A/N: I forgot to mention the ages of the characters in the last chapter. Guren, Acura, and Elise are sixteen to seventeen years old while Zonda is fifteen to sixteen years old. Michiru being Acura's twin sister is also sixteen to seventeen years old. When Asimov adopted seven old Guren he was twenty-four years old making him thirty-three to thirty-four in present day.
Explanation and Rescue
After looking around to see that there are no more monsters and that his three companions are all fine Gunvolt sighs in relief before being engulfed in a blue flame for a second as his clothes return to his usual school uniform and the Strength card materializing in his right hand.
For a while no one moved or said anything until...
"WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT?!" Acura yells angrily though still relieved that they're not in danger anymore.
"That is the fifth time you said 'What the hell'." Zonda remarks as the group gathers towards Guren.
"With very good reason I might add." he retorts as he holsters his gun.
"How's your injury Acura?" G.V. asks considering the other guy took a hit from an ice block.
"I'll recover. It hurt but nothing that requires medical aid." Acura answers no worse for wear.
"Never mind that, I'm asking again, what was that? How were you able to transform like that and how were you able to unleash such power?" he questions as his patience for the weird stuff that's been happening all morning is finally wearing thin.
"I'll try to explain but I'm not sure I can put it into words that you'll understand. It's like I had a feeling that this is my power and that it's been with me my entire life." Guren explains the best he can as he shows his card to them as blue flames covers it showing it definitely has power.
"Oh, so the transformation, how your powers work, and how to fight with them was all instinctual?" Zonda queries now looking at her own card.
'Since I have this card, does this mean I have powers as well?' Zonda thought intrigued at the prospect.
"Um... Guren." Elise says with a soft voice though shyly blushing at getting her crushes attention.
"Elise?" G.V. looks at the girl making her even more nervous.
"Y-your g-glasses." Elise stutters as she extends her hands showing she picked up his glasses after they were knocked off his face.
"Oh thank you, kind of forgot about them. You're very nice." Guren appreciates the kindness before putting them back on.
"N-no, I j-just wanted to make s-sure you could see. I k-know that you can't see that f-far." Elise twiddled her hands in embarrassment but happy that he praised her.
"So these cards are the source of power. How did you activate your 'Persona' as you called it exactly?" Acura asks holding his card thinking he can use his own power to fight and find his sister.
However, before G.V. can explain anymore they heard a loud noise coming towards them from outside the warehouse.
"More monster?!" Zonda and the others tensed at the thought.
Luckily it wasn't the shambling or groans of the creatures they've fought but a more familiar sound someone hears when living in a large city.
"It's a vehicle! If there's a vehicle moving about that means there's at least someone driving and drivers are usually human beings!" Guren rants as the four's morale went up believing there's at least another person active and not in a stasis cube.
"That's great but is it just me or is getting closer and not slowing down?" Zonda suspects as it sounds like the vehicle is coming closer and closer to their location at a high speed even though they're in a building.
"What are you saying? It's not like it'll crash through the warehouse's freight door...
BAM
A vehicle crashed through the warehouse's freight door surprising or in Elise's case frightening the conscious occupants inside.
"NANI!" "WAAAHHH!" G.V. and Elise shouts as the four then notice what kind of vehicle that crashed in is revealed.
It was some type of eight wheeled armored military assault vehicle painted blue with emblems on the sides that looks like a feather. It looks big enough to hold several people inside and also has a mounted turret on top.
"Where did this thing come from?!" Acura exclaims not really knowing whether whoever is inside is actually friendly or not.
The window of the driver's door rolls down showing that the driver is indeed a human being.
"Gino?!" a very familiar human being to Guren, recognizing his spikey brown hair with the center hairs being orange for some reason and having amber eyes. Despite being sixteen years old like him Gino doesn't go to school for some unexplained reason.
"Guren! No time to explain! Get the others in the back before we're overrun!" the guy now identified as Gino shouts clearly wanting to get out of there as soon as possible.
"Gino, what's going on?! Where did you even get this thing?!" G.V. exclaims obviously confused as to why his long time friend and housemate is driving a military vehicle.
"I said there's no time to explain G.V.! The Shadows will be here any moment now and we have to get out of here and head towards a safe place as soon as possible!" Gino insists before he moves the vehicle so that it's facing the freight door he just crashed through.
"Shadows?" Zonda mutters wondering if he's referring to the monster they've encountered.
When the group rushes towards the backdoors of the vehicle Guren opens them to reveal three people inside that the teen already knows.
The first person is a young woman with long brown hair tied in a ponytail and has green eyes. Her name is Monica and she's twenty-two years old.
The second person is a teenage girl with with green hair and brown eyes. Her name is Ouka and she's sixteen years old, but goes to a different high school than G.V.
The last person is a young boy with blue hair and green eyes. His name is Xiao Wu and he's twelve years old. He's also very intelligent for his age.
"Xiao, Monica, Ouka? You're here as well?!" Guren shockingly asks as he and the others get in the vehicle and closing the backdoor.
With the door closing and seeing everyone inside Gino steps on the gas pedal causing the armored vehicle to exit the warehouse and onto the open street.
"I'm just as surprised as you Guren. When I woke up seeing sky red I didn't believe Gino when he said I was frozen in place inside some cube but when Xiao showed me the video he took of me minutes before I had no choice but to believe it." Ouka replies shocked when the people she knew revealed their secret to her.
Ouka is the daughter of a wealthy financial conglomerate so she's very rich. However, due to being an illegitimate daughter her father built her own personal mansion on the outskirts of the city. The only person who's ever lived with her, a housekeeper who she saw as a mother to her, passed away, and when she requested for her parents not to send another housekeeper, they complied, much to her surprise. As a result, she lived alone.
One fateful day when walking alone at night(Which is really stupid and cliche.) a fourteen year old Ouka encountered a mugger with a knife threatening her for money and possibly something even worse. It was fortunate that G.V. was running late from an errand that he encountered the scene and saved the girl by beating the mugger up and calling the police. Since then she's been friends with him and his adopted family saying they're free to visit her mansion anytime since she gets very lonely living in such a big place by herself.
"I'm just glad your safe. It hasn't been that long since all this started but we've already almost died already." Guren says smiling at the girl unaware that Elise is frowning at their little interaction.
"You guys seem to know what's going on considering we're in a vehicle that normal civilians should not have." Acura points out looking around the interior that's equipped with computer monitors and sees some weapons at the side.
"Indeed we do, though we kept it a secret from Guren because Asimov was going to tell him after he graduates high school." Monica admits getting a shocked look from G.V.
"Wait! What secret?! What was dad going to tell me?!" Guren exclaims once again surprised that there are things his adopted family never told him.
"That Asimov, Monica, Gino, and I are members of QUILL." Xiao reveals much to the shock of the Anthem Academy students especially G.V. himself.
QUILL which stands for "The Quorum for Unrestricted Information, Law, and Liberty" is an armed resistance force founded by members of a foreign human rights organization to combat the increasingly radical measures being taken by the Sumeragi Group.
"But they're mostly seen a a terrorist organization that's always antagonizing the Sumeragi Group." Zonda remarks though knows it's just propaganda since a powerful worldwide conglomerate like Sumeragi would definitely have a lot of skeletons in their closet.
"You guys and dad?!" G.V. astonished at such a revelation from the people he lives with.
"Yes, we're the branch located in Japan codenamed SHEEP and Asimov is our squad leader." Monica confirms as she monitors the area they're driving through with her holographic screens.
"If you guys really are part of QUILL then that means that everything that's going on is Sumeragi's doing." Acura says with apprehension because he knows someone who works for the powerful conglomerate.
"Indeed, for years they've been researching what they call the Metaworld and have developed technology in order to bring it into the real world." Monica explains to the group.
"The Metaworld?" Zonda questions wanting to know more.
But before anymore questions an alarm sounded from one of Monica's screens indicating danger.
"We've got bogeys at our six! Xiao, your up!" the young woman announces to the young boy.
"On it!" Xiao replies as he activates the screen on one of the monitors as the turret comes online.
Monica's monitor expands showing the viewpoint of the turret's camera showing flying monsters now identified as Shadows heading towards the moving vehicle from behind.
They're pretty much eyeless ravens holding a lit lantern with their talons while wearing an orange skull-like mask with one big eye on their chest that also has the Roman numeral for the number nine on the forehead.
Black Raven: Wearing the Reverse Hermit mask, one of many Shadow types that looks like an actual animal.
Grabbing the joystick that controls the turret Xiao presses the trigger button as laser beams shoot towards the Ravens.
"COME GET SOME!" Xiao yells in excitement as several of the shots hit and kill many of the Ravens but there are still more coming.
In retaliation the fire from the lanterns the Ravens are carrying intensifies as they shoot Agi fireballs at the vehicle.
"Evasive maneuver!" Monica warns Gino up front in the driver's seat.
"OK!" Gino acknowledges as he swerves around the street as to not get hit by most of the fireball.
Just because they're in an armored military vehicle doesn't mean he'll take any chances with supernatural attacks. Luckily for the all passengers everyone is sitting on a car seat and wearing seatbelts so they don't get hurt from all the jerk movements Gino is doing.
"WHAAAAAA!" Elise screams in terror not wanting to experience a car crash.
"What's our E.T.A. to the safe zone?!" Xiao asks as he concentrates on shooting the Raven as to not miss a lot.
"Ten minutes, but with these guys on our tail I can't use the quickest route!" Gino replies glad that the streets he's driving through have little to no traffic.
"Safe zone?" Zonda asks wondering where in the entire city can be safe from these monstrosities.
"Our home, Ouka's mansion, and even the several 'safe' houses we've built throughout the city aren't safe with the Shadows all over the city. Luckily, the ally we've been in contact with who works from within Sumeragi's Japanese branch has developed a device that can be used to repel them." Monica reveals though looks rather apprehensive for some reason.
"Someone from within Sumeragi? You mean a spy?" Acura wonders knowing that the Sumeragi Group has a very strict screening process for employees for upper tier positions.
