Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #13 - Battle Dee and Fearful Dum
7 – July/28th/Friday
A lot to do, huh? From Akechi and Keiko to sleeping well. It was time to get prepared for the infiltration of Alice King's Jail to open up and get back everyone's Desires to be returned.
Morgana: Akechi. Madame Keiko. Since you two are finished eating, showering, getting dressed, and such...The others should be at the hideout a bit. So get ready.
They were both aware of what they needed to do first before heading out.
Akechi: Understood, Morgana. I know my Princess will succeed. I'll be there for you and so will Sophia.
Keiko: Right, Akechi-Cun. We'll do fine, Morgana. All of us will.
Now before they head back upstairs to wait for the others to arrive, Sojiro hopes for the best of them to stop Alice's madness.
Sojiro: You guys are going out?
Keiko: Yes, Mr. Sakura. We have to do this.
Sojiro: I know...Just be careful out there, as you always do. I mean it. Akechi, keep Keiko safe.
Like a real second father to Keiko for Sojiro to have a pure heart.
Akechi: Yes, leave everything to me.
Now to go upstairs for Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sophia plan and get things before heading out. One was going to the Velvet Room for Keiko to get some Personas abilities to use for battle, thanks to Lava helping her out to be all set and ready to go...for the first few so far.
Lava: Here you go, Trickster. I hope these Personas will be proven useful. And please tell Morgana I said hi.
Young love there for those two, huh? Back in the real world again, Keiko gives Sophia's Shop a try to buy some things, and sells some too in order to make more money.
Sophia: [Here you go, Keiko. I have plenty for you to buy. Make sure you sell some other treasure first. I got weapons for you and the others to use, protected armor for strong defenses, accessories to be useful to not be hurt by anything or anyone with elements, and finally some items to heal up or stop something from slowing you down. Go ahead, and some days will have some prices to go down.]
Wow! She has gotten everything from the shop for Keiko to pick out.
Keiko: Well, Sophia...you sure know how to be prepared for anything. Thanks. (I think I would say this was too much, but anything's better than nothing.)
Sophia: [I'm glad to be in any help as I can, I am human's companion.]
From buying things to have for the others of armors, weapons, and accessories, same with items too; they were all set to get more money later on. As they stick to the ones Keikos can afford for the time being and save up more later on...
Keiko: Now we're all set and ready to go.
The others love their new gear and such.
Akechi: Now it's time to infiltrate the Jail like we plan.
So, they go through their idea one more time before heading out...
Morgana: Everyone remembers their roles?
Ann: You, me, and Ryuji are going to destroy the searchlights.
Ryuji: No worries there, we'll mess 'em up quick!
Step one so far, no for step two to talk about next.
Yusuke: As Futaba hacks into the control panel, Haru, Makoto, and I shall protect her.
Makoto: We're not to let a single Shadow past us.
Haru: No worries there either!
Futaba: Okay! You guys are gonna be lifesavers! I swear I'll drop that wall, no matter what!
And now for the third and final step to talk about this plan too.
Sophia: [My goal is to lure the initial wave of enemies elsewhere. After losing them elsewhere, I'll return to you.]
Akechi: As for Keiko, I draw out all of the Shadows while you guys do the rest to meet back up later, so don't die in battle.
Morgana: Thanks, Sophia-but don't be too reckless.
They must always be careful, no matter what happens next.
Sophia: [Got it. I won't be too reckless.]
Futaba: And the linchpin to this whole operation is...
Ryuji: You're gonna be the star of this distraction. Make it as flashy as possible, Keiko. And Akechi, go kick some ass by your woman's side too.
Akechi: Got it.
Keiko: All right.
Now the plan must take action.
Morgana: Time to move out. We're carving a path all the way to Alice's castle!
Along with Loki locating the disappearance of both Kaguya and Picaro to be somewhere there...Now for the Phantom Thieves to move on out for their plan to take action. Back in the Metaverse Shibuya of Alice King/Shadow's Castle Jail to make the move.
