Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #21 - Magical Stones and the Fearsome Four
From finally getting Natsume's keyword to enter his Jai world in the Metaverse from his book name – Prince of Nightmares, the Phantom Thieves go there to get the three cores from his Birdcages and then to his main Jail to free people's Desires and becoming Gegasite slaves from this world and back in the world. As well as wasting their money on his books a lot 'to other girls falling for him a lot'. The first was to get one of the orbs to get one gate to open up to the first one, the next one was somewhere from the river side, as well as fighting Doma of one of the Fearsome Four to defeat as Natsume Shadow/King's henchmen; for Keiko/Joker, Akechi/Black Crow, Morgana/Mona, Ryuji/Skull, Ann/Panther, Yusuke/Fox, Makoto/Queen, Futaba/Oracle, Haru/Noir, and Sophia/Sophie to continue to move forward. While Kaguya and Picaro both do the same thing, as well as Loki spying on Ellen who's spying on Team Phantom aka Team Phantom of the Phantom Thief of Hearts. So without Yusuke buying Natsume's book, they wouldn't know what they had to do. So finishing the three trials and stopping three more of the Fearsome Four will get them somewhere soon. With Ellen finding the strongest fighter and Loki to follow, one of the twins follows a different path 'since there was no other danger to be around for the time being'.
Kaguya: Picaro?
Picaro: Kaguya, follow me. I felt someone familiar just now. I know you did too.
Yeah, for those two might know something about Ellen. And what about Hans?
Kaguya: ….! You're right. Then let's follow it. Loki might be way ahead of us already.
Picaro: We'll worry about him right after we follow this...whoever this person is. Come on!
Meanwhile with the Phantom Thieves….
Haru: So now that we've defeated Do...Domu?
Keiko: I think it was Doma, Noir.
Haru: I see...Well, as I was saying...Do you think we can use the checkpoints again?
One can never be too careful to save in those spots only.
Futaba: Oh? Ooh! They're working again! Perfect! With these, we can heal, re-stock on things back in the real world at any time, and we will be good to go back here again. So there's no rush this time.
Morgana: We should do so if needed just in case.
Akechi: I say we keep going to our next destination then. (Strange...Why do I get a feeling we're being watched?)
Like his Persona Loki, Akechi was on to something and the twin girls. Out of the Sapporo downtown and moving on further, while also healing HP and SP. For more items, treasure chests to open up, or unlocking, and fighting more Shadows along the way to still give it their all.
Keiko: The more things we find, the more money we can get by selling them.
Sophia: That sounds fun, Joker.
Well, that's how Keiko has been doing from Iwai's shop once, Tae's clinic, and other stores too. Sophia's Shop online was a real lifesaver for all of them. Arriving at the next area of the Jail, it started to rain since they took one of the orbs to let this happen – the light to fade away and rain to happen automatically 'just like magic'.
Keiko: Is it...Raining here?
It sure looked and felt like it from every rain drop falling down.
Sophia: I see...Is this what they call rain?
Haru: It just started pouring all of a sudden. Maybe this is the place we're looking for...
Area of the land's name and such makes sense.
Yusuke: It certainly matches the "land of rain" moniker. No doubt the orb is somewhere nearby.
Akechi: I think it's closer than we think.
Turning around the area on the right side, another church type of building, the other orb was inside like the first one was.
Futaba: Whoa, what's that?!
Ryuji: Good call, Black Crow. It sure looks suspicious...Think that's our target?
Morgana: It could be a trap. But we don't have any other choice. Don't let your guard down.
Heading inside almost, for Morgana stops to feel something very familiar to him when it comes to any types of treasures.
Keiko: Mona...? (Oh, I remember the look there.)
Morgana: Hm?! I'm sensing what feels like treasure...There!
In this game, it's a big giant red gem that is glowing and flying around all over the place.
Keiko: Treasure Demons...I remember those.
Akechi: This one is much different than the Palaces were.
Sophia: Is that jewel...alive?
Looks like it alright. Same old Treasure Demon or Treasure Demons to show its true form a little to start running away.
Morgana: It's a Treasure Demon! Get it before it escapes!
It's like the last one to all be the same thing, but with different color gems. For Keiko to strike at it with her weapon and Akechi backing her up, the others attack it until it is down for the count. They're easy with a few second time limit.
Ryuji: Ah...Such good times.
Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru: We know.
First time for Sophia to see it more for herself.
Sophia: What was that?
Morgana: They're a rare type of Shadows we sometimes see in the Metaverse. We call them Treasure Demons. Taking one down can net you all kinds of big rewards.