"More like a traitor. Once he found out what Sumeragi was planning to do with all the Metaworld research he discreetly contacted us and gave us a lot of vital information. In fact Asimov went to Babel Tower for an extraction this morning... but that was before the Shadows appeared." Monica exposits now showing worry that Guren is now noticing.
"All by himself?" G.V. worries that even though his stepfather most likely a veteran in QUILL he can't help be extremely concerned for his safety.
"He hasn't contacted us yet nor were we able to contact him. It was best that we find you and take you and anyone else awake to safety." Monica continues explaining to her long time friend.
"How did you guys know I was awake and not in those stasis cubes like those construction worker we encountered?" Guren questions with the other academy students are curious as well.
Before Monica could answer him the vehicle shook indicating that it got hit from the Ravens' attacks.
"There's too many of them Monica and the turret's running out of energy!" Xiao warns as the vehicle took another hit.
"We're also still a long way from reaching the safe zone!" Gino chimed in being trying not to crash into anything at such a high speed.
Elise looks really worried but remembers what happened earlier. She looks at G.V. who has a determined look on his face and knows what he's about to do filling her with hope.
"I'll take care of them." Guren simply states as he draws his tarot card which ignites in a blue flame.
"PERSONA!"
In a flash of blue light Gunvolt is now once again in his armored form.
"That's so awesome!" Xiao exclaims as he watches G.V.'s transformation in amazement. Gino as well but he's too busy driving.
'Just as we suspected. The surge of energy we detected really was a Persona awakening and it was in fact Guren.' Monica thought as that's how they were able to find him in the first place.
Without saying another word Gunvolt opens the backdoors of the vehicle and jumps up to the roof using electromagnetism to keep himself from falling off.
"At least close the doors while you're at it!" Acura chastises with him being the one to close them.
"What did Guren just do?! How did he change clothes like that?!" Ouka exclaims very surprised as she wasn't told about QUILL, Shadows, and Sumeragi.
"We were just as surprised as you are when he did that. We realized it has something to do with these tarot cards that came to our possession when we were freed from stasis." Zonda says as she, Acura, and Elise show their cards to them.
'So they're Persona-users too, the intel we've combed through suggested that being a naturally born one is suppose to be rare. Guren was extremely lucky that he came across three of them some time after the dome fell.' Monica thought as what were the odds of G.V. even meeting at least one other natural Persona-user.
Gunvolt looks at the Black Ravens as they continue attack team SHEEP's armored vehicle.
'They're too far away to be in my Flash Field's radius. Fortunately, I don't need them to be in order to destroy them.' G.V. thought before summon his Dart Leader pistol and starts shooting them.
Since he's wearing his glasses this time Gunvolt's aim is much better allowing him to tag several of the flying Shadows.
"Flash Field! Mazio!" activating his signature way of attacking and defending as streams of electricity surge through the air hitting every Raven that he tagged.
"CAAAWWW!" the bird like creatures screeched in pain as some were eventually destroyed while others crashed onto the street.
"Way to go G.V.! Now let's deal with the rest of them and we're home free!" Xiao praises through a speaker as he also takes down the ones that Gunvolt didn't tag.
'They're going down rather easily compared to those blobs. Could it be that some types are weaker to electricity that others?' Gunvolt ponders as before long all the Ravens that were chasing them have been defeated or have lost pursuit.
"Yoshi!(Alright!) We've almost reached the safe zone!" Gino announces glad that he can now drive without any problems.
As they near their destination G.V. couldn't help but notice as they're getting closer a blue field that seems to keep the fog at bay and once they pass through it everyone suddenly feels the sensation of safety as though they're no longer have the feeling of being attacked by those shadowy creatures at any moment.
"Um... what was that?" Elise asks in a calm but confused tone.
"We're in the safe zone now. Meaning we're in range of the device that's preventing even powerful Shadows from wanting to enter the territory its covering so we can all relax now." Xiao explains as he does just that after deactivating the turret.
Gunvolt still on top of the vehicle sees Gino drive up to a gate. Monica taps a few holographic buttons on her screen in order to communicate with someone which was answered.
"We've arrived, please open the gate." she says and a few moments later the gate opens allowing Gino to drive inside the property.
G.V. sees that they're pulling up towards a mansion no too dissimilar to Ouka's though it has a larger front yard and most likely a bigger backyard.
'Is this where the Sumeragi traitor lives?' he wonders as the vehicle parks at the front door of the mansion.
All the passengers exit the vehicle with Guren jumping down from the roof before deactivating his Persona.
"Wait! This is my home!" Acura exclaims surprised that they went to his mansion of all places.
"Really? What a coincidence." Zonda states not really seeing the gun toting boy as a kid who comes from wealth.
Suddenly the front door of the mansion opens revealing a young woman with red hair and brown eyes wearing a maid outfit.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Master Acura." she says with no hint of emotion.
"Nowa? You're alright?" Acura is shocked to see his family maid active and not in stasis.
"Indeed, Master Acura. I too am relieved that you are not harmed." the now identified Nowa simply states as she bows to greet the others.(Don't ask about her age.)
"Why did you bring us to my family's mansion?" Acura asks the members of QUILL.
"Your mansion? I thought this was Dr. Kamizono's place." Gino says in confusion which gets a surprised look on Acura.
"You are correct sir. Master Acura is one of Dr. Kamizono's children." Nowa confirms as she leads the group inside.
"I see, so Acura's father is the Sumeragi traitor that's been feeding you information." Zonda states putting two and two together.
"That's right, we were able to get so much information because he was the head scientist in charge of researching the Metaworld." Monica confirms once again surprised at the coincidence of having the son of their informant being rescued.
"Is he here? Didn't da... I mean Asimov go to Sumeragi headquarters to go get him?" Guren ask in worry that was also mirrored by Acura.
"I have yet to receive any word on Dr. Kamizono or the QUILL cell leader." Nowa admits as the group stands in the mansion main hall.
A tense atmosphere arises amongst those present. Guren, Ouka, and the members of SHEEP squad are worried for Asimov, Acura is worried for his father and still missing sister, and Zonda and Elise are worried about what they should do next.
"If father's the head researcher for this Metaworld thing then he obviously has information on how to put an end to all this." Acura notes looking at his maid.
"Master Acura, normally no one is allowed to enter Dr. Kamizono's private lab and testing zone not even myself, but this is an emergency situation and we need all the information he has." Nowa says as she leads everyone to the backyard.
"That's right, we only have several pieces of information that he was able to smuggle out of Sumeragi headquarters but not all of it." Xiao mentions as they reach a large building several feet behind the backyard that even has a swimming pool.
The building pretty looks like a warehouse that's twenty-five thousand square feet tall. Nowa walks towards the door that has a security console next to it and presses the big red button. Pressing the button causes a hole to open up and from within comes out...
"Nowa! You know no one is allowed inside the research laboratory other than Dr. Kamizono!" a floating white and red sphere with blank yellow eyes states having to admonish the stoic maid.
"I'm afraid what Dr. Kamizono feared the most has come to pass Lola. We need the information he most likely uploaded from Babel Tower to his personal computer here as a last resort." Nowa reveals to the artificial intelligence.
"No way! That's impossible! Wait a minute! So that's why the sky is red! I just thought my internal clock was malfunctioning!" the sphere moves about in disbelief.
"Lola, we need that information. Please let us inside." Acura calmly speaks as he's used to dealing with the A.I.'s personality.
"Acura-kun?! You're back early, and you actually have friends! I didn't believe that'd be possible when Michiru-chan wanted you to go to school!" Lola exclaims in surprise once again.
"Oh my, and who's this cute little character?" Zonda asks inspecting the floating sphere.
"Hello everyone! I'm Lola and I'm an Autonomous Combat Pod(ACP) designed to help Acura-kun in his combat training." Lola introduces herself to the group.
"Sweet, an actual artificial intelligence. You usually only see basic intelligence bots sold in mechanical stores." Xiao states impressed at Lola's fully developed personality.
"Humph! Those simpletons can't even comprehend how superior I am compared to them!" she haughtily proclaims at the kid.
"Lola." Nowa plainly says.
"Alright! Alright! Sheesh!" Lola exasperates before opening the door to the laboratory and allowing everyone present to enter.
The inside of the laboratory is spacious indeed. On one side are several workbenches for creating inventions, an area where there's an abundance of chemicals, on another is where a large computer is located, and a large empty area mostly where testing and experimenting is done.
"I've turned on the computer Nowa and you're right. A large amount of data was sent here from Dr. Kamizono himself." Lola announces as she combs through.
"Very well, I shall access the files though it will take time for me to look through all the data." Nowa states as she types in commands on the computer.
"Maybe we should start with what the Metaworld actually is." Guren proposes believing that would be the best starting point.
"Very well." Nowa complies as she access the file.
The Metaworld is formed from the collective unconscious of humanity(also certain animals). Within the Metaworld thoughts from the conscious and subconscious mind can take form. The more a person believes in something the greater probability it can take form and if more people believe the more powerful it can become.
"Just as we pieced together. The Metaworld is in fact a realm where ones imagination can actually come into existence." Monica surmises which is a shocking revelation to the five high school students including Ouka.
"But how did it invade our world?" Zonda queries as it's obviously not a natural phenomenon.
Nowa opened another file which shows details of a device originally built by Dr. Kamizono.
The Metaworld Field Projector. A device created to allow the metaphysical plane of the Metaworld to at a certain range encompass the real world. However, the head of Sumeragi's Japanese branch commissioned an even larger version of the device to be built, one powerful enough to encompass the entire city of Neo Tokyo which is placed on top of Babel Tower. The device on top of Sumeragi headquarters has been modified so that nothing can exit the dome nor can anything enter. Also communication between the inside and outside of the dome are impossible.
"S-so we're t-trapped here with no way for a-anyone outside t-too help us!" Elise exclaims in complete panic.
"Yeah, we tried to contact the other QUILL cells in other countries but were unable to no matter how hard we try." Gino reveals distressed that they can't call any backup.
"Why would Sumeragi do this? What benefit can they have in bringing this 'reality' filled with monsters into the real world?" G.V. asks not really understanding what those who support this are thinking.
