Persona 5: The Phantom Files

by sithlorde1988

Will cover the events of Persona 5 Royal, with the sequel set to cover Strikers. What happens when in addition to Ren being sentenced to go live in the care of Sojiro Sakura for a year after being sued for assault, his younger brother is also ordered to go and oversee him? How will this extra character change things? Read to find out! More info in chapter 1! Read and review! Enjoy!

45. Pyramid's End! Traumatized Oracle part 9

A/N: sithlorde1988 here, with another chapter of Persona 5- The Phantom Files! This chapter is one I've actually been excited to get to for most of the story, since it's where some of my more blatant deviations from the plot occur, and where some unique content gets brought out. Suffice it to say, the fourth Palace Ruler fight will be quite different yet also still somewhat the same as the one in canon Royal. But you'll see what I mean when we get to that point.

Also, real quick aside that needs making, I appreciate any reviews I get, but if you're literally just going to leave a review that says, and I quote, 'this is really bad lmao', that's really not much of a review. I mean, at least specify what exactly about the story is really bad so I have an idea of what to improve upon to make the story better. But I suppose thanks to the guest who left that review (I believe their handle was 'assault' if I'm correct?) for at least reviewing!

And speaking of reviews, since I said I would do it, shout out to Thekahlibear for correcting my math in chapter 34. Apparently, as it turns out, 30 million split seven ways is 4,285,714.29 yen apiece for each of the Phantom Thieves, so I was off by a bit in the guess that Kusa had made on the number, but I was at least close, so I'm still ok with being wrong. And thanks for that correction! The input is much appreciated! That said, let's knock out the disclaimer!

Disclaimer: sithlorde1988 does not own the Persona series in any way, shape, or form aside from the OC Kusa/Draconis, who he made and thus does own, along with any other OCs that appear in the story unless otherwise stated. The actual credit for owning the Persona series belongs to Sega, Atlus and Koei Tecmo, so all ownership credit to them!

That said, on with chapter 45! I'll hopefully have a decent-length A/N after the chapter so be paying attention for that! For real now, on with chapter 45!

Chapter 45- The Oracle Awakens! Truth of the Pyramid! Traumatized Oracle part 9

(In the attic of Leblanc, with Ren, Morgana and Kusa)

"Well, while you rest your knee today, I suppose Morgana and I will go out and do some last-minute prep stuff to fully prepare the group for this coming battle." Ren said as Kusa nodded, laying back on the bed while he spoke up.

"That's fair, Ren. I have no problems with that. If nothing else, I can keep myself busy with private chats." Kusa said as Ren nodded before he and Morgana left, doing around 1,000 yen of travelling to sell some of the extra sooty gear they had, while using the points to pull a Prize Bag, which gave off 2 'Old Shroud' armors, 1 'Old Snakeskin' armor, and an 'Old Robe' armor, which were all upgrades that Ren passed around to Ryuji, Yusuke, Morgana, and Makoto, before going to Untouchable to sell off the old armor, netting Ren a close to 50,000 yen profit. After all that, Ren and Morgana went to the laundromat where Ren spent 400 more yen to run his last three pieces of sooty gear through the laundry machine, curious to see what he got for his efforts. As the machine ran, Morgana spoke up.

"This thing is shaking a lot. To be honest, the shaking of the washing machine makes it feel pretty comfortable when you sit on top." Morgana said as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"I'm sure it does. And that shaking is probably the clothes getting a spin cycle to deep-clean them, which most washing machines do." Ren said as the machine stopped, making Ren and Morgana blink before the latter spoke up in surprise.

"Oh, it looks like it's done." Morgana said before smiling as he looked at Ren before he kept speaking.

"And...finished! Oooh! This is much cleaner than I'd expected!" Morgana said before Ren laughed and spoke up.

"That's what happens when you run sooty stuff through a washer, Morgana. Let's see what we have, though." Ren said as he pulled out the gear, finding an 'Old Shroud', an 'Arcane Robe', and a 'Snakeskin Scarf'. Morgana smiled as he spoke up.

"Ooh, not a bad haul I'd say! Took long enough though! Finally it's done! I say we head back and check on Kusa, maybe figure out what we'll do for the rest of the day?" Morgana said as Ren nodded and headed back to Leblanc, sooty gear in hand...

(That evening, at Leblanc with Ren and Morgana)

Once Ren and Morgana returned to Leblanc, Ren's phone went off to signify a group chat with Ryuji, Ann, Kusa, Yusuke, and Makoto, with Ryuji sending the first response.

"Is it just me, or have there been a ton of info leaks lately? It's not Medjed, right?" Ryuji sent as Makoto sent a response.

"I think not. If it was, I'd think they'd make it into a much more theatrical occasion." Makoto sent as Ann sent a response.

"You're right! They didn't make any declarations or anything!" Ann sent as Makoto sent a response.

"Still, it's quite a headache." Makoto sent as Kusa and Ryuji sent respones close together, Ryuji's coming through first.

"The hate we're getting online is insane too. People're treating us like this is all our fault." Ryuji sent as Kusa's response came through.

"Agreed, Makoto. And Ryuji, that's to be expected when those Medjed asshats called us out like they did. There's a lot of attention on us because of that. And us taking our time because of my knee isn't helping matters, either. But it can't be helped, since I'm the one foolish enough to let myself get jumped by my ex-teammates. Luckily, Ren said the swelling is going way down, so hopefully it'll be de-swelled enough tomorrow that we can send the card then." Kusa sent as Yusuke sent a response.

"I concur. They may even denounce us if we don't hurry and take care of this." Yusuke sent as Makoto sent a message.

"Has anyone come up with a plan for solving the problem?" Makoto said as Ren sent a response.

"Not yet. All I have so far is waiting for Kusa's knee to be up to battling, then sending the calling card. I'm open to input if anyone has a good idea for getting Futaba to invite us into her room, preferably input that doesn't piss Kusa off." Ren sent as Kusa sent a response.

"Ha, ha. You're hilarious, Ren. But I do apologize for being short with you guys in the Palace the other day. Clearly, I underestimated how painful bum knees can be. But hopefully I'll be good to go tomorrow so we can keep things moving." Kusa sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"Well, I'm gonna keep trying." Ryuji sent as Ann sent a response.

"We have to do whatever we can." Ann sent as Yusuke sent a response that had Kusa frowning as he read it.

"Either way, simply relying on Futaba will not do." Yusuke sent as Kusa sent a response.

"And what is THAT supposed to mean, pray tell? I thought we agreed helping her was our best shot at stopping Medjed? And as I recall, both you AND Ryuji were pretty gung-ho on doing whatever we had to do to get Taba to invite us into her room, so I don't think you get to then say that relying on her won't do." Kusa sent as Ren sent a response.

"I think he means we need a back-up plan in case we can't help Futaba in time, that's all. Calm down, Kusa." Ren sent as Ryuji sent a response.

"I know you feel that way Yusuke, but, well, if we run out of options? That might just be our only and best choice." Ryuji sent as Ren put his phone away, not wanting to see a back-and-forth textfest with Ryuji, Kusa and Yusuke. Ren then decided to size up his options. After considering his options, Ren decided to make more Lockpicks since he'd used a few in the Palace recently, getting 6 more Lockpicks, and a boost to his Proficiency. Morgana smirked and spoke up while looking at Ren.

"You're getting a lot better at this, Ren. I could tell just by watching you! And I think Kusa could tell as well, considering I'm sure I saw him watching." Morgana said as Kusa nodded before he spoke up.

"I was indeed watching. And I gotta say Ren. I saw that dexterity you showed with your hands. The way you used those hands was truly glorious. You did great, bro!" Kusa said as Morgana spoke up.

"True. Well, it's late, so we should get to bed probably, since tomorrow might be a big day." Morgana said as Ren and Kusa nodded, getting laid down for the night...

(The next morning, in the attic of Leblanc with Ren, Kusa and Morgana)

"Morning, you two. You guys sleep well last night?" Morgana asked Ren and Kusa as they woke up. Ren nodded and spoke up.

"Yeah, it wasn't too bad of a sleep, all things considered. That said, let's see how your knee's doing, Kusa." Ren said as Kusa nodded, extending his leg out for Ren to check his bad knee, smiling as he looked it over.

"Not too bad. The swelling's way down from when we came back from the Palace the last time. I think it might be down enough that, provided you wear that knee brace, we should be good to send that calling card today." Ren said as Kusa smiled and nodded happily before speaking up.

"YES! About damn time! Now where is that knee brace?" Kusa said as Ren smiled and pulled it out from under the bed before speaking up.

"I kept it under the bed while you were laid up on it. So, shall we send the calling card?" Ren asked Kusa, who smiled and nodded. Ren then sent the text to gather the group at the hideout...

(A short time later, in the hideout with Ann, Makoto, Ren, Ryuji, Kusa, Yusuke and Morgana)

"It's way too hot! My fur is hot enough already. I don't need this weather making it worse..." Morgana said with a wince as Ren smiled and spoke up.

"True, but on a more positive note? Kusa's knee is finally recovered enough that we can move on to the calling card, so if there's no objections, let's get on sending it." Ren said as Morgana spoke up.

"Are you sure we're ready to go? Once Futaba sees the calling card, we'll need to head straight into her palace. Is that okay?" Morgana asked Ren, who spoke up.

"I know. But we're not exactly loaded with time either. Sure, we still have around 12-13 days until the calling card deadline, but there's not really a whole lot more prep to be done, aside from stat building, and that's more long-term prep than battle prep. I think we're good to go." Ren said. Morgana nodded as Ryuji spoke up.

"Oh? So you're set on doin' this?" Ryuji said as Kusa rolled his eyes from on the bed and spoke up.

"No, Ryuji. Ren just said that for the sake of it. Yes, he's set on doin' this! And to be honest, I am as well. I apologize that my leg held things up for us, but it's healed enough now that I should be good to help out with the rest of the Palace. Granted, I might be laid up for a bit afterwards so my knee can fully heal, but for now I'm good to go. Don't be such a moron, Ryuji." Kusa deadpanned as Morgana smirked and spoke up.

"Yep, he's definitely fired up! That said, looks like it's my turn to unlock the entrance. Forgive me, Chief." Morgana said as Kusa spoke up.

"Never mind Boss, Taba's the one you want to forgive you. If you anger her, she can really hold a grudge. I should know, considering she refused to talk to me for close to a week straight after you and Ren found out about her, Morgana. And then again for a few days after I told the others about her. Luckily she wasn't mad about me letting Yusuke into the loop about her, and Makoto basically let herself into the loop on Taba. So yeah, it is what it is there." Kusa said as Morgana nodded before Yusuke spoke up with a frown.

"How will we convince Futaba to let us into her room, though? Even Boss is forbidden entry." Yusuke said as Ren spoke up with a grin that had Kusa wincing as Ren spoke.

"That's easy. We'll coax her. And by we'll, I mostly mean Kusa. Since as I recall, Kusa's one of the few people she's allowed into her room before. Which says a lot to me about how she might feel about him. But I'll leave it at that for now, just so Kusa doesn't get tempted to hit me." Ren said as Kusa rolled his eyes and spoke up.

"Very funny, Ren. Luckily for you, I agree that I might be our best shot at getting into her room. However, we'll have to do it carefully. Taba's not really good with large crowds at this point. So if we do it, it'll have to be a few of us at a time to gradually ease her into being used to us, and that only after she gives us entrance. Granted, honesty could also work, but it depends on how receptive she is to the truth." Kusa said sagely. Makoto frowned as she spoke up.

"The way Ren puts it, it doesn't sound very nice. However, I suppose that IS the basic idea. Though I agree with Kusa that we should take it bit by bit and slowly ease her into being around us if we can. Maybe she'll be more comfortable with us then?" Makoto said as Kusa nodded his agreement before Yusuke frowned and spoke up.

"You know a method?" Yusuke asked as Makoto smiled and spoke up.

"I think it's quite straightforward. Futaba doesn't know what we're doing inside her Palace, correct? Hence, if we tell her we've come to steal her heart, she'll surely open the door and let us inside." Makoto said as Kusa frowned and shook his head before speaking up.

"That would be true Makoto, but you're forgetting about her tendency to push strangers away. If we just said it to her that bluntly, odds are it'd just make her push us away. And we don't want that." Kusa said as Ann blinked at Makoto's remark and spoke up.

"Wait, that's it, Makoto? I have to agree with Kusa here, I think that could do more harm than good in the long run." Ann said. Makoto frowned and spoke up.

"True, but Futaba WANTS to have a change of heart. After all, she reached out to us, albeit indirectly and with Kusa's help, for that express purpose. That desire should lead her to open the door as well." Makoto said as Kusa spoke up.

"Not quite. It might lead her to WANT to open the door. But she might still be afraid to do so. If we can reassure her that we want to help and she can trust us to do so, then that should let her be able to open the door. So it's not quite as simple as you're making it sound, but you've at least got the basic idea correct." Kusa said sagely. Ann nodded to Kusa as she spoke up.

"You're right, Kusa. But then, I'm not surprised you're that big of an expert on her, since she's probably one of the people you're closest to here, aside from us that is." Ann said as Kusa nodded and spoke up with a sigh.

"You're not wrong, Ann. However, I don't know if I'd say I consider myself all that close to some of us here. But others, like Morgana-sensei and Ren, I do feel somewhat close to. And of course you're someone I'm close to. But then, that goes without saying considering we see each other as something akin to siblings and all. Whereas, I find myself uniquely close to Taba, perhaps to the point that she's become quite special to me, as much as I don't like admitting to such things lightly. But that just makes it all the more important that we do this right." Kusa said in a determined voice. Ann smiled and nodded as she spoke up.

"That's true, Kusa. And you know, it's not a big deal that you're apparently falling for her. After all, Ren basically admitted to me recently he's falling for Yoshizawa-san, and I don't judge him for it. So I doubt I'd be any more inclined to judge you for having feelings for Futaba-chan. If anything, I think you could have a better shot at getting her to reciprocate than Ren possibly has with Yoshizawa-san. That said, our feelings should get through if we just try and talk to her." Ann said as Kusa spoke up.

"And by we, I'm guessing you mean yourself and Ren, and probably me, rather than Ryuji, Makoto or Yusuke? No offense to the three of you, but you all did somewhat unnerve/scare her the last time we were at her house, and I think she might not have the best opinion of Ryuji in particular given what she heard him say about Boss that night. After all, she thinks quite highly of him. I don't think it'd be inaccurate to say she might even see him as a father figure of sorts." Kusa said as Ryuji huffed but nodded and spoke up.

"Eh, that's fair. I did basically insult Boss that night by calling him old, so I can't be mad that she's annoyed with me for that. I deserve it, if anything. All right, I believe in Futaba! C'mon, let's get this done!" Ryuji said as Ren helped Kusa put his knee brace on and the group started heading over to try and speak to Futaba...

(Meanwhile, at the Sakura household, in Futaba's room with Futaba)

Futaba frowned as she looked at her phone, blinking as she saw a new app on it that she hadn't installed previously, causing her to frown before she spoke up in surprise.

"Huh? An eyeball icon? For an app? What's this? Huh, when did it get on here?" Futaba said as she hit a button on it, causing her room to flash red as a figure appeared inside the room that looked rather similar to her, making her gasp as she got to her feet in surprise and spoke up.

"Wh-Whoaaa! Wh-Who're you?" Futaba asked the figure that resembled her, unaware that she was actually speaking to her own Shadow. Futaba's Shadow then spoke up.

"I am the other you." Futaba's Shadow said as Futaba blinked and spoke up.

"Is this some kinda hallucination? It's different from usual. And what do you mean, 'the other me'?" Futaba asked. Futaba's Shadow spoke up once more.

"Never mind that for now. Tell me, how long will you continue blaming yourself and shutting yourself away from the world?" Futaba's Shadow asked Futaba, who blinked and spoke up.

"Blaming myself for what?" Futaba asked in confusion. Futaba's Shadow spoke up ominously.

"For your mother's death. Don't you think it's time you grasped the truth of that moment? What happened before your eyes that day. What happened to your mother that fateful day." Futaba's Shadow said as Futaba winced and spoke up.

"The truth. Maybe you're right." Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow spoke up.

"Why did you choose to rely on the Phantom Thieves?" Futaba's Shadow asked as Futaba gasped before speaking up.

"That's kind of a loaded question, but if I was being honest? It was because I thought changing my heart would help me overcome my pain and suffering." Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow spoke up in a disdainful tone.

"Be that as it may, are you simply going to shut yourself in and do nothing? Are you going to avert your eyes from the true answer?" Futaba's Shadow asked Futaba, who winced as if struck by the question, but if that was rough, what Futaba's Shadow said next was rougher.

"If so, I will kill them in your world." Futaba's Shadow said ominously before vanishing in a flash of red, leaving Futaba to frown as she spoke once more.

"I have no idea what just happened. But what I do know is, I'm confused. What should I do?" Futaba said as the Phantom Thieves gathered outside her door. At that point, Makoto quietly spoke up, mostly to herself.

