Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #61 - The Two Sides of Kuon
The final defeat of Ichinose to have the data crystal get destroyed by the Phantom Thieves – Keiko/Joker, Akechi/Black Crow, Zen/Wolf, Morgana/Mona, Ryuji/Skull, Ann/Panther, Yusuke/Fox, Makoto/Queen, Futaba/Oracle, Haru/Noir, Sophia/Sophie, Raiho; as well as Sophia's Persona Pithos involved into Pandora 'since she wielded the power of the real thing ans also freeing Hans, Ellen, Aika/Picaro, and Hitomi/Kaguya. And get this...from Dr. Kano Guru and Sango Ichinose had EMMA control the four, Sophia 'as the AI form of Mia of Pandora's only child', had Hans and Ellen of the real ones with their bad clones of Gegasite get killed to become Persona-Users themselves...With Aika as Hans' Persona and Ellen had Hitomi as her Personas to wield. A wizard type of archer of a bow and arrows for her, and her twin brother with a sword-like hammer and shield of a warrior of power. All was good so far, which leaves the helpless doll of no emotions of Ichinose left to deal with.
Keiko: We did it! (Oh, right...) Black Crow, we can try to save her, but...
Akechi: ….I want to try. Maybe not for Sango anymore, but for my Aunt Kuon we can.
Sophia: Let's do it together.
This next part might be hard...
Loki: Let just get this over with. Saving my people and these things from the doctor's doing is going down.
And a good thing too of Ellen thought to be in love with Hans was because of Guru's doing for his love of his sister, since he's Prometheus of Pandora's Shadow on what Zeus did to him. So mess up.
Dr. Guru: No...! My data and creations...The Guyver clones are all destroyed...Hey, you...! Do something!
What can she say but this...Other than the data crystal gets destroyed was all taken care of, so far.
Sango: No...!
Hey! I think Sango just said something for the first time too.
Picaro: So since we're the Guyvers Personas with their powers awaken, we should go by our human names now or what?
Kaguya: Maybe another time, sister. Having our Persona names on what we've become suits us quite well to me.
I think they'll keep it to themselves then.
Ryuji: We're all good now. No one in our way now but you first, Ichinose.
Yusuke: There's no longer any point. You've lost.
Ichinose: ...Sango, please help me. We can still win-!
But then, gun fire goes off by Sango's doing to try hurting her own sister. They sound the same, but Sango sounds like a bratty girl.
Sango: Shut up...! My Owada to give me so much and the doc's...! I won't let my dreams go to waste! You should've stay dead with mother!
Ichinose: What are you doing?!
Sango: DIE!
Leave it to Raiho's weapon and Loki's to stop Sango from attacking them any further.
Loki: Quit it, bitch. A real sister would never turn on their own. You're the real doll here, not Kuon.
This was bad for the those two, but Dr. Guru made a smoke scream chemical of his own to flee with his partner.
Dr. Guru: Sango, let's retreat. Forget her.
Sango: Sir.
Ichinose: Please don't-!
Off they go 'for now' that is.
Dr. Guru: Dumb girl should've done what your sister said in the first place, but no! You thieves haven't see the last of us! I still have the box to finish this!
Even though Sophia is Pandora's Box to have the power, she needs to stop the real one with her powers. Just so you all know about that part...They leave for Ichinose was left heart broken.
Zen: Dammit! They got away with the box.
Ellen: Oh, we'll get them back for sure. There's one left we can still rescue.
Hans: Yes, Kuon Ichinose was the nice twin member in the group.
Yes she was, this was their only chance to do so; soon enough to get Pandora's Box to stop the nightmare coming up and the last two enemies standing. Along with the Gegasites, their queen, and EMMA too.
Ichinose: Sango, why?
Akechi: Aunty, I still believe in you. So please...Open your eyes to the truth. You sister's not herself anymore. I'm sorry, but I don't want to lose you either. I loss a true dad on what Shuzo would've been with my Mother if they were still alive, we can still be a family.
He meant every word there too.
Ichinose: I knew about Sango, she loss her emotions more than me after our mother died and father...! It just happened...As expected of the Phantom Thieves to save me...I'm all out of tricks, those two left me for dead. Just finish me off quickly, please.
They want for them to change her heart?
Morgana: What do you mean?
Akechi: Please don't say such things!
Ichinose: Akechi, I can't do anything normal anymore. Even still, I believe EMMA's answer is the only way to save all mankind. I'll only continue attempting to stop you until I succeed. The one solution that guarantees EMMA's defeat is my death.
All this to die for her job to be done? But EMMA was using her for Loki and Raiho to both discover something big about her and the Gegasite thing, all of it.