Keiko: ….! (Ah! I sense the sisters...Yeah, they're down town below me...I don't know why, but I better check on them while stopping the Shadows to come after me and Akechi.) Right! Let's do this.
Unaware of Alice Shadow has plans for not only the sisters, but for Keiko/Joker as well.
[Morgana: Joker, got the plan down pat?]
Keiko: I do, Mona. I'm going in.
[Morgana: Then let's go!]
And so, we go back from the beginning of the game, which came from Alice King/Shadow's Jail...A beautiful night, things to be shown on the big screen TV of random thing, and no one else around for some strange reason with the cloud all cleared but for something, or rather...someone to be jumping around the shadows from one building to another being...Keiko Amamiya/Joker herself!
[Ann: Almost time…]
[Ryuji: Yeah! Let's do this!]
As Keiko ran from building after building, she was ready for anything.
[Futaba: Careful, Joker! You got one coming up!]
[Akechi: I'll catch up to you once I handle these Shadows to follow me from the other side! I promise!]
From the Helicopter Shadow shooting at Keiko to make a run for it...
[Yusuke: It's starting!]
[Haru: Then we're on!]
[Makoto: Right! Let's go!]
From avoiding getting shot down and Keiko removing the mask off the Shadow's face, down it goes.
[Ann: Whoa...There's a lot of them.]
More Shadows came out of the police car to draw their attention to Keiko 'the plan was working so far'.
[Morgana: All yours, Joker.]
[Sophia: Wow, there's a lot of them.]
And the battle part was next. As she makes her move and such, and hearing the others on the other line. One of them being Morgana/Mona and Futaba Sakura/Oracle.
[Morgana: Alright, let's begin the operation!]
Both him and Futaba talk things through to aid Keiko in this battle.
[Futaba: That was one hell of an entrance, Joker! They're all riled up! Just keep at it! Go ham until you've drawn every last bit of attention!]
Here we go, Keiko battles all the way to get through so many Shadows...From kicking, punching, using her dagger, the powers of darkness she has, and her gun to fire off as many rounds as she could. Same with using random powers of Personas again besides Arsene, such as the gravity skills from Unicorn too..
Keiko: (OK, I can do this.) Here I am, Shadows! Come and get me...If you can.
They don't know who they were messing with. During Keiko's battle as she hears Futaba to go through the plan of hers. What type of plan was it?
[Futaba: Everyone else, proceed as planned! Joker's got diversion covered, so now's your time to shine![
Hearing a lot of other group members as well to take care of the other Shadows elsewhere in town to be aiding their leader too. One to be Ryuji Sakamoto/Skull is Captain Kidd.
[Ryuji: Gotcha. Leave the searchlights to us!]
Same with Yusuke Kitagawa/Fox with his Persona Goemon.
[Yusuke: And we're to support Oracle as she hacks the terminals?]
Along with Makoto Niijima/Queen with her Persona Johanna.
[Makoto: Right. Let's secure the area in front of the gate first.]
Let's not forget Futaba's Persona known as Necronomicon...As she cheers on Keiko to be her best friend/sister to her.
[Futaba: Yes, yes! Slice 'em and dice 'em! Joker's got the enemy BIG time mad! Awesome job-just a bit longer!]
Same with Morgana's Persona name Zorro...
[Morgana: She's doing it all by herself, too...Now that's our beautiful Joker!]
The other member was also Ann Takamaki/Panther with her Persona Carmen.
[Ann: I bet Skull wouldn't pull it off that smoothly.]
[Ryuji: The hell's with this deja vu?]
[Futaba: Mweheheh, the enemy's starting to swarm Joker...Teach 'em a lesson!]
And last was Haru Okumura/Noir with her Persona Milady who too was cheering on.
[Haru: Do your best.]
And with all of the Shadows following Keiko, she makes a move to jump to using her mask and using another one of her special moves.
Keiko: Arsene, do it!
