Anime Avenue
Episode 8: Captain Kidd
Morgana: This is our infiltration point.
Ryuji: Ain't that where we escaped outta last time...?
Morgana: That's right. Not barging in through the entrance is one of the basics of phantom thievery.
Ryuji: How're we supposed to know about that stuff...?
Morgana: I'll make sure to teach you as we go. Come on, follow me!
Morgana jumped through the vent, with Ren, Kazuki and Ryuji following. On the other side, they had made it into the castle.
Ryuji: Man, this place is as creepy as always.
Kazuki: Guess it comes with having a kind of castle like this.
Morgana: Mm-hm. Now, make sure you do exactly as I say, all right?
Morgana led the group through the central hall and into the main hall. Seeing all of this for the first time was a real mind blower for Kazuki.
Ryuji: Hey...We went by here when we came in the front...
Suddenly, the castle quickly changed into the school...and then changing back to the castle.
Ryuji: I was seein' double or something just now...! Was that Shujin!?
Kazuki: Didn't Morgana already tell you that this place is your school?
Morgana: Regardless, we don't have the time to stand around. Who knows when a Shadow might show up. Come on, this way!
The group pressed on, making their way to an underground prison...the same place where Ren had awakened to his "Persona". While exploring, they came across a guard, patrolling the area.
Morgana: Darn...I had a feeling there would be guards here...It looks like we won't be able to avoid conflict from this point forward.
Ryuji: F-For real...?
Kazuki: So what's the plan? What do we do?
Morgana: Oh well. I'll just teach you the basics of battle right now. You had better remember all of this.
Kazuki: I'm ready.
Morgana: As a rule of thumb, try to ambush as many enemies as you can. Attack them from behind whenever possible.
Kazuki: Ambush the enemy, from behind. Gotcha!
Morgana: You'll need to rip off their masks to momentarily break the control the Palace ruler has over them. If you succeed, the enemy will be caught off guard, allowing us to jump in for a preemptive attack.
Ryuji: So we wanna ambush 'em and go for the first strike...All right, I got it!
Morgana: Uh, you know you're just going to be watching, right? You can't use a Persona...Anyway, let's go!
Being extra careful, Ren and the others snuck behind the guard and when the moment was right, Ren jumped on top of the guards back, grabbing a hold of his mask and ripping it off. The guard had melted into a whole new creature. It was a floating Jack-O-Lantern, holding a...well lantern.
Morgana: Now's our chance to strike! Go!
Ren summoned his Persona and used an attack that he called "Cleave." It did some pretty heavy damage, but the Jack-O-Lantern wasn't finished. next up, it was Morgana's turn. He summoned his Persona and used a move that he called "Garu." It appeared to be some kind of wind attack. But it was enough the finish the job. Kazuki was starting to learn how to fight against enemies in this world. The group continued on, pushing deeper into the underground prison.
Ryuji: Why ain't anyone here...? Dammit, they were here before! Where'd they go!?
Morgana: Quiet down!
Ryuji: Oh yeah, there were more of 'em further in too...!
Morgana: They might have been transferred already...
Kazuki was about to ask a question, when they heard noises, heading their way.
Ryuji: Crap, I can hear footsteps comin'! Lots of 'em!
Morgana: It would be a problem if they discovered us now...
Kazuki: So what's the plan?
Morgana looked around and noticed that there was a door of their right side.
Morgana: Hey, let's head into that room. We should be able to hide in there until they leave.
The group nodded, as Ren opened the door, closing it, behind him.
Morgana: The Shadows probably won't come in here.
Kazuki: How can you be so sure?
Morgana: There's a lack of distortion here, meaning the ruler's control over this area is weak.
Suddenly, the small area shifted into what looked to be a classroom, then back to the small little dungeon room.
Ryuji: Is this a classroom...!?
Morgana: Now do you understand? This place is another reality that the ruler's heart projects.
Kazuki: Right. You mentioned that the castle is how Kamoshida sees the school.
Ryuji: Shit makes no sense at all!
Morgana: One could say it's a world in which one's distorted desires have materialized. I call such a place a "Palace."
Ryuji: A palace...?
Kazuki: Fitting name for a place like this.
Morgana: This is happening because he thinks the school is his own castle.
Ryuji: So it became like this 'cause he just thought of it like that!? Hahaha...
Kazuki: Sounds like a pretty bad guy.
Ryuji: That son of a bitch!
Morgana: You must really hate this Kamoshida guy.
Ryuji: Hate doesn't even cover how I feel. Everything is that asshole's fault!
Morgana: I don't know what happened between you two, but don't let your emotions get the better of you. His lackeys are everywhere inside.
Morgana then realized something he forgot to explain.
Morgana: You're curious about your outfit, aren't you?
Kazuki: I know I sure am.
