Chapter 20: Kiryuu Ga KiLL
Alone on the Kiryuin0s Mansion's opulent guest room, Akira was aimlessly looking at the ceiling of the room only accompanied by the cold breeze of midnight. So many indescribable emotions were swarming him like bees that he doesn't know where to start.
The visions that Azathoth contaminated him with have left him with a terrible case of Imsomnia, but the truth was inescapable. The Primordial Life Fiber was telling the truth, both being but mere puppets of the source of the Holy Grail, it made him feel meaningless… Is what he believes him really that worth it? It was hard to tell with how much power the gods have over humans in his universe, constantly spilling blood and propagating despair over a pointless discussion over ideals… Still, he knew exactly that this is what the Kiryuin want… But those words of Satsuki… why did they sound so venomous against her own mother and master?
(Minutes before the present)
The Phantom Thief known as Akira stood still dumbfounded. His mind still needed to process everything Azathoth has nourished him with, now that his mind has been enlightened with the dark truth of this world.
"If I may ask Trickster, what shall be your decision…?" The Lofty yarnball of pure evil waited for his future endeavor's final choice. Whatever the young rogue choice, his fate was forfeit…
"I… I'll need more time to decide…"
Received by this question, Azathoth pondered. "Hmph… I see… Then take your time to reconsider my hand, young one… Great rewards await those that yield before my excellency. But knowing that your mind was not prepare to digest such truths, then I foresee that is the best course of action to let yourself rest for the next time the sun rises…" He concluded… "Although you and my general's strong willpowers may not let me see the inner machinations of your minds, the delicious taste that they leak clearly carve the road that you 2 need me… So rest, my children… In due time, this planet shall be condemned to make way for my return… And all those who've worshipped my name shall be met with the utmost bliss…" He exclaimed to his guests once they began to leave his palace. "Howhever, you must carve this on your beings… To oppose me…
"IS TO OPPOSE THE WORLD ITSELF!"
Those were the final words Azathoth said before the giant gates of the Fiber Palace closed by themselves. After that, Ragyo escorted her 2 children back to the entrance with a limo waiting for her excellency to step outside.
"I would've wished I should have the spare time to show our guest of honor all the wonders our humble home can provide, but I'm afraid that I'm a busy woman as always." Ragyo talked to Satsuki while she approached the vehicle getting down stair by stair. "I'm a busy woman running the biggest clothing manufacturing empire on the world, so I do have to attend to my usual meeting with our shareholders. If it weren't for their effort, REVOCS would have never squashed our overseas competitors after all. Satsuki, you're in charge of the house while I'm out."
"Yes mother." Satsuki nodded in pure obedience as expected. "To save you the words that you could use on better circumstances, I have already known what I must do while you are away. I'll keep an eye on our newly acquired assets and provide them with any accommodates to swoon them to our side. Don't worry if Kuroido may want to show his special cares to them, while I'm on guard, that dog will just hide on his burrow all night."
"That what I wished to hear. You never fail to appease your mother, and I couldn't think of a more perfect daughter." Ragyo responded in pure delight as one of her subordinates closed the door of the limousine, but the Kiryuin matriarch had some last things to address, concerning her loyal secretary who was standing right beside Akira. "And Hoomaru, his Excellency calls your name. He has a gift he wishes to bestow for you for such hard dedication…"
Once diplomacy was over, he was given a set of pajamas that were expensive by the heavenly cotton and fabric that caressed his body. Should he be even feeling impressed? He was on the crow nest of REVOCS' CEO.
Despite all of this, he couldn't stop feeling the itching sensation he had over his clothes, kinda like those sweaters that cause you a hellish cause of itches. Wouldn't be too far fetch to think it must do with the Life Fibers struggling to control his cognition, but what could he do about it? Not like it would be a wise choice to put his clothes of hope instead and run the risk of either Nui or any other Kiryuin lunatic just shredding them during his sleep.
"Sight… Guess this is my life now…" He muttered with melancholy to his voice. No privilege or gifts the Kiryuin would give him, that giant cavity of despair in his heart wasn't going to go anytime soon. So he might as well close his eyes and endure any nightmares Azathoth may infect his dreams to manipulate his opinion…
If it weren't for the odd footsteps coming outside his window.
Kurusu quickly got off bed and rose his guard by picking his dagger he hid under his pillow. Many possible threats could be looming outside his chamber, whenever it be Kiryuin agents trying to get his old clothes, or maybe just Nui Harime casually dropping her ass in just to nag him around. Whatever possible outcome it comes; he won't be standing still if the intruder shows himself hostile.
"Woah, WOAH CRAAAP!"
CRASH!
Well, seems that all that ruse was just another one of Brief's attempts to escape the mansion, maybe his 53th attempt thus far. It was truly a marvel to behold that he managed to get this far without the Kiryuin's guards dragging him back to his room.
"Damn, I think I broke my butt again." The Hell Monkey's descendant moaned while rubbing his back-cushion from that brute fall. "Well, a-at least they haven't found me, so nothing i-is that bad , Briefs. So I just gotta shuffle to the exit and-WAAAAAH!" Poor briefs startled by the menacing sight of Akira, and it only amped up the fear-factor by the sharp weapon he had on hand. Like Akira, he too was adorated with expensive pajamas gifted by Ragyo.
"What's the excuse for not knocking the door…?" Joker looked upon down the scared redhead inquired if he was another agent of the Kiryuin ordered to steal his clothes of hope.
"WAAAAH! H-hey hey! Let's c-chill for a moment! T-they mopped out the floor to the hall of the bathroom, s-so i t-though of going there by the window! Y-yeah that's right! N-not like if I tried to break out again! Pfft! Don't be ridiculous! L-like who would try to leave such a place, I-I mean, i-it's n-not like sharing house with a creepy as fuck cult is-"
"Oh… So that's it…" The voice of the Phantom Thief weakened after hearing this. He just went back to his luxurious bed with a slumped expression to forget this.
"Huh? Y-you ain't gonna snitch-"
"Nah, nah… Why snitch someone who's as much of a prisoner as i-Agh!…" Kurusu received a mental shock by his S.C.C. for trying to sound bad about how blessed he was for being a pawn to Satsuki and her mother's schemes… "N-never mind what I said… Just… don't drag me into this…" He wanted to cut this conversation completely, so he covered his head with a pillow to hear any annoying noise he wants to censor out of his mind.
"Huh? S-so they have you locked up here too?" The meek geek softly asked, feeling bad about how broken Kurusu must been. "L-listen… I know this may look all nice on surface, but this is all a trick! A scam! A whole-ass conspiracy of those kinds that make conservative lunatics sound insane! I-I don't know what those girls want for you, but you gotta get out while you still can! They all serve some-"
"Could you pipe down? I know what… Ngh… I know what Lady Satsuki and Lady Ragyo desire… I just cannot do something about it… Not anymore…" Remorse and guilt resonated from the black-haired teen's tone of saying this… "The best thing I can say you is that at least you pull your prison break… At least Panty is there waiting for you…"
"Huh? Wait! Y-you know Panty?" Brief's anxiety was building up in a blend of relief and worries. For once, horray! Panty and Garter most likely are cracking their asses to bail him out, but on the other hand and most likely the case, the angel slut would be back at it again putting herself in any hole she could stare at, but her meek optimism told him that was far from the truth.
"Not as much as you do, all I had was 1 day to interact with her." Joker muttered. "Though, she and her priest friend truly have dedicated themselves to free you…"
Brief looked at the emotionally tired teen with some pitty before asking. "H-hey! Why are you still acting all gloom? D-don't you have the willingness to get out of this hell-house? I-I'm telling you this for your own sake! This place is bat-shit crazy!"
"I wasn't forced, i… Gave myself in… it was my only choice left…"
Joker was only talking in circles. This brought a furrow on this red head cuz' he was really being fed up with his pessimistic attitude. "GAYH! FUCK! And what if you didn't have any other choice! Isn't that the same thing? They had you cornered like a mouse for god sake! Look dude, I have like zero idea how or why you give yourselves to these crazy skanks, but it doesn't give you an excuse to recluse yourself and give up! Hell, I'm just a normal-ass human and yet I'm still trying to get back my freedom, and I had been dodging people that could probably blow out a city by sneezing- I-I think…"
"Oh no you little runt! You ain't getting out just yet!" Logically, the security guards of the mansion wouldn't just turn deaf by the sudden rambling that happened at the middle of the night, much less when it comes from one of the key players for Azathoth's liberation unto the multiverse.
"Ah cheese! Me and my stupid mouth!" Brief startled by this realization and quickly jumped out from the open window before the Ragyo's men could put him back on his room.
Well, that was awkward and pretty annoying, thought the defeated Phantom Thief. While the identical men in black suits raided Joker's room in search for the fugitive, Akira's mind was practically censoring whatever these people were squabbling about… But the words of the Hell's monkey descendant were still making waves in his mind… Was everything truly lost for him? Was there really no escape for his eternal servitude as Azathoth's slave? Doubt began to run a marathon through Ren's despair and sowing seeds of hope…
"Ryuko…" Akira turned up and thought in prayer… Perhaps he and his closest ally and friend he has made through his journey were looking at the same sky altogether. Objection, they WERE looking at the same sky together with a bright spark of hope.
It found it fascinating that it was now the time for the girl he has saved such innumerable times and all the allies he has made and enemies he has redeemed and befriended to save him from this terrible fate. In fact, this was the ultimate test to see if his leadership and charisma could inspire people with hope to finally rise on arms and truly change the fate of their world…
At the other back of Japan, we find the wielder of Kamui Senketsu laying on the ground of Osaka, glancing at the night-sky to think back of all those memories she has gotten since all of this shitstorm hit her like a slap in the face. Whenever those being good or bad, they were equally responsible for her betterment in her life. She has met friends, found a family, destroyed her enemies' hubris, and now she's in the middle-point of a battle that would determinate the future of her species.
"Those Osaka fellows really gave their town a fixer upper." Senketsu looked down at the working citizens that have been doing a good process on reconstructing their home. But it wouldn't come as a surprise, Takarada whole-heartly admitted the entire state has been demolished and built back like a house of cards.
"Heh… I do kinda admire their persistence. Must have guts of gods if their whole city gets like this all the time." Ryuko nudged at her talking shirt with a glee and turned back at the stars shining at the curtains of the night.
But this relaxing scenery before the bloody storm of tomorrow couldn't be all good and leave it like that. Both the climatic howls of Panty and her 2 tasty treats and providing them the classic Horizontal Refreshment.
"Seems that Panty's special persuasion is gonna take the whole night by how exhilarating they all sound."
"Neh, let's try to not have that invade our thoughts, Senketsu." Matoi again looked down at her Kamui in certainty. "But in all honestly, can't really blame her. There's an old saying in Kanto that in times of war, every hole is a trench. Hehehe…" She chuckled for a while before turning back up. "You know, I didn't expect that my quest to find my dad's killer would snowball into this trippy-as-hell planetary conflict. I was just expecting to chop off Satsuki's head and then call it a day, but I didn't expect to be met with things like living threads, Goku Uniforms, Personas, other dimensions and a huge conspiracy of the Kiryuin conglomerate on whatever the hell their true goals are." Yet, promptly was her smile vanishing from her face.
"I know… You're worried about Akira as well…" As it turns out, Kamui Senketsu was just as concerned for the Phantom Thief's well-being now that he gave up to Satsuki's distorted ambitions.
"Do you think it's easy to hide it?" A faint growl leaked from Ryuko. "That's why we can't lose and give those pompous jerks the certainty that they've won! I'm gonna save Fuzzy Hair, Mako's family and give Satsuki Kiryuin the boot for good! You all can count on that!"
"Well, someone has her zeal in the right place!"
"Woah! Oh hey, you're Akira's weird pet. H-hey! Would you mind at least? I could feel my skeleton was about to jump out of my mouth." Ryuko furrowed at the unexpected apparition of Morgana.
