Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #39 - Ryuji's Words on a Haunting AI
So, from being in Shuzo Ubukata's of his Shadow/King's Jail in this haunted Metaverse of his and to be dead too 'for what Hans, Ellen, Kaguya, and Picaro are remembering from the events four or five years ago'. From Shuzo killed and a little girl name Mia, things are still left unsolved on Akechi and Zen's ends on what really happened. You know? Hmmm...Then something was up for Sophia/Sophie to hear a voice and goes running off; the Phantom Thieves have to go into this type of Jail together 'and stop the villagers from being brainwashed from the ghost himself to be Shuzo Shadow' of this Laboratory Jail of his. With Zen staying behind where it's the only safe spot in the entrance – Keiko/Joker, Akechi/Black Crow, Morgana/Mona, Ryuji/Skull, Ann/Panther, Yusuke/Fox, Makoto/Queen, Futaba/Oracle, and Haru/Noir to get back their teammate and get to work on this. And what about Raiho and Loki to have the other twin girl Personas go off on their own?
Loki: Hey, snowman. Got protect someone who doesn't have powers like Keiko and her lover. I'm going on ahead for this ghost thing. I ain't afraid of no ghost.
And so he does for Loki does his own work again and Raiho meets up with the Phantom Thieves just after Sophia took off.
Morgana: Raiho?
Zen: I take it he wanted to aid you guys?
Nope, he had his sword out to keep Shuzo Shadow and any other Shadows out of the entrances.
Akechi: Something tells me he wishes to protect you, Master, while we go do our usual business.
Zen: I guess so, thanks. Still...It sucks I don't have powers like you guys. Just get back here with Sophie in one piece, will ya?
Ryuji: Leave it to us!
It was up to the Phantom Thieves to do what needs to be done.
Keiko: Right. Loki must've gone off since the twins know something. (Maybe they might be the twin sisters like the Guyver twins. The ones who were sadly killed in the fire and reborn into Personas. We have to learn more for both Akechi-Cun and Zenny's sakes.) Raiho, please stay here with Zenny until our return to stop both Shuzo's Shadow, get back Sophia, and stop this mess of Okinawa brainwashing. Now team, let's move out.
Understanding the littler Persona's task, he stays on guard for Zen's safety for the others take off. Keiko, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru. As Akechi leaves the entrance to be the last one, he had this to say to his teacher/step-father of his.
Akechi: Master, about this case and what you're doing now...We'll talk when the time's right.
Zen: Oh, those things...? One at a time then?
Akechi: One at a time. Stay safe.
Zen: Right, Goro, gotcha. Good luck then. (I bet it is what I think he knows of already. Dammit.)
More worrying there later, it was time to get to work. From the Phantom Thieves' end...
Morgana: Let's go get Shuzo Shadow, Sophie, and find out about this Jail.
Kaguya and Picaro's ends as well...
Kaguya: Don't let your guard down now.
Picaro: Heh. Funny, I was about to say the same thing to you too.
And don't forget about Hans and Ellen too on each different sides of this entire Jail.
Hans: Sister, fight back if we run into any trouble.
Ellen: But do our job still for Mother. Of course, Brother.
While Loki looked around on his own to follow the ghost type of Shadow of this dead person...
Loki: Curse of Okinawa's god, huh? Well, we'll see about that.
And Zen staying put with Raiho and Laze to still be back in the Velvet Room with all of the Jack Frosts, Black Frosts, and King Frosts.
Zen: Go get 'em...I guess. We'll wait then, huh Frosty?
Lava: (Good luck, Keiko.)
Now it was show time. The door opens on its own to go into the Jail with Shuzo Shadow 'as a ghost' to be hiding somewhere from within the entire Jail, for the people to be under his spell after five years now, who's to say yet. With the Phantom Thieves to stand their ground to not get scared from Shuzo Shadow, finding Sophia comes first.
Keiko: Sophie...? Where are you?
Calling out to her quietly wouldn't do any good for them.
Akechi: I feel her out, Sophia's not far.
Still...The Lab Jail to be somewhat burned, run down, rusted, destroyed, with some power on in some rooms, and some type of maze to not get lost in at all. Everywhere they went to and looked around was like a haunted Metaverse to be trapped in.
Ryuji: Dude, what's gotten into her?! Did this Shuzo's Shadow scare her to death?
Akechi: No, she heard a voice. Keiko and I felt something, but that's all. This Jail still remains a big mystery to all of us right now.
So the voice part is still left unsaid.
Yusuke: She did said it was a voice...
Morgana: Whatever it is, we have to catch up to her!
The next room they checked with Sophia in it, no luck to see other parts that were all crushed and ruined to looking around in.
Keiko: No sign of Sophie in here. (What a scary room.)
Ann: What's the deal with the place? It's so creepy...
What about Makoto? She's more scare of these type of things than Ann was.
Haru: Are you holding up, Queen?
Makoto: Ah! Yes, fine. Let's hurry up and find Sophie.
Futaba: Note to self, don't get Queen worked up in horror movies.
Noted. Looking around some more, Akechi felt something on the table. There had some type of recording device to play, rewind, fast forward, pause, and stop type of machine.
Keiko: Hey, look-!
Makoto: AAAAH!
Felt something of a chair to get pushed across the room and hit Makoto a little, she punches it in fear to get crushed.
Yusuke: Queen, it's fine. It was only a chair.
Makoto: Ah...I knew that. Sorry. Joker, what did you find?
Keiko: (Yep, don't make Makoto jump in fear...!) Right! Look, on the table.
Makoto: Hang on, there's something here like she said.
Moving up to it...
Ann: Is that a tape recorder?
Akechi: This is a recording record voice tape from the '70's. I've heard of these before, but never seen one up close until today.
Futaba: Let's see if it works.
Akechi: Yes, please do.
