"Any luck finding him?"
Amethyst and Bismuth, who had just warped back into the house, shook their heads at Greg, who gave a resigned sigh in return. The ex-musician had volunteered to remain behind with Peridot in case Steven came back home – but to no avail.
It'd already been a day since Steven ran off, and still no sign of their boy.
Bismuth rubbed the back of her head. "Speaking of finding folks, you guys hear from Connie yet?"
Pearl groaned in deep worry, shoulders sagging. She, Garnet, and Lapis had returned through the door a few minutes before Bismuth and Amethyst. "I tried calling her, but my phone kept saying her number's out of service. I called her mother afterward just in case, but she says her husband already dropped Connie off at the park a few hours ago."
"Maybe she's so busy patrolling, she forgot to check her phone?" Lapis suggested from her seated position beside Peridot, who'd been busy on her laptop the whole time.
Pearl shook her head. "Connie's much too diligent to make such a mistake." The lean Gem proceeded to wring her hands. "Ugh, now I'm getting worried for both of them!"
"Then let's head out there and find her!" suggested Amethyst as she thumbed back at the Warp Pad. "She can't be that far!"
"Actually, it would be best to hold off on that."
Everyone looked to Peridot, the one who just spoke, in either confusion or shock.
"Wha—Peridot, you can't be serious!" Pearl retorted. "Connie and Steven are who knows where and—"
"Exactly. Connie and Steven," the green techie interrupted in a calm tone and with one pointer finger raised. Her eyes hadn't left the screen of her laptop yet. "The same two who together not only triumphed over Jasper but talked down White Diamond of all Gems. We all know Connie will stop at nothing when she's dedicated to something, especially when Steven is involved."
At this point, Peridot shifted around to face the others, her countenance serious. "Plus, even if she does lack Steven's motivational skills, she's very good at laying down the facts."
"True," Lapis vouched. She never forgot that telling-off Connie gave her and Peridot during that whole Crystal Temps debacle. "If anybody can get through to Steven and convince him to come back, it's her."
Pearl struggled to steady her breath, concern unsated. "But still—"
"Again, those two went up against Jasper and White Diamond," Peridot reiterated. "Besides, I'm sure once she does find him, she'll let us know right away."
Before Pearl could press any further, Garnet stopped her with a hand on the shoulder. "Peridot's right. We need to have faith in Connie. Besides, for all we know, the rest of us searching probably sent Steven further into hiding."
Pearl bit her lip, fighting hard against the urge to continue the argument – except Garnet might have a point. Ever since the cactus incident (perhaps even before that), Steven had been mum about whatever had been on his mind.
And considering Connie was the only one who hadn't taken a chance to have him open up yet due to her absence, what else could they do besides wait?
Still, it'd be nice to do something that could help.
As if reading her fellow Gem's mind, Amethyst blew a raspberry, just as unsatisfied with waiting. "So, what are we supposed to do then?"
Garnet hummed in thought, hand to her chin. "Peridot, were you able to dig up anything on this Ann girl? Her friends for that matter?"
Peridot tapped her own chin with a finger. "All the data I collected from her phone yesterday got wiped clean by that surprise spike. However, I do remember the terms they were using. As keywords, they proved to be quite informative."
Pearl cocked her head, curious and a touch desperate. "How so?"
After gesturing everyone to huddle around her, Peridot pulled up a series of documents on her laptop. Almost immediately, Ann's full name stood out among a list of other names, highlighted in yellow.
Another name stood out near the top of that same document: Suguru Kamoshida.
At a glance, nothing in particular stood out about these names – until everyone read the title.
Shujin Gym Teacher Confesses to Molestation Charges
The entire room fell into stunned silence.
This couldn't be what they thought it was…right?
"Peridot," Greg asked at last, his low wary tone matching his expression as well as those of all the others. So focused on waiting for Steven to come home, he hadn't thought to look over Peridot's shoulder and see what she'd been doing in the meantime. "What exactly have you been looking up?"
Peridot took a deep breath and sighed, somber. "I'd…advise bracing yourselves."