"We're sorry for sneaking in so many times, Boss." Makoto said to herself as Kusa huffed before speaking up.

"Are you, though? You weren't all that sorry when Boss proved me right that he'd never so much as lift a finger to hurt Taba, after all. Granted, I did forgive you for that, since you were sincere in both your apologies and the remorse you showed while doing so. But still, it's difficult to be sorry for something if you keep doing it." Kusa said before Morgana spoke up to cut off Kusa before he could go on a rant and because he had noticed why the door in the Palace was so familiar.

"There's no mistaking it. This is the same door as in the Palace." Morgana said as Makoto nodded and knocked on the door, ignoring Kusa's wince as she did so.

"Hello, Futaba? You're there, aren't you? Please answer us." Makoto said as Morgana spoke up with a frown.

"I doubt she'd answer." Morgana said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"Agreed, especially when you call her by her name, and not even the name she'd probably rather be called by you at that." Kusa said dryly before he turned to the door and spoke up.

"Hey, sorry about the sudden intrusion, Taba, but apparently the mission to change your heart hit a bit of a snag, and said snag requires your assistance to overcome it. You can just private chat with me if you don't want to speak right now, and I'll understand." Kusa said as Makoto nodded and spoke up.

"Alibaba, we know you're there. it doesn't matter if it's through chat messaging. Just answer us." Makoto said as both Ren and Kusa's phones went off at the same time. Kusa discreetly checked his phone and read the private chat.

"What happened to advance warning when this sort of stuff would happen?" Futaba sent as Kusa sent a response.

"I did give you advance warning. You might not've seen it yet, but I sent you a message about an hour ago saying we were coming over to discuss an important matter with you regarding your change of heart. I'm not sure if maybe you didn't get it yet or what, but I did give you advance warning, Taba. I'd never just drop in on you unannounced like that. I'm not that rude." Kusa sent as Ren read his chat from Alibaba.

"You should've told me you were going to come here, Ren Amamiya." Alibaba sent as Makoto spoke up.

"In order to steal your heart, we need you to open this door. We can't change your heart otherwise. Please let us in." Makoto sent as Kusa saw he had a reply from Futaba.

"Is Makoto always that persistent!? Also, how does me opening my door to your friends help them change my heart exactly?" Futaba sent as Kusa sent a response.

"In a nutshell, we ran into a sealed door that resembles your bedroom door that you have to open for us by inviting us in, thus giving us permission to enter said sealed door in your Palace, which is probably where your Treasure is being kept, and thus where we need to go to change your heart successfully. We're so close to the finish, but now the ball's in your court, so to speak. Only you can let us in so we can enter the final part of your Palace and finish changing your heart.

I know this is probably very scary to you, but I'm here for you if you need to lean on me for support through all this. But I believe in you, Taba. You're a fighter. You'll get through this. You've been strong enough to get through everything else you've been through to this point, after all. So I'd dare say you have the strength to open your bedroom door, and by extension your heart, to us." Kusa sent as Ren's phone went off with a reply from Alibaba.

"I'm not mentally prepared!" Alibaba sent as Ren sent a response.

"I understand that, but if we're to change your heart, there's not much choice. You have to do this if you want us to change your heart. Otherwise, if you don't, we literally won't be able to get at your Treasure, which is something we have to do in order for us to be able to finish changing your heart. That's what you want, right? Us to help take away your pain and suffering? Or was Kusa mistaken when he told me you were in a lot of pain and misery? I have no desire to exacerbate or aggravate those feelings, but this is necessary if we're to change your heart." Ren sent as Alibaba sent a response.

"Hmph. That's easy for YOU to say." Alibaba sent as Makoto spoke up, ignoring Kusa's eyes widening at what she said.

"The other you within your heart told us to have you open it. Deep down, you want to open this door, don't you?" Makoto said as Kusa spoke up.

"Oh sure, phrase it like that, Makoto. That's totally not going to come off as crazy to Taba or anything." Kusa deadpanned as he crossed his arms and huffed at how bluntly Makoto had phrased the request of Futaba's Shadow. At that point, Kusa's phone went off with a response from Futaba.

"What does she mean by 'the other me'?" Futaba sent as Kusa sent a response.

"That's a bit of a long story, but basically in your Palace, we found a cognitive version of you that was dressed like, of all things, an Egyptian queen/pharaoh. And, um, to be honest, she was really rocking that look. I know this probably isn't the time to be saying this, but if she was part of you then you clean up real nice, Taba. But then, I always knew you were a beauty, so I'm not as surprised as I might otherwise have been." Kusa sent, unaware of the fact that his honest, if a bit smooth/suave, words would make Futaba blush slightly at the compliment he'd given her. Meanwhile, Ren's phone went off with a reply from Alibaba.

"The other me?" Alibaba sent as Makoto nodded and spoke up, having been reading Ren's chat over his shoulder.

"Right. We're trying to uphold our promise, but you're the one resisting us." Makoto sent as Ren's phone went off with a response.

"Give me some time." Alibaba sent as Makoto spoke up, her words making Kusa frown at her.

"Ten seconds." Makoto said as Kusa's phone went off with a reply from Futaba.

"Why is she only giving me seconds!? She could at least give minutes, you know." Futaba sent as Kusa chuckled and sent a response.

"True, she could. But at this point, time is getting limited. We do have a bit over 2 weeks left until Medjed's planned due date for the cleanse, but I think we all, yourself included, would rather see this done sooner as opposed to later. But, don't mind her. She means well. Take as much time as you need, within reason." Kusa sent as Ren's phone went off with a reply from Alibaba.

"That's too short! At least minutes. Please!" Alibaba sent as Ren closed his chat and Makoto sighed and spoke up.

"Fine. But if Boss comes home, we'll kick down the door and enter if we must." Makoto said as Kusa frowned and spoke up.

"Wait, what!? The hell we will! Besides, wouldn't kicking her door down be counter-intuitive to her inviting us in, Makoto!? And moreover, who knows what implications that would have on the door in the Palace?" Kusa said rebukingly, not amused by Makoto's threat as Makoto huffed and spoke up so only Kusa could hear.

"That was a bluff. I know that we can't actually kick her door down. Even Ryuji knows that. And not even he would kick a girl's door down without her permission, since that's the height of rudeness." Makoto said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"Fair enough. I apologize for coming off rude, but someone's gotta look out for Futaba's happiness and peace of mind here." Kusa said simply as Makoto nodded. After a few minutes, Makoto knocked on the door and spoke up.

"Time's up, Alibaba." Makoto sent as Kusa and Ren's phones went off with responses, Kusa checking his first.

"Thank you. At least someone out there cares about what I want. Not to say that Ren doesn't, because I can tell he does, but unlike him, you actually seem to respect and care about what I want. How someone as kind and considerate as you can be friends with inconsiderate sorts like Ryuji and Makoto shocks and confuses me. That said, I guess I better open up the door now." Futaba sent as Kusa sent a response.

"Of course I care about what you want, Taba. You were listening before when I said I care about you, right? Because I meant it then, and I mean it now. I'm always going to have your back, Futaba. That said, once the door opens, would you prefer us to enter a few at a time to ease you into being around our whole group since there's quite a few of us? Or would you rather we all enter at once?" Kusa sent as Ren checked his response.

"All right, I'll open it now." Alibaba sent as Ren put his phone away and Kusa's went off with a response.

"Probably just all of you at once. You did say time was sensitive, after all. So I doubt I have the luxury of taking time to get used to your group. So best to just get it over with. But I appreciate you giving me the choice. You're always so considerate of my feelings and wishes. Not sure how I managed to find a friend like you, but boy am I glad I did." Futaba sent as Kusa sent a response.

"As you wish. And I'd like to think I'm the lucky one, to be able to have such a priceless and beautiful young lady like yourself allowing me into her life and possibly her heart. So never doubt I'm here for you if you need me." Kusa sent as he put his phone away as Makoto spoke up.

"We need to change her cognition. Better to be completely safe than sorry." Makoto said as Kusa nodded, his eyes narrowing as he spoke up.

"Agreed. Though let me just say right now, I reserve the right to punch people later on if I see a bunch of you pressuring her into things she's not comfortable with. I know we need to do this to get her Treasure, but it's not worth it if we end up alienating her from us after the fact. So at least TRY to have some tact when we go in there." Kusa said with a frown. Yusuke then spoke up with a contemplative expression.

"So she has to be the one to invite us in. Not sure why that is, but if she can pull that off, it will be quite impressive, indeed. Especially given the fact she's a bit of a shut-in." Yusuke said as Makoto nodded and spoke up.

"Futaba, please open the door." Makoto said. Surprisingly, the door did in fact lightly slide open not long after that, making everyone but Kusa blink in surprise, while Kusa smiled at what he viewed as a huge step for Futaba as Ryuji spoke up.

"All right, let's go in. Hopefully, she's not trying to hide herself in another area." Ryuji said as Kusa winced and spoke up.

"With our luck? That's probably EXACTLY what she's doing, just because you said that Ryuji. Also, let me say it now. Keep your effing temper in check, man! It's bad enough you scared her Shadow in the Palace! We don't need you traumatizing the real Taba too. Got it?" Kusa said in a hushed tone to Ryuji, who nodded as the group filed into Futaba's room, where the group winced as they saw the papers and stuff strewn across the ground as Kusa winced and spoke up.

"Yeah, sorry if it's a mess. She's not exactly the most motivated person there is, but that's hardly her fault with what she's been through." Kusa said as Yusuke spoke up.

"Fair enough, but what is this?" Yusuke said as Makoto looked at the books on the shelves in front of her, also noting the computer set out on the desk as well while she spoke.

"Medical science, information technology, biology, psychology. Holy crap, these are all technical books, aren't they?" Makoto asked rhetorically as Kusa nodded with a smile, speaking up at that point to answer Makoto.

"Yep. Taba's a very smart young lady. Granted, she's also a very vulnerable, withdrawn young lady, hence why we're changing her heart. The fact she asked us to do so is both coincidental and irrelevant to my point right now." Kusa said as the others nodded before Ann frowned and spoke up.

"Wait, she keeps herself cooped up in a room like this all the time?" Ann asked in surprise. Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"Yep. Granted, during the week I stayed here with her and Boss, I was able to coax her out of her room a few times to spend time on the living room couch with me, but otherwise she spends most if not all of her time in here." Kusa said, a proud smile on his face as Yusuke spoke up.

"True, but be that as it may, where's Futaba?" Yusuke asked as Ryuji frowned and spoke up.

"Where could she be hiding?" Ryuji said as Kusa winced and spoke up.

"Dammit. Ryuji? I think your guess from before might have been spot-on, in which case I blame you for giving her ideas. But I think I know where she's hiding. I believe she's in that closet that Ryuji's actually standing in front of." Kusa said knowingly as a shuffling came from said closet right at that moment, most likely from Futaba trying to facefault against the door, but not being able to and settling for lightly smacking her head on the door. The group jumped, aside from Kusa, as Makoto spoke up.

"The closet!?" Makoto said in shock as Yusuke spoke up while the group gave the closet their attention.

"She'll shut herself in to the bitter end, hm?" Yusuke asked as Kusa dryly laughed and spoke up.

"Of course she will, Yusuke. Let's be fair here. Outside of myself and maybe Morgana, she doesn't really know any of us that well right now, so she might as well be inviting strangers into her room for all that she knows of the majority of us. Besides, one thing about shut-ins. It's not easy to coax a shut-in out of their comfort zone, but if you can pull it off, and keep them there, you'll eventually get them out of their shell. However, that's with a normal shut-in. And Taba, as everyone here should know by now, is a special case. She's a shut-in with a traumatic past. So that's going to make her extra-prone to hiding behind her comfort zone." Kusa said knowingly as Morgana frowned and spoke up.

"True, but be that as it may, even if that door's opened up, we'll just get stopped again inside. I bet a fence or something formed right in front of the Treasure now." Morgana said as Kusa spoke up.

"More than likely, she added a closet to her Treasure room and the treasure's now in there, if anything. But let's be patient. I think we can coax her out eventually. We got this far, didn't we?" Kusa said. The group nodded, before Futaba's voice came from the closet.

"Th-This makes no sense! Explain yourselves!" Futaba said as Ryuji gaped in surprise and spoke up.

"Whoa, she talked. That's amazing. And here I thought we'd only get her to reply through messages." Ryuji said as Kusa frowned and spoke up.

"Watch it, Ryuji. The fact she spoke up at all is progress for her. So don't make light of that. Besides, that's not why we did this." Kusa said as Makoto spoke up.

"We needed to change your cognition, Alibaba. Unless we do so, we can't steal your heart." Makoto said as Yusuke crossed his arms and spoke up.

"I highly doubt she would understand it even if we explained it to her. Then again, we've gotten farther than I thought we would." Yusuke said as Kusa glared at him and spoke up.

"Shut up, Yusuke. Don't talk like you know Taba at all. She's smarter than you give her credit for." Kusa said flatly, an unimpressed look in his eyes as he looked at Yusuke. At that moment, Futaba proved Kusa correct by speaking up.

"So basically, my cognition is being a hindrance, keeping you away from the core of my cognitive world?" Futaba said, making Kusa smirk at how easily she understood it, while Ann spoke up in surprise.

"Huh? She understood it?" Ann asked as Kusa nodded and grinned before he spoke up.

"Yep. I did say before that Taba's a very smart lady, after all. That wasn't just an exaggeration. Taba here might be a few months younger than me, but she studies stuff that even third-years wouldn't study. So, I'll thank you all not to underestimate her intelligence." Kusa said flatly as Makoto spoke up, ignoring the simultaneous facefaults her remark would get from both Kusa and Futaba, even if they couldn't see the latter facefaulting.

"Why do you know about that? Who are you?" Makoto asked as Futaba winced at the question and Kusa spoke up, giving Makoto an unimpressed glare while he spoke.

"I'm sorry, but WHAT!? What sort of stupid question is that, Makoto!? I thought you knew by now who she was! Why else would we go through all of this if you didn't know who she is!?" Kusa asked in annoyance, only just remembering to keep his voice to a low level so as not to scare Futaba, despite his urge to yell at Makoto. Ryuji then spoke up.

"Why'd you call yourself Alibaba and make things more complicated? If you wanted help, you could've just asked for it." Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up, frowning at Ryuji while he spoke up.

"Ryuji, you do recall I said she's a shut-in, right? Asking for help's not exactly an easy thing for shut-ins to do, much less reaching out to people and even initiating conversations. Take it from someone who used to be a shut-in as well when they were younger, it's not as easy as it sounds to ask for help sometimes. Aside from it being a nerve-wracking prospect, it can be rather embarrassing as well." Kusa said knowingly. Futaba then smiled at what Kusa said before she spoke up.

"Exactly. I was embarrassed." Futaba said, though only Kusa understood it since he was used to hearing her mumble occasionally. The others heard it as '...was ...rrassed.' Ryuji frowned and spoke up.

"Huh? M-My bad. I didn't catch that." Ryuji said as Kusa frowned and spoke up at the same time Futaba spoke up.

"She said she was embarrassed!/Ugh! 'Cause I was embarrassed." Kusa and Futaba both said simultaneously, ignoring the wide, knowing grins on Ren and Ryuji's faces at the two's synchronicity as Kusa spoke up.

"You don't have to be embarrassed about asking for help, Taba. Some of these guys can be tactless and idiotic at times, but they're good people who would never hurt you, mostly because they know full well I'd slug any of 'em who tried. If you don't take anything else away from today, then at least remember this. I'm not going to let anyone hurt you if I can prevent it at all, Futaba. So at least trust that I'll protect you to the best of my ability." Kusa said as Ann spoke up.

"Hm, I think I get it. Kusa is right about one thing. Asking someone for help isn't that easy, as he and Ren probably might recall from the day they helped me talk through some rough stuff before I joined the group." Ann said as Makoto blinked but spoke up.

"Futaba, can you tell us more? How do you know about the cognitive world?" Makoto asked Futaba, who spoke up.

"Honestly? 'Cause I knew about it." Futaba said as Kusa spoke up.

"Again, can you not ask stupid questions, Makoto? She likely studied it in one of these books, plus Taba once told me her mother studied that sort of thing as well if I recall correctly. So it stands to reason she'd know about it." Kusa said as Ann blinked and spoke up.

"True. Oh yeah, that reminds me. Boss was talking about 'cognition' or something before, right?" Ann said as Ryuji spoke up.

"You think this is related to how he was gettin' grilled by that one lady?" Ryuji asked as Makoto blinked and nodded.

"True, and I think Kusa might have a point. Perhaps her mother was researching this cognitive science that was mentioned?" Makoto said as Kusa rolled his eyes and spoke up.

"Probably, but I think it's 'psience', not science. And I believe the term is cognitive psience?" Kusa said as Futaba spoke up.

"Correct, Kusa. 'Cognitive Psience', with a PSI in front! Less science, more supernatural. That's important." Futaba said as Yusuke spoke up.