Using the powers of her mask to use Arsene's powerful dark type of fire to push all the Shadows down to blowing up. A direct hit!
*SHOW'S OVER!*
But wait! It wasn't over yet, more Shadows were summoned! But Keiko wasn't alone...With the power of light type of arrows appears another Phantom Thief member with new looks of 'his' own Black Crow Mask or Black Crow armor being none other than Goro Akechi/Crow/Black Crow Mask himself. Wow! With his Persona to be Robin Hood and sort of Loki 'for more on that later on to be explained'.
[Akechi: You mess with our town, then you mess with us. The Phantom Thieves!]
While the other Phantom Thieves do their part and Keiko and Akechi too on the other side, Futaba gets to hacking the gates right away.
[Makoto: Move out, everyone!]
[Ryuji: We're at the searchlights-just waitin' on the signal!]
Almost to the halfway point so far for the others, as Keiko keeps her cool and keeps on fighting.
[Haru: No Shadows in sight on our end. Looks like the diversion is working, all thanks to Joker!]
[Akechi: Same with me and Sophia as well.]
So it was time for Futaba to open the gates right up.
[Makoto: It's all up to you now, Oracle.]
[Futaba: I've got this, Mona, take over navigation for me!]
Like he did before and some on Makoto's part while Futaba does the hard part.
[Morgana: Gotcha! Good luck hacking! Joker, more Shadows incoming!]
For Keiko gives it her all on the Shadows, using her other Persona for power 'besides Arsene', swinging on a light pole, blowing up cars to catch on fire, shooting, and slashing her away around the swarm of enemies.
Keiko Yes!
Nice shooting skills to see some Shadows with Shields to push back, or try to.
[Morgana: Watch out, reinforcements are here!]
Heads up! Tons of Shadows try hurting Keiko more to try moving away quickly.
[Ryuji: How's the wall comin'? Ya done yet?!]
[Futaba: Hang on! I'm working on it!]
[Yusuke: All these Shadows flooding the Shibuya streets...That's certainly not an everyday sight.]
[Haru: Now I'm imagining it happening in the real world...Scary.]
How were the walls coming, Futaba? Are you almost done...?
[Futaba: Aaaaand, as the cherry on top-Mweheheh...Enjoy your Oracle Virus Parfait, chumps!]
Almost there, but hopefully soon.
[Morgana: Hmm? Look out, we've got incoming!]
Lots of police cars were showing up all over the streets to surround Keiko all over, from human to real Shadows and ready to fight her. For some to turn into Jack 'O Lanterns and Pixies. Not good...! Even worse, an incoming attack! Keiko moving away to use some water to block the rest of the attack, two sisters were attacking Keiko? Picaro and Kaguya?!
Keiko: What the-?! You two!
Picaro: Run away...! She's got a hold of us to kill you thieves-!
So this was Alice Shadow doing to control some girls of big, small, or regular size to attack at Keiko with no control of their bodies. From strong strings for Alice Shadow as enjoying it and watching it back at her headquarters.
Alice Shadow: Oh, Joker. You save me the trouble of looking for you. I hope you like my big and small dolls to play with you...
From Kaguya being small to outsmart Keiko from her speed...
Kaguya: Get back, Joker!
Hitting her a lot, then allowing Picaro to force to grab hold of Keiko to be so big and strong, which allows for Alice Shadow to use her powers 'one of the second medallion powers' as she takes control of Keiko's body now. No! She can't control the brains of those she can't take Desires off and turn into Gegasites; but she can do this other one to make things ten times worse.
Keiko: Ah! (This is bad, I can't control my body...!)
Alice Shadow: Now then...I have my own doll to keep, leaving the big and small ones to get killed by your doing, Joker. So let's play! And then I'll kill off the rest of the Phantom Thieves!
Controlling all three of them to kill each other off by Alice Shadow's doing. Loving the puppet things to do whatever she wants...Keiko fights back to not use her attacks and tries to move her arm a little without killing the sisters; from the stomping feet from Picaro and Kaguya from her small speed was a lot to have trouble fighting back.