"Sorry my bad, hehe… I should have expressed myself much better." Mona apologized bashfully. Tho, he quickly changed his face to a more neutral one. So, he took a seat beside the girl's left and commenced to talk. "H-hey Ryuko… I know you're going through a really rough phase. All these things like the fate of the world resting on your shoulders and all that. I just… Feel such guilt of dragging you to all of this. But truth be told, i too was responsible for pulling Joker into who he is today… I sometimes wonder if convincing him into being a Phantom Thief was truly a good decision of my part…" He muttered with melancholy. He has been retracting about how much Kurusu must have suffered for the thrills of the life of a Phantom Thief, yet Ryuko didn't seem to be bothered by that crap.
"Nah, I'm chill with it, bro." She asserted. "I mean sure, I still feel pissed off by all the kicks my butt had to endure, but can you say that getting here was all bad? If I wasn't so stubborn and reckless, I wouldn't have met Senketsu, Mako, her parents and Fuzzy Hair. And if it wasn't for that, I would say all those poor No-Stars at Honnouji would been suffering more than they already have." She looked down where Sanageyama, Maiko and Hakodate were sharing stories on a fireplace and plan any strategies for the siege at Honnouii during the School Festival.
"Hiya guys! What ya' doing?" Mako as her usual self, popped off out of nowhere and taking everyone by surprise.
"NYAAAAH!" Ryuko didn't jumped out, but Morgana on the other hand leaped all the way to the moon. "Woah Mako! Jeez, now I know how it feels being caught off guard."
Ryuko soflty-smiled at this response and turned back at her bestie. "Say Maks, what are you doing here?" She asked, which in case Mako didn't really had much of an idea.
"Don't know, I saw you 2 sharing secrets, so I wanted to know what you are gossiping about. Oh beans, I did actually know what I was looking for." Mako placed her finger in her chin in naïve realization.
Mona was right. It was better off to spill the beans. That and that they have Garter's fat eye on them. "Anyway… I don't want us to steer out of the subject topic. But now that you're here, there's no better time to confess what we've been hiding from all of you."
"Oh right, Fuzzy Hair said he wanted to say everything once this is all over." Matoi recalled. "Are you sure he won't be mad?"
"Don't worry, me and Akira are like 1 mind sharing one body."
"More like 2 idiots sharing a braincell."
Morgana was heard lightly growling at this tease, but it was not the time to give Ryuko's witty remarks the spotlight. "A-anyway… Do you also remember what Satsuki told us about her already knowing Joker's secret?"
"Yeah, about some bullshit of outer dimensions and how Fuzzy Hair was some kind of alien from another world?" She added. It was at this moment where everything now made sense. "Wait! You're insinuating that-"
"No point of covering it any longer." Morgana sighted and got ready to tell her and Mako everything. "Yeah… truth be told, me and Joker are being from another world sent by an outer god to save this world from whatever catastrophe is facing. But if the giant monster we saw during our battle in Osaka spells something, is that most likely that thing must be the catastrophe we have to destroy. And it won't come off as a surprise if he was the one who snitch this fact to Ragyo and Satsuki."
It was eye-shocking! Well, not really after all the weird mayhem they all endured till' now. Ryuko should feel pissed off that Akira, the one guy that she trusted the most aside from Mako and her family hid such thing from her back. But Ryuko wasn't the reckless and hot-headed bitch she was before. She could see why he tried to not tell this so sooner. She was already suffering from extreme turmoil for all the unfortunate events that have been through her life, and he didn't want to add more rocks to her back.
But Mako on the other hand…
HALLELUJAH!
"OH MY GOSH! So you and Ren are people from another dimension? That's super-duper-mega-hyper-ultra awesome! I always thought that there would be more worlds than this one! Cuz' everytime I go to sleep, I swap places with another Mako from another world. Like one time I was a cowboy mako from a wild west made of cookie crackers, and the other I was a pirate sailing through a sea of ice cream and-"
"Yeah yeah, I think that's neat Mako. But let's discuss this on another time." Ryuko quelled her bff's zeal to let Mona continue talking.
"Okay." The innocent girl smiled obediently.
"As I resume." Morgana said. "It may not come off as a surprise, but the world where we come from is devoid of Life Fibers, we all wear normal clothes." In this part, the cat gave a brief summary of the Personas, the cognitive world, the enemies they have all faced in the past all until reaching the part of their erasure from reality.
"Damn…" Ryuko muttered feeling bad of the whole truth and the woes Akira has been carrying through his back. "Like, I knew Akira's situation was bad on its own, but to think some high-and-mighty asshole would put him on something he had no chance of winning…? Guess me and him aren't so different…"
"As much as I'll like to feel bad, time is in the essence right now." Mona rectified as he continued. "Somehow, the fact that we haven't been under the effects of the Life Fibers before coming here has made us a big threat to the Kiryuins. Like if Personas were the antithesis of Life Fibers."
"That must explain why everyone with a Persona can hear me. Personas must work like Anti-Bodies against Life Fibers." Senketsu spoke out to give his hypothesis. "That doesn't answer the question, why can people like Sanageyama and Tsumugu be able to awaken Personas if they are from this world?"
"If I'm frankly Senketsu, I'm not sure." Morgana shrugged his arms in uncertainty.
"It must be the power of friendship!" Mako bellowed with the full streght of her lungs. "Ren loves us so, so, so, so, so but sooooo much that some of his cool powers must have stick to us!"
"Well, Personas are bound by the relationships you have with other people and your inner will-power…" Mona pondered. Sanageyama had to face the harsh truth of the world that the Kiryuin's influence tried to gaslight into him that nothing was going on while Tsumugu already had a rebellious spirit on himself. He wonders when will be the next time another Persona user shall awaken. "But for now, let's call this day home and take some needed rest. Tomorrow may not be the Cultural and Sports Festival, but we had to make sure every part of our plan is fool-proof."
They all agreed to return to base and sleep for tomorrow. It will only get the more tense for both parties from then on…
(Days Until: The Cultural and Sports Festival: Tomorrow!)
(Prevent the Festival from happening and Save Akira!)
Another day, another time the clock for Armageddon proceeded. We cut back to the top are of Honnouji where the Elite Trio and Satsuki's most closed comrades watched as the Lady of War's chopper descended. Eager to see how their meeting with the Kiryuin's top dog went through.
The cockpit of the vehicle opened and expelled a white light that flashed behind the young woman. Looking down her subjects with her ever-so iconic demonic glare.
"Attention Students! Lady Satsuki has returned! All Hail!" Gamagori commanded everyone and thus they all saluted like the obedient soldiers they all are. One Stars used themselves as stairs to let their supreme being step down, carrying behind the still-imprisoned Akira Kurusu behind her like a washed-up dog.
"My humble apologies if I may come far late that you've anticipated." Satsuki told all her troops while making her way down the lines of Star-striped teenagers.
"To the contrary, Madame. It should be us who you should blame. We should have anticipated that your audience with Lady Ragyo would take more that we've expected." Innumuta corrected his words.
"Say Lady Satsuki, how were things with Auntie Ragyo? I hope you sent her my regards." Nonon smirked while trying to control her libido once she saw Akira. Damn! Was it hard to not flabbergast when you have such a sick crush on Honnouji Academy's number 1 enemy.
"Nothing out of the ordinary. I report her that the raid against Kami-Kobe and Naniwa College ended in failure, but she insisted that destroying Nudist Beach's headquarters and taking Akira Kurusu prisoner marked our operation a success." She said back while turning at Gamagori. "Reports of the status of our Shadows."
"The Shadows have been translated back to the Time-Out Stockades as you requested, Lady Satsuki. Our medical teams are foregoing repairments to any damaged Life Fibers inside of them. The Reaper was difficult to put back on isolation, but we've managed to tame it at the end." The brown-skinned giant responded. "If I may ask Lady Satsuki, what shall be of Akira Kurusu from this point on?" Now it was Gamagori's turn to croak.
"In due time, my elites…" Satsuki responded with a sly tone from her lips. "Just be expecting that the empty seat shall finally be occupied." She left her minion's sight as she took the elevator down the halls of Honnouji Academy, with only Iori following her footsteps. "Come, my slave. Glory awaits you." Satsuki narrowed down at the chained Phantom Thief as she pulled his shackles to the Elevator.
The road to nowhere was long. There was an unnerving silence through the elevator. Not a cricket did a cacophony, nor the smallest spec of noise came from the lips of the 3 teenagers. Well, that was until Akira thought of opening his mouth, but he had to be careful with his vocabulary.
"By any chance, where are we exactly going, Lady Satsuki?" Akira said with what he believed to be the correct choice of word, which was prized by not being shocked by his collar.
"Where? To the Sewing Club laboratory, of course. Why else Iori would accompany us?" The young Kiryuin scoffed at her prisoner with a impish glee. "If you're going to reincorporate to my army, there are things you must know first beforehand…"
Ding!
The Elevator stopped at its destination. The 3 walked out into a dark corridor that led to the giant lab. Standard One-Star Students were guarding the gates to the entrance of the research facility and quickly gave them access once they saw Satsuki and Iori.
Joker has visited the Sewing lab as many times as he has fingers in his hands. Nothing has changed that much since he declared treason. The stitching machines were all the same, the working force was as dedicated as always, and the loosen Life Fibers still floated through the installments like particles. So why he felt something was different about this place?
Giving it a much closer inspection, he understood why he was feeling so uncomfortable, so he turned back at her lady to ask. "I'm guessing the mass production of tuxedos and gala dresses must be for the festival." He remarked, noticing that the sewers were now cranking up elegant black suits and dresses to an unhealthy speed, which was weird. Satsuki and Iori prioritized more the quality of a uniform rather than the quantity. But if his intuition guides him to the true culprit of this case, then that must mean.
"Its for all the people of Honno City." Satsuki took almost nothing to reply. "Given that the Culture and Sports Festival is an event of utter-most importance for all of us, my mother Ragyo expects all participants to fit on her high standards of beauty, perfection and uniformity, so Iori's team is more busy than usual." But this wasn't the end of this conversation. "Although for you, my dear Kurusu, I have prepared a special gala suit just for you. That is, once I get out something off my chest at first…" Satsuki and the others then took a sudden pivot to a secret room hidden inside a closet rather than showing Joker his new Goku Uniform.
They passed through some changed clothes as they make their way deeper into this secret chamber. The noise of sewing machines became louder the more they reached the end of this jungle of fabric. Akira was first to feel that something was wrong with how much bravado the machines were functioning, and worse how much the workers must endure with how frantic the machines are. But all his answers would conclude right now, in a dreadful, shocking and horrifying now…
"Is… Is that a…?" He couldn't bring himself to put it on words. He saw from the catwalk he and Satsuki were standing a gigantic white traditional Japanese wedding gress, or what he thought would be a Japanese wedding dress seeing that its completion was around a 50%.
But still, the sinister precense of the Goku Uniform was enough to rival the fear he felt when he saw the Holy Grail for the first time. But, this aura, it was so familiar. There was no denying… That thing was in all truth-
"A Kamui? Then you'll be correct." Satsuki briefly soft spoken. Even she was feeling somewhat tense by just looking at the giant gress. "What you're seeing right now is nothing but the Alpha and Omega of all Goku Uniforms that have and will ever exists. The Ultimate Kamui, Shinra-Koketsu!" The way she pronounced it made it sound terrifying.
"So, are you planning to just replace Kamui Junketsu with, that thing…!?" Akira had to watch his mouth. He really wanted to say that how she would hope to even wear something so hazardous if she can barely tame the evil nature of Junketsu. But he had already his counterpoint ready, that being the utter dominance she has over her Fashion Week form.
"A good assumption, but your fingers barely scratch the truth." Iori said to the reclused thief, watching his men continuing to develop the clothing to end all clothing. But now, it was time for Satsuki Kiryuin's turn to talk.