"Well, that certainly got her attention. It seems we're on the right track." Yusuke said as Makoto spoke up.

"So, cognitive...psience? Futaba, what was your mother working on?" Makoto asked as Kusa winced and spoke up.

"Yeah, that's a really tactful question to ask her, Makoto. I won't be surprised if she's reluctant to answer it, considering the sore subject entailed in that question." Kusa said dryly. Makoto spoke up.

"Shut it, Kusa. This is probably necessary for our interests. That said, please tell us, Futaba-chan. What happened?" Makoto asked. When Futaba didn't answer, Yusuke spoke up.

"She's not answering." Yusuke said as Kusa dryly chuckled and spoke up.

"Gee, I wonder why she's not answering? Maybe it's because, oh I don't know, you don't ask someone you barely know about what their deceased loved one was working on? That's both rude and tactless! Besides, I fail to see how this relates to changing her heart. I could see it if we were asking her about that jackass that both Madarame and Kaneshiro spoke of, or the one who we've taken to referring to as Black Mask, but I doubt very much she knows anything about them. So can we stay on task for now?" Kusa asked irately, very annoyed with Makoto and Yusuke at that moment. Ryuji spoke up, making Kusa look at him in a mix of surprise and respect with what he said next.

"Yo, maybe save this for later. Because she's been through some serious shit, so we should back off on that subject, you know?" Ryuji said as Kusa blinked and spoke up.

"Wow, that was actually rather considerate and thoughtful of you, Ryuji. I'm impressed." Kusa said as Makoto spoke up.

"True. She did say things like 'die' after all." Makoto said as Ann blinked and spoke up.

"Hold on." Ann said as she spoke up, her next words making Kusa frown at her as she spoke.

"Futaba-chan, did you really kill your mother?" Ann asked as Ryuji's eyes went wide and he spoke up.

"Whoa, you moron!" Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up, his arms crossed while he spoke.

"Surprisingly, and I mean no offense to Ryuji when I say this at all, I agree with Ryuji. What in the effing hell sort of a question is that, Ann!? Of course she didn't kill her! If she could kill her own mother, then we're all messed up. Because I don't think Futaba's any different than us at all, her shut-in tendencies aside. She's been kicked around and treated like garbage by most of her so-called family for a long time. So I'd be very much surprised if she wasn't feeling as if she had few places that she felt she could belong.

As such, I think if we can get her over her shut-in ways, and if we can get her to warm to us, she might just make for a good addition to our group, even if part of me is reluctant to put her at risk like that. But I think that's just the part of me that wants to keep her safe no matter what and is insanely protective of her talking." Kusa said. Ann kept speaking, ignoring Ren and Kusa.

"Wasn't her death an accident? What actually happened? 'Maternity neurosis'? Is that really true?" Ann asked as Yusuke frowned and spoke up.

"Ann." Yusuke said warningly but Ann kept speaking.

"We saw what your heart is like, but we still can't figure anything out." Ann said as Kusa spoke up.

"If we can't figure anything out, what makes you think Taba can, Ann? It might be her heart, but sometimes we all have things we struggle to make sense of. And besides that, we saw from those flashbacks that Futaba's both highly vulnerable and also quite resilient, given how much screwed-up bullcrap she's been through already. Yet, despite all that, she's willing to open up her room to us, just to get us to steal her heart. And yet, you would rather grill her about her mother!? Are you REALLY that tactless, Ann!?" Kusa asked flatly as Ann kept speaking, glaring at Kusa as she spoke, not amused with his protective instincts being turned on her.

"I know that, Kusa! Let me finish! Futaba-chan, the mother that Boss told us about is completely different from your cognition!" Ann said as a faint groan could be heard from in the closet as Ann kept speaking.

"We want to hear the truth from your mouth." Ann said as Kusa spoke up.

"Ugh, way to basically open up a sore spot for her, Ann!" Kusa said irately, but to his surprise, Futaba spoke up.

"M-My mom, my mom was murdered. The one who killed her was..Nngh!" Futaba said, clearly in pain from trying to recall. Makoto then spoke up, ignoring the glare Kusa was giving her and Ann as she spoke.

"It's possible that she can't remember because her heart has become distorted." Makoto said as Kusa spoke up.

"Possibly. I still say it's because that's an awfully sore subject to bring up around her, though. But if you're right Makoto, that makes it even more vital that we change her heart, if only so we can hopefully bring her some needed closure on her loss. That way, maybe she can finally begin the healing process she's been denied for so long. She deserves to at least be able to find some peace and happiness. She doesn't need to suffer the way she has. And asking stupid questions like what Ann asked isn't doing her, or US for that matter, any favors." Kusa said bluntly. Ann winced as she spoke up, seeing Kusa's point in that moment.

"Ugh, you're probably right, Kusa. I'm sorry, brother. And I'm so sorry, Futaba-chan. It's just that, I've went through a lot myself, and I feel I can relate on some of it, so I shouldn't have asked you what I just did. And I feel terrible for it, truly I do. I'm sorry." Ann said. At that moment, the closet door flew open and Futaba came out and basically prostrated herself before the surprised group as she spoke up.

"Th-There! Now steal it!" Futaba said as Kusa laughed and spoke up, smiling at how adorable, yet vulnerable, Futaba looked in that moment as he spoke.

"Silly Taba, that's not how the heart stealing process works. However, you coming out like this is rather helpful since that should open our path to the Treasure. That said, I better not hear anyone cracking any jokes about how she literally came out of the closet, because I reserve the right to full-on deck the first person I hear cracking one." Kusa said dryly, the serious look on his eyes conveying full well he meant what he said. Ryuji then spoke up.

"Whoa, what's gotten into you all of a sudden?" Ryuji asked, though Kusa was unsure if it was aimed at him or Futaba. Meanwhile, Futaba spoke up, clearly not having heard what Kusa said to her.

"C-C'mon, hurry it up!" Futaba said, making Kusa actually wince a bit from how visibly she was shaking, making him have to actually reign in his impulse to go wrap his arms around her and comfort her. Makoto then spoke up.

"We did come to steal your heart, but it's not really done right here at this moment. However, you have set the groundwork for us to be able to start the rest of the process to change your heart. So we thank you for your assistance. All you really had to do was open that closet door." Makoto said as Futaba looked up at her in surprise, still shaking. Makoto smiled and spoke up.

"I'm sorry for making you jump to conclusions. You don't have to be like that." Makoto said. Kusa frowned and spoke up.

"After what you said about Sakura-kun, you should consider yourself extremely lucky she's even in the same room with you, Makoto. She's in her rights to hate you for those false beliefs of yours." Kusa pointed out dryly. Futaba chuckled as she spoke up.

"I-I see. My apologies." Futaba said as she walked back into the closet and closed the door. Ann blinked and spoke up in surprise.

"She went back in!" Ann said in disbelief. Kusa spoke up while giving Ann an incredulous look, as if stunned she would be surprised by Futaba going back into the closet.

"Of course she did. Having a door between her and strangers is something of a security blanket of sorts for Taba when it comes to dealing with people she barely knows. I count myself both fortunate and blessed that she's already comfortable enough with me that she doesn't feel the need to keep such a distance from me." Kusa said as Futaba spoke up.

"Wh-What's the meaning of this!? D-Did you guys trick me?" Futaba asked the group as Makoto spoke up before Kusa could.

"NO! Please listen! There's a reason we had to do this!" Makoto said as Morgana frowned and spoke up.

"She's aware of the cognitive world, but it seems she doesn't understand how a change of heart occurs." Morgana said as Makoto spoke up.

"Um, Futaba, how much do you know about the cognitive world?" Makoto asked Futaba who spoke up.

"I know that there's another world based on cognition. But I don't know how to get there. Can you guys go there? You said you 'saw my heart' earlier." Futaba said as Makoto nodded and spoke up.

"Yes, that's right." Makoto said as Futaba spoke up again.

"How do you do it?" Futaba asked as Makoto spoke up, her words making Kusa wince at how unbelievable they probably would sound to Futaba.

"We use a smartphone app." Makoto said as Futaba blinked and spoke up.

"An app?" Futaba asked as Makoto nodded and spoke up.

"Yes. By entering the required information, we can go to the cognitive world." Makoto said as Ryuji spoke up at that point.

"A name, a place, and a distortion-those three. So in this case, 'Futaba Sakura', 'Sojiro Sakura's house', and-" Ryuji said as Makoto cut him off by speaking up before he was done speaking.

"Futaba, you don't happen to have this app, do you?" Makoto asked as Futaba spoke up.

"This app? No, pretty sure I don't." Futaba said as Makoto sighed in relief and spoke up.

"Thank goodness. Okay then." Makoto said as Futaba spoke up, her words shocking everyone except for Kusa.

"Can you take me with you too?" Futaba asked. Ren blinked at the question as he spoke up.

"Hmm...what should we do, guys? On one hand, it is rather dangerous in the Metaverse, but on the other, she's earned the right to see her own Palace for herself, risks aside." Ren asked as Ryuji huffed and spoke up.

"Why're you even askin'? Of course she can't come with us." Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up.

"That's because, unlike you, Makoto and even Ann, Ren's trying to be considerate of her feelings. Which, to be honest, is most likely why Ren's got a girl potentially falling for him, and you don't, Ryuji. That aside, I feel like that's Futaba's decision to make on if she can come or not, though I agree it'll be dangerous for her if she goes. But I figure she knows by now, I'd keep her safe, with my very being if I had to. That said, you're not wrong that her coming along would be dangerous." Kusa said. Futaba sighed as she spoke up, not surprised by Ryuji's response and disappointed in being told no, but respecting the decision while she spoke.

"I'll leave it to you then." Futaba said sullenly. Ryuji smiled and spoke up, pleased that Futaba could be reasonable as he spoke.

"Good. And you better not forget about our promise, all right?" Ryuji said. At that point, the group filed out of the room, excluding Ryuji, Ren and Kusa, as Ryuji spoke up.

"Oh yeah! Almost forgot! We gotta deliver her calling card! The Treasures's not gonna appear if she doesn't read it, after all!" Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up.

"I know. You guys go on ahead and start heading to the Palace. I'll catch up once I deliver the calling card to her. If nothing else, I owe it to her to let her get it in person." Kusa said resolutely. Ren nodded and spoke up at that point.

"Very well, but you better be close behind us. After all, calling cards only have a limited-time effect once they're read." Ren said as he and Ryuji left the room, leaving just Kusa and Futaba alone in Futaba's room. At that point, Futaba came out of the closet, smiling at Kusa as she spoke up.

"Whew, glad that's done. Is this the calling card I prepared?" Futaba asked as Kusa nodded before he spoke up with a proud grin.

"Yep. And it was hand-written by yours truly. Go on, read it." Kusa said to Futaba who nodded and looked the card over before speaking up.

"It's not the most lit-up in here for me to read it, even outside the closet." Futaba said as Kusa laughed and spoke up.

"That's an easy fix. You have a light switch in here, right?" Kusa asked Futaba, who nodded and spoke up.

"On the wall behind you." Futaba said as Kusa flipped it, lighting up the room and making Futaba flush slightly as she spoke up.

"Can I be honest? That whole thing just now was rather embarrassing. But I am happy that you were willing to speak up for me the way you did. So thank you for that, truly." Futaba said as she gently laid her head on Kusa's shoulder as he put an arm around her and spoke up.

"You're welcome. I'll always have your back, Taba. Never doubt that." Kusa said sincerely, both unaware that Morgana had lingered behind to make sure the calling card was read, and that he was eavesdropping on his conversation with Futaba. As she looked at it with the lights on, Futaba spoke up to read it.

"Hmm, let's see here, so this is the calling card for me. This says, 'To the Lady Futaba Sakura, the distorted Pharaoh of Sloth and Wrath, your greatest sin is that you've let yourself drown in the river of your slothful and distorted desires, all to escape what is surely a most painful and traumatic past. As such, we, the Phantom Thieves of Heart, have unanimously agreed that you are in need of a change of heart, and as such will be sure to steal away every last iota of those distorted desires.

Consider yourself warned, dear lady! We shall not fail to save you from yourself and change your heart! We're coming for you! So be prepared for us! -Yours, the Phantom Crew aka the Phantom Thieves of Heart. P.S.: The venerable Draconis extends his sympathy to you, and hopes this change of heart will help you to find the peace you so rightly deserve from your suffering.' I...I...wow. Kusa, this is amazing." Futaba said as she smiled at Kusa and threw herself into hugging him in gratitude as at that same time, the scene flickered away to show Futaba's Shadow, gaping as she spoke up.

"No, could it be? I'm...I'm going to die. So this is how it ends?" Futaba's Shadow said as the screen panned back to Futaba leaning into Kusa's embrace as Morgana chose that moment to jump onto the bed and speak up, making Kusa and Futaba jump as he spoke.

"Good." Morgana said as Futaba screamed, losing her balance and knocking herself and Kusa to the ground, luckily making Kusa land on his good knee and not the bad one.

"Eek! Ugh, Kitty! You again!?" Futaba said as Morgana fled the room, Kusa being unable to help but laugh at Futaba's words as he spoke up.

"Taba, you're such a silly dork. You know he doesn't like to be called 'Cat' or 'Kitty'. I know I told you this. Ugh, you're so lucky you're a cute dork, so I can't be annoyed at you for that, and he did bring it on himself for hiding to ensure the card was read like that. I told him not to do that though." Kusa said as Futaba smiled and nodded, looking at Kusa as she spoke up.

"I know what Ren and Ryuji said earlier, but I really do want to go with you guys, to be able to see my Palace with my own eyes. Because, I'll be honest, I'm curious about it. And I know you'll keep me safe if I go with you. So, will you take me with you, Kusa? Please?" Futaba asked Kusa, purposely batting her eyelashes at him cutely for effect, making him flush in embarrassment as he spoke up.

"Dammit Taba, don't bat those eyelashes at me! You know I find that irresistibly cute! Luckily for you, I agree that this is something you have the right to do, if you feel you can handle it. As such, even though it goes directly against what Ren and Ryuji said, as well as my better judgment, I will allow you to accompany me. All I ask in turn is that you stay close to me, and not try running off on your own, no matter what you see in there.

Because I won't lie to you Taba, the Metaverse can be a crazy place sometimes. And it can also be an eye-opening experience if you're not prepared for it. So if you can handle all of that, I'll allow you to accompany me to the Metaverse." Kusa said as Futaba smiled, kissing Kusa on the cheek as she spoke up happily, smiling at the sight of the shy looking smile on the usually stoic Kusa's face as she spoke.

"Thanks! I knew I could count on you, Kusa! Let's go!" Futaba said as Kusa nodded, pulling the two into the Metaverse with the Meta-Nav on his phone...

(Meanwhile, inside the Metaverse with Joker, Mona, Skull, Queen, Panther and Fox)

"Wow, the Palace's security level is so high, I can feel it from all the way out here somehow." Panther said. Skull frowned as he spoke up.

"Eh? Futaba seemed totally up for getting her heart stolen before. So, what's up with this?" Skull asked as before Joker could answer him, the group heard the roar of a dragon as the sky darkened briefly overhead before a familiar dragon descended before the group and Draconis hopped off of it, before speaking to it.

"Smaug, thanks for the ride my friend. We thank you for your assistance." Draconis said, and before anyone could voice their confusion at his usage of the word 'we', their unspoken question was answered by the sight of a familiar red-head dismounting Smaug, making the group gasp as Skull spoke up.

"What the eff is Futaba doing here!? Didn't I tell Joker it was too dangerous?" Skull said as Futaba spoke up.

"Hmph, like that's gonna stop me! If you must know, I followed Draconis here as he went into the Metaverse after you guys. I wanted to see this place for myself." Futaba said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"And I told her that she has to stick close to me if she does so, that way I can protect her easily if needed. Besides, it's kinda too late now to send her back anyways." Draconis said. Mona shrugged and spoke up.

"Fair enough. But Draconis? We WILL be having words later about you going against Joker and Skull's decisions! Anyways, back on topic, hm, it seems to me that something about this place really is unusual." Mona said as Draconis spoke up.

"I think that might be because of the OTHER person whose Shadow might linger in this Palace, a person who Futaba here might have unintentionally allowed to exist within her Palace after that fateful day. One that Futaba isn't even aware exists in here, despite how much she misses her." Draconis said as the others, Futaba included, gasped as the implications of Draconis' theory sank in and Futaba spoke up.

"No! Are you suggesting what I think you're suggesting, Kusa!?" Futaba asked Draconis, who nodded before he spoke up to gently correct Futaba on her using the wrong name.

"First of all Taba, while we're in the Metaverse, we use code names. The one you called 'Kitty' before is Mona. The one who questioned why you were here is Skull. The flashy guy in the black dress coat and red gloves is our leader, Joker. The quiet one over there in the kitsune mask is Fox. And the ladies are Panther and Queen. And as for me, I go by Draconis while in the Metaverse, since it's my code name, apparently given as a nod to the fact that my temper can put the temper of a dragon to shame at times. Or so Skull said when he helped to coin said code name. But to your question? Depends on what you think I'm suggesting." Draconis said as Mona huffed and spoke up.