"Dr. Sumeragi notes that those in charge of this operation believe that this is humanity's natural progression in our evolution. Quote 'We've created so many wonderous technological advancements to help us deal with the many hardships the real world has inflicted upon us but it is never enough. Now, with the Metaworld humanity can truly mold the world to how we desire it to be.' end quote." Nowa read while narrowing her eyes at what she had to say out loud.
"So they're literally playing God huh? Sumeragi should never have become so powerful. Damn them!" Acura angrily mutters as being an aspiring scientist and engineer he knows what the limits are and when not to go too far.
"I'm beginning to see why QUILL was formed in the first place." Zonda agrees with her schoolmate and displeased that the major conglomerate is blatantly putting so many people in danger for their ambitions.
"Wait! If the Metaworld can bring people's thoughts into reality then why are there monsters everywhere?" Ouka asks as the members of SHEEP only referred to the creatures as Shadows and didn't really explain what they really are.
Shadows are born from the human mind, more precisely their Id. The Id is the primitive and instinctual part of the mind which is why the common Shadow acts like wild animals and prey on people. All common Shadows wear masks that represent the Major Arcana Tarot cards one through twelve and symbolize their reverse meanings which are the negative traits of that particular Arcana.
"No way! Those things came from humans?!" Lola exclaims in disbelief that such inhuman looking creatures originated from the human mind.
"The data we already have confirms it. As long as humanity exists so too will Shadows as long as the Metaworld exists." Monica says as she accesses her holographic screen and pulls up the file that has images of twelve different masks that all have the Roman numerals for the numbers one through twelve on them somewhere.
"Tarot cards again? It's like they've been ingrained in the collective unconsciousness of humanity. What about the power I awakened? The power called Persona." Guren asks curious as to why he was able to possess such abilities.
A Persona is a manifestation of a Persona-user's personality, referred to as a 'mask' for an individual to use to face hardship. A Persona is similar to a Shadow. Shadows are malevolent manifestations of one's inner thoughts, while a Persona is a manifestation of the same feelings but tamed and trained. Most people are not born with the potential to be a Persona-user and even fewer for those with potential to even awaken it at all.
"So Guren's Persona is wearing blue armor and shooting electricity?" Gino wonders in confusion as to why that's his long time friend's true self.
"He called it 'Gunvolt' and that's what his Septima power is." Xiao reminds as Nowa pulls up the next file.
Septima is a kind of psychic power that Persona-users can control. The powers themselves varies from user to user and just as there are no two people who are exactly alike there are no powers that are exactly the same. Transforming into ones Persona form and using their Septima power can only occur from within metaphysical planes of existence like the Metaworld.
"So from within the Metaworld people can a literally manifest superpowers. Now I understand what Sumeragi's goal is. They not only want their wishes and desires to become a literal reality but also believe Persona-users are the next step in human evolution." Acura theorizes with everyone else agreeing.
"With the by product that Shadows want to kill and possibly eat any living being they come across." Zonda adds not liking that 'little' problem as a result of Sumeragi's ambitions.
"Even though I have powers now, it doesn't excuse the fact that Sumeragi has trapped everyone in the city and are in danger of being killed by our own negative thoughts! We have to stop them somehow!" G.V. declares as everyone nods in agreement.
"Though we have to figure out what the condition of every citizen in the city is first." he adds as he's prioritizing people's safety before attacking QUILL's long time enemy.
Nowa then accesses a file which seems to be a list of every citizen that's currently inside the Metaworld's dome minus those who are in the highest positions within the ranks of the Sumeragi Group.
"Out of the millions currently inside the city only forty percent of them have the potential to be Persona-users and even less have the possibility to even become one. Those with the potential will eventually be released from stasis at a random amount of time while those without the potential will remain in stasis indefinitely unless they're released with a device Dr. Kamizono invented." Nowa summarizes as the list is separated between people with the potential and those without.
"Thanks to the blueprints that we got from the doctor weeks before, I've managed to make the device that can instantly free someone from stasis. Ouka being here is proof of that." Xiao admits while Ouka once again thanks him for freeing her.
"What about whatever's keeping the Shadows from entering the property?" Zonda finally asks ever since they came here.
"The last time I spoke to Dr. Kamizono he told me that if the sky ever turns unnatural red I should activate the device marked 'The Anti-Shadow Field Generator' that's placed in the center of the estate." Lola reveals showing a holographic image of what the device looks like.
The Anti-Shadow Field Generator as it's name suggests repels even extremely powerful Shadows within it's radius through a unique frequency that makes them leave as though the territory is unsafe for them.
"That's great! How many others do you have?!" Guren cheerfully says glad there's a way to stop the Shadows.
"We only have one more unit in our possession and unfortunately the blueprints in how to make them aren't in any of the files." Nowa states as she combs through every file that may have information on the generator.
'We can only make one more place into a safe zone from those monsters. Well, it's better than only having one.' Guren thought wondering where else would be a good place to install the other generator.
"So... what now? I mean, without Asimov we don't exactly have a leader to make the decisions." Gino reminds which causes G.V. and Acura to think about their respective fathers.
Before anyone can say anything an alarm sounds coming from the computer.
"Nowa, what's going on?" Acura asks the maid as she types on the keyboard.
"There's a program installed that indicates when a group of people who at least have the potential to be Persona-users are about to be released from stasis." Nowa says as a map of the entire city is now on the computer screen.
"If there's people about to be released from those stasis cubes then they'll eventually get attacked by Shadows." Monica notes how dire the situation is.
"Just like what happened to us." Guren mutters reminding himself of the events earlier with his three schoolmates.
'But at least one of us awakened their Persona. The next group of people might not be so lucky.' he thought before making his decision.
"Nowa-san, where are the group of people about to wake up located?" the teen asks politely but with a determined look.
"The scanners indicate that the location where the people will be is... Anthem Academy." she answers showing the location being highlighted.
"Then that's where I'm going! We need to save those people!" G.V. exclaims with authority that shocks the members of SHEEP squad.
'Michiru!' Acura rushes out of the building and goes to where he keeps his personal inventions and weapons.
"Acura-kun?!" Lola follows wondering what he's doing.
"Guren, while I understand you want to help those people you're just one person and there will be hordes of Shadows going after them. We need a plan." Monica speaks trying to make him see reason.
'She's right, even if the others awaken their Personas and we defeat all the Shadows in the area we can't just bring the refugees here. Despite being a large property this place can't sustain a large amount of people.' Guren distresses before looking at the map and focusing on the academy.
Then it finally hit him.
"That's it! We can use Anthem Academy as a safe zone!" Guren declares getting astonished looks from everyone present.
"You mean use the large campus to house all the people that would wake up from stasis?" Monica asks to clarify that that's what G.V. intends.
"That's right. A campus as large as Anthem Academy can have up to fifteen thousand students. We can use not only the dormitories but even the school buildings themselves. We can convert classrooms and gymnasiums into places where they can stay as well." G.V. proposes to his friends.
"That's not a bad idea at all G.V., though with how little resources we have perhaps we shouldn't release those without potential to be Persona-users from stasis, at least they'll still be safe from the Shadows." Xiao agrees smiling at the idea his friend proposed.
Though Guren didn't like the idea of not releasing the people frozen in time he ultimately agrees.
"It seems there's no other way, very well. The other Anti-Shadow Generator is just over there." Nowa points at the aforementioned device sitting with all the other inventions not currently in use.
"Yoshi! I'll get it into the SHEEP mobile!" Gino goes and get the generator.
"I told you before Gino, we're not calling it that!" Monica follows to help carry the thing.
"I'll stay here and help Nowa look through all the data. I think a saw a file with detailed information on Shadows that would most likely be helpful when fighting them." Xiao states as he asks the maid for permission to connect the computer with his own.
Guren then turns his attention towards the three high school girls.
"Ouka, you should stay here where it's safe." he says to his friend.
"Okay G.V., it's not like I even have the potential to be a Persona-user." Ouka dejectedly complies noticing that she's on the list of people who don't have the potential.
Now for the other two girls who got roped into this mess.
"Zonda, Elise, you two don't have to come if you don't want to." Guren offers though he too was just a normal high school teenager he is connected to the rebel group QUILL.
After a few seconds Zonda walks up to him.
"Guren, for most of my life I was treated with kid gloves. Because of the way I look everyone thinks I'm the most fragile little girl to ever exist. They always tell me to stay back and let them handle it. However, with my tarot card as proof that I indeed fact have power I want to help people who need it. Therefore, I'm going with you to the academy." Zonda declares with a serious look on her face as she holds her Lovers card.
That just leaves the girl who's currently trembling at the thought of fighting Shadows.
"Elise, even though we never really interacted all that much last year I know for a fact that you'd rather avoid any form of confrontation. I won't think any less of you if you decide to stay here where it's safe." G.V. does his best to console the girl that in hindsight he should have befriended the year before.
'Guren's so nice... and so gorgeous. I don't want to fight and I definitely don't want to die but I do want to be by his side and be useful to him. I never had the courage to just walk up and talk to him. I'm scared, but this is my chance.' Elise thought as she gathers her resolve.
"I-I want to c-come too. I-If there's any way I c-can help you then I'll f-fight." Elise stutters but with conviction as she looks at her long time crush.
Guren hesitates for a moment thinking he should dissuade her decision but ultimately relented hoping that she'll actually activate her Persona.
"Very well you two, let's get going!" G.V. he exclaims rushing out the building towards their mode of transport followed by his two schoolmates.
When they arrived at the driveway they saw that Gino and Monica have already placed the Anti-Shadow Field Generator inside the vehicle.
"We're ready Guren. Looks like those two are coming with us." Gino says noticing the two girls.
"Now all that's left is to wait for Acura." Guren states wondering what's keeping him.
"I'm here." Acura announces as he walks up to them.
Acura who has changed out of his high school uniform and is now wearing black colored armor one would wear in the Japanese military. He's also carry a duffle bag most likely stuffed with weapons he's made.
"I'm here as well!" Lola reveals herself floating up to them.
