There was a bright flash and then Ren was no longer in the jail but back on the battlefield. The sudden shift was a bit disorienting but as the large pyramid loomed over them, Ren forced himself to get his head in the game real quick. Everyone looked okay from the split second he had to check everything out, but he had to wonder how much time had passed between when he first connected with Goro and now. Glancing towards Akechi, Ren once again called upon Arsene as Goro ghosted his movement by summoning Loki.
"Loki!"
"Arsene!"
"Hell's Frozen Rain!" both of them shouted.
The Personas spun around both of them as an icy wind swept over the battlefield. It was that piercing kind of wind that stung at any exposed skin. Then there was rain. It started slowly as drops started to fall upon the monolith Shido hid inside. Each drop freezing upon impact into a thick black ice chunk. However, the precipitation picked up and soon the pyramid was drowned in a torrent of black ice. It tried to open its cannon door but it was frozen shut and after another long second, there wasn't a piece of the tomb that wasn't covered by the dark ice. The heavy ice weighed the tomb down and it collapsed to the ground downed. It was time for an all-out attack.
"Everyone! Shatter it!" Joker commanded as he threw his arm out towards the ice-encased structure.
No one needed to be told twice. Chie was the first to attack smashing at the structure with a roundhouse kick. Yu and Mona were next slashing at the structure with their preferred slashing weapons. Kanji followed up behind them his large steel plate slamming down upon the area they all attacked. The ice started to give way as cracks rippled out from the point Kanji had struck. The assault wasn't over. Skull and Noir were next, bringing their weapons down on opposite sides of the pyramid. More cracks. Fox and Queen were next adding damage to the already ragged-looking ice structure. Panther and Naoto followed through, using their ranged weapons once everyone was clear to pelt the structure with long-range damage.
Joker spun his dagger in his hand as he glanced towards Crow. They were up next and the tomb looked ready to collapse. Crow flicked his sword, a small satisfied smirk lingering on his lips. He was just as eager to end this as Joker was. They both moved in sync as everyone seemed to part for them as if the connection's lingering effects were still up. They understood exactly what the other was going to do. They both attacked in perfect union, their blades coming across the structure in a perfect 'x' shaped slice. The structure exploded like shattered glass, no longer a mass working as one but a pile of bodies no longer coherent.
Shido emerged pulling himself from the pile, a sneer on his face. "Useless ignorant masses!" Shido shouted as the bodies faded away. He turned his attention back to the large group, arms folded over his chest as an air of superiority flowed off him. "It seems even thieves should not be taken lightly if they come in great enough numbers."
"Once you're losin' you're puttin' all the blame on the masses, huh?" Skull taunted.
"This guy just keeps blaming others." Chie snorted.
"Tsk…" Shido sneered before his eyes found their place on Joker. "So, you're the one unifying them."
"A touching reunion, isn't it?" Panther jeered.
"The next time you crush a foe, I suggest you do it in a more certain manner," Fox informed the shadow.
"Will he remember that?" Crow added.
"Not that there'll be a next time for you!" Oracle announced.
"This ends today!" Yu interjected.
"Hell yeah! We are gonna make the world a better place without rulin' over it!" Kanji hollered.
"Hm?" There was a flash of recognition in Shido's golden eyes. "You… You're more than just a member of the Phantom Thieves, aren't you?"
Joker smirked before he reached up and removed his mask. "Long time no see."
"It ain't the first time you failed to finish this guy off." Skull proclaimed.
"You took him to court and yet you don't remember? You truly don't care about the fate of others." Queen admonished with a shake of her head.
Shido paused, his eyes once again lingering over Joker. "Wait. Could you be? The one from back then?! That damn brat who showed up and stood against me when I was with that woman! It was such a trivial thing, yet out of all the people in the world, it's you who leads this band against me. You even convinced Akechi to join." Shido let out a long chuckle. "haha… What an interesting turn of fate. But your efforts will be worthless in the end."
"What!?" Skull growled.