"Enough! Regardless of Draconis' theory, whether or not it's true, there's only one thing for us to do now that we've sent the calling card!" Mona said as Skull nodded and spoke up.

"Hell yeah! No matter what or who we gotta face, we're gonna take that Treasure for sure!" Skull said determinedly as the group kept moving. After fast-traveling to the 'Corridor Summit', the group stopped at the blocked door as Panther spoke up.

"I hope she read the calling card." Panther said as Skull spoke up.

"I mean, after all the trouble Draconis went to to personally write and hand-deliver it, she damn well better have read it!" Skull said as Draconis spoke up.

"She did read it, Skull. I watched her read it." Draconis said as the doorway opened up, making Skull grin as he spoke up.

"Yeah! All right! It's open!" Skull said as Panther spoke up, giving Skull an amused smile while she spoke.

"Well, yeah. Futaba-chan opened the door herself." Panther said as Mona nodded with a closed-eye smile as he spoke up.

"NICE! Anyway, the Treasure is just up ahead! Let's finish this!" Mona said as Draconis turned to Futaba, who was standing close beside him, and spoke up.

"Remember, stay close to me no matter what or who you see, okay Futaba? I'll keep you safe as best I can." Draconis said as Futaba nodded. The group then moved forward to where a shining pedestal was seen that Joker pressed, carrying the group upwards. At that point, Makoto spoke up.

"Incredible! So, this is the place that represents Futaba's room." Makoto said as Skull spoke up.

"Yup, this is the heart of a hacker, all right." Skull said as Draconis huffed and spoke up.

"And how would you know what the heart of a hacker is like, Skull? Though I do have to say, and I apologize in advance to Futaba for how rude this might come off, but isn't this kind of a janky way to represent your room? Besides, your real room is so much nicer than this, if a bit cluttered. But no one's perfect." Draconis said. Futaba, rather than get offended or reply, just childishly yet cutely stuck her tongue out at Draconis and spoke up with an amused chuckle.

"Need I remind you, Draconis, I also apparently saw it as a tomb? So of course it's gonna be slightly run-down looking in here." Futaba said sagely. Draconis nodded.

"Ah, touche. Good point, Taba." Draconis said, conceding his point at that. Skull huffed before speaking up, clearly annoyed at Draconis for basically undermining him by bringing Futaba along, despite his point about it being potentially too dangerous to do so while he spoke.

"Whatever, you two can flirt later. Anyways, where's the Treasure?" Skull said, ignoring the extremely pissed-off glares that both Futaba and Draconis gave him for suggesting they were flirting. Mona then spoke up.

"THIS WAY! I'm getting a strong signal from above us. The Treasure has definitely manifested." Mona said as Queen spoke up.

"There's no knowing what may lie ahead, so let's be vigilant as we push toward the Treasure." Queen said as Draconis nodded and spoke up, but another voice spoke up before anyone could say anything else.

"So...you've come, Phantom Thieves. And you've brought my other self with you. Awfully bold decision on your parts, but not an unwelcome one, since it saves me dragging her in here myself later." Futaba's Shadow could be heard saying as she materialized before a shocked group. However, instead of the usual demure, helpful expression she usually wore, now she wore an almost aggressive expression. Draconis frowned and spoke up.

"So, the puppet ruler of this place shows herself. Tell me, are you truly the one in charge of this place, Pharaoh? Or is there another running things and using you as a figurehead?" Draconis asked as Futaba's Shadow winced and spoke up.

"So, you've figured it out. You're right. It is my Palace, but I'm not the one calling the shots. SHE is." Futaba's Shadow said ominously, before pointing upwards to where the image of a black-haired female with a beast's body was projected, making Futaba gasp as she spoke up.

"WHAT!? Is that...Is that my mom!?" Futaba asked in shock, making the others gasp as they looked at the projection. Futaba's Shadow nodded and spoke up.

"Correct. That is the ghost of our mother, who took up residence here after her demise so she could watch over us. It seems we were her unfinished business, or more specifically making sure we were happy and safe was her unfinished business. Originally, her plan was to bring you here so she could see for yourself that you would be okay, but you kept being blamed and ostracized by others for her death, so you distorted yourself to escape the pain.

As a result, this place came to be, and you distorted her spirit into the being you see above you, and caused her to be consumed with a mix of a mother's instinct to protect her child and a warped desire to destroy you for distorting her. However, it seems you have found your own answer on if you'll let the Phantom Thieves help you, especially given how closely you cling to Draconis there.

Not that I blame you. For, you see. I too have a Draconis of my own, of sorts, to cling to." Futaba's Shadow said as at that moment, groaning could be heard as a very distorted creature materialized into being next to Futaba's Shadow. This creature had the body of a jackal, but the face and mask the creature wore were eerily familiar to the group, especially to Draconis, who gasped as he spoke up with wide eyes.

"WHAT THE ACTUAL EFF? Is that supposed to be this place's version of me!?" Draconis said in shock as Futaba winced and hid her face in Draconis' chest to not have to see the creature. The creature laughed and spoke up, his voice making Draconis wince as he got a chill from hearing his own distorted voice come from the creature's mouth.

"Yes, my lady? You called, and I came. I am, as ever, your humble servant, duty and honor bound to obey your will. So, what is your will, milady?" The creature that resembled Draconis asked as Draconis frowned and spoke up, eyes narrowed in mixed annoyance and disapproval while he spoke.

"Oh, HELL no! I am NOT that much of a simp! What do I look like, Mona or Skull?" Draconis snapped, ignoring the facefaults of the not-cat and ex-runner in question at his remark. Futaba's Shadow then spoke up.

"Too bad. For, you see, it's our job to ensure you infidels never reach the Treasure. She might want you to change her heart, but we've been tasked by Mother to ensure it never happens. So, if you want the Treasure, you'll have to get past us!" Futaba's Shadow said as she and the jackal convulsed and changed forms, taking the forms of a Cleopatra look-a-like and a hybrid of what appeared to be Anubis and a snake-like entity.

"Behold the faces of your executioners! It's only right you know our names before you die! Behold, the faces of Fu-Ta-Patra and Drapophis!" Futaba's Shadow, or Fu-Ta-Patra as she'd re-dubbed herself, taunted the group as Draconis frowned and spoke up. *1*

"Nice plan, but you've overlooked something, oh wise and revered Fu-Ta-Patra." Draconis said as Drapophis spoke up.

"Oh, yeah? And what might that be, my woefully ignorant and whipped counterpart?" Drapophis asked Draconis, who huffed and glared at this Palace's version of him before he spoke up, not pleased by being called whipped and ignorant while he spoke.

"This. We don't need a whole group to stop you. JOKER! You take Queen, Fox, and Skull, and the four of you keep heading upwards. Meanwhile myself, Panther, and Mona will hold these two off while protecting Futaba! And do me a solid? Let Mona hold on to the star Jose gave you! I have a hunch we might need it before much longer." Draconis said resolutely, before exchanging gazes with Joker who eventually nodded and spoke up.

"I got it. We'll do it your way. Queen, Fox, Skull! With me! Panther, Mona, you stay here and back up Draconis and Futaba!" Joker said as Panther and Mona nodded, the latter grabbing and pocketing the star Jose gave Joker as Draconis had asked. After that, Joker, Fox, Queen and Skull ran off towards the top, while Draconis spoke up.

"And with THAT, I think it's time that we dealt with you pathetic-looking sad-sacks. After all, you're NUTS if you think you'll make it past me, much less lay one finger on Futaba! I would sooner throw myself in harm's way than allow harm to come to her! So if you think you can take us, then BRING IT ON!" Draconis said as he, Panther, and Mona charged into battle with Fu-Ta-Patra and Drapophis...

(Meanwhile, with Joker, Fox, Skull, and Queen)

After running on past the fight going on below, Joker grappled his group up towards the top, where he came to a door that caused Fox to speak up.

"Joker! There's no doubt about it. The Treasure surely awaits beyond this door. That said, I wonder what may await us within?" Fox asked as Queen spoke up.

"I think Fu-Ta-Patra answered that for us already. Probably the distorted form of Futaba's mother." Queen guessed. Fox nodded and spoke up.

"Indeed. But no matter what or who it is, we need to be ready for it!" Fox said as Joker nodded.

"Let's do this! After all, Draconis bought us time to do this! The least we can do is ensure he didn't do so for nothing." Joker said. Skull nodded as he spoke up.

"Hell yeah! You hear that, Futaba! We're coming for your heart! Hang in there a little longer and we're gonna save you!" Skull said as the group walked through the door...

(Through the door, with Joker, Skull, Fox and Queen)

"The hell? This ain't what I was imaginin'!" Skull said in frustration. Fox huffed and spoke up.

"Were you expecting a mountain of treasure or something of that sort?" Fox said as Queen spoke up.

"Um, there IS that, over there." Queen said, pointing towards what appeared to be a giant casket behind the group as Skull looked at it and spoke up.

"That's it?" Skull said as Queen spoke up.

"Indeed. The Treasure must be inside." Queen said as Skull grinned and spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"All right! Let's take it!" Skull said as Fox spoke up while Skull walked towards the casket.

"Be careful, Skull. We don't know if it's safe or not." Fox said. Joker then smirked mischievously before he spoke up.

"Kinda glad we left Mona with Draconis' group, otherwise this would probably be the point when he'd be like 'T-Treasure!' or something like that." Joker pointed out as Skull nodded and spoke up after fist-bumping Joker.

"Truth, Joker! That cat has so much treasure lust, it's not funny!" Skull said. As he approached the casket, a distinctly feminine, if deep and distorted, scream was heard making Fox speak up.

"There's something here." Fox said as Skull nodded and spoke up at that point.

"Ugh, I got a bad feeling about this." Skull said as at that moment, a hole opened up in the ceiling of the room as the roof was torn off of the pyramid, and the group gasped at the sight of a black-haired female with glasses rather similar to Futaba's but with what appeared to be the legs, wings, and tail of a sphinx looking down at them as she screamed in what Joker realized was the distorted voice the group had heard screaming before.

"FUUUUUTAAAAAABAAAAAA!" The female yelled out as Queen winced fearfully and spoke up.

"Is it a Shadow? Wait, no it's not. Then-" Queen asked. Fox's eyes widened as he spoke up, cutting Queen off mid-sentence.

"That's not Futaba!" Fox said as Skull's eyes widened, as did Joker's, the latter speaking up.

"No! Don't tell me, is that who I think it is!?" Joker asked before he and the others jumped aside as the sphinx-like creature started swatting at the roof of the Palace, damaging it severely, to the point it was practically gone. Queen gasped as the sphinx-lady stared them down and she spoke up.

"This is insane!" Queen said in disbelief. Skull then spoke up.

"Ugh! If it's not a Shadow, then what is it!?" Skull asked as Joker winced while speaking up.

"Ugh! If I had to guess, I'd say it's a cognition! Probably a hybrid of a ghost and cognition that came about from Futaba's distortion!" Joker said as Queen frowned and spoke up.

"But how can that be!?" Queen asked as some debris was tossed towards her, making Skull speak up.

"Hey! Queen, look out!" Skull said before he dove towards Queen to push her out of the way, making her blush slightly but give Skull a grateful smile as Joker chose that moment to speak up.

"Don't look now, but here it comes!" Joker said as the sphinx-lady charged at them, starting a battle as the sphinx spoke up.

"DO NOT APPROACH THE PHARAOH'S TOMB! MISFORTUNE WILL FALL UPON YOU!" The sphinx-lady said as Fox spoke up.

"I presume this is the true ruler of the Palace?" Fox said as Skull nodded and spoke up angrily.

"Argh, dammit! Look at it fly about! We can't reach it like this! Too bad Draconis is downstairs! I bet he could hit that thing with his throwing knives easily!" Skull said as Joker nodded and spoke up.

"I agree. But he's not here, so we have no other option. We have to try to hit it with our guns and skills!" Joker said as the battle began! After a few volleys of gunfire and some cautiously placed healing, the sphinx-lady flew straight up, making Queen gasp as she spoke up.

"H-How far did it fly up!? What's it gonna do!? Don't tell me. Is it gonna dive-attack us!?" Queen asked as Skull spoke up.

"Ugh, what the eff? Damn that thing anyways. When's it gonna strike us!?" Skull said. After the dive-bomb hit, and did a lot of damage, the group winced as Joker healed everyone up as best he could, at which point Queen spoke up.

"Ugh, this isn't good. I can't tell at all when it's gonna attack us next." Queen said as Skull gaped in surprise and spoke up.

"What do you mean you can't tell!? Surely you, as the smartest one here, can tell that, Queen? I believe you're capable of anything you put your mind to!" Skull said, not seeing Queen's eyes widen at his sincere praise of her. Queen blushed as she spoke up.

"Skull, th-thank you. But I can't help it this time! There are some things that not even I can do!" Queen said as Joker frowned and spoke up.

"Ugh, hopefully Draconis and the others are faring better than we are!" Joker said as the others nodded, doing their best to hold off the sphinx-lady...

(Back with Draconis, Futaba, Mona and Panther)

"Urgh, that was a rough one! I felt that one! But I'm not defeated yet!" Draconis said defiantly as he stared down Drapophis, Futaba hiding nearby while Mona and Panther tag-teamed Fu-Ta-Patra. Drapophis chuckled darkly as he spoke up.

"Ah, so you still have some fighting spirit in you yet, Draconis. Good. I was hoping my counterpart would have the will of the warrior. Makes it more satisfying when I break you and then your friends before Fu-Ta-Patra and I finally eliminate that whimpering brat who dares to call herself Fu-Ta-Patra's real-world counterpart. She's just a joke, a plague, that we must eradicate for the glory of Lady Wakaba!" Drapophis said pompously as Draconis' eyes hardened and he glared at Drapophis angrily while speaking up.

"Excuse you!? What did you just call Taba in front of me!?" Draconis hissed angrily as he hefted his bo staff and charged at Drapophis, swinging angrily for all he was worth at the laughing jackal-Shadow hybrid while he spoke up, exchanging strikes with Drapohis at the same time that he spoke.

"No one, and I mean NO ONE, insults Futaba like that in front of me, you overblown freak-show! You only exist as that distorted creature's idea of companionship, and that only because she's jealous that the real Futaba actually has someone who appreciates her and treasures her as the precious jewel that she is. I will fight anyone who says otherwise, whoever they may be!" Draconis said forcefully as he charged at Drapophis, trading blows with his counterpart for this Palace while Futaba looked on, jaw dropped at Draconis' selfless and adamant defense of her, making her shyly smile at how fiercely he was fighting for her. As for Panther and Mona, they were having a fair bit less success as Fu-Ta-Patra was smacking them around, almost as if she were toying with them. Mona and Panther huffed as they looked at each other and Mona spoke up.

"Panther, this isn't getting us anywhere! We might have clocked a bit of damage on Fu-Ta-Patra, but she almost heals faster than we can damage her! At least Draconis seems to be holding his own against Drapophis! At this point, we might have to break out our special move and hope it does enough damage to let us get ahead of her healing abilities!" Mona said as Panther nodded and spoke up.

"I agree, Mona. Let's do it!" Panther said as Mona nodded and the two spoke up in unison.

"IT'S SHOWTIME!" Mona and Panther called out as Mona started the Showtime by flourishing a bouquet of flowers and presenting it to Panther.

"This is how I really feel!" Mona said as Panther smiled and reached for the bouquet as she spoke up.

"Thanks! You have...SUCH GREAT TASTE!" Panther said as she pulled out her SMGs from the bouquet and pointed them at Fu-Ta-Patra, pelting the surprised Cleopatra look-alike with gunfire as she spun with Mona in a circle while the two jumped and spoke up together.

"WOO-HOO!" Panther and Mona said as Mona pulled a bomb out and flipped downwards while he spoke up.

"And here's the bullet!" Mona said as he tossed the explosive at Fu-Ta-Patra to finish the Showtime, knocking the stunned Shadow backwards into Drapophis, creating an opening in the latter's guard that Draconis used to slam his Bo Staff into Drapophis' chin, smirking as he grabbed a throwing knife.

"Oops, you've left yourself open. Now's my chance!" Draconis said as he smirked and flung a throwing knife right at Drapophis' leg, making him grunt in pain as he hit the ground from the unlikely Critical that Draconis scored on him as the trio formed up on Draconis.

"Here we go! ALL-OUT ATTACK!" Draconis said as the trio lunged at Drapophis and Fu-Ta-Patra and pelted them with attacks before Draconis grinned ferally and expertly tossed his throwing knives at the two, smirking at the satisfying 'stick!' sound he heard as one embedded itself into Drapophis' leg, and the other wound up grazing Fu-Ta-Patra's hip, heavily damaging the two, to the point where Fu-Ta-Patra winced as she spoke up.