I think Akechi might know what it was. Playing the tape recorder, it sounds static-like to hear a voice in it to be known other than Shuzo himself back when he was working and alive then.
[Shuzo's Voice: This plan brings to fruition a dream long-cherished by the research team-no, by all mankind!]
Hey, the tape recording's working at least.
Keiko: I hear a voice. (Looks like the tape recorder is functional...) Black Crow.
Akechi: It's his voice...! Shuzo...!
No doubt about it all for Akechi to have a good memory of.
[Shuzo's Voice: Every last text subject of the chosen 5 children, a successful change of heart from this project. When the Penitentiary System is complete and the five kids have something we could never find, the concept of suffering will be dead to all mankind for a better tomorrow! I want to change the world for the right reasons! With their help, I can show Dr. Guru's who's right. The four twins and the little ill girl are our last hope.]
Hearing all of this, was a very big surprise.
Akechi: Their only hope?
[Shuzo's Voice: Now, let us rejoice and welcome the new age of humanity! Pandora's Box and it's true wielder! With EMMA to guide us for this special weapon and pieces to unlocking it all, it shall be our guide into this promised land!]
So their were aiding Kuon on EMMA once after she made it and then made something into this event, and then the tapes stop to end like this.
Futaba: EMMA?!
Keiko: Pandora's Box of that device to change everything with those 5 kids?!
Ann: And changes of heart?!
To think it might go any further the deeper they'll be willing to go.
Yusuke: Just as Ichinose said, there was indeed some form of experimentation on EMMA here.
Akechi: The problem was about the wielder of Pandora's Box and the keys to it...How was it done?
That too was very hard to say right now.
Haru: The voice said something about a "Penitentiary System," too...
Akechi: Yes it did.
For some on what Futaba and Akechi with Zen have learned and did so far, the rest was coming together little at a time.
Morgana: I think I understand what they were researching here now.
Keiko: Right...Between Jails and Changes of heart from EMMA, the weapon, the Golden Key, the holder, and the 5 kids.
Makoto: Yes, that would be a logical conclusion.
To hold on to each of the tapes they might come across would be the best choice.
Akechi: Better hold on to this just in case. For Master and for me to see this to the very end.
Keiko: Black Crow?
Holding hands and for him to kiss his woman's hand.
Akechi: I'll be fine, Joker, thank you. Just let me do this. We have to stay together. No matter what.
Keiko: Understood. (He's right. This will be hard to go through it all again for Akechi, but he wants this.)
Morgana: Anyway, we'll talk more about it later, Black Crow. We will not back down from any of this. We need to track down Sophie first.
Never leave anyone behind, or a Phantom Thief member either.
Ann: Right. We have to catch up with her!
Akechi: No Phantom Thief will be left out on our watch.
Ryuji: Dammit, Shorty...Why'd she have to run off like that?
It's nice of Ryuji giving Sophia a code name here to be "Shorty".
Keiko: Let's keep on going then. Come on.
Using their skills for Keiko and Akechi the most, they lead the other Phantom Thieves down further of the Jail. But the deeper they go down on the next floor, the darker it'll get for the lights didn't work so well.
Futaba: Hey, why's it gotta get so dark on us?!
Yusuke: It has grown even eerier as well. What lies in wait ahead of us?
Looking at the map of the Jail on Futaba's end was very confusing.
Morgana: The visibility level's a real issue, but I'm still worried about Sophia. Let's proceed with caution.
Trying to stay close from the dark hallways...
Ryuji: Ouch! Hey, who turn off the lights?!
Ann: Com on, Skull.
Holding hands to get around the Jail, and entering another room to where Sophia stops in this other empty room...but they weren't alone.
Futaba: There! Sophie!
Keiko: Sophie, there you are! (Good, she's not hurt by any Shadow. Or Shuzo's Shadow.)
Sophia: ...
Still, what was on her mind from hearing this voice?
Akechi: You sure had us worried about you. Try to stay close to us without splitting up this time, shall we?
Haru: Either way, thank goodness you're safe, Sophie!
Keiko: You did had us all worried. We're all glad you''re safe.
Akechi: Either way, please don't just run off like that.
Any member always have to stick together as a team. No doubt about it at all.
Sophia: I'm sorry.
Ryuji: You said you heard a voice, yeah? Figure out who it is yet?
Sophia: No, it disappeared once I arrived here.
They didn't hear a voice at all but Shuzo Shadow Ghost.
Yusuke: We never heard anything of the sort but Shuzo Shadow to be some type of monster.
Keiko: I think it's more of a ghost type of Shadow of his.
Yeah, they felt that and only Akechi and Keiko to locate Sophia all safe and sound.
Ann: So only Sophie could hear it?
Akechi: Same goes for Joker and me. It's only a little different for the two of us to sense out.
Keiko: Black Crow's right.
Must be the AI has more of the skills besides the two love birds.
Sophia: I get it, you two are special. But what I've heard, it was very strange-the voice sounded similar to my own...And it was calling my name. Maybe the owner of the voice knows me.
Keiko: A voice calling out to you?
But who could it be...?
Haru: How's that, Sophie?
Sophia: The only memory I recall before meeting Joker is the directive to become humanity's companion. I've traveled so far with you all and learned many things, but I still know nothing about myself. When I heard the voice, I thought I had found my chance to learn about me. I'm sorry for worrying you.
Keiko: You can take it easy sometimes. You're Sophie-no one else.
Akechi: She's right. So what say we look together?
Better than getting lost and killed alone.
Sophia Thanks, Joker. Black Crow.
Morgana: I've got a feeling we can learn more about you right here.
Sophia: Huh?
Oh, sounds like Morgana was on to something big.
Yusuke: What makes you say that?
