Chapter 6: The White Knight Rises!
4/16
Saturday; Early Morning
Touma and Twila were walking to school with first year students in front of them talking with each other "I can't believe Takamaki-senpai missed such an important meeting at the Fashion Club. I wonder what happened." The first year student said.
"Alice asked to see her…" The worried first year student said.
"You know, I've been hearing rumors about Alice calling some of the females and males from the Fashion Club to stay with her late like Takamaki-senpai… She always shows up to meetings though. It's weird she wasn't at one yesterday..." The first year student said as they all made it to the school and everyone went to their respected classes.
Saturday; Morning
In Twila's class, Mr. Ushimaru was at the board writing on it and then turned to face the class "So, I assume all of you know about the separation of power? There are three branches in our government. The national diet is legislative, the cabinet is executive, and the Supreme Court is judiciary." Mr. Ushimaru explains as he continued further "This division of power provides checks and balances, which ensures no one branch becomes unstoppable." Mr. Ushimaru said as Twila felt her phone vibrating and looked to see it was a chat message about their choice to whether or not to change Alice's heart.
MY: It's no use… I can't think of any other way…
TH: Same here. I guess we have no choice but to go with my sister's suggestion.
MY: Damn it, Why did your sister give us a difficult decision?
If only they knew i was reading this too. Twila thought as a student turned their head to see a certain student on the roof.
"Everyone, look!" The student said as everyone looked outside the classroom window and saw a blonde haired girl on the roof.
Is that…? Twila thought.
In Class D, Touma was concentrating on class after the text message and saw the empty seat in front of him. Where is Takamaki? Touma thought as he saw a student standing up from his seat "Hey… What's that...!?" The male student said as Ms. Kawakami looked at him.
"Be quiet! This is a classroom!" She yelled at him but then another student spoke up.
"Wait… She's going to jump…!" The female student said as everyone saw Ann standing on the edge of the rooftop and everyone started to leave the classroom.
"Hey! Stay in your seats! Do not set a foot outside of this room!" Ms. Kawakami said as everyone ignored her when Msihima and Touma got out of their seats and left the classroom and saw Twila and Shiho.
"Sis!" Touma called out.
"I see it!" Twila said as Shiho pushes one of the students to see Ann on the roof.
And Ann jumped.
All of the student body freaked out because of this while Shiho stepped back in shock and started to tear up.
"No… Why…? Ann…!" Shiho squealed out as she ran to go outside to her friend, pushing Touma out of the way in the process.
"Are you okay brother?" Twila asks.
"Yeah, I'm fine." Touma said as Mishima walked up to them.
"H-Hey! What's going on!? We should head to the courtyard too!" Mishima said.
"I agree!" Twila said as the trio went downstairs to take the front door to the courtyard but it was full of students.
"What the hell is this!? There's no way we're gonna get past all these people… Come on, let's try cutting through the practice building!" Mishima suggested as the trio went around and went to the door that leads into the practice building while pushing some of the students out of the way.
"Hey, let us through!" Touma said as he pushed through one of the students.
"What the hell!?" A male student said.
"Move out of the way! Please!" Twila said as she, Touma and Mishima got into the practice building and made their way to the door on the left that led into the courtyard.
Once in the courtyard, many students had their phones out, recording the incident "Class is still in session!" A panicking teacher yelled out but everyone ignored him and continued to look at the place where Ann fell.
"Ann…!" Shiho muttered to herself.
"What the hell is wrong with these people…!?" Touma asks.
"We need someone to go with her… Are there any teachers around?" A paramedic asks.
"I-i'm not in charge of her class though…" A panicking teacher said.
"We should leave this to Principal Kobayawaka…" A hesitant teacher said as Shiho looked at Ann and then faced the paramedic.
"I'll go!" Shiho said with the determination to save her friend.
"Please hurry!" The paramedic said as Shiho kneeled down next to the stretcher where Ann was.
"Ann… Why…?" Shiho asks as Ann looks up to her.
"Shiho…? I'm sorry. I… I can't take this… anymore…" Ann said as Shiho lowered her head to hear Ann whisper something.
"Ann…?" Shiho asks as Ann whispers a name into Shiho's ears "Huh? … Alice!?" Shiho said as Ann loses conscience "No… Ann!?" Shiho yelled as the paramedics brought the stretcher into the ambulance, with Shiho riding in the back with Ann and the Ambulance drove off to the hospital.
"The Fashion Club…" Mishima muttered.
"Return to your classrooms at once!" A panicking teacher yelled but everyone ignored him as the trio saw Mirai running from the scene.
"That girl…" Twila muttered.
"Hey, wasn't Mirai acting weird?" Mishima asks.
"She's hiding something." Touma said as Twila and Mishima nodded in agreement.
"...We're gonna make her talk this time." Mishima said as the trio left when the Principal came into the courtyard with a panicked look.
"Teachers, return to your classrooms for the time being! Please do not let any students go home yet!" The principal shouted.
Inside the school, Touma, Twila and Mishima grabbed Mirai by the wrist and put her in a corner so she couldn't run away "That hurts!" Mirai said.
"Why did you run like that? Huh!?" Mishima asks aggressively.
"I didn't run…" Mirai lied as Touma slammed his fist on one of the lockers in anger, scaring Mirai.
"She jumped and tried to kill herself!" Touma yelled in pure anger.