"Ugh, looks like I'm at my limit. Sorry Drapophis, but I'll have to leave the rest to you." Fu-Ta-Patra said as she went to a knee and exited the battle. Drapophis nodded as he spoke up while carefully tugging the knife out of his leg, paying no mind to the trail of black that went down his leg from where the knife came out while he spoke..

"Not to worry, my love. I can handle these three peons on my own for you! You rest now, and let me take care of this!" Drapophis said as he flexed on the stunned trio of Mona, Panther, and Draconis as he spoke up.

"Heh-heh, MY turn to flash. Time to reap it!" Drapophis said as he lifted both arms and slammed them onto the ground, causing a shockwave that scattered the trio, knocking Mona onto his back while Panther landed face-down and Draconis just happened to land gently on Futaba's lap, to both their surprises, the latter squeaking in shock as the former just blushed and gave the latter an apologetic look while getting up with a smile. Draconis huffed and spoke up.

"Not bad, but you'll have to do better than that to stop us, fool! The Phantom Thieves are not so easily defeated, especially when we're fighting for a friend!" Draconis said as he, Panther, and Mona stared down Drapophis defiantly as the battle paused and Futaba warily peeked out from behind Draconis to speak up.

"Huh, so this is inside my heart. Pretty high-tech for a supposed pyramid. That said, I didn't think it'd be like this." Futaba said as Draconis spoke up.

"Things rarely are how we think they are within ourselves, Taba. Trust me on that. And I've seen way worse than this before." Draconis said as Fu-Ta-Patra smirked and made a familiar, at least to Mona, Draconis, and Panther, mural appear, which depicted a likely younger version of Futaba's Shadow as Futaba spoke up in surprise.

"Huh!?" Futaba said as Fu-Ta-Patra shifted into her normal form and spoke up, smiling sympathetically at Futaba while she spoke.

"Come, Futaba. Do you remember?" Futaba's Shadow asked Futaba, who winced but nodded before she spoke up.

"This is the suicide note." Futaba said as Draconis gaped at this but just nodded. Futaba then spoke up and her words made Draconis growl.

"The men in black suits read it right after Mom died. Which, thinking about it, is kind of odd." Futaba said. Futaba's Shadow nodded and spoke up.

"That is correct, Futaba. Now look at the next one." Futaba's Shadow said as she brought up the next mural, which showed a younger Futaba seemingly gasping in horror as her mother flew in front of an oncoming car. Futaba shuddered in horror at the sight of herself weeping in the corner of the mural before she spoke up.

"This can't be what I think it is, can it? I think it is. This is when Mom jumped in front of that car that day." Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow nodded and spoke up.

"That's right. Now the next." Futaba's Shadow said as the third and final mural came up, showing a younger Futaba tugging on a black-haired woman's shirt to get attention, making Draconis quietly gasp as he realized it was the day that Futaba had asked for some attention but her mother had had to regretfully refuse, or at least Draconis hoped she did so regretfully. Futaba gasped at the mural and shook as she spoke up.

"N-No. This can't be." Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow stared at her and spoke up.

"Don't run. I thought you made your mind up after you talked to the Phantom Thieves." Futaba's Shadow said to Futaba, ignoring the gaping Draconis who spoke up.

"She DID make up her mind! You're the crazy one who tried to kill her with that puffed-up distorted version of me, unsuccessfully I might add!" Draconis said as Futaba smiled and spoke up.

"Draconis, you're always so protective of me. No, I'm not running! Besides, if you can be strong Draconis, then so can I. Okay, I'll look." Futaba said, making Draconis smile proudly at Futaba. Futaba then frowned as she studied the mural.

"It's me complaining. Mom scolded me for bothering her." Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow nodded and then spoke up.

"Yes." Futaba's Shadow said as Futaba winced and then kept speaking.

"I knew it. It was me who killed Mom. I was a bad daughter. I weighed her down, and she hated me for it. It's just like I remember." Futaba said as Draconis spoke up.

"Quit lying to yourself, Taba! You did not kill your mother! A sweet, pure, innocent soul like you, a murderer!? Don't make me laugh! I'd sooner believe that Mona got together with Panther, and with all respect to them both, that's never gonna happen for various reasons, not least of which is the fact that Mona doesn't have his true form presently. So I'll say it again, Taba! You are NOT a murderer! You need to quit blaming yourself! And if you were as bad as you say you are, would you have a large circle of people trying so hard to get through to you and help save you from your grief and suffering, but mostly from yourself!?

Because I'll be honest with you, all of us Phantom Thieves are here to save you! Sure, at first it was so you'd help us stop Medjed, but I was only ever in it because you asked me to help change your heart! And dammit Futaba, I care about you! So if it's something I can do to make you even a bit happy, then you can bet I'm damned well gonna do it! And why, you might ask? Purely because it's the right effing thing to do, AND because I want to see you happy and smiling, not constantly suffering for something that could never be your fault!" Draconis said. Futaba's Shadow smiled as she nodded to Draconis' words and spoke up.

"Exactly! Are you sure it's your fault, Futaba?" Futaba's Shadow said. Futaba blinked at this, turning to Draconis in surprise.

"Draconis...really? You're doing all this purely for me? Wow. Also, huh?" Futaba said. Futaba's Shadow smiled and spoke up.

"He's doing this both for you, and because it's the best thing for you. Now, remember everything! Don't avert your eyes! When did this happen?" Futaba's Shadow said. Futaba winced but spoke up.

"Just a little before Mom died. I remember, I whined about wanting to go on a family trip with her. But she scolded me, and said no." Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow frowned and spoke up.

"Think harder! Was that ALL she said?" Futaba's Shadow said. Futaba shook her head and kept speaking.

"No. Mom also said, 'I'm too busy right now. I need to finish my cognitive research as soon as possible.' And I..." Futaba said, trailing off sadly as Futaba's Shadow spoke up.

"And what did you do?" Futaba's Shadow asked as Futaba spoke up with a shudder, clearly ashamed at this part while she spoke.

"I threw a tantrum. Told her she thought her research was more important than I was." Futaba said, not seeing the sad look on Draconis' face as he listened to what she said. Futaba then kept speaking.

"That's when she scolded me. And she scolded me good." Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow blinked and kept speaking.

"And what did she say afterwards? There was more." Futaba's Shadow said as Futaba shuddered before blinking as she recalled something more.

"Wait. She said...Did she say what I think she said? She said, 'My research is almost over. Once it's finished, we can go wherever you like. I'm sorry I've left you alone for so long, Futaba. Please try to understand though. This research is really important. I need to complete it. Even if it costs me my life.' Wait, so that would mean..." Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow spoke up.

"Did she hate you?" Futaba's Shadow asked as Futaba blinked and spoke up.

"She...didn't?" Futaba said as she saw the depiction of her mother in the mural smiling at her.

"Wh-What? She smiled..." Futaba said before wincing as she grabbed her head, feeling a headache coming on.

"Agh! My head...it hurts!" Futaba said as Draconis frowned and spoke up.

"What are you doing to her!?" Draconis asked Futaba's Shadow who huffed and spoke up.

"Stay quiet, Draconis! This doesn't concern you!" Futaba's Shadow said as Draconis growled and spoke up.

"Bullshit! It does so concern me! I might not have known her back then, but I know in my heart Futaba was a special person, even back then. And I'm sure her mother had good reason for doing what she did. And even if she did scold her, I'm sure it hurt her mother just as much as it did Futaba! So hopefully Futaba realizes that her mother more than likely loved her with all of her heart! If she didn't, would she have been willing to risk so much to make Futaba happy? It's the same with me. I don't have to do all this for Futaba, but I do it anyways. And why? Because...Because I care about her and want her to be happy!" Draconis said as Futaba gasped and spoke up.

"Wh-What? Ugh, which is true?" Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow spoke up once more before fading from view.

"Your memory is..." Futaba's Shadow said as she faded from view, leaving Drapophis, who huffed at the trio before speaking up defiantly.

"You might have defeated Fu-Ta-Patra, but you won't defeat me and Queen Wakaba! Come, face us both, if you can!" Drapophis said as he leapt up through the open hole in the ceiling to join the battle above as a female screech echoed from overhead making Futaba gasp.

"Huh? What was that?" Futaba said as Draconis spoke up after moving over to stand with Futaba.

"If I had to guess? Probably the distorted version of your mother that the others are fighting right now. And since Drapophis took off to join her, we should go catch up with the others. Panther! Mona! Come! We must join the others!" Draconis called as Mona and Panther nodded, falling into line with Draconis as Futaba started walking off ahead of the others.

"It's calling me!?" Futaba said as she sprinted off on her own. Draconis groaned and spoke up.

"Ugh, no, don't run off on your own, Taba! Dammit! Wait for us!" Draconis said as he, Mona, and Panther chased after Futaba...

(Back at the top of the pyramid, with Skull, Joker, Fox and Queen)

"Ugh, dammit! The hell!? We ain't doin' shit to it!" Skull said as the group heard footsteps behind them, right as Queen turned around with a gasp to see Futaba approaching.

"Huh? Futaba!?" Queen asked in shock as Draconis, Panther, and Mona sprinted into view, the former gently smiling at Futaba as he spoke up.

"Dammit Taba, don't scare me like that! Luckily we kept up with you!" Draconis said to Futaba. Queen then spoke up.

"Wait, doesn't this mean that Draconis brought Futaba into her own cognitive world!?" Queen asked as Futaba nodded and spoke up, leaning against Draconis as she spoke.

"Mm-hm. I asked him to bring me so I could see this place for myself. Plus, I wanted to see the change of heart for myself." Futaba said. Draconis smiled as Mona spoke up in horror.

"Wait. The person themselves, coming into their own Palace!? If that happens, who knows what could result from it!?" Mona said as the sphinx-lady screeched again, making Futaba wince and speak up.

"Wait! That's...!?" Futaba said in disbelief, stepping forward to look closer, frowning as people appeared around her.

"You killed her!" Futaba heard a male voice yell at her which made her wince and hug herself as she spoke up.

"No..." Futaba said as she heard another voice.

"Why don't you say something!?" Futaba heard a second male voice say, making her drop to her knees as a female voice spoke up.

"It's your fault!" Futaba heard as she muttered to herself.

"It's my fault. It's my fault that Mom..." Futaba said as Draconis spoke up.

"Taba! Don't listen to them! Those aren't real! They're just cognitions of your hallucinations! They mean nothing to you! It's not your fault!" Draconis said. Futaba blinked at him and spoke up.

"Draconis...!?" Futaba said as Draconis raced to her side and put an arm on her shoulder encouragingly/comfortingly.

"Yes, that's right, Taba. I'm here." Draconis said as he gently patted her on the shoulder encouragingly as the sphinx-lady chose that moment to speak up.

"That's right! YOU KILLED ME!" The sphinx-lady said as Draconis swore under his breath before speaking up.

"I hate when I'm right! Looks like we've found our real Palace Ruler here!" Draconis said as Fox gasped and looked at Draconis before speaking up.

"Wait, what!? Is that monster...Is that monster Futaba's mother!?" Fox asked as Draconis shook his head.

"Not quite. It's most likely her mother's ghost, or Futaba's cognition of it." Draconis said as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"Exactly. Futaba's desires and guilt must've distorted her cognition of her. The wish that her mother was alive again is mixed in as well, along with those eerie jeers..." Mona said as the sphinx-lady, or more accurately the Wakaba Sphinx, spoke up.

"YOU ARE NOTHING BUT A DEMON WHO STOOD IN MY WAY! I WISH YOU HAD NEVER BEEN BORN! THAT WAY I COULD HAVE ANNOUNCED MY RESULTS WITHOUT HAVING TO WASTE MY TIME ON YOU!" the Wakaba-Sphinx said as Draconis frowned and glared at it before speaking up.

"Lady? SHUT. THE. EFF. UP! If ANYONE is a demon here, IT'S YOU! How dare you say such a thing to Futaba!? Can't you see she's already suffering enough with her misplaced feelings of guilt and loss, as well as grief? If you were truly Futaba's mother, you would be comforting her, and not wishing her dead! But the fact you are just proves you're a warped, miserable, distorted cognition of the real Wakaba Isshiki! So kindly SHUT UP!

Futaba doesn't need to hear your lies adding on to her existing feelings of guilt! So kindly cease and desist before we have to destroy you just to bring Futaba some much-needed closure and peace! Because I will not stand by and watch as she continues to suffer all because some asshats in suits read her a likely faked suicide note! So back off!" Draconis snapped, standing between Futaba and the Wakaba-Sphinx, who hissed at him and spoke up angrily.

"Shut your mouth, you brat! I POURED MY HEART AND SOUL INTO THAT RESEARCH! IT WOULD'VE BEEN THE DISCOVERY OF THE CENTURY!" The Wakaba-Sphinx said as Queen frowned and spoke up.

"What does she mean by that?" Queen asked. Mona frowned and spoke up.

"Could she be talking about cognitive psience?" Mona asked as the Wakaba-Sphinx glared at the prone Futaba, who was huddled over holding her head in fear behind Draconis and spoke up angrily, seemingly not seeing the varying reactions that what she said next would get from the group.

"YOU'RE GOING TO DIE! YOU, AND YOUR LITTLE BOYFRIEND THERE!" The Wakaba-Sphinx said as Draconis blushed slightly before he frowned and spoke up.

"First of all? Isn't that Futaba's decision if she wants me as her boyfriend, and not yours!? Secondly, I won't make her do anything she doesn't want to do, so if she'd rather we stay friends, I will respect her wishes, regardless of whether I have feelings for her or not! That said, you're not really her mother, so you have NO room to comment on either of our love lives! And another thing? YOU'LL HAVE TO GO THROUGH ME BEFORE YOU GO NEAR FUTABA! I will protect her, even if I have to literally use myself as a shield!" Draconis said, spreading his arms protectively, making the others gasp at the selfless declaration that Draconis had made. The Wakaba-Sphinx kept speaking.

"SHUT UP! FUTABA! THERE'S NO MEANING TO YOUR LIFE! NO ONE NEEDS YOU!" The Wakaba-Sphinx said as Draconis growled and spoke up.

"WHAT DID I SAY!? SHUT THE EFF UP, YOU DISTORTED BITCH! AND YOU'RE WRONG! THERE ARE SO PEOPLE WHO NEED FUTABA! I NEED HER! She's become rather special and precious to me! And more importantly!? HER FATHER FIGURE NEEDS HER! YES, THAT'S RIGHT! SOJIRO SAKURA NEEDS HER! SO DON'T YOU TELL FUTABA NO ONE NEEDS HER, BECAUSE THAT! IS! A BALD-FACED LIE! AND I REFUSE TO LET YOU LIE TO HER LIKE THAT!" Draconis said, making Joker, Skull, Fox, and Mona all wince at the harshness of Draconis' tone while Panther and Queen exchanged mixed impressed/shocked looks. Futaba whimpered as she spoke up.

"Nobody cares about me..." Futaba said as Draconis frowned at that and turned to Futaba and spoke up.

"No one cares about you!? Is that what I just heard you say, Taba? You look at me right now! That is the single biggest lie I have ever heard you utter, bigger than that lie about you killing your mother! And you're wrong! All of us here? We care about you! Granted, other than me, the others barely know you that well, but they still care about you! Sojiro cares about you! He wants what's best for you, and to see you happy! And more importantly? I care about you, Taba.

No, more than care. I LOVE YOU! And I refuse to sit here and hear you lie about yourself! Do you hear me, Taba? You have tons of people who care about you, despite what THAT thing there says! So don't say no one cares about you!" Draconis said firmly but gently to Futaba, ignoring the gasps from the others while looking Futaba in the eyes as he spoke, making her look up at Draconis in shock as another voice could be heard.

"I should never have had Futaba. She was always such a bother. It seems you caused your mother a great deal of trouble, Futaba-chan. She must have had some kind of maternity neurosis." The group heard as Futaba started whimpering as she grabbed her head, making Draconis instinctively wrap his arms around her in a gentle but firm hug before he spoke up.

"Fight it, Taba! You're a fighter! And you know in your heart what's true! Now dig deep and confront the truth and accept it!" Draconis said firmly but kindly to Futaba. At that point, the screams of a not-as-distorted Wakaba could be heard.

"F-Futabaaa! Y-You aaaaaareee..." The voice of Wakaba could be heard screaming. Futaba whimpered, leaning into Draconis' hold.

"Ngh...!" Futaba said as Skull spoke up.

"Hey, we're gonna be in deep shit if this keeps up!" Skull said. Draconis huffed and spoke up, glaring at Skull while he spoke.

"Thank you, Captain effing Obvious! Way to state the obvious! The important thing right now is helping Futaba see the truth and come to her senses! You and the others could be holding that thing off, you know! And come to think of it, I wonder why Drapophis hasn't resurfaced yet?" Draconis said. Queen winced and spoke up.

"So, because she thinks she killed her mother, and because she thinks she deserves to die, Futaba gave birth to a Palace where her mother wants her dead?" Queen said as Panther spoke up to try and get through to Futaba.