A lot to learn from the original game and to this new one here.
Sophia: I see. I'll be sure to remember these Treasure Demons. So if we see one, we should try to defeat it like the one just now?
Morgana: Right. They're quick to run away, though, so you gotta be careful.
Tayla: Persona #34 – Treasure Demons + Precious Pink, Diabolus Jewel, Frozen Blood, Vanitas, Apple of Rage, Amulet of Heroes, Abyssal Bezoar, and Sacrificial Offering = powers of more money
But that's not all, another Dire Shadow appears in this Jail Metaverse to create powerful thunder clouds of strong sounds and electrical blasts for Ryuji to shield the others quickly and Keiko's other Personas.
Snake Man: Intruders must die!
Remember, with these Dire Shadows are controlled by the Gegasites to create insane Shadows who are under their spells.
Ryuji: Geeze, another Dire Shadow?!
Ann: Skull, thanks for the save and all...but don't lose focus!
Tayla: Persona #35 – Raja Naga = powers of thunder sounds and electrical pulses
Man, this Shadow means business to be powerful and fast. For Sophia's yoyo's stops this thing for Ryuji to finish with the rest with his lover's help on their combined powers. But first, the staff had to be taken out of his hands, with a gunshot to drop it by force.
Akechi: Bang. Panther! Skull! Attack!
Ryuji and Ann: Let's do this!
All together now...
Ryuji: Raging Storm Clash!
Ann: Burning Claw!
The power of their love combined with lighting and fire did the trick to put the burn and shock all over Raga Naga's body, leaving Keiko to do the rest.
Keiko: Nice job! I got this one. Snake Man, I've commit thee to join!
And that did the trick to destroy the Gegasite and freeing this Shadow into a good Persona.
Snake Man: Right, my apologies. I'll leave now.
Now they can move forward to go inside...or try to. But it was locked because Ryuji tried everything to get it to open up. Pushing, pulling, knocking, punching, kicking, using his weapon to break it down, gun shots, attacks, and nothing wasn't happening still.
Makoto: Skull, please stop...
But Akechi pulls Ryuji away from the locked door very slowly and calmly.
Akechi: Take five.
Ryuji: Oooof...Dammit! It won't budge!
Ann: And keep doing it was more helpful!
Ryuji: I was just tryin' to help.
So now what? Other than that they see another way around by climbing on top of a building to get around it.
Futaba: Why don't we just go up there to get through the window. See?
Sophia: Yes, it'll be a shortcut to us.
Ryuji: Ah...Seriously?!
So they take their chances to do so.
Keiko: Then let's get to climbing our way inside. And Skull, you did try so please don't worry about it.
Up they go next from a little shot cut as well as fighting their way through search lights to not get spotted by any of them, or the security's levels will go up higher to be a bad thing. And fighting off more Shadows too. With another giant Shadow to be High Pixie and her army to stop the Phantom Thieves.
Prankster Leader: Alrighty then...Let us play! Let's play!
Watch out for any nuke powers to fire at. From gun shooting of the Phantom Thieves' skills, fighting, and then it was Haru's turn to use her All-Out Attack next.
Haru: This is your End!
And boom it was hit, for Keiko does her part next.
Keiko: Prankster Leader, I've commit thee to join!
Prankster Leader: Well, that was a lot of fun! Let's do this again sometime. Bye-bye now.
She seemed a bit friendly there huh? And around the other side for the Phantom Thieves to sneak around back of the building, and what luck to find a broken glass window of the church building where the other orb was at. This was the only place to sneak inside in to make it count, here we go then for the Ominous Rain Orb has been obtained.
Akechi: Well this task has been taken care of smoothly.
And then another Sentry arrives.
Sentry: Hey! What are you doing?!
From a Robot Dog Shadow, turning into another Berith with other ones, High Pixies, and Slimes aiding him to fight off against the Phantom Thieves. These Sentries are also known as Hound or Hounds. From the ice shards sticking from the grounds and a hanging lantern hanging from above them to shoot, and then dropping it down to the ground. Boom! Right below them! Leaving the building, they got all two stones they needed to go back to the entrance of the first birdcage.
Keiko: Nice work, everyone! We're doing great.
Makoto: We've got both the sun and the rain. Let's get back over to the tower.
Good thing from getting the stone now stopped the rain in the area.
Ann: Oh, hey. Did the rain stop?
Akechi: We did take the stone of the rain after all.
Ryuji: Oh, yeah, guess so. It's prolly 'cause we took that orb, huh?