XXX
Connie braced herself as her shoulder banged against a kiosk, nearly knocking it over due to the momentum from having to make a tight turn.
C'mon, where'd she go, where'd she go?!
Even as her thoughts mounted in desperation, she forced herself to stay calm. She needed to focus on tracking down her Shadow. Which was not easy since the other her seemed pretty keen on ensuring the exact opposite, running and hopping along the roofs of tents and stands like some fairytale Batman.
Much to Connie's relief, the chase soon ended once she merged into a cross-section of the pathways, where her Shadow could be see standing in the center, back to her other self.
Out the corner of her eye, Connie noted a long light-blue building with seashells painted on its walls. It still said U-Stor too, much to her surprise. Guess there's only so much imagination you can do for storage facilities.
Regardless, that meant the others couldn't be far behind.
Making a note to apologize to the Phantom Thieves for running off on them (again), Connie took a deep breath to steel herself, schooled a brave face, and started to approach her Shadow, ready to speak—
"Spineless."
For the life of her, Connie couldn't tell what made her pause more: the comment itself spoken in clear disgust or hearing her own voice in such an odd filter, the latter sounding too much how characters in horror movies sounded under possession.
The uncanniness only amped up when her Shadow finally turned to face her, her face a mask of cool disdain as her glowing golden eyes pierced Connie where she stood with a glare.
Her outfit closely resembled what Connie herself had worn that time years ago in Rose's Room, save for a few differences besides having her other self's current haircut: there was no eyepatch or cape; the pants and tunic were shades of purple; and the Shadow even had her own copy of the pink scabbard strapped to her back, sword included.
Once the comment registered, however, Connie squared her shoulders and returned the glare. "Who are you calling spineless?"
Her Shadow huffed with a smirk. "I'd say 'you', but maybe 'us' would be more appropriate. What do you think you're doing, coming here with them?"
"Saving Steven and all those Gems, of course."
"Nice cover," her Shadow scoffed in amusement. "Now how about you be honest for once?"
Connie furrowed her brow, confused and even more irked now. "What are you talking about?"
Before her Shadow could elaborate, the cacophony of footsteps heralded the Phantom Thieves catching up behind them.
"Connie-chan!" Noir called out.
"Yeah, no. Really, thanks for waiting up," Skull griped in annoyance.
Fox nodded at the other Connie. "It would seem you've cornered your Shadow."
"Uh, pretty sure a four-way intersection doesn't count as 'cornered', Inari," Oracle drolly countered before taking in Shadow Connie's attire. "Also, whoa! Total fantasy hero vibes."
Joker hummed in thought. Oracle was right: why would Connie's Shadow lead them out into the open like this?
The answer came immediately in the form of an unsheathed sword, the blade pointing straight at the group.
"W-Whoa now!" Panther exclaimed, reeling. "What are you doing?!"
Shadow Connie made no indication she'd heard Panther, let alone acknowledged the Thieves. Her gaze and attention remained solely on her other self, who quickly snapped to and drew out her own sword in response.
Mona hopped in alarm. "Careful!"
"It's OK," Connie assured him with a look. "I've got this."
The PT's veteran shook his head. "You don't understand! Anything that happens to your Shadow has the potential to affect you as well! One wrong move—"
"Oh, quit trying to scare her," Shadow Connie interrupted with a roll of her eyes. "Not like she already isn't."
Ripping her eyes off Mona, Connie scowled at her Shadow. "And what's that supposed to mean?"
"It means you're doing the same thing as when Pearl first took you on as a student."
Hearing this, Connie went stark still, eyes wide in shock.
"Oh yes, how could you ever forget?" her Shadow continued in a cloying tone, smile matching. "So eager to be a part of the action. So willing to prove yourself… "
"Stop it," the real one demanded, tone faint yet firm.
Her Shadow refused. "So desperate to be useful to anyone…"
"Stop it…"
"Even if it means letting them make a tool out of you."
"STOP IT!"
Screaming this, Connie launched at her Shadow with abandon, their swords clashing hard enough to echo in the open space.