"Futaba-chan, look! There's no way that monster is your mother! It's just an illusion you created!" Panther said as Futaba spoke up.

"B-But..." Futaba said as Draconis looked her in the eyes and spoke up.

"But nothing. Panther's right! That's not your real mother! It's just a distorted cognition that your guilt and suffering created!" Draconis said as Queen nodded and spoke up.

"She never abused you, did she? Boss told us! He said she did her best to raise you alone!" Queen said as Fox spoke up, his words making Draconis' eyes go wide behind his mask as Fox spoke.

"Isn't this a false memory that's been imprinted upon you?" Fox asked as Futaba blinked at that and looked up.

"Wh-What? A false memory?" Futaba asked as Draconis smiled and spoke up.

"Right. Probably a guilt-induced memory that you created the day that note was read to you by those asshats in the black suits. They better hope I never find them, otherwise Joker and Skull might have to hold me back so I don't do something I regret to them." Draconis said bluntly as Futaba grunted and held her head.

"Aagh..." Futaba said as she held her head before another voice could be heard.

"You made your mother destroy all her research, Futaba-chan. She had worked so hard on it, as well. She lost her mind, and it's all because of you." Futaba heard as the voices kept repeating and Futaba spoke up.

"M-Mom... I...I..." Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow chose then to appear before the group, making Draconis heft his staff protectively as a precaution while Mona spoke up.

"It's her Shadow!" Mona said as Draconis spoke up, fixing Futaba's Shadow with a pointed glare while he crossed his arms and stood between Futaba's Shadow and Futaba.

"What do you want, Queen Taba? Are you here to try and finish the job you and Drapophis started!?" Draconis asked as Futaba's Shadow shook her head.

"No. Drapophis has been destroyed, by the Wakaba-Sphinx. He's gone. But that's not important." Futaba's Shadow said before she looked over at Futaba.

"FUTABA SAKURA! Remember!" Futaba's Shadow said as she looked at Futaba.

"You're the reason she committed suicide. You were just getting in the way of her research. Why did you think it was suicide?" Futaba's Shadow asked Futaba, who looked up in surprise and spoke up.

"Because of the note." Futaba said, smiling up at Draconis, who she saw holding her up. Futaba's Shadow nodded and spoke up.

"Exactly! The men in black suits read her suicide note to you, and what was written on it?" Futaba's Shadow asked as Futaba spoke up.

"All of her complaints, as well as everything she thought about me." Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow nodded and spoke up.

"Yes. The shock and the pain led you to avert your eyes. But they kept reading it aloud in front of your relatives. Think hard. Was that suicide note real? Would the mother you loved so much truly have written that? Did she EVER say such horrible things to you?" Futaba's Shadow asked as Futaba blinked at the question, slowly standing up as she got to her feet, smiling at Draconis before she spoke up.

"No! She scolded me whenever I had tantrums, but she cared for me!" Futaba said as Futaba's Shadow nodded.

"Then what about the suicide note?" Futaba's Shadow said as Futaba spoke up, much more resolute now.

"A TOTAL LIE!" Futaba said as her Shadow nodded and spoke up in agreement.

"You were used! They forged her suicide note, and laid the blame of her death upon you! They trampled all over your young heart! Get mad! Don't forgive those rotten adults!" Futaba's Shadow said as Futaba nodded and spoke up resolutely.

"It's because I couldn't face myself, or Mom's death. Even then, WHY DID THEY HAVE TO YELL AT ME LIKE THAT!?" Futaba asked as she shuddered and came to, slowly getting to her feet in actuality, ignoring the surprised gasps from the others as she felt an arm around her, helping her to her feet. Then she heard a voice she recognized.

"Oop, easy does it, Taba. There we go, nice and steady. Glad you snapped out of it." Draconis said happily to Futaba, making her look at him in surprise before blushing as his earlier declaration he'd made to the Wakaba-Sphinx fully hit her in that moment as she spoke up.

"Ah, what hit me!?" Futaba asked as Panther turned to face Futaba.

"Futaba-chan!?" Panther asked as Draconis spoke up.

"She's up now, that's the important bit." Draconis said as Futaba winced and grabbed her head at that moment.

"UGH!" Futaba said as she winced, making Draconis look over in alarm.

"TABA!? Are you okay?" Draconis asked as Futaba nodded, even though her head was aching...

(Awakening start-Futaba)

"What denies you is an illusion...A curse put upon you by the heartless." Futaba heard a female voice say inside her head before a deeper voice replaced it.

"Good. You're finally waking to the truth. I was beginning to wonder if you'd ever wise up and see the truth. And at last, you have." Futaba heard a male voice say as the female voice spoke up again.

"You knew from the very beginning...And yet, you cowered in fear..." Futaba heard as she spoke up.

"Ugh, that's right...I knew, but I..." Futaba said as she was cut off by the echo of Wakaba-Sphinx in her head.

"THAT'S RIGHT! THIS TIME, YOU'LL BE THE ONE TO DIE!" Futaba heard before oddly enough, she heard Draconis' voice.

"I TOLD YOU TO SHUT UP, LADY! TABA'S NOT GOING ANYWHERE UNLESS SHE CHOOSES TO! SO LEAVE HER ALONE!" Draconis' voice could be heard.

"Will you die as you are told? Who will you obey?" Futaba heard the female voice ask as she kept holding her head.

"Cursed words spat out by a seething illusion? Or the truth, both within your very soul and in those around you, especially around your closest friend, who even now fights with his very being to help change your heart?" The female voice said as the male voice spoke up.

"I know which I'd choose, if I were her. And I know which HE'D choose. But then Kusa always was a selfless one like that. Especially for those he cares for." The male voice said, which Futaba finally realized was the voice of Kusa's Persona, Smaug, making her wonder why she could hear it even though it was Kusa's Persona. As if he could read her thoughts, he chuckled and said.

"Isn't it obvious? It's because of the close bond you two share! And now that you're about to awaken to your true potential, that bond will amplify and boost your power!" Smaug said kindly as the female voice spoke up.

"Smaug is correct. Only by accepting the bonds you have with others, can you truly reach your full strength." The female voice said as Futaba frowned and spoke up.

"Enough! I won't let those distorted lies deceive me anymore! I'm going to listen to my heart, and to the words of those close to me! I can't keep running from the truth anymore! And I won't be led astray by the voices of those who would deceive or mis-lead me either! I'm going to trust my own eyes AND my own heart to distinguish the truth from the lies!" Futaba said as she glared at the Wakaba-Sphinx and spoke up defiantly, to Draconis' surprise.

"THERE'S NO WAY YOU'RE MY MOM! You're just a fake created by those horrid adults! I'll...I'll never...I'LL NEVER FORGIVE THEM!" Futaba yelled as Draconis smiled and spoke up.

"That's my girl. Way to finally open those eyes of yours." Draconis said happily. At that moment, Futaba's Shadow re-appeared once more, convulsing before shifting into the form of a UFO, which hovered over Futaba. However, at that same time, Futaba was grunting as she heard a male voice in her head, this one different from Smaug's, speak up.

"Excellent! Now, vow to me! I am thou! Thou art I! Though thou hast spent most of thine recent years running from the truth, now thou wouldst embrace it. Together, we shall make the truth known to all. Now, remove thy mask and call my name as thy Awakening reaches its' climax!" The male voice said as Futaba nodded, at the same time a visor with red optics appeared over her face, which she ripped off, causing a blue flash of light to appear as she tossed the mask away in which it turned into tendrils that traveled up her legs and reformed into a skin-tight bodysuit, a green and black skin-tight bodysuit to be exact. Panther gasped as she saw the UFO appear. *2*

"What is that!?" Panther asked as Draconis smiled and spoke up.

"Looks to me like Taba's awakening to her Persona! All right, Taba! I knew you could do it!" Draconis said proudly as Futaba was lifted up into the UFO by tentacles that pulled her up into the UFO. As soon as she appeared in the UFO, she blinked and spoke up.

"Huh? Whoa!?" Futaba said as the female voice from before spoke up.

"Contract...I am thou, thou art I...The forbidden wisdom has been revealed." The female voice said as the male voice spoke up.

"Indeed it has. And now she shall awaken to both of our powers." The male voice said as Futaba gasped as she looked around at the loadouts inside of the UFO. The female voice then spoke up once more.

"No mysteries, no illusions shall deceive you any longer." Futaba heard as Queen spoke up from outside the UFO.

"Futaba!?" Queen called as Futaba called back out.

"I'm okay! Myself, Necronomicon, and NOSTRADAMUS!" Futaba called out as inside of the UFO, a being that looked like a wizened old man in a robe appeared, a wand in its' hand and a defiant sneer on its' face as it stood next to Futaba. Meanwhile, outside of Necronomicon, or the UFO, Mona gasped as he looked at the UFO.

"Whoa, look at that!" Mona said as Futaba spoke up from inside of Necronomicon.

"Please, help me! That's gotta go!" Futaba said, referring to the Wakaba-Sphinx. Joker and Draconis nodded as they took to the front lines, along with Mona and Queen, with Futaba also joining them inside of Necronomicon. Draconis grinned as he spoke up.

"Hey Joker, seems like we might have to expand the front lines from 4 people to 5, since I doubt that Necronomicon there would fit on the backup lines!" Draconis said as Joker nodded while the Wakaba-Sphinx spoke up.

"FUTABAAA! I KNOW I DIDN'T RAISE YOU TO BE LIKE THAT! HOW DARE YOU RUN AROUND WITH SUCH AN AWFUL CROWD! THE ONLY THING YOU SHOULD BE DOING IS OBEYING MY ORDERS!" The Wakaba-Sphinx said as Futaba winced and spoke up.

"M-Mom...No, that's not her. You're just a monster!" Futaba said as Draconis cheered and spoke up.

"Hell yeah, Taba! You tell that distorted phony what's what! Atta girl!" Draconis called out proudly. Futaba huffed before fondly smiling as she spoke up.

"Don't be such a doof, Draconis. But, thanks for the support." Futaba said as Wakaba-Sphinx spoke up.

"TALKING BACK TO YOUR OWN MOTHER!? YOU'VE SPENT TOO MUCH TIME WITH THESE NO-GOOD PUNKS, HAVEN'T YOU!? I'LL CRUSH THEM!" Wakaba-Sphinx said as Draconis huffed and spoke up angrily.

"WHAT DID YOU JUST CALL US!? Say what you will about me, and maybe Mona and Skull, but NO ONE calls my friends punks! And another thing! YOU'RE NOT REALLY HER MOTHER! YOU'RE JUST A DISTORTED ILLUSION CREATED BY GUILT! SO SHUT UP!" Draconis snapped at Wakaba-Sphinx as she flew straight up as Skull swore and spoke up.

"Damn! It's going to swoop down on us again, isn't it? What can we do?" Mona asked as Futaba spoke up.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it!" Futaba said as Joker spoke up.

"You got this?" Joker asked as Draconis spoke up.

"Of course she's got this! Would she be here right now if she didn't? And even if she doesn't, she's got us to have her back! So if she doesn't have it, she soon will!" Draconis said confidently, making Futaba smile at him inside of Necronomicon as Nostradamus smiled and spoke up.

"He's right, you know. They'll be your strength as time goes on. Especially the one partnered with Smaug. I sense he will be an especially big source of strength for you." Nostradamus said to Futaba, who nodded agreeably as she spoke up.

"No problem! This is my heart's world, right!? Hacking into my distortion should be a piece of cake for me!" Futaba said as a green flash appeared and a protective dome appeared over the others as the Wakaba-Sphinx attacked, making her damage herself with her own attack, causing her to swear profusely.

"Ugh! You goddamn brats!" The Wakaba-Sphinx said as Draconis' eyes went wide.

"Whoa! Watch the language, lady! And no one likes a blasphemer!" Draconis said as Skull and Joker rolled their eyes fondly at Draconis' quip but said nothing. Futaba spoke up.

"Now it's OUR turn! Here goes-I'm summoning our ultimate weapon to the battlefield!" Futaba said as she used Necronomicon to move the nearby ballista onto the battlefield, making Mona's eyes go wide as he spoke up.

"A ballista!?" Mona asked as Draconis smirked and spoke up.

"Of course! If we can use that to hit the Wakaba-Sphinx, we can cripple her wings so she can't dive-bomb us. Brilliant, Taba!" Draconis said happily. Futaba nodded.

"Naturally! Shoot it down with this, and then beat the crap out of it!" Futaba said as Mona nodded.

"Ahhh, I get it now! Let's go!" Mona said as Queen spoke up.

"Let's fire the ballista!" Queen called out. Joker nodded as he spoke up.

"Should I send someone to fire the ballista? Yes, but who?" Joker said before smirking as he spoke up.

"I know exactly who to send! Draconis, get over there and man that ballista!" Joker said as Draconis grinned and spoke up.

"You got it, Joker! Here I go!" Draconis said as he dashed carefully to the ballista. Futaba smiled and spoke up.

"Go, Draconis! Run towards the ballista!" Futaba cheered Draconis on as he nodded and got to the ballista. After Queen, Mona and Joker, unloaded their clips into the Wakaba-Sphinx, the Wakaba-Sphinx growled at the group and looked towards Futaba and spoke up.

"Nnnngh! After all I did to raise you...YOU DARE NEGLECT YOUR OWN MOTHER LIKE THIS!? I! AM! YOUR! MOTTTHHHHEEEERRRR! THE ONE AND ONLY IN THIS WHOLE, AWFUL WORLD!" The Wakaba-Sphinx said as Joker and Draconis both spoke up.

"THAT'S NOT TRUE!" Joker and Draconis snapped as the latter kept speaking.

"You're not the true Wakaba Isshiki. She died that tragic day a few years ago. You are just a sick, distorted, warped copy! A doppelganger, if you will! So do NOT call yourself Futaba's mother, because that is a lie!" Draconis said. Wakaba-Sphinx growled at Draconis and spoke up.

"WHAT!? WHY WON'T YOU ADMIT IT!? WHY, WHY, WHYWHYWHYWHY!?" Wakaba-Sphinx yelled as Futaba spoke up.

"As sad as it is to admit, Draconis is right! Mom is gone. No matter how much I wish for her to be with me, it'll never come true. That's why I'll live in the real world, even if she's not there with me anymore! And I'm gonna live my life as free and happy as I can!" Futaba said as Draconis smiled at hearing Futaba's words. Wakaba-Sphinx, however, wasn't so amused as she spoke up.

"FOR A CHILD TO SURVIVE IN YOUR CRUEL WORLD, THEY NEED A CONCERNED MOTHER FIGURE, LIKE ME! UNDERSTAND!?" Wakaba-Sphinx said as Joker spoke up.

"Draconis is right! You're a fake!" Joker said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"More than that, she's a distorted bitch who believes she's Futaba's mother! But if that were true, she'd never say such disgusting and outrageous things to her! And I know Futaba knows deep down that her real mom is appalled at that carbon-copy attacking us, since it's not even a good copy of her! At the same time, she's probably smiling down on Futaba for finally finding the courage to embrace the truth and break free of her guilt-induced distortions! So great job, Futaba! Proud of you! And as for YOU, Wakaba-Sphinx! YOU'RE GOING DOWN! It's the only way for Futaba to fully heal, to have this closure from her past!" Draconis said firmly. Wakaba-Sphinx gasped and spoke up.

"WHAT!? I'M A...A FAKE!?" Wakaba-Sphinx said as Futaba spoke up.

"Listen! My mom is so precious to me, and I still love her a ton, but, YOU'RE NOT HER! And, I'll NEVER live a life where everything gets decided by someone else!" Futaba said as Wakaba-Sphinx yelled out.

"YOU DAMN BRATS!" Wakaba-Sphinx said as Futaba moved her hands on the layout inside Necronomicon as she spoke up.

"No, you're not!" Futaba said as another dome appeared in front of the group, deflecting the Wakaba-Sphinx's attack back at her. Futaba then turned to Draconis.

"Adjust the aim slightly, a bit to the left! Now, lift the tip a bit! Okay, ready! FIRE!" Futaba said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"On it! OY! SPHINX LADY! HAVE SOME OF THIS!" Draconis said as he fired the ballista, the arrow slamming into her wing and knocking her to the ground with a grunt. After a few rounds of attacks on the Wakaba-Sphinx, Draconis was again sent to fire the ballista. After that, the Wakaba-Sphinx spoke up.

"FUTABAAA! IT'S ALL BECAUSE I HAD YOU! YOU DID THIS! YOU SCREWED UP MY LIFE! ALL YOU DID WAS GET IN THE WAY OF MY RESEARCH! I SHOULD NEVER HAVE HAD YOU!" The Wakaba-Sphinx said as Joker spoke up.

"You're wrong! Futaba never got in the way of anything! And the real version of her mom knows this!" Joker said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"Damn right, Joker! Get her!" Draconis said as the Wakaba-Sphinx spoke up once more.

"NO, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT I'VE ALWAYS THOUGHT! IF FUTABA WASN'T AROUND, I-" Wakaba-Sphinx said as Futaba spoke up firmly.

