Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #43 - Akane Hasegawa and Sae's Lawyer Skills
A certain police department in Kyoto
Interrogation Room
Well, this all turn out to be a mess last time, huh? From what we've left off on...Zen let the Phantom Thieves stay at a nice Kyoto hotel and such for Akechi to think through from master/step-father's actions to be an accident to do something right and seeing how the Phantom Thieves are good doing their jobs. With Owada and Konoe setting up them on murder on Shuzo and hacking through EMMA 'with Hans and Ellen showing their true forms to help the others escaped' for the two real villains the Hooded Man/Dr. Guru are the real bad guys have Miyako and the other cops arrest Zen for aiding their escape. Poor guy to prove he's one of them now. Worrying about the twins later since they're not villains to start making real friends to care, they needed Sae's help to get Zen out of jail in any other way. With Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sophia to get through without getting caught by the cops at all. In the police station for Zen to be in the room to be questioned real soon. And once Akane hears about her father, it's not going to be good at all.
Zen: Dammit...That bastard interrogator...it's like he enjoyed getting those hits in. Guess that's what I deserve. What the hell am I doing? Should've just felt those thieves alone...Then neither of us'd be in this shitty situation. I couldn't even protect the ones I care about most...Goro, you must really hate me now, huh? Goddammit! ...Wonder if they made it out all right. As if that even matters anymore. Goro...Akane...Aoi...I'm sorry. I couldn't save anyone in the end...
He did try to be a real hero to Akechi and the others. I hope Akane can understand more, if no one else beat her to it first.
Zenkichi's Hasegawa's home
Lots of cops came by to look up in everything around the house on what Zen have to hold on to. With Akane seeing them doing their jobs, she didn't get what was going on yet. No, not good at all.
Akane: Hey! Please stop touching our things! Since when can you enter someone's home without a warrant? You lack probable cause!
Sarcastic Detective: Whoa, not bad for an inspector's daughter. Listen...Akane-Chan, was it? We have plenty of probable cause. See, your daddy's been arrested, thanks to the Phantom Thieves.
She didn't like the sound of her father in danger or the Phantom Thieves to be bad guys 'but they weren't'.
Akane: Wha...? The Phantom Thieves got him arrested...? What about Big Brother...? No. No way that's true. I mean...why?
Sarcastic Detective: Haha, you really didn't know? I'm sure it's all over the news by now, TV, and online. And about Detective Ace Akechi, he's being fooled by them. Don't worry, we'll save your step-brother. Now move along. We have work to do.
Very upsetting, huh? Akane left Akechi both a text message and voice message to ask him what was going on. And then looks up on what happened to Zen from her cell phone.
Akane: "Inspector Zenkichi Hasegawa of the Kyoto police held under suspicion...Arrested for harboring fugitives...The Phantom Thieves found responsible for murder, hurting to twin siblings, and...hacking EMMA?!" That's impossible...What am I gonna do? Somebody...Help me! Big Brother! Where are you?!
When Akane said that, the EMMA app appears to answer her pleading. Huh...?
[EMMA: Sure. How can I help you?]
Something wasn't right here...
Madicce headquarters, Osaka
President's office
So yeah, you're all wondering how and why the EMMA app was doing on Akane's phone, right...? Well, it happened a few minutes ago at Konoe's office of Madicce where he works at to make his return quietly. For he plays he plans on trapping the Phantom Thieves for good to luring them into a trap with a little help from his work of the company itself. But first, a brief talk with Owada by phone.
Konoe: Have the Phantom Thieves been caught?
Owada: [No, not yet. I've been three-legged dogs work faster than the boys in Public Security.]
Konoe: Haha, they sure are tenacious. Guess that's how they made it this far. You think the police could turn up the heat on their hot pursuit?
Owada: [If you're asking, I'll see what I can do. But in return, make sure you don't forget to set up a Jail of mine as well.]
Now why would someone like hm want his own Jail made by Konoe's doing?