"Small sacrifices are inescapable for those wishing to be powerful, competent leaders! Something I'm sure your leader hasn't realized yet. How would you ever reach your destination if you stopped to count every ant you crushed on the road?" Shido explained putting a hand on his hip, smug as ever.
"Are you saying that the people you killed deserved to die?!" Noir sounded both heartbroken and angered at the same time.
"He's insane." Panther pointed out.
"That is my father for you." Crow lamented.
"I wouldn't expect the ignorant masses of the country to understand. Thus, I will offer proof."
Shido reached across his chest, ripping off his militaristic attire with a grand motion. The man now stood before all of them, covered in what looked like some sort of spring device covering his upper body. Joker didn't know what to make of it all as he stepped forward and got into a fighting stance. Again the time for talk was drawing to a close and now it was once again the time for Shido to learn about the power of friendship, pony style.
"I'll forcefully crush every last one of you Phantom Thieves!" Shido proclaimed. "I shall win this game!"
"What is this power!?" Oracle called as a few chaotic beeps echoed from Prometheus. "Careful! Those muscles aren't just for show!"
Shido darted forward in the blink of an eye, his fist connecting with Kanji's raised arm as he attempted to block. Shido quickly punched through the block sending the team's largest member across the battlefield like a rag doll. Chie was on him the next second but he brought up his arm to block her high kick. His eyes focused on her before his fist followed through and knocked her aside as he had Kanji. Yu was next, jumping up to slash down across Shido back. There was a hint of vengeance in his eyes as Shido had already dealt massive damage to his friends. Shido was faster, catching Yu's sword hand in mid-air with one hand and delivering a devastating hook straight to his exposed gut. Yu doubled over collapsing to the ground. To see Shido so easily take out the front line with little effort was jarring. This was a true battle with real risks.
"Kingpin!" Rise shouted.
"What's wrong Phantom Thieves? Is this all you've got?" Shido asked looking over the still standing Thieves.
Shido fixed his gaze on Joker. Having already identified the leader of all this, that made Joker an easy target. It was the basis of every good strategy to take out the leader and the rest will crumble without clear direction. Shido started to move, picking up speed like a freight train as he moved to capture the king before the other pieces could react. It was now or never. Joker took a deep breath, he had to move quickly or he'd be no better off than those in the frontline. Joker saw Shido's fist head for him. Joker feinted left before ducking under the blow. His injured side whined at him because of the movement but Joker didn't have time to listen to it. He spun low gripping his dagger and returning up behind Shido. His blade slashing upwards with the movement. The blade sparked against the metal contraption Shido wore but it had been a solid hit.
Shido grunted at the attack spinning around to punch down at Joker. Joker was faster but not by much as he backflipped, putting a good distance between him and the hulk that was Masayoshi Shido. After a stunt like that, he was gonna be feeling his side in the morning, but those were all problems for future Ren. The current Joker needed to keep on his toes if he didn't wish for swift death at Shido's hands.
"Yoshitsune!" Joker called to his new Persona.
Instantly the Persona was at his side, the excitement of battle dripping off the Persona. It was ready to fight and seemed ready to prove itself. Joker appreciated the enthusiasm the Persona had and was ready to unleash that power. Holding out his hand towards Shido, Yoshitsune instantly understood with no need for command. Shido seemed more focused on Joker then he did the Persona that had just been summoned, a serious mistake on his part. Yoshitsune appeared behind Shido, duel swords striking like daggers across the Shido's back. A distinct snapping noise was heard as both of Yoshitsune's attacks and Joker's previous attacks caused the spring contraption to snap across Shido's back. That wasn't the end of it though, Yoshitsune still had seven strikes left. Whatever that thing Shido was wearing did, Yoshitsune's swift strikes completely decimated it. Yoshitsune returned to Joker's side just as the pieces of metal and leather fell around Shido's shadow.
"It's been some time since we faced a douchebag this powerful, eh guys?" Kanji announced as he stepped back onto the battlefield, he looked scuffed up but otherwise fine.
"Yeah, watch out for those fists though. They hurt." Chie said as she rubbed the side that Shido had hit.