"L-Leave me alone…" Mirai said as Twila looked at her with sincerity.
"Please… Just tell us, Mirai." Twila said as the boys nodded to each other.
"She's right. We're not trying to get you in trouble. We won't say you talked either!" Touma said as Mirai looked away for a bit.
"Takamaki… She was called out by Alice!" Mirai yelled out which caused the trio to be shocked.
"Wait, what!?" Mishima yelled.
"I was called by her a number of times too… to the teacher's room. It wasn't just me and Takamaki either. She'd nominate someone when she was in a bad mood… and hit them. And she would use Mr. Kamoshida to do it." Mirai explained.
"So the rumor about Alice forcing Mr. Kamoshida to physically assault students was for real…" Mishima said as Mirai continued to speak.
"But yesterday, she called Takamaki out of the blue. She didn't make any mistakes or anything… Alice seemed really irritated that day, so it must have been… worse than usual…" Mirai said as Mishima's eyes widened.
"She didn't force him to…!" Mishima's face soon turned into that of pure rage "That daughter of a bastard…!" Mishima yelled as he left running to go somewhere in the school.
"Where is he going?" Twila asks Mirai.
"I bet… Yuuki is going to find Alice… in the PE faculty office on the second floor." Mirai said.
"Then let's go!" Touma said as the three of them went after Mishima to the second floor and they then saw him going into the PE faculty office.
"He went into the PE faculty office! Let's hurry!" Mirai said as the three of them hurried and went into the PE Faculty office.
Once in the PE faculty, Touma and the girls saw Mishima staring down at Alice's back while Mr. Kamoshida was sitting down, doing nothing "Huh?" Alice wondered as she and Mr. Kamoshida turned around to see Mishima.
"You bitch! What the hell did you make Kamoshida do to that girl!?" Mishima asked aggressively.
"What are you talking about?" Alice asks.
"Don't play dumb with me!" Mishima said as he kicked down a chair.
"That's enough!" Alice shouted while Kamoshida did nothing.
"What you did… wasn't practice…!" Mirai said as everyone in the room looked at her in shock.
"What did you say?" Alice asked with a face full of rage.
"You… You ordered me to bring Takamaki… I can only imagine what you made Kamoshida do to her…!" Mirai said as Mr. Kamoshida looked at her in shock.
"You're going on and on about things you have no proof of… Basically, you're making these claims because you can't be the lead model for the contest, right?" Alice asked.
"That's not what this is about…!" Mirai said as Mr. Kamoshida looked away from the four in despair at their futile resistance.
"Even if it is exactly as you imagine it to be, hypothetically speaking… What can you do?" Alice asks as she nods to Mr. Kamoshida to deliver the news to them.
"We just received a call from the hospital. Takamaki is in a coma and her chances of recovery are slim…" Mr. Kamoshida said with sadness in his voice.
"Exactly… So how would someone like that make a statement?" Alice said as everyone looked at her in shock "There's no chance of her getting better, i hear… The poor girl." Alice said with insincerity.
"No… That can't be…" Twila said as Mishima shook with anger.
"You goddamn…!" Mishima growled.
"This again? Do we need to have another case of "Self-defense"?" Alice asks.
"Shut your mouth, you bitch!" Mishima said as he was about to punch the girl in the face but was stopped by Touma "Why are you stopping me…!?" Mishima asks.
"She's only trying to get to you. Calm down." Touma said as he let Mishima's arm go.
"But still!" Mishima said.
"Oh? You're stopping him? What a surprise. There's no need to hold back. Why not attack me?" Alice asks with a cocky smile "...Ohhh, you can't. Hahaha, but of course you can't!" Alice then turns around to face Kamoshida "Mr. Kamoshida, everyone present right now… will be expelled. I want you to report them at the next board meeting." Alice said with an angry face while everyone else's faces had shocked expressions.
"What!?" Twila exclaimed.
"I won't. I'm done taking orders from you." Mr. Kamoshida said.
"If you don't do what i say… then i'll submit these photos to the school." Alice said as she shows everyone pictures of Mr. Kamoshida dating a woman that Mirai instantly recognizes.
"M-Mom!?" Mirai exclaimed as she saw Mr. Kamoshida looked absolutely ashamed of himself.
"So you're blackmailing him. You truly are despicable, Alice." Twila said with a scowl.
"Yeah! You can't make a decision like that…!" Mirai said as Alice looked at her.
"Who would seriously consider what scum like you say? You threatened me too, Miari, so you're just as responsible." Alice said.
"Huh…?" Mirai said in confusion.
"Mr. Kamoshida isn't the only one responsible for why the school knows about the transfer students. You act like a victim, but you leaked his criminal record, didn't you? It's all over the school webpage, right? How terrible." Alice said as Touma, Mishima, and Twila looked at Mirai.
"Mirai…?" Twila asks as Mirai collapses onto her knees.
"She made me do it. I had no choice…" Mirai said as Alice laughed evilly.
"Now, are we finished here? You're all expelled! You're done for; your futures are mine to take. Now get out of my sight." Alice said.
"I can't believe this bitch is getting away with this…!" Mishima growled as Twila put her hands on his shoulder.
"It's not over yet." Twila said.
"Yeah, she'll eat her words." Touma said as Mishima's eyes widened.
"...Oh right. We have that!" Mishima said with Alice looking at the three.