Konoe: Oh, that's a given. Please look forward to what I have in store...
Owada: [Ah, good to know.]
Hanging up now, Konoe was only using someone like Owada to fall for anything that anyone says.
Konoe: EMMA.
By Konoe's command for EMMA to respond back.
[EMMA: Yes, Akira? How may I help you?]
Konoe: You think the cops can actually catch the Phantom Thieves?
[EMMA: Considering the Phantom Thieves' unknown power, it may take a considerable amount of time.]
Konoe: ...I was hoping to get you back online once we captured them.
[EMMA: If takes any longer, it may negatively impact our public image.]
Konoe: Maybe what I said on TV wasn't exactly reassuring...All right, EMMA, what's our best option?
Crap! He has a plan to be a very bad one, which he had Akane for this reason why.
[EMMA: The fact that the Phantom Thieves can access Jails poses a threat to our plans. Since we can't afford to wait for the police, we could always trap them in a Jail and force a change of heart.]
Another one with this plan was much worse.
Konoe: Now there's an idea...After all, we wouldn't want to waste their precious talent. Good pan. How do we make it work?
[EMMA: It would be best to make the Phantom Thieves come to us instead of chasing them. Perhaps we can use someone they're close with as bait to lure them into a Jail?]
Konoe: Oh? And do you have someone in mind?
And that's when it happens.
[EMMA: Yes.]
Konoe: Then that's who we'll go with. EMMA, make that person a Monarch and have them capture the Phantom Thieves. Anyone else on their side, this person can keep him or her alive for what I care as a hostage.
[EMMA: Understood.]
Konoe: Once they're n our grasp, we change their hearts to our liking. And if that proves impossible, they die.
[EMMA: Should we notify Mr. Owada?]
Like he would care about another greedy man like Owada at all.
Konoe: No, let him be. In order to cleanse this would of evil, nothing will get in my way. And with the ace detective, I will save him from a group of evil thievery. Along with those trouble making magical twins too. And you, Phantom Thieves...You will be the sacrifice to being about my new world order. I want to be a hero to be loved, others to get me, stop the evil around the world, and I'll do it all with Pandora's Box kept away from this world. I'll make sure of that.
So he wants Pandora's Box too to keep hidden from the world? Looks like it, his Monarch of a Shadow King self has the last piece, this was really bad.
8 - August/23rd/Wednesday (Kyoto)
The next day back at Zen;s hideout for the Phantom Thieves were in...Makoto calls up Sae to let the others know what was going on; Keiko, Akechi, Sophia, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru listen in.
Makoto: So I got a hold of my sister. And yes, she was angry, but she also said she'd do her best to help.
Akechi: Good old Sae-san to the rescue. Good...Yep, there's a lot I need to explain to her when we meet again.
He means it was a good sign there.
Morgana: That's a relief. Then we'll leave Zenkichi to Niijima for now.
Keiko: I'm so happy Sae's going to help out Zen. Isn't this great, Akechi?
Akechi: It is.
With that done, the others had to think of something to do and fast.
Haru: What should we do from here? We can't just sit here and wait...
What can they do? Soon to get a call on Makoto's phone to see it was from Akane herself. Which doesn't seem right at all.
Makoto: Hm? It's from Akane-Chan...
Seeing a group text message to see what it says. Akane wasn't her but by Konoe and EMMA's doing, to give the Phantom Thieves a message.
[Akane: Phantom Thieves. We have Akane Hasegawa. If you want her back, come to Inari Taisha.]
Yep, this was really bad.
Akechi: AKANE?!
Keiko: Akechi-Cun? What is it? Makoto?
Makoto: Wh-What the...?!
The others have to hear the news from those two right away.
Ann: What's wrong?
Akechi: Akane...? Dammit, she's been kidnap! (No...! I should've warn her about all of this.)
Makoto: It's bad...! Akane-Chan's been taken! It says if we want her back, we have to go to Inari Taisha!