"I left myself open…" Yu got to his feet, his grey eyes flickering to his friends then back to the monster at hand. "It won't happen again." There was a determination in Yu's voice that was as strong as steel.
Shido looked around as he seemed to realize he was now in the center of all 14 Thieves and that the three thieves he thought he took out were now just shrugging off his blow. Joker could have sworn he saw a flicker of uncertainty appear in Shido's eyes. Though that could have been a trick of the light. There wasn't a Persona that didn't ghost above its owner as everyone seemed to call out in unison. Shido was barely able to throw up his arms as a rainbow of different elemental attacks rained down on him as each Persona user used their elemental affinity against him. As the smoke cleared, a new Shido emerged from the smoke, one of red skin and a far sharper intent.
"How are these lowlife brats beating me?!" Shido sneered to the Thieves.
Suddenly Shido tossed his head back in a manic chuckle. Joker briefly recognized that Shido was descending into madness. Like father like son, the closer he got to losing, the more his pride split his mind. Once this battle was over, there would be a broken man, both physically and mentally. Still, this battle couldn't last much longer, could it?
"Don't think you've won. The power held by the most elite is what rules over our society. It's vexing that I have to use this on some foolish Thieves. But I will educate you thoroughly." Shido announced as he flexed his newly freed muscles.
"Bring it!" Kanji shouted.
"Yeah!" Skull echoed.
"Let's take his heart!" Joker called to everyone around him.
"How eloquently put." Crow nodded as he stepped up next to Joker.
"Did you hear that, Shido?!" Oracle boomed over the battlefield from her Persona.
"He's even stronger now." Rise cautioned from her place behind them all.
"That's an understatement," Oracle added.
"Die." That was all the madness that was Shido could manage to utter before he reeled back and slammed his fist into the ground.
In an instant, the battlefield shifted and quaked under Joker's feet. He felt it give way causing Joker to jump back but the whole area they had been battling on seemed to be collapsing. Joker caught a glimpse of his friends being drug down along with the collapsing stage before his vision was engulfed. He fell, and so did everyone else.
Joker coughed hard as he struggled to get to his feet. His side throbbing with constant pain, causing his breathing to become ragged. For a second or two, he struggled, praying he wouldn't be beset upon by their enemy in the fragile moments he needed to recollect himself. He was fairly sure any healing his rib had made this last week was now null and void, but again it was a problem for future Ren. He sucked in a breath and looked around him.
A fine cloud of dust and debris had settled over the battlefield obscuring his normal vision but his third eye pierced it easily. What was once a smooth battlefield, had been reduced to piles of various splintered wood and metal that was haphazardly thrown about. Even with Joker's third eye, the debris stood in his way and only Crow, who had been standing next to him when everything collapsed, was visible to him. There were sounds of life beyond the piles but no one said anything. Shido was still out there and was probably moving to pick them off one at a time. Crow clutched his bad shoulder as he moved to stand next to Joker. The sling he had been wearing was no doubt torn by the fall and his arm hung uselessly at his side.
"Do you think everyone is alright?" Crow whispered trying to look around nervously.
"We have to trust they are," Joker replied looking around to try and find an approach over the debris they both could manage with minimal effort.
It was the heavy sound of footsteps that caused Joker to turn. The hair on the back of Joker's neck stood on end as Shido appeared before them. He shoved a pile of debris out of the way as he looked around. Joker's third eye had saved them for Shido appeared to be just as blind in this cloud as everyone else probably was. Joker felt Crow tense unable to see the threat before Joker motioned him to stay silent. Stealth was one page of Joker's repertoire and he would sneak to a far more advantageous position and confuse Shido like he had done with Yu the day before.
"Follow me and attack when I do," Joker whispered to Crow.
Crow gave Joker a trusting look as he nodded. Joker moved like a cat across the battlefield, Crow shadowing his every move. Shido continued to look around grunting to himself and seemed to be more listening for his prey. Moving around to Shido's back, Joker glanced toward Crow before pointing in Shido's direction. Crow couldn't see the threat that loomed but he could hear the harsh foots steps of Shido crushing the small debris underfoot. Joker put up three fingers and slowly counted them down. Crow summoned his Persona with a whisper as Lancelot hovered over him.