Picaro: Hey! Don't talk so stupid!
Kaguya: Sister, please! Sorry, but I have to agree with her.
Ichinose: EMMA trusts me to do so because I made her. Even if Sango doesn't love me and the doctor used me for the weapon to gather the Desires for energy and Gegasites, then fine. If you four are free, then good for all of you. I have noting else to live for but this. Isn't that right, Sophia?
Sophia: ...
Soon she walks up to Ichinose to have a talk.
Akechi: Sophie?
Keiko: Wait, let them talk things out. It'll be okay.
The two hold hands to show of Keiko to sense something good will happen next, without a change of heart on Ichinose but regularly with feelings and not with power. For some people it does happen.
Akechi: Understood, Joker. (Please Sophie, you can get through Aunty Kuon for me.)
For Akechi, Ellen, Hans, Aika, and Hitomi know of this. Same with Zen as well to see his step-son feeling better.
Futaba: Hey...Sophie?
Zen: Joker's right. This is between the two of them-let's stay out of it.
I think she got this one.
Sophia: I've finally got it...Ichinose, you're no doll, your mean twin sister is. You really do have a heart unlike her. Why is would she attack her own family with no heart?
Ichinose: ...
Trauma in Sango's life, Kuon could remember everything to have them change, for one of them to go bad, and I mean really bad.
Sophia: Wasn't it an insufferable existence? Believing...you didn't have anyone anymore? What of Akechi, Ellen, Hans, Aika, and Hitomi? They care about you from a hard time from losing your mother, and your sister to turn into a bad guy. That's why you made me.
Ichinose: What about my nephew and those kids? Huh? I only made you to try understand the heart! Not some pathetic attempt to-
Sophia: You have been locked in solitude ever since you lost your parents? Sango loss her way to go bad, you thought helping her will only win her back, but it made things worse to think so. But not you to still love her, don't you get it?
Ichinose: ...!
Well that and her sister to be so twisted by Dr. Guru Kano's doing, it's his fault and Owada's. So Sango fell in love with Owada of all people, to also look different in her Shadow self form, yep. She's not human in the Metaverse.
Sophia: Rather than empathize with you, the people who should have cared for you treated you like a lifeless doll. You attempted to rationalize this treatment by viewing yourself as truly heartless...Because studying the human heart...
Ichinose: Don't...
Trying to ignore Sophia's words to think she's wrong, but she wasn't for Ichinose to soon be admitting it.
Sophia: ...is easier than admitting how your own really feels. Deep down...you felt lonely. But you were so scared of rejection that you deluded yourself into your own lonely world.
Ichinose: No, that's not true! My little sister only cared while Sango didn't to also have Akechi in the family, and then everything changed! What could some program like you know about-
Sophia: "Become humanity companion."
Ichinose: ...!
But Sophia really does get Ichinose like Akechi's mother too, they were the only caring sisters of two, and not three.
Sophia: Feelings for your nephew, your little sister, and the five kids with four still alive today. Why else would you give me that directive?! Like Mia to be like me, she told me to end this nightmare and I will.
Ichinose: ...
Akechi: If the only one in the family to still love you was Shuzo and my mother. Your real sister. And me too, your only nephew.
All of this to come through this woman to open up more and more.
Sophia: If I'm just some program written for emotional analysis...Why that directive?
Ichinose: It's because...
Sophia: It's because you were lonely. You wanted to know what was making you feel lonely. Try aiding the four gifted kids and Mia until she pass on. Because you cared, you wanted to do good but you didn't know you were being used all along. I get it, so do they, and Black Crow.
Ichinose: That's wrong...
Loki: No, she's right.
I think everyone was right on Ichinose to show her true feelings.
Sophia: You were told you had no heart and you listened, because it was simpler to just believe them!
Ichinose: No!
Sophia: You believed you cold figure out the human heart so you could make your own stop feeling lonely!
Ichinose: That's not true!
Sophia: You were just lonely to try to do more good! That's the real solution!
Still hiding from the truth.
Ichinose: No...I...
Sophia: But, what's so wrong with that?
Ichinose: Huh?
For Raiho to nodded a yes, there was more to life to not be perfect.
Sophia: No human is perfect. By acknowledging weakness, humans can begin the path to changing themselves. I may be an AI, but I was able to change. You should be able to change too like you did with them! Look. You should be able to comprehend the heart!
The others who were test subjects and set free were proof. Reborn a new, learning, and having something that the original human once had.
Hans: I thought having all of the women would change me for a better world, but I was wrong. I know when to final true love, but family comes first.