Take the sun orb, the light fades away. Take the rain orb, it stops the rain storms in the area. That's how it works, moving on now...From the West Garden Area they were in, to head on to the Sendai World Center next where the gate awaits by placing the two orbs as they key; some of the parts to be done so far. For this world is like one of the Castlevania series, they talk about RPG things while they make their way through the area.
Ryuji: Hey, wait! This place is treatin' us like a party of RPG heroes, right? How 'bout we decide which other's job classes? Y'know like Warrior and Priest and stuff!
Akechi: A Castlevania version like a Final Fantasy video game.
Maybe that, and some to be a bit different.
Futaba: Well, Joker's definitely the female Hero. Queen's the Martial Artist. I guess Mona would be a Mage. Black Crow as a mysterious black knight soldier.
Ryuji: What about me?
Futaba: You're the Jester, Skull. Done deal.
Ryuji: The jester-Wait, why?!
Ouch. Talk about getting burned there.
Akechi: Black Knight? Not bad.
Haru: Does that mean my job would be the Company Manager?
Ann: ...I don't think that's what they're talking about. And Ryuji, you're fine just being yourself.
Hey, it's called playing games here.
Keiko: We're near the gate, so let's head this way.
Arriving at the main gate, it was time to place the two orbs to unlock it to enter inside to get the first Natsume Shadow's first Birdcage Cores.
Morgana: Okay, let's try pulling the orbs where we need to go.
From the sun and rain orbs for Keiko to do, it works to be opened.
Futaba: Ooh, it worked!
Yusuke: So the proof is in here. Let's have a look inside.
Here they go for the first core to get...With the Phantom Thieves stopping for another Cognitive shows up, another member of the Fearsome Four to be a woman. It's all of the people Natsume was with from the party, right? It has to be.
Laughing Woman: Hohohohoho! You've done well to make it this far, chosen heroes!
Ann: Whoa! Where'd she come from?!
Makoto: Can we assume this is another one of the Fearsome Four?
And it was best to be on their guard here.
Akechi: I figured one would be a girl?
Keiko: Like in other video games' mini-bosses?
Akechi: Something like that?
If you RPG players get it like I do, then it does make perfect sense.
Laughing Woman: That is correct! I am indeed one of the Prince of Nightmares' Fearsome Four! You may call me Ante! If it's proof you're after, you'll have to defeat me! Still, you would do well to avoid mistaking me for a pushover like Doma!
And they still keep forgetting Doma's name but Futaba, Keiko, and Akechi.
Haru: Doma? Who was that again?
Futaba: That jerk we clobbered earlier, the first of these Fearsome Four creeps.
Keiko: It's not hard to remember Doma's name.
Then Ante says something to her enemies.
Ante: *giggle* I'll let you in on a little secret...Doma was the weakest amongst us of the Fearsome Four. My power far exceeds his! Your doom is nigh!
Ryuji: Right...Sorry, we kinda already knew that.
Lame dialogue here, huh?
Makoto: Well, it looks like we'll just have to fight her.
Keiko: (Lame or not, they are powerful in battle.) You're no match for the chosen! That proof is ours, so move it!
Ryuji: Man, Leader Babe. You're really into this...
They were only fighting their way through this mess.
Ante: Come! Let's begin!
She then turns into Lamia Shadow to be bigger, it was time to fight.
Tayla: Persona #36 – Lamia = powers of shard making elements
From Lamia's powerful shards popping out of the ground, Keiko had her fire powers of a Persona and Arsene to burn this witch out. From cutting shooting, for Haru to cut, Sophia's fighting skills, and Makoto's final venom to punches finish the job. For real girl power!
Makoto: Taste my Fist of Justice!
Talk about skinning...Or rather, almost melting her entire body there.
Keiko: Never make fun of Queen at all when she's in a bad mood.
Sophia: Got it. I'll make note of that.
For the other Shadows of Gegasites, Yusuke water/ice cuts them all done in seconds. They beat the second of the Fearsome Four.
Ante: Haha...Well done, chosen heroes...I admit defeat. I will open the door for you...I wish you luck on the rest of your journey. Farewell...My darling...
She was gone, who also had a crush on Natsume Shadow. With the other way out of the door opened, and the Prison Keep of the first one they go up to.
Futaba: Ugh, he's doing one of those sentimental plot thread things...
Akechi: A very sad acting I've ever seen.
Morgana: Come on, let's get that proof!
Running down the stars to reach Natsume Shadow's first core to see and get from the Prison Keep/Birdcage. Whatever they're called. For the first item was - Prince of Nightmares books 'of course'.
Futaba: Is this the "proof" we need?
Yusuke: Most likely. Still, this is...
