, how does age work for an AI?
Ah, good question there, Yusuke/Fox. I think some can be built like one of them either way.
Akechi: I think the answer is pretty simple. In computer science, artificial intelligence (AI), sometimes called machine intelligence, is intelligence demonstrated by machines, in contrast to the natural intelligence displayed by humans and animals. Leading AI textbooks define the field as the study of "intelligent agents": any device that perceives its environment and takes actions that maximize its chance of successfully achieving its goals. Colloquially, the term "artificial intelligence" is often used to describe machines (or computers) that mimic "cognitive" functions that humans associate with the human mind, such as "learning" and "problem solving". As machines become increasingly capable, tasks considered to require "intelligence" are often removed from the definition of AI, a phenomenon known as the AI effect. A quip in Tesler's Theorem says "AI is whatever hasn't been done yet." For instance, optical character recognition is frequently excluded from things considered to be AI, having become a routine technology. Modern machine capabilities generally classified as AI include successfully understanding human speech, competing at the highest level in strategic game systems (such as chess and Go), autonomously operating cars, intelligent routing in content delivery networks, and military simulations. Artificial intelligence was founded as an academic discipline in 1955, and in the years since has experienced several waves of optimism, followed by disappointment and the loss of funding (known as an "AI winter"), followed by new approaches, success and renewed funding. For most of its history, AI research has been divided into subfields that often fail to communicate with each other. These sub-fields are based on technical considerations, such as particular goals (e.g. "robotics" or "machine learning"),the use of particular tools ("logic" or artificial neural networks), or deep philosophical differences. Subfields have also been based on social factors (particular institutions or the work of particular researchers). The traditional problems (or goals) of AI research include reasoning, knowledge representation, planning, learning, natural language processing, perception and the ability to move and manipulate objects. General intelligence is among the field's long-term goals. Approaches include statistical methods, computational intelligence, and traditional symbolic AI. Many tools are used in AI, including versions of search and mathematical optimization, artificial neural networks, and methods based on statistics, probability and economics. The AI field draws upon computer science, information engineering, mathematics, psychology, linguistics, philosophy, and many other fields. The field was founded on the assumption that human intelligence "can be so precisely described that a machine can be made to simulate it". This raises philosophical arguments about the nature of the mind and the ethics of creating artificial beings endowed with human-like intelligence. These issues have been explored by myth, fiction and philosophy since antiquity. Some people also consider AI to be a danger to humanity if it progresses unabated. Others believe that AI, unlike previous technological revolutions, will create a risk of mass unemployment. In the twenty-first century, AI techniques have experienced a resurgence following concurrent advances in computer power, large amounts of data, and theoretical understanding; and AI techniques have become an essential part of the technology industry, helping to solve many challenging problems in computer science, software engineering and operations research.
Wow, a lot to explain about right there.
Loki: What a nerd.
Akechi: Sorry, I get a bit carried away from knowing so much...
Keiko: That's okay, Crow—I mean Black Crow, we get it. Well, I do the most.
Akechi: I'm fine to be called Crow regular with two forms to have on. It's fine from you the most, Joker.
Keiko: Noted.
Yeah, good to know. After explaining all about AI things, it was time to learn about people's wishes for Sophia to just mention to the others.
Morgana: Don't mind Crow, he's a smart one to know things better. And sorry, but not right now on other further details-Sophia, tell us more about the Desire you mentioned.
Keiko: What is special about these Desires of gem-like hearts?
Sophia: That is the term used by Shadows here. They say things such as, "Seize their Desires!" and, "We must offer these Desires to the Monarch!" For energy and gathering power for our ultimate weapon to search for.
From the Desires to be taken, enslaved for energy in another form of a demon, and finding Pandora's Box for the King? Someone like Alice King in her Jail?
Akechi: Taking people's Desires to turn them into Gegasites from within them and then giving it all to the King?
Keiko: And what of this weapon they're looking for?
Anything thing to be new for the others 'and even Loki' to learn about next, for Sophia to gather the data of so far.
Sophia: I only know of the name Pandora's Box, that is it. So based on their language and behavior, I speculate the aforementioned "jewel" was in fact a Desire.
Loki: Pandora's Box...So that's what they're after.
Now that was just a mess up!