From the one who wanted all the girls all over the world to love...
Ellen: Same here, besides some cute things. Friendship is also wonderful...As well as loving your sibling, but not in love to not be something so mess up.
Another to love another brother for a sister who didn't know the differences...
Picaro: Even if my sister and I are dead, we became something from our powers save us. To guide to those we save and love. And that's these guys. I'm friggin' proud of it all.
Being the older member to die for it, but been brought back a new...
Kaguya: Same here. My sister and me became something of a heart to care and to aid others. The thieves, these siblings, and her.
Knowing of once being human beings, can come with a good price...
All of them to say so and it's all true.
Akechi: I changed too with a heart. I thought my real father would ruin me to kill him, but I didn't for this Persona to do something wrong, but thanks to my true love who saved my life...friends, real family, and others who get me...I changed too. My mother would not have wanted you to die. I need another family to be there for me, my aunty. With a step-father and step-sister who are also by my side.
From a man who was saved to have feelings to not be alone, and other memories on another human to be made into an AI version.
Sophia: You see? ou are not alone anymore or never have been. These people care a lot than Sango does or Dr. Guru. Ichinose, you told me to become a good companion for humanity. A good companion so one who takes your hand and leads you back to the light path when you fall astray. Someone who will forge a path alongside you if you cannot find your own. Ichinose, I want to be that kind of companion for you, too!
Strong words from everything to see from sad but good memories too which makes Ichinose feel a lot more happy about.
Ichinose: ...Guyver twins, Personas sisters, Sophia, and...my nephew Goro Akechi.
Sophia: So please join me in finding the right path-and if we can't, then let me help you forge one! You have no reason to be lonely...After all, you're my...You're my very first friend!
Well, Mia did like Kuon a lot from five years ago to have something and more when Kuon made an AI version of her in memory. Soon enough Ichinose started showing more emotions from her tone of voice and feelings to be shown.
Ichinose: Sophia...Huh? Why are...tear...? That's so weird...This hasn't happened before...
Finally crying with real human emotions, Ichinose was going to be fine now.
Akechi: She did it...My aunt's going to be okay now.
Keiko: Yes, I'm glad it took real friends and her own nephew to show Kuon Ichinose the light, she does have a heart.
Even the others were pleased on Sophia's fine job she did on her own. With Sophia, Akechi, Hans, Ellen, Aika, and Kaguya all gathered to hug Ichinose to let it all out now.
Hans: Kuon!
Ellen: Welcome back!
Picaro: God dammit, we missed you!
Kaguya: We still love you!
Akechi: Aunty.
She soon hugs them all.
Ichinose: Sango...You had your chance...I'm done. I had a great little sister, to leave me with a wonderful nephew, your son. I love him to be his only caring aunt. Sophia, you and everyone are fine the way you all are now. Not changed at all, they were fine like before the event happened.
Good, one was saved now of a good twin sister.
Ryuji: Damn, Sophie...They did it.
Loki: Having more friends from becoming something you're no is better than dying for nothing, or being used.
No mask from Keiko's doing didn't change the heart of Kuon Ichinose, she did that herself.
Keiko: Sophie's learned so much. For her and Ichinose really are related.
Not bad blood, but by caring a lot more.
Akechi: Yes, and I'm so happy for them.
Morgana: Yeah. She was able to change Ichinose's heart! Her, the Guyvers, the Personas sisters, and Akechi.
Ann: Sophia had to be the one to reach out to her.
What a better way to save someone to be misguided at first, huh?
Zen: Well, of course-a daughter's words cut the deepest, ya know. And a nephew and aunt's love of a true family. (Well done, Goro.)
Makoto: Speaking from experience?
For Zen and Akane were doing a lot more better now to have this guy be happy about it.
Zen: Yep...
Futaba: Whoa, he didn't even argue!
Akechi: Because Master changed too on his own from our kindness to him.
All to be good now, they still got a lot more to be done with next. Still, they can all pull it off together somehow. From Ichinose calming down from the hugging too, everyone gets back up on their feet to think of the next move.
Haru: How are you holding up, Sophie?
Sophia: All good here. No problems. Everyone else fine?
Seems like it.
Hans: I am fine.
Ellen: Same.
Picaro: Me too!
Kaguya: Thank you again, Phantom Thieves. For aiding us again.
Yep, everyone else from the project nightmare is all over with. With all five of them 'sort of' back together and Akechi to see this too and Kuon Ichinose well, it was time to do a few more things to stop the two bad guys and save the world next. Oh! Also stop Owada afterwards for sure.
Keiko: From having a data power of a Persona, but your real one awaken.