Keiko: Akane's been kidnap?!
All the way in a different location too they all needed to go to.
Ryuji: Huh?! The hell's that supposed to mean?!
Ann: Taken...You mean kidnapped?! Why? She's got nothing to do with us!
Akechi: I wish I knew too!
This was really making Akechi upset to worry about his little step-sister's safety.
Makoto: I don't know either...I'm just going off of a message she sent us.
Ryuji: Y'guys think, maybe Akane's just messin' around?
Akechi: SHE'S NOT LIKE THAT!
Keiko: Akechi, please calm down.
Hugging her lover, to calm Akechi to know for Akane to never do such a thing.
Akechi: Sorry...
Ryuji: *sigh* I understand, dude. My bad.
Makoto: Akechi-san's not wrong. Akane-Chan doesn't know our other identities. And even if she did, she wouldn't trick us.
A little mistake there was fine and understanding too.
Ann: True...Who would do such an awful thing?
Keiko: I don't know.
Akechi: I believe it's between Konoe. Owada. Maybe Dr. Guru, or maybe all three of them.
Well, some parts were true. And some were a bit different to have three of the bad guys so far, but I have a feeling they're not the true villains in the story. The real big one that is.
Morgana: Judging from the corner we're in, it's likely Konoe or Owada like Akechi might think so. Or maybe the other two scientists the Guyver twins worked for before betraying them both.
Haru: So they're using Akane-Chan just to lure us out?!
Yusuke: Given the timing, what else could it be?
It was still a very bad thing to do to kidnap a child.
Akechi: Either way, I have to save her!
Keiko: And we will too.
This has Makoto get very mad.
Makoto: Unforgivable...
Ryuji: What do we do? We can't even go to the cops...
Akechi: We can't trust them right now, I know...
Makoto: What else is there to do?! We got after her!
Anyone else got any plans in mind for backup?
Yusuke: Calm down a moment, Ms. Makoto. This has to be a trap.
Keiko: Yeah, I feel it too. We should think of a way before we can save Akane.
Ann: Yeah, they'd probably catch us within minutes of stepping out the door.
Makoto: ...The way Akechi's feeling right now, I know it is a trap.
Akechi: I agree.
With all of this to still do the right thing, trap or not.
Makoto: But we can't just leave her. If they even lay a finger on Akane-Chan, I'll...!
Akechi: They'll be dead before I let them hurt my little sister!
Makoto: Anyway, with Zenkichi-San behind bars, we're the only ones who can save her. If we put out own safety above that of an innocent life, then we have no right to call ourselves phantom thieves! I'm well aware what this is, and I'm fine going out there alone. You guys stay here and hold the fort. I'll do this for Akechi-san if he doesn't want to go but worried about his sister!
Not alone, but together they'll all go.
Keiko: No, Makoto. We're all in this together. This is Akechi's little sister who needs saving.
Akechi: Princess is right. It's too risky to go alone, so I say let's go get her back.
Makoto: But...
No, they were all going.
Ryuji: You losin' it? We'd never let a friend risk their neck without at least givin' backup.
Ann: Plus, Akane-Chan's our fan. She knows more than anyone we never abandon people in need.
Yusuke: Otherwise, we couldn't live up to our name.
Haru: Even if it is a trap, let's turn the tables against them!
Futaba: Darn right, Haru! Let's show them how big a mistake they've made!
Once a Phantom Thief, will always be a Phantom Thief.
Makoto: ...Thanks, everyone.
Akechi: Akane knows to never put anyone in danger to have family come first. They gave me a home and it's my job to protect them the way were all there for me.
Keiko: Then let's do this.
All will be good to go now.
Morgana: All right. I'll take point and guide you past trouble. Sophia, you navigate.
Sophia: [Okay, got it. I'll find the quickest and safest route there.]
Morgana: Then let's get going!
Off the Phantom Thieves go. Enough for Hans and Ellen get into their other dimension gates to travel fro the real world and the Metaverse to avoid getting caught by the cops at all.