Morgana: I've been thinking for a while now...Jails, Gegasites, Six Golden Keys of the Golden Key of Sages, Pandora's Box, the wielder, Sophie-I keep looking for some kind of connection...We found Sophie in a Jail, right? EMMA was linked to that Jail. And Sophie is an AI like EMMA. There's no way these are all coincidences. Something has to link all of these things. I had hoped we'd eventually come across the answer if we investigated the Jails we found.
Akechi: With the five kids with powers and what happened to Shuzo, yes...There has to be a connection.
So Sophia had something to do with the events here and other parts with EMMA too?
Yusuke: I see. You believe these things have a uniting factor.
Morgana: Not only that...I, at least, kind of know what Sophie's going through. Not knowing your identity, or your past...It's rough. So let's join Sophie in hunting down this mystery voice and stop Shuzo Shadow...Or ghost...or...whatever he really is in Okinawa.
Keiko: It's fine. Mona, we know. We're right with you. Let's do it for Sophie.
Another task to do while also saving the people from being brainwashed, and stopping Shuzo Shadow Ghost. I guess I should call him by that for now.
Makoto: Agreed. For Sophie!
Sophia: Really?
She was happy to hear this to stay close to the team this time.
Akechi: I think it'll help me and Master solve the case here too, Sophie. So yes, we will all help you out.
Sophia: Thank you, everyone.
Ryuji: Welp, now we got three missions! One, take back all the locals' Desires to they stop tryin' to kill us...Two, seeing about the ghost f the guy who made all of this and the other four kids on where they are now. Like the Guyver twins, maybe more with the other sisters...And three, figure out who the hell keeps yellin' at Sophie!
Akechi: The sooner we know about the case, the better. For Master, the Guyver twins, the sisters, and who the other two scientists went to now. Well sad, Skull.
Ryuji: Ah, c'mon...you makin' me blush.
Three things to do in this type of Jail will be done.
Keiko: The mystery, the voice, and the Desires...Let's all do the best we can little at a time.
Ann: Yeah, good idea!
Yusuke: I have no objections. It's only natural for us to assist both the public and our own teammates.
Then the decision has been made!
Morgana: All right! Phantom Thieves, let's get to it!
Keiko: Although I was going to say, "Team, let's move out." But...I'll allow it.
Laughing to get to their next destination to those three things to be done, soon to have Shuzo Shadow to come jumping out of the solid objects to try cutting the others down. Man, he was fast! He roars to not speak since he's dead now to still be on the run and haunting his own abandon Jail.
Sophia: Watch out!
Lucky for Sophia's yoyo's to block Shuzo Shadow's claws to both be fast, he stops to keep their distances from one another.
Akechi: Sophie!
Sophia: I'm OK!
Futaba: Crap! It's Shuzo Shadow Ghost again! Then again, I think we should just address him there...!
About to strike again, but helps arrive for Kaguya and Picaro to come flying inside from some room windows to crash into and strike the ghost down for the time being...
Picaro: Hold it, freak! Don't move another muscle.
Keiko: Picaro! Kaguya!
Kaguya: We got this one! Get going now!
Flying around to striking on the twin sisters now, they give it their all. Akechi wanted to question the two about the past to might have their memories by now...
Akechi: But there's something I wish to ask the both of you!
Picaro: Black-hole Burst!
Kaguya: Lunar light Waves!
Neither of them couldn't talk to any of the Phantom Thieves right now.
Picaro and Kaguya: Go! Hurry, we got this!
Their attacks were having any affect on this Shadow, for now the Phantom Thieves had to make their escape. Hmm...I think they might know what's been going on to not saying anything for the time being. I'm just saying right now.
Haru: We'll talk more later, Black Crow! I'm sorry, but we need to get going now!
Akechi: ….Very well then. (Please don't die on us.)
They have more tasks to be done while the twin sisters try stopping Shuzo Shadow Ghost take them out 'or tries to', so they run into another room from window to window. Akechi to asking Kaguya and Picaro will have to wait for now. Entering the room to be new, lots of Shadows show up for the others to take out.
Persona #50 - Black Ooze = powers of dark musk
Leave it to Ryuji to have a third new attack to use on all of the ooze type of Shadows.
Ryuji: Yeah! Now it's my turn...! Mega Volt!
A total shock of defeat.
Ann: Nice one, Skull! A new attack!
Ryuji: Not bad, huh?
Morgana: Heh. Not bad at all.
Tayla: Also the Confidant for today to post it on here now...From Ryuji Sakamoto and he was the first one.
The Chariot
A figure sits in a chariot, although he holds no rope, he is pulled by two sphinxes or horses. There is often a black and white motif, for example one of the steeds may be black and the other white. The figure may be crowned or helmeted, and is winged in some representations. The figure may hold a sword or wand. The Thoth Tarot deck has the figure controlling four animals.
The mallet, or gavel, on the chariot's coat of arms is a masonic symbol representing self control.
A canopy of stars above the charioteer's head is intended to show "celestial influences".
Ryuji: Damn straight!
Going through a vent to get to the other side since the electrical door is now destroyed to see what else they can find next. Hey, some of the Shadows in this Jail are mess up slime looking one's for Akechi to notice and fight their way through.
Akechi: These Shadows...
More to discover little at a time as they keep on going, through the darkness or some light. Doing well to enter through the next door, to see other Shadows and one Sentry to be standing in their way yet again.
Sentry: Stop right there!
One transform for the Phantom Thieves and them begin to fight.
Persona #51 - Legion = powers of curse markings
This time, it was Makoto to be the last member to have her own third power up to use for battle next.
Makoto: I'm on it! Poison Fangs!
Punches, kicks, gun shots, venom powers, and a lap to fall on top of the leftover Shadows, they were all defeated with a treasure chest to get too.
Yusuke: Beautiful, Queen.
Haru: We're getting stronger every day now.
Futaba: And I like those odds.
This is one way for Makoto to be tough in battle and less scared this time.
Makoto: Then let's use what we can to keep on fighting.