Morgana: That's also because of this world.
Ryuji: More stuff that makes no sense...
Kazuki: Would you zip it!?
Morgana: Anything distorts according to how a ruler pleases within his Palace. A school can turn into a castle like this, after all. In order to prevent such distortions, one must hold a powerful will of rebellion. Your appearance is a manifestation of that. It's the image of rebellion that you hold within.
Kazuki: Oh, I see now. If that's how you view it, then you have a pretty interesting outlook on a rebel, bro.
Ryuji: Uuugh, I'm so fed up with all this! I'm more curious about you than his clothes! What the hell are you anyways!?
Morgana: I'm a human-an honest-to-god human!
Kazuki: So how did you end up like this? Is it also because of the distortion?
Morgana: This is, well...It's because I lost my true form.
Kazuki: Seriously?
Morgana: But I do know how to regain my true form. The reason why I snuck in here was for a preliminary investigation of those means.
Kazuki: Is that around the time when you got caught?
Morgana: Y-Yes...Besides, I've been tortured by Kamoshida too! I'm gonna make him pay for sure!
Kazuki: Alright! Then let's keep going!
Morgana: I'll be counting on your skills this time too, rookie. Got it?
Ryuji: Don't worry, I'm not gonna force it all on you. I thought it might help, so...
Ryuji pulled something out of his back pocket...which appeared to be a gun.
Ryuji: I brought this just in case! It's a model gun though, so it only makes sounds!
Morgana: That's a toy!
Ryuji: But it looks totally real, so it'll at least fake 'em out.
Kazuki: I guess that would make sense.
Morgana: Well, fine. If you're ready to go, we'll resume our infiltration.
Kazuki: Sounds good. Lead the way!
Once the coast was clear, the group pressed on, continuing the head deeper into the castle. The group made their way from the underground prison to an underground passage. However, their path was blocked by guards.
Morgana: Shoot...I had a feeling there would be a lot of enemies. It'd be impossible to dodge all of them...
Ryuji: Then what do we do? Should we try and take 'em down like before?
Morgana: It's not that simple. We still have a long way to go, so we should be conserving energy.
Ryuji I-I see...Sorry...Dammit, I wish I could fight...I'd at least be able to help out a little bit...But all I got is this toy from earlier...I'm such a loser.
Kazuki: Hold on a second...Morgana, everything here is effected by distortion, right? So...wouldn't that mean that weapons would be too?
Morgana: Ah, you're catching on quick, for a beginner. Well, there is a way...Ok, we'll use that to take down the enemies!
Ryuji: What!? Were you listenin' to me? It don't even shoot pellets...
Kazuki: Relax, if my theory is right, then it won't matter.
Morgana: Then we'll leave it to you. Attack away, Frizzy Hair!
Ren: Leave it to me!
On Morgana's cue, Ren jumped out and attacked at the guard. They transformed into a pixie...and what looked to be a walking flower.
Morgana: You have the gun with you, right? Point it at a Shadow and fire!
Kazuki: You've got it!
Kazuki pulled out the gun, aimed at the Pixie and it actually shot out 16 rounds of bullets.
Kazuki: I knew it!
Morgana: How about that!? Surprised? Be mindful of how much ammo you have left!
Kazuki: Got it!
Morgana: All right, I'll show you my weapon too!
Morgana pulled out a Slingshot and shot little pellet balls. To finish off the enemy, Ren and Morgana used their Personas to finish off the Shadows, making it clean kills.
Kazuki: See? What did I tell you?
Ryuji: Whoa! Did that toy gun just shoot real freakin' bullets!?
Morgana: This is a cognitive world. As long as our opponent sees it as real, it becomes such. It's a good thing it's realistic-looking.
Ryuji: ...I don't get it.
Kazuki: You said it before, didn't you? The gun looks real enough, so it'll fake them out. And since it's a cognitive world, it shot out bullets.
Morgana: You can't expect someone with his brains to understand. How about you, Frizzy Hair? Did you get what we said?
Ren: It's simple logic.
Kazuki: Here you go. You should be the one to hold onto it. I think I'll stick with the Kamuy that I took from home.
Morgana: Is it a toy as well?
Kazuki: Nope, this sword is the real deal. Next time we go in battle, I'll show ya.
Morgana: Considering you're his brother, you just might surprise me.
With new weapons to assist in battle, the group continued on. They made it from the underground passage and made it to the location where the screams were coming from...The Training Hall of Love. From above, they could see the students being attacked and whipped on by the guards.
Ryuji: Dammit! This is bullshit!
Kazuki: Lower your voice! Do you want them to know where we are!?
Ryuji: S-Sorry...But this is beyond messed up! How do I open this...?
Stop it...!
From below, one of the slaves had spoken up.