"What can an Autonomous Combat Pod do exactly?" Zonda asks curious since she's never really seen one in action before.
"Basically I can maintain Acura-kun's weapons incase they get damaged. I can also teleport in small things like food and medical supplies from the mini-teleporter Dr. Kamizono invented. Pretty much anything that would support him when in battle." Lola explains as the group enter the vehicle.
"So you've been training in military doctrines for years right?" G.V. asks his schoolmate.
"Indeed, though I never thought I would actually need it before graduating high school." Acura answers as he checks a new gun that seems to be a stronger pistol compared to the one he used before.
"Alright everyone! It's time to begin the operation! Gino, let's go!" Monica announces as she monitors her holographic screens.
"Here we go!" Gino steps on the gas peddle as they leave the Kamizono residence.
'It's a good thing Anthem Academy is close by.' Guren thought since Acura was 'walking' to school earlier this morning.
Meanwhile at Anthem Academy
"Ow, my head." an amber eyed teenage girl with long white hair with two bells tied on each side groans as she stands up from the second floor hallway of the main building.
She looks around the hall noticing that no one else is around. She straightens her academy uniform wondering what's going on.
"What was I... oh right, I was waiting for Acura to arrive so I can help introduce him to my classmates." she remembers as she takes out her phone.
"What?! It's already this late?! Where is he?! Wait a second, where is everyone?!" she looks into one of the classrooms and sees no one inside even though classes should currently be in session.
"Michiru!" a girl she recognizes as one of her classmates appears running towards her with a panicked look on her face.
"There's something wrong! Look outside!" the classmate pretty much yells as she points outside the window.(I'm not gonna name background characters that won't be important to the story.)
When Michiru looks out the window she's shocked to see a thick fog covering the outside but also the fact that the sky is red even though it's only almost noon.
"Wha... what's going on?!" she exclaims completely surprised.
"I don't know but we have to get out of here!" the classmate shouts before taking the stairs to the first floor in order to exit the building.
"W-wait!" Michiru follows worrying that in a panicked state her classmate might get hurt.
As they reach the first floor the classmate ends up bumping into something in the middle of the hall. She looks up to see...
"AAAHHH!"
A male student inside a translucent blue cube and seems to be frozen in place not even moving his eyes.
"What the-!" Michiru shouts in shock seeing a person in this state.
"I'm getting out of here!" the classmate screams running out the front door.
Michiru follows but not before looking at the frozen person distraught that there seems to be no way to help him.
On the campus grounds, chaos is erupting everywhere. Michiru spots several other students and even the faculty(teachers, school nurses, cafeteria workers, et cetera) running around freaking out when they spotted people frozen in cubes.
"WHAT'S GOING ON?!"
"HEY! ARE YOU ALRIGHT IN THERE?! ANSWER ME!"
"NO ONE'S ANSWERING 119!"
"WHY AREN'T MOM AND DAD PICKING UP THERE PHONES?!"
"IS THIS SOME KIND OF TERRORIST ATTACK?!"
These were some of the many things Michiru heard as no one knows what's responsible for this bizarre phenomena.
'Acura!' she reaches for her phone about the call her brother but before she could a loud wailing sound echoes throughout the campus.
"Huh?!" a primal fear suddenly washes over her and everyone else who heard the inhuman sound.
Then the screaming began.
En route towards Anthem Academy the official and unofficial members of QUILL listen to Monica as she explains the plan to them with Xiao and Nowa listening from inside the laboratory that's pretty much now their new headquarters having setup communications.
"When we arrive we'll park at the very center of the campus. That way, when we install the Anti-Shadow Field Generator it'll cover the entire zone. Guren, I know you want to save and protect the citizens but you have to protect me and Gino while we install the device. When it's activated the battle will be over anyways." Monica summarizes especially to G.V. who's torn between saving the people from immediate attacks to protecting his allies and the generator so the battle will end quicker.
"Ok Monica, how long until the device can activate?" he asks the person who he sees as an older sister though a certain other girl can't help but feel jealous at the relationship between Guren and the beautiful and buxom young woman.
"If we're not interrupted then at least twenty minutes." she answers hiding her own nervousness since unlike Gino she's not very good at handling weapons.
"This is bad guys! The Shadows have already arrived at the academy!" Xiao announces seeing a crap ton of red dots all over the location where the school is.
"I apologize in advance but I'm going to save my sister. Twenty minutes is far too long even for me." Acura states knowing that the others wouldn't agree with him going by himself.
"I understand Acura, with my Persona I can probably protect Monica and Gino by myself. As long as you can save other people from harm while you look for your sister then go for it. Just be careful alright." G.V. understands how he feels since family is something he too values a lot.
Acura nods gratefully at being given the permission to do his own thing.
"Don't worry about Acura-kun. With me by his side he'll have no trouble at all." Lola chimes in reminding the humans that she's with them.
"As for Zonda and Elise. You two should stay in this vehicle since the both of you seem to neither have any combat training nor have awakened your Personas yet." Monica advises to the normal civilians coming with them.
"Hmm, perhaps I can be of assistance by taking control of the turret since you and Gino-san will be too busy installing the generator." Zonda offers to the field operator.
"Very well, let me show you how it works." Monica agrees as Zonda walks to where the turret controls are.
Elise sits in silence twiddling her hands nervously not knowing how she can help Guren fight off the Shadows.
"One last thing, here Guren these are for you." Monica hands the teen...
"Contact lenses?" he raises an eyebrow wondering when she got them.
"It's better than going into battle wearing glasses." she replies as he removes his eyewear and manages to put the contacts on.
"We're here and we've got a hell of a welcoming committee!" Gino shouts see a couple of Cowardly Mayas at the front gate of the academy.
"Punch it!" Guren commands not caring if the Mayas get run over.
"Got it!" Gino grins as he steps on the gas making the vehicle move faster.
With no time to react some of the Mayas got run over by the armored vehicle before disintegrating into nothingness.
"This is horrible." G.V. notes looking at the monitors showing what's just outside as there are so many Shadows swarming the place.
Zonda who's on the turret controls immediately begins firing at the monsters while also avoiding hitting the buildings and especially any human beings she spots who are either cowering for their lives or running like their lives depend on it... which it does.
"The center of the campus should be where the statue of it's founder should be!" Monica navigates as Gino looks at the map screen that's on the dashboard.
As they reach the statue a stray attack from a Shadow hits the vehicle causing Gino to accidentally run over it getting smashed into several pieces.
"Oops!" Gino hopes that no one would care later on.
"Never mind that! Let's go!" Acura doesn't waste any time as he bursts out the vehicle's back door followed by Lola running off and starts shooting at a any Shadow he sees.
"This place is huge Acura! Michiru-chan could be anywhere!" Lola proclaims as she floats behind him.
"Easy, track her phone Lola. You have the app in your system." Acura reminds as he saves a couple of students from a few Muttering Tiaras.
"Oh right!" Lola remembers as she activates the app.
"This way!" Lola heads towards the main building with Acura following.
"PERSONA!"
"Get that thing ready as soon as possible!" Gunvolt exclaims destroying any Shadow that gets within his attack range.
"We'll get it up and running before you know it!" Gino assures as he and Monica start setting the device up.
"I just hope we don't end up dead before you finish." Zonda comments as she blasts the Black Ravens that are up in the sky with the turret's laser.
The only thing Elise is doing is shaking in fear as she listens to the battle outside the vehicle.
Nearby the recently awoken people running and hiding outside notice that the monsters that were attacking them are now focusing on the newcomers that just arrived.
"Who are they?!"
"Are they part of the military?!"
"How is that guy shooting lightning like that?!"
"Are we actually getting rescued?!"
"Wait a sec! Is that Guren?!"
These are the several comments the people are saying which are being drowned out by the battle they're witnessing.
Meanwhile Acura and Lola are on the second floor of the main building where the classes for the second year students would have taken place.
"The signal is around here! In one of the classrooms!" Lola declares though for some reason she can't pinpoint Michiru's phone's exact location.
"Fine then." Acura comes through every classroom but finds most of them empty.
It wasn't until he reaches the room that's marked 2-A that he comes across...
"DUCK!" Lola warns as on pure reflex Acura quickly crouches down before an ice shard would have pierced his head.
"Bastard." Acura mutters angrily before looking at what attacked him.
To both his and Lola's surprise the Shadow that attacked was a literal table with a brown cloth over it wearing the Reverse Magician mask while things like a knife, a goblet, a metal plate, and a wooden staff floated above it.
Laughing Table: Wearing the Reverse Magician mask, a Shadow that's takes the form of a table that focuses on 'magic' attacks.
"A table?" he merely states in disbelief.
"Yep... we're actually fighting a table." Lola confirms as there's no malfunction in her visual sensors.
The Laughing Table launches another Bufu attack making Acura and Lola dodge into the hallway.
"Master Acura, can you here me?" Acura hears Nowa's voice from the earpiece that they were all given before arriving at the academy.
"I can hear you Nowa." Acura responds as the maid looks up the file called the Shadow Compendium which lists all known Shadows that the Sumeragi Group has info on including their strengths, weaknesses, and what attacks they have.
Not only can Xiao and Nowa hear what's going on with the field party but also see as well on the computer monitor thanks to the futuristic tech they have.
"That Shadow is identified as a Laughing Table." Nowa begins reading the info of the identified Shadow.
"I get the table part but I don't hear any laughing coming from it." Lola states confused at the naming of this creature.
"That's because there are different versions of the same type of Shadow." the maid explains analyzing the other Table Shadows.
"And what's the stats of this particular table?" Acura asks hiding behind the door and readying his weapon.
"The Laughing Table is immune to ice attacks and resists anything that can pierce but is weak to fire." Nowa states all relevant information.
"That means the lasers from Acura-kun's gun won't be effective against it." Lola states as it's fortunate the Table isn't moving from where it is.
Acura ponders how to kill the thing without burning the classroom and possibly the building down.
"Lola, give me a firecracker." he orders his combat pod.
"Huh? Oh, roger that." she obeys as she teleports a firecracker from the mini-teleporter's storage box.