"3 years ago, when Honnouji Academy has just opened its doors to the general public, my mother Ragyo has requested me, Iori and the Grand Corturier to construct the absolute wedding dress that shall ultimately bind humanity's fate with the Life Fibers, or we might know better as Azathoth. While my tailor and sister would oversee sewing and stitching, me and my students would be in charge of nourishing the Life Fibers of Shinra Koketsu with as much negative energy and combat data from all of my students we've gathered during the inauguration of this school. The only people here in Honnouji Academy to know its existence are me, Soroi, Iori, and now you , Akira Kurusu. So I have high hopes that you won't give off this secret to anyone else. No one likes a snitch after all."
"If that Is what the Kiryuin have been building up for this point, does that mean Kamui Junketsu was nothing more than a prototype?"
"Humph! Your assumptions truly amuse me, Akira." The Lady of War complimented her prisoner. "Indeed Junketsu was but a concept of what the Kiryuin's final machination would evolve into. But unlike Junketsu or Senketsu, Shinra Koketsu was designed to not possess a will of its own. However, measures have been taken to give it a will. That is, a will already under the control of Madame President." This is when Satsuki's expression became more tense. She was nervous of saying this, but knowing Joker by so long, it wouldn't surprise her if he already had guessed what was making her so anxious.
So Akira guessed with all accertaincy. "You're supposed to be that will, aren't you?"
"Sight… Indeed." She softly spoken at the young thief. "All of my life had one purpose since I was carried under my mother's womb. To become the sacrificial lamb for the ambitions of the Kiryuins to finally flourish." She stared at the white dress for some time before continuing. "Honnouji Academy and all of those who obey Ragyo Kiryuin are nothing but puppets. puppets to expand the influence of Life Fibers with the only motivation being greatness and an ambitious high place under the Life Fiber's round table. And now, so are you, Akira Kurusu…" She drawled at the teen, but something in his sight still convinced her that he won't be assisting no matter how much glory and rewards forfeiting his will to the Kiryuin family can give.
So, happens that his goodwill is still protecting him from temptation. But perhaps, he could use this to her advantage…
"I see, so you won't listen…" Satsuki sighted, having to bring herself together to finally say this. "Say, do you remember why you were lured to my palace, Trickster?"
"I, wanted to know what incoming threat dangers this world." Joker responded with melancholy. Ironic that the fascist school under his nose was part of this danger seeing how they're the main fighting force for Azathoth's legion.
"Indeed…" The Lady of War replied. "But, I'm afraid there's more to the story that what they want you to believe." She ended before turning at her tailor. "Iori, stay right here. I'll take Akira Kurusu to the interrogation room. Report everyone that they're not allowed to interfere with my affairs while I'm busy dealing with our guest's insolence."
"Milady." Iori Shiro saluted as he left his master with her new pet.
Satsuki then turned back at Akira, now it was time to tell her about her true scheme she had in plan for her mom. "Come with me Akira… It's finally time to know my true goals…"
"Aaalright~ Class is in session." Mikisugi wrangled everyone to one of those empty pool rooms that Garter used to interrogate Joker. Everyone was here from Ryuko, Mako, Sanageyama, Hakodate, Tsumugu, Panty, Luluco, well… you get the idea. They were all placed on plastic chairs while looking at Aikuro who was using his bumbling teacher alter-ego with clothes and glasses to fit with the ambience. "Welp, since everyone's here I guess we can save time from making roll call. Now, you may recall what Mona explained to you beforehand, right?"
"After everything we've went through, the fact Akira is from another dimension doesn't surprise me anymore." Uzu replied from his seat. "And worse when Panty's ehh… peculiar methods made us discover that Satsuki planned to force Akira into her frontlines only shatters what I had left of respect I had for ms. Above all."
"Ehem! Ain't even worth a fucking thanks?" Panty furrowed before looking away.
"That bitch just can't help herself but force herself onto the lives of others like some self-entitled brat. Only more wood to fuel my hatred for her." Ryuko tapped her foot repeatedly while having Mankanshoku beside her telling her to control her fumes. Screaming and getting angry won't solve anything.
"Then we only have today to plan everything." Morgana jumped in front of everyone. "If we know for a fact, is that our enemy will certainly find a way to swoon Joker to their side. So we must use our time frivolously."
And speaking of swooning the Wild Card to the side of evil, we cut back to Honnouji Academy's interrogation chamber. The door opened and Satsuki threw Joker to the dark room, still cuffed and without means of getting out. He was going to hear what his Archenemy has to say.
"Must be nostalgic to be on a place like this, isn't it?" Satsuki narrowed down at her captured nemesis. She knew that this brought memories of Joker's cruel interrogation, recalling everything to Sae Nijima. "But don't worry. I'm not as barbaric to drug the mind of a future soldier." She said with a oily grin while she closed the door. "Take a seat, Trickster."
Kurusu sighted out and did what Satsuki told him to do. But, he still showed some remnants of himself, like having his legs crossed like a smug lady.
"If you think comedy will be your salvation, then I'm afraid you're delusional." The Kiryuin looked at Ren with disappointment while she pulled down a projector screen. "But, let's not waste our time any longer. I have one important question for you. From all the species that inhabit out world, which is the one that uses clothes…?"
"Oh! Oh! Oh! I know! I know! There are dogs, cats, turtles and snails! Do shell count as clothes? Because I can't think of turtles walking outside without them." Mako answered only guiding herself by her child-like wonder.
"Hehehe… Well, you ain't wrong Mako, but that's not exactly what I meant." Mikisugi could only respond with a mirth. He really couldn't be mad at Mako from all people. "Now, from all being that live on earth, which is the one that you can think that wears clothes all the time?"
"Humans if it isn't obvious." Akira softly contested.
"Indeed. But, for what reason do we wear clothes exactly?" This was the question both Satsuki and Mikisugi wanted to emphasize, for it is one of the key factors on to why the Kiryuins have so much control over the masses.
"Ain't it obvious? To fit in with the others. Like if we're like you weirdos and go outside with our balls in the open." Ryuko said with her snarky remark as always.
"Correct Matoi." Mikisugi told the punkish girl as they passed the next question. "And who is the biggest retailer responsible of providing clothes to the people?"
"That'll go to your family." Kurusu remarked from the discomfort of his chair.
"You fall correct…" Satsuki continued to explain. "It's no secret amongst students that the REVOCS corporation strives to control 100% of all textile manufacture in order to cover each human in clothing made out of Life Fibers. But have you ever wonder how this all came to be? Do you think that the first humans of our world just found Life Fibers and used them as materials? No!" She paused to remark this important point. "The truth is, humanity didn't forged clothes to wear them, but in fact clothes forged humanity to wear them."
"Approximately 700 billions ago, a crimson meteor crash-landed into our planet, that being the Primordial Life Fiber still on a very brittle state." Mikisugi then began to show slideshows showing images of what were approximately the early dawn of their earth. "As Garter told us, the Primordial Life Fiber was weakened a lot, so he needed to select a species to feed off until it could recover his strength."
"At first, the Primordial Life Fiber, or as we now know better as Azathoth, tried to leech off species from their insides. What our scientists first thought to be nervous impulses, but now confirmed to be negative emotions, Azathoth tried to feed off the psyche of the hosts. Howhever, this proven to not be that reliable, because the host would lose all sanity, dying from what you might refer as a mental shutdown."
"Wait! So that's the deal of people having Life Fiber resistance? So that why…?" Omiko's tone became more despairful, remembering how that Jacket Jacker took over her mind and transformed her into a monster.
"Precisely." Mikisugi clarified. "The Life Fibers Honnouji Academy often sews onto their Goku Uniforms are practically infants far less rational than the Primordial Life Fiber, hence why they cannot help themselves but to sink their teeth's at a person's subconscious. That's why people with high Willpower are able to wear Goku Uniforms with more stars."
"Speaking off Goku Uniforms, I guess this is when Azathoth realized that it would be more effective to feed off people's mind from the outside." Akira theorized, and he couldn't be far closer to the truth.
"Once again, you are correct." Satsuki confirmed this. "In order for the host to not die of a mental shock, Azathoth wrapped himself into his victims to feed. It may not feed him with a lot of negative energy, but it was far more efficient for him to do so."
"Let me guess, so the Life Fibers decided to live of the homo-sapien cuz' he was the most developed in intelligence in that point and harvest negative feelings far easier." Sanageyama talked next.
"I'll be a liar if I said otherwise." Mikisugi added. "From that point forward, the Primordial Life Fiber expanded his influence by multiplying into lesser version of itself, perhaps giving birth to the first lesser Life Fibers and perhaps, the first COVERS."
"Wait! Hold the phone there!" Ryuko got up from her chair since she had some questions. "Are you sayin' that Life Fibers literally come from the dinosaurs? I mean, I get it that REVOCS has put Life Fiber clothes on people for some stupid reason, but I can't believe what you say."
Morgana then intervenes by leaping and staring at Matoi. "Yeah, it may be turbid to accept that is true. But to answer your question with another one, on what age are we exactly?"
"What are you askin' that on a time like this. It's 16XX, furball." Ryuko said a bit annoyed.
"Oh no! So the historic dates weren't wrong after all!" Morgana snapped now that the pieces were put together. "In my world, we're on 20XX. The Life Fibers must have accelerated this world's development. But, how could they accelerate to such a degree, unless…" The small cat quickly turned at Garterbelt. "Garter! You say that the Primordial Life Fiber isn't just an alien parasite. Right?"
"Indeed muh' furry friend." The Daten City priest confirmed with a nod.
"Then it's safe to assume that Azathoth may have used some of his knowledge from the cultures and civilizations of other worlds or more precisely, those of the Anti-Spiral to force such a drastic evolution on people. It seems that he is smarter than we thought." Kurusu said with dread in his voice.
"It's the most logical reason I can think off." Satsuki sided with Joker's hypothesis. "Of course, in order to not raise suspicion as per say, those Space Patrollers that little girl forms part of, Azathoth made all other Life Fibers go dormant, but slowly feeding off the people's sins so he could grow stronger with each passing hour."
"So when do the Kiryuins come in then?" Ogure asked.
"I was just about to explain it." Mikisugi contested. "Now that humans were indoctrinated to wear clothes, a spokesperson of the Life Fibers would need to be made to pull the strings of people while the Life Fibers continue to control everyone. So during the Medieval Ages, the Kiryuins were born."
"Even I am not sure how my family came to be, but one thing is for sure, and that is Azathoth gifting the Kiryuins with his blessings and Junketsu, the prototype of what would be later be known as Shinra Koketsu." Satsuki continued to explain more. "From that point on, the Kiryuin conglomerate built an invincible empire no person could hope to surpass. We all have one purpose; control the masses with the illusion of greatness, power and rewards. And once a new generation would come, the past generation would offer their body and spirit to Azathoth, becoming one with the Life Fibers."
"It is assumed that Ragyo and Satsuki may be the last generation of the Kiryuin before their master plan is finished." The leader of Nudist Beach said. "As you may know, Ragyo got the idea of founding REVOCS to facilitate the world domination while masquerading as a capitalist empire. And then, there was Honnouji Academy, to brainwash impressionable young people into following the Kiryuin's death cult. And if that wasn't enough, they just good the genius idea of establish a caste system and reward those who kiss the palm of Satsuki the most. The perfect way to cultivate negative emotions from desperate and tired people."
"Wait!" This is when Morgana made a horrible realization. "So you're telling us, that all this time, Honno City was nothing more than a human farm!?"
"And it took you this long to realize it?" Tsumugu huffed with how clueless Morgana and Joker were this naïve. "It was obvious at plain sight. Basically, what Satsuki tried to accomplish is to sort the strong people from the weak ones, but with enough loosen screws to obey anything she says and then feed the rest to make them all round and plump for Armageddon day."
Senketsu after hearing this, made a horrible realization. His fibers felt tense and tight that Ryuko was feeling her skin being hugged by the shudders of her sailor uniform. "Y-You're saying… That all this time I fed off Ryuko's blood, was for me to eat her afterward!? Is t-that my p-purpouse!?"