Leave us alone...It's useless...
Ryuji: Huh?
If we stay obedient, we won't be executed like you guys!
Ryuji: You're tellin' me you wanna stay in a place like this!?
Morgana: Wait a minute...Were you planning on taking these guys out of here?
Ryuji: We can't just leave 'em here!
Morgana: How stupid can you be...?
Ryuji: What!?
Morgana: These are only humans in Kamoshida's cognition. They aren't real humans that have entered from reality. They're different from you two.
Ryuji: Cognition...?
Kazuki: It means there's no point in saving them. They're different from the actual people in the real world.
Morgana: You could say that these are extremely similar-looking dolls.
Ryuji: The hell!? Why's it gotta be so complicated?
Kazuki: I think I'm starting to get a clearer picture here. The school is a castle and the students here are slaves.
Ryuji: This really is the inside of that asshole's head...!
Morgana: Still, this is horrible. It must mean he treats them as slaves in the real world too.
Ryuji: In the real world too...?
Kazuki: It would make sense. I've been hearing rumors about the students being mistreated at Shujin from Tengge.
Ryuji: Ten...gge?
Kazuki: She's a student at Misaki High. The school I attend.
Ryuji: Wait, I know these guys...
Kazuki: You do?
Ryuji: They're members of the volleyball team-the one Kamoshida coaches for!
Morgana: They must be physically abused every day...There's no way they'd be so beat up normally.
Kazuki: Then that would mean...
Ryuji: They're going through similar shit in reality!?
Morgana: Most likely. I mean, this proves that Kamoshida thinks of them as slaves.
Ryuji: So it might be for real...I heard that Kamoshida's usin' physical punishment. They're just rumors, but...If they're true, wouldn't this be somethin' to report to the police...? I'll use these guys as evidence. If it all goes well, we can take down that asshole Kamoshida...!
Ryuji pulled out his phone and began taking picture of the abused students.
Ryuji: ...Huh? It's not workin'!?
Kazuki: Wait...what?
Ryuji: I can't take a picture from my phone!
Kazuki: Wait a minute...so you can use the navigation app but you can't take pictures or record videos in this world?
Morgana: A navigation app?
Kazuki: Oh, yeah. That's what we used to come here. What about you, brother? Is your camera app working?
Ren pulled out his phone...but nothing seemed to be working.
Kazuki: You too, huh?
Morgana: Whatever you do is fine, but we're gonna get caught if we stand around like this. We need to head back!
Kazuki: Morgana's right.
Ryuji: Hang on a sec!
Ryuji took one last look at the students being abused by the guards.
Kazuki: What were you doing?
Ryuji: There was no other way...I memorized their faces. Mkay, let's check the cells 'round there.
The group continued pressing on, in the training hall. Ryuji continued memorizing all the abused students faces. Their job was completed and decide to head back to reality. However, they were ambushed by Kamoshida and his guards.
Kamoshia(?): ...You knaves again? To think you'd make the same mistake again. You're hopeless!
Ryuji: The school ain't your castle! I've memorized their faces real good. You're goin' down!
Kamoshida(?): It seems it's true when they say "barking dogs seldom bite." How far the star runner of the track team has fallen.
Ryuji: The hell are you gettin' at!?
Kamoshida(?): I speak of the "Track Traitor" who acted in violence, ending his teammates' dreams. Oh, I can only imagine the pain of the others who were dragged down under with your...selfish act.
Ryuji: Ngh...
Both the Amamiya brother looked at each other confused. Obviously Kamoshida struck a nerve...but why did Ryuji keep quiet, all of a sudden?
Ren: Violence?
Kazuki: Track Traitor?
Kamoshida(?): What a surprise. So you're accompanying him without knowing anything at all? He betrayed his teammates and crushed their hopes, yet he still carries on as carefree as ever.
Ryuji: That's not true!
Kamoshida(?): You've come along with this fool and are now going to end up dead. How unlucky of you. Go. Kill them all. Don't sully my castle with garbage.
Two of the castle guards walked closer to the group and transformed into demon-looking horses.
Ryuji: Goddammit...
Morgana: Ryuji, move!
Kazuki: Find someplace to hide!
Ren, Kazuki and Morgana steeped up to fight against the Shadows.
Morgana: Ngh...we're surrounded!
I'll kill you! I'll kill you 'cause King Kamoshida told us! I'll kill 'cause that's what he wants.
Kazuki: Don't go pressing your luck!
Ren summonded his Persona; Arsene and performed a move knows as "Eiga." Morgana followed up by summoning Zoro and performing a move called "Garu." But it didn't seem like it was enough to take them down.
Morgana: There's more of them? This is bad...