Acura lights the firecracker with an emergency lighter before throwing it at the Table.
Before the Table can launch another ice attack the firecracker explodes right on it's mask dealing light but effective damage and causing it to fall down.
"Nice!" Lola cheers as Acura rushes towards the enemy to capitalize his advantage.
Instead of shooting the downed Shadow he alters his gun so that it's straight before pressing a button making a blade made of molten hot plasma ignite from the barrel.
"Cleave!" Acura slashes downward slicing the Table in half destroying it.
"Nice job Master Acura." Nowa congratulates as she watches his performance against a supernatural foe.
"Don't congratulate me yet." he says as he deactivates the blade before looking around the classroom.
"It's a good thing no one was here for that Shadow to attack." Lola states seeing no other monster in the room.
As they survey the room Acura notices a familiar item on the floor.
It was Michiru's cellphone.
"Dammit!" Acura curses as he hoped his sister wouldn't be separated from her phone.
"It's only been a few minutes since the attack began. She couldn't have gone too far." Lola tries to console which isn't really working.
"Master Acura, there are Shadows congregating towards the roof of the building. There seems to be people who fled up there. Perhaps Mistress Michiru is up there as well." Nowa informs seeing many Shadow signatures going to that area.
"Roger that." he rushes towards the stairs going up with Lola not far behind.
Back with the others, things are going pretty well for SHEEP squad if you don't count the large amount of Shadows trying to kill them.
"One of the files states that Shadows will prioritize active Persona-users meaning they'll mostly focus on you Gunvolt." Xiao mentions over everyone's earpieces.
"Better me than someone who can't defend themselves." Guren says making quick work of the enemies coming after him.
It helps that the Mayas and Ravens are weak to electricity which Xiao also mentioned.
"Were you able to hack into the security cameras Xiao?" Zonda asks shooting any Shadow outside of of G.V.'s attack range with the turret.
"Affirmative, luckily from what I'm seeing no one has died yet though there have been a few injuries. It's a good thing you guys arrived quickly as now most of the Shadows are gunning for Gunvolt." Xiao answers watching multiple feeds from the campus cameras.
As the civilians watch the monsters getting destroyed one after another the feeling of hope began welling up inside them. That is until several newcomers came to the field.
"Giant bugs!" a random female student screams since most girls are afraid of creepy crawlies.
Indeed, the new Shadows are in fact bugs, big black beetles with a single long horn with a purple mask having the Roman numeral for the number four on the tip to be exact.
Grave Beetle: Wearing the Reverse Emperor mask, huge beetles the size of a standard car.
Without wasting another second Gunvolt shoots at several beetles marking them with his darts before...
"Flash Field! Mazio!" streams of electricity struck every Shadow marked.
However, despite being electrocuted the Beetles began charging towards the Persona-user.
"This is bad G.V.! Those are Grave Beetles! They're weak to wind but more importantly resist electricity! It doesn't help that they're both strong and durable!" Xiao warns looking up the info.
"Resists but not immune. Zonda cover me!" Gunvolt dashes away from the armored vehicle to give her a better shot.
"Roger that!" she's now aiming the turret at the Beetles who are chasing G.V.
Fortunately for Gunvolt the Beetles are slow moving and can only use melee attacks so avoiding them is rather simple. Despite taking low damage from his electric attacks it'll gradually chip away at their health until they'll finally die which is helped by Zonda blasting them with turret fire.
Things were going well so far until one Beetle decide to go after the armored vehicle.
"Watch out!" both Monica and Gino watched in horror as the Beetle tackled the side of the vehicle causing the girls inside to scream in fright.
The Beetle then uses its horn to tip the vehicle over like a turtle on its back rendering the turret useless.
Both Zonda and Elise crashes down on the vehicle's ceiling a little hurt but no worse for wear.
"Itai."(Ouch) Elise rubs her head not expecting that to happen.
"Well that's just great." Zonda mutters as she exits the vehicle.
This wasn't the smart thing to do as the Beetle is now in front of her.
"EEEP!" Elise screams looking from within the turned over vehicle.
Zonda stares at the Shadow frozen in fear not knowing what to do until...
"Oh no you don't!" G.V. lands on the Beetle as the bug tries to get him off it like a rodeo bull.
"Zonda! Get back inside! I'll handle this!" Gunvolt shouts as he activates his Flash Field electrifying the Shadow and slowly hurting it.
G.V. who forget the conversation they had earlier triggers the young girl as she remembers her past.
Zonda's life has no real problems. She has a family who loves and cares for her and even though her parents are always too busy on business trips traveling around the world they always took the chance to come visit whenever they could. But they always coddle her, never allowing their daughter to do things that they think might harm her. This is reflected on the housekeeper they hired whenever they can't be with her.
"I'm sorry Zonda, you can't come with me to Moscow. It's far too cold for your delicate health." her father says even though she doesn't have any health conditions.
"I'm sorry Zonda, I won't allow you to do ballet. What if you break your back?!" her mother worries thinking her daughter is like a porcelain doll.
"Let me handle all the cooking and cleaning Miss Zonda. I wouldn't want you to get hurt." the housekeeper offers even though she's in middle school now.
'I thought once I start high school that things would change. That I'd be able to move forward on my own and make connections to my peers. But no, it doesn't seem like anything is going to change.' Zonda thought as tears well up in her eyes.
Zonda never really had any friends with her parent's excuses like those boys look like they roughhouse too much or those girls only care about their family's status. As such she spends most of her time playing by herself mostly through learning how to play card games like solitaire, blackjack, and poker to name a few.
Perhaps she was always meant to be in a gilded cage.
"No! I won't stand by and let my new friends risk their lives while I do nothing!" Zonda shouts as she closes her eyes and clenches her fists.
"It's about time that people start relying on me for a change!" Zonda declares with resolve as her tarot card appears in her hand which is engulfed in a blue flame.
"So this is my power. It actually feels kind of nice." Zonda grins looking at her Lovers card.
"I am thou, thou art I... Let my love support those in need!" she shouts to the heavens as the card enters her chest.
"PERSONA!"
"THE WHITE RABBIT!"
A bright flash of blue light and a powerful shockwave explodes throughout the center of the campus as all humans present bore witness.
As the light dies down everyone see Zonda's new appearance.(It's not her final boss form in Gunvolt 2.)
She's wearing what looks like white futuristic armor with pink covering her arms and legs. Her black bow has been replaced with two white antennas with pink highlights pretty much making her look like a white rabbit. What's most notable about her is that both of her eyes' sclera have turned black which now emphasizes her now bright pink irises.
"She actually awakened her Persona." Monica comments as she and Gino briefly look before continuing to install the generator.
"Amazing! So that's how it was for Gunvolt!" Xiao cheers as he records Zonda's awakening.
Since he was distracted by the Zonda's transformation G.V. ended up getting knocked off the Beetle but was able to land on his feet next to the new official Persona-user.
"Glad to see you're feeling better after that outburst." Gunvolt says with a smile on his face.
"I just had some things I needed to get off my chest." Zonda coolly says back with a sarcastic tone.
The Beetle that G.V. was on recovers from being in the center of his Flash Field as it joins the rest of its kind ready to destroy the two Persona-users.
"When I awoke my Persona I immediately knew how to use my Septima power Azure Striker. Am I right to assume you already know how to use yours?" Gunvolt questions as they get surrounded by the Beetles.
"Of coarse, my Through the Looking Glass works well with my signature weapon." Zonda confirms as she pulls out playing cards out of nowhere which are all from the Clubs suit.
"Playing cards?" G.V. questions since a gun makes more sense as a weapon.
"I'll show you by taking care of all these pests." she states with a smile.
Suddenly several pink octagon shaped mirrors appears around her and from those mirrors several exact copies of Zonda walk out holding their own playing cards.
"Hearts for fire, Diamonds for electricity, Spades for ice, and Clubs for wind. It pays to have the cards stacked in your favor." Zonda says as she and her mirror clones prepare to attack.
The Grave Beetles then start charging horns out ready to pierce their enemies as the cards start swirling with green wind.
"Suit of Clubs! Magaru!"(Multitarget wind attack) All of the Zondas throw their cards at the Beetles and when they struck a light wind blast effectively damages them and knocks all of the tough creatures down.
"Good job." Gunvolt complements grateful that Zonda can attack with more than one element though his electric attacks are stronger than hers.
"The jobs not done yet. One more time should do it." she states as she and her copies unleash another barrage of wind attacks at their downed enemies causing them to finally disintegrate.
After all the Beetles have been dealt with all of the civilians who were watching cheers at the duo. Elise peeks out the upturned vehicle and sighs in relief that G.V. is okay.
"Way the go guys! Looks like it's smooth sailing from here!" Gino confidently proclaims as he and Monica are almost finished.
Then as fate would have it a large figure suddenly crashes down in front of the members of QUILL.
"You had to jinx it didn't Gino?" Monica sarcastically asks.
Returning to Acura and Lola as they reached the roof of the main building.
"Be careful Master Acura. The scanners show that the Shadows on the roof are strong." Nowa warns as the human A.I. duo prepare for their next battle.
"Aren't I always." the teen replies in a monotone voice before he opens the door to the roof.
Though what he sees isn't exactly his ideal situation.
"Acura!" a familiar voice shouts when the people there noticed him.
"Michiru!" he yells relieved that she's alive but tense since they're still in danger.
The scene on the roof is anything but ideal for the human beings on it. Michiru and several female students are cornered between the roof fence and the Shadows that are looking at them like prey. As for the male students, they're on the roof floor collapsed along with several sport equipment like baseball bats, hockey sticks, and tennis rackets. They most likely tried to fight back against the Shadows but were ultimately defeated.
"Lola."
"It's okay Acura-kun, my scanners indicate that they're all just unconscious. But they won't be for long if we don't take care of those Shadows." Lola assures detecting both pulses and breathing for all the downed male students.
The three Shadows in question are a large wheel with with spikes on the lugs and has a lion head and mane on top with a yellow mask with the Roman numeral for seven on the forehead.