Akechi: One of his famous books.
No doubt, it's the Prince of Nightmare's to be one of the main core things. Make sense.
Makoto: "Prince of Nightmares"...This is Ango Natsume's novel.
Ryuji: Again with the book? Why would that be what we need?
Haru: Do you think maybe it's one of the Jail's cores?
Ann: You mean like back in Shibuya?
It must be from the scene and Jail Metaverse of Natsume's.
Keiko: That must be it. A video game, Anime, and Manga book series combined into one.
Only like in Shibuya was, this was in Sapporo of Sendai this time.
Morgana: Yeah, that's gotta be it. They're essentially the Monarch's source of power. Looks like keeps and cores are a few things these Jails have in common.
Sophia: So if we need two more pieces of proof...Then we'll have to find the other two Prison Keeps.
Yusuke: Fox, do you have any hints on that?
Akechi: Since you bought Natsume's book, you're the only one who can guide us to this mission.
He was, for him, looking up at the next location.
Yusuke: According to the book, the other towers are somewhere beyond the land of rain.
Keiko: The place where it once rained.
Makoto: Then, we'll have to go back to that rainy area.
Then they go back from the second orb they got.
Morgana: All right! Back to it, everyone!
Down they go on the pole to slide down, as they head back to the area they left at, all over again for a maze type of Jail this is.
Makoto: I wonder if these Jails are bigger than Palaces...Bet it'd be nice to cruise around here on Johanna.
Leaving the Sendai Center World area, next up was back to the West Garden. Arriving there in the city to see one of the outside mall gates to once be closed, then it automatically opens for getting to the next area alive.
Ryuji: Whoa! The door just opened up for no reason!
Yusuke: Perhaps it's because we proved we're worthy of passage.
Like in other video games. You beat one of the levels on one side, the rest you can move on forward. Seeing from afar is another path to go straight ahead.
Morgana: Hm? What's that?
Akechi: A light beaming down from this side.
Ann: It looks like some kinda light...
Keiko: Panther, I think you're right. It is.
Beaming on to something from the direction they needed to go to, so they went to check it out. Moving a bit, for Keiko felt something strong from above with her Third Eye's powers.
Keiko: Security cameras here?
Lucky for Akechi shooting one of them, Keiko does the rest.
Akechi: Not anymore.
Keiko: Yeah, good call. Everyone, keep your eyes on the cameras like those by shooting them down.
A very close call there, huh? No moving on to where the light was pointed down at. It was an orb, only a colorful one of red. Also known as the Infernal Red Orb. What was the deal here?
Futaba: Ooh. Looks like we've found another orb.
Makoto: With how things have been going, we'll probably use this to open some kind of door.
Like finding a color door to use the matching orb of it.
Yusuke: A safe assessment, to say the least. Indeed, this is most likely one of the novel's "tri-color orbs." It says we're to gather the red, blue, and yellow orbs in order to open the sealed doors.
Another saying in the novel again.
Akechi: Another puzzle to do and to unlock. I see...
Morgana: All right, then! Let's look for a door we can open with this.
But before that...
Sophia: Wait! The enemy is closing in!
Incoming Shadow Sentry guard, drones, dogs, and Lamias to stop the Phantom Thieves. Easy to fight them all off, and leave it to Futaba and her Persona to back them up.
Futaba: Cyber Net Strike!
And what a hit for them to see a red door next to use it to open up, it works.
Keiko: Find the orbs, and match them with the other two doors to unlock them.
Futaba: Oh, it's open!
Seeing more Shadows to fight off as well as two sides, a yellow door and a blue door. They must find two more orbs to match the colors.
Makoto: But there's even more of those doors.
Ryuji: Bet these are gonna need orbs too, huh? C'mon, let's take a look around.
Exploring all over the Aoba St. 1st Ward: Arcade begins. And no, it's not called arcade to be all about video games there. Just saying...Ha! Slimes and dog Shadows to beat up were easy for the Phantom Thieves to handle. Seeing another light of a blue orb, this was their chance.
Yusuke: There's one of the orbs. Let's retrieve it.
Just then, of course...Lots of Shadows surround them.
Sentry: Not so fast, heroes! That orb is ours!
Man, even the Shadows and some Gegasite ones sound corny too. From Berith and Lamia armies stopping their enemies...The others use their all out attack and Arsene backs up Keiko and Akechi with his own attack.
Arsene: Now, Joker.
Another duo love to attack, strike, shoot, and finish the two Shadows off.
Keiko and Akechi: Light and Dark - Energy Blast!