Even Kazuki was having a hard time. He did his best to evade the move but he was eventually defeated, same with Ren and Morgana. They put up a fighting spirit...but it didn't last long. Morgana tried getting back up but Kamoshida held him down with his feet.
Morgana: Rgh...You piece of-
Ren and Kazuki tried getting back up but they were held down by the guards.
Kamoshida(?): I bet you simply came here on a whim and ended up like this. Isn't that right?
Ryuji: No...
Kamoshida(?): What a worthless piece of trash, getting emotional so quickly...How dare you raise your hand at me. Though it was only temporary, have you forgotten my kindness in supervising track practice?
Ryuji: Wasn't no practice-it was physical abuse! You just didn't like our team!
Kamoshida(?): It was nothing but an eyesore! The only one who needs to achieve results is me! That coach who got fired was hopeless too...Had he not opposed me with a sound argument, I would've settled it with only breaking his star's leg.
The group was in shock...what did Kamoshida just say?
Ryuji: ...What?
Kamoshida(?): Do you need me to deal with your other leg too? The school will call it self-defense anyway!
Kazuki: You've gotta be kidding me...
Ryuji: Dammit...Am I gonna lose again...? Not only can I not run anymore...the track team is gone too 'cause of this asshole...!
Morgana: So that's why...
Kamoshida(?): Once these two are dealt with, you're next. Hahahaha...!
Morgana: Ryuji!
Kazuki: Don't let him win!
Ren: Stand up for yourself!
Ryuji was in the lowest point of his life...he didn't know what to do. But the words of both Amamiya brothers helped him come to his senses.
Ryuji: You're right. Everything that was important to me was taken by him...I'll never get 'em back...!
Kamoshida(?): Stay there and watch. Look on as these hopeless scum die for nothing because they sided with trash like you.
Ryuji: No...That's what you are...All you think about is using people...You're the real scumbag, Kamoshida!
WIth his determination back, Ryuji walked up to Kamoshida, ready to fight back.
Kamoshida(?): What are you doing? Silence him!
Ryuji: Stop looking down on me with that stupid smile on your face!
With his voice was heard and his determination made clear...
You made me wait quite a while.
A voice ringed in Ryuji's head, as his eyes turned to a piercing yellow.
You seek power, correct? Then let us form a pact. Since your name has been disgraced already, why not hoist the flag and wreak havoc...? The "other you" who exists within desires it thus...I am thou, thou art I...There is no turning back...The skull of rebellion is your flag henceforth!
Raising his head high, a mask had formed upon Ryuji's face. It was the shape of a skull. He struggled in trying to remove it. Using all of his strength, the mask was finally removed. There was on his face, as he was engulfed in a large explosion of blue flames.
Kazuki: What is this!? Wait a minute...is this...!?
The explosion was gone and Ryuji was wearing all new clothes. His new clothes were a matching black jacket and pants with knee pads, a red ascot, combat boots and a pair of yellow gloves. But behind him...was a Persona. It was the same as Arsene...but he had a different look. He was a skellington-like pirate, riding his ship, in the form of a skateboard.
Kamoshida(?): Ugh...This one as well!?
Ryuji: Right on...Wassup, Persona...This effin' rocks! Now that I got this power, it's time for payback...
Kazuki: That's what I'm talking about! Let's do this!
Ryuji: Yo, I'm ready...Bring it!
Ngh...Don't mock me, you brat!
The knight in shining armor had transformed. He was now riding a horse. But different from the ones that attacked before.
Ryuji: Blast him away...Captain Kidd!
Another fight had begun. The Guard Captain was ready to take down the group but they stood strong and ready, as well.
What troublemakers that bother King Kamoshida with trifle matters!
Ryuji: Kamoshida's cognition ain't changin', right? Then I'll act like the troublemaker I am!
Kazuki: Show them what you've got, Ryuji!
Ryuji: Let's do this, Captain Kidd!
Ryuji, with the power of his awakened Persona, uses an attack known as "Zio." It appeared to be lighting based. He struck one of the Shadows called a "Dirty Two-Horned Beast." It was strong enough to bring the Shadow to its knees. Keeping up the pace, Ryuji performed another Zio and struck another Two-Horned Beast.
Kazuki: That's the way! Show no mercy!
Following up Ryuji's attack, Ren summoned Arsene and performed "Cleave" on one of the Two-Horned Beasts, finishing it off. Morgana had stepped in, summoning Zoro and using Garu to attack the Guard Captain. Now, Kazuki chose to step in. He finally unleashed his Kamuy sword and performed a simple slice, cutting through the Shadow, eliminating him.
Kazuki: And that's how it's done!
I am...a loyal subject...of the glorious King Kamoshida...So why...have I lost...!?
Ryuji: It just proves that Kamoshida ain't anything special.
Kazuki: And soon, we'll prove it!
TO BE CONTINUED...