Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #23 - An RPG Rumble
So, you guys read what happened in the last chapter/episode, right? Go read it just in case you guys might've forgotten. Other than me saying this...The Guyver twins are connected to the past 'and the same can be said about Kaguya and Picaro to once be human'; to save their step-sister to have her go missing in some research place by three people; the items were gone too and four the special kids to be living together once – all ended up dead for Akechi and Zen to solve still and see nightmares. A message? And Pandora's Box to find it and the founder first before the enemies do, for the Mistress and Hooded man aid Mother for Ellen and Hans work for them. The old Greek Mythology item was real and the Gegasites were all re-created differently with Ellen still researching the Phantom Thieves for her boss and Hans' sake...she hates the other two aided the main boss. With the Phantom Thieves seeing their first enemy so far, we still have a long way to go. With Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, and Sophia about to head back...
Sophia: [Incoming familiar human face passing by.]
She meant a familiar face for Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, and Sophia to bump into someone again for Keiko to see again.
Morgana: It's Eiko Saitou.
Akechi: Who?
Not knowing of Eiko was really Ellen still, and she did the same thing with the others as the Phantom Thieves.
Keiko: Hey, Eiko!
Ellen: (Huh? Hey, this Keiko Amamiya girl. With some friends tagging along.) Hey, Keiko! Funny running into you again.
Keiko: Same here. You look like you're feeling down.
Really hating Joker for taking her brother away, she makes up something else to say.
Ellen: Ah...All the Ango Natsume fans serve non-stop. Yeah, it makes me sick to my stomach to not like men like him. (Keep it together...! Eyes on Brother only...)
Keiko: I know, right? It's a good thing to have the man I'm in love with here right. And to be married soon. This is Goro Akechi.
Akechi: Hello, Ellen. I hope you find your true love too.
Hearing this of a teenage girl to be married to another male made Ellen a bit surprised.
Ellen: (Wait! These two are getting married?!) Ah, Goro Akechi, yes...I've heard so much about your work. All the girls like you but you have won and have taken your heart.
Akechi: I'm just that kind of guy to find someone like my Princess.
Keiko: You're so kind, Akechi-Cun.
Seeing the love was real for Ellen to imagine herself with Hans a lovely fantasy scene of the running up to each other to hug in a huge flower fields, to then being happy and then close to kissing...Gross! She was happy but not us or me. Soon, someone else arrives to be Hans himself in his human form too name Hiroko Saitou.
Hans: Oh, there you are, sister. I've been looking all over for you. (Good, I made it before she gets to her odd daydreams again.) I'm done shopping.
Acting like brother and sister hanging out on family vacation to hide their true personalities in the real world.
Ellen: (Ah, so much for my true love daydreaming...Oh, well. Soon it'll happen.) Hey, Brother! I'm done with shopping too! And look, I'm making friends.
Sounding happy and Hans to act all ongoing type of guy, seeing the brother and sister like this as real enemies from their true identities.
Hans: I can see that. I knew by going on our one year family trip would make a good memory with new friends. I'm Hiroko Saitou. Hi! I see you and my sister Eiko Saitou are getting along well.
Morgana: Brother?
Sophia: [Hmm...Eiko and Hiroko Saitou...]
Well, something was on Sophia's mind about those two and her AI instincts might be onto something big.
Akechi: Sibling names Eiko and Saitou. From Keiko and I to being engaged, on vacation, and graduating from high school soon to be living together too.
Keiko: It's true...Let us introduce ourselves, Hiroko and Eiko. You know me and Akechi already. This is our pet cat, Morgana too.
Morgana: How goes it? …I mean...Meow?
He is trying to have them not understand Morgana still in the real world, and Sophia to keep silent for now to watch and listen in.
Eiko: Ah...Yep, they are getting married soon with their weird phone playing and a traveling cat, how cute.
Morgana: (I'll let that part slide for now...)
Hans: Ah, lucky girl. Having an ace detective prince like Akechi here to marry with. Lucky you...Put it there, pal.
A good old hang shake gets a bit tighter for Hans to be doing to Akechi's hand. In jealousy...? Oh, boy. Hans will have a girl in his life, huh?
Akechi: Thank you, Hiroko. Wow...What a strong grip you have.
Hans: Likewise, my friend. And your fiance is just perfect and lovely too...
Kissing Keiko's hand to be shocked and trying to be nice to Hans without hurting his feelings 'and without Ellen freaking out over nothing again'.
Keiko: Thank you, but I'm getting married soon. I'm sure you two will each find someone in your life to be with one day.
Sophia: [Keiko not liking other good looking men to hit on her, understandable.]
Akechi has his eyes on Hans like he did with the ace detective prince, hidden rivalry.
Akechi: Yes, I hope you two will each find true love. Who knows, maybe during your trip... (Not happening, Hiroko.)
Hans: Of course, I'm sure to get the right girl for me. And the right man just for my twin sister here. (I think I'm liking Keiko Amamiya already.)
As for the sister herself? Trying to keep her real feelings aside...
Ellen: (Grr...! Brother!) Okay, nice neat and greet here. They're getting married soon, sweet brother. Let's head back to the car to rest up for a bit. Got to go now, you two. But I hope to see each other again. Bye, Keiko!
Pulling out of the area now to leave even by force from hand dragging away.
Hans: Sister, please slow down. Good-bye for now, you two.
Good to play the part of humans to soon make their leave right away back to their hideout in seconds.
Morgana: Sophia? Is there something wrong?
Sophia: [….I'm not so sure right now. I thought I smelled something in Sapporo, but it's hard to tell right now.]
About the twins? Yeah, probably. Maybe Keiko and Akechi felt something too, but they were good at hiding it in the real world.
Akechi: Strange siblings. One looks out for the other to care, a sister could tell we're engaged.
Keiko: Yeah, it seems like it. He's not my type even if I meant someone like Hiroko instead. Sorry.
The two hugged and kissed to be the perfect match for each other.
Akechi: I'm sure you are, Keiko. Eiko will find the right guy like Hiroko will with a girl of his type. I still get overprotected a bit to worry about my Princess.