Morgana: So if Alice is the "Monarch," then she really is the ruler of this Jail.
Seems like it since Loki told them that the Metaverse has changed to have people become this way, something to be far more of a threat. And other things to learn about with the other things so far.
Haru: But these "Desires"...Are they actually made up of the things people desire?
Makoto: Seizing desires, of all things...What use would they have for those? Power, energy, and locating Pandora's Box?
Akechi: Not to mention Pandora's Box is a Greek story people came up with a myth centuries ago.
It was a story about a woman opening the box for the gods made to unleash chaos to the world; and then got kicked out the village to live for all eternity with the box to be young forever. Pandora also wanted to get someone to open the box too and break free from the curse and make even bigger chaos to someone else, and everyone else around the other person. So was this one also true...? Hmmm...Looking at Loki for some answers, it was very hard on what he knows of to know little.
Loki: Don't look at me, I just learned about this too. I didn't think a weapon would be Greek Mythology.
See? This was new to learn more and more at a time.
Ryuji: Finding out what happened to the folks who got jumped could tell us something.
It's still unknown how some normal humans got to in the Metaverse in the first place.
Yusuke: Where could those victims be now? I don't see a place from here where they may be held...
Keiko: I haven't felt any of them to be anywhere.
Akechi: Same on my end.
So they've found no one so far.
Morgana: I don't know either...Maybe they're being held somewhere else.
Then something was on Makoto's mind to be thinking about then asking the others about it.
Makoto: Say, about those people you witnessed being attacked...Are you sure they were humans?
Ryuji: Whaddya mean?
Makoto: Well, couldn't they have been Shadows or something? If there are humans getting captured and imprisoned in this Jail right now...Wouldn't there be a huge commotion in our world? Groups of people going missing, out of the blue?
From the normal humans to their Shadow parts attacking their own parts...I guess Makoto/Fox knows what to think about and putting the pieces of the puzzle together so far.
Futaba: Now there's a point...I haven't heard a peep about that online.
In other words, the people might have not been gone in the first place. Huh...?
Haru: So, no one is actually disappearing from reality?
Akechi: So that's what I felt from the others.
Keiko: Yes! It's not the Shadows who hurt the people, but their Shadows selves. (Like Loki was with Akechi because they're both the same.)
Bingo! That's one problem solved so far.
Morgana: I see...Shadows!
Sophia: What are Shadows?
Here was another thing for Sophia to learn about Shadows next, as the Phantom Thieves enemies for some of them.
Morgana: A Shadow's the parts of you suppressed within your subconscious...It's basically just your other self.
Sophia: Does that mean their main selves are all right?
Morgana: No-the Shadow and the actual self are two sides of the same coin.
From someone's other half to be as bad the real world self is, like holding it in of the sins which the people have committed.
Yusuke: So if a Desire is taken from someone's Shadow and turned into a Megasite what happens to the person in reality?
Futaba: I gotta say...I'm getting a bad vibe from all this.
Keiko: More like both Crow and I felt it before everyone else in the group does.
For Keiko and Akechi to use those powers are very helpful.
Akechi: It's something we all be aware of.
Morgana: Are they trying to influence reality by doing something to the Shadows?
Now that question was on their minds, it could be an important one.
Yusuke: Then how are we to act? This sounds like a crisis-shouldn't we rescue the victims right away?
Morgana: No, that was just speculation. Even if we try to now, the other form they're all in only weakens them and could also have bad effects in the real world too. After all, we've only witnessed the cognitive world's side of things. And Loki, if you wish to help you out in return...you better hold your end of the bargain as well.
He remembers well to say it all annoying-like.
Loki: I remember. You helped me out, and I help you to find something in both worlds since I can see this place all the way from your world. Check. I'm just a ghost with no powers to still make myself useful a little...but don't treat me like a dog.
Morgana: Good, because Crow's still watching you...Also...Until we find out how all this is affecting the real world, we can only know half of what's going on. I'd say the first thing we need to do is investigate Alice and her victims.
So much so to make sure how this was all happening to begin with.
Ann: Plus, if we make the wrong move in the cognitive world, there's a chance the ruler could have a shutdown in the real world...
Akechi: So, we got nothing to not lead us anywhere. There must be another way around it.
Makoto: Right. We need to get the story straight before we make any real moves or we'll just be doing damage.