"Connie-kun!" Queen cried out.
Skull looked to his leader in worry. "Yo, ain't we gonna do something?"
Joker took in the ensuing clash before shaking his head. "Let her vent it out."
"But…"
"Actually," Noir spoke up, a hand to her chest in understanding, a sympathetic gaze in her eyes. "I have to agree with Joker. When we were making our way inside earlier, I noticed Connie lagging behind. At first, I'd thought it was merely because the jump up intimidated her, but after what happened back there with the Shadows—"
Fox crossed his arms, thoughtful. "Are you suggesting she's been feeling inadequate around us?"
"It'd make sense," Mona added in empathy, crossing his arms as well. "She did take her performance in that last battle pretty hard."
A frustrated shout drew the Thieves' attention back to the swordfight. So far, Connie had been on the offense, slashing this way and that with minimal technique, even starting to sweat and pant from the exertion.
Her Shadow by contrast exhibited perfect calmness, not looking anywhere near as strained as she parried and blocked every blow with expert precision.
The difference couldn't be more night and day.
"Oof, she is really going at it," Oracle murmured.
"That goes without saying," Violet commented in worry, flinching at Connie's vehement glare. "I hope she and her Shadow can come to an understanding unscathed."
Queen put a hand to her chin in thought. "Somehow I don't think we'll need to worry."
"What do ya mean?" Skull asked.
"What I mean is…doesn't this seem purposeful? The fact Connie's Shadow led not just her out here but us as well?"
Fox furrowed his brow in suspicion. "Are you suggesting she's been leading us into a trap? Could she be keeping us preoccupied to allow the Rulers time to capture us?"
She had drawn them out into the open after all.
Queen shook her head at her teammate's suspicions. "No, if she meant to entrap us, she wouldn't be going out of her way to avoid the others."
"True," Mona agreed. "Those Shadows sounded pretty genuine about tracking her down." The cat sighed as he took in the swordfight. "Although that still doesn't explain the point of this. I just hope this ends soon so we can get some answers."
Which seemed soon indeed judging by the exhaustion starting to creep into Connie's expression as the girl continued her offensive front. Her Shadow by contrast hadn't broken a sweat, looking more bored than anything else as she kept flawlessly blocking and deflecting her other self's blows.
Until at last Connie slipped.
One wrong stance due to sloppiness was all her Shadow needed to knock the sword out of her hand, causing Connie to stumble back more from surprise than from the impact. Before Connie knew what hit her, her Shadow delivered a swift kick to her chest, knocking her back-first to the ground.
Wind knocked out of her, Connie barely had time to open her eyes and lift her head before she found the tip of her Shadow's blade at her throat.
"Connie!" Panther cried out, she and the others readied to dive in and save her.
That is until Shadow Connie sighed and lowered her sword, the disappointment in her voice as she spoke palpable.
"You're clearly not ready."
Her other self could not have looked more hurt.
With those biting words, Shadow Connie turned her back on her other self, about to leave – only to get ground-kicked in the back, yelping from the surprise attack as her sword flew out of her grasp.
The Shadow barely had time to react before Connie, in a burst of anger-driven energy, leapt up and tackled her to the ground, where the two proceeded to wrestle in a haphazard manner, more like two kids in a school fight than proper warriors.
They barely went ten seconds before Queen and Skull rushed in from behind and pried Connie off her Shadow, restraining her by the arms.
"Alright, break it up, you two!" the latter barked.
Connie grunted and twisted as she tried to free herself, eager to continue what she started, but the two Thieves together were too strong for her.
Queen sighed with a shake of her head at the girl's stubbornness. "Honestly, don't you think this has gone on long enough?"
At this point, the rest of the team had joined them.
"Well," Fox commented with a twinge of awe at the show of ruthlessness he and the others had just witnessed. "I would assume this fight is over now."
"Yeah really," Mona echoed with hands akimbo as he eyed Shadow Connie, who lay on the ground limbs splayed out like a starfish, eyes wide and staring upward. "Woof, hopefully this got at least a chunk of her frustrations out."