"Woah! Chill out Senketsu! We know is not true!" Ryuko tried to help her friend quell off his anxiety, which Mikisugi swept in to assist seeing how frightened the living shirt was.
"Woah, I'm sorry for blowing out Senketsu's mind. I didn't mean to make him feel bad." The teacher said.
"And besides Senketsu, we know by know Life Fibers feed off people's negative emotions, but your main source of nourishment is blood. It makes us rest easy that we can fully trust you as another member of our team. Otherwise you would have gobbled up the kid right here long time ago." In a shocking turn of events, Tsumugu of all people came in to stand that Senketsu is someone they can trust fontly.
"Yeah… I doubt Dr. Matoi would design me with the purpose of harming you. Thanks everyone." Senketsu finally calmed down so for the teacher could proceed with his explanation.
"Do you recall the COVERS that attacked you back when Nui Harime shredded off Kamui Senketsu?" Satsuki then played a recording of the fight Akira had against the pair of twin white suits.
"Wait… Are you telling me… The millions of COVERS at the palace…" The pupils of Joker began to shrink once the master machinations of the Kiryuins all culminate into…
"Thanks to the extort intel we gained from those One-Stars, we've finally know for sure the true meaning of the Culture and Sports Festival." Mikisugi continued. "Sort the strong still obedient to the Kiryuin's cause and then get rid off the scraps to fuel a whole army of COVERS."
"Ragyo Kiryuin shall embark this by using a test run of one of Shinra Koketsu's signature abilities, an ability to submit and make all Life Fibers on a nearby radius obey its will. Absolute Submission!" Satsuki spoke out before she continued, summoning those giant red letters before her. "Using a signal that will cover all of Honnouji's Academy courtyard designed by Innumuta, Shinra Koketsu shall awaken the Life Fibers inside our sacrifices' clothes, trapping them on cocoons with no chance of escaping whatsoever."
"And if we go by experiences, the Life Fibers will most likely trap those people inside their own perfect dream worlds to kill off any resilience. Like how they did with me." Tsumugu groaned at the mere thought of having all of those citizens be forced into a fake dream of sloth.
"With all the preparations, Ragyo Kiryuin shall call upon an army of COVERS to eat up all of the sacrifices like fat boys on an all-you-can-eat buffet." Mikisugi showed an example of a rough doodle of people being eaten by COVERS.
"Wait! If Honnouji Academy's plan is to make food out of everyone that isn't part of the high-status of the school? What's the reason for it? What do they accomplish?" Hakodate raised her hand. As much as she didn't want to show it, she found it hard to hide her feelings of dread about the bombshell she was hit. Not that she cared too much for no-star folks when she was a Two-Star asshole, but damn! To think Satsuki would go full Adolf Hitler and cause an entire holocaust.
"Simple. Create an army of fully-fuelled COVERS and then proceed to consume the rest of Japan." Satsuki declared, which make Joker more tense. "With the near-countless number of COVERS under Ragyo's control and the forces of all of Honnouji Academy, we shall march over every nation of Japan, conquering and consuming every inhabitant. Either be woman, child or elderly. All shall be assimilated to the will of the Blind Idiot God."
"With approximately 1200 millions of humans captured and subdued, it will be enough fuel to restore the Primordial Life Fiber to its full capacity." Mikisugi just continued to deliver the bad news.
"But what happens next?" Luluco asked.
"Simple. That's when Ragyo Kiryuin can finally begin the last step of her plan…" Aikuro pressed a button off a simulation of what would happen if the Kiryuins were be victorious. "I don't know how, but intel has it that the Primordial Life Fiber shall send a signal to REVOCS main satellite all over the earth, redoing the same thing at the festival, only this time in a global scale."
"Thus, around 7 billion coccoons shall rise and cover the entire planet on a crimson cloth-like yarnball." Tsumugu was next to speak.
"So the Kiryuin's master plan was to make the Earth wear a fancy sweater at the expense of everyone? Talk about twisted." Sanageyama said with snark, but with proof of goosebumps going down his body.
"W-wait! I-I think I may know what you're referring!" Luluco quickly pulled out a Space Patrol manual over criminal occurrences, showing a photo of one of the planets that once was overtaken by Life Fibers during one of her former adventures, known better as a Celestial Coccoon Sphere.
"Huh… I knew that they planned to turn us all into Life Fibers, but I've never realized that Life Fibers have been doing this more that we are though. But wonder how it goes…" Mikisugi now was the one intrigued by the true objective of this Celestial Cocoon Sphere, now being Luluco's turn to explain as she did it in conjunction with Satsuki.
"You can save the quips once I am done, Trickster." Satsuki remarked and squinted at Joker, who had the same response as the green monkey. "There is more that is in game… My mother has grown interest for Azathoth to escape this world and invade others, so she will use the nothingling as the gate and the Hell's Monkey Descendant as the key to open the rifts to the multiverse. But to do that, the cocoons shall tighten the earth to its core as the humans insider are transformed into obedient Life Fibers in both body and soul."
"And once the Earth can't hold and bursts, Azathoth and his Life Fibers will finally be free from his prison, giving birth a new era of darkness…"
Thus, sealing the whole universe's fate, once and for all…!
"God… Talk about sowing the seeds of ruin… So that's the calamity that threatened this world?" Joker was utterly speechless by the grandiose magnitude this whole thing presented itself was. It made him feel small compared making him feel that Shido's nation-size conspiracy looks like children's game in comparison to Ragyo's deranged devotion and Azathoth's master plan.
"Which is why we cannot allow that to happen…"
SLASH!
Was Joker seeing things, or did Satsuki just said something about stopping this from happening? And why did he felt his wrist no longer tied?
Hold it! Joker didn't had his handcuffs anymore. In fact, Satsuki herself cut through his cuffs. Was this some sort of mind game, or maybe…
"Surprised? I take my question. You do look like it by the twist of your facial muscles." Satsuki narrowed at Joker while slowly putting Bakuzan back on her case.
"If it isn't just another attempt to get me in your side, then I'll eat my shoes." Joker replied, but he soon realized that sentence was too harsh for the likes of the Kiryuin. He was on the edge of his seat and prepare to endure the psychological torture, yet not a single reel of trauma has passed through his head. "What the…?" He softly gasped seeing that hiss collar hasn't engaged on rectifying protocols. He remembered the collar is linked to Satsuki's desires, so now everything made sense now.
"If that's the case, I hope the taste of leather is of your liking." Satsuki narrowed at her prisoner to reply. "But I won't act like a clown right now. The look on your face tells off you have seen through my façade, if the fact your bad manners haven't been punished."
"Heh... Guess you had some agency after all." Joker sighted and crossed his legs and arms. Even when Satsuki's words carried nothing but honesty, there was certainly a hidden agenda behind this supposed coup against her mom. "Alright, just let the cat out the bag. What's the catch here?"
"Nothing. All I want is for the downfall of Ragyo Kiryuin and the death of the Life Fiber." The Kiryuin turned back from her convict while tilting her head up. "As far as you are aware, Ragyo Kiryuin is a lost cause, forever casted with the role of puppet to Azathoth and prisoner to her demented perception of reality. It may not come as a surprise, or perhaps it may… But whatever puts your mind be at ease, my mother has stolen away my freedom and people I once held dear…"
Flashback
Years before Satsuki matured into a fearless and feared dictator
Not even when my mother carried me under her womb, my fate as her dressing mannequin was already prescribed. I had no choice to abdeny Ragyo's wishes. She has put her heart and soul into making sure I was the ultimate human weapon to lead her troops and then be used as a vessel to Shinra Koketsu.
But, there was one man that grew abhorrent by these test runs and monstrous experiments. My father, Soiichirou Kiryuin…
As I told you prior, my father was a brilliant mind gifted amongst the common folk. He too shared ambittions of having more and never be satisfied like I do. He was a guru amongst scientists alike, holding expertise on a vast field of biology, robotics and so much more. And yet, he wasn't satisfied. His gluttony was pushing him to devour more knowledge like a gluttonous hog that does nothing but eat filth. He wanted to play Faust and pursue the forbidden fruits of knowledge. And there was only 1 tree planted in this world that grew those fruits…
The marriage between them held no mutual love, it was as superficial as you can imagine. A mere symbiotic relationship. My father wanted the knowledge over the Life Fibers for his own selfish ends while my mother wished his brain to be on her side and assist her on her dellusions for beauty and order.
The 2 would make way for my birth, but the only reason I came to this world is to be my parent's personal lab rat for their Life Fiber experiments. Having just the perfect daughter wasn't enough for her, her unrealistic standards for perfection distorted her already rotten perception of the world. No, she wanted the perfect daughter who is also a Life Fiber Hybrid. But fate dealt her an bad hand. Despite being proven that I possessed a high resistance to Life Fibers, I was incompatible to have my insides be infused with Life Fibers.
"Sight… I guess the whispers of the Old One can be demanding for a host." Sighted a once young Ragyo in utter disappointment. "Not even the child of someone like me was meant to carry his will. Oh well, guess we'll have to try with the other one." Pointed to her womb, for she value human life as much as a disposable tissue.
I… Once had a baby sister… She had no name, nor enough competence realize that her mother was about to use her for her sickening dellusions. When she was born, I couldn't lend my sight off her… She was, beautiful… I felt a sensation of… serenity and happiness upon seeing her… And yet, Ragyo still decided to continue with her experiments on an infant that barely took her first steps on the world.
It's strange, really… I should not be caring nor mourn for a cub that doesn't even have a name. And yet, my subconncious is still tormented by the image of the myriad of injected tubes on my would-be sister's back… Her non-stop crying, the begs of my father, the neglectance of Ragyo… They still haunt me…
And the screen signaling her vital signs reached 0… And what did my mother said in respect?
"Why do even those that carry my supreme genes don't seem to kneel over the Life Fibers? Huh… Guess my mistake is using children cut from human clothes… No matter…"
With no care in the world, Ragyo threw out of the baby to the wolves like yesterday's trash, condemned to die off in a dark abyss, never to be seen nor remembered again…
It was then on that my mother had to no choice but to make me her puppet. Molested, abused, manipulated… I had no choice but to obey her depravity. And she would still have the effrontery to repeat that she loved me and that all of this was for my own good. But behind that submissive mask, I planned behind her eyes to destroy everything she loves…
*End of Flashback*
"Have you eyes opened to the truth, Trickster? I've never intended to curse humanity in eternal damnation. I made my mission to save them from the clutches of Ragyo and guide mankind as their true messiah."
"If you really had humanity's best intentions at first, why were you so convicted into deleting Nudist beach out of the map, even when you knew fully well that both shared the same goal? You left some jigsaw pieces out of the box." Kurusu was not convinced by Satsuki's words. But still, he wasn't punished or anything. But why would he be? As long as he wore that thing, he was unable to summon Personas unless Satski permits it. "Because you're only making yourself sound like Shido."
"I have no use for half-efforted allies. That's all I have to say in my defense." Satsuki briefly pointed out. "Even if our goals align in the end, our reasons and motivations to fight only make those idiots enemies in my eyes."
"The world's allergic to dictators. What can I say?" Akira shrugged, but Satsuki didn't even felt that insulted.
"Maybe it is allergic to concede its sinful ways." The Kiryuin replied. "If they were to be successful on toppling my insurrection, the tribulations would continue unchanged, just for the next arrogant god to invade this world and repeat the process."
"So? What's your plan to stop Azathoth for good?" Akira looked at the Kiryuin with a creased brow.
"Simple." She responded. "Once we gather all No-Stars and non-student citizens at the Stadium, my mother shall run a test of Shinra-Koketsu's Absolute Submission on the foolish masses. They will be the sacrifice to the Life Fibers to open us a way to their destruction."
"So you're going to achieve world peace by what's only boiled down to a total genocide of your own people?"