Keiko: No, stop this!
Alice Shadow: Hey, come on...I want to have fun. If I don't have some of my toys to drop dead, then play dead.
From slashing and fighting only without using their powers to overcome the Shadow's doing...Keiko was trying to avoid it all, with the other Shadows to push Kaguya and Picaro out for the count—Picaro falls on top of Kaguya to weaken them both. Leaving Keiko to hold still from hurting them while they were down.
Keiko: No!
Kaguya and Picaro: Forget about us, Joker! Save yourself!
Keiko: Forget it! I won't let you guys die like this!
So instead...Alice Shadow snaps her fingers 'even from far away', to have the other Shadows use lots of ropes to restrain Keiko to have trouble moving again.
Alice Shadow: *yawn* Boring. I'll deal with the sisters later, I will have you, Joker, become my doll. By any means. Pull her arms and legs as far as the light pole!
Pulling tightly to hurt Keiko to get torn apart...Only for some flashes of light did it differently on all of the Shadows and freeing Keiko. It was Black Crow to the rescue!
Keiko: (Akechi-Cun!) Black Crow, you're here!
Alice Shadow: What? You!
Akechi: Messing with others is wrong. Even worse, you should've played house by using my woman like she's a doll to you!
He wasn't the only one...Loki appears to destroy the spell from Alice Shadow to not control Keiko, Picaro, or Kaguya anymore.
Loki: Go away, you Gegasite! Aaaah!
Destroying those things and freeing the other Shadows, the twins were back to regular sizes now. No more being controlled by Alice Shadow anymore, and Keiko to be set free. It looks like Loki had a spell to change the growth and shrinking part to go away now. Using some type of sealing spells under their feet that Loki can also do, it seems to work well.
Picaro: We're free! Yes!
Kaguya: And back to normal now.
With Keiko destroying other Gegasites to join with Akechi to fight them together, they were doing well...so far.
Keiko: It's over, Alice! (Man, that feels better not to be controlled anymore. And trying to kill others? I don't think so.)
This made her mad to break her crystal ball like a um-behave child.
Alice Shadow: No! No! No! Dammit! My toys are not worthless! Men, kill them all if you know what's good for all of you! I want more Desires from other people afterwards! Do it!
With the five joining in battle with still too many Shadows surrounding Keiko, Akechi, Picaro, Kaguya, and Loki. Out of harm and fixed, how will they get out of this mess?
Loki: Does anyone have a backup plan or what?
Akechi: We fight together until the others show up.
And by luck, there was to hear some familiar voices...Besides Keiko singing - here comes the song from Lyn – Daredevil!
Keiko 'singing': Think twice
Before you pounce
Don't expect us to be nice
Now it's your turn to be the mouse
Thought you had caught us?
We know how your game is played
Straight up devious
Better regret schemes you have made
The shadows call us
Hear the whisper from the night
Take a leap into the dusk
Gotta set wrongs right
Taking over
Ready or not it's the moment
Better off
Stepping aside
Burning with vengeance and sully we fight
Crossed the line
Warned you before
We are unbeaten
No one can question it
Daredevil
You've hit the wall
Did you think you could get away?
You have us to repay
Deliver reason
Given dreams will never last
End deception
Fantasy will turn to piles of dust
Life is a journey
No one should be puppetised
Yeah 'cause we are all born free
Listen to their cries
What a nightmare
Reaching out only for nothing
In a maze
Peeling their eyes
Searching for something they won't ever find
True faith
Is found within
We'll be the beacon
Guiding lost innocents
Once bitten
Twice confident
Nothing to stop us seeking
A kingdom of freedom
STRIKE
Taking over
Ready or not it's the moment
Better off
Stepping aside
Burning with vengeance and sully we fight
Crossed the line
Warned you before
We are unbeaten
No one can question it
Daredevil
You've hit the wall
Did you think you could get away?