With the rest destroyed to get frozen up and cut down. Now they get the second orb for the blue door - Frigid Blue Orb.
Haru: So now we have a blue orb.
Makoto: Which means we should be able to open the blue door. Let's head back.
Heading back to place the blue orb near the blue door, it opens up.
Akechi Open Sesame. *chuckle* It's fun to say it at a time like this.
Ann: Nice, it opened! So all that's left is the yellow orb, right?
Seems like it, to use that orb to open the yellow door. Moving around the area for treasure chest and jumping from one building to the next one were flying orb things. Weird...It was the only way to find the last orb. With some Shadows to fight off, Morgana picks up the last one.
Morgana: Here it is.
Sophia: These are very shiny.
New for Sophia to see. And going back down and using the yellow orb to unlock the door, that was all of them. Now onto the second Prison Keep to get Natsume's core.
Yusuke: We've opened all the doors. Now to enter the Prison Keep.
Morgana: All right, let's move, double time!
Going through to fight a bigger Shadow of Lamia, known as Slithering Snakewoman as a Gegasite takes hold of her.
Slithering Snakewoman: Come, let me hug you all to your doom!
She means business from her shard shooting skills from the ground and huge tail whipping to be mean business. But Ann takes over to burn this one up with her fire power.
Ann: My turn...Flame Shooter!
And she was on fire a lot for Morgana to run her over in his car form to cool off.
Morgana: Stop...Drop...and Roll!
Keiko: Nice one, Mona. Now it's my turn. Slithering Snakewoman, I've commit thee to join!
Another Shadow saved to become a good Persona and another Gegasite destroyed.
Slithering Snakewoman: It was fun to love. Call me again sometimes please.
That takes care of her, then around the corner was another control panel for Futaba to hack into for the other to open up to the next Birdcage.
Futaba: Looks like this way's blocked too. Should be able to hack our way through, though. You guys ready? I'll need you to watch my back!
Keiko: Definitely, Oracle.
They were all ready to defend her.
Futaba: All right, hacking in! Make sure you back me up!
And so they do just that to keep Futaba away from any Shadows to try to kill her, but not happening. Drone ones, dogs, guards, Slimes, Lamias, High Pixies, and such for all of them to handle. Long enough to hack through the door.
Akechi: Oracle did it.
Futaba: And voila! Thanks for the backup, everyone!
Next Birdcage of the Prison's Keep entered, and another one of the Fearsome Four to be number three makes his appearances. A younger man to be the same age as Natsume, of his Cognitive self will fight against the Phantom Thieves next.
Keiko: And yet another member of the Fearsome Four makes his appearance.
Provocative Man: *chuckle* Welcome, chosen heroes!
Haru: You must be one of the Fearsome Four!
They got that part right.
Futaba: More like "Fearsome Snore," if you ask me...
Akechi: Yet, Natsume imagines the worst lines to give to his stronger army.
Provocative Man: I am one of the Fearsome Four and servant to the Prince of Nightmares, the great Kuga! I suppose you must possess some skill if you were able to best both Doma and Ante. But you'd be foolish to assume I'd be as easily defeated as them!
I think they were hearing the same old thing from all these guys.
Ryuji: Didn't the last one say somethin' similar?
Keiko: I'm sure they did, Skull. Same old thing.
This Jail's Monarch is a bit of a show off and not good in acting either.
Futaba: Either Natsume didn't vary his characters enough or he lacked the creativity and started copy-pasting.
Keiko: This is sad...Hey! Hand over the proof and prepare to face the chosen!
They have to fight their way through this next one.
Ryuji: ...Man, Leader Babe. Sometimes you get way into these types of things.
Akechi: But hearing it from Joker's is much cuter than the other Fearsome Four's dramatic acting.
Kuga: Hah! You've got spirit, I'll give you that. I'm starting to like you...Now then, have at you!
Time to fight with Kugo turning into his true form.
Tayla: Persona #37 – Orthrus = powers of spiky hairs all over the body
Now make way for the boys to take over from Akechi quick skills to hold down Kuga's biting and claw attacks with his weapon to try pushing back...
Akechi: Now it's time for the boys to play. A boost up thanks to Loki and Robin Hood's powers combined! Double Edge Sword Take-down!
The other guys join in as well from the statue jumping side at Kuga for these guys give it their all by attacking back.
Ryuji: We got this, Black Crow! Lighting Flash Attack!
Morgana: Furious Fangs!
Yusuke: Aqua Typhoon!
Thanks to those four, the third warrior of the Fearsome Four has been defeated for good. Same old fight, to also same old lame dying words again.
Keiko: Nice work, boys.