Joker shifted his gaze over to Connie, who had by then ceased struggling and gone limp, breathing heavily in exhaustion.
"You OK?"
Despite her fatigue, Connie managed to jerk her head up to meet Joker's eyes, startled as if just remembering his existence. Had she really been that lost in fighting her Shadow?
The thought made her stomach curl in shame.
Before she could apologize, giggling filled the air, giggling that sounded like her and also did not.
Her Shadow.
At first the other her was giggling to herself, low enough to almost be inaudible, only to soon descend into chuckling and then finally full-blow laughter.
She sounded happy. Relieved even. Indeed, as she sat up her face held an unmistakable smile, her eyes closed in content. "Ah…that's better."
Hearing that made Connie blink and do a double take. "W-What?"
"The fact you refused to accept defeat. I was worried being away from fighting had dulled your drive to win, but I see now that it's as alive as ever." The Shadow opened her eyes to fix her other self with a proud gaze. "Just needed a little push, is all."
"So that's it," Queen realized as she and Skull released Connie. "You were testing her."
When her Shadow nodded her head in confirmation, Connie shook her own in confusion.
"But…why? I know I've gotten rusty, but it's not like I got my butt handed to me against those Shadows." She took a step closer to her own Shadow, hand to her chest, face pleading. "I have what it takes to help Steven and the others!"
"I know. That's not the problem." Shadow Connie grew somber as she stood up, dusting off her uniform. "It's the fact that you're not thinking of yourself that's the problem."
When Connie furrowed her brow at her, Shadow Connie sighed. "You're not some expendable soldier in some massive army, or have you forgotten? Steven wouldn't want us treating ourselves like some pawn to sacrifice, and I'm pretty sure all these guys would agree."
Hearing this threw the Thieves for a loop, judging by everyone's taken back expressions. Everyone's attention shot to Connie, who wilted under everyone's gazes.
"Connie-san," Violet gingerly started to ask, hand to her chest in worry. "Is what she's saying true?"
Right now, Connie felt her throat seize, forced to swallow a lump the size of Homeworld down. She hung her head in silence, suddenly feeling even more ashamed.
Joker cocked his head. "You're worth more than that."
A slight gasp of surprise escaped Connie. She hadn't expected the leader would cut to the quick so fast.
"He's right," Noir agreed, hands to her chest. "It's one thing to put other's needs before yourself, but you need to remember your own well-being too, even if only to minimize others' worry for you."
Biting her bottom lip, Connie forced herself to breath in and out in a slow and even pattern until she knew she could look the others in the eyes without breaking down. Once she looked up, she saw only concern and wonder on everyone's faces.
Only her Shadow differed, showing instead the same resignation that she herself felt deep down.
"It's not like I've forgotten," Connie began, rubbing one arm up and down. "It's just…I clearly can't keep up with the rest of you guys. Even with my sword, I can't clean house nearly as fast as you all can with those summons of yours."
Fox cocked his head, arms crossed. "You are referring to our Personas, yes?"
"Yeah, all the things you did with them, that's way more like the fantasy books I've read than anything the Gems have done. Come to think of it, I noticed that each of yours kind of look like you guys too. I'd been wondering what you guys had to do to even have them. And considering my Shadow literally looks like me…"
Mona suddenly hopped in place, realization in his wide eyes. "Wait a second. Is that what you were hoping for? That your Shadow could tell you how to awaken to your Persona?"
Awaken? Connie eyed Mona in wonder. Was that what they called the necessary process?
Skull sighed as he rubbed the back of his head. "Yeah, hate to break to ya, but getting a Persona doesn't exactly work like that."
"Yeah," Oracle added. "It's not like waving around a magic wand and saying a spell. It's a…lot more involved, let's say."
Panther scratched her temple, feeling awkward at having to explain this. "You kinda have to be pushed into a corner first."
Pushed? Somehow Connie felt herself wilt even further. Part of her contemplated if maybe jumping headfirst into another fight would work, but her practical side put a stamp on that plan right away. She'd already been doing that, and not once did it work in her favor.