Bestial Wheel: Wearing the Reverse Chariot mask, Ironically it's a beast and a single wheel without a chariot.
"Those are Bestial Wheels Master Acura. They resist anything that can slash and pierce but are weak to wind and electricity." Nowa comments looking up the information.
'Dammit! Really wish Gunvolt was here right now!' Acura curses the fact that his ally is currently preoccupied with his own objective.
"Looks like we need to use much stronger weapons." Lola advises worried that Michiru-chan and the other students could get hurt from the battle that's about to happen.
"First let's get their attention." Acura starts firing at the Shadows though the laser aren't doing much damage.
Part one of the plan was a success as the Wheels' attention are no longer on the students. Part two is to move to the opposite side of the roof entrance so that the civilians can leave though with the male students injured and unconscious that task would be very difficult.
'Acura, you're putting yourself in danger just to save us.' Michiru thought hoping he doesn't hurt or even killed.
"Everyone, help me pick them up so we can leave." she whispers to her schoolmates before she discreetly walks towards one of the unconscious guys and tries to haul him up by the shoulder.
Unfortunately some of the girls are too frightened to move while others are thinking of doing a bitch move and just bolt towards the door by themselves.
"Looks like some of them are being uncooperative." Lola comments seeing some girls not helping Michiru.
"Then we'll just skip over to part three and destroy every Shadow here." Acura says reaching for some explosives from his utility belt.
The Wheels roll over towards the teen to try and simply run him over because that's what wheels do apparently.
'Just a bit closer.' the timing needs to be just right.
As the Wheels were about to reach him Acura dives out of the way but not before dropping a grenade where he use to be and when of the Shadows ran over it...
BOOM!
The three Shadows got caught in the explosion damaging them but not even close to actually killing them. Fortunately the explosion didn't cause too much damage to the roof floor. With such a prestigious high school that can get students into the best colleges in the country the founders spared no expense in every building's construction.
"That looked like it hurt. Maybe a few more and they'll die for sure." Lola comments scanning the Wheels' health meters and seeing that only a small chunk was lost.
"I can't risk it with Michiru and all these people still here." Acura states seeing his sister try to carry one guy by herself but is struggling to do so since she's not particularly strong physically.
'Just great! Why did these guys have to try and attack those monsters! At least Acura has actual weapons and Lola even though I told him not to bring any of them!' Michiru thought as she's almost close to the roof door.
Unfortunately one of the Bestial Wheels spots her and charges towards her direction.
"Michiru!" Acura shoots at the Wheels' well... wheel hoping to at least knock down or redirect its charge so it wouldn't run over his sister.
The Wheel did in fact stumble and ended up passing by Michiru who took the opportunity to continue heading for the door. The bitch students also took the chance and rushed out of the roof but fortunately the other girls managed to gather up some courage to help the unconscious male students.
The other two Wheels continue their assault on Acura who manages to avoid them once again.
"Lola, it's time to use the P-bits!" Acura orders as he fires more lasers at the Shadows.
"Roger!" opening up a compartment of her body small orbs began floating around Acura.
All three Wheels are now focused on him again as they dive towards him in a charge. But before they could reach him the orbs enters into a formation as they create an energy shield to block them.
"Now! Open fire!" lasers not only coming from his gun but each of the Bits as well hitting the Shadows all over.
While the Wheels are being bombarded by lasers Lola sifts through any item that can be teleported in order to defeat them.
"No... no... no... Bingo!" she teleports in a Tesla coil that coursing with electricity.
'I don't remember putting that thing in the storage box.' Acura thought but didn't question it as he picks up the battle item and threw it at the Shadows.
As the Tesla coil breaks in front of the Wheels it causes them to get electrocuted and fall over.
"Now to finish them!" Acura morphs his gun into a plasma blade and stabs each of them right on their masked foreheads finally destroying them.
"You did Acura!" Michiru cheers as she and the girls managed to get every unconscious guy out of the roof to at least the stairway.
"We did it Michiru-chan!" Lola corrects as the Bits circle around her.
With a sigh of relief Acura walks over to his sister as she does the same but before they can reach each other...
"Master Acura! Look out!" Nowa warns through the earpiece.
Suddenly multiple barrages of fire(Maragi) and ice(Mabufu) bombard the roof knocking Acura, Michiru, and Lola(the only ones left on the roof) down and scattering the Bits all over the floor. Luckily no was hit directly.
Acura painfully tries to get up and sees Michiru on the floor scratched up.
'Michiru.' he finally gets on his feet because his armor absorbed most of the damage.
"Lola!" the teen shouts in worry at the combat pod on the floor but is not responding.
He looks around to see that they're surrounded by new Shadows that just arrived. By appearance they're pretty much cross shaped balance scales with one scale pan red and the other one blue while wearing a gray mask with a cross shaped eyehole and the Roman numeral for the number eight on the forehead.
Heat Balance: Wearing the Reverse Justice mask; Balance scales that can use both fire and ice attacks.
With his ears still ringing from the fire and ice explosions he can barely hear Nowa from his earpiece.
'Is this really how's it's going to end?! With Michiru and I dying from these monster?!' Acura clenches his fists and grits his teeth in anger and fear.
When the twins were born their mother unfortunately died and with their father always busy as a scientist and inventor the two were raised by their aunt. Acura grew up to be serious and no nonsense while Michiru grew up to be cheerful and outgoing. While Acura spent his life homeschooled and took interest in weapons and inventions, Michiru went to actual school and made friends with normal interests and hobbies. As they grew older their aunt's job made her go on business trips so their father hired Nowa who works as their maid.
'This is all Sumeragi's fault! They used our father and unleashed these demons upon us just so they can have superpowers!'
Though their father only sees his children on occasion Acura has always greatly respected him wanting to grow up and be a brilliant scientist who helps humanity.
"Acura! You can't live your life without any friends! Me, Dad, Auntie, Lola, and Nowa don't count!" Michiru yells at her brother who's busy making something in his workshop.
"Michiru, no offense but I'm already intelligent enough to graduate high school. Why should I interact with people my age who aren't even on the same IQ level as me?" he questions still working on whatever he's building.
"Jeez, with an attitude like that there's no way you'll be able to get a girlfriend!" Michiru shot back in frustration.
"I don't want to hear that from someone who doesn't even have a boyfriend yet!" he argues in return.
After a few more minutes of yelling and arguing Acura finally relents to his sister's request to attend high school with her with the logic that there's more to learn than just academic knowledge.
'Is my journey going to end before it can really start?!'
He remembers meeting Guren, Zonda, Elise, Ouka, and the members of QUILL and how they're all willing to fight back against Sumeragi in their own way.
"No! I won't let it end like this! Not when we have the rest of our lives to look forward too!" Acura's tarot card appears in his hand glowing in blue flame.
"Heh, looks like I still have much to learn." he whispers smiling at his Fool card.
"I am thou, thou art I... Let this fool be filled with infinite possibilities!" he shouts to the heavens as the card enter his chest.
"PERSONA!"
"THE AVENGER!"
A bright flash of blue light and a powerful shockwave explodes throughout the roof blowing all the Shadows away.
"Hmm, what?" Michiru wakes up hurt but nothing serious and sees her brother's new appearance.
Acura's black armor has been replaced with white armor with red and blue highlights, a red cross on his chest, and a white hood that's pulled up. He also wears black, somewhat baggy pants and red boots.(It's his armor in the first game called Megante Leon.)
Its not just his armor that's changed but also his weapons as well. His gun now called The Border can fire special bullets that have different effects. He also possess a long but thin white shield with a red cross called EX Gear that thanks to his Septima power(Ironic I know) The Wild Card can copy the standard abilities of other Persona-users.
"What? What going on?" Acura and Michiru hear a familiar voice but see an unfamiliar person with them.
The person in question is a young girl with short, mint green hair, and purple eyes. She wears a red and white leotard with bits of gold, and white knee-highs with black and red shoes, as well as black gloves with red fingers. She also has two white and red disc-like objects that sprout holographic red wings which vaguely resemble that of a phoenix's. What's most notable is that she's floating in midair.
"Lola? Is that you?" Michiru asks while sitting on the floor.
"What do you mean Michiru-chan? Of course it's me." Lola replies confused at the question before noticing...
"WHAAA?! What happened to me?!" she screams looking at her hands she now posses before using them to inspect her new body.
"When I awakened my Persona it also enhanced my gear, and since I consider you Lola as part of my arsenal you were enhanced as well." Acura hypothesizes after thinking up an explanation.
"Really?" Lola asks still in disbelief that the combat pod now has a human form.
"Wow Lola! You look really cute!" Michiru beams with excitement.
"Y-you think so?" Lola bashfully replies rubbing the back of her head.
"Master Acura, I see that you are all alright and that you've awakened your Persona." Nowa chimes in seeing both his and Lola's new appearance.
"Indeed I have, but now back to business. What can you tell me about these new Shadows?" he asks as the Shadows recover from being blown away.
"They are called Heat Balance and they use fire and ice attacks. They resist fire and ice but are weak to electricity and wind." Nowa explains as the creatures prepare for another attack.
"Lola get the P-bits ready." Acura orders as he readies his shield.
"Roger!" Lola regains control of the orbs as they float around the three people.
A second later the Balance scales shot either Agi or Bufu at their enemies.
"Now!" the orbs once again put up an energy shield but this time in the shape of a dome since they're surrounded which is enhanced by the energy being provided by Acura's EX Gear shield.
'Even though Gunvolt never told me the name of his Septima power I know for fact that it's call Azure Striker. It's as though it's been ingrained to my very core." Acura thought as he mentally selects what type of ammo he's going to use with his Border pistol.
When the attacks stop the shield goes down allowing Acura to shoot at multiple Balance scales and instead of laser beams marks them with familiar darts that another Persona-user uses.
"Flash Field! Mazio!" the sphere of electricity is generated from his shield as streams of electricity shoot towards every Shadow marked by the darts inflicting effective damage to each and everyone of them knocking down several or out right destroying them.
'Not as strong as Gunvolt's but at least it's getting the job done.' Acura thought as he notices the damage over time is slower that G.V.'s Mazio attack.