Hans: Good, we loss them.
Ellen: Brother, we should go see where our friends are. I'm worried about Morgana...
Hans: If we know where they are, fine. I'm worried about them and the girls too.
Ellen: Then let's hurry...AND THOSE GIRLS AREN'T YOUR TYPE!
Same old thing, huh? As for Akane Hasegawa to see around her own Jail in Kyoto of some feudal Japan area to look nice with something to look like her from mirror after mirror she was seeing of herself.
Akane: Huh...? (Where am I? Am I dreaming when I saw the EMMA app on my phone? What's going on...?)
Soon to see a full grown up version of herself from her Shadow to fall into a deep sleep of her human self back in the real world while the Shadow changes from a child into someone special of her Shadow appearance of a Phantom Thief fan to wear an outfit of, another fifth medallion, and the female shadow to be following Akane around with 'done by Mistress' doing under Hooded Man's orders'.
Akane: Is that me...? I look all grown up and still a Phantom Thief fan, but Dad and Big Brother...Wait, you're showing me this because you're helping me, right? I know you are. I can find the real Phantom Thieves? And Big Brother's there too? If so, then I'll do anything to help. Give your power. I don't know who to trust now, since Dad...If he won't stop Owada, then I will! I will save Big Brother, prove Father wrong, stop Owada, find my real Phantom Thieves, along with Keiko and the others too! So please, mysterious shadow...Help me and I'll help you. You're lonely for others don't get you at all, like me. Then let's stick together.
With this shadow taking Akane's hand to be played by, they shake on it for Akane's Shadow 'Akane Shadow' to become a bit different in my version here. Why? This shadow self makes her into a full grown adult look with the looks of her Shadow appearance and her tone of voice to be a bit older only. That's all, along with her spirit friend to take power and form now on someone in the Metaverse Jail to be made like this.
Loki: No...! I'm too late! She's got a hold of a human!
Sounds like Loki might know who this other villain might be then...As Raiho following Kaguya and Picaro to this new Jail and Loki does as well on his end, back in the real world for Hans and Ellen to find their friends' safety location, only to go somewhere else Kyoto, Inari Taisha to go there right away.
Kyoto
Inari Taisha
Before long, the Phantom Thieves – Keiko, Akechi, Sophia, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru have all made it to the location as both Hans and Ellen were finding them as well with something about to happen next.
Ryuji: Well, we made it here somehow.
Akechi: Akane has to be here somewhere...
Morgana: Sophia, are you sure this is it?
She seems to be correct to detect something.
Sophia: [I'm definitely sure. We're outside Inari Taisha.]
Still, the whole entire area looked all normal everywhere.
Haru: But I don't see anybody suspicious...
Ryuji: If it's a trap, then frickin' come out already!
Keiko: Ryuji, please. Stay on your guard.
Akechi: As much as I want to save Akane too, let's search the area. We have to watch and wait.
What other choice was there?
Makoto: Yes, let's look around and-
Just then, Sophia sense something big of another Jail to appear in Kyoto 'to be Akane's Kyoto's Village Jail'.
Sophia: [*gasp*]
Keiko: Sophia?
Morgana: What is it? What did you find?
Sophia: [I found...a Jail! This whole area smells like one!]
This was big news to all of them.
Ryuji: Ya mean there was a Jail in Kyoto this whole time?
Akechi: If there was' Sophia would've told us right away.
Sophia: [No, and Akechi's right. There wasn't one before. I'm sure of it. But there is one now!]
Just to show up out of nowhere...
Makoto: How is that possible?
And then Keiko's something from her cell phone from EMMA.
[EMMA: You have a friend request from the Phantom Thieves. Please state the keyword.]
Keiko: At a time like this...?
Ann: Now what is it?
Yusuke: And friend request on EMMA...
This was very odd to say the least.
Haru: Could it be the kidnapper?
Akechi: I feel like it is...I think Keiko I both do.