"Huh? Have you lost your minds? I don't know what garbage like you are thinking, but go ahead and try. All you can do is wait for your disposal though..." Alice said as she turned around and the others left the PE faculty office.
Saturday; After school
In the courtyard, the trio have met up to discuss their options "We can't waste any time. We got to go to that world and beat the crap out of that girl!" Mishima said with anger.
"...We're going to fight her. We're simply stealing her distorted desires. Can i assume that we've made up our minds about this- about how she might suffer a mental shutdown?" Twila asks.
"...I have." Mishima said to Twila as the two looked at Touma.
"You don't have to ask me. I'm ready." Touma said "Someone almost died because of her! I don't give a damn what happens to her anymore!" Touma said with his voice filled with fury.
"What about you?" Mishima asks Twila.
"After what happened today, I don't care if she dies." Twila said with venomous rage.
"By the way, is getting rid of a Palace hard…?" Mishima asks.
"I don't know. We simply have to try." Twila said when a certain black hair girl appeared behind them.
"Is it true that you're getting expelled? Everyone's talking about it…" Shiho said with a sad face.
"That bitch is at it again…! So you came all this way to tell us that?" Mishima asks with scowl as Shiho looks at the trio with a determined look.
"If you're going to deal with Alice… Let me in on it too." Shiho said as the others looked at her in shock "I can't just sit back and do nothing after what happened to Ann!" Shiho explained her reason but the others are still hesitant.
"This has nothing to do with you… Don't butt your head into this…" Mishima said.
"But it does! Ann's my-"
"I said don't get in our way!" Mishima yelled at Shiho, causing her to run away.
"Don't you think you were a little harsh on her?" Touma asks.
"We can't take her to a place like that…" Mishima explains.
"I hope she does not torment herself over this. When it comes down to it, we women don't hesitate." Twila said.
"We just have to hurry up and deal with Alice. Let's go already!" Mishima said as he and the others went to the alley that was in front of the school.
In the alleyway, The trio were in front of the school and had the Meta-nav ready to use "The moment we crossover, we'll treat each other like phantom thieves, so i hope you're ready." Touma said, getting confused looks from Twila and Mishima.
"Why phantom thieves?" Twila asks.
"Because we'll be stealing Alice's desires. It just makes sense." Touma explained.
"Okay. I was just wondering." Twila said as Mishima smirks.
"So we just have to say the school, Alice's name, and… Castle? Then we end up in bizarro world." Mishima said as he looks at the Meta-nav on his phone "...How the hell does all of this work? Someone make it?" Mishima asks.
"Who knows. But it doesn't matter now." Touma said as Mishima put his phone into his pocket.
"True. There's no point in thinking about it now. We'll show Alice who's boss!" Mishima proclaimed as Touma takes out his phone and pulls up the Meta-nav.
"Let's go!" Twila said to her brother and Mishima but little did they know that Shiho was watching them and listening to them the entire time.
"They really are going to do something… They're doing something on their phone? A name… School…?" Shiho said as she felt reality being distorted by the Meta-nav and the four ended up at the castle once again.
At the front of the castle's jaw bridge, the trio were in their Metaverse attire and looked at each other with determination "All right! Time to bust on through!" Mishima said when they all heard a familiar voice.
"What is this!?" Shiho screamed as the trio looked at her, confused.
"S-Suzui!?" Mishima called out.
"That voice… Yuuki!? And... are you two… Touma-kun and Twila-chan!?" Shiho asks in shock and fear.
"Wh-Wh-Why are you here!?" Mishima asks.
"How should i know!?" Shiho yelled as she looked at her surroundings "What's going on?" Shiho then looks at the trio "Hey, where are we…!? Isn't this the school!?" Shiho asks as Twila pulls the boys towards her.
"I see. She must have been dragged in because of the app. If multiple people can enter with the person who uses it, it stands to reason it will pull in anyone nearby." Twila explains as Mishima and Touma looked at each other.
"For real…?" Mishima asks as Shiho turns to the trio again.
"Wait, so THIS is related to Alice!?" Shiho asks but Mishima ruffled his hair in frustration.
"Anyways, you need to leave!" Mishima said.
"No!" Shiho yelled as Twila sighed.
"The shadows are going to find us if you make a scene." Twila said as Shiho looked at her classmate.
"Why are you all wearing those clothes!? Seriously, you better explain what's going on! I won't leave until you do!" Shiho yelled as the trio looked at each other.
"Looks like we're gonna have to force her." Touma said.
"Okay, but how?" Mishima asks.
"Just take her back to where we came in. It worked last time, yes?" Twila suggested.
"O-Oh, yeah. Can you lend me a hand Touma?" Mishima asks.
"Sure." Touma said as they and Twila looked at Shiho.
"What're you-"
"We'll explain after everything's over!" Mishima said as the three of them pushed her back to the alleyway.
"Hey! And just where are you touching!?" Shiho said as Touma saw where he was touching Shiho.
"Whoa, sorry, i didn't mean-" Touma then shook his head "...That's not important!" Touma said as they all put her back into the real world.
"We better be careful from now on whenever we use this app." Twila said.
"Yeah." Touma simply said.
"Geez, Suzui found out right when we were starting off… We gotta deal with this fast." Mishima said as Twila looks at them.
"The shadows have noticed us. You better brace yourselves, got it?" Twila said.