Akechi: And the real wielder of Pandora's Box too.
It was an amazing thing to see something god to come out, huh?
Yusuke: Indeed. To think even Sophie would awaken to a Persona...
Morgana: No surprise to me! Sophie's been learning all about the heart this whole time.
A lot to learn, but a lot to have Sophia letting out a sigh. As well as almost killing them from once being under Ichinose's control. But not anymore.
Sophia: ...Joker, Black Crow, everyone...I'm very sorry for hurting you all. That was not being a good companion to humanity.
Keiko: Don't worry about it.
Akechi: I think we're all glad you're okay.
They all understood, even the other four were mind controlled too like Sophia was. Well, maybe a bit different.
Hans: It's fine. We now know what our goal is. Set Pandora free, stop the doc, and save this world. Even if our dreams don't come true, we'll make it into a better tomorrow for ourselves. C'mon now, I should know this by now.
Sophia: I'm glad we saved everyone, Joker! Really I am.
That's good to see Sophia feeling happy again with human emotion for this special AI.
Ryuji: Yeah, don't let it bother ya! We're just happy to see you back to normal!
Akechi: Everyone from the event from five years ago. Shuzo and my mother can now rest in peace. But we got one more to deal with, for Mia's sake.
Ann: Mmhm! Bringing you back was worth it!
Picaro: We were almost puppets to that mad doctor. As if! But...it's nice for Mia to watch over us, because you are her too.
She sees of the good humans they all are, and other living beings.
Sophia: Everyone...Thank you! I can hear something deep inside me...It's saying, "I want to stay with the Phantom Thieves!" As well as the members from the event. All of it. Hans. Ellen. Aika. Hitomi. I'm so happy we helped you just like me.
Sounds like the plan there.
Akechi: Then that's the plan.
Keiko: That's great to hear. From all of you.
Sophia: Mmhm!
I guess all good things have a good ending to save others besides changing their hearts, but setting them free to see everything clearly. That was more than enough there.
Zen: I'm glad to ya, Sophie. And you four, keep living the way we do things and you sister Personas too.
Kaguya: Thank you, Wolf. We do have the wielder to Pandora's Box. But we still need to get it back to use for good, using it for bad, it needs to be closed.
Hitomi: Well, more than close. We know a trick to it but they're going to need all of our help. This time without fail.
Even Raiho agrees with it all.
Loki: Yes, my family...the remaining ones are still alive and well. Trapped, but we got plenty of time to do what's right.
More on what to do with the weapon in a bit next. Even so, what will Ichinose do next?
Ichinose: ...
Yusuke: And now...only one task remains.
For Ichinose to get back on her feet...
Haru: Right, the Ark of the Covenant. This will have all been for nothing if we don't stop it.
Ryuji: But, where'd it even go?
Zen: Ichinose, you wouldn't happen to know?
Akechi: If anything, then please tell us.
Wait...does Ichinose know anything? She might since Sango was smart too.
Ichinose: No...I don't.
Ellen: OK...? And we're back to square one again.
Soon Sophia was hearing something a lot better since her powers fully awaken.
Sophia: Wait! I can hear another voice!
Makoto: What is it?
Remember back to where Shuzo's remains use to be in when Sophia went to wonder off?
Sophia: It's the one I heard in the Okinawa Jail...I recognize it now. It's EMMA's-it's the voice of the Ark!
Loki: That's not the only thing...Just now, Raiho and I also sense from EMMA...She's really the Queen of the Gegasites. And the Sentries are all of her clones. All of them being remade in the doc's sick image...!
Yep, what another shocker there, huh?
Hans: Damn you, Dr. Guru! How can someone of an old Shadow do such a thing...? And in love with his only sister?! Sick!
Ellen: It's no wonder why our clones was pretty twisted to be them from our old selves. Holy crap!
Yeah, but this time they stop them to stop the Gegasites next. No kidding!
Akechi: So that explains everything...! That man's gone too far!
Keiko: How Loki can sense it all out, yeah. We have to stop it all.
Yusuke: So it was speaking through a borrowed voice just as we thought.
Using a voice from Sophia's to really be EMMA's. No wonder why Kano saved EMMA's power as the real deal. And soon enough, Sophia hears and felt something else next.
Sophia: It's gathering the people...It says a god is nigh...That their Desire will be granted from the queen and armies...it's true to rule all worlds if we don't put a stop to all of this.
Morgana: Sophie, where's the voice coming from?
Sophia: Not from within the Jail...Somewhere outside!
Somewhere else...? Then they need to leave this Jail right away.
Keiko: We should take a look then. Let's move out.