Keiko: And the same with my Akechi-Cun...Oh right, let's head back to the others. We need to go to the other part of Natsume Shadow's Jail right away. Morgana. Sophia. Let's get going.
Back to Natsume's Jail they go back to then.
Sophia: [Right. I'll contact everyone to let them know right away, Keiko. Leave it to me.]
More to learn about those twins later for Sophia might know something, at least for some parts of her mind. Also, another Confidant Arcana reminder on another familiar character to be Morgana/Mona himself...
The Magician
In French Le Bateleur, "the mountebank" or the "sleight of hand artist", is a practitioner of stage magic. The Italian tradition calls him Il Bagatto or Il Bagatello. The Mantegna Tarocchi image that would seem to correspond with the Magician is labeled Artixano, the Artisan; he is the second lowest in the series, outranking only the Beggar. Visually the 18th-century woodcuts reflect earlier iconic representations, and can be compared to the free artistic renditions in the 15th-century hand-painted tarots made for the Visconti and Sforza families. In the painted cards attributed to Bonifacio Bembo, the Magician appears to be playing with cups and balls.
In esoteric decks, occultists, starting with Oswald Wirth, turned Le Bateleur from a mountebank into a magus. The curves of the magician's hat brim in the Marseilles image are similar to the esoteric deck's mathematical sign of infinity. Similarly, other symbols were added. The essentials are that the magician has set up a temporary table outdoors, to display items that represent the suits of the Minor Arcana: Cups, Coins, Swords (as knives). The fourth, the baton (Clubs) he holds in his hand. The baton was later changed to represent a literal magician's wand.
The illustration of the Tarot card "The Magician" from the Rider-Waite tarot deck was developed by A. E. Waite for the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn in 1910. Waite's magician features the infinity symbol over his head, and an ouroboros belt, both symbolizing eternity. The figure stands among a garden of flowers, to imply the manifestation and cultivation of desires.
With Eiko and Hiroko losing the human look once they go back to their hideout in the Metaverse, for them to play as real siblings to be already for Hans wanted more girls; and Ellen wanted her brother all for herself. Giving the details to the two people to aid Mother for the Hooded Man and Mistress 'those two I don't like the most and the main boss still remains a mystery'. With Natsume and back at his Jail was still doing his part with more Desires to get from people – more of them loving his work, their Shadows into Gegasite slaves, and the Desires to gather more and more energy to find the Pandora's Box weapon.
Ellen: Ah, Brother! What gives?! You're supposed to have eyes on me!
For her to be a sweet girl who loves to do other girls' things, and Hans to be a real ladies' man to have other women Shadows as his own to keep to admire and who to be with forever when a new world happens.
Hans: Ellen, dear sister. We talked about this. I need the right girl to become mine, you're my dear sister. Already loving and caring in my family. Your jealousy is sweet, but I don't feel... "that" way around you at all. I'm sorry.
Ellen: Oh! And you think of Keiko as your own to keep her away from Akechi? Which by the way are they getting married? For what I care about her, they were meant to be together. And you admire her and Joker...
Hans: Any woman who I see looking lovely should belong to me, while Ango Natsume can try...he can never match with my manly skills.
A real pervert like Natsume is and a real out of this world weird of a woman.
Ellen: Wait...For us to find the weirder and the weapon of Pandora's Box to change everything and get everything we want, you choose any girl...Even our Phantom Thief enemies?
Hans: Please, dear sister. What were their names again?
Ellen: For the fighting moves I gathered to show you...There's Panther with fire powers, Queen with venom powers like a snake, Noir with plants of ESP abilities, Oracle as their Navi backup hacker, a new one name Sophie as some psychic doll with less details there, and Joker...She can use any Persona she summons out and some dark magic. A little bit like mine, but I can control toys in my own version. The rest are the twin sisters of other Personas known as Kaguya Picaro and Kaguya Hime...Unknown of gravity and light ocean powers. The other guys are Skull of lighting, Fox of both water and ice, Mona with wind, Black Crow with light powers, and another Shadow ghost named Loki. He has it bad against the Gegasites. It's all because of the two weirdos. Working for Mommy-!
Stopping her to explain why the two other characters who are aiding for Mother are there with the twins.
Hans: I know...I don't like them either. But without Mommy's help, we both would've escape from the murder spree back at the labs. They took us in where we had nowhere else to go. Save our sister and two more...were murder for Mommy and the two researchers to save our destiny to come true because we were born differently. We do this for all of Mommy's sacrifice will make her better, their work successful, our dreams come true to change everything, and find the ones who murder our twin sisters. All of it. She would want us to, to live. Our other little sister we saved.
Still unknown about her whereabouts too, all of this for their own to be saved to do something in return type of thing. But was this the right path they were taking? What really happened to them which caused the lab to get destroyed, their Mother boss to get hurt, and the whereabouts of the three missing girls. Are the other two twins the same that both Hans and Ellen remember or not?
Ellen: Still...They did something for us, we owe them a favor. I get it, Brother. (And there's something I really don't like about them at all...Not like Mommy.)
Hans: Hey, we wanted that life because they saved our little sister's. We needed to control these powers and they helped us out. I don't like the two Bonnie and Claude duos at all, believe me. But the sooner we do this the better. Ellen, I swore we would be together as a family and care for each other, and we will. I need to make this world better after what the other adults did. I need to find true love to make it through life, and make this chance to get back to those who murder our sisters. And you wanted to be a real woman in life to get out a lot. And you will. Toys, clothes, make-up, shoes, bags, and you want to become a queen in our new utopia, and me as king with the many women to have safely here...While the other one bears my children for me in the Guyver name.
Ellen: I don't want that life, and you to be with me, Brother!
Hans: Just say no more...I know, you're scared. But look, with the many I pick to keep, only one will steal my heart to only steal right back. And with the kids, you'll be the best aunty to your future nephew and nieces. Think about it. We'll make it all happen. Let's just see how Natsume-san does his part. And if anything to watch anymore of the Phantom Thieves up close, then I'll let you know. I think I like Joker the most, their beautiful leader.