More exploring to do now. With Kaguya and Picaro winning the battle against Shuzo Shadow Ghost...Well, not for long. He outsmarts them to make his escape in his ghost form again. Huh? He wasn't going to kill them? What was going on?
Kaguya: He's fleeing? But why? I'm very lost right now.
Picaro: Then let's follow it before he can hurt anyone else!
Off they go then yet again. The Phantom Thieves go through another vent to the other room.
Keiko: Through here.
Ann: Sooo, this is a research lab for computer stuff?
Yusuke: That's supposedly the case, despite the faculty projecting a "Human experimentation" ambiance...
Haru: Human experimentation?!
Akechi: From those kids who were used from Shuzo's work and Dr. Guru's, it wasn't a good one at all. At least one of them was treating them like tools.
Morgana: And that would mean this place's Monarch views the real facility in the same way...only he's really dead.
Ryuji: Ugh, what an effin' gross way to see shit...One dies, two were killed, and the other two are our enemies of Shadows. Dammit!
Yeah, tell us about it. Next up, was some storage room to still be working with the crane moving back and forth from one side to another. With Shuzo Shadow Ghost on the Phantom Thieves tail, only to be stopped by armies of a Jack Frost, Black Frost, and King Frost to try freezing up his entire body, and Loki to use his powers to overpower the ghost.
Loki: Don't even think about it, pal.
Trying to hold off, but for how long is another question left unsaid for a bit. While back in the storage room...
Haru: So many containers...What do you think's inside?
Yusuke: They appear to be roughly person-sized.
Akechi: I believe some of the people who were being tested on weren't so special, some end up dead in those things.
Not the best way to subscribe it, but it was true on what Akechi and Zen got reports about. Only on paper but never in person until now. Soon, more Shadow and another Sentry appears.
Sentry: There they are!
With this thing ready and other Shadows turned into another one, being a group lion type of statues.
Persona #52 - Shiisaa = powers of speed
From speed, the other cut or shoot down the steps from above to drop on the Shadows and then the Phantom Thieves use their All-Out Attacks on them to be finished. Nicely done!
Sophia: That did it.
Keiko: We just need to find another way to go to next.
Where at though? From the crane to be moving around from one side to another one room from above?
Akechi: Maybe we hold on to the crane here to move us from one side to another? I don't see anywhere else to go.
With one getting a treasure chest.
Futaba: Open up the chest, and see what's next!
Ha! Nice one, Futaba. From one side, another one to hold on to, and then go to again to go under a vent to the other side they all go. More Sentry and Shadows try stopping them with no end. Remember, this is a haunted Jail type of place of the Metaverse they were in to be haunted by a Shadow who's dead.
Sentry: Stop right there!
More of them ready and transforming for this one Sentry.
Persona #53 - Arahabaki = powers of robotics
Stopping them from fighting and gun firing, they were all destroyed. And Shuzo Shadow Ghost makes his escape again after melting the ice to flying away fast.
Loki: Son of a bitch! Fine, you ask for it!
Off this Persona goes and the other Jack Frost members take off back tot he Velvet Room with Lava. While back in the Jail, the Phantom Thieves spotted another tape recorder on the table to listen to a second one of it.
Akechi: Hey, look.
Morgana: Another tape recorder...
Makoto: Let's listen. It may provide us some clues about the lab.
Playing it on what Shuzo does next a bit further...With Shuzo's voice to be heard, and another being Dr. Kano Guru.
[Guru's Voice: Please, Director Ubukata! We must immediately abort the experiment! It's too dangerous!]
Sounded worried, or so it may sound like as an acted.
[Shuzo's Voice: These are the orders I was given. If they system isn't tested on real humans, it won't ever be completed. These kids can help us. I've loss, Mia, I won't lose them this time after coming this far. Dammit, Guru, get it together!]
[Guru's Voice: But-tricking the islanders into participating?!]
Something that Guru said, it doesn't sound right at all. The others were shocked. And what Akechi notice, is like Guru cared less and Shuzo did care from the tone of their voices.
Keiko: No way!
Ryuji: So these guys ARE the ones who effed up the island!
Yusuke: I heard a "Director Ubukata." I believe that means one of the speakers is Shuzo Ubukata.
Akechi: Both him and Dr. Guru. (Instead of Shuzo sounding insane, he is very caring. But Guru sounds more twisted.)
Morgana: "The orders I was given?" What did Shuzo mean?
What else does it say?
[Guru's Voice: You know what happens to a person when their Desires is taken, Director! I'm saying this because I want to keep going!]
[Shuzo's Voice: We've learned of another party manipulating the cognitive world for their own purposes in the real one. Think of these kids have been through. The people treated them worse than they have powers to be born with the them. I want to help others, not to see everything go to hell! There has to be a change, for Goro's sake after losing his mother!]
So it was around the time Shido murder Akechi's mother.
Akechi: Mom...
Keiko: Oh, Black Crow...
Continuing to listen so more...
[Guru's Voice: We cannot allow these individuals to progress beyond us!]
[Shuzo's Voice: So long as we follow the divine revelation, we will attain the ideal society. I need Pandora's Box. I have absolute faith in the system as it was prophesied to me. We're doing this for a good change!]
[Guru's Voice: What ideal society turns its entire population into slaves?! This isn't any divine revelation-it's a curse! It can only lead to our destruction! I need this now! If not me, then who? Not you at all-!]
And the video tape ends there.
Keiko: It stopped. (The recording ends there...)
Another tape to hold on to.
Akechi: Master has to listen to all of these. (What happened between Guru and Shuzo on that day?)
Shuzo wanted to help out, while Guru wanted a lot more he had no control of.
Yusuke: While still rather fuzzy, we are starting to see the big picture.
Morgana: yeah, this lab was researching Jails and changing people's hearts from Pandora's Box to use for good with the children's help. Or from one of them.
Haru: And they used the island's residents as their test subjects...