You have us to repay
And then, Futaba speaks up for some good news.
[Futaba: We made it! Let's rock, Joker!]
Boom! Explosions happen on top of a building for the searchlights were dead to hit the other Shadows and blow up, with some help as well from the twins.
Picaro: Black-hole Burst!
Soon some help arrives a few at a time – Ryuji, Morgana, and Ann to the rescue now to make an exploding entrance.
Keiko: Skull! Panther! Mona! You guys made it!
Ryuji: We late to the party?
Not really, just in time for the rest of it.
Akechi: No, we were just lighting things up a little.
Time to attack the rest...From Skull batting whack on the Shadows, Ann's whipping, and Morgana to swing his sword and wind to blow the rest of them away. Akechi fires off his gun, while Keiko kicks and cuts down with her weapon to hurt really hard. Same with more attacks and more removing the Shadows' masks. With Futaba seeing the results so far.
Futaba: Ha, nice one! How d'ya like this? Aaand-a boop.
Shutting down the gates to shock on some Shadows for the rest of the twins to back them up again...
Kaguya: Lunar light Waves!
Cool! From fighting gravity and light water attacks from them is great. As the gates open up, Makoto rides on her Persona to fight the other Shadows off next. Burn rubber, and eat their dust of Makoto speed of driving and venom powers. As Yusuke jumps in next to use the water/ice of his samurai sword to back his girlfriend up next. Cut down in seconds! And finally, Haru runs up to an ax type of plant and the rest of the Shadows out of her way! Nice one! Leaving Keiko and Akechi to finish the rest off with their main Personas.
Keiko and Akechi: Persona!
Arsene's dark fire kicks the ground to blow the rest of them away, and Loki stabs the rest – for the Shadows to go out cold and the Gegasite fake shadows were all destroyed into ashes.
Loki: Man! I love doing that.
Akechi: Nice work saving the sisters and guiding me to saving Joker, Loki. Not bad.
Loki: Heh, I do it more for Keiko, so whatever...
From hope and the twins believe in the Phantom Thieves to get the job done, and for Futaba to be done. Now to finish the rest of the Shadows together as a team now.
Ann: Thank goodness we made it in time! You were almost being controlled by Alice.
The three women were, yes. Almost were.
Keiko: I had to save the twins from not killing them. I might've had enough will to withstand Alice's powers.
Yeah, it looked like it was a little.
Akechi: I knew something was wrong. Thanks to Loki's powers, you three are now free from her.
Picaro: About friggin' time.
Kaguya: Thank you so much.
All in the day's work and getting to their destination real soon.
Ryuji: That couldn't gone better, Joker! You or these Persona girls aren't that bitch's Barbie soldiers.
Also joining them too was Sophia, who planned out very well.
Sophia: I've returned from my diversion. The plan appears to have been a success. No dolls and no more holding back anymore to fight on.
Futaba: Hey, great hustle out there, Sophie! Now all we hafta do is storm the castle!
Morgana: Now the real fight begins! Let's mop up the rest of these Shadows so we can get to 705!
Attacking the other Shadows in the area – lots of Sentries, Mokois, Pixies, Jack O'Laterns, Bicorns, Andras, and such to let the Phantom Thieves go all out.
Futaba: Web Cage! Time to boost up, heal, and I leave the rest of you guys to finish them off! Attack!
Picaro, Kaguya, and Loki: Here we go!
From Loki's Berserk move, the twins combine powers to get the job done. Now everyone, all together now!
Keiko: Double Daggers of Darkness!
Ryuji: Lightning Flash Attack!
Morgana: Blaze of Rage!
Ann: Flame Shooter!
Yusuke: Frozen Waves!
Makoto: Viper Sting!
Haru: Petals of Doom!
Akechi: Double Edge Sword Take-down!
Sophia: SP Piercer!
And the streets were all cleared to continue moving forward since the lights were shut down and the gates were finally opened.