With Hans going to his own chambers to see some female Shadows under his love spell 'who want him so much' to be alone for a while, this has Ellen worried little at a time almost.
Ellen: But, Brother... (Out of all the girls, you want Joker to make children and...? No! Dammit, I want you though! Keiko, what can I do? I bet you would want this to happen to either one of us, right?)
They need to be a regular family and get out of this mess, that's all there is to it really. Sister and brother in love is gross and a brother to have all the women in his life but to bear his children with one to fall for with their Desires under his control, Ellen and Hans need to remember what really happened from long ago. Were the twin sisters and the other girl really killed? If so, who murder them? Or one of them? Now back at the Featherman Mobile where Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sophia enter back in the Metaverse of Natsume Shadow's Jail they go. With Loki, Picaro, and Kaguya backing them up as always. To Mt. Aoba they all go to and are already transformed...To the dragon gate they go near to have it open up since they have all three proofs and enter the other part of the main Jail in a bit.
Loki: Finally, you guys came back.
Picaro: Is everyone ready to go in?
Kaguya: Yes. And for us to be on standby in the background.
Three keys to use to unlock the next destination to Natsume's Birdcage where the Desires were all at.
Morgana: We've got everything we need. Let's use the proof and open that gate!
Placing the three proofs for the gate to shine, and finally open up for them.
Futaba: Ooh, it actually opened!
Keiko: These Jails are different to get around either way with the three proofs. I think we're getting used to this.
Ryuji: All right, look alive, guys!
Just a few other details to talk about next before heading inside.
Yusuke: Hold on. It's likely the Overlord's retainer's waiting for us inside. It's sure to be a difficult fight. Let's be on our guard.
Ann: Do you think there's more like the Fearsome Four in there?
Akechi: No, I think we destroyed them all. (I'm more worried about the Guyver twins than the Fearsome Four who worked for Natsume.)
Yeah, those guys are long gone now.
Morgana: Black Crow's right. And don't worry, Panther. I won't let them hurt you!
Ryuji: Same here, babe, I got your back...More than the other hot ass of yours.
This has Ann smiling from Ryuji's sweet and silly words there.
Keiko: Let's get to work. The Overlord's time has come!
Sophia: Okay, let's go.
Here they go then further in the garden area of the Jail side, with lots of Sentry of Shadows stopping them. Drones, dogs, and guards in their way.
Sentry: Damn it! Someone stop them!
Incoming other High Pixies, Orthrus', and Eligors to be ready to fight off the Phantom Thieves. Time to attack with their skills and Personas too aiding their masters. Attack!
Futaba: Help me powering them up, Necronomicon. And...go!
Time for them to attack since Futaba and her Persona powers the rest of them up.
Ryuji: Captain Kidd, time to put some shocking feelin' into 'em all!
Ann: Burn them up, Carmen!
Morgana: Blow them away, Zorro!
Yusuke: Goemon, let's freeze and cut them into shattered pieces!
Makoto: Johanna, let's ride!
Haru: Milady, overgrowth them with your many plants!
Akechi: Lend me your powers, Loki!
Sophia: Pithos, time to strike back!
Keiko: Finish this, Arsene!
Down for Loki stops the Gegasites too, and now to the next corner had a stronger Shadow to be ready for them to kill.
Loki: Oh great, more annoying Gegasite fusing the Shadows left here to fight against. What else is new?
But to never let any of their guards down at all.
Awakened Slumber: "The brave heroes approach them..." Who goes there? Who dares disturb my slumber?
Futaba: Oh crap! We got another one!
Ann: And what's up with the narrating?
Because these guys in Natsume's Jail are annoying as some are strong in battle with a name - Doramu the Loyal.
Doramu: Silence, whelps! I am his excellency the Overlord's retainer, Doramu! My liege's castle lies just beyond. Lowly humans such as yourselves have a place in its hallowed halls! Your end is at hand! Prepare yourselves, you foolish, repulsive-looking creatures!
Another transforming of Doramu turns into another giant Shadow who was ready to fight.
Tayla: Persona #39 - Pisaca = powers of body morphing
Big one to also have the power to man-morph his entire body to move in different rotations which was gross and still deadly. Curse powers in between to try seeing with his long eyes, many arms, huge mouth, and many moves to not stop. Only Kaguya and Picaro both take this type of Shadow down together.
Picaro: Hold up, thieves, let us take over.
Kaguya: Save your energies on the other ones to fight against.
Doing so for their fighting skills are fast and good to use material arts moves of sword and dagger and their guns were both double barrel shotguns, with a team up doing so and finally their attacks finish this Shadow off.
Doramu: No! I'm losing! Impossible!
Finish him off now!
Picaro: Black-hole Burst!
Kaguya: Lunar light Waves!
Well, they've done it. For them to do well and take their jobs seriously for the twins to go on ahead, and Loki does the same thing too on killing more Gegasites.
Loki: Heh, not bad for weird women to not piss off. Look, Akechi, I'll take off so you use your new Persona of my other half into good use. See you thieves on the other side.
Off those three go again to back the Phantom Thieves off and they go inside next to do the rest of the work.
Morgana: Once we get in the castle, we're headed straight for the roof. Are you ready?
Keiko: We're ready to go inside, Mona.
Morgana: All right, let's go!
And inside they go to the Sendai Jail – Underground Prison. Again...this scene looks a lot like from one of the Castlevania levels in one of the video game series. From a big room to nowhere to get inside anywhere. Or was there...?
Futaba: Okay, we've made it inside. Let's keep up the pace.
From up top to find a vent, they can crawl around the parts to make it through the other side and fight off more Shadows. Nicely done! And Ellen Guyver flying in from above to watch more on the Phantom Thieves' style on how they fight back as the same as always; with other items and treasures chests to get along the way too with lots of Slimes and Pisacas trying to stop them and more fighting to shoot them all up.
Ryuji: Boom, baby!
Sophia: A direct hit.
Makoto: Please save your other ammo to reload on the next battle we might face off with.
And they do, from climbing around the vents to finally making their way to the Sendai Jail – Castle Entrance up top, they were getting close. And more Shadows to fight off again...