Was she just in the way after all then?
"Connie-san," Violet spoke up in a soft tone at the other girl's crestfallen expression. "Not having a Persona doesn't mean you can't still help us."
"Yeah, it ain't like we're gonna tell ya to go home if that's what you're worried about," Skull added in a tone he hoped would be assuring.
"Yes," Noir added. "I'm certain we can work something out!"
In the face of all this forced optimism, Connie only sighed.
"It's more than that. I'd always dreamt of being part of some grand adventure, ever since I was a kid. After I met Steven, after I learned of all the dangers that he and his family had to face to protect Earth, I couldn't help but want to be a part of that. I was willing to do anything to be part of that."
"Even at the cost of losing your sense of self-worth like Pearl wanted back then," her Shadow added in a somber tone.
Queen eyed Shadow Connie in further concern, taken back, before turning to Connie. "Wait, what is she talking about?"
Oh boy, Connie feared this topic would come up. Shuffling her feet, she set her lips in a firm line, not sure whether to explain, let alone how to do so without incriminating Pearl and the rest of Steven's family any further.
Ugh, who was she kidding? This whole place represented the inner psyche of Steven and his whole family, let alone herself. These guys were bound to see the ugly bits at some point.
Steeling herself with this thought, Connie opened her mouth to explain—
"There you are!"
Everyone swiveled their heads at the new distorted voice.
A sizable entourage came towards the group from the direction of the castle. Shadow Quartzes formed a triclinium-style formation around a group of four, leaving an open front for the more important figures.
Once again, Connie found herself taken at how realistic cognitions could get as not only had Cognitive Pearl come back, but now she'd brought along the cognitive versions of Garnet and Amethyst as well, those two also sporting the same outfits as when Connie first met the real ones. These three formed a triangular formation of their own, and in the center was—
"Steven," Shadow Connie murmured in a mix of longing and tension.
As if that's not obvious, Connie mused.
Indeed, her boyfriend's Shadow had his general body shape and height as well as hairstyle, although those are where the similarities ended. He sported a regal deep pink vest, complete with golden buttons and tassels and soft blue collar and belt and trousers, the last of which sported a golden stripe down each side, and shiny black shoes.
All in all, he almost looked like a younger, palette-swapped version of Prince Charming from Disney's Cinderella. A younger version who needed serious sleep judging by the stark black bags under his widened eyes, much to not only Connie's shock but the Phantom Thieves' as well.
The way the Shadow would sway every now and then did not waive off concern either.
Without warning, he dashed towards the team in a burst of speed that none of the teens besides Connie and Panther, who'd already seen such a display from the real one before, were prepared for. The whole group had to cover their faces from the storm of dust he kicked up.
"Holy!" Skull managed to exclaim before Shadow Steven dropped to one knee, hands clasped, eyes shimmering at Shadow Connie in utmost adoration and relief, like a puppy whose owner had finally returned home after a long day at work.
The way Shadow Connie's face pinched in guilt did escape Mona and Joker's notice.
"I'm so glad you're OK!" Shadow Steven cried out in genuine joy. "When Pearl told me where you were, I couldn't believe it at first! But once the guards told me about—"
Right then he noticed the other Connie standing there, staring at him in both wonder and slight discomfort. He stood up with a clear of his throat and a big, welcoming smile, acting the part befitting his attire.
"Oh, are you all the guests the guards mentioned? I'm so sorry about the mix-up! Pearl said you wanted to see me about something, right?"
The Thieves and Connie shared a contemplative gaze. Steven's Shadow seemed cooperative so far; maybe asking wouldn't hurt.
"Well," Queen started in a tentative tone, "we were hoping if you would allow us permission to investigate your Palace. Something awful has been happening to the Gems under your stead, and we have reason to believe the cause could be somewhere here."
A rude snort burst from Cognitive Amethyst. Shadow Steven shot her a brief glare before returning his attention to the team, smile back in place. "When you put it like that, sure! We'd be happy to assist!"