"Lancelot Debilitate!"
"Rangda Eigaon!"
Lancelot charged forward and through Shido, the harsh debuff causing him to slump over slightly. Which was just in time for Rangda's curse attack to hit him. Shido staggered but shook off the attack, his eyes scanning the clouded battlefield for his foes. Thrusting out his fist, a wave of fire expelled from it and charred the general area Crow and Joker had been in. They would have been hit if not for Joker moving both of them as soon as the attacks hit. Shido fired out several more attacks, one ice the other electricity but Joker was one step ahead and able to see the path before them
"Think you rats can get away?" Shido shouted before firing off another wave of elemental damage, this time nuclear.
Joker looked to Crow. Crow looked as if he wanted to say something but his words were stifled by the fact neither of them could just plainly take Shido on solo. Joker appreciated his apprehension as he slipped around a corner and out of reach of the tyrant that stalked them. Joker kept an eye out but so far besides some distant noises, Joker couldn't see any of his friends. He hoped they were fine but it was as if a building had collapsed on all of them. At least he knew where Shido was and that he wasn't just executing his friends one by one. Knowing was half the battle.
"Is everyone okay?!" That was Skull's voice, he wasn't too far.
Shido stopped, his body turning in the direction of Skull's voice. Joker's gut jerked as he could almost imagine Shido getting the drop on his best friend. Joker needed to keep Shido's attention on him and let his friends regroup. Panic started to set in before he felt Crow put his hand on his shoulder and give him a silent nod, Lancelot ghosting behind him. It was unspoken but it was there, Crow was committed to keeping Shido on their trail and let the others getaway. Joker turned his attention back to the tyrant as he started to move in Skull's direction. He'd protect his friends no matter what.
"Rangda, Blood Bath!" Joker called loudly to pull Shido's attention towards him.
"Lancelot, Megaton Raid!" Crow echoed half a second later.
The two Persona burst forth from the clouds of dust and rammed directly at an unsuspecting Shido. Shido growled batting both Personas aside like bothersome flies with a wave of psychic energy before the tyrant's eyes shifted to the direction they had come from. Both Persona hit hard against a pile of wood and metal practically becoming impaled by the uneven surface. Joker felt his soul jerk with the hit. It hurt but Joker kept his focus, pulling Crow along with him through the maze of debris. Shido charged in the direction the two Persona had come from, the dust cloud swirling around him at the movement. He stopped a foot from where Joker and Crow had once been looking around for answers in the dust.
Shido straightened up, his jaw locked in a sneer. Joker could see he was planning something, so he shifted both him and Crow a bit further away. Just as Joker was about to reach their next hiding spot, a strong wind blew through the battered battlefield. It stirred up everything and Joker had to brace himself against it. Squinting his eyes and throwing up his arms, Joker instantly realized what Shido was doing. The cloud of dust and debris they had been masking themselves with was now being blown away by the powerful wind. Once the wind stopped Joker faced Shido across the battlefield, the tyrant king's wicked gaze was now fixed solely upon him.
"Found you!" Shido's voice sounded delighted.
This was it. Shido had Joker in his sight and there wasn't any place to escape to. This would be the area where Joker made his stand. Joker reached for his gun, ready to at least fill the enemy with bullets before he took one of those super-powered punches. Shido started for them but before he could get too far Loki ghosted behind Crow. The sight of the trickster's spirit-filled Joker with a sudden idea. However, it would seem Crow had already developed a plan before Joker had.
"Loki, Niflheim!" Crow commanded.
"Horus, Kougoan!" Joker called to the blinding bird.
Loki, who seemed almost eager to follow Crow's command cast the battlefield before them in ice almost instantly. Shido's charge was cut short by the sudden lack of traction from the icy ground and the blinding light Horus's appearance cast. Shido crashed into a pile of debris to Joker's left. The loud noise the crash could probably heard across the whole arena with how loud of a sound was made. Crow grabbed Joker with his good arm and they both made a quick escape deeper into the jagged ruins, leaving Shido behind. As they moved through the difficult terrain, Joker caught sight of someone from the corner of his eye. Stopping he locked eyes with Yu who was walking through the chaos seemingly searching for their foe. With him were Fox and Noir. Crow came to a stop as Joker veered off to join up with them.