Sentry: Don't get cocky!
Here comes more Pisacas and Eligors with other Shadow Sentries of dogs, drones, and guards to beat up. Time for their attacks to be used together.
Keiko: Team, follow my lead and fight back! Daggers of Darkness!
Akechi: Saber Sword Slash!
Morgana: Furious Fangs!
Ryuji: Raging Storm Clash!
Ann: Burning Claw!
Yusuke: Aqua Typhoon!
Makoto: Venom Blast!
Haru: Lily Whip!
Sophia: SP Piercer!
And that was that to the next room they can get through to the next, of the Sendai Jail – Hall of Trials.
Haru: How far along are we now?
Futaba: We're only about halfway up. It's gonna be a while before we get to the top.
Akechi: Starting things off from bottom to top.
Isn't it like that from previous Palaces and some video games? Jails are probably the same thing.
Ann: Guess we'll wanna keep an eye on our health and stuff.
Into the next room, the Corridor of Diligence...With another powerful Shadow of a Gegasite awaits for their arrival.
Sentry: Don't move!
Six different Shadows for the Gegasites to create...Slime, Orthrus, Pisaca, Lamia, High Pixie, and Eligor.
Keiko: Six different Gegasite Shadows who are in our way.
Well, this one will be easy to do. From the lamp on the ceiling to fall down on top of them, statue to stand on to cut them all down, and then an All-Out Attack finishes them all out.
Akechi: Those guys didn't stand a chance against us. Let's keep going.
And crossing around the hallways 'and avoiding lots of search lights' from climbing and crawling very carefully. Still, watch out for the crumbling floors.
Futaba: Quickly! Move away!
They still make it around.
Makoto: Traps are made here. Let's watch our surroundings and keep on going.
And they do too. They make it at last, at the Sendai Jail - Stairs of Glory and Despair. More Shadows to stop and other items with treasure chests to get, and more hallways to avoid lights and traps all over still. With some invisible floors to walk on some of them...More to go around the castle.
Futaba: We're almost to the top floor. Just a little bit further, guys!
Into the other room next from stopping Berths and Eligors to try getting rid of the Phantom Thieves for their Overlord...Yet again.
Sentry: Go! Eliminate them!
Another Shadow being controlled by a Gegasite, known as War-Hungry Horseman to be both fast and deadly in battle. As the Berth ones were easy to cut their way through...Thanks to Makoto, Morgana, Ryuji, and Haru's skills; Keiko and Akechi's team and love destroy Eligor's weapon allowing for Yusuke, Ann, and Sophia to finish the job for good. The knight has lost his place in battle.
Akechi: Do it, Joker.
Keiko: Alright, here goes. War-Hungry Horseman, I've commit thee to join!
With one Gegasite gone, this Shadow becomes a good Persona and he is set free.
War-Hungry Horseman: Yes, I feel like my old self again. Wonderful, simply wonderful.
Now that was taken care of, the Phantom Thieves move on...Just not through the door to not open up for them.
Ryuji: Ah, again...? It won't open!
Haru: Wait, look up there.
But there was another way through, an opening from a window from on top of the locked door.
Futaba: All clear up here! Nothing to worry about...I think.
Keiko: I see we go check it out.
At the Aerial Corridor then. From climbing on top of the i-beam of the building to get through the other side. There was the main core of Natsume Shadow's Jail – the birdcage, where all the Desires were all in. All the gem hearts while the people's Shadows were Gegasites controlling them as slaves for energy gathering. But they've made it with a few more things to be done next as well as the other three Personas arrived before they did even Loki is consider a ghost Persona to give the second form to Akechi and have Robin Hood; sorry I didn't put that part in if I didn't yet just in case others wanted to know.
Loki: Well, you're all alive.
Kaguya: But they've made it. That's what matters the most.
Picaro: We clear a path on top to show you guys some good news. See?
I guess hearing the voices of Natsume and such from the past to seein the Warden will be happening, by touching the door.
Makoto: This birdcage...It's just the one back in Shibuya?
Akechi: It is. But in some different Jails, this is Natsume's this time than Alice was.
And the reasons for Loki to get more about his people by the Gegasites' doing and the twin girls in their past lives.
Ryuji: Does this mean that bastard Natsume's kickin' it somewhere inside?
Morgana: I'd like to say we should bust our way in, but...How does it look, Sophie?
Detecting Sophia's end on what she can scan around this birdcage. From the looks of it, locks and chains are still all over the birdcage.
Sophia: It looks like it's still locked. We'll need someone to touch it so we can hear the voices in his heart.
Ann: Okay, then...You're up, Skull.
Since Ryuji got hurt for Sophia to have no problem touching it, it was his turn to work out this time.
Ryuji: Huh?
Ann: Well, it looks like it's gonna hurt, and it doesn't seem right to ask Sophie to do it again. Please, Skull?
Ryuji: Oh, but it's cool if I do it?! Panther, please!
Ann: Hey, I still love you. I mean come on, Skull. You're also, you know...tough.
Yusuke: And he's already experienced it once before. If anything, he's the ideal candidate.
If Sophia did it the first time on her own, then it was fine to ask Ryuji to go this time.
Keiko: Be careful, Skull. You're our only hope.
With a kiss from Ann to give to Ryuji on the lips, he kept him motivated to suck it up.
Ryuji: Well, I guess I owe Sophie one here. All right, I'll do it...
Sophia: But I could do it if you want.
Ryuji: It's cool, I got it.
Sophia: Thank you, Skull.
He goes up near the entrance to touch it 'without getting too hurt this time', then they hear the voices from Natsume's past. A very sad one for being used a lot in his work. All because his grandfather was more famous for novels.
Haughty Voice: Sheesh, you'd think someone his age would have at least SOME talent...
Familiar Voice: Like it matters. This kid's gonna make us a fortune...
They were all hearing too loud and clear.
Morgana: Yeah, I'm hearin' voices all right.
Makoto: These voices are somehow related to Natsume's emotional scars?
Sophia: Most likely. We just need to listen to the conversation and figure out the source of his trauma from there.