Having powers stronger for Akechi and Keiko, then it must be true.
Keiko: It is for sure.
Makoto: Given our location and the circumstances we're in, I's say without a doubt.
Futaba: But we don't know the dang keyword...
This was odd one here.
Morgana: Wait a minute, why do we even need one? Isn't EMMA supposed to be inactive? So why's it working now, all of a sudden?
Keiko: I wish to know myself too, Morgana. We all do.
Ann: Yeah...You're right. Maybe they restarted their service?
Not likely, this was not a normal app here.
Ryuji: I just wanna know why the friend request says it's from the Phantom Thieves! What gives? Makes it seem like we're the bad ones-
And by luck, "Phantom Thieves" was the keyword to go to Akane's Jail. No way...!
[EMMA: Keyword successfully entered. Beginning navigation.]
Yusuke: What?!
Makoto: The keyword's "Phantom Thieves" too?!
This has Akechi questioning about all of this.
Akechi: I wonder...
Ryuji: Aw, you're shittin' meeee!
Still, they all have to do a rescue mission first before doing anything else next.
Keiko: Ah...No time, we need to go now!
And just as Ellen and Hans appear while hiding to their friends' location to finally find them all...
Hans: There they are.
Keiko: ...Team, let's move out!
They then see them all transforming into the Phantom Thieves to happen at a bad timing too. Now everyone knows who was know now!
Ellen: Wait...What's going on?
Seeing them transforming to enter into the Metaverse Jail.
Hans and Ellen: (It can't be-!)
Keiko and Akechi: Suit up! Code names - Joker and Black Crow!
Morgana: Suit up! Code name – Mona!
Ryuji: Suit up! Code name – Skull!
Ann: Suit up! Code name – Panther!
Yusuke: Suit up! Code name – Fox!
Makoto: Suit up! Code name – Queen!
Futaba: Suit up! Code name – Oracle!
Haru: Suit up! Code name – Noir!
Sophia: Suit up! Code name – Sophie!
With that 'to see it through a hidden hole of the dimension thing the Guyver twins can only do' the Phantom Thieves take off in a hurry.
Ellen: No way, stop!
Too late now, to have Keiko and Sophia to see them back unharmed but to know who was who.
Keiko: (Hans...Ellen...I'm sorry...)
Sophia: Come, Joker. We have to go. They'll be alright, so this is for the best to not let them follow us.
Keiko: Right, Sophie. More with them later, Akane needs to be saved.
And off they go...
Hans: So wait...Keiko's Joker? The other girls, the few males, Akechi, and with the girl who's an AI...
Ellen: Also some snowman, two of the other Personas, Loki, and Morgana was really Mona?! AAAAH! What's going on here?! I don't get it! The ones you love to be our rivals to stop our goal to know of our dream to do and they doing the right thing and being set up of our friends are the Phantom Thieves of Hearts this entire time?!
Hans: Sister, calm yourself! It's true, we didn't tell them about our secret for their safety and them to do the same thing with us too. There's nothing we can do now but to investigate this Jail to get our answers, it's the best thing we can do now. Come, we should get to work. When we see them again, then we'll talk.
Whatever they'll be doing on their own again next is better than being out run by the cops again in the real world.
Ellen: Still, I guess so. Fine, Brother...! We're going! We work then we have a talk to them without flittering or hurting my kitty friend! (Keiko, we have a lot to discuss about soon, real soon.)
Yeah, they'll be back in a bit. With a lot to work on too. With the Guyver twins busy, the Phantom Thieves have a job to do first. And so, the Phantom Thieves enter in Akane Shadow's Kyoto Village Jail in the Metaverse to find Akane right away; Keiko/Joker, Akechi/Black Crow, Morgana/Mona, Ryuji/Skull, Ann/Panther, Yusuke/Fox, Makoto/Queen, Futaba/Oracle, Haru/Noir, and Sophia/Sophie look around from the night look of it to be in an old time of Japan itself. Nice looking, but they should all be on their guard at all times.