"That was their fate for not being useful to my regime. But at least they can die proud that they served as steppingstones for humanity's salvation. As the youth loves to put it, can't make an ommelette without breaking some eggs. Heheheh…" The Kiryuin even couldn't contain her sadist laughter. "But as I continue, Ragyo would feel too accomplished for the success of her experiment, she won't expect the intrusion of Ryuko Matoi and her band of misfits."
"What makes you certain they'll just bust in?" Akira asked.
Satsuki snickered at this question. "You know those idiots more than I do, trickster. they're too stubborn to just throw down the towel. But, this unexpected arrival will make Ragyo be at her most vulnerable. And that is where I shall strike and cut her head off with Bakuzan. And don't become worried about Nui Harime and Rei Hoomaru. My Shadows and Students will be specialized enough to neutralize them both. While that is happening, Soroi will guide Iori and his men down the Fiber Palace and burn Azathoth down with fire, exterminating the Life Fiber threat once and for all…"
"And this would be the part where you declare yourself the new god of the world?"
"Correct." Satsuki affirmed with a smirk. "I shall expose the heinous sins of Ragyo Kiryuin to the entire world and all of Honnouji Academy shall be known as saviors of humanity. It shall be an eternal empire for everyone, as I control the masses into transcending the barrier of divinity. And you and those that have been serving me well, shall be met with endless praise and worship from the people. They shall adore you, fear you, pray to your name to deliver them from those that wish to harm the good life of Honnouji Academy. Great rewards await before you, and all I need is your cooperation…" It was then when Satsuki extended her cold palm to the Phantom Thief. Rewards and power awaited those who concede their free will to Satsuki Kiryuin, and all of this and more was at the grasp of Akira.
But he knew better. He has been through these many times. Self-Righteous tyrants pretending to be saviors of humanity have tried to trick Joker, but he won't give up his justice that easily. He just stood there, not giving an answer…
"Trying to make me laugh? You're not even worth a chuckle." The Kiryuin sighted quite disappointed. "You do realize that your fate is sealed even if you reject my hand? I can just keep you here as my infinite source of Persona Fragments, milking you like a cow to the last drop."
"As if being subjugated by you is any better… Not like if I don't remember about your wish to conquer more dimensions."
"It's either my fist or Azathoth's. No matter how much you'll like to deny it, humanity is destined to be ruled by a supreme existence." The Kiryuin stated. "It's true that I haven't given up my ambition to spread my will to other weak-willed worlds, but I can spare your world, even provide my forces to battle the tyrant god by the name of Yaldabaoth. I have the power and resources… You and your teammates have demonstrated that your pathetic morality cannot change the flow of things. The filthy pigs must learn by either Fear or Sin… That is the Kiryuin's absolute truth."
Not like Ren had that much of a choice. She heard her straight. Even if he were to refuse her offer, she would just have her locked deep beneath Honnouji, constantly exploiting him for his fragments.
Knowing that neither hope or anything else will rescue him, he swallowed his last drops of pride and accepted the despairful truth. "Fine… But I'm not joining unless with an agreement…" He snarled at Satsuki, but the female tyrant was all ears to hear his terms and conditions.
"And that'll be…?"
"I want Mankashoku's family to be left out this whole debacle. And I want you to call off the persecution of Ryuko and all my friends. You say they're not a threat anymore, so why try to kill them?" He had to use his words correctly to pander Satsuki's arrogance. It was the only thing left he could do to save those he cared about.
Some seconds pass and Satsuki came with her conclusion. "Sadly, I cannot let a single lamb out of the slaughterhouse. My mother is obsessed with perfection, so I don't want her to raise suspicions. But we'll see what we can do about that. And about Ryuko and the Nudists, you can stop stressing about them, and might as well forget that they've ever existed. As you said I have no interest for Kamui Senketsu or the Scissor Blade anymore with you on my side." Satsuki left the offer down the table, and now it was time for the fallen Phantom Thief to choose. "So, will you finally stop pitying over those ants and claim your rightful throne on my pantheon?"
Akira then sighted heavily in utter defeat and cling Satsuki's hand with his for a handshake.
I am Thou…
Thou art I…
Thou has adquired a faux vow…
But shall thou be capable of saving thy sinner's heart from being chained by the threads of fate…?
With the rebirth of the Judgement Persona
Thou has retrieved a power dormant within thy soul
That shall lead to salvation, and new power…
Same as always, Joker's whole world stopped as the voice of Lavenza recited this ancient creed, but something was wrong. Her tone sounded slightly sad and a tad disappointed. It may have to do by the fact he has kneeling over his enemy… And if things couldn't get more wrong, the Judgement Arcana Card that fell off before him was in fact shredded in pieces, signifying that his bond with Satsuki wasn't genuine and was mas nothing but a mean to save his hide, and how the Kiryuin just sees him as another pawn for her distorted chess game. But all that grim and gloom aside, his Persona Satan awoken from its stasis, which could be seen as ironic as any person that opposes Satsuki perceives her as the incarnation of the Devil.
Satsuki felt utterly satisfied with this. She has finally has her worst enemy dancing upon her fingertips. And now, he was the last Queen she needed for her army of pawns to be completed. "Welcome to the Elite 4, Akira Kurusu…"
Pivoting to a more heroic scene, we cut back to Nudist Beach, with Ryuko sit with a furrow between her eyebrows. Pushing aside Mankanshoku's snores after all that exposition, a silence has taken over the conference room without a single cricket singing or anything. That was until Ryuko came in to break the silence with a big shout as she slammed down her chard to step on it to take a ruder pose.
"OOOOH! I see how it is then! You excpetin' me to somehow carry your butts through Satsuki and her goons' forces and hope that me and Senketsu somehow solves all of your fucking problems!?" She snarled with anger as she stood up from her chair before slamming her foot over her seat. "WELL I HAVE A FEW THINGS I'LL LIKE TO COMPLAIN, YOU COWARDS!"
"Ryuko! It's not-"
"Who asked your damn oppinion, creep!?" Ryuko interrupted Mikisugi since she was pissed off beyond point. "That's all that has been for you isn't it? Me and Senketsu are just weapons to fight the forces of evil! Do you think that I alone can save all of fucking humanity!? Do you ever sit down and think how I feel about this!? I NEVER ASKED BEING THE SAVIOR OF THE ENTIRE EARTH!"
"Ryuko! That not what he meant!" Senketsu held one of her arms, which quickly made her feel more calm by the confort of his fabric. "A teenager like you shouldn't carry this much duty. No one should really! I know that all these reveals have put a lot of pressure onto you. And you're feeling anxious about having to be the hero when you shouldn't."
"Senketsu…" Ryuko muttered as her angered was deflating.
"Senketsu's right." Morgana hopped in beside the black Kamui. "A single person should not have control over the future of others. Either be to save them, or to oppress them." The cat turned at everyone so they could pay him attention. "That being said, this is no excuse to turn blind eye about what is happening right now. Dropping our hopes onto only 1 person will result in nothing but disaster. If we want to stop Satsuki Kiryuin, then we all must work together. Not to die fighting for another day, but to fight to live another day."
"Hey! Don't look at me. I ain't got shit with that angsty brat. But if it means getting damn geek boy's booty back, then I'm all up for it." Panty shrugged her arms with a soften smile in her face.
"Isn't it cool? Everyone here has your back, because we're all now Team Friendship, and Team Friendship won't let a friend behind when we're off saving the world!" Mankanshoku cheered while joyfully hopping up and down like a bunny.
"Team Friendship? Since when we all agreed to call us like that?" Hakodate creased a brow in cringe.
"Let her be. It's best to not lower our morale." Ryuko replied with a soft smile before standing out from her seat. "Then it's on. Tomorrow night we'll show those bureaucratic bastards that they took us all for granted! Who's up on saving the whole fuckin' world!?"
Everyone exclaimed like a rabble of high morale at response of Matoi's battlecry. Soon, they're gonna hit Honnouji Academy with a good overdose of karmaic justice.
"ATTENTION!" Cutting the scene back outside the courtyard of Honnouji Academy, the entirety of Honnouji Academy's Shadows and student body with the obvious exception of the No-Stars were gathered in organized rows from One-Stars to Two-Stars with all of them having their heads looking up at the impotent silhouette of Ira Gamagori standing over the school's spire. "You all have been called, for the Student Council has an announcement of uttermost importance to make. Here before you, the Student Council President and Supreme Ruler of all Honno City, Lady Satsuki Kiryuin! ALL HAIL!"
By the brassing command of the giant toad, the evil teenagers all saluted like soldiers in perfect synchrony that it looked creepy when you think about it. Almost as if Honnouji Academy destroyed the last ounce of self-thinking and making them all into a fascist hivemind.
And thus, a white light emerged from the door of the spire. Gamagori took a step back into the sideways with her fellow elites and quickly put himself on saluting position to receive her supreme and divine tyrant.
Lady Satsuki emerged from the door and walked down the spire to address herself to her obedient fanatics.
HEEL CLICK!
"Students of Honnouji Academy!" Satsuki called forth her soldiers to put all eyes on her. "You've all have done well to serve under my banner into further fulfilling my ambitions. You've all proved yourselves worthy to stand before my wings with your display of devoted loyalty to my cause and the strength you've all have demonstrated by crushing our enemies beneath our undisputable power. The Tri-city School Raid Trip has been a resounding success at accomplishing all our goals. We've annihilated the Kansai forces, suppress the Anti-Clothing Guerillas into eternal despair and we've successfully seized the number 1 criminal of Honnouji Academy under our will."
Everyone at the Academy was drunk in vain pride and vigor. They all shouted with passion but with soulless echoes, nonetheless.
"And to celebrate the last phase of our crusade to cleanse the earth of sin and expand our empire across the infinite ocean of dimensions, the Head-Master of Honnouji Academy Ragyo Kiryuin, her Secretary Rei Hoomaru and the Grand Corturier shall join us at the eagerly-awaited Sports and Culture Festival, so see in first person the flourishment of our 3-year long planning." Thus, the entire courtyard of Honnouji Academy began to transform like a transformer. The Walls changed into large grandstand seats that could hold the entire population of Honno City alongside giant LED screens placed changing the atmosphere into that of a gigantic stadium. "As we all have practiced and known, the Culture and Sports Festival shall be hosted on this stadium that proudly bears the Directors' name. From it we shall witness the wails of the weak as they all are sacrificed to the Life Fibers! That shall be their capital punishment for being useless slugs of society and not fulling yielding to our beliefs! Now my followers! What are our believes!?"
"FEAR IS FREEDOM! SUBJUGATION IS LIBERATION! CONTRADICTION IS TRUTH!"
"And once the Culture and Sports Festivals is done, we shall march all across the globe and force all those idiot fools to kneel before those beliefs!"
More shouts of devotion and bravado rabbled all over Honnouji Academy. This was no longer an army. This was a straight-up cult!
"But that is not the end of it!" Satsuki beckoned everyone's attention back to her. "As you may be all aware, there has been an unbalance of power ever since the betrayal of former Elite Uzu Sanageyama. I am prodly here to announce, that the scales have been balanced once again! Although, I'm aware that this decision may cause controversy amongst my piers, but as your Student Council President, you will understand that this is for the best intentions of our dynasty."
One more figure emerged behind the entrance of the spire. Slowly it walked down where the light of outside was, with its steps being heard from the echoes of the school's inside. It was someone the Elite Trio knew too well, and so does all of Honnouji Academy.
"And now, be ready to receive your new high officer! Please welcome the new Chairman of the Sports Division and the new Vice-President of the Student Council!"
What? Vice-President of Honnouji Academy? This shocked the One and Two-Stars and even the Shadows. If it is someone that Satsuki deemed worthy enough to be given such a prestigious and powerful position as her second-in command, then there is no doubt that he must bear a streght capable of destroying the world.