Ann: So we're looking for something like what Shujin Academy was to Alice.
Yusuke: We should keep listening. There's bound to be some sort of clue here.
The Phantom Thieves and the other Personas listen in some more, it only gets much worse and a little sad too.
Familiar Voice: Sir, try to keep your voice down. He'll be back any minute.
Chief Editor's Voice: Oh, come off it. Can you really blame me for complaining? I'm the one who has to read his crap every day.
Familiar Voice: The kid's got motivation, but that's about all he's got. Seems and talent for writing in that family died with his grandfather. Oh, 'scuse me, can I get another Gatorre Coffee?
Talking while drinking at some cafe.
Staff's Voice: Yes, sir, just a moment.
Chief Editor's Voice: Well, he's still our little money tree. No way in hell we're letting him go.
Familiar Voice: You're terrible, sir...
Laughing about it behind Natsume's back, he heard everything.
Ango's Voice: ...What's...What's going on here?
And that was it for Ryuji to move his hand away, kind of burns afterwards.
Ryuji: ...Yow! Damn, this shit hurts!
Ann: But you did it.
At least his girlfriend rubs his hands to feel better.
Yusuke: Thanks to that, however, we've managed to hear a good amount.
Ryuji: I didn't really get it, but...it sounded like some kinda cafe?
Yusuke: Indeed. I heard one of them say "Gatorre Coffee."
Haru: Right, Gatorre is the name of a cafe chain. But I don't think I saw any around Sendai Station...
And one to be in Sendai itself, a very popular place for other different kinds of coffee.
Akechi: It's still here today. Not the best as Leblanc is, but a good lead like this one is better than nothing.
Morgana: If there aren't a lot of them, it'll make finding the right one that much easier.
Looking at the phone on a GPS map, there was one and only place of the name in Sapporo, Sendai.
Futaba: Well, at the very least we've got a lead on finding the Trauma Room now.
Ryuji: Right, let's get outta here and find a coffee shop.
Heading back to the real world now.
Loki: And until you guys come back to stop the show off Overlord, I got more searching on the Gegasites to do.
Picaro: The same with finding about our pasts.
Kaguya: Good luck on the Trauma Room finding the next Phantom Thieves.
Off they go, same with Ellen to give out more data on the Phantom Thieves for Hans' sake 'with something else on her mind'. With the nine back now and Sophia on Keiko's cell phone, the search can finally begin for the one cafe to enter in Natsume's trauma. Thanks to Zen's help to let Akechi know about a real Gatorre Cafe and only one in Sapporo, Sendai to let Keiko and the others know about it. Once they get their items, weapons, armors, and accessories all in check and recover 'since it happens when you leave to be fine when going back to the Metaverse', the Phantom Thieves regroup to locate this cafe to see Natsume's Trauma Room next – before sending out the Calling Card next for their second target.
Morgana: And the Phantom Thieves have arrived.
It was time to get to work.
Futaba: All right, we're on the hunt for a Gatorre Coffee! First, let's find out how many are in the area!
Akechi: For what Master told me, it should be only in this area only. What luck.
Even Sophia confirms it as well on her end.
Sophia: [Gatorre Coffee...Got it.]
Ann: Whoa, that was fast.
Keiko: Leave it to Sophia's help as humanity's companion and my Akechi-Cun's detective skills too.
From an AI's skills and a great ace detective to get the job done.
Akechi: Where is it located, Sophia?
Sophia: [It's a bit of a walk but I'll be happy to guide you to the destination.]
Haru: You're amazing, Sophia. It's like you were made to be a navigator.
But there can only be one in the group more.
Futaba: Ngh...But being the navigator's my job...
Keiko: Hey, Futaba, don't be that way. You're still amazing as the best navigator.
Yusuke: It's simply a question of having the right person for the right job. Fear now, Futaba. There are plenty of things only you can do.
See? For Sophia helping out on some of the parts, Futaba will never be replaced either.
Futaba: I guess that's true. Nobody else can act like a weirdo quite like you do, Inari.
Yusuke: Who are you calling a weirdo?!
Futaba: Not as much as Big Sis's the best.
Other than that aside, it was time to find the cafe next.
Akechi: We all love Keiko as our leader, friend, and my wife.
Keiko: Thanks, Akechi.
This made Keiko happy for her and Akechi to hold each other.
Ryuji: Damn straight she is...All right, I guess we'll just head over to the cafe, then, yeah?
Morgana: Yeah, let's get going.
Locating the area now...
Sophia: [Okay, I've got it.]
She tells them for the others to find the place, also known as Coffee Shop, to be where Natsume and his co-workers got to drink there. The Trauma Room has to be in the Metaverse of Natsume's somewhere deep inside like Alice was.
Makoto: This is it, Gatorre Coffee.
Yusuke: I can smell the coffee. It seems to be just an ordinary cafe.
From the smell and being famous in Sendai, it must be one of Natsume's favorites. Minus the bad mouthing from the co-workers using his work because of his grandfather's name.
Akechi: The Gatorre Cafe aka the Coffee Shop...
Haru: Are we sure we have the right place?
It has to be the one and only place.
Morgana: We'll just have to put in the keyword and see.
Futaba: All right, let's make it happen! The Trauma Cell's calling our names!
Oh right, this was a new name for Futaba to come up with 'like she always does on some of the things'.
Ann: Trauma Cell?
Keiko: Is this what you're calling it, Futaba? (Same as always.)
Futaba: It is, Big Sis. It's just a name I came up with. "Trauma Room" sounds like some kinda cheesy hospital drama.
Keiko: Well, that's fine. It sure sounds logical.
Akechi: And it seems fitting.
I guess it's Trauma Cell instead of Trauma Room this time.
Ryuji: Call it whatever you want-we gotta roll!
Morgana: The key to opening that birdcage has gotta be here somewhere. Do you remember the keyword?
It was Yusuke's turn to put the keyword down to enter in.
Yusuke: Of course. It's "Prince of Nightmares"!
Akechi: We're going in.
They do and already in their Phantom Thief outfits to enter in Natsume's Trauma Cell, it will be different than Alice's was. What they'll find in it and stop another Warden to get Natsume's birdcage to open up next.