Ryuji: Bad dog.
Ha! Nice one, Ryuji/Skull.
Morgana: See? He was some type of Shadow dog, and I'm still not a cat. Okay. Now we just need to climb the tower! Race you guys to the top!
Kuga: Ah...poopie...
Worse dying words ever. Now they've gotten Natsume, the second core thing of the Prison's Keep...It was some trophy, a Soukaisha Trophy.
Keiko: A trophy?
A very special one at that.
Haru: It looks like this core is a...trophy? It says "Soukaisha Awards."
Ryuji: Hmph. Dude probably got this by cheating too.
It was real to give a show off like Natsume. Must've happened when the people's hearts started to change in Sendai.
Makoto: But look at this date...This was definitely before people's hearts started to change.
Ann: So...He won this on his own?
Akechi: It was real. Both Master and I have heard about these awards. Famous authors win big on their hard work, all on their own. Someone like Natsume, I'm kind of surprised.
Yeah, something was off and Akechi knows well from his detective skills.
Futaba: Hmm...I don't buy it if Black Crow doesn't either. You can't win an award just by ripping people off.
Keiko: Good point. There must be more to this award, a lot more.
Yusuke: Regardless, that's two pieces of proof we've obtained.
Two down, and one more to go. With one more trial and the last Fearsome Four to beat.
Morgana: That's just one left. Where haven't we checked yet?
Sophia: There was that door back when we first entered. Maybe we should look there.
Futaba: We did score another piece of proof, so maybe it'll open now. Let's head back.
Down they slide from the pole to the very beginning to get the last and final core, at the Sendai World Center. Next to travel around Aoba St. 1st Ward, only this time to have the gate to be open this time.
Ryuji: Yo, is this it? The gate was closed, but now it's wide open.
Futaba: Okaaaay! One last piece of proof!
Now heading towards Hirose St - Hirose St.: Arcade area; for the last core to get and one more trial, along with the fourth and final Fearsome Four to beat. More security cameras to take all of them down by shooting at them all.
Keiko: Now take aim and fire!
Futaba: One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six. Seven. Eight. And, Nine! Well done.
Joker, Morgana, Akechi, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Haru, and Sophia take care of it.
Akechi: It's too bad this isn't a western Jail of the Metaverse.
Soon to see the last Birdcage where the third and final Core was at, of Natsume, another proof.
Makoto: I can see the Prison Keep, but the entrance is closed.
Sadly, it was locked up.
Akechi: I think it's closed. It might be harder to get it opened somehow.
Futaba: Don't think we're getting in that way. Did the book have any other hints, Fox?
Looking at the novel again...
Yusuke: In the story, the heroes had to walk across an invisible floor to get inside.
Haru: An invisible floor...How do we find something we can't see?
Morgana: We'll just have to look really carefully. Maybe something'll turn up.
And that's by looking around to be invisible to walk on.
Keiko: Then follow me, my Third Eye will find this invisible thing.
From the Third Eye from Keiko, it was their only way of getting inside the place. Entering through the next area, more Sentry of Shadows of many kinds try to stop them.
Sentry: Who the hell are you?!
Some turning into High Pixies to shoot them down quickly, and other swords popping on the ground to use to throw in their direction.
Morgana: Eat...This!
Sophia: I think this is what you call "getting the point", right? Well done.
Moving on to climbing to the top of the strange looking hangers to get from one building to another, and more floating orbs to jump on top of. With more Shadows coming at them.
Sentry: Stop right there!
More Orthrus' attacking them for Morgana blows them away for Keiko and Akechi shooting them up in mid-air.
Akechi: That only took about ten seconds.
Keiko: We're getting good at this thing again.
Jumping around now to also get some items and treasure chests. Some use lock picking too. With the Third Eye thanks to Keiko's help, they've found the invisible floors to jump across on.
Morgana: Joker, try to focus and see if you can't find an invisible floor around here.
Keiko: Don't worry, Mona, I think I found them.
One by one to jump across on without falling down.
Ryuji: Joker found it! Whoa, it's actually invisible!
Makoto: I-Is this safe? We're not going to fall, are we?
Futaba: Nope, we should be good! Let's take these things all the way to the Keep!
From them catching up to walk on top of all the floating invisible floors. Without any of them falling down.
Akechi: I'll always get your back, Joker.
Keiko: Same with me too, Black Crow.
This was pretty cool, huh?
Sophia: Invisible floors...How interesting.
Makoto: Be careful not to fall...
Making another building and a floating ice shard above them for Haru to cut them to destroy other Shadows, High Pixies, and Orthrus' with, the fight was quickly over with.