Keiko: Wow...Look where we are.
Makoto: This looks like...
Ann: A Jail. It has to be.
It was only luck to have Phantom Thieves be the keyword to enter from EMMA by voice saying.
Ryuji: My bad, guys...I just had to go and blurt out the keyword.
Ann: It's fine, Skull, I still love you.
Morgana: Don't worry about it. Either way, the kidnapper wanted us to be here. Why else would he have set up a brand-new Jail?
Now they needed to find Akane's location.
Akane's Voice: Help me...
She was somewhere nearby.
Makoto: That voice!
Akechi: Akane!
Akane's Voice: Help me, Phantom Thieves!
Makoto: That sounds like Akane-Chan!
They don't know that this whole thing was a set up yet.
Ryuji: No way, is she actually in here?!
Morgana: That's a problem! Where there are Jails, there are bound to be Shadows!
Keiko: Let's go. We need to save her.
Akechi: Right, we need to hurry.
I want them all to be careful and Akane saved from the mess her Shadow just did...
Makoto: Yes, there's no time to waste! Let's get Akane-Chan out of here!
Keiko: Black Crow, we will save her. I promise you.
Akechi: I know, she's safe. We still have time, let's get going.
Looking around the place was hard to find where Akane was located at, where could she be held at...?
Makoto: Keep an eye out for Akane-Chan. We need to be quick, or else!
Sophia: Question. If this is a Jail, doesn't that mean the Shadow Akane's here in not the real one?
Ann: Right, only her Shadow should be here-but that doesn't mean there's no danger!
Akechi: If her Shadow is hurt, so will the real Akane back in the real world.
And that's something they cannot let that happen 'or so they thought'.
Morgana: Like Black Crow just said...If something happens to her Shadow, her life could be at risk! So let's find her!
Looking all around, top, bottom, under, above, and so on with nothing to find other than keep on looking to running around. Soon, Futaba spotted the capture Akane Shadow to be there.
Futaba: She's right there!
Keiko and Akechi: Akane!
All chained up to a long to be out cold right now but unharmed.
Ryuji: Crap. That is her.
Makoto: Come on, she needs help.
Akechi: (Akane, we'll save you!)
Rushing to her rescue for Futaba falls down to be left behind from her clumsiness. Ouch.
Futaba: Ouch...Huh?!
Soon for the others to rush in but Akechi stops for the other didn't.
Akechi: Wait! Stop!
Too late, the bars of the cage pops out of the ground to trap the Phantom Thieves for the trap happened. Keiko, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Haru, and Sophia were now stuck.
Keiko: Huh? Black Crow! Oracle!
Ryuji: What the hell's going on?!
Haru: Look out!
With the chain goes down of the entire cage was all set up. From gun shots and powers with weapon couldn't break this down at all on Akechi's end.
Akechi: I can't break through!
Soon to be lifted up in the air for the chain to drag them somewhere to be place in.
Futaba: No!
With both Akechi and Futaba left behind, the trap has been revealed. With the others sees Akane Shadow's to be her Jail to lose the trap looks to show her true form of her Shadow with the other female spirit's help to be a full grown woman. With the look of the Phantom Thief style of her own outfit to be wearing.
Keiko: What? (Akane Shadow's...is this Jail of her own! It's a trap!)
Akechi: Akane, why?
Akane Shadow: Welcome, Phantom Thieves to my own Jail! And Big Brother...Another Phantom Thief...Is you. Come to me, I will save you.
Using her powers to restrain Akechi to become a crystal type of statue by her doing to get trap, he's in a deep sleep and still alive.
Futaba: Stop it!
Akechi: No...! Akane...Please-!
Soon to be trapped for Keiko tries to reach out to her fiance in the air.
Keiko: No! Black Crow!
Trying to use her powers...
Akane Shadow: Oh, no you don't. Sit down, faker. He belongs to Keiko Amamiya!