Morgana: It's just like what happened in Shibuya. This is where Natsume's trauma comes from...
Yusuke: What could've happened to him, I wonder...
Keiko: I can feel it isn't good at all.
Soon, Makoto hears and sees something in front of them.
Makoto: Shh! Someone's up ahead!
The people co-workers for Natsume get his work done, or so he thought until he heard them bad mouthing the man from behind.
Natsume's Editor: Are you sure about this? Awarding him the grand prize for THAT? Ango Natsume...The kid's entered every contest, but he's never made it past the first stage. He's as stubborn as he is incompetent. What's more, his writing is so painfully generic. It only becomes more obvious when you compare it to the other candidates.
And Natsume heard the whole thing too.
Ango's Voice: W-What?
And the Phantom Thieves hear it too.
Yusuke: That voice...Is it Natsume?
Keiko: This must be when he overheard them talking bad about him.
Ango's Voice: They can't be...They acknowledged my work...
Harsh there, huh?
Chief Editorship Man: It's fine. He's the great Sogo Natsume's grandson, remember? Brand recognition is a huge part of marketability. Nobody gives a rat's ass about what's beyond the cover. Though a certain someone seems to think he's actually worth a damn.
Natsume's Editor: Poor kid can't even see just how hopeless he really is. Seriously, it's pathetic. Haha.
This was so wrong to lie to someone like this.
Ango's Voice: No...I'm trying as hard as I can!
I kind of feel sorry for this guy, in some parts.
Chief Editorship Man: No skin off my nose so long as he keeps raking it in. We hit the jackpot with that one, and I plan on riding him straight to the top. And if he does by some miracle make something decent of himself, well, then everyone wins, right? Ahahahahahaha!
One gets out of his chair to turn into another Lock Keeper with many swords as his weapons for this one.
Ann: These guys are the worst...
Akechi: Real or not, they got some nerve to crush a man's dreams!
Yusuke: Here it comes!
From the room to become the prisons from the Depths of Mementos like the last one was with Alice, Natsume still has another sad one too. For any Lock Keeper is different in battle to fight against.
Lock Keeper: Write all you want, a talentless hack like you is hopeless, hopeless, HOPELESS!
Ann: This is the same thing we saw in Shibuya!
Keiko: I bet for each different Jail of these Lock Keepers have different fighting skills. Like Alice was, this one is stronger to be greedy. We have to fight back right away, everyone.
Morgana: Joker's right, careful! It's using different weapons from last time!
Trying to strike with his many swords, this has Keiko's shielding to aid everyone from one of her Personas' help. Leaving Morgana, Ryuji, Yusuke, Haru, and Akechi to push his weapons away from the others.
Ryuji: Sorry, but...Not happenin', dumb ass!
Hitting him on the head with his many batting hits, for Haru, Morgana, and Yusuke weakening him more and other Shadow Gegasites step in next. Allowing Ann, Sophia, Makoto, and Keiko to fire lots of gunshots at all of them. As Futaba backs them up with some power ups for the team too.
Futaba: Nice one! Now here's some boost up, from me to all of you. Web Cage!
Now for the rest to use their attacks on this Lock Keeper a beat down.
Akechi: Now, let's follow Joker's lead to defeat this one!
With many hits and weaknesses to give out.
Futaba: Gotta expose those weaknesses!
Ryuji: I might not like that Natsume guy, but...It's these assholes who were usin' him the whole time, right?
Haru: Yeah...I feel kind of sorry for him. They only chose him for who he is, not what he wrote.
Talk about playing someone for a fool because of Natsume's dreams to follow and come true, but cannot.
Keiko: I hate his perverted ways, but I hate him being their tool only! Why?!
Hitting a lot on the Lock Keeper to take out all of Keiko's anger, same with Akechi the most.
Akechi: I want nothing more than to break the people who broke Natsume's dreams. Punching him was one thing, but...This is worse!
Lock Keeper: Authors are just chips in a bigger game! They exist solely for us to win!
Futaba: From what I can tell, his editor was a real scumbag.
From other Shadow Gegasites to kill off and freeing the Shadows, this Lock Keeper is going down like the last one.
Morgana: Blaze of Rage!
Ryuji: Lightning Flash Attack!
Ann: Flame Shooter!
Yusuke: Frozen Waves!
Makoto: Viper Sting!
Haru: Petal of Doom!
Sophia: SP Piercer!
Doing well so far, for some to stop hurting people's Desires to be taken...The people hurting the real Monarchs are worse than some of them are. Yusuke understands Natsume's pain more than those guys do.
Yusuke: I know his pain perhaps more than anyone...For what reason, I refuse to let this go on any longer.
Lock Keeper: Y'know, I said I was in this for the money, but holy hell, reading through this shit is torture! You'd better cling to that name of yours! Way I see it, that'll be all you'll ever have!
What a joke! From there for Sophia to smack this around a lot with her yoyo's skills of hers.
Sophia: It's warping around using sneak attacks...Is this what they call a "ninja"?!
Futaba: Not exactly! Last time I checked, ninjas don't use giant machetes!
Yeah, he does have huge four-like swords in his hands to try killing them off. Not on Keiko and Akechi's watch.
Keiko: Arsene!
Akechi: Robin Hood and Loki!
With the powers of dark powers and light mix in with berserk on their attacks only, this melts down the Lock Keepers' weapons for good. Leaving him defenseless now.
Lock Keeper: Hey, cheer up. You might be a shitty writer, but at least you've got a knack for stringing yourself along! Hahaha!
With the weapons gone, it can still strike back with his many arms to be super strong.
Makoto: It's fast...even without its weapons, this is bad! Be careful not to get caught up in its attacks!
Sophia: Okay! Taking evasive action!
That won't stop from fighting back at all without any weapons of any enemy to put up a fight, still never back down like this.
Futaba: The enemy's defense is down! Go to town on 'em!
With the other taking care of the leftovers, the rest is up to the two lovers now.
Lock Keeper: Even worthless trash like yours can sell. And as long as they're a buyer, I'll be these to bleed you dry!