"No, that's a lie! Mom told me herself! She said no matter what, she could keep working so hard because of me. NOT DESPITE ME! The one who decided my existence was a burden on her-is myself! No one else!" Futaba said as Wakaba-Sphinx spoke up.

"No matter how much you struggle, you'll NEVER escape me! You'll be tormented by your personal guilt...FOREVER!" Wakaba-Sphinx said as Draconis spoke up.

"BULLSHIT! The only tormented one here? IS YOU!" Draconis said as Joker nodded and spoke up.

"Exactly, Draconis! All of us here have Futaba's back! And we believe in her!" Joker said as Wakaba-Sphinx gasped and spoke up.

"B-But, that's impossible..." Wakaba-Sphinx said as Futaba spoke up.

"No! With them, even the impossible can be made possible! If nothing else, Draconis showed me that much!" Futaba said as Wakaba-Sphinx tried to attack the group, only for her attack to be deflected by the green barrier that Futaba conjured as she spoke up, looking at Draconis.

"Draconis! Change direction! Aim the tip at her!" Futaba called out as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"You got it, Taba! And good job telling her what's what!" Draconis said, smiling as he shot Futaba a thumbs-up as he adjusted the direction of the ballista and aimed the tip at the Wakaba-Sphinx. Futaba looked at Draconis.

"Adjust vertical alignment! All right...FIRE!" Futaba said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"On it! TAKE THIS!" Draconis said as he launched another bolt into the Wakaba-Sphinx, knocking her down. After the group assaulted the Wakaba-Sphinx a bit longer, the Wakaba-Sphinx glared at Futaba and spoke up.

"FUTABA! FUTABA, FUTABA, FUTABAAAAAA! IT DOESN'T MATTER WHAT YOU SAY! Futaba is MY property! Defying one's mother is absolutely disgraceful!" The Wakaba-Sphinx said as Draconis huffed and spoke up, but not before Joker spoke up.

"You're done for. We'll be taking Futaba!" Joker said as the Wakaba-Sphinx spoke up.

"SHUT UP! SHUT UUUUUUUUP!" Wakaba-Sphinx yelled out, as Draconis glared at her and spoke up with a determined look on his face while he spoke.

"Shut up already! Give it up! Futaba already said she wants nothing to do with you, or this place! She wants to return with us, and live her own life, where she's free and happy! And I'm happy for her! I'm sure all of us are happy for her! Except for you, it seems! Well, if you're gonna get in the way, we'll just have to stop you!" Draconis said as Futaba nodded and spoke up.

"Right there with ya, Draconis! Let's bring her down, TOGETHER!" Futaba said as Draconis nodded. Right at that moment, Mona gasped as an object lifted itself from his pocket to hover over and land in Draconis' hand and glow green, making him gasp as he looked over towards Futaba.

"Taba! I think this means we can try that joint tactic we discussed when I told you about the Metaverse before! Remember, the one where we join our powers together for one huge attack?" Draconis said as Futaba gasped but nodded as she spoke up.

"Oh, right! You mean those Showtime things you mentioned that Mona and Panther have?" Futaba said as the others gasped, while Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"Yes! And more recently, Skull got two of them! One with Queen and one with Fox! And now, if I'm right, it's OUR turn to get one! Ready?" Draconis said as Futaba nodded.

"YUP!" Futaba said as she and Draconis nodded and spoke up together, ignoring the widened eyes of the others at the unexpected Showtime.

"HA! IT'S SHOWTIME!" Futaba and Draconis said as Draconis nodded by starting the Showtime by leaping up onto Smaug, after which he flew over towards Futaba.

"Taba! I believe that Necronomicon can drop bombs, can it not?" Draconis asked as Futaba nodded. Draconis grinned as he spoke up.

"In that case, lay it on me!" Draconis said as Futaba nodded, and Necronomicon dropped a bomb down into Draconis' outstretched arms, after which he dashed towards Smaug's head, holding out the bomb towards Smaug.

"SMAUG! LIGHT ME!" Draconis said as Smaug nodded, breathing a weak stream of flame at the bomb, lighting the fuse as Draconis smirked and dashed towards the back, to face the Wakaba-Sphinx.

"And now, to end it! OY, WAKABA-SPHINX! GOT SOMETHIN' FOR YA! IT'S! HA-BOOM-KEN!" Draconis said as he expertly twirled his hands in a picture-perfect Hadoken hand motion, sending the bomb sailing towards the Wakaba-Sphinx, which barely had time to gasp as the bomb flew at her and exploded literally in her face with a flash of light similar to that of Smaug's Megido attack, making the Wakaba-Sphinx stumble backwards as she winced from the impact, which clocked a considerable amount of damage as she spoke up in a determined manner while Draconis smirked and ran back to give Futaba a thumbs up as he spoke up.

"HA! GOT HER!" Draconis said to Futaba, who smiled as the Wakaba-Sphinx growled and yelled out.

"UGHHHH! FUTABA! IF ONLY I HAD NEVER BIRTHED YOU!" Wakaba-Sphinx said as Futaba frowned and spoke up.

"NO MATTER WHAT YOU SAY, I WILL LIVE! FIRE!" Futaba said as Joker and Draconis nodded, the former aiming his pistol at the Wakaba-Sphinx as the latter primed a throwing knife and looked at Joker.

"Together, Joker?" Draconis said as Joker nodded, the two throwing their knife/shooting their shot, the bullet hitting Wakaba-Sphinx's wing and the knife embedding itself into her chest, making her fall off the pyramid and crash to the ground below, where she landed in a motionless heap, unmoving, to end the battle. The ensuing influx of EXP from the battle brought Joker and Draconis to level 34, Queen, Mona, Skull, Fox, and Panther to level 33, Joker's Neko Shogun Persona to level 33, and even Futaba to level 31. Joker smirked as he spoke up.

"I leveled up!" Joker said as his stats increased from the level up. As a result of the level ups, no one learned a skill. After the fight, Queen raced over to Futaba, who'd ejected from Necronomicon and hunched over on one knee, and spoke up.

"Futaba!" Queen said as Draconis raced to Futaba's side, looking her over, a worried look on his face while he spoke.

"Taba! You good, Taba?" Draconis asked, kneeling down next to Futaba as Skull cheered and spoke up, either ignoring or not seeing Futaba hunched over while he spoke.

"Damn! Futaba, you're freaking incredible!" Skull said happily to Futaba as she struggled to her feet before blinking as she looked over her new outfit through the visor that had appeared over her face, making her speak up in shock.

"Whoa! What in the world!? OOH! It's totally skin-tight!" Futaba said as Draconis nodded and spoke up, clearly looking her over while trying not to blush as he did so while ignoring the likely knowing grins on Joker and Skull's face while he spoke.

"Indeed it is. That much is rather plain to see, Taba." Draconis said with a nod. At that moment another flash of light went off as another figure appeared before the group, making Skull yelp as he leveled up.

"Whoa, another thing showed up!? OW!" Skull said, the 'OW!' coming after Draconis ran over and punched him in the arm before speaking up irritably.

"Skull, don't be rude! Also, that's not a thing! I believe that's the spirit of Futaba's real mom!" Draconis said. Futaba gasped as she heard Draconis and turned to the figure, possibly her mom's ghost, and spoke up.

"Mom!?" Futaba said as Panther gasped and spoke up, only then noticing the being that had appeared while she spoke.

"Huh?" Panther said as the being nodded to Futaba's question and spoke up.

"Futaba. Thank you for choosing to remember the real me." The figure, now identified as the ghost of Wakaba Isshiki, said as Futaba gasped and spoke up.

"Mom! I'm sorry for being so selfish. Mom..." Futaba said as she went to walk over to Wakaba, who shook her head and spoke up.

"Don't come over here. This isn't where you're supposed to be, is it?" Wakaba asked Futaba, who spoke up, sounding close to breaking down as she spoke.

"But I finally got to see you again!" Futaba said as Wakaba laughed and spoke up.

"Are you being selfish again?" Wakaba said as Futaba blinked before she spoke up.

"Um, I...I love you, Mom." Futaba said to Wakaba, who smiled as she spoke up.

"I love you too, Futaba. Now, you should get going. You, and your new friends. And you, in the dragon mask. Draconis, was it? Take care of Futaba and watch over her for me?" Wakaba said to Draconis who blinked but nodded before bowing slightly to Wakaba's ghost as he spoke up.

"Of course, ma'am. It would be my honor to be there for Taba." Draconis said with a solemn nod as Wakaba nodded before fading away, to Futaba's shock and horror, as she spoke up.

"Mom! Don't leave me here! What am I supposed to do now!?" Futaba said before blinking as realization set in and she kept speaking.

"Oh, right. I still have to help you guys take care of Medjed since you helped me out." Futaba said as she started to leave, making Queen speak up.

"Where are you going?" Queen asked Futaba, who smiled as she spoke up, looking over at Draconis, who was smiling proudly at her while she spoke.

"Home. I know how to get here, but as I was brought over here by another, can you bring me home Draconis?" Futaba asked Draconis, who smiled as he walked over and nodded to Futaba before speaking up as he ignored the amused look on Joker and Skull's faces while he spoke.

"But of course, Taba. Let's get you home." Draconis said with an agreeable nod as he put an arm around Futaba and walked off with her, leaving the rest of the thieves to blink after the departing duo, as Queen dumbly spoke up at the spot where Futaba and Draconis had been before.

"Huh!? Oh, uh, right. Of course he'd have to get her home. That tracks." Queen said. Panther blinked dumbly as she spoke up.

"So...they both left." Panther said as Fox nodded and spoke up.

"Indeed. That girl marches to the beat of her own drum, doesn't she?" Fox said as Joker nodded before he spoke up.

"True, but I think we can trust Draconis to get her home safely. Besides, I get the feeling the two need the one on one time." Joker said knowingly with a smirk that Mona and Skull both returned, as the latter frowned at Fox before speaking up.

"Like you're one to talk." Skull said huffily to Fox, who just nodded as Queen spoke up.

"But, if we have her on our side...Wait! What about her Treasure!?" Queen said as Skull grinned and spoke up.

"Oh yeah! We almost forgot." Skull said as the group dashed to the Treasure container, only for Panther to frown and speak up to voice the group's thoughts at what they found.

"Huh!? It's empty?" Panther asked as the Palace started rumbling. Queen gasped as she spoke up.

"Eek!" Queen said as Skull frowned and spoke up.

"What's goin' on!? Wasn't it supposed to be here!?" Skull said as Mona gasped in realization before speaking up.

"Futaba herself was the Treasure! Which tracks with the fact that Draconis' theory about Futaba not being the actual ruler of her Palace was proven right when her mom ended up being the actual Palace ruler." Mona said. He then had his eyes go wide as he kept speaking.

"And she's gone, so of course it's empty!" Mona said as the rumbling intensified, making Mona wince as he kept speaking.

"Shoot! This is bad!" Mona said as Fox spoke up.

"What's the matter?" Fox asked as Mona frowned and spoke up.

"Really!? Not only did the real person come into her own Palace, she even awakened to a Persona while she was here! This place could collapse any second now!" Mona said as Queen nodded and spoke up.

"We've accomplished our mission, if her Palace is crumbling. We should hurry back to reality." Queen said as Fox nodded his agreement and spoke up.

"That would be wise." Fox said as the group ran off to escape the Palace, fleeing down the front of the pyramid. As they ran, Fox spoke up.

"It's catching up to us!" Fox said as Skull spoke up.

"Agreed! Runnin' here's a bitch!" Skull said as Panther spoke up.

"Mona! Hurry up and transform!" Panther said as Mona spoke up.

"I wish I could, but it's not that easy while running!" Mona said before yelping as Panther bodily lifted him up and tossed him out into the distance where he transformed into the Mona-Bus with a surprised 'MRAOWR!?' as he landed on his wheels, the group reaching the bottom of the pyramid and filing into the Mona-Bus as they fled the Metaverse, none of them seeing the black-masked figure who'd appeared near the base of the pyramid around that point and was presently examining the deceased figure of the Wakaba-Sphinx, which dissolved into black mist before the figure's eyes, making them smile approvingly before giving a satisfied nod and leaving as quickly as they'd come, leaving the Phantom Thieves none the wiser as they left the Metaverse...

(Back in the real world, with Yusuke, Ann, Morgana, Ryuji, Makoto, and Ren)

"Hey, you guys still alive?" Ryuji said as Ann nodded and spoke up.

"Yep. Ugh, I thought I was gonna die in-" Ann said before she blinked as she realized she'd landed in Yusuke's arms, and he was seemingly enjoying holding her, though Ann was unsure if he was conscious or not, but she spoke up with a yelp regardless.

"HEY! Will you let go already!?" Ann asked as she pushed herself off of Yusuke, who grunted as Ann accidentally hit him in the face while getting out of his arms, making Yusuke slump over on the pavement, gasping as she looked him over, ignoring the amused grins on Ren and Ryuji's faces as she spoke to Yusuke.

"Oh! Ah, sorry!" Ann said as Yusuke frowned and got to his feet, groaning as he did so.

"Agh! N-Not again..." Yusuke said as the door to Leblanc opened, and Sojiro walked out and spoke up.

"What was that sound? Hm? What're you guys doing out here?" Sojiro asked as Ann blinked and turned in surprise to see Sojiro standing by her as she spoke up.

"Oh, ummm." Ann said as Ryuji spoke up with a frown.

"That reminds me, where's Futaba?" Ryuji asked, making Makoto blink as she spoke up.

"Yeah, and Kusa too?" Makoto added. Sojiro blinked at the mention of Futaba and spoke up in concern.

"What about Futaba?" Sojiro asked as Ann blinked and spoke up.

"Oh, um." Ann said as Makoto spoke up to change the subject.

"Ah, yes! We came all this way, so how about we enjoy some coffee?" Makoto suggested as Ann did a closed-eye smile and grinned as she spoke up.

"Oh! That's a great idea! And no coffee's better than Boss' coffee!" Ann said honestly, making Sojiro smile but blink as he spoke up.

"That's fine, but..." Sojiro said as Yusuke spoke up.

"I'm not thirsty, though." Yusuke said as Makoto frowned, walked over, and punched Yusuke in the hip, making the others, Sojiro included, blink at her as she spoke up.

"Oh, I almost forgot! I have some business to take care of, so you guys go on ahead." Makoto said as Ann blinked but nodded.

"O-Okay, gotcha." Ann said as the others, excluding Ren, filed into Leblanc as Makoto walked over to speak to Ren.

"Let's go see Futaba. Odds are good Kusa's with her as well." Makoto said as Ren nodded, following Makoto with Morgana riding on his shoulder...

(At the Sakura household, with Kusa and Futaba)

"Whew, that was rough! Don't you agree, Taba? Uh, Futaba?" Kusa said, blinking when Futaba didn't answer him, turning around and gasping as he saw Futaba slumped over, her head in her hands, seemingly unresponsive.

"Futaba?! You good, Taba? Speak to me!" Kusa said as he instinctively scooped her up into his arms and carried her inside, taking her to her room and laying her on the bed and checking her to make sure she was okay, breathing a sigh of relief when he found signs of a pulse and breathing. Not long after, he heard the door to Futaba's bedroom open, and turned to see Makoto and Ren looking at him, Morgana frowning from on the latter's shoulder. Kusa then spoke up in a polite yet worried tone.

"Let me guess. You're here to check up on Taba?" Kusa asked politely as Makoto nodded and spoke up.

"Yes. Wait, is she okay?" Makoto asked as Kusa spoke up with a nod.

"Near as I've figured out, she's unconscious, but breathing. And she has a pulse, so she's definitely alive. Past that, I know very little at this point." Kusa said honestly as Makoto gasped and spoke up.

"Oh no! Is this our fault!? Is this because we defeated her monstrous mother?" Makoto asked as Kusa frowned and shook his head.

"Nah! If anything, she's probably burnt out! After all, she awakened to not one, but TWO Personas back there, AND she even got a Showtime with me, so that's gonna take a lot out of her. I think the only reason I'm not drained is that I was only really involved in the Showtime." Kusa said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"I agree with Kusa. That was nothing more than a cognitive being created in her mind. Destroying it wouldn't cause memory loss or put a physical burden on her." Mona said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"Exactly, Morgana! We're not like that asshat Black Mask! Which, when is that coward gonna show himself anyways!? He can't lurk unseen in the shadows forever! He's gonna have to come out sooner or later, and when he does, I'll be ready for him!" Kusa said determinedly. Makoto nodded as she spoke up.

"What should we do?" Makoto asked as Morgana blinked and turned to Ren.

"Hey, don't you know a doctor?" Morgana asked Ren, who nodded.

"Oh right, yeah, I know of Doctor Takemi." Ren said as Makoto gasped and spoke up.

"You do? Can you contact them?" Makoto asked as Ren nodded. A short time later, Takemi was in the room, frowning as she spoke up.

"A house call is gonna cost you, you know." Takemi said as Kusa frowned and spoke up.