"Wait! Before we go in, I want us all to use codenames." Touma said as Mishima and Twila looked at him confused.
"Codenames?" Twila asks.
"What kind of phantom thief would use their real name!? I'm not down for that! And there's no telling what kind of effect yelling our real names will have on the Palace… It's just precaution." Touma explained passionately with Twila and Mishima looked at each other and then sighed in defeat.
"Very well, brother. What's your codename?" Twila asks.
"Mine is Joker." Touma said, calling himself Joker.
"Joker? Why Joker?" Mishima asks.
"I'm the wild card of the group." Joker explains.
"I suppose that makes sense given your personality." Twila said.
"Yeah. Plus, it sounds kinda cool. Okay! Now for my code-name." Mishima said.
"Well… With that mask, How about Wolf?" Joker suggested.
"I don't think that's a good code-name. I see him more as a hunter than anything else." Twila said which Mishima's eyes widened.
"Wait… Hunter… I like it." Joker and Twila look at him confused "Okay, that will be my codename! Hunter!" Mishima proclaimed, now calling himself Hunter.
"I suppose it's my turn to have a codename." Twila said as the boys looked at her.
"Well, how about Mona? Since you used to moan in your sleep?" Joker said with a cocky smile, earning him a slap on the shoulder from his sister "Ow!" Joker yelled.
"Okay, so you don't like that codename. How about Jack? I saw you help Ms. Kawakami do some of the hard tasks that she was doing, so you're like a jack of all traits." Hunter explained.
"I suppose that makes sense but I prefer something a bit more feminine." Twila said while blushing.
"Well, excuse us your majesty! Do you want some tea to couple with that attitude!?" Joker complained.
"Why you little-" Twila stopped talking for a moment and thought about what he said "Yes… That's what i mean… I believe i'll go with it. Whenever we're in the Metaverse, you may call me Majesty." Twila proclaimed, now calling herself Majesty.
"Now that's what i'm talking about." Joker said with a proud smile "All right, from here on out, we're Joker, Hunter, and Majesty. We need to be absolutely thorough about using those codenames from now on." Joker explained as Majesty and Hunter nodded as the trio went into the Palace.
Once inside the castle, they all snuck to the room across to the room they were in but before they opened the door, they heard the knights talking "Praise to Queen Alice! Death to the Intruders!" The Knights yelled.
"W-What the hell!?" Touma asks quietly as the trio turns towards the voices and sees a group of knights being led by the gold knight.
"Hey, look! Isn't that…" Hunter said as he pointed at Alice.
"Those intruders the other day were quite entertaining. However, I can't allow that trash to ransack my castle!" Shadow Alice said as she looks at her guards "Strengthen the security! Kill them on sight! I'll reward whoever brings me their heads." Shadow Alice said while smirking.
"Praise be to Queen Alice! Death to the intruders!" The knights yell as the trio looks at them all from afar.
"That's a lot of guards. What do we do?" Hunter asks.
"We wait in the shadows and pick the enemy off, one by one. I don't want a repeat from last time." Majesty said.
"And besides, we don't want to beat her up. We need to steal her materialized desires… The treasure." Joker explained.
"Got it. So, where is it?" Hunter asks as Majesty looks at him.
"It has to be somewhere in the depths of this castle. Let's infiltrate further in while she's out here." Majesty said as the trio went to open the door to the other room only to find a guard.
"Damn it, there's guard over here too… What should we do? Should we kick it's butt?" Hunter asks as Majesty thinks for a moment.
"Hold on. Hmmm… This might be a good learning opportunity to learn something..." Majesty said as she looked at her brother "All right, Joker! Are you ready to defeat it?" Majesty asks as a smirk appears on Joker's face.
"I'd thought you never ask." Joker said as he ran up to the enemy and attacked it with his dagger turning it into some sort of Fairy-like creature.
"Remember how we used Hold ups and All-out Attacks? I'll teach you their practical use now. There's another use for Hold ups besides simply defeating enemies. Shadows are beings born from people's hearts, so naturally, they can talk as well." Majesty explains as Joker pulls out his gun and shoots down the shadow, causing it to fall to the floor and the trio surrounding it while pointing their guns at it.
"Seriously!? You guys are the intruders that Queen Alice was talking about…?" The female Shadow asks "It can't get worse than this… What're you going to do with me!?" The Shadow asks fearfully.
"Give me some money." Joker said.
"Huh? You'll let me live if I just give you money?" The shadow asks.
"Well, something along those lines…" Majesty said to the shadow.
"Now let it be money or items. Just cough it up!" Hunter said.
"But, this happened so suddenly… I actually don't have anything on me… I usually do though, you know!?" The shadow said as Majesty's face turned from stern to shock in an instant.
"W-Wait, what? Oh… This isn't how i was planning this to go." Majesty said as her shocked expression soon turned back to normal "Uh… Anyway, It can't be helped if that's the case. Time for you to go to hell." Majesty said as the beguiling girl looks at them in shock.
"W-Wait!" The Shadow wanted to bargain for her life but Majesty wasn't having it.
"My apologies, but we're in a hurry." Majesty said as the Shadow began to speak again.
"No, wait up! Can't we work something out? Don't kill me, please! Won't you let me go?" The Shadow asks as Joker raises an eyebrow.
"Sorry, but you chose the wrong enemy." Joker said.