Yusuke: A sword is nothing if you lack the conviction to swing it! Such a dull blade is worthless against me! Joker! Black Crow! Finish this now!
Lock Keeper: You're my ticket to the big time, eh, "Mr. Natsume"? Ahahahahahaha!
From Yusuke to back up the other members with his water and ice sword move to trap this Lock Keeper, both Akechi and Keiko use their combined attack to finish it off.
Keiko and Akechi: Light and Dark - Energy Blast!
And this wander was done to have the lock and chain removed back at Natsume's Jail.
Futaba: You did it! The warden's down for the count!
That part taken care of there, the Phantom Thieves go back in the main room of the Trauma Cell for their first part was done with a few more to go now.
Morgana: Well, I guess that does it.
Akechi: Phew...It does feel good getting the anger out of your systems in battle.
For Akechi to share some of the people's pain from the bad ones hurt, using, or worse on them...It makes sense.
Keiko: Black Crow, I get it. We all do. Natsume should follow his dreams, with less perverted show off. And yet, these people are treating his dreams so badly on theirs and not his own goals.
Ryuji: We can get inside the birdcage now, right? Better get going, then.
Ann: Wait, but what was that we just saw?
Makoto: It seems Ango Natsume wasn't given that award on his own merit. Those editors just used him for his name.
The truth comes out on how the book is being done on one end.
Yusuke: So there was a secret behind that novel, after all.
Ann: But...he's not a bad guy, is he? It sounded like he entered the competition a whole bunch of times.
Keiko: This is why he has EMMA to take everyone's Desires in order to sell more of his books.
For him to not win until the other men working for Natsume pull some strings to make it happen.
Morgana: And just when he thought his hard work was paying off, he had to hear all that. It must've been devastating.
Haru: Those editors are horrible. They knew his writing wasn't good enough, but they still gave him the prize just so they could make money.
Keiko: Yeah, they're the ones to blame.
And wish to arrest people like them instead, huh?
Akechi: As I said before, they're terrible people. And Natsume is still as bad. But being used is still wrong...!
Morgana: It still doesn't justify what he's doing now.
Yusuke: Nevertheless, I'm beginning to understand how he feels.
A lot more on Yusuke's end to feel the same way.
Ann: Fox?
Yusuke: Black Crow has a very good point. Rising to fame atop stolen ideas, pulling at people's emotions with a fabricated story...Even more, robbing others of their free will, changing their hearts, and wallowing in his own vanity. These crimes are unforgivable. There's no denying that he's been a fool. And yet, in spite of all that, it doesn't change the fact that Natsume spent years giving it everything he had. Creative work is often a lonely endeavor, and battling against that loneliness is truly a challenge in and of itself. And as if it wasn't had enough, if you don't produce results, no one will even think twice about you. One night I even begin to think that such dark and unfulfilling times are all that's in store...Had I taken one wrong step, I may very well have turned out to be just as hideous as him.
He was right, it was all true.
Akechi: Of course...
Futaba: Inari...
Yusuke: It's thanks to your friendship that I didn't stray from the path. He, however, doesn't seem to have anyone. Natsume should know better than most that there's no meaning in superficial glory. And now he's turned his back on what he truly wants to write for the sake of spinning this infernal novel of lies...Someone needs to bring him back to his senses.
All of this to save Natsume by changing his heart and freeing everyone else's Desires.
Futaba: You seem pretty motivated this time around, Inari.
Yusuke: As one who's dedicated his life to art, I simply cannot condone his actions. Now, let us bring this to an end. We'll send the calling card, then wrest the Overlord from his throne!
Well said, Yusuke. From there for the others to agree and Akechi to pat his friend on the back.
Akechi: From one artist in painting and an author on novels, you're right. Fox, we'll make things right. By teaching Natsume a lesson before his editors are next.
Keiko: Then let's head back to plan out for the calling card next. (The question is, how are we going to send it? This one won't be so easy to do.)
From the Trauma Cell and back to the Real World again on the next part at hand. For Yusuke to feel Natsume's pain, he gets it. So do the others for Akechi almost feels sorry for the guy almost 'on some right parts'. With Ellen giving the other data to Hans to be admiring his other girls, and soon to have Joker in any other way...
Hans: (Soon Joker, I will have you all to myself and the other girls on hold. Just in case...I think I finally found the woman I will love to make a future with, me and her.)
Not happening, dude! For Ellen goes into her own room to use a big stuffed bunny to beat up for her rage on Joker the most was making this woman jealous over nothing yet again.
Ellen: (Grr...! Brother...Damn you, Joker! While the battle with Natsume pervert is happening, you thieves are going down one by one and your little Persona friends too.) And without Joker and the other women around, Brother will finally be all mine and proud of me, his sister. Hahaha!
Ew, so annoying...! And Hans is so gross compared to Ellen's too much in love with her own twin brother. Now back in the real world, it was planning time.
Ryuji: Okay, all that's left is the calling card.
Morgana: Right. We need to make Natsume aware that we're coming to steal the Desires. That should materialize them even if the Gegasites gathered a lot of them so far.
Makoto: We'll need to decide how we want to do it. What's the best way to make sure he gets the message?
Yeah, this part to send Natsume the Calling Card might be a bit harder to do than Alice was easy by luck.
Keiko: Well...We can't send him by email or directly in person either...
Akechi: I would, but after punching him...It was still worth it. Then maybe what we did in Shibuya?
Still imagining a chibi cartoon of Akechi punching Natsume in the face to be silly on Akechi's mind in a bit there. Ha! Funny...
Futaba: Email? Nah, he probably gets tons of fan mail. If he ignores it, we're sunk.
Keiko: And the one we did in Shibuya wouldn't be good either...Any other ideas in mind?
Haru: Hmmm...What do we do?
Soon to hear some little boy crying in the area, he must be lost.
Lost Child: Waaaah! Mommy!
Akechi: A child with no mother or father?
Makoto: He could be lost, maybe? I'll go take a look.
Keiko: Wait, Makoto. I'm worried for him. I'll go too.