"Joker!" Haru whispered, clearly pleased to see him alive.
"Oh, thank heavens," Fox exclaimed with a sigh of relief.
"Where are the others?" Joker asked as he put his hand to his side, letting himself show weakness a bit now that he was with some of the others.
"Got you guys!" Oracle's voice suddenly announced as Prometheus shadowed overhead of everyone. "That cloud was seriously messing with all my sensors"
"Oracle!" Joker called to his navigator a feeling of relief sweeping over him that at the very least his little sister was safe. Now if only he had confirmation Queen was okay as well.
"Where is Shido?" Yu asked looking up towards the floating orb.
"Not far, he'll be on you momentarily. I'll get everyone gathered here, give me a minute. We need to end this now!" Oracle explained.
Just as Oracle said that an explosion of wood and metal erupted west of all of them. Instead of going around the debris, Shido seemed to favor just blasting it out of the way with one of his strong punches. Stepping over the mess he just made, Shido glared down at the new group. Yu stepped in front of everyone ready to fight. Noir and Fox quickly following his lead to make a strong front line. Joker positioned himself in the back with Crow as they both readied their ranged weapons for combat. Shido was on Yu in the blink of an eye, his fist cocked back and ready to deliver a powerful punch. Before Shido's strike could hit its mark Izanagi-no-Okami appeared between Shido and his intended target. Izanagi caught Shido's fist mid-air causing a surprised look to appear on Shido's face.
"Is this all you've got?" Yu asked his voice stinging like a deadly venom. "Megidolaon!"
Shido's eyes went wide as the almighty attack was delivered to him via Izanagi. He was blasted back, once again landing harshly amidst the wreckage strewn battlefield. Yu's attack had blasted away a good chunk of the rubble leaving a clearer view of the battlefield. Shido staggered to his feet, not looking too hot but still ready to fight.
"Emergency SHIFT!" Oracle's voice boomed across the combat zone.
Suddenly all that space Yu had cleared with his attack was now the landing places for the rest of the Phantom Thieves. Joker's worry for his friends faded instantly as Shido found himself swiftly once again surrounded by the full might of the Phantom Thieves. Everyone was fine, possibly a little battle-worn but everyone was standing on their own two feet, ready to unleash hell against Shido. Shido seemed to remember what happened the last time he found himself the center of attention and growled.
"Come at me!" Came Shido's final cry.
That was all the motivation everyone needed as 12 Persona users condensed fire upon the tyrant king, with two navigators buffing them. A new dust storm clouded the battlefield from all the destruction. It didn't last long before Mona summoned a strong gust to blow it all away as Shido had done previously. The strong muscled Shido was no more, replaced by a beaten man on his knees. Shido couldn't even look at them, his gaze was locked on the ground.
"How could I… lose?" The shadow sounded heartbroken and pathetic.
Queen stepped up. "For causing countless mental shutdowns in others, for the deaths of numerous people, for the lives, you destroyed simply because they were in your way; but also for the son you manipulated to do your dirty work. You will atone… With your life." There was a sharpness to Queen's voice as she stood over Shido, the judge of his crimes.
"Don'tcha got something to say to some of us before you go passin' out?" Skull asked rolling his shoulders.
"Yes…" Shido inhaled sharply before looking at Joker. "I acknowledge… that I incriminated you on false charges. I did it to protect myself… I'm so sorry for what I've done.." His gaze shifted from Joker to Crow. "You… How could I? My flesh and blood, I've treated you the worst… I knew what you wanted all along but I… I manipulated you, made you do unspeakable things. Let you be tortured. I'll take the blame for your crimes... My son... Please let me take the blame for everything. It was me… You were just a child."
Crow looked away. "I could have done more, you may have ordered it but I knew what I was doing. We are both buried in sin… I must walk the path of redemption."