Futaba: Now we can go through, let's get going!
And so they do so, and avoid the other searchlights at the main entrance of Alice King/Shadow's Castle Jail. So they can't go through there yet. Going around the other building to do so and on to the other side they go...At least the other searchlights with machine guns are off.
Ann: Good! The searchlights are shut down!
Makoto: Looks like the plan worked. Time to breach the enemy stronghold.
And to be on guard still.
Futaba: I'm picking up some Shadows...Looks like a few guards stuck around. Add 'em to the KO count so we can move on!
Fighting off more Shadows, items, treasure chests, and some other search lights on the platform floor...don't get caught by the searchlights that are turned on.
Sophia: Be careful, everyone. More searchlights function around here.
Morgana: Joker, you know what to do.
And she gets under, sliding, and moving fast from all of them really easily.
Keiko: No problem.
As Kaguya and Picaro backed them up on the other side and Loki to stop other Gegasites, this was going well for all of them so far.
Picaro and Kaguya: We'll take the lead and make a path. Be careful of the rest.
And getting to the top a bit more, another Helicopter Shadow tries to stop the thieves. This Sentry is known as a Torturer 'or Torturers'.
Castle Captain: So you're the ones defiling this kingdom...You will go no further. Once you are dead, Her Majesty can be at ease!
So these ones are girls, and the guards are all male types. This Shadow turns into a Succubus to fight them off.
Tayla: Persona #28 - Succubus = powers of sharp claws to grow
Futaba: This one's tough! Careful, guys!
Twilight Prostitute: Come now, let's play...
This Shadow needs to be saved into a good Persona by battling it. Avoiding her nails to grow, stretch out long, and such to stab the grounds from hitting the thieves to move away from the many hits. Almost getting their faces cut off or their hairs to be cut a little. Using Akechi's laser sword to push back at this Shadow to not hurt any of his friends.
Akechi: Engarde!
Fast, skillful, and such to back the others up for Akechi to lower her guard down so easily...Allowing for Morgana to use his slingshot to destroy all of Succubus' fingernails and then some wind powers and sword combination finishes the job.
Morgana: Too slow. This went from suck to blow for you!
And then turning into a car, the Shadow was finally done! And for Keiko to heal her right away.
Keiko: Never play on the streets until you look both ways...Succubus - Twilight Prostitute, I've commit thee to join!
All taken care of there.
Twilight Prostitute: Wait...I'm not a slave, I have a free will to choose my own path. I'll leave you guys be.
Funny, this one turned out to be friendly and nice now. All in a day's work to continue moving forward now. Going back down and another way from within Alice King/Shadow's Castle Jail, this was their chance to go on inside.
Futaba: We can get inside from here.
Morgana: Once we get in the castle, we're headed straight for the roof. Are you ready?
Keiko: Yes, let's go.
Going on up now...
Morgana: All right, let's go!
Inside they go into finding the other things to stop Alice Shadow. Yeah, what will they find inside next? Who's to say? Hopefully for the twins to find their answer? Same with Loki? And what of the Phantom Thieves?
Akechi: Are you still well to keep on fighting, Joker?
Keiko: I am, Black Crow. And thank you again for saving me.
Holding hands, they were ready to face anything in their way next.
Akechi: Anything for you. I don't think Alice' Shadow won't take control of you or the twins anymore. I like to see her try.
Keiko: Yes. She's going down for making me almost kill Kaguya and Picaro. (I am no one's toy.)
Inside the castle then...As Alice Shadow had other plans to watch and see what happens next with no dolls this time.
Alice Shadow: Dolls or not to control, I'll always get things done for them other twins and myself in any other way.
Yeah, she's a sneaky one of a material girl. With the other twins Hans and Ellen still watching on the Phantom Thieves on their end...as well as studying their moves from earlier to get everything they needed on the enemies who need to be stopped in order for their goal to be accomplished. With three cores shut off, what will the last one be before stopping Alice Shadow? We'll know more in the next one for sure.