"All hail the Club President of the Fight Club, the Black Wolf, Akira Kurusu!" Satsuki then moved aside to present her new top soldier being none other than Joker himself, now bearing the final version of that Prototype Goku Uniform Mako wore. And the most shocking thing of all is that the Goku Uniform wasn't a 3-Star, but a jaw-dropping 5-Star Goku Uniform!
In terms of appearance, it wasn't much different than his former Fight Club Goku Uniform and the SMT Prototype one. It was like a combination of the former and the flair and look of the other Elites' Uniforms. In terms of color, it presented itself as White, with 2 stars shown in front of his banchou hat and 3 more stamped on his normal uniform that looked akin of that of a regular One-Star symbolizing that all that punkish look was just superficial and that he was just as much of a disposable pawn as the rest of students at Honnouji Academy if you name doesn't happen to be Satsuki Kiryuin. On par of that, Akira was seen wearing a pair of triangular black sunshades like those of Kamina. His long coat seemed to be worn more like a cape, which made Akira seem more akin to a Marine Admiral from One Piece, with the Kanji of Order written on its back.
But, this turned out to have a shocking effect. Satsuki Kiryuin would have expected her troops to simply engulf their new Elite with a wave of applause and cheers. But what happened was the detonation of a bomb of doubt and confusion.
The students all shared the same vitriol to Joker. It was expected, they all have no autonomy to call their own and just claim that Satsuki Kiryuin's delusions of grandiose were their own. The trickster being everything that the Kiryuins stood against such as the power of bonds, love and friendship, the idea of fighting to live another day and that the weak and the strong should work together as equals for a better world… I think their reaction speak for themselves…
"What!? He's going to be our Vice-President from now on?" One of the One-Stars broke his silence to complain.
"You're telling us that clown shoes' gonna boss us around? That asshole stuffed one of my peers with lead to the point of bursting, and now they're telling me to suck it and lick his boots? We didn't sign for this! The student council better upgrade our insurance plans if we have to witstand that cocky twink." Even the Shadows stood against in protest of practically having Joker as their master.
A rabblerousing crowd arose from this. Honnouji's Soldiers were thrown into disarray and complaints as everyone mumbled and whisper to one another, each having mixed opinions with Joker's inclusion. Some were confused at best while most were spiteful at worst.
"Huh? The hell's wrong with them so sudden? Did they got all stung by a weird bug while we were off?" Nonon seem annoyed by this undesirable turn of events. Thought they would be pleased to have her dear Akira working for them but appears their distaste has grown so big not even the impose of Satsuki was enough to force them to accept him.
"Even I feel surprised. My Probe Regalia has estimated a miniscule chance of something like this happening, but it appears that I shouldn't have seen this coming. It wasn't 0% confirmed after all." Innumuta shrugged.
"Tch! Don't make this more obnoxious with your barking, Houka. Go stick your nose with your geek bull back to the pound, won't ya?" Jakuzure spat at Houka with a raspberry and all.
"Hmph… It appears the influence of Joker still seem to stain on my soldiers that not even my presence can eclipse. This could turn up into a problem…" Satsuki sighted in soft annoyance. "This is one of those instances that I have no definitive answer to solve this. I underestimated Kurusu's infamy amongst my ranks, that I let such outcome slip over my head…"
"Students of Honnouji Academy! Lend me your ears!" Akira stepped forward to address to everyone with a brassy voice.
The Shadows and Star Students seize their bickering and quickly turned their attention towards Akira, Despite being proven enough times, it took off-guard to the ruthless Kiryui with how easy it was for Joker to swoon obedience to her men. Was it his imposing precense or perhaps were they afraid of her judgement if they were to digress?
Whatever it would be the answer, the black-haired teen refresh his throat to give his first-impression speech. "Do not be alarmed. I am aware in fact that my foolish morals and your unquestionable motives have damaged our relationship for a collaboration between us. But, fear not. For our great Lady Satsuki has open my eyes to the truth."
The students and Shadows had their attentions hooked. The trickster sounded sincere and legit about his words. Truly Lady Satsuki did him the much-needed fixer-upper to that annoying attitude of his.
"For all my life I have been following the empty idealist mindset of bonds and friendship. But now I understand that one must do all what it takes to achieve their end-goals all by itself. Whenever it being pillaging a town from their children, women and elderly, whenever be it burn down a country for stepping in my way, for it being massacring and entire nation to set the example! No blasphemy against the world shall unjustify my righteous purpose as a proud pawn to the Kiryuin's dreams of total world domination! Our crusade will obliterate the enablers of degeneracy! The world is our enemy because we are the only ones that can truly change it! Now Students! What it our principal!?"
"FEAR IS FREEDOM! SUBJUGATION IS LIBERATION! CONTRADICTION IS TRUTH!" All students and Shadows shouted with all the power from their lungs to pledge their blind loyalty to Akira.
"For we shall steal the future of everyone to mend the future to our images! HONNOUJI ACADEMY IS THE SAVIOR OF HUMANITY!"
The entire crowd of soldiers cried in vigor and excitement at the words of Akira Kurusu. Everyone was inspired by his promise of glory and grandiose it boosted their alreaxy toxic optimism and devotion to Satsuki Kiryuin.
"Look at that, seems that the wolf was able to quell the doubts of our soldiers and even streghted their pride. Not that breathtaking with all the data I've had of him. But I guess he's like a box full of surprises." Houka said while watching Akira retiring back inside the school from the door.
"GYAH! Akira! You were so cool!" Nonon had her heart fluttering like a pack of flies with how she was unable to contain her admiration and girlish love for the black-haired Casanuva.
Gamagori didn't said anything. He just made a slight surprised face with how easily the trickster convinced everyone that he was now their ally. That aside, he couldn't stop feeling bad for Akira, which in itself was an anomaly that even shocked the toad. Maybe even when offered everything and showed loyal to Honnouji, he could feel a great sorrow coming from Akira.
And Satsuki only smirked. She felt proud of herself to persisting in forcing her greatest enemy to become her follower. "Well done Akira. Do not be doubtful, for your loyalty will soon be greatly compensated." She said devilishly as she watched Akira go back inside. She didn't need him on his side in the meantime, he has done enough today.
"ATTENTION ALL SLUM-DWELLERS, TEN HUUUT! LINE UP!" Gamagori roared on top of the same pedestal he stood at from No-Tardies day, accompanied by some of his One-Stars standing straight beside each of his shoulders. All those who took shelter in the slums from the hooligans, No-Stars, parents, whores and even the rats obeyed his call as everyone was rounded at the same spot, for the toad had an important announcement to croak. "Tommorrow is a big day for us all! The long-awaited Culture and Sports Festival will be soon upon us! The culmination of all of our battles and efforts shall bear fruit on this joyous event! To celebrate, none other than Madame President of REVOCS and Headmaster of Honnouji Academy Ragyo Kiryuin shall pay a visit to commemorate our victory over our enemies. If you think such a prestigious event will be only exclusive to those with a One-Star rank or above, then you'll be ultimately mistaken. All those who possess No-Star Status, and their families will have the obligation to assist in order to welcome her excellency. Hence, the Student Council shall gift each one of you with high-quality Ceremonial Gala Uniforms! And yes, they are required!" Then, an army of Shadows appeared before the scared humans to hand them formal black gala clothes. "Listen up! I want you all to be at Honnouji Academy tomorrow morning at 08:30 wearing the appropriate dress code! You will not be late, You will not misbehave, and any dress code violation shall not be tolerated! And one more thing…"
The head of the Disciplinary Committee whistled, making a group of Oni Shadows to drop near the bridge that connect Honno City, where they slammed their clubs with great strength to fully destroy the bridge.
Many of the low-class citizens were panicking and the screams of the general public were resonating across the slums by this act. Meanwhile, the Shadows of Honnouji Academy only looked down the humans with hubris knowing that there won't be a way to escape.
"We knew that some of you would try to turn tail and escape Honno City, hence why we've prohibited the entrance and exit to the island until the conclusion of the Culture Festival!" Gamagori bellowed. "Those who still refuse to attend the Culture and Sports Festival shall face capital sentence! ARE WE CLEAR!?"
"NOW HOLD UP A SECOND!"
And from what appears to be something imposible, Gamagori startled when he saw all of Mako's family taking a literal stand against him. None of them showed signs of fearing the enforcer of the Status Quo, not even the dog. "How dare you interrupt a high authority of the state like that!" Gamagori spat angrily as he looked down at the Mankanshoku family to sow the seed of fear of the state down their souls. But no matter how big he made himself to be or how much he squinted his look down upon then, none of them flinched. "Gh! Fine! I have no time to to deal with disobedient citizens as of now, so I might as well ablidge to your request. But that brings the question, what kind of people you think you are to talk to an Elite of the government like if it were a mere peasant?"
"Hoho! We'll tell you who we are!" Mako's dad said with gutso. "I'm Barazo Mankanshoku, Mako's father and Ryuko's guardian in case you forgot!"
"And I'm his husband Sukuyo!"
"And I'm Mataro, dumbass!"
"Guts! Guts! GRRR!"
The family directed themselves to Honnouji Academy with the fury of a unruly mob. It was thanks to the encouragement of Akira that gave them the sufficient courage to give face to the Kiryuin regime.
"You said that you all came back from your strange road trip with all of the students unscratched."
"It was a School Raid Trip, for your information." Gamagori interrupted Barazo to correct him.
"School trip, raid trip, who gives a crap?! The point is that we haven't seen neither Mako or Ryuko come back safe and sound. For all we know the other students came back without problems or are you trying to imply that you used our sweet girls as cannon fodder!"
"Come on dad, those pompous Honnouji assholes would do that, but Ryuko and Mako are tougher nuts to crack that what your square-brain thinks." Mataro snarled, as he was the one that grew a grudge against Honnouji the most. "But whatever happened, I'm sick and tired of just blindly hearing whatever bullshit you say and not share my thoughts about! Tell us what is really going on in that stupid school or I'll cut you down to size!" From that, Mataro rev up a chainsaw he guarded for this moment, and he had Guts' support to fight the human goliath if necessary.
Gamagori obviously didn't took these threats seriously, and if he were to take them, he wouldn't bring himself to harm Mako's parents. "The Mankanshokus… let's see here…" Gamagori pondered before putting on some glasses and bringing out a small notebook where he keeps check of the names of the residents of the slums. "No wonder your faces looked so familiar. I remember you from Kurusu's failed promotion and the sudden death runoffs. Intelligence has it that you've been conducting larsoning and unauthorized medical practices and it's only by now we've found out about said charges." Gamagori said. "And regarding Mako Mankanshoku and Ryuko Matoi, Lady Satsuki has finally decided to expel them from Honnouji Academy and are now classified as enemies of the state. This means that the mere act of providing a home to such delinquents makes you guilty for conspiracy against the Kiryuin conglomerate, hence your property and all belongings shall be revoked by the Student Council."
"WHAT!?" The Mankanshokus widened their eyes in horror before turning to where their house was and seeing it being lifted by a squadron of Beetle Shadows using their strong horns to put it on a comically big wheelbarrow.
"That being said, time is a resource we don't have the privilege to waste on right now." The toad croaked at the commonfolk before him. "Every minute that passes on could be used more wisely to ready everything for the welcome of Lady Ragyo, so for now we have to postpone your sent-"
"YOU MANIACS! I'M SICK AND TIRED THAT YOU KEEP TALKING US AS IF WE WERE JUST MERE DOGS TO YOU, SNOBS!" Mataro exploded in fury as he lurched himself out to the Elite with nothing but his hands and his guts and show him he won't be tied down any longer. Thankfully, his parents and Guts grabbed him from his limbs from waking to a certain death. "LET ME GO, DAMMIT!" He continued to bark as he tried to free himself.
"Mataro! You don't understand! Throwing yourself at that freak won't get you anywhere!" Barazo exclaimed to his son. "Now, if you were to throw yourself with a group, then that's another story!" He let off his kid as he now shared the same courage as he pulled off a bonesaw to fend himself. "Thinking off again, go on and take our stuff! Hell, you can even take my underpants if you feel like it, but have it certain that you ain't going to take away our spirits!"