With the combined attacks of Acura's copied ability and Lola's Bits' lasers all of the Heat Balances were finally defeated.
"Acura! Thank God you're alright!" Michiru finally reunited with his brother even though it's only been a few hours hugs him happy and relieved.
"I'm glad you're alright too Michiru. Ever since I woke to the city filled with Shadows I feared the worst." Acura replies happy knowing at least one of his family is alive inside the domed city.(Their Aunt was somewhere else outside of Neo Tokyo when the dome came down.)
"But what was that thing you just did?! How were you able to transform like that?! How can Lola take that form?! What were those monsters?!" Michiru asks excitedly at all these supernatural things happening even though she was in mortal peril a moment ago.
Before Acura or Lola could explain anything Nowa chimes in.
"Master Acura, the scanners detected a powerful Shadow reading. It looks like it's heading for Gunvolt and the other's location."
After saying that both Acura and Michiru felt a large tremor as though something landed hard nearby.
"That can't be good." Lola states in apprehension.
"After we check on those guys who were injured I want all of you to barricade yourselves in a safer place while I go and help my allies." Acura orders his sister as they rush out of the roof to where the students that were with Michiru are.
'He and Lola are going to fight some more? Allies? Just what is going on?' she thought with complete worry for her brother's safety.
"Oh crap!" Gino curses as he, Monica, Gunvolt, Zonda, Elise, and everyone else present looks at the newcomer that just arrived.
The large Shadow that has just appeared is what I can only describe as what would happen if you try to make a silver chariot look like a person with massive spikes for arms, multiple legs with feet to shape wheels, and a yellow mask with the Roman numeral for the number seven on the forehead.
Rampage Drive: Wearing the Reverse Chariot Mask, extremely deadly for green(immature, raw, new) Person-users.
"That's a Rampage Drive, it's seems to be the boss of all the Shadows that are attacking the academy. It's immune to slash and pierce attacks and can even reflect strike attacks back at you. It also resist fire and is not affected by light(Hama) and dark(Mudo) moves." Xiao lists off distressed at the foe his friends and allies are now facing.
'It's a good thing my darts only mark target.' G.V. thought glad this behemoth has no resistance to electricity.
The Rampage Drive charges towards Gunvolt and Zonda using it's Assault Dive to strike at them with either it's own body or the spike arms it has.
The two Persona-users avoided the attack in time as they make their counterattack.
"Flash Field! Zio!" after marking what he thinks are the weakest spots(The head and wheels) streams of electricity struck each body part dealing continuous damage.
"Suit of Spades! Bufu!" Zonda throws all thirteen spade cards hitting the Drive all over it's body with ice attacks.
"Suit of Clubs! Garu!" a Zonda clone also attacking but with wind attacks.
"Suit of Diamonds! Zio!" another Zonda clone using her own electric attacks adding to Gunvolt's own.
Despite taking a lot of attacks and damage...
SUPIN SUPIN SUPIN SUPIN SUPIN SUPIN
The Rampage Drive start spinning around disrupting and deflecting all of the attacks.
"And I thought just spamming elemental attacks would do the trick." Zonda says seeing just how tough this Shadow is compared to the others.
The Drive stops spinning as an orange aura engulfs it briefly before charging at them with another Assault Dive.
"Be careful, that thing just boosted its attack power!"(Tarukaja) Xiao warns as the computer can detect the status of both Persona-users and Shadows.
Gunvolt and Zonda once again manages to dodge it's attack but a part of the wall that houses the indoor pool was not so lucky.
Screams of panic began again as the civilians flee the area as they would take their chances dealing with the smaller Shadows.
'Damn, that would have been like getting hit by a bus!' G.V. thought though unaware that Persona-users can endure things that a normal non-superpowered person can't.
The Rampage Drive returns through the wall it just destroyed ready to continue its assault.
"Here it comes!" Zonda and Gunvolt go into a battle ready stance.
However, instead of charging at them again the Shadow stands there as though readying a different kind of attack.
"Ok, if you're not going attack then we'll go on ahead." Zonda says as she makes four clones and readies their cards for another barrage.
But before she and G.V. can attack...
Mazio
Bolts of electricity come raining down in the area and it's not just QUILL who's being targeted.
"Look out!"
"Take cover!"
"I don't want to die!"
The people screams trying to find cover. Even Monica and Gino had to hide not just to avoid the attack but make sure the generator doesn't get hit with them being near it.
"Gah!" Zonda screams as she and her clones get electrocuted causing them to get dispelled.
Gunvolt crosses his arms in a guard taking less damage because he resists it.
"Are you hurt?!" G.V. asks worried for his teammate.
"I'm fine, it didn't do that much damage. Looks like being in our Persona forms offers some protection." Zonda realizes as she recover from the shock.
"Well it's a good thing you're not weak to electricity." Xiao notes as he looks up the girl's stats.
"This is going to be problem. With this guy here Gino and Monica can't finish their job." Gunvolt states as he sees his friends hiding behind the upturned vehicle and not at the generator.
"But if we lead it away other Shadows might appear and attack them." Zonda reminds as it's going to take more than one Persona-user to take down the Rampage Drive.
Anytime to make a plan was cut short when they heard more screaming. It seems the Shadow decided to go after the civilians knowing in some primal way that the Persona-users would want to protect them.
"Not good!" without thinking G.V. rushes towards the people in danger.
The Rampage Drive charges at a female teacher who never thought in a millions years that something like this would ever happen least of all to her. As she runs for her life the classic she trips and sprains her ankle happens as she's now helpless about to be run over.
"AAAHHH!" she screams in terror at her incoming death.
But that death didn't happen as Gunvolt pushes out of her way...
"GAAAHHH!" and took the attack instead.
"GUNVOLT!" Zonda, Monica, Gino, and Xiao screams seeing him take massive damage from the Shadow that's still attack boosted.
"No." Elise whispers in despair watching her crush laying on the ground extremely injured but still alive.
'G.V., he's hurt because he wants to save and protect people, but he's only one human. He needs someone who can support him with more than just fighting.' Elise thought before looking at her tarot card.
Elise for her entire life was always alone. Her wealthy but selfish parents never wanted any children but didn't want the scandal of an abortion so after she was born they moved to Europe to live in luxury while the poor girl was left being raised by one uncaring paid servant after another until she reached middle school. Without any positive influence she became shy and timid unable to make friends because they either reject or ignore her.
"And so Cinderella was free from her evil step-mother and evil step-sisters and lived happily ever after with her Prince Charming. The End." a young Elise finishes reading the fairytale crying hoping that one day her own Prince Charming, Knight in Shining Armor, or Hero would come and save her from her loneliness.
When she grew older Elise went from fairytale books to video game RPGs. After leaving a video game store a thirteen year old Elise passes a male and female couple flirting in a restaurant and also a mother and father happily have a picnic with their children at a park. Since her parents give her the bare minimum of financial support her apartment is very small with only a living room connected to the kitchen while the only separate rooms being a bathroom and closet.
Other than school and homework Elise has nothing else to do put play video games. Since RPGs takes hours to complete including optional content it's pretty much how she spends most of her day. The fantasy game she's playing has the male hero choose which of his female companions would become his love interest and of course she would have him choose the shy and timid healing support nun rather than the confident elf archer or the sexy and buxom sorceress.
"I wish something like this would happen to me in real life." she thought after finally completing the game.
After the first day of her first year in Anthem Academy Elise's last class assignment was a paper labeled 'Dreams and Goals for the Future' which she looks despondently at on her desk while dark clouds darken the sky.
'Why did I think high school would be any different? Dreams and goals? Once I graduate and legally become an adult my 'parents' will cut me off from their money completely and I'll truly be on my own.' she thought as she walks through the halls in order to leave and go back to her apartment.
'What should I do? Even if I do graduate from this academy it's not like I have any connections to be able to get a high paying job. Am I doomed to live the rest of my life alone doing nothing but cleaning toilets and washing dishes?' Elise thought in despair at her possible future.
As Elise exits the building a drop of water suddenly lands on her head indicating that it's about the rain and unfortunately didn't bring an umbrella. This was the final straw as she closes her eyes and tears began welling up about to cry.
"Huh?" but instead of rain water falling on her something covers her head protecting her.
She opens her eyes and sees a boy with spikey blonde hair and a long braided ponytail with glasses wearing the academy uniform holding an umbrella over them.
"Are you alright?" the blonde boy asks with genuine concern.
"Huh?" she has no idea how to respond since no one has ever treated her with kindness before now.
"It kind of sucks to be caught in the rain without an umbrella, why don't you take mine?" he offers taking her hand so that she's holding the umbrella now.
"B-but what about y-you?" Elise asks with her own concern.
"Don't worry, a little rain never will never bother me." he replies with a reassuring smile.
"Um... t-thank you... um..." she tries to thank but doesn't even know his name.
"Oh, my name's Guren Val." Guren introduces himself.
"Um... Elise." Elise meekly whispers averting her eyes meekly.
"It's nice to meet you Elise but I have to get going! You can keep the umbrella! See you around!" Guren bids her farewell quickly as he runs in order to get back home before the rain really comes crashing down.
Elise can't help but watch the retreating form of Guren as he runs off.
'Guren.' she blushes as hearts appear in her eyes.
The next day she submitted her assignment with the her response being to get good grades so that she'll get a high paying job. However, back at her apartment is a photocopy of the paper next to the umbrella but this one's response is...
To become Guren Val's girlfriend and future wife.
'He probably doesn't remember our actual first meeting but I do. That was the day I finally found purpose in my life.' Elise thought as she looks at the injured boy.
"And I'm not going to allow it to come to an end!" she exclaims with determination as her Hermit card is engulfed in blue flames.
"I am thou, thou art I... Let my determination enlighten me to a better future!" she shouts to the heavens as the card enter her chest.
"PERSONA!"
"ASCLEPIUS!"
A bright flash of blue light and a powerful shockwave explodes from within the upturned vehicle getting Zonda, Gino, and Monica's attention.