"Wow… You're really confident. But i'm the same way. In any other situation, we'd get along really well." The Shadow said as she felt something about her changing "Whoa, I feel different! Something's happening!" The shadow said as she started to get up.
"What the…!? What's going on!?" Hunter asks in shock.
"...Oh yeah, I remember now! I don't just belong to Queen Alice… I'm an existence that drifts about in the sea of humanity's souls… My real name is… "Pixie"!" The Shadow introduced herself to Joker and the others "I'm Pixie! From now on, I'll live inside your heart!" Pixie said as she glowed a blue aura and was absorbed into Joker's mask.
"What was that just now…!? What happened…!?" Majesty asks as Hunter looks at her.
"What the hell just happened!? The enemy just got sucked into Joker's mask!" Hunter said to Majesty.
"I have no idea! I wasn't expecting that either…" Majesty said as she was just as confused as Hunter was until a guard spotted them.
"Intruders!? Halt!" The guard said as it turned into the same horse Shadows from last time and the trio readied themselves for battle.
I sense a new possibility within me stemming from the previous battle… Joker thought as he stares down the enemies before him "Change! Pixie!" Joker said as his mask burned into a blue flame and summoned Pixie instead of Kaito Kuroba "Pixie! Zio!" Joker said as Pixie summons a small lighting bolt and hits one of the shadows.
"I-Is that the Shadow from earlier!? Don't tell… Did you take in the Shadow's appearance and powers and turned it into a Persona!?" Majesty said as the Shadow attacks her "I suppose i can save that for later! Jeanne D'arc! Garu!" Majesty shouted as she summoned her Persona and used Garu on the enemy, killing it "My goodness… Does that mean you can wield multiple Personas!?" Majesty asks.
"I guess so." Joker answers.
"H-Hey, Majesty! What was that about!? What did Joker do?" Hunter asks.
"He sealed the enemy's appearance and powers into his mask, and made it his new Persona… I never thought that was possible!" Majesty said as Joker looks at her.
"Is this good?" Joker asks.
"Of course it is! Only one heart exists per person, so normally a person can only have one Persona!" Majesty explains as she calms down "But this… This is incredible! That ability will give us a great advantage in battle!" Majesty said with a smile.
"All right, i'll try to do that even more if the opportunity comes up. Let's keep going you two." Joker said.
"Hell yeah! We'll hold every last one of them up!" Hunter said as the trio left the room through the second door that was on the left to another part of the castle.
Once in the west building, the trio went into the weapons room and attacked the shadows and killed all but one of them "Ow, ow, ow… What the hell ya doin'...?" The horse Shadow asks.
"Lend me your power." Joker said.
"So that's yer move? ...Then i guess i'll talk first. I'll decide if i'm gonna help you after. Look, sonny. I… I've, uh, got this girl waitin' fer me. ...You know what i'm gettin' at, right? You think you can let me go see my girl?" The Shadow asks.
"She probably left already." Joker said plainly.
"C'mon. My lady's out there, all dolled up and waitin' fer me. What if her dream guy don't show up? Ah, well. I'm gonna die, so i may as well do one last good deed. Hey sonny, if somethin's been botherin' you, I'm willin' to give you a listen." The shadow said as Joker blushed a little.
"My relationship with people." Joker said with a blush, causing Majesty to laugh a little.
"Whoa, you afraid of people or somethin'? Oh, i could help you with somethin' like that." The shadow said "I like that way of thinkin'-'' its eyes then widened "Hey! I can't believe it… I remember… I'm no shadow from this place. I used to be livin' in that there sea of the human soul! From now on, call me Bicorn. No need for honorifics, sonny." Bicorn said as he was absorbed into Joker's mask, just like Pixie from before.
"Good. Another Persona we can add to our arsenal." Majesty said as the trio made they're way to the next room when they see a door that looked a little hazy.
"Oooh, it's another hazy-looking door! It's another Safe Room." Hunter said.
"That's right. We can discuss our strategy inside. There are a lot of places we don't know about in here…" Majesty said as the three made their way into the Safe Room.
Meanwhile in front of the Palace, Shiho walked up to the front of the castle "This is that place from earlier…!" Shiho said to herself as she pulled out her phone and looked at the Meta-nav on her phone "...What's with this app? I just typed in the words Yuuki said, and i ended up-"
"Princess!?" One of the knights said as Shiho put her phone away to look at the two knights approaching her and they instantly took her into the castle.
Back in the Safe room, the trio were talking to each other "Aren't there even more Shadows here than before?" Hunter asks.
"It's all because we provoked Alice. Still… She seems awfully on guard…" Majesty said.
"Anyways, how are we supposed to steal that Treasure of her's?" Hunter asks.
"Don't be so hasty. First, we'll need to secure an infiltration route." Joker said.
"A what?" Hunter asks again, making both Joker and Majesty a little annoyed.
"A path to the Treasure's location." Joker explained to Hunter.
"But honestly, I think we'll need a little more manpower in order to accomplish this. At the very least, one person would be nice…" just then, the trio hears the guards talking to each other.
"Still, why was the princess in such an odd place…?" One of the guards said.
"Princess?" Hunter said as Majesty leans her ear onto the door to listen better.
"I could have sworn we were pursuing the readings of an intruder…" The guard said.
"It doesn't matter now. We must take her back to Queen Alice!" The second guard said as the footsteps fades away.