Using her powers to hit Keiko from the weak arm to still be healing up, she was still hurt from it.
Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sophia: Joker!
Futaba: She's been hit! The others are trapped and Black Crow has become a crystal!
Trying to move but couldn't do a thing with the trapped but Futaba.
Keiko: Give him back to me! I want him back! Stop this, Akane!
Morgana: This ish bad...! Oracle, get out of here now before she gets you too! Hurry!
Futaba: Guys... (I have no choice.) Don't worry. She won't do anything to her brother, I swear. Hang in there, guys! You too, Joker! It'll be fine. I'll save you, somehow...I'll be back!
Making her escape back in the real world before other Shadows got to her 'well Kaguya and Picaro kept them out of Futaba's hair'...
Kaguya: What can we do for them now?
Picaro: Get rid of the Shadows we can gather before coming back for the others! Now come on!
That was all they can do for now. For Keiko to be left crying of Akechi to get capture and Akane Shadow to be mind controlled by a spirit in Akane's body, feeling it out to be something this dangerous of a new enemy.
Keiko: *sob*
Akane Shadow: Ah, one got out. Well, it doesn't matter...I got Big Brother safe and sound. I just need to find Keiko next. As for the real Phantom Thieves, I have him like you told me. My best friend ever who gave me such amazing powers, we're winning together. Well, we'll keep these fakers out of trouble for now. And when the other one comes back, we'll let her have it. Haha! Now missy, not another peep please or I will have to restrain you again, got it? Good girl. Enjoy your stay here forever.
This was really bad here, with Loki looking around to have Raiho stay with the other twin girls...
Loki: Go, you. I got something to deal with, the nerd needs some help. One way or another, we will get these guys out of here and the kid too.
Hopefully soon enough too. With Futaba out to try to think of a plan for now, Zen wasn't doing so well back at the police headquarters. One guy of a investigator was hurting Zen to make him talk, with his face on the table. Ouch.
Rude Investigator: Spit it out, Hasegawa! The Phantom Thieves-where are they?!
Zen: ...
Pushing him on the table forcefully wasn't going to give you any answers there.
Rude Investigator: Damn traitor. You cost us all the achievement of all lifetime.
Zen: Hahaha...You say that and you call me traitor?
Rude Investigator: What the that?!
For Zen to do his job well, he wouldn't be like this guy was acting up.
Zen: I can see it in your eyes-every one of you. You heart's been changed...Now you're just a zombie.
Rude Investigator: Zombie, my ass! You'd better cut the crap and give me a straight answer! Unless you want your face run straight through this table!
Zen: Be my guest. Need I remind you who you're dealing with? I'm PubSec, asshole. We don't bend easy to pissants like you.
Ha! Nice one.
Rude Investigator: Why you...!
Soon to hear voices outside of the room, for someone to enter in there to aid Zen. Can it be?
Interrogator Detective: Hey, wait-You can't just barge in here like this!
This person opens up the door to aid Zen out from being treated like this.
Rude Investigator: Who is it?!
Interrogator Detective: I'm sorry, Ms. Niijima, but we're in the middle of questioning!
Yep, it's Sae Niijima to the rescue! She walks up to see who Zen was to her in person.
Zen: ...?
Sae: Hm...I can see why they would trust you...
Zen: Niijima...?
Seeing this for Sae's point of view only and her face to see a little and her talking only in this game, it was all worth it. She changed a lot on her own, huh? Still glad she's on their side.
Sae: Nice to meet you, Zenkichi Hasegawa. I'm Sae Niijima, and I've asked o get you out of here. I heard you've been looking after Makoto for me? And Akechi too?
Zen: Yes, I'm helping them out. They're being set up and I'm worried about Goro too.
Sae: Say no more. Leave everything to me.