Haru: Sorry, but we're in a hurry.
Next there was another path down below them to walk on with Keiko leading her team to another path. And around the corner to the open window of the building on the back side...they've finally made it to go inside, the final Keep of the third core was inside, last trial and one more Fearsome Four warrior to be defeated. Ellen was already there to make her move.
Ellen: (Now it's time to play.)
For the last fighters was the strongest one of all the other ones, to be the old man from the party who was with Natsume of another Cognitive version.
Akechi: Joker, someone's here.
Keiko: I know...two of them, but I know one's the last of the Fearsome Four.
Akechi: ….! Him and another one who's ten times stronger compared to this other warrior!
This was new for the others to hear. Where was Loki, Picaro, and Kaguya right now?
Keiko: Huh...? Hey, you're right!
The other saw the old man as the last of the Fearsome Four walking up to them, and the other was floating from above. Known other than one of the powerful enemies of theirs to be Ellen Guyver herself. Remember, for she doesn't know of Keiko as Joker or her to know of the human form Eiko is really Ellen.
Ellen: Oops, I guess I've been found out. The Phantom Thieves, I take it? You guys? Hmm...What an odd group who are getting in me and my Brother's way. Still...I got a job to do.
Right away, this person was new for the others to see.
Ann: A girl...?
Ryuji: And I thought Alice's Shadow was more annoying than this one looks.
Futaba: Wow! Be careful, guys. She's on a whole different level than the last lame-o person is almost compared to.
She was right, now they have to be very careful.
Makoto: Wait...! Are you one of the ones who's trying to find Pandora's Box?!
Haru: She is?!
Yusuke: She's more than looking innocent and goth looking.
Ellen: Ah, so you figured it out. Correct.
Seeing one of them 'for Ellen to introduce herself by Hans' orders.
Morgana: You're our enemy?!
Ellen: Well, one of them. My Brother Hans Guyver and me...his sweet sister Ellen Guyver. Please meet you guys. Because it'll be your last. I'm only studying you guys from your thievery skills against this old man.
Trying to look happy to be around Ellen, she pushes him aside to feel gross out.
Sophia: The last of the Fearsome Four.
Ellen: Hey! Don't touch me! But you can look, pervert. Anyways, go flirt with those girls, they're all yours. Even the one in black. Now go play. You guys show me what you got while I watch.
Yeah, while floating in the air and reading her magazine while watching a fight about to go down.
Keiko: Hey!
Akechi: Wait, Joker! We have him to deal with first, and then this girl named Ellen will stop next.
He's right, it was best to finish what they came here to do.
Serene Old Man: Oh well, more is better than one. Hohoho...I've been waiting for you, chosen heroes. I am one of the Fearsome Four and servant to the Prince of Nightmares, Betero.
Somehow, he is strong and a perverted ladies man.
Akechi: A strong and perverted warrior I see.
Futaba: Wow. Didn't expect an old geezer...As if.
Ann: I feel kind of bad. He looks like he'd fall over from just a little push.
Don't go easy on this old man at all.
Betero: Ohohohoho...But appearances can often be deceiving, can't they? Despair, for I am the strongest of the Fearsome Four! Your journey ends here!
Haru: Well, if he wants to fight, then I guess we don't have to hold back!
Ann: Hand over that proof!
Soon he looks at the other girls. Keiko, Ann, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sophia. Another perverted move to make on one of them. Gross! He liked Ann the most.
Betero: Hmmm?! Oho...Ohohoho...
Ann: W-What...?
Betero: My you're a curvy little thing, aren't you? Ahh, you're a real sight for these tired old eyes!
Now he has done it.
Ann: ...All right, he's going down.
Keiko: Grr...! That's enough out of you, old freak! You dare provoke a legend and touch us?! You sick Pee Le Pew!
Betero: So you all want to play? Alrighty then, let's play!
Turning into another Shadow knight riding a horse, it was time to fight him while Ellen watched up close this time.
Tayla: Persona #38 - Eligor = powers of sandstorm
Incoming powerful sandstorms this guy was making from the speed of his horse and the weapon he swings around with. Man, talk about a powerful mini-boss battle of a mini-boss this one was. The Phantom Thieves better have something in mind other than Futaba and Necronomicon shield to protect them from powerful hits.
Futaba: Hurry! Beat the living crap out of this old man! I got you all covered!
From Futaba having the team's backs, they give it their all for Keiko's other Person armory to push Betero back as long as she could hold on.
Keiko: Damn, this guy's too fast!
Lucky for the weapon he had, Loki rushes in to destroy it right away.