"Who's this princess they're talking about…?" Hunter asks as Majesty opens the door slightly.
"I'll go check real quick." Majesty said as she went to check what the commotion is happening.
"You think Twila will be okay?" Hunter asks as Joker looks at him in annoyance.
"Codenames, remember?" Joker reminded Hunter.
"Crap! Sorry, i'm still not use to this yet." Hunter said.
"It's okay, man." Joker said as Majesty ran back inside the Safe Room in a panic "Sis, What's wrong?" Joker asks his twin.
"Suzui… She's been taken by Shadows…!" Majesty said in a panic.
"Wait, what? We sent her home earlier." Joker said.
"If Shiho does indeed have the app, it could be possible." Majesty said with a worry look.
"Oh no… Don't tell me it got put on hers just like ours…!? Damn it! We let her out for her own safety, and she just came back in by herself…!" Hunter said with a bit of anger in her voice.
"Then what are we waiting for!? Let's go save her already!" Joker said as the trio leaves the Safe Room to go after Shiho and save her.
"She's just past the weapons room! Let's go!" Majesty said as the trio went through the weapons area and heard Shiho's voice.
"Is this some kind of filming!? Who's in charge here!?" Shiho asks as the trio goes back to where the area was bared off but was no longer.
"I'm guessing this is where they took Suzui." Joker said as they went through the hallway and saw a suit of armor that had fallen apart and the trio had heard Shiho's voice again.
"Look, I'll apologize for touching the armor without permission!" Shiho pleaded as Hunter rolled his eyes in annoyance.
"She totally doesn't know what's going on!" Hunter said as Majesty went past him.
"We must hurry! We have to hurry!" Majesty said as the trio went inside the room Shiho was trapped in.
Inside the room, Shiho was chained up by the wrist and ankles and was being watched by two guards "What's all this about!? Seriously, I'm gonna call the cops!" Shiho shouted as Shadow Alice came in.
"So this is the intruder." Shadow Alice said as she looked at Shiho.
"Alice!?" Shiho exclaimed as the Cognitive version of Shiho walked on the floor like a dog and sat next to Alice "Who's that…?" Shiho asks but then shakes her head "More importantly, What is this place!? Why's the school turned into a place like this!?" Shiho had a million questions swirling inside her head until Shadow Alice spoke again.
"I can't believe you mistook my Shiho for someone like her." Shadow Alice said to the guards as she giggled sadistically and then looked back at Shiho "Are you afraid?" Shadow Alice asks.
"What's with that outfit…? Have you lost your mind?" Shiho asks.
"I do as I please here. After all, This my castle… The world of my desires." Shadow Alice said as Shiho struggled a little.
"What the- Wait… Is this some red-light district!?" Shiho asks as she struggles to get free of her bonds.
"What a lively slave." Shadow Alice said as Shiho looked at her with disgust.
"This isn't funny! Enough of the bullshit, Alice!" Shiho said as Shadow Alice looks at the Cognitive Shiho.
"The girl's decided to tell me off. What do you think of that, my pet?" Shadow Alice asks the Cognitive Shiho.
"Arf! Talking back to my master is unforgivable! Arf! Arf!" Princess Shiho barked angrily.
"In that case… She should be executed." Shadow Alice said as the knight in gold armor walks towards the tied up girl "Now then, how should i play with you? Shall I tear you into little pieces?" Shadow Alice asks with a sadistic smile.
"Are you kidding me…?" Shiho asks as the Joker and the other two come into the room and see naked girls and boys begging for sexual attention.
"This is messed up…" Joker said with a shocked expression.
"Is that what Alice thinks of the girls and boys on the Volleyball and Cheerleading teams…!?" Majesty asks as Hunter sees Shiho tied up.
"Guys, over there!" Hunter said as the trio ran up to Shiho and everyone else.
"Suzui!" Majesty called out, causing Shadow Alice to scowl.
"Just when i was about to start enjoying myself…" Shadow Alice sneered at the trio.
"What the hell is wrong with this girl!?" Shiho asks as Joker and the others look at Shadow Alice.
"Why, you little…!" Majesty growled at Shadow Alice.
"...How many times are you going to come back?" Shadow Alice asks with anger but then composed herself and looked at Shiho "I bet you're just like those thieves. You came because you're pissed at me, huh? But, ah… I forgot that girl's name, but it's your fault she jumped, you know." Shadow Alice said to a confused Shiho.
"Huh...?" Shiho was confused about what Shadow Alice said.
"You were so reluctant to throw yourself onto me that I had her take your place as my pet." Shadow Alice said with an evil smile.
"You bitch!" Shiho shouted as the golden knight came closer to her.
"No!" Hunter shouted but before he could rescue, the guards crossed their swords to form an X right on top of Shiho's neck.
"Take one more step and i'll kill her on the spot." Shadow Alice warned as Hunter and the others stood still.
"Damn it…!" Joker muttered as Alice, once again, put on a sadistic smile.
"Just sit back and watch the dismantlement show." Shadow Alice said as Shiho's eyes widened.
"No! Don't!" Shiho pleaded but Shadow Alice gave Shiho a perverted look on her face.
"Maybe i'll start with her clothes…" Shadow Alice said, giving Shiho a shocked look.
"Woof! Woof! Master is a pervert! Woof! Woof!" Princess Shiho said as she shakes her ass like a tail.