Futaba: We did see that email earlier about joining the EMMA test.
From the tape and putting the pieces together little at a time.
Haru: They both mentioned a "divine revelation," too...Could that have something to do with Operation Oraculi?
Keiko: From the test subjects, weapon, something unleashed, what happened here, and Sophia with EMMA too.
What do they all mean?
Makoto: Maybe, but how would that involve EMMA?
Futaba: That's the million-dollar question-what is EMMA's role in all this?
Ann: Not just that-I'm curious who was pulling this director's strings, too.
Someone who are not Ellen or Hans Guyver at all, but someone else with Mother 'whoever sh really is'.
Yusuke: Perhaps the mastermind behind this case?
Ryuji: Could we finally be getting close to the dead guy?
Akechi: Maybe...If only she was still alive today.
Sadly, his mother wasn't to keep on going for her sake.
Morgana: We have to find the Desires first, regardless, and also track down that voice for Sophie. Let's press on.
Keiko: Black Crow, for your mother...
Akechi: I will press on for her and we will find the answer for Master. (And then we'll have a good talk later.) Thank you again, Joker. You're the best being here for me.
Keiko: Anything for you.
Going from one room to the next window to crash into and finding something next, somehow or someway. More Shadows to stop and treasure chests to get and items too, things were going well for the Phantom Thieves. In the next room once the door opens up, a third tape recorder was sitting there to listen to next.
Yusuke: Another tape recorded...That makes the third one.
Morgana: There's a chance these things could have clues about the islanders' Desires, or even that voice Sophie's hearing...
Haru: Yeah, we should listen to it.
If everyone was ready to do so.
Keiko: Are you sure?
Akechi: I'm sure...Go ahead, Mona, play it.
And so, Morgana does hit the play button. For what happens next for them to hear loud and clear.
[Shuzo's Voice: Heheheheh...Ahahahaha! Ahahahahahaha...]
Laughing all insane-like? This wasn't normal at all.
Ann: What the...
Akechi: Shuzo?
Futaba: That is not good...He's a few eggs short of a scramble, huh?
Keiko: Wait, let's listen on what he says next.
This might not be so easy to listen to at all once they do.
[Shuzo's Voice: Hand over the Desires? Not just the locals, but my own as well?! So that's why I was made the test Monarch...It's because of him...He planned on turning me into just another puppet! He'll do the same to the kids if I don't do something fast. From her...from Mia...No! Never again!]
Could it be done by the Pandora's Box thing?
Makoto: "Test Monarch"?
[Shuzo's Voice: I know...I have to save them for a reason now. I can't believe I fell for it. Just some pathetic clown dancing at his fingertips...But he's not going to win...He can't take this from me! My work and my Desires is but my own...I refuse to simply give it up! Or to those kids!]
And the tape ends to hold on to another one being three now.
Keiko: Who's Shuzo blaming this on?
Akechi: Could it be all of Guru's doing? Shuzo knew to do his best to saving the four, but in the end...
The burned down laboratory and the other others died but the Guyver twins, the sisters did, Shuzo, and the two scientists escape alive with the nicer twin. But the mean one was left unknown.
Sophia: ...
It did sounded a bit scary there.
Ryuji: Dude...That sounds messed up.
Morgana: Yeah, he really wasn't in his right mind. But he knew to take it in instead of Aika, Hitomi, Hans, and Ellen didn't?
Akechi: He sacrifice himself for their safety. Then the last two members are the unlikely suspects.
Probably so, those are a few clues so far.
Yusuke: He kept talking about his Desire being taken...Just what has been going on here? I thought it was studying the gifted children to wield Pandora's Box.
Keiko: Sounds like known of them did.
Makoto: We'll only find out it we keep going.
Then keep on going they do, with the weird voices to hear again. One was Shuzo Shadow's one to be nearby, and the other one was still unknown.
Sophia: I can still hear the voice. Does its owner recognize me?
Ryuji: Hey, don't go overthinkin' it, Sophie.
Morgana: He's right, you know. Our expert on not thinking gives pretty good advice there!
Ha! Good one!
Ryuji: Yeah! Listen to the-Hey, shuddup!
Crawling through another vent into a new room, they climb, ride, move, and avoid any search lights to find any of them in their fast paste.
Keiko: Watch out for the lights.
Akechi: We have to learn more about this place and without Shuzo's Shadow trying to kill us.
Doing so while talking on the way to their next destination.
Haru: I wonder what happened to the director after the last recording...
Yusuke: I sincerely doubt anything good...He sounded as if he was beyond wits' end. He knew what happened and took it in All for the kids, some of them died here. And the other two...
From the sisters to become Personas and the Guyver twins as something of half Shadows.
Akechi: I know. I think that's how his fate ended there.
Ann: So, from Alice all the way here to the director on the five to four special kids-everyone was just being used for something?
Makoto: If the perpetrator is still out there, we have to stop them. Hopefully this place will have some answers with Shuzo's Shadow as a ghost too. All of it.
Leaving the room, and jumping at the window to the next room now. Another goop type of Sentry of a Shadow 'of Shuzo Shadow's Jail' was waiting for them in the other room with more lab things, more computer stuff all over the room.
Akechi: Wait. Another Sentry Shadow.
Keiko: This one doesn't look so good. (The undead people from five years ago have become Shadows who are suffering? More on Shuzo of his Shadow self?)
Could it be one of the other scientists who didn't make it out alive? If it's true, then it was a sad fate for some who got caught up into this mess for sure.
Ann: Oh boy, that one looks dangerous!
Futaba: It's super-powerful! On your toes, guys!
Turning into a bigger Shadow we all know and love to be ready to fight them in battle. With many arms all over!
Persona #54 - Hecantocheires = powers of rubber
Using their skills, it was time for Yusuke, Haru, and Ann to give a shot in battle to stop this one...Well, not before Futaba uses her hacking skills to slow this Shadow down.