Loki: Here's...LOKI!
Nice hit for him and Akechi gave it their all.
Akechi: Hey, it took you long enough to show off!
Loki: Sorry, but I had to do some more research. One of them is the enemy right in front of us.
And somehow feels familiar to Akechi for some reason...From the flashbacks he's been having and for Loki to feel the same thing he was?
Akechi: You mean Ellen Guyver?
Loki: By now you're having flashbacks on the girl and her brother's past, right?
Akechi: Probably. (I knew something was up with her.)
More on that next, but they needed to fight first for Akechi and Loki to do great working together. Keiko waits too once she slashes Betero as many hits as she could.
Keiko: OK, everyone! Give it your all!
From Ryuji, Haru, and Yusuke to cut through next; as well as Makoto, Ann, and Morgana fire away with their weapons did the trick and destroyed the horse next. Then Sophia uses her attack next to finish this.
Sophia: My turn! SP Piercer!
And one hit on the knight, Betero was finally done for and gone. With another final death words of his to be old and lame again.
Betero: Blerrrrgh...So...It seems it's the end for me as well. Come visit me in the afterlife, won't you beautiful?
Ann: In your dreams!
Yeah, right. Not happening!
Futaba: That takes care of old man ogles-a-lot. Now we just need to nab the proof!
Makoto: All right, let's head to the top!
But before that, Ellen needs to be taken care of before she takes them.
Ellen: Sorry, but since the old fart's gone...It's my turn to show you thieves what I can really do.
Her powers were a bit different to make her own toys mix in with magic into deadly weapons. One being a ball to get bigger to bounce around all over the room to almost hitting them to move away quickly.
Haru: Look out!
Ryuji: Hey!
Morgana: My tail!
To then ribbon pieces turning into mini fire bombs to really burn.
Makoto: What is she doing?!
Ann: These are just toys!
Futaba: Deadly ones!
It was hard to destroy them too.
Yusuke: She's like a stubborn child in a teenager's body!
Sophia: A teenager acting like a child. She sure likes to overdo her toys.
Next was some sticky gum to become a glop one to trap Sophia with and the same with Loki, it was hard to get out of.
Loki: Oh, come on!
Sophia: I am unable to move!
Leaving Ellen to use a doll to have its eyes glow up to then take control of all of the Phantom Thieves' body.
Keiko: Now what has she done?
Akechi: I can't move!
Ellen: Ah, gotcha. Now let's play some more, I'll deal with the bonuses in a bit. Move your leg, then your arm. Then another, then spin, and up, down, left, right, and happy!
She moves them around like a real doll to be silly, and then Ellen grabs the dolls two arms to begin pulling them like she did with a cinder block in half, she was about to do the same thing with their arms next.
Morgana: Let us go!
Ellen: Ah, no...Not until I finish my task for my Brother's sake. I want you guys out of our way for our Mommy's sake and our job to get the holder of Pandora's Box in any other way with the Medallions help. Now say Uncle, or else...Say it...
The more she pulled the doll, the harder it was hurting their arms more and more...But then, incoming attacks from two other Personas to the rescue.
Picaro: Black-hole Burst!
That attack has Ellen move away to have her spare weapons destroyed.
Ellen: Ah! Hey, watch the hair!
The other one releases the spells off of the Phantom Thieves and Loki, no more doll controlling getting caught into something goopy anymore.
Kaguya: Lunar light Waves!
The other twins arrive to also sense Ellen spying on them too, like Akechi to also feel something familiar too from their flashbacks.
Keiko: Kaguya! Picaro! Thanks for the save there.
Ellen: Oh, great. Three helping Personas and ten thieves stopping our plans.
Now this girl was surrounded. Getting some answers from one of the enemies for the first time meeting one in person, they'll get their answers somehow. And will there be some results on what Akechi saw in old flashbacks of the 5 mysterious kids? As well as the twin sisters too?
Kaguya: Sorry we were late. We were being followed by this sneaky young woman. I guess you were right, Picaro.
Picaro: Of course I was, Kaguya. Anyways, we save the thieves and now we want some answers, bitch. Now start talking.
Even from Loki to demand some answers as well.
Loki: Otherwise you'll end up like the old man was!
Seeing how powerful Ellen Guyver was in battle 'to still hate Keiko as Joker for no reason at all', I really want to see how Hans Guyver is in battle when the Phantom Thieves had to face him next. Right...First thing was to learn about the brother and sister's plan with their boss known as "Mommy" on why they needed to find the key to unlocking Pandora's Box weapon and getting all six Medallions. More to come next time.