"No please… You can't." His eyes shifted to the other Thieves. "Don't let him take the blame for my crimes… These crimes are mine…"
Naoto sighed. "His destiny is his own. If he doesn't try to atone, he'll drown in guilt. At least give him that."
"It feels as though it's been quite some time since I have felt sincerely apologetic…" Shido sighed and shook his head.
"Atone for your crimes." Joker slipped his hands into his pockets as he spoke.
"Hmph… That may be good… So, I've been defeated. Haha….Hahahaha." Shido let out a humorless chuckle as he shook his head and sat down upon the rubble. "Now get out of here all of you. My real self will know what happened and surely do something about it. Just take the treasure and go."
Suddenly the large steering wheel overhead shone brightly before it gently floated to the ground. Mona snatched it out of midair. It was the glint in the cat's eye that told the whole story. He was getting his treasure fix and no one moved to stop the behavior.
"Wait, why a wheel. And it's for a ship?" Panther pondered.
Shido let out a small chuckle. "I must… steer this country! If I don't, who will?!" The madness once again finding purchase in his mind.
"What arrogance." Fox dejected.
"The guy is a grade 'A' prideful nutjob. That's for sure." Chie shrugged.
"I-I... Uggghhhh." The shadow collapsed into a heap on the ground before dissipating.
"What the?!" Skull's eyes went wide.
A quake rocked the whole ship.
"That's our cue to leave!" Rise called.
"Quick we must get to the front of the ship to hop. We can't do it inside the actual Palace!" Crow shouted.
"Uh, problem… The door is covered by a mound of debris, and the ship is now sinking…" Oracle informed everyone before another explosion rocked the ship. "We need to move fast!"
"Well shit." Kanji drawled.
"Which way is the door?" Yu asked as he summoned Izanagi with a crush of a card.
"North by Northwest. What are you gonna do?" Oracle asked before she descended from Prometheus.
"Izanagi!" Yu called to his Persona.
The Persona responded raising its hand in the direction Oracle had indicated was the door. A convergence of white energy told Joker all he needed to know. Another explosion rocked the boat but this time it was from one of them as Izanagi's almighty attack cleared away part of the ruined battlefield. Another cleared the path to the door and after a third the door became visible. Joker had to admit he was impressed by Yu's straight spiritual power, he just kept casting Megidolaon like it was nothing when Joker knew how taxing that particular spell could be. A fourth almighty spell took the door out but the sweat on Yu's brow was visible. He wasn't as invincible as he appeared to be, Joker was humbled by that. Everyone looked up to him and he looked up to Yu, but even Yu was mortal too. Joker had to remember that.
They all made for the now newly opened door just as another bout of explosions rocked the ship. This time the familiar tilt of a ship going down could be felt under their feet. The ship was going down backward and their exit was forward. Suddenly the odds didn't look to be so great. Joker took to the back of the group as Yu charged forward leading like a spearhead. Now was not the time to be prideful about who was leading and Joker trusted Yu. They made it back to the main hall before the cant of the ship became impossible for travel. Yu slid back as did everyone else, the exit so close but so far away. It was now impossible to get back through the main doors. The rush of water behind them told Joker they needed a new plan.
Think! Joker yelled to his brain.
"We can't get through like this." Skull groaned propping himself up against a wall and the floor.
"Hey Oracle, is there another way we can go?" Fox asked.
"No way that isn't soon to be over our heads in water… I don't know how to swim…" There was real fear in Oracle's voice as she slid back down from the incline of the sinking ship.
"Crow! Do we just need to be outside of the Palace or at its entrance?" Joker called as he grabbed a hold of Oracle despite the ache in his side.
"Just outside. Wait! These rooms, they're the first-class rooms! They all have windows that lead outside!" Crow quickly deduced as soon as Joker made the suggestion.
"Arsene!" Joker called to his most beloved Persona. "Megidola!"