"H-Hey, What are we going to do!?" Hunter asks Majesty as she shook her head and the gold knight "Suzui!" Hunter yelled but Shiho looked towards the ground in defeat.
"Is this... my punishment for what happened to Ann…?" Shiho asks.
"That's more like it. You should've looked like this from the start." Shadow Alice said with a smirk as small tears started to form in Shiho's eyes.
"Ann… I'm so sorry…" Shiho said but before anything happens, Joker begins to speak.
"Is this what Ann would have wanted!?" Joker said as Shiho looks at him.
"Huh?" Shiho questioned.
"This girl only cares about her desires! Help us steal them! Don't just do it for the students of the school, the Volleyball Team, and the Cheerleading team, do it for Ann too!" Joker said as Shiho looks down to the ground and then looks up with an found determination.
"Your right… Ann wouldn't have wanted this, and i don't either," Shiho then stares at Shadow Alice "She gave everything to help me, and i won't let this girl toy with her or anyone else ever again." Shiho said as her face turns to a face full of anger that was ready to burst.
"It's like i always say. Slaves should just behave and-" Shadow Alice tries to say before she was cut off by Shiho.
"SHUT UP!" Shiho yelled at Shadow Alice "You bullied the Cheerleading squad and the Volleyball team into fearing your abuse… But worse of all, you forced yourself on my sister and hurt her in a way that can never be fixed. I AM DONE HOLDING BACK MY ANGER!" Shiho yelled at Shadow Alice as she heard a voice echoing in her head.
Did you reach the breaking point? The feminine voice asks as Shiho's eyes turns yellow and begins to scream and struggle. You've been so strong my dear, for so long. Too long. Your mind, your heart, your body, broken. Your friends treated like tools. Shiho screams again in pain The time spent waiting for a savior is now over. The voice said as a silver mask with a blue plume on the top appears on Shiho's face The power to protect yourself and your loved ones… Is within your grasp, my white knight. The voice said as Shiho raised her head.
"I hear you… Bradamante… And i'm ready…" Shiho whispered "I'm done holding back!" Shiho said as she breaks the chains.
Very well. Then let us leave your old self behind… and begin anew! I am thou, Thou art i. The time has come for you to free your friends from their torment and fight for both their futures… And yours! The voice of Bradamante said as Shiho rips of the mask on her face and was consumed by a blue flame.
Once the blue flames cleared, Shiho was now wearing white and black armor with brown pants and corset.
Right behind Shiho, was a being that was made up of floating pieces of gray black and blue armor with a half of a shield on each arm which, when United, makes a grand shield.
Shiho turned to one of the guards and kicked the sword out their hands and grabbed it and slashed the cognitive version of herself in half and then faded away, causing Shadow Alice to hide behind The golden knight as Shiho turned to her "You know what? People aren't toys you can play with… you brat." Shiho said with a voice of rage.
"Bitch...!" Shadow Alice said.
"You stole everything from Ann… You destroyed her… Now it's your turn!" Shiho then points to Shadow Alice "I will rob you of everything...!"
"How dare you! Enough of your insolence!" The Gold knight said as he and the two other guards fuse to become a demon sitting on a toilet.
"No, I've had enough of you. You better get out of the way if you know what's good for you!" Shiho replied with a sneer "Let's do this Bradamante!" Shiho said as she and the trio readied themselves for battle.
"How dare you deny Queen Alice's love, you selfish lass!? Pay for this insolence with your life!" The guard Captain said to Shiho.
"The bitch just sees people as sexual outlets! Don't make me laugh with that "Love" bullshit!" Shiho replied "Let's go, Bradamante! Let's give them hell! Agi!" Shiho shouted as Bradamante put the two halves of the shield together and pushed it forward a little to summon a small explosion of fire, knocking the Shadow down.
"How dare you thieves…!" The Shadow attempted to speak.
"Oh, We dare…" Majesty said as the four jumped to the air and jumped around rapidly while attacking the enemy but the All-out Attacks wasn't enough to kill the enemy.
"Kaito Kuroba! Cleave!" Joker said as he summoned Kaito Kuroba to inflict physical damage and it worked a little bit.
"Let me help!" Shiho said as she used Agi again and knocked it down and the four performed an All-out Attack, inflicting a lot of damage on the Shadow.
"To think… there would be a woman… who could stand up to Queen Alice…" The Guard captain said.
"Pff, outside of school, that girl's nothing but a pathetic loser." Shiho said as the Shadow dies and fades away and Shadow Alice looks at the four in shock.
"Oh shit…!" Shadow Alice said as she ran away when Shiho collapsed on her knees.
"Wait…!" Shiho attempted to say but Shadow Alice was already gone.
"Why did you come here!? And more importantly, how!?" Hunter asks as Majesty kneels down to Shiho.
"Hunter! Can't you see that she's been through enough!?" Majesty scolded Hunter as she turned to Shiho "Are you okay, Suzui?" Majesty asks.
"I'm okay… But… Where in the world are we…!?" Shiho had a million questions to ask and Majesty knew this.
"Calm down. I promise, once we leave, we'll explain everything." Majesty said as she helped Shiho to stand up.
"How am i supposed to calm down!?" Shiho asks as she sees the clothes she was wearing "What the hell!? When did I put this on!?" Shiho asks.
"Calm down. There's gonna be a search party looking for us now." Joker said as Majesty nods.