"That's right!" Sukuyo followed the example by arming herself with a frying pan. "If saving our babies means getting passed you, then so be it!"
"Guts!" Guts too supported his owners by growling at Gamagori and his goons.
Ira was growing impatient expressing by clicking his tongue. "Trying to challenge authority? You commonfolk are truly ignorant to the reality of the natural order." He furrowed a scowled as he was ready to scold these agitated peons. "If you know what's best for your vitality and the stability of society as a whole, then I'll advise you to lower your weapons, or your inevitable punishment will be worse than death."
"Screw you! We ain't going to drop even a sweat, unless you give us Mako and Ryuko back." Mr. Mankanshoku cried and pointed closer to Ira.
And yet, Gamagori furrowed in disguist and proceed to compress the father's bonesaw with his bare fist like a mere soda can. "Even if that were to be the case, you know that your possibilities of making a change will be futile. There lies the purpose of laws and rules and how they provide order and stability from any misfortune that may cause people to ravage one another like a pack of cannibals. Those that refuse to play their part have no place in society!"
"Stability and order my ass! Those half-assed excuses don't convince a rat that your stupid rules are just to keep you elite assholes on top and make everyone else kill themselves for the crumbs you throw out! Hell! That's what has been my whole life up until this point!" Mataro protested. "Well I'm sick and tired of having to go through hell just to survive! I want to live for christ' sake!"
How can Gamagori let these freaks continue to slander him? Why isn't he mad? Why couldn't he just flatten those cockroaches beneath his almighty heel? He couldn't believe that he was holding himself just because they are relatives to Mako. But why does he care for a desertor like her anymore? And this debate was running in circles. It's just bitter banter and no matter how loud he raised his voice, they weren't going to be subjugated any time.
The goliath's world was darkening all around him. The feeling of his rising heartbeat was making him sweat and he was doing his best to not show weakness. What can he do?
"Stop everything!"
Divine intervention answered Gamagori's prayers. The inhabitants of the slums, the shadows and all those present saw a shining spark swinging from house to light-pole like spiderman as a humanoid figure came closer, revealing itself to be none other than Honnouji Academy's new member of the Elite 4, the Chairman of the Sports Division and Club President of the renewed Fight Club, Akira Kurusu the Black Wolf.
"REN!" The Mankanshoku's family were overtaken by their family instincts, and they all swing themselves at the honorary Mankanshoku to welcome his return with a big bear hug and a rain of tears of happiness.
Yet, the new Elite had no wishes to return the gesture of gratitude, even when it came from the family that looked after him. "I implore you to keep your distance out of me, or I'll be forced to take action…" He coldly glares at them with his fingers slowly wrapping themselves within the handles of his hidden dagger around his wrist.
The Mankanshokus were terrified by his drastic transformation. He was nothing like the playful hero of justice but some sort of evil twin from another dimension.
"Ehem… Your understanding is truly appreciated." Kurusu coughed for some seconds before he could focus back on his announcement. "As I was saying, I've been discussing this with the Student Council. Although the actions committed by the Mankanshoku are not to be tolerated, we are unfortunately on a pivotal point for our world conquest that we cannot spend resources or time to decide their fate. Hence why by my decree as Vice-Student Council President of Honnouji Academy, the criminals by the name of the Mankanshoku shall be granted amnesty if they do what our fellow subjects shall do and partake in the ceremony at Honnouji Academy." The One Stars on that moment had to follow the words of he who bears a higher status than Gamagori and provide the revolting family set of gala suits for each one of them.
"What!?" Gamagori intervened with a loud gasp. He leaned down Akira to give him a piece of his own mind. "For you to understand this Akira Kurusu! Honnouji Academy's Vice-President you may be, but it doesn't give you any absolute dominion over all other branches of the school! It may not be the right thing to challenge Lady Satsuki's Right Hand, but as Head Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee, I need to remind you that the only field that you have full reign on is the Athletic Division. My duty in the Elite 4 is to protect the rules and societal balance of our school and nation from falling into disarray. So unless Lady Satsuki would say otherwise, neither god or demon, only I can impact justice to those that wish to destroy it!" But even when he stood up at Akira with a scowl that would melt all color from a person's away, Akira stood fearless, having his guts reflected upon his black sunshades.
"If you're such in doubt, why don't ask her?" Akira said as he took a step sideways in order to reveal none other than the Student Council President herself behind him, almost as if she appeared mystically. No one in the audience could foresee her excellency coming to solve such a pity banter.
"M-my lady…" Gamagori was about to lose his composure, but he quickly swallowed his fright to receive the empress of the island with a loyal bow. The rest of One-Stars and Shadows followed the example of the goliath to show their overfatigue loyalty to her will.
"Were you doubting the words of my most trusted man, Gamagori? The fact that i cannot decide whenever to be amused or disappointment for such an action must be a milestone for you." Satsuki Kiryuin looked down upon her shield with sword stabbed on the floor and her glistening hair floating through the wind, in which Gamagori could feel the disappointment emanating from her words.
"Not-not at all Lady Satsuki… I-it's just that i…" For once, Ira Gamagori was experiencing that same overwhelming feel of hopelessness and fear rattling his spine when he first stood against Satsuki.
"Sight… There's no need to display vulnerability over the commonfolk. Might as well explain it to you." Satsuki shrugged her shoulders before she could continue. "All of you must know the arrival of Lady Ragyo is coming soon, and her welcome mut meet her extraordinary standards. As stated, we're investing all of our efforts into not disappointing the Director."
"About time you show your fat face and fatter eyebrows to us!" Mataro had to hiss at the face of the highest power of the entire island, in which Satsuki took instant notice once he recognized that obnoxious voice.
"So, we meet again… You really have guts to express such vulgar though in front of me. You might as well cry tears of joy that my hands are too occupied now, or I would have beheaded you from the spot." The Kiryuin leaned down the kid to scare some sense into him, but Mataro's grimace and scowl wasn't altered a bit.
"Hey! What the hell woman? Might explain why you're trying to hunt Mako and Ryuko like if It was the medieval times! Hell! Now that I think about it, your whole crappy societal structure is just the dark ages if it had a sequel! A crappy sequel no one asked for!" Barazo came next to stand up against his oppressor, but fortunately Satsuki wasn't in the mood to shower the masses in a bath of blood.
"Bear in mind that Ryuko Matoi was already a troublemaker even when she was still a student in Honnouji Academy, and anyone that must blame young Mankanshoku' desertion is herself. It was by her own free will that they took the side with the Naked Apes during our battle in Osaka. A hunting party is being ready to finish them off once we conclude the ceremony. Unless…"
"Unless what?" Sukuyo didn't want to be hanged in suspense.
"Unless you are willing to participate at the Cultural and Sports Festival, not only will your crimes will be forgiven, but I shall impose that same mercy to your daughter and Matoi, as long as they don't show up to challenge my empire again. Refuse and you'll be put in custody until the end of the festival and then hanged up from the gallows. Is that clear?"
Waiting for an answer, the Mankanshokus made a spontaneous feedback circle to discuss it and came to a conclusion. Well, not before narrowing at the young dictator with serious faces to have a better understanding of the terms and conditions of the deal.
"Question. are you assuring that the girls will be alright?" Mako's dad was first to iquire.
"Can we trust your words and breath safely you aren't tricking us?" Sukuyo said.
"Will there be food?" Mataro lastly asked.
Satsuki wrangled up all the given doubts of her promise and all it took was a affirming nod to swoon the revolting slum-dwellers to her side. "Kurusu, if you may…" Akira stepped forth to give each member of the family their respective gala suit to wear tomorrow.
Not having any other alternative, the resilient family had to accept the gift. Not like if they mind after all, because it was death sentence or assure the safety of Mako and Ryuko by stuffing their gullets with high cuisine and be given free clothes to top it all off.
"Then it's all settle!" barazo shouted with enthusiasm as the rest of commonfolk felt inspired by him. "I swear for the sake of our babies that we'll eat everything you throw at us that we have to roll downhill once we're done!"
Everyone else cried with cheers as they had their hype and enthusiasm prepare for the arrival of the great white matriarch of the world. The once crowed streets emptied in minutes as everyone went back to their homes all while Gamagori was given orders to evict the other shadows and have the One-Stars clean up any debris and trash left by the masses.
The warm sunset was now bathing only to Satsuki Kiryuin and her Student Council Vice-president. Once the public eye was lift out of them, they shared eyesight with one another, equally blowing a cold wind at the other.
"I hope that I can trust you this time, Lady Satsuki. I wish not to know my hopes onto you are faux." Joker expressed a furrow of doubt behind his sunglasses, and even though the long-haired lady of war could perceive it, she showed no reaction but a self-asured grin.
"I'm fascinated you found a loophole to throw flak at me even with your collar, Kurusu. I'm genuinely impressed." She said. "But put your doubts to my words to sleep. With you on my side, what other utility can I see in Matoi? So long as she and her friends don't interfere with my plans, you can be certain they won't atone for their transgressions."
Kurusu has his trust on her hearing how she delivered her response, yet he still had some screws he would like to ask the wrench to tie. "I can see that. But do the Mankanshoku have to die for it? If we push aside those in Honnouji Academy, your nations has enough lambs to give to the butcher shop. I'm sure that sparing 4 won't make that much of a difference." He wanted to see if there was still time to change her opinion about the Mankanshoku's fate, and he wished he could have the power to save the others from being turned into alien snacks. But she knew Satsuki more than he thought for a outlander from a different dimension.
"Don't take my mother for an idiot. She far too intoxicated with the concept of perfection and order. And you cannot hope to beat your opponent at chess with an incomplete set of pawns." She turned her back on the trickster as she forgo to lecture him. "Take this to heart from a war artist. No matter how just a cause may be. Casualties are the bread and wine of war. But it won't matter how many ants you squish, all ends justify the meaning… you don't think you can fulfill your goals if you stopped to count the quantity of bugs you've stomped over, would you…?"
Her cold tone crawled down Akira's skin. The wails of help and suffering of his teammates ran all over his psyche like a swarm of locusts. Hell! Her words were similar to those of Shido for crying out loud! Even when his goals are far more morally good that one's of Satsuki seeing the countless skeletons inside her closer from enemies to her own disobedient peers, he cannot let himself be a hypocrite because he knew his phantom thief escapades were a road to hell paved with good intentions.
Even if at the start they wished to better society and give rightfully deplorable people their just desserts, their extreme methods for achieving so were no different than those of Akechi, Shido or even the Holy Grail. They forced brainwashing on people not only to those that ruled a palace, but all those targets of Mementos that could have been handled better.
"Yeah…" Akira tipped his hat in melancholy.
"Good." The Kiryuin replied. "Once you're done feeling sorry for yourself, be sure to see me at my chamber. I'm calling the rest of my Elites for a last-call conference to discuss upon further details of the assassination of Ragyo Kiryuin. I'm sure you'll cry tears of joy upon knowing that lies next for those under my eye. Hehehe…" Kurusu gasped once he noticed the absence of his leader and only evidence being the echoing snicker of her voice.
There was no time to lose. Or anything at all for him in that matter… Whatever the true intentions of this coup are, he was already far too lost to get off the ride.
"So everything we've had done through these past 3 years was to murder the director to enact revenge of what has she done to you? I must admit Lady Satsuki that even when I though my mind couldn't predict the grandiose of your plans, you still blew my mind." Inumuta felt flattered by witnessing the size of his master's ambitions. They truly have no compare once the other elites were put up to date onto what Satsuki told to Joker.
"Give auntie Ragyo the old French revolution treatment and take REVOCS all for ourselves? Sounds like a fun time, Lady Satsuki. And if being franky, that old hag always rubbed me the old way. Not that I have any bones to pick with, she was really a cool surrogate aunt, and I'll miss her once she hits the boot." Nonon pounted indifferently from her lying position of her chic couch.