Arsene obeyed and blasted a hole where the door to one of the rooms had been. Joker without thinking picked up Oracle and hopped the hallway gap between him and the room. Oracle made a surprised squeak as Joker landed. Oracle was the least athletic of them all and Joker wasn't one hundred percent sure she would have made the jump, things were better safe than sorry. The room was quite large and it was fitting of a first-class cabin. Joker set Oracle down, getting an undignified look from her which he ignored. Sojiro was depending on him to watch over her and it wasn't something he'd take lightly. Skull followed Chie, both joined him in the room as Joker moved to the windows.
Outside of the large sliding glass window was freedom but there was nowhere for them to stand to get outside. They'd all need to jump and hope that everyone was with them to get transferred to the next Palace. Joker looked back towards the others as the last two, Yu and Rise appeared within the room. Another explosion rocked the ship and now it was definitely tilting closer to a 90-degree angle and was sinking fast.
"Arsene, open the door," Joker called to his Persona.
Another Megidola and Joker was at his limit as far as spiritual energy went. The ache from his side and the light-headedness that accompanied the lack of spiritual energy was making Joker lose focus. He had fought a long battle and he wanted nothing more than to curl up and take a nap, but he didn't have that luxury. They need to get out of this ship and traverse several more Palaces just to get to their exit. Joker willed himself to be fine.
"We are going to need to jump as one." Joker explained.
"Jump?! Are you mad?" Panther asked.
"He's right. If we all jump as one before we hit the water we'd be out of the Palace and thus could cross to the next one… Right?" Queen informed everyone before looking to Crow for confirmation.
"Correct, I can warp us out but we all need to be out of the Palace," Crow informed everyone.
"What about the landing?!" Chie asked.
"It's gonna be harsh no matter how you look at it." Crow frowned.
"Great…" Chie drawled. "Well now or never, we ain't got time to sit here talking." Chie stepped up to the broken window.
"Sojuro Matsushina, Diet building…" Crow started.
Everyone tensed looking towards the window. Joker merely smirked at them, letting his cocky nature show. He had survived a dive through the stained glass in Sae's casino just fine. The others looked to him before he just turned to the window. They needed someone to take the first steps in this crazy plan. He was their leader and he was very much the kind of leader that led from the front.
"Thieves! On me!" With that Joker jumped.
Joker didn't have time to look back as the salty air caught him. The water below was dark and seemed to churn with almost malicious intent. If he was caught in that no doubt he'd die but he had faith in Crow. Just before he was about to hit the water the world faded around him. Instead of the sea, a grass lawn rose to catch him, Joker landed hard. Pain shot through his side causing his vision to go white as he collapsed to the grass. Around him, his friends landed upon the grass in various states of proper landing. Even Oracle managed to land well, impressing Joker silently. Rolling over onto his back, Joker let himself stretch out on the grass. He had evaded death once again, despite the overwhelming pain in his side.
It felt good.
A shadow fell over his prone form as Queen stepped up to him. He offered her his classic Thieves' smirk. She didn't seem enamored by the gesture if her eye roll was anything to go by. She moved to sit down next to his head. Joker looked around and it seemed everyone for the moment had reached some kind of silent consensus that a break was in order. No doubt the rough battle fueled that decision. Everyone deserved it and Joker was 100 percent happy with this plan. He could use the break, he closed his eyes and just relaxed. Happy that life and death were no longer on a knife's edge.
"You hurt your side again didn't you?" Queen asked before she shifted into the grass to lay down next to him.
Joker didn't know if he wanted to answer that question, but truth mattered in a relationship. "You should see the other guy."
"I was there, remember?" Queen playfully shot back.
"Then you would have had to see how much of a badass I am. I stood toe to toe with that monster and I'm still standing." Joker put his arm over his eyes as he spoke.
"Are you trying to impress me?" Queen questioned.
"Maybe, is it working? I gotta look good for you." Joker shifted slightly and peeked one eye open to look at her.