"I agree. Let's retreat for now." Majesty said as she put Shiho's arm around her neck.
"Fine…" Hunter said as the four returned to reality for now.
Back in reality, the four were in the subway station and Mishima came back with two sodas "Which one do you want?" Mishima asks.
"Whichever one's not carbonated." Shiho said as Mishima looks at both of the drinks he had on him.
"Uh… They're both actually." Mishima said.
"Then…" Shiho then takes the soda on the left.
"Here you go." Mishima said as he gave Touma the other drink "Sorry, Twila-san." Mishima said.
"It's okay. I have my own drink." Twila said as she pulled out a bottle of water from her school bag "Have you calmed down, Suzui?" Twila asks.
"Um… Yeah… I still can't believe those costumes disappear as soon as we came back…" Shiho said.
"It's only natural that you're confused. Demanding that you understand all of this right after what you went through is asking too much." Twila said as she took a sip of her water.
"Honestly, I still can't believe what happened… And that power… my Persona…" Shiho said.
"It's the will of your rebellion, Shiho. With it, you'll be able to fight in that world." Twila said to Shiho, who's still processing what happened to her.
"So if what you told me is true, we can make Alice have a change of heart, right? Is it really possible…? Can we actually force her to confess her crimes?" Shiho asks.
"The Volleyball team, the Fashion club and even the Cheerleading squad are keeping quiet about this, while parents and teachers turn a blind eye." Touma said with a scowl.
"And if people like us try to complain about it, they'll just shut us up. Going all in with this plan is our only option." Mishima explained.
"Then let me help too. I want to make her pay for what happened to Ann." Shiho scowls "She just keeps going like nothing happened, even after what she did to her… I'll never forgive her." Shiho said as Mishima looks at her in shock.
"Wait, did you just say, "Let me help"? You mean, you want to come with us?" Mishima asks.
"Don't act like I'm gonna drag you down. Didn't you see me? I can fight too." Shiho said as Mishima turns to Touma.
"Hey, what should we do?" Mishima asks.
"She'll be a great addition to the team." Touma said with a smile.
"I agree as well. We are lacking in manpower, after all." Twila said.
"And even if you say no, I'd just go in alone." Shiho said to Mishima.
"Oh right, she can go by herself… I guess it would be more dangerous by turning her down…" Mishima said as he sighs and gives in "Fine… She can come with." Mishima said.
"Then it's decided. Well, I hope we get along!" Shiho said as she looked at the trio with a scowl "I'm going to make Alice pay for what she did. Not just for Ann's sake… but for everything she's done. I won't let any more people suffer because of her. I'll do what it takes!" Shiho said with her new found determination and Touma can feel her resolve to change Alice's heart.
I am thou, Thou art i…
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chains of captivity.
With the birth of the Chariot Persona,
I have obtained the winds or blessing that
Shall lead to freedom and new power…
Chariot Confidant: Rank 1
"Just let me know when you all are about to head in… Oh wait! We don't have each other's info." Shiho said.
"Ah, yes. We didn't either." Twila said as she and her brother pulled their phones out of their pockets.
"Cool, just give me your numbers and chat IDs. And, um…" Shiho said as the group shared each of their contact info with Shiho "I'll be counting on you, then. Same to you Twila-chan." Shiho said.
"We'll be counting on you as well, Suzui-san." Twila said as she and Shiho shaked hands with each other and Shiho walks off.
"What a kind girl… Such admiral consideration for others… She'll even jump into the jaws of death to achieve her goal… A girl who cares about her friends and is athletic to boot… I think she'll make a great friend and wonderful ally." Twila said.
"I agree. Anyways, it would be better if this group can get together quickly from now on…" Mishima said.
"True. Our best bet is to find a place where we can discuss these things in private." Twila said.
"Like a secret hideout…?" Touma asks.
"I like the sound of that." Mishima said.
"The school rooftop might work… It seems like nobody goes up there. For the time being, that will be the perfect hideout." Twila said.
"Well, I have to get going. I promise myself that I will clean the house before mom gets home." Mishima said as he his train coming " Well, we now have our hideout, so let's meet up on monday. See you guys later!" Mishima said as he walked towards his train.
"We should head home as well, brother." Twila said as her brother nodded and the twins headed back to their house for the night.
Saturday; Evening
At the dinner table, while the twins ate, they gotten a group text from Shiho.
SS: Thanks for everything today. You all saved me and I didn't properly thank you guys.
TH: No problem, Shiho.
MY: Yeah. We were just happy that we could help. Anyways, I found this shop in Shibuya that sells model guns. I'd be happy to take you all there if you want.
SS: Sure, I'm up for it.
TH: Same. We could improve our arsenal.
MY: Cool. Let's figure out where we should meet. Touma, you know how to get to Shibuya station, right?
TH: Yeah, it shouldn't be hard.
TwH: You all can go, but i'll be looking for a part-time job tomorrow. Can I trust you brother to check the place for me?
TH: Yeah, of course.
SS: Don't worry, we got this.
MY: Well see you in Shibuya, Touma and Shiho. I'll be in front of the station.
The chat ended and the twins continued to eat their dinner.
After taking a bath with Twila, Touma went to the laundry room to wash his school uniform with his sister's as well. After putting the clothes in the washer for the night Touma plugged his phone up to charge and went to bed for the night.