"Inflate your ego without restrain and no doubt it'll burst like a balloon." Kurusu commented now taking Sanageyama's spot. In which his seat was fully revamped into resembling his throne when he was a 2-Star. Leftovers of the now-shredded Goku Uniforms of allof his past enemies he has bravely defeated, now decorating his seat of the academic pantheon like battle trophies.
"But all, we have to control our hubris. Everyone in this room knows and realizes the power Lady Ragyo has both physically and influentially. Putting aside that she's a living cataclysm, it won't be easy just strike her down when she has her guard lowered once we throw the Grand Couturier and her Secretary onto the equation." Gamagori raised his hand to question that his lady's plan won't be as foolproof as she boasts. All it would take to take back his words would be the smirk of Satsuki.
"Glad you asked, Gamagori." Satsuki replied to her shield with a grin. "Assassinate someone as big as Ragyo Kiryuin is easier said than done. Fortunately, we have the expectancy of the universe at our side." Satsuki slid her presentation, now showing an image of Ryuko and her allies, further explaining her ploy to use Matoi and her friends as a decoy to distract ragyo and enact their vengeance.
"So, we'll be leaving everyone else to be devoured by the Life Fibers?"
"Cry in my name that the citizens and No-Stars shall not be consumed, Kurusu." The Kiryuin turned to her wolf. "We've managed to replicate Nudist Beach's Needle Bullets and they'll be used to free the audience from the Life Fiber's binds. Once they witness the weakness of my mother, I shall unbound the truth of REVOCS to the world and thus, everyone shall worship us as their saviors. And those that wish to reject their new gods, well, I don't think I should reiterate at this point." The Student Council saw as their leader crushed a biscuit for her tea under her iron fist, letting the crumbs rain down her teacup before giving it a sophisticated sip.
"Hey, I don't want to sour the occasion Lady Satsuki, but aren't you going to tell the rest of Star-status students about this whole thing? I mean, I'm sure they're as loyal to you as to Lady Ragyo, but even then, I don't think those butts won't be as hard for auntie Ragyo to buy off their loyalty compared to us." Jakuzure inquired while sucking a cherry lollipop.
"Do not be alarmed. Right now, our conversation is being broadcasted in secret all across the homes of our star students. But if any of them were to side with my mother, might as well give them the pleasure to partake in their death by executing them alongside her. I have my army of loyal Shadows under my wing to make up for that."
Satsuki stood up from her seat and her subordinates could read that they must do the same too.
"The thanks I wish to give all of you for all the effort you have given to the accomplishment of my vision cannot be describe, even for me." Satsuki turned down her elites to give her gratitude for all the sweat and tears they've given to her dreams of global and soon dimensional conquest. "Now that the preparations for my mother's visit are near complete, let's raise thy cups."
"Milady." The student council resonated as each one of them picked the cup of sake thar was before them.
"To the success of the Culture and Sports Festival, the fall of the Life Fibers, and to the rise of the Honnouji Empire. Relish this memory as we bring forth a new dawn to humanity." The Kiryuin and her subordinated drank in unison to forge the oath of brotherhood. Rising their cups, they all slammed them down into bits to signify their farewell as playthings of destiny.
But between them, one man still held his cup full of liquor. It was Kurusu, who appears to be looking at the melancholic reflection of himseld…
"What is the hold up?" All eyes were on the beaten Phantom Thief when Satsuki questioned her Sports Elite's frozen feet.
"Forgive me your excellency, I-i don't drink…" Akira muttered to hide his prolonging despair of his current fate.
"I see, only for this occasion you shall be excused." Satsuki said as she saw Joker put down the sake cup back on its place. "With all matters settled, you are all dismissed. Get as much rest as you can, I need you to get up early to give the final touches to the stadium and explain further rules to your troops!"
"Your excellency!" The Student Council body saluted as they all fled back to their dorms inside Honnouji Academy faster than the crack of the whip.
Now with the solitude of her chamber all for herself, Satsuki spun her throne to a chessboard on top of a coffee table and put out a white queen piece out of the box that being the last piece she needed to complete her white soldiers. "Now that all of my pieces have been gathered, this will be the beginning of our fated game." She told to herself as she moved a pawn forward 2 spaces. "Now, what shall be your next move, dearest mother…?"
Far on top of the REVOCS tower during that same night, Ragyo was resting on her office seeing how all of her company's attempt to cover the world in a beautiful red cloth were going just as she planned.
"Isn't this sight beautiful, Hoomaru?" Ragyo turned at her assistant who was standing still watching the wide screen of the globe as slowly but surely, each country was being covered in black dots that signal every human being that has been enslaved to Azathot.
"It truly is, Madame President. You may be the one woman who has privatized the solution of world hunger and poverty. All those Kiryuin charity program offering those states in poverty shelter, food and clothing has been a great move in part of both your dream and public image." Hoomaru said back. "And to think that letting the remaining radical forces take everything from our manufacturing factories and warehouse was without a doubt a cunning strategy."
"Indeed. Why try to submit those who refuse to eat from the forbidden fruit, if its more efficient to just let the temptation of power do it instead? No matter how righteous they think they are, they are no different than the students from Honnouji Academy. All it takes is a small sip of the chalice of power and they're enslaved to our lord."
Behind them, the dreadful essence of the dark one materialized in the form of a floating eye, with its Life Fiber tendrils blooming from the dark mist Azathoth dissipated. Hoomaru may be dropping cold drops of sweat by how the aura of the Blind Idiot God made her heart skip faster, yet Ragyo showed herself indifferent.
"My priestess… It appears that your machinations are going just as we planned them to go from the smallest detail. Well done…"The words of Azathoth slithered all the way down the white maniac's ears, filling her with excitement. "My breakout from this prison is becoming an inevitable destiny for the life of this world. You and those that have assisted in my awakening thus far shall be acclaimed to my future followers of my truths… The Kiryuins shall become eternal…"
"I truly thank for such kind words, master." Ragyo snickered in gratitude in the back of the chaos god. "But you don't need to feel like you owe me anything. It is the fate of the Kiryuin to carry and secure your will amongst the naked pigs after all. I'm as much of a sacrificial lamb as all the peasants living under my heel."
"I see… if blind servitude is what satisfy your heart, then I have no right to reject it. You have been my most efficient pawn after all…" Azathoth said before turning his attention at the terrified Hoomaru. "All that aside… Remember what we've agreed with your 'secretary…?"
"Of course." The wicked Kiryuin replied while sipping on her glass of hyper-expensive wine. "My sweetheart has been gone through so much… torn appart from her family, her friends, everything she loved and held dear by the childish selfishness of humans that lead them to rip themselves apart in wars…" Hoomaru felt herself more serene once her surrogate mother turned her eyes up to her. "All she desires is to end it all, to put an end to the torment that is reality. And I as a mother falls under my responsibility to support the dreams of her child…"
"Indeed… There's no warrior as ruthless, as one that has nothing to lose…" On that note, the Evil God of the red thread twitched to turn at Hoomaru again, with the poor girl being too afraid to pull out the sight of that infinite void that was the Spiral Nemesis' eye.
Rei Hoomaru felt tense… Her heels stayed on place as if they were sticked with glue…
Her panic senses were on the high-red. Her body shaking and rattling as she tried herself to calm herself. But all it did was panic herself even more. And yet, she showed unopposed to the will of a god that openly admits he could care less to his followers. They were all just means to an end, like her…
But why…? Why was she feeling like this? What was this fear stuck in her lungs? She felt in an emotional limbo between following her natural senses and please the only parental figure that has showed her love.
No… She must remind herself why she made herself walk this dark path! Those selfish elite snobs hogging all the power and resources from the 99%, the cynical decline of society… She must keep bright the candle of her…
"Envy…" Azathoth prosed and made Rei gasp. "I can taste the essence of your desires… Desires driven by the sin of envy…" His tender fiber hands were passing through Hoomaru's soft skin, savoring her inner demons awaiting to be unbound. The finger of Azathoth was touching the forehead of the terrified secretary as the demonic deity engaged eye contact with her. "Receive my gift… build up that envy into a tidal wave of destruction! Awaken the demon prince of the ocean, slumbering under the sea of your subconscious…! May the world drown in a deluge of their own hedonism as you cleanse the sea off impurity!"
"GYAAAAAAAH!" Hoomaru was wailing like a restless banshee as the unholy powers of the Anti-Spiral were forcing her Persona to awaken as her eyes were overtaken by an intense white light over the overabundance of power. The other 2 witnesses that call by the name of Ragyo and Nui could feel the catastrophic power of said persona for a split second. An image of the terror of the oceans…
Now that the ritual was done, Rei Hoomaru fell down the floor completely numb and unconscious. That surge of forbidden powers was too much for her she had to pass out or the only reward the god of stagnation would gift her would be a quick but painful death…
"Do not be alarmed… The one you know as Rei Hoomaru still has her candle of light lighting as intense as ever… But, she is in need of repose for the future I see to take shape…" Azathoth spoke as he turned his all-seeing eye at his spokepriest. "But before I rest my visions on the present, there is one more thing you must be weary off, my dark priestess…"
"I'm all ears."
"Do not underestimate the threat of the wild card that imposes our vision…" Azathoth whispered at Ragyo in which case made her lost.
"Fufufu… I don't think Akira Kurusu shall be a thorn to our side anymore. Thanks to Satsuki Kiryuin, he's been dwindled down to yet another asset to our plans. A pawn won't suffice how great his servitude shall be, that is…" Ragyo responded with a mirth as she put ddown a white knight piece down her chess board.
"Take this advice as he who has seen all the depravities of those pigs from the moment of their birth… Do not repeat the same mistakes of the emperors of yore…" Azathoth restored. "They say a fresh deck of playing cards always contains 2 jokers… Use my warnings wisely… for now, I sleep… I am eager, to foresee the spoils of your work…" With those final words, the will of the Blind Idiot god vanish from the office, leaving the white matriarch back with her and her 2 daughters.
"You won't be disappointed, my lord… You won't be at all." Ragyo muttered with a grin as she got from her seat, seeing the hour that marked her clock. "Well, I should take my time to pick what dress to wear for my visit to Honnouji Academy. I must look luscious for the occasion. Grand couturier… Or whatever name suits you… Could you be a sweet child and carry Hoomaru back to her home?"
"Da'h gimmie a break. You can throw off that fancy crap if you want. Im already too accustomed to the way commonfolk talk." Shinjiro Nagita appeared sitting on her lady's table holding that sleezy chesire grin on his face.
"Still with that Nagita faceade, Nui? I thought it was just some silly identity you thought for a second. I'm just concerned that it may consumed your true self someday." Ragyo huffed seeing her dear daughter still acting like a certain cynical policeman from inaba.
"Relax… Don't you know I'm just Life Fibers? Gender is just a stupid human concept that doesn't determine who am i, so I can feel free to be who I want at any time or depending on my mood. Don't need to blow a blood vein for such a stupid triviality." Nagita was quick on changing appearance and ego once he turned back into Nui Harime. "If you really, really but reeeeeallly want to be your cute wittle daughter, all it takes is the magic works, 'kay?" Nui winked as she was cheerfully lifting her calves up and down like a childish girl.
"Once you put it that way, might as well let you do what you wish. You are the one thing that closely resemble the concept of what a perfect child should be." Ragyo said as she opened the door out of her office. "I will head back to the Kiryuin Manor for tomorrow. I must look divine for our celebration. So I hope I can expect you to be suited for such a high-regard event. Just be sure to take Hoomaru to her home once you leave." On that note Ragyo closed the door of her office to head back to her holy home.
"Sheesh… That woman and Satsuki really are cut from the same clothes, aren't they?" Nagita remarked while stretching his arms and twirling his Evoker around his sinister fingers. "Welp, I should head back. Can't let that backstabbing bitch think she has everything under control. Hehehe…"