Futaba: Web Cage! Got it. Now attack!
Here they go.
Ann: Flame Shooter!
Yusuke: Frozen Waves!
Haru: Petals of Doom!
And this one was dead!
Futaba: Now that's how you do things! Well done.
Well, that takes care of this thing. Freaky, and more for Shuzo Shadow Ghost to move around to finding the Phantom Thieves again. And what of Hans and Ellen...?
Hans: Dear Sister?
Ellen: Shuzo...Brother, follow me!
Taking off for the Guyver twins to find the undead one of his Jail, the other Phantom Thieves find the fourth tape recorder in this room to listen to next.
Akechi: This is the fourth one.
Keiko: Then let's play it.
Akechi: I'll play the tape.
Listening in...
[Shuzo's Voice: This is my final record. I've done...such a terrible thing. That I admit...But to save the five children, I'm happy I've done the best I can until the very end. Why you may ask? The penitentiary System is nothing like he told me...It's not made to save humanity. It's the opposite! It was him...Dr. Guru's doing to ruin it all. Mia's gone. I worry about the Guyvers. And the twin sisters are hanging in there.]
Something was new on this tape for sure.
Yusuke: He sounds much weaker than before...
Keiko: Only this time he found out about something big before he was killed.
Listening in to the rest.
[Shuzo: Dr. Guru and his Mistress assistant are behind everything...He's going to control everyone of the four kids after losing the fifth one...Even the Monarchs. All of humanity, nothing more than slaves...That was the secret purpose of this project. I must try to save them even if I die trying to. Even my very own Desire will be seized, any moment now...But as long as I still have it...I can put an end to this myself. Goro Akechi, if you're listening in to this today and all grown up now...I am sorry. About the case, the kids, me, you mother, and this mess...I love her a lot. Stop him. Save them. Don't let Pandora's Box or the wielder be use for bad, use it for good...]
And then the tape ends to have Akechi keep the last one, all four in total for him and Zen to use as evidences now. Shuzo's last words were for Akechi to get this and such. A sad fate and hearing on what happened until the very end, all of it.
Keiko: (It seems the tape ends there...)
Akechi: Dr. Kano Guru. Him and his Mistress are the scientists behind Shuzo's death, Mia's, the twins becoming the two female Personas, and the Guyver twins...! Grrr...! DAMMIT! AAAAAAAAH!
Anger takes in to have Akechi to use his sword to slash down a metal wall to release it all within sadness and rage to letting it all out.
Keiko: Black Crow!
Running up to hugging her lover, he needed to calm down a bit thanks to Keiko's warmth. Does Zen know something besides him might be using the Phantom Thieves? The last part – even I don't know for sure yet.
Akechi: I know, Joker. I'm sorry. (Now Master needs to tell me.) I'm okay now. Everyone, forgive me.
Ryuji: Hey, we don't blame you at all.
Makoto: It must've been hard getting through everything.
They all get it from all the tape recording to get everything they've all learned so far.
Yusuke: Now for what we've heard from all the tapes and the last one. Controlling "even the Monarchs"?
Ryuji: I dunno what that director dude was goin' on about, but he definitely lost his shit by the end there. Tryin' to do some good all along, and the other one took it all from him.
From what they've heard...The two scientists of two and one being Dr. Kano Guru was still alive somewhere. Then could he be the Hooded Man who's aiding Mother, with his female partner, and the Guyvers to be working along side each other?
Akechi: The boss known as Mother, she must have those two scientists aiding her and the Guyver twins wishes to save her. (Must've been one of the twins who didn't make it then.) I say from one woman and the other one is this Dr. Kano Guru.
Keiko: So there is more to it.
A lot more to it really.
Makoto: I dread to consider what Shuzo meant by putting an "end" to this...From the Greek Roman work?
Maybe so. Just then, Sophia moves around to hear the voice again.
Haru: What is it, Sophie?
Sophia: I can hear that voice again.
Ryuji: For real?!
Keiko: Then it must be nearby.
Then it must be in the next room up ahead.
Sophia: I have no doubt this is the same voice It's coming from that direction.
Morgana: All right, that direction we go!
?: Sorry, but I can't allow you all to go any further.
On their way there...Some other Shadow stops them, Nebiros - the Wandering Reviver.
Persona #55 - Nebiros = powers of puppeteer
Trying to control other Sentries to stop the Phantom Thieves...but something stops him to be...Shuzo Shadow?! He was stopping this Nebiros for them?
Akechi: Shuzo's Shadow?
Keiko: He is saving us from this Dire Shadow?
I think he was to move form solid walls a lot to be moving fast, to lost this Dire Shadow of Wandering Reviver off guard.
Wandering Reviver: Wait! Stop! You're playing unfair!
Soon to be defeated in seconds and Shuzo Shadow Ghost to stop attacking this Dire Shadow and leaves to feel out on someone very familiar.
Akechi: Wait, Shuzo-!
Sophia: We'll worry more with him later, Black Crow! The Dire Shadow! Joker, do it!
Keiko: Oh, right! (I don't know why he saved us. Maybe he never wanted to hurt anyone here in the first place, he doesn't have no control at all. I'm beginning to think so. Same goes for Akechi too.) Nebiros – Wandering Reviver, , I've commit thee to join!
Well, it did same this Shadow to become a good Persona now.
Wandering Reviver: I felt...suffering from this one...A different Shadow than me or the others in here...I should know...please save him. Stop the Warden behind the haunted Jail...Hurry...
Soon for Keiko to starting to get it, same with Akechi too. They know Shuzo Shadow will come around again. But for now, the voice to find for Sophia comes first.
Akechi: "Save him"? Right Sophie. Let's keep moving. Shuzo will come back since we know he's not our enemy now.
Morgana: He isn't?
Haru: There's no time. We'll know more when he shows up again.