Queen let out a light laugh, it was refreshing sound. Joker could listen to that sound over and over and never grow tired of it. He didn't know if it was the fact he had once again stared death in the face and walked away laughing. It could have also been that at that particular moment he was feeling something more, he could have sworn he fell deeper in love with Queen. His life was chaos, but she was grounding. He had briefly felt something like this when he was given Rise's memories and it had been directed at Yu. This kind of bond wasn't just something that happens overnight, but then again a year ago felt almost like a lifetime ago. A sudden urge to kiss her overtook him, his side, be damned.
Joker slowly got up, once again ignoring the ache in his side. He had already hurt it good, what else could he possibly do to injure himself more. He let out a sharp breath of pain before he was finally up again. Queen scrambled to sit up; no doubt to try and help him. Joker caught the concerned look in her eyes that was barely concealed by her mask. She was in his grasp. Kissing someone in public, even someone he deeply felt a connection with was not something Ren would ever do. Ren was modest, quiet, and reserved. The thing was, he wasn't Ren. He was Joker. Joker was brash, bold, and maybe a bit cocky. Someone ready to grab destiny by the horns and ride it to adventure. Joker leaned in and pressed his lips against his Queen's.
The fact Queen returned the simple kiss meant Joker's bold gambit had paid off. She could have just slapped him. A fate he would have accepted for a stolen kiss from his fair maiden. The kiss didn't last long before they pulled away. Queen's face held a hint of red to her cheeks making her look all the more alluring. His teenage mind came up with all sorts of things he suddenly felt the urge to do with her, but Joker was a debonair rogue, not a perverted teenager. A kiss was as far as he'd take this for now. Later was another story. A twinge in his side reminded him later would probably not be for a while.
"What was that for?" Queen asked a spark of curiosity in her voice.
"Because you're special to me," Joker replied smoothly.
A smile tugged at Queen's lips, as her eyes drew him in. Joker returned her smile with a smirk of his own. Did she know just by being here with him that it made everything he had endured that day all the more worth it? Sure there was the mortal karma that came with taking down Japan's most corrupt politician but even without all that accolade that came with that; just seeing Queen smile at him like that made it worth every second. Maybe he was just a lovesick puppy but at that moment he didn't care.
"Loki!" A voice called drawing Joker from his Queen induced stupor. "Call of Chaos!"
Joker sharply turned in the direction of Crow. Loki ghosted next to him and gave him the most 'Are you serious' look he had ever seen on a persona. Crow paused looking at the Persona before it rolled its eyes and faded away. Joker got to his feet, quickly helped by Queen at his side before heading towards Crow. He wasn't the only one. Naoto, Kanji, and Rise also were making their way towards him.
"I lost that power." Crow sounded more relieved than disappointed.
"Makes sense." Joker shrugged.
"That Persona, it wasn't Loki." Naoto was quick to point out.
"Yes it is, it's just the real Loki. The one before was…" Crow looked towards Joker looking for answers about what they did during their connection.
"A shadow. Crow gave the shadow a thrashing and got the real Loki from it." Joker put bluntly not having a more eloquent way to put it.
"Yes, that." Crow nodded.
"So you're fine then?" Kanji carefully asked.
"I believe so. That part of Loki is gone, I just have this new Persona version now." Crow seemed almost proud as he spoke. Joker would give him that, that other Loki seemed nasty.
"That's great!" Rise smiled.
"How is the side, Joker?" Naoto asked.
"He re-injured it," Queen answered before Joker could get a word out.
"I see we should get the both of you back and have someone properly look you two over." Naoto's eyes shifted from Joker to Crow.
"I suppose." Crow seemed to understand arguing with people that cared about you was just a pointless endeavor.
"Everyone let's get a move on! We're all tired, but we shouldn't relax too long in front of the Palace. Once we get out of here we can rest properly in our homes." Queen called everyone.
There was a groan but slowly everyone got up. Crow took out his phone already routing their way back to the car almost a mile away. It wouldn't be the most relaxing hike but the promise of just going home and collapsing on his bed drove Joker's feet. He mustered up what energy he had left and slowly headed towards the exit.
Well, there is the Shido fight. The next chapter I have to do some major edits to so I'll probably be a bit delayed in getting it out. 2-3 days is my time frame to have it finished up. As always a review would be nice. Hope you all have a good day.