Two girls approaching a little boy would be fine to do. But before they could do anything, Zen appears to aid the child instead.
Akechi: Master?
Zen: Hey, what's wrong, kid? Oh, you got separated from your mom, huh? Don't worry, I got you.
Surprising to see more of Zen's soft side, huh?
Morgana: Is that...Zenkichi?
Ryuji: What? Gramps was already here?
Keiko: Aw, and he's helping the little boy out.
Calling for other officers to locate the kid's mother right away.
Zen: Hey, it's me. I got a kid who was separated from his mom here. Send someone over to look after him, would ya? I'm over at...Huh? Whaddya mean it's not worth PubSec's time? Quit screwing around! You call yourself an officer of the law?! My student Goro has better duties than you do! Or are you saying you'd abandon your own kid, too, is that it? A lost kid's no joke, you know!
And him yelling on the phone and in public made the child a bit nervous.
Lost Child: Ngh...
He walks away for Zen to take care of him right away.
Zen: Hey, wait, where are you going?! It's okay, I'm not gonna hurt you or anything!
Everyone looks at Akechi to have one thing on each of their minds...
Akechi: Master's very nice around children, really. It's how he took me in.
Futaba: Yeah, right. The kid totally thinks he's a creep...
Akechi: He doesn't control his indoor voice so well. (That's my Master for you.)
This has him smiling for Keiko to see how much Zen means to Akechi. Soon to join with the others after finally aiding the kid back to his mother, it was time to plan out the Calling Card to send to Natsume.
Zen: That kid sure made things difficult. He didn't have to run away like that, right? Right? Goro?
Akechi: Please don't ask me...
Futaba: You're not exactly cute and cuddly, Gramps...Honestly, I don't blame him.
Ouch, way to make Zen feel much worse there.
Zen: Will you stop calling me Gramps.
Keiko: But I don't...
Still, Zen arrived to aid the Phantom Thieves once again.
Morgana: This is perfect timing, though, actually. Let's ask Zenkichi what he thinks.
Zen: Sure, we're supposed to be working together anyway.
Makoto: We're all set to go inside Natsume's Jail. There's just one thing left to do. Only problem is, we're not sure how to send out a calling card.
He learns on how thieves leave their calling card before stealing something, it works a bit differently for the Phantom Thieves.
Zen: Calling card...? Oh, you mean that thing you guys did with the screens in Shibuya? If you want my advice, you should avoid any high-profile stuff like that. The police aren't that stupid-eventually you'll get caught. I know I'm supposed to help you and all, but I gotta draw the line at breaking the law.
Akechi: He is right, the law is still the law.
It would be hard to break, or was it...?
Futaba: Hmm, so the adult's the voice of reason here. You really are a Gramps, you know that?
Keiko: Sorry, but we all got jobs to do right, Zenny? Stop one thing to lead us to another. As well as learning about the enemy of the twins you and Akechi are still solving. The Persona girls as well, sorry...He had to tell us.
At least he was still on the case and the enemies aiding the real mastermind to be left unsaid still.
Zen: *sigh* Yeah, I know he did. I want to solve it too. And you're pretty set on calling me Gramps still, aren't you?
For the others, Keiko and Akechi are.
Akechi and Keiko: Sorry.
Zen: ...Whatever. My point is, go with something simpler.
Haru: We need a way to guarantee that Natsume will read the calling card...Maybe if we knew where he was going to be, we could set something up before he arrived...
Soon Sophia had something in mind again.
Sophia: [In that case, I've found just the event.]
Keiko: Then please tell us, Sophia.
Sophia: [Natsume is holding another book-signing at the bookstore near the station. Natsume will most certainly be there. It starts as soon as the store opens at 10 a.m.]
From the morning hit to then making a move at night time next.
Ryuji: Ooh! That sounds doable. I bet it'd be easy to set up if we roll in at night.
Zen: Hey, didn't you hear what I said? Breaking and entering's a crime, you know.
Futaba: Well, that's where you come in, Gramps.
Zen: Huh?!
It would seem for Zen to be their only hope to pull the whole thing off.
Akechi: Since I can plan things out, I can lead you, Master. I wish not to do something reckless without your approval.
Ann: Yeah, he's right. If we did it and got caught, they'd lock us up.
Zen: Goro, come on! They'd lock me up, too!
What other choice did they have?
Ryuji: You sayin' you can't do it? Some help the police but Akechi turned out to be.
Akechi: Ah, thank you, Ryuji...?
Futaba: Wasn't the deal that you'd cooperate with us? I thought adults kept their word.
They all got Zen there, so he'll help them out.
Zen: Ngh...You kids...
Yusuke: All right, it's settled. I will go and prepare the calling card.
Makoto: Are you sure, Yusuke?
He didn't mind for Makoto to check her boyfriend to still work with the others.
Yusuke: It's fine, Ms. Makoto. I want to do this one.
Morgana: Yeah. You got this, Yusuke. That goes for you too, Zenkichi. We'll leave the planning to you.
Akechi: And I can at least aid you.
Keiko: We're counting on you, Zenny. You've got this.
Hey, one helping out after another one here, you know...? That's how it goes.
Zen: Thanks, Amamiya, I guess...Am I seriously gonna go through with this?
Akechi: You're the best, Master.
And so the plan goes up for Yusuke to write the Calling Card, Akechi to back up Zen, and he does the rest of the work for the Phantom Thieves. They have to pull this whole thing off very carefully. Back at the Featherman Mobile to be ready for tomorrow.
Morgana: Natsume's Shadow will get a visit from the Phantom Thieves, we will pull this off. All of us to save everyone else's Desire to go back and stop the Guyver twins too. We'll find our answers soon.
Keiko: And get the third medallion, Morgana, don't forget.
Morgana: Right, Madame Keiko.
Resting up to send the calling card, Zen to help them out, Yusuke to make it, Akechi to plan things, and Natsume to see them all in the morning. For later, the Phantom Thieves will change his heart and save everyone's Desires too for no more fans buying his books! As Ellen Guyver will also be there too against the female thieves to stop. Well, let her try! Time to end this novel's made up crap for good.