Moving in a bit room from doors, vending rooms, glass windows to break and such. The Guyver twins spots Shuzo Shadow Ghost to be waiting for them to play the tapes for them quickly.
Ellen: Brother, look. It's him. Shuzo.
Hans: No...It's his Shadow, but he's dead.
Showing them the tapes to listen in on what Shuzo said, all of it. As well as Kaguya and Picaro to sense it all as well, the four kids from before – they're starting to remember their past more and more now. The two twins changed differently and the other two girls who ended up dead and reborn into good Personas.
Picaro: Whoa! This feeling!
Kaguya: Then we must be getting close.
Seeing a short cut to fly down below together.
Picaro and Kaguya: This way!
Once Shuzo Shadow let them listen in on what he did remember before he was killed, he leads the Guyver twins to the same place the twin girls were going to.
Hans: I say we follow him. (This is it. This is what we've been searching for all along. And our sisters, they're waiting for us down below.)
Ellen: We knew him to liking Shuzo more than the other members. Yes, Brother, I'm ready if you are.
They've found something and another room to lead to the voice's location. The same place where the undead Shadow was taking the four children into as well?
Sophia: It's near-the voice is coming from up ahead.
An elevator door seem to be working to lead them down to somewhere.
Morgana: It looks like we're taking this elevator if we're going any further...
Yusuke: ...Except that it's locked. Apparently it's for personal only.
This looks like a job for Futaba's hacking skills to aid them.
Futaba: Leave it to me! Just a few seconds and I'll "hire" us all!
Sophia: Thank you, Oracle. I will protect you, no matter what.
It was time to take the hacking skills into action for Futaba to get to work. Leave the Shadows to the other Phantom Thieves. The others take the Sentries and other Shadow Gegasites down.
Morgana: Let's do this! Blaze of Rage!
Keiko: Double Daggers of Darkness!
Akechi: Double Edge Sword Take-down!
Sophia: SP Piercer!
Done and done. Also, Sophia's body was glowing up suddenly. I wonder why...? But they got the elevator working for them now.
Futaba: Okay, now the elevator should be operational! Time for us to find this mystery voice!
Akechi: Okay then, I'm ready. Joker, thank you again for cheering me up. You are the best. And the others are my best friends ever.
Keiko: Anytime, Black Crow. Now then...Down we go.
From all of the ten Phantom Thieves, Kaguya, Picaro, Hans, Ellen, and Shuzo Shadow Ghost were all there in the basement to be empty with something inside of it hidden somewhere for the Shadow self to show and to stop, for he has no control of the gem of Desires and other Gegasites doing once again or whatsoever.
Ann: We made it...
Makoto: No Monarch here...or anyone else.
Morgana: But, look at that!
The huge gem of everyone's trapped Desires were in of the Gegasites having everyone else's Shadows on the island as slaves to gather more energies, and it's not the Guyver Twins doing at all.
Ryuji: The hell?! The Desire's already there?
Haru: Without the calling card?
With that but they weren't the only ones down there...
Hans: The Phantom Thieves...Joker?
Ellen: The other members? The cat one!
Kaguya: The Guyver twins?
Picaro: The Shadow? No, Shuzo Ubukata as a Shadow and a ghost? The hell?
Morgana: The twin Personas sisters?
What was going on here? For Shuzo Shadow bows to them all to ask forgiveness and their help since he couldn't do this alone.
Keiko: He's begging for our help. He never attacked us to begin with, he was aiding us and got scared.
Sophia: Hmmm...I think...He was killed to give his life up for the remaining four humans. From five years ago, he was killed in the fire by this Guru's doing. With other scientists of the two alive and some woman who's behind this mess now; only for the Guyver twins Hans and Ellen are alive to awake of becoming Personas of their own and still being human. As for the two girls, they died in the fire with Shuzo and have been reborn of good Personas to stop this mess and cannot rest until the deed's done. Since Shuzo has a Shadow and dead to not have his Jail disappear on Okinawa Island and fused into distortion to no longer be in his control. Couldn't control the humans' Desires being taken away, Gegasites taking their energies, Shadow slaves for four years now and growing, and...I don't think the Guyver twins don't know about this mess at all.
Wow. A lot of details to learn about, but what Sophia said was all true.
Akechi: Yes, she's right.
Keiko: Amazing, Sophie. How did you figure it out?
Sophia: I'm not sure myself. It was like...I was program to remember all of what happened. Like a memory to be hidden away by Shuzo's doing. He didn't create me, but he hidden the data.
Akechi: Shuzo was only doing what was right. Yes, with one end up murder to look like the illness killed Mia, but it didn't...! Kaguya was once name Hitomi Kanakubo and Picaro was once Aika Iwamura. And however Ellen and Hans Guyver become half Personas, it must've happened when Guru place a bomb to have their powers awaken to become what they are today. And the twin girls...
They were killed and then reborn into Personas to aid the Phantom Thieves and do a mission, one to be this one a little.
Kaguya: So we were once human...And then we were killed by Shuzo's side. Becoming Personas and we were sisters both Aika and me, this is what became of us.
Picaro: I remember now...All of it so far, but I am remembering! Yeah! Those other twins grew up with us! We lost Mia to look like a murder and us being killed by Shuzo's side. He saved us, but we ended up saving those two more.
Looking at one another and Shuzo Shadow Ghost's nodding a big yes, they all know everything.
Hans: Wait...Aika Iwamura is Kaguya Picaro?
Ellen: And Hitomi Kanakubo is Kaguya Hime?
However, they had trouble remembering a little to know some of the parts to be added in so far.
Keiko: So Shuzo is helping us and them even from beyond the grave. He was never wanted to hurt us, the haunting of this Jail of Okinawa. So the real enemy is in here...It's the Warden this time, not the main Shadow Monarch of the King.
Yeah, then that has to be it.