A lot to plan about first.
Keiko: I say we find out back in our world first, the other Alice, see her fans if they're fine if their Shadows who have turned into the weak Gegasites, and then come back here to stop this mess.
Ryuji: Got it-buuut, what're we gonna do? Crashin' some random store opening probably only works once.
Yeah, so it was back to the real world for now for they'll be back again before doing anything else.
Morgana: What say we get into that once we're outta here?
Sophia: Okay, let's get out of here.
Ann: ...
What was wrong with Ann...? And back they go for Sophia was back in Keiko's phone and Loki to still hang around, I think they were all making the right choice here. Besides getting some good things so far to learning a few others, what's their first move?
Morgana: Well, we're confirmed the presence of the Jail. Next, we look into Alice and any potential victims.
Keiko: Right, just like I said for us to do first.
But this leaves Ryuji confused about all of this.
Ryuji: And how do we do that? Look into what?
Futaba: The usual rumor mills, lookin' for anything about Alice. Gossip about her being abusive, or other messed up stuff.
Akechi: We need to find some dirt, I need to work as a detective for us to get us somewhere.
One step at a time.
Makoto: Good idea. Let's gather any intel that we can, both online and on the streets.
This was Futaba's part to get to work on it right away.
Futaba: I've got the web-crawling covered!
Loki: And I'll feel out while learning about my former enemy for you kids.
Yusuke: But if we're ever to gain conclusive proof of any rumors, I believe we'll need direct access to her at some point...
That part might be a little harder to do if they can find out how to see Alice in person.
Haru: Direct access to a pop star sounds awfully tough...
See? This will be really hard to do, but something was on Ann's mind to have some other way around it.
Ann: ...Uh, about that...I may get to meet Alice tomorrow?
This surprises everyone else.
Keiko: Really?!
Ryuji: Wha-For real?! How?
With her being a famous model and such.
Ann: Well, I had asked the modeling agency's president if I could meet her sometime. I heard she'd be on a TV show filming nearby, so I asked if I could visit the set. I was hoping to learn from her by watching her in action...I gave up on it after plans with you guys, but I might be able to get the ball rolling again in time...
Leave it to Ann 'but her acting was still bad' to always come around for the others.
Yusuke: The timing's nothing short of kismet...
Akechi: Not bad, I can still get it with Princess by my side.
And the detective for both Akechi and Keiko to get a closer look.
Morgana: Yeah! Way to go, Lady Ann!
Ryuji: Nice one, babe!
He kisses and hugs Ann to still love his girlfriend.
Ann: But I'm not making any promises about it. And there's no way'd get to approach her, either. Plus, our full group's just too big. The most I could even ask to bring is just one more person...Besides Akechi bringing his fiance Keiko is no trouble.
Everyone just stares at Keiko to know that her and Akechi will be the ones to go with Ann only.
Keiko: Ah, yeah... (I think I just volunteered...)
Akechi: We'll do what we can.
Then it settles for the final decision making.
Futaba: Welp! That settles that. We're counting on ya love birds, Big Sis!
Ryuji: Give Alice shit when you meet her so you can get some evidence out of her.
Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, and Ann can do this to get closer to Alice to get enough proof then needed.
Keiko: Then leave this to us two.
Futaba: Ooh, you really are ready for this! You go, girlfriend!
Akechi: Thank my detective job for getting the two of us anywhere.
But that's not all, Morgana will also be tagging along as well, just like I said.
Morgana: I think I'll tag along with you. We'll be fine so long as no one sees me. For today, let's focus on her potential victims.
In other words, get rumors about Alice around the Shibuya area first. And then go see Alice live on a TV show.
Keiko: Thanks, Morgana. Now everyone, let's split up.
As the other nine had a look around the Shibuya area to find Alice fans to see if they were still fine or have gone missing...For Sophia was on standby and Loki tries to fly around to find something on his end too, or tries to act as a ghost.
Loki: The old split up and searched for clues, I see. But we're getting somewhere good.
From making a wager to keep those words 'or else' from an old enemy once, the next thing was to find the fans, for Alice to see up close, and then the Phantom Thieves can make their move soon enough. For two new heroes and two other enemies to stop them, save others, and find the weapon of Pandora's Box before they do. With a lot more going on next.