As the light dies down Elise walks out of the vehicle in her new appearance.
She's wearing futuristic armor that's purple, grey, and white. She's wearing an armored headpiece that covers her long now light purple hair which resembles a cobra's hood(also resembles a nun's hood) that has purple lenses for eyes, her arms are also covered in armor that resembles a cobra's hood, and possesses a long purple tail with a spearhead on the end attached from the armor's tailbone area.(It's her armed form but white instead of black.) Finally, unlike Zonda her eyes' sclera are still white and not black.
"Wow! Wonder what she can do?" Xiao wonders as the computer is still analyzing all three new Persona-users and even Gunvolt still.
Elise walks over to Gunvolt who's struggling to get back up because of the pain he's feeling.
"Shhh, it's ok G.V. I'm here for you." she smiles fondly at him as she concentrates on using her Septima power Caduceus.
"Dia!"(Light single target heal) green energy covers Gunvolt healing some of his injuries allowing him to stand back.
"Thank you Elise." he says with a grateful smile on his face.
"O-oh... um... I-it's no t-trouble at a-all." Elise stutters blushing and twiddling her hands remembering who she's talking to.
"I hate to interrupt the flirting but we still have a problem to deal with." Zonda reminds as she joins them.
The three turn their attention back at the Rampage Drive as it's still raring to go with Monica and Gino returning to the generator.
"KEEEHHH! Go away!" Elise screams in fright as she throws her signature weapons Cobra KunAI at the Shadow.
"It's no use! Pierce attacks won't work remember!" Xiao comments as all the white kunai with purple handgrip bounce harmlessly off the Rampage Drive not doing any damage.
However, as the kunai land on the ground they all turn into white cobras with purple markings on them.
"You can actually create living creatures?" G.V. astonished that that's possible.
"Um... only snakes, c-cobras to be p-precise." Elise answers instinctively know what her powers can do.
"Hiss!" all the cobras hiss at the Shadow who only see them as pests and not real threats.
"Poisma!"(Single target poison) at Elise's command the cobras spit purple gunk at the large monster all over it's body.
This causes the Rampage Drive to turn purple as purple bubbles are seen coming out where a mouth should be.
"This is great! The Shadow's been poisoned meaning it'll take damage over time!" Xiao explains happy that their enemy is weakened.
"Nice! Now it's our turn! Flash Field! Zio!" Gunvolt marks the Shadow and unleashes streams of electricity at it.
"Suit of Spades/Diamonds/Clubs! Bufu/Zio/Garu!" Zonda and two clones barrage their target with elemental cards.
After taking a lot of damage the Rampage Drive starts spinning again to deflect most of the attacks while at the same time charges right at them.
"Energy Shield!" several orbs appear going into a formation where they can erect a large energy barrier to stop the Shadow in its tracks.
The trio looks in the direction of the command and sees Acura and a floating green haired girl approaching them and not too far away a girl with long white hair that closely resembles the guy.
"I take it your mission was a success?" Zonda rhetorically asks looking at the female twin who decided to go to the generator with Gino and Monica.
"Indeed." 'Though I wish she would go find a place to hide.' Acura thought a little weirded out by her eyes' black sclera but got over it.
'So those are Acura's allies or maybe even friends.' Michiru thought glad that her brother is interacting with other teens.
"EEP! Who are you?!" Elise is shocked to see a floating person she's never seen before.
"How could you forget about me already?! I'm the only Autonomous Combat Pod you've met today!" the girl indignantly says to the healer.
"Lola?!" Gunvolt is astonished that the A.I. now has a human body.
"It's due to my Persona. Question it later." Acura says as Nowa gives him the info on the Rampage Drive that Xiao earlier did.
"Now that there's four of us, we can finally take this thing down." Zonda states as the four Persona-user get into battle ready stances.
The Ramage Drive trying the break through the barrier finally stops as the poison is taking its toll on it. This gives the heroes their chance to strike.
"Now! Flash Field! Zio!" both Gunvolt and Acura mark the Shadow with their darts before streams of electricity damages it.
Lola has also redirected the barrier so that it shields the generator protecting it, Monica, Gino, and Michiru.
"The same attack as mine?" G.V. questions inquisitively at his ally.
"My Septima power copies the basic abilities of other Persona-users to a lesser extent and I already had yours memorized." Acura explains as they continue surging electricity at their target before the darts' ten second time limit expires.
"That's pretty useful why don't you copy mine." Zonda giving her permission for him to use her Septima power.
"Just concentrate your power onto my shield and I'll have it immediately memorized." he explains holding his shield up to her.
"Through the Looking Glass." she places her hand on the shield and concentrates her power allowing it to be absorbed.
"Mirror clones and elemental cards copied." Acura now has a lesser version of her abilities.
When the Rampage Drive recovers from getting electrocuted it unleashes another Mazio attack.
Lola's P-bits' barrier protected those inside, Gunvolt resists taking reduced damage, Acura uses his EX Gear to mitigate the damage, but Zonda and Elise takes normal damage.
"Itai, I hate getting hurt! Media!"(Light multitarget heal) Elise declares as green energy covers the four Persona-users gaining some of their health back.
The Shadow seeing her heal the party decides to go after.
"WAAAHHH! Stay away! Gorgon Gaze!" the purple lenses on her armored headpiece comes together forming a visor and from it fires a purple cone shaped beam at the charging Shadow.
As it gets engulfed in the beam the Rampage Drive starts slowing down and begins turning gray before finally stopping and not moving at all.
"Did she do it?" a male student wonders seeing as the monster was seemingly turned to stone.
That is until the Shadow started rocking back and forth as cracks appear all over the stone shell.
"EEEP!" Elise takes a few steps back panicking as the petrification is only temporary.
"Now our chance!" Zonda creates four clones and Acura who can only make one bombard the still petrified Shadow with elemental cards(no fire attacks).
After the relentless assault the Rampage Drive finally broke out of the stone shell hunched over signifying that it has low health.
"It's on it's last leg G.V.! Finish it!" Xiao declares as he and Nowa watch the battle.
Gathering a large amount of Septima power(SP) Gunvolt dashes towards the Shadow and jumps up at its head.
Lightning that flickers
Like a star, and purges all
That violate its realm
Astrasphere!(Japanese name: Lightning Sphere)
A more dense version of his Flash Field emanates from himself as three large electric orbs circle around him dealing massive damage overtime to the enemy.
The Ramage Drive taking the special move at point blank range no longer has any strength left to resist before exploding into black nothingness.
"We... we did it." G.V. says before taking a knee and gasping for breath.
"Elise-san, I would like to copy your Septima power if you would be so kind." Acura politely asks the meek girl who simply wanted to comfort Gunvolt.
"Um... okay. Asclepius." she concentrates her SP and places her hand on his shield so it can be absorbed.
'That's strange, I only copied her Gorgon Gaze and not her healing or snake conjuring abilities.' Acura thought perplexed looking at the girl who's fawning over G.V.
Meanwhile the installation of the Anti-Shadow Field has finally been complete.
"AAANNNDDD... DONE!" Gino announces grinning widely as Monica activates the machine.
With the generator operational a blue dome begins to spread through the academy's campus going all the way to the borders of the territory. Any remaining Shadows are now compelled to leave no longer interested in attacking humans not in stasis.
A few moments pass before it finally sinks in to everyone that the danger has passed as the four Persona-users depower after all the fighting they did and Lola returning to her pod form.
"HOORAY!"
"WE"RE ALIVE!"
"OUR HEROES!"
Every civilian on campus who weren't badly hurt or in stasis gathers around SHEEP squad and Michiru praising them for saving them all from the monsters.
"Who are you people?!"
"What were those monster?!"
"How were you able to fight like that?!"
The team, especially Elise who was panicking at being the center of attention, didn't really know how to explain to everyone what exactly is going on as now they're responsible for their and future refugees safety and protection.
It was a hard fight but we managed to claim victory in the end. Fortunately, no one died during the attack and anyone who was hurt was eventually fully healed thanks to Elise's healing abilities. But now an even bigger problem arises as how will we take care of everyone's needs?
Meanwhile
In the center of Neo Tokyo is the main headquarters of the Sumeragi Group's Japanese branch, Babel Tower.
From the top floor of this mighty building is a lavish office that belongs to a young and charismatic lieutenant of the conglomerate and leader of this massive project.
He watches a monitor showing the first large Shadow gathering before it vanishes revealing four unique Persona signatures.
"How sad... another pathetic assault by QUILL?" he smiles in an amused tone.
End of chapter
Persona User Database
Name: Zonda
Persona: The White Rabbit
Septima Power: Through the Looking Glass, the power to make mirror copies of herself only
Major Arcana: The Lovers(Upright)
Resists: Hama/Light and Mudo/Darkness
Weak to: Slash/cutting(Off with her head)
x
Name: Acura Kamizono
Persona: The Avenger
Septima Power: The Wild Card, can copy basic abilities of other Persona-users but to a lesser extent
Major Arcana: The Fool(Upright)
Resists: None(default), gains the same resistances of another Persona when using their Septima
Weak to: None(default), gains the same weaknesses of another Persona when using their Septima
x
Name: Elise
Persona: Asclepius
Septima Power: Caduceus, able to heal even the most grievous injuries, regrow limbs and organ, and cure any diseases known to humanity
Major Arcana: The Hermit(Upright)
Resists: Agi/fire
Weak to: Bufu/ice
Important Characters
The Fool 0(Upright): Acura Kamizono
The Empress III(Upright): Lola, Monica, Nowa, Ouka, (Gino and Xiao technically since they're part of the support crew as well)
The Lovers VI(Upright): Zonda
The Hermit IX(Upright): Elise
The Strength XI(Upright): Guren Val
The Star XVII(Upright): Michiru Kamizono
A/N: The changes I made to Zonda and Elise's titles and Septima powers are because they're morally good people and not willing to murder people for their own goals. If you're confused with Gunvolt or Persona terms it's best to just look them up on their wiki or trope pages. As for the Shadows, I'm using the versions in Persona 3 and not the ones in P4, PQ, and PQ2.