And from there, I think Sae got Zen out of there thanks to her work to show of the Phantom Thieves were set up, but that's all she can do for now. Leave the rest to Zen to do his work to see things through and Akechi as well, all of it. Having some parts here for Sae, I got to make it count somehow. Sometime later, Futaba got back at Zen's hideout to try to contact someone on her cell phone as soon as possible 'but sadly with no luck on her send yet'.
Futaba: I can't reach anyone...How am I supposed to help them? I can't just sit here and do nothing...Think, Futaba, think!
Soon to hear a door open up and then close in a hurry to catch her by surprise.
Futaba: Who's there?!
It was only Zen to be back to see Futaba was the only one in the hideout.
Zen: Sakura! Thank heavens you're all right!
Walking up to him to look worried from this whole mess.
Futaba: Zenkichiiiii!
Zen: Where's the others? Did they make it?!
Futaba: You're okay! I'm so glad...
Looking sad and crying for Zen sees that something wasn't right.
Zen: Whoa, calm down there. Of course I am. Now where's the rest of the gang? And Goro? Are they all right?
Futaba: Nobody is...They've all been caught!
Zen: Caught? By the police?!
Futaba: No...By Akane!
This was a even bigger shocker for him to learn about this, his daughter's shadow did this.
Zen: Akane? What's my daughter got to do with any of this? Listen, I need you to fill me in.
And so, she tells him everything that's been happening so far since he was arrested. It wasn't good at all.
Zen: Akane...has a Jail? You're saying she's a Monarch?!
Futaba: Uh-huh...
Zen:: That's insane...I can hardly believe what I'm hearing...
He cares about the and Akechi's safety than what Zen has been through so far.
Futaba: Did they rough you up when you were arrested, Zenkichi?
Zen: Ah, I'm fine. I actually owe you kids for sending in the cavalry-in the form of a kick ass lawyer.
All good for him now thanks to Sae's help.
Futaba: Oh right. Makoto's sis! Dang, she works fast.
Zen: That she does and kind of heart too...Sorry! That came out wrong!
Oh, I think Zen has a crush on Sae already, to be on his own mind here 'but not too much'.
Futaba: Hey, more flittering later.
Zen: Right, got it. Next time my own people decide to arrest me, I'm calling her first thing.
Futaba: So, what's the cavalry doing now?
Zen: Working with her superiors to take some of the pressure off us, at least for the time being. That way we can make our move.
Futaba: What move? Are you cooking up a plan?
Seems like to for some of the cops might believe in Zen of the Phantom Thieves are innocent.
Zen: Yeah. I want to get in that Jail and walk out with my daughter and the rest of your crew! I'm not seeing Goro as a crystal being on my watch!
It's not so easy for him to do this with no powers.
Futaba: That's no plan-that's a suicide run! There are Shadows all over the place! If you charge in with no Persona, you're toast!
Zen: What, I need one of these Persona things too? Can't you take 'em out with yours?
Futaba: My Persona's not really specced for combat. It's more of the "support" persuasion.
He as a lot to learn about.
Zen: That's fine. I'll take whatever support you've got.
Futaba: ...You do realize this could kill you?
Zen: That may be...But I'm Akane's father. And Akechi's in danger too. I'd die for her without a second thought, and that goes double without my son!
A true father until the very end, huh?
Futaba: Zenkichi...
Zen: Besides, if our loved ones are on the line, I'd rather take a stand than sit back and calculate risks...I know it's the same with you guys.
Futaba: ...Know what? You 100% right. Let's team up and get everyone back!
It was back to Akane Shadow's Jail then for Futaba and Zen go for her to guide him to save the other Phantom Thieves, Akechi too, and saving Akane Shadow from this other spirit. Hopefully...Loki, Raiho, Kaguya, and Picaro to see them their. Konoe and EMMA may have got the better of them so far and the Hooded Man too to win this battle so far, but the war is not over yet! Far from it really. Whatever those two have to use to do a rescue mission, they need to be very careful then. With the next thing will happen to be a very good one next, so more to come for the chapter/episode to be told. It's Showtime!