"Yes, we know. We'll pay your bills once we know that our friend here is okay." Kusa said bluntly, fixing Takemi with a no-nonsense look. Makoto blinked and spoke up.

"How much will it be?" Makoto asked as Kusa spoke up, his gaze hardening a bit as he looked at Takemi while he spoke.

"You don't need to worry about it, Makoto. I've got some money put up. I can pay for it if need be." Kusa said firmly. Takemi smiled at Kusa's seriousness while she spoke up.

"I respect your resolve, kid. But that was just a joke." Takemi said as Makoto nodded and spoke up.

"I see. So, um, how is her condition?" Makoto asked as Takemi spoke up.

"Her pulse, breathing, temperature, and blood pressure are all normal. No ocular abnormalities either. I'm not sure why, but it seems this girl is in some kind of light stupor." Takemi said as Kusa frowned before speaking up.

"Stupor, you say? Could draining cause something like that? Because she did just use up a large amount of energy recently between cleaning a lot and working hard on her computer." Kusa said in concern. Takemi nodded and spoke up.

"That's possible. Furthermore, she lacks muscle for her age. I doubt she has much stamina either." Takemi said as Makoto spoke up.

"I see. The rebound from her awakening was too strong..." Makoto said, ignoring the wide-eyed looks aimed at her by Kusa, Ren, and Morgana, the latter of whom spoke up.

"There may have been too many abnormal circumstances..." Morgana said as Makoto nodded.

"We simply cannot keep quiet about this. We should let Boss know." Makoto said as Kusa nodded.

"I agree. I'll be the one to tell him. You lot stay here with her in case she wakes up while I'm gone. And if she asks, Sojiro's at Leblanc, and I went to run an errand." Kusa said as Morgana yelped and spoke up.

"Wait! Wouldn't he figure out our identities!?" Morgana asked in disbelief as Kusa frowned and spoke up.

"Perhaps, but I think right now the important thing is that he knows about Futaba and is able to help keep an eye on her. If that means we have to reveal our identities to him, well, then so be it! I think he can be trusted to know, and would keep our secret. How many times have I said that Sojiro's a good man?" Kusa said huffily, ignoring the looks of shock on Morgana, Ren, and Makoto's faces at him addressing Sojiro by name. Makoto nodded after a bit and spoke up.

"I agree with Kusa. We should tell him, shouldn't we?" Makoto asked as Ren nodded.

"Yeah. I believe Kusa was about to go get him? So we can wait here with Futaba?" Ren said as Kusa nodded.

"Indeed I was. I shall return shortly. Remember, if she wakes up, I went to run an errand! Got it!?" Kusa said as Makoto, Ren and Morgana nodded as he left to go get Sojiro. Makoto nodded and spoke up.

"Mm. I think that would be best. Letting him know is really the only option we have." Makoto said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"I guess it can't be helped now. Just keep the circumstances that led up to this a secret, okay?" Mona asked as Kusa frowned but nodded as he left the room. A short time later, Sojiro was in the room, looking over Futaba with a concerned expression as he spoke up.

"Hey, Futaba? Heyyy?" Sojiro said as a light groaning could be heard from the bed as the group looked over the laid-down Futaba, Kusa frowning as he looked over her, a concerned look on his face. Sojiro frowned as he spoke up.

"Oh, dear?" Sojiro said. Makoto then spoke up.

"Um, about Futaba..." Makoto said as Sojiro blinked and spoke up.

"Hm? Why do you guys look so down?" Sojiro said as Kusa spoke up bluntly.

"To be honest? We thought she was dead for a second there." Kusa said honestly. Ann nodded and spoke up.

"Futaba-chan's condition..." Ann said as Sojiro cut her off by speaking up.

"What, this? It happens every so often." Sojiro said as Ryuji voiced the group's thoughts perfectly with his response.

"HUH!?" Ryuji said as Sojiro chuckled and spoke up.

"She must've used up all her energy. It's like she runs out of batteries." Sojiro said as Kusa blinked before nodding his understanding as he spoke up.

"Ah, I see. So in other words, it's similar to what happens when someone downs a lot of caffeine or sugar, and then crashes after the energy rush wears off?" Kusa asked, having read about that before. Sojiro nodded and spoke up, pleased by how quick on the uptake Kusa was while he spoke.

"Yeah, exactly like that, Kusa. I think it happens because she doesn't get enough exercise." Sojiro said as Kusa spoke up.

"Well, let's be fair here. How much exercise is she gonna get as a shut-in? Not that either of us did much to encourage her to break that habit, though." Kusa said wisely. Ryuji huffed and spoke up.

"What!?" Ryuji asked as Sojiro nodded and spoke up.

"She stays like this for a few days whenever this happens." Sojiro said as Kusa gaped and spoke up.

"A few days!? Has she ever been like this for weeks at a time, out of curiosity?" Kusa asked, a horrified look on his face. Sojiro shrugged before he spoke up, not sure how to answer Kusa's question while he spoke.

"Dunno, I've never actually timed how long she stays out for. I'll make sure she gets plenty of rest, and if I don't, I'm sure Kusa will." Sojiro said with a knowing smirk at Kusa, who just frowned and nodded as he spoke up.

"Of course I will. I'm not going to let Futaba do anything that would be harmful to her. I prefer to see her happy and whole, not unhappy and damaged." Kusa said bluntly. Sojiro nodded, giving Kusa an approving smile before he spoke up.

"Fair enough. Here, keep an eye on her. I'm gonna go close the store." Sojiro said as Kusa nodded, taking a seat near Futaba as Sojiro left the room, at which point Makoto spoke up.

"It's hard to describe how I feel right now..." Makoto said as Ryuji nodded and spoke up.

"Yeah, I'm feelin' pretty frustrated..." Ryuji said as Kusa huffed and spoke up.

"Given what we've had to deal with recently, I wonder why you'd be feeling frustrated?" Kusa said dryly. Ann chuckled.

"Good point. I'm glad Futaba-chan's okay, but what are we gonna do about Medjed?" Ann asked, and as if that was a magic word to wake her, Futaba's eyes fluttered open and she spoke up, looking around.

"Ah..." Futaba said as Ryuji gaped and spoke up.

"She's up!" Ryuji said as Kusa nodded, frowning at Ryuji before he spoke up, ignoring the sound of Futaba quietly giggling at what he said next while he spoke.

"Thank you, Captain Obvious!" Kusa snarked before turning to Futaba and speaking up gently, looking into Futaba's eyes while he spoke.

"Hey there, Taba. How're you feeling?" Kusa asked Futaba gently. Futaba looked at Kusa and smiled, pleased that he was there with her in that moment while she spoke up to answer his question, yawning slightly while she spoke.

"I'm okay. But M...Medjed...Ugh, tired. Gonna sleep for a bit." Futaba said as her eyes fluttered closed again as Kusa smiled, gently draping a blanket over Futaba as he tucked her in.

"Yes, that's right. Sleep now, Taba. Get your energy back. You're gonna need it for later, since you might be our best bet at taking out Medjed. That, and you need to build your strength back up regardless. Now that we've saved you, hopefully, you've got a lot of life ahead of you to live. And I, for one, mean to see that you do it in the way that makes you happiest." Kusa said, smiling as he gently tucked some stray hairs behind Futaba's ears to get a better view of her sleeping face, before leaning in to gently press a kiss to her cheek, smiling as he spoke up.

"Rest easy, Taba. We're here to watch over you, and you're safe with us." Kusa said reassuringly as he smiled, before seeing the grins on Ryuji and Ren's faces and frowning as he spoke up, his face going bright red in mortification as he saw the grins on Ryuji, Ren and Morgana's faces as they looked at him, making him frown while he spoke.

"Shut up right now, all three of you! I do not want to hear it if you're about to mock me for what I just said!" Kusa said, his face red with embarrassment as he realized he'd said all that in front of the others. Ann giggled as she spoke up, clearly amused at the side of Kusa he'd shown just then and finding his oddly soft and tender side adorable while she spoke.

"Aww, I knew you were sweet on her." Ann said teasingly as Ryuji gaped and spoke up.

"Never mind that! She fell asleep again!?" Ryuji said as Ann spoke up.

"Futaba-chan!" Ann said as Kusa frowned and spoke up, glaring at Ann and Ryuji as he lowered his voice so as not to wake the sleeping Futaba while he spoke up.

"Shush! She's resting now! And she's not gonna do that if we're talking too loudly!" Kusa said in a low voice. Ann nodded and spoke up.

"Good point. Wait...for a bit!? How long is she planning on sleeping?" Ann asked. Kusa shrugged and spoke up.

"Your guess is as good as mine, I'm afraid. But Boss did say days, not weeks, so she should hopefully be up before the deadline. But I'll understand if you guys want to look for an alternative plan in case she's not up in time." Kusa said. Ann nodded and spoke up.

"Good point, and we probably shouldn't wake her up either." Ann said as Kusa nodded agreeably. Yusuke spoke up with a sigh.

"Ugh, what to do..." Yusuke said as Makoto spoke up.

"Ugh, it's too late to find another hacker..." Makoto said as Morgana spoke up.

"All we can do is wait for her to wake up..." Morgana said knowingly as the others nodded and went home for the evening...

(That evening, at Leblanc, with Ren and Morgana)

"The chief is with her. I'm sure everything will be okay. And if nothing else, the chief asked Kusa to stay over there while they keep vigil on Futaba, so between them we'll know if something comes up. Now we just gotta wait for Futaba to wake up..." Morgana said to Ren, who nodded. At that point, his phone, along with the others' phones, Futaba's included, went off to signal that 'Kusa and Futaba's Showtime' had been unlocked, making Ren smirk as he recalled how flashy the Showtime in mention had been. Ren then spent that night making infiltration tools, making 3 Goho-M's and 2 Calming Mists. For his efforts, Ren got a boost to his Proficiency, as he and Morgana laid down to get comfortable for the night...

(The next morning, with Ren and Morgana)

Ren frowned as his phone went off, signalling a private chat from Makoto, who wanted to hang out. As Ren put his phone away, Sojiro spoke up.

"Yo! Oh, you're done eating. Here, I'll make you a nice cup of coffee to wash it down. And make sure you wash your plate, since fair is fair. And so you know, I've got Kusa staying at the house until Futaba wakes up, and until I deem his knee to be sufficiently healed. I can't believe you let him go out on it yesterday! It was swelled up to the size of a orange this morning!" Sojiro said with a frown as he spoke up.

"Luckily, we don't live far from here, so I was able to run over and grab his icepack from the freezer so he's using it and laying on the hide-a-bed while his leg gets better. I swear, I don't know if you or Kusa is the more stubborn of the two of you." Sojiro said fondly as Ren nodded, putting his phone away as Morgana spoke up inside of Ren's bag.

"Okay! Let's clean up first. We can respond to the message later." Morgana said as Ren nodded. Morgana kept speaking.

"Besides, you're off today, so there's all sorts of time to respond." Morgana said as Ren nodded. Ren then finished his meal and checked his phone as it went off with a private chat from Mishima.

"Man, this is crazy. I can't keep up with this constant influx of posts. Isn't it tough being popular, Phantom Crew? Anyway, here's the latest lead I have. This one seems to be about...someone abusing their power? I wonder if it was written by a former employee of the company in question. Apparently one of the higher-ups has been claiming the achievements of his subordinates as his own. That really sucks." Mishima sent as Ren sent a response.

"To be honest, that's some business sense. But is he really worth our time?" Ren sent as Mishima sent a response.

"WHAT!? You can't seriously just be accepting of that! Now, I know the name of the company, but I don't have any details on the person himself. The company's over in Shinjuku, so try asking around places where business men could hang out. A bar at night might be a start. That should be a good place to get more info on this situation. I hope this isn't asking too much of you...Sorry. I'll look for another one, just in case." Mishima sent as Ren's phone went off to signal the receipt of a request titled 'We Aren't Just Your Slaves' as he put his phone away and Morgana spoke up to bring up the home shopping program. Ren nodded, before looking at his phone to ponder his options, hoping idly as he did so that not only that Futaba would wake up in time, but that both she and Kusa would make full recoveries from their respective issues...

END OF CHAPTER

A/N: AYUP! I went there! Enter the first of a handful of new Showtimes I'm adding into this story. And let's be honest with ourselves, I might have made it a tad TOO obvious that Kusa was gonna have a Showtime with Futaba, but hey here it is, am I right? Also, Palace 4 is basically now finito! So all that's left for Arc 4 is the wait for Futaba to recover, and the 'change of heart' for the arc, then Arc 4 will be finished. However, despite the simplified timeline, I still estimate there to be AT LEAST 3 to 5 chapters before this arc ends, since even though it's the waiting game at this point, there's still plenty of loose ends to tie up for this arc. So we're just getting started.

And also, before a bunch of people move to criticize me giving Futaba technically two Personas, it's kind of moreso a case of 'two Personas in one vessel' type set-up, similar to how a certain OTHER character houses TWO separate Personas inside themselves, even though they're treated as the same evolutionary line in most wikis.

**SPOILER ALERTS FOR STUFF THAT HAPPENS LATER IN ROYAL AHEAD. READ ON AT OWN RISK, OTHERWISE SKIP TO THE SECTION MARKED 'END OF SPOILER ALERTS'**

But let's be real, given the fact that Futaba's denoted in canon Royal as the de facto 'navigator' after she joins up, a role that a certain other character briefly takes over in the third semester, and the fact that said OTHER character is ALSO confirmed in canon Royal to sort of be a 'wild card', as it were, I feel like it's not an inaccurate observation/headcanon to figure that Futaba could also have that potential, even if it was never made use of.

Plus am I the only one who realizes that when her Persona evolutions occur, it's mostly just a matter of the UFO changing appearance, rather than the actual Persona being shown evolving? Personally, I feel like there could've been another Persona inside Futaba, who rides shotgun with her inside the UFO. Besides, how else does her Feathermen figures always end up in her UFO during her 'All-Out Attack'? (actually happens in said All-Out Attack in canon Royal) So yeah, treat that as a bit of a headcanon on my part/a liberty I took with her.

Also, as to why I gave her Nostradamus in particular? As I recall, he's a noted 'prophet' and as I recall her code name in canon Royal is considered to be akin to a prophet's, so I thought the parallel could be interesting. Not to mention, I could see it working, given the 'wizened old man with a wand' description I used, and I don't think anyone would buy me changing the Persona's name to Dumbledore, and let's be real, I feel like that might be a bit of a reach as Persona names go anyways. But that's just my opinion.

**END OF SPOILER ALERTS**

Anyways, thanks to everyone who reads/reviews/favorites this story, as that helps keep this story going and is greatly appreciated! That said, feel free to keep leaving reviews and/or PMing me with your input. I appreciate the feedback either way. And until next chapter, sithlorde1988 out!

NOTES

*1* - Yeah, I did add on a pre-fight of sorts for the Palace Ruler fight. It was something I was toying around with early in brainstorming, and I couldn't not use it after how much I could see it working. That, and the names I chose for the 'bosses'? I feel like Fu-Ta-Patra and Drapophis were as good of a boss name choice as any, so yeah hopefully people like the additional stuff I added to the Palace Ruler fight.

*2*- I know, I know. I made another reference here. But in this case it felt accurate. Though only anyone who's seen either of the Venom movies that came out recently (mainly the first one) will really get the reference. In this case, it's the fact that the way Futaba's bodysuit formed in her awakening in this story is a loose nod to how Venom would wrap himself over Eddie as if he were a suit, which has a lot of tendril-like movements involved.

That said, it actually somewhat fits with the fact that Necronomicon, or Futaba's canon Persona, is oft depicted as using tentacles for things, which for the fact it's based off of a UFO is slightly odd. But yet it kind of fits the alien vibe the developers were probably going for with that awakening. So it tracks I'd say.

CONFIDANT RANKS AS OF THE END OF CHAPTER 45

FOOL (Igor/Prison Master) - Rank 6

MAGICIAN (Mona/Morgana) - Rank 6

PRIESTESS (Makoto/Queen) - Rank 4

EMPEROR (Yusuke/Fox) - Rank 4

HIEROPHANT (Sojiro/Boss) - Rank 4

LOVERS (Ann/Panther) - Rank 6

CHARIOT (Ryuji/Skull) - Rank 5

JUSTICE (Akechi) - Rank 5

STRENGTH (Caroline and Justine/Twin Wardens) - Rank 6

DEATH (Takemi/Back-Alley Doctor) - Rank 6

TEMPERANCE (Kawakami) - Rank 3

STAR (Hifumi) - Rank 4

MOON (Mishima) - Rank 4

SUN (Yoshida/Man Of The People) - Rank 5

JUDGMENT (Sae/Prosecutor) - Rank 2

WORLD (Kusa/Draconis) - Rank 4

FAITH (Kasumi/Yoshizawa) - Rank 5 'MAX'

COUNCILLOR (Maruki) - Rank 5

YET TO BE UNLOCKED: FORTUNE, DEVIL, HANGED-MAN, HERMIT, TOWER, EMPRESS