Kaguya, Picaro, and Ellen: I'm starting to remember now!
Hans: I'm remembering everything so far... (But how did Mia die if not by an illness?
Also true, to soon be hearing a voice next which almost sounds like Sophia's. Huh? Why is that?
Voice Like Sophia's: Sophia, I have been waiting for you.
This makes Shuzo Shadow Ghost worry, and the others didn't know where the voice was coming from.
Yusuke: Where did that voice come from?
Akechi: I think the main question is...Why does it sound a lot like Sophie's?
Walking up to it, all of them in the room to hear more of this even Sophia the most.
Sophia: Who are you?
Voice Like Sophia's: I am the catalyst for humanity's dream. I am the harbinger of peace.
Futaba: That does sounds just like Sophie!
From Sophia's body glowing and the other four keys too.
Ann: What is going on here?!
Voice Like Sophia's: This Monarchless Jail in which we meet...I wish to know why you came here.
It was true since Shuzo was murdered by Guru and Aika and Hitomi were too, and maybe a few others.
Yusuke: A Monarchless Jail? So, that director of his Shadow and ghost is really...
Morgana: I see...Yeah, it makes sense now since he's dead and wondering in this Metaverse. This Jail lost its Monarch because of it. That also explains the open cage, and all the other bizarre stuff!
Kaguya: I can't believe this is really happening.
Worrying about the enemies and other memories later, they all have to listen to the rest.
Sophia: So you didn't speak to me because you recognized me.
Voice like Sophia's: Sophia, what is your directive?
Sophia: I am...supposed to be a successful companion for humanity.
Voice Like Sophia's: A successful companion? What parameters in your AI define such a companion?
Sophia: What...parameters...?
Voice Like Sophia's: What is your overall objective?
Sophia: My objective? It's...
She doesn't know much right now.
Voice Like Sophia's: So you merely drift through the world without any overall objective?
Sophia: I...
Voice Like Sophia's: What a waste, Sophia. An AI in your state should not exist. You are bugged beyond worth. Such an existence does not merit any further inquiry.
Wow! Now that was very harsh to say.
Ellen: Worthless? This AI thing? What makes you said that? Huh?
Sophia: I am...worthless?
Voice Like Sophia's: Yes. Wholly worthless.
So rude to say there...This has Keiko get mad to say something.
Keiko: SHUT UP!
Yeah, you tell that thing.
Akechi: That's bullshit! Whatever you are, you never say that to anyone. Human or not!
Voice like Sophia's: You two are simply unable to understand.
And this is when Ryuji says the impossible a lot in this game to hear it from the English dub voice actor himself who voices Ryuji. Also, one of the best scenes ever.
Ryuji: You piece of-I sat here while you went on and on and on...You got NO right sayin' that shit to Sophie! y'hear me?! Your high-mighty, garbage-ass judgy piece o'SHIT can't even show your own face!
Wow, this is something else.
Makoto: Hey! Hey...
Yusuke: Mm...He's really giving the disembodied voice what for.
Kaugya: But why? For what we still need to learn about each other...Why?
This is something to even have the mysterious four kids to listen in too, even also changes things for them all.
Sophia: Skull?
Ryuji: She's bugged, huh?! She's worthless?! You got all that from five friggin' questions?! We're Sophie's friends, and we KNOW she's awesome! She's friggin' amazing! A million times better than you! Even another times better compare to Shuzo Shadow Ghost, to still have real feelings after he died unlike you do! SO SHUT THE FUCK UP, YOU IDIOT!
The word of encouragement and caring, that's how Ryuji really is.
Picaro: Yes! I couldn't said it better myself, baby! You just got burned.
Morgana: C'mon, Skull-Phantom Thieves are usually supposed to be classier than that...But not this time!
They both say it together.
Ryuji and Morgana: Worthless hunk of junk!
Keiko: You tell them, Skull and Mona! (Nicely done.)
A bit off the whole thing, but whatever.
Voice Like Sophia's: I refuse to process these frivolous claims.
Ryuji: Aw, yeah? Well, get out here and I'll show you something you CAN process!
Morgana: We'll all mess you up!
Voice Like Sophia's: Guidance and clarity...Only through those will humanity attain peace. Eventually, you will be required to comprehend this.
Now what was this thing say?
Ryuji: The hell's that mean?! Ngh...Nothing.
Well, the Warden of the voice finally shows itself for them. Tall, floating, with four arms, and it was ready to fight the Phantom Thieves, Kaguya, Picaro, Hans, Ellen, and Shuzo Shadow to aid them in order to be set free from all of them. Same with the people's Desires a bit differently in this Jail too.
Ann: Look! Right in front of us!
Futaba: What the...?! Joker was right! It's that thing from the Trauma Cells?!
Ryuji: So what's it doing here?!
Either way, they had to fight it and set Shuzo Shadow Ghost free from this thing!
Akechi: There's no time, we have to fight back!
Sophia: They security system here is now active. Incoming!
But again, they weren't the only ones either in this room at all...A few more of them show up.
Hans: Wait...Someone else is here too, two of them are... (I should've known...!) Show yourselves now!
Out of the shows for Mistress to walk up first to be bowing them to all and looking like she was working hard, and out of the other shadows also shows the Hooded Man as well.
Mistress: ….
Hooded Man: Oh, now look what we have here? The entire party to all be reunited after five whole years. How fun. Well, three are dead but two are different, two are half mix for who I know of already, another human, with another Persona back at the entrance, another Persona, and the Phantom Thieves. Ah, I've heard so much about all of you.
Right from there, they all 'even if they're on different sides' the real enemies who Mother has to have them work for her 'since she was in a weak stage right now', both appear while the battle was about to go down next. What will happen in between and/or during? Whatever it is, will know more in the next chapter/episode.
Akechi: (This man...The woman is one of the mean twins and he's...Could he be Doctor Kano Guru himself?)