Akechi: Right, we need to find that voice.
Morgana: All right, let's go!
Picaro and Kaguya: It's time we all finish this! We'll meet you there, Phantom Thieves!
For the four were in now to look around the Metaverse of this last and special Jail to go to.
Hans: It's our Personas. They come and go wherever we go. So, we'll all keep up. Stay safe and see you all there.
Ellen: And we'll do this together too, so...don't die and be a stranger. We'll all be aware of the doctor's tricks to never fall for again.
As for Guyvers with their Personas take off, Loki and Raiho do the same thing next. Don't forget - Loki is still part of Akechi's Persona to aid him in battle.
Loki: Then I'm off. Meet you guys on the other side. Let's go, frosty.
Off they go, and now they were last with Ichinose joining with them.
Keiko: Their they go again.
Akechi: But this time, they'll be just fine. I wouldn't worry about them anymore.
Futaba: Anyways...C'mon, Ichinose! You're comin' with us.
Having trouble deciding, but she needs to not stay here forever alone.
Ichinose: No, I...
Still, Sophia will take her out if so.
Sophia: Let's go, Ichinose! There's no time to argue!
Ichinose: But it's all my fault...
Ryuji: Ugh, would you give it a rest?! Just shuddup and get with the program! We're rescuing you whatever you like it or not!
And the others fro the Guyver twins and the Persona twin sisters needed her the most. Even Akechi, to be the only aunt he has left in the family. Minus Sango since she only cares about her mess up self. As Ryuji grabs Ichinose's hand to save Sophia the trouble.
Ichinose: Huh?!
Akechi: You are still my aunty, after all.
Ryuji: A friend of Sophie's is a friend of ours! And a aunt to Akechi! We're not ditchin' anybody in this hellhole!
The same as before the way Sophia was saved when she first met the Phantom Thieves back in the Shibuya Jail.
Sophia: Just go with it, Ichinose. He dragged me up from down in the dumps too.
Ichinose: What does that mean?
Keiko: Ah...don't ask?
Yusuke: We'll explain later. Let's move!
Now the next question was this...How to get back to the real world to get to the real Jail of EMMA's location?
Sophia: We can return to the real world from here.
Ryuji: The voice is comin' from outside, right Sophie?
That has to be the case then.
Sophia: I have no doubt.
Haru: I still can't hear anything, though...
They can't hear it, but Sophia can while Akechi and Keiko can sense it a little but that's it.
Sophia: Well, I am the prototype of EMMA. It is possible that I am especially tuned to the frequency of EMMA's will.
Akechi: The same with different programmings...This could be useful.
Zen: Whatever it is, let's get back quick. We need to see just how bad things are.
Time to leave this Jail to go back to the real world then.
Keiko: Time to leave and then go to the next Jail.
Using the EMMA app, the Phantom Thieves do so back in the real world where the Radio Tower's located at. Getting back to them in that world and the other six in the Metaverse area, can all of them from the new Persona-Users, Personas, and Phantom Thieves save the world? Sojiro, along with Sae, Miyako, and Akane do something and fight off against the other loose Gegasites? Stop Owada as well? What is EMMA's true goal as the Queen Gegasite and her army? Same with Loki saving his people quickly...As well as Dr. Guru, will he still go through with his mess up plans?
Dr. Guru: Dammit! Dammit! DAMMIT! They got rid of everything to be reborn with my Pandora! So now what are we suppose to do?! I would've used Kuon's body instead, but now-! Grr...Bitch, this is all your fault!
Slapping Sango around again for her to love Owada and work with Guru still was mess up to take in all of this crap.
Sango: Hey, my sister betrayed us! I told you asking for help was a stupid idea!
Dr. Guru: So you finally can talk to me in person.
Sango: So what? You got the weapon to change all worlds and get your lover/sister back to life somehow. What the hell do you want? Anything else, you dumb prick?! ….AH!
Then kicking Sango, Guru was taking this too far on this woman.
Dr. Guru: You're the one who wish to stay by my side more and your fat ass dumb boyfriend to keep safe under my protection. But keep this up, then maybe you won't be so lucky. I may have the box and EMMA to still have my sister growing within her. A new life of a perfect body for a clone for me to love and more power, we will succeed with this task I worked so hard on. You hear me?! I'll kill them all the next time they arrive here! Let's se them try.
Sango: ….I chose this life...! I only took in your abuse just to make it to here and nothing more!
Dr. Guru: Soon enough, you'll like the world of ours to create more than the life you use to live in.
Another chapter/episode for next time. And Pandora's Box needs to be closed back up right away.