That response took everyone for a loop, even the prince's entourage. Cognitive Pearl sputtered in shock while Cognitive Amethyst facepalmed with a groan. Only Cognitive Garnet remained unphased, stoic.
"For real?!" Skull blurted his surprise, head reeled back.
Shadow Steven nodded. "For real! Anything for my guests after all!"
Panther blinked in surprise, rubbing her nape in wonder. "Wow, that was easy."
Mona and Queen narrowed their eyes in suspicion, even sharing a look. Things were going way too well.
Joker had similar sentiments as he hummed in thought, studying the Shadow and Cognitions closely.
And Connie…
Connie found herself torn. On the one hand, she could her the actual desire to help in Shadow Steven's voice. On the other hand, the way the Cognitive Crystals were looking at her and the others unnerved her, Cognitive Garnet's lack of discernible facial expression in particular.
Then she looked back to Shadow Steven's persisting smile. She took a moment to break eye contact and mull over her next words.
"Do you…know who I am?"
For a moment, Shadow Steven dropped his smile for a confused frown and arched brow before the smile returned again, accompanied by jovial laughter. "Well, of course!"
That took Connie and the Thieves for an even bigger loop.
"Really?" Violet asked in disbelief.
"Yeah! She's clearly a big fan of Connie here!" Shadow Steven gestured a hand to Shadow Connie, who merely pinched her eyes closed with a sigh. "Why else would she try so hard to look like her? All she's missing is the uniform."
Everyone else simply went silent, letting his response sink in.
Fox broke the silence with a sigh. "Sad to say, his response does not surprise me in the least."
Connie would have to agree, evidenced by her now mirroring her Shadow's eye-pinching. At least Steven's Shadow didn't think she was some crazy imposter.
Still, what now?
"We're all huge fans."
No one was expecting that, let alone from Joker of all people. Everyone stared at the lead thief in shock.
"Wait, we are?!" Skull blurted out before Queen, who caught on faster, elbowed him and followed up.
"Y-Yes! We're just such huge fans of the Crystal Gems, when we heard about all the victims here, we wanted to lend our biggest heroes a hand!"
"Um, yes!" Noir hurriedly added. "With how large this place is, we thought you would appreciate more help!"
Once again, the looks on the Cognitive Crystals' faces did not bode well, but at least Shadow Steven looked convinced. He even chuckled, waving a hand off in an almost dismissive manner.
"Ah, that's sweet but won't be necessary. We can handle everything for you guys!"
Connie and the Thieves eyed the prince in utter confusion. So surprised, none of them noticed how Shadow Connie tensed immediately.
"Handle everything for us?" Oracle parroted.
"Of course! I can handle saving everyone. You guys just worry about enjoying the park in the meantime."
Violet shook her head, shocked. "But…didn't you just agree to helping us investigate?!"
"Yeah man, what the hell?!" Skull barked.
Shadow Steven blinked in confusion before gasping in realization. "Oh. Oh, you meant actually letting you guys poke around in the Temple!"
"Well yeah," Connie answered in an almost desperate tone. "We can't help anyone if we can't see for ourselves what the problem is!"
As much as she didn't expect Shadow Steven to trick them, she didn't trust the Cognitive Crystals to not stall. To her frustration, however, Shadow Steven held his hands up in a placating manner.
"I'm sorry, but the Temple's just no place for humans. Way too dangerous for such a frail species."
"And there's the alien superiority complex," Oracle murmured in chagrin. Cognitive Pearl's triumphant smirk did not miss her notice either.
"Frail, my ass!" Skull snapped, taking a step forward, much to Shadow Steven's surprise. "We didn't come all the way here to get babied. We're here to save your ass and your town from whoever's been screwing you all over!"
Mona noticed the way Cognitive Garnet's shoulders tensed. "Easy, Skull."
"He's right, though," Queen echoed in a steely tone. "We only asked for your permission first because we thought you'd be willing to listen. Clearly, that isn't the case."
"Our apologies, Your Highness," Noir added with eyes full of resolution. "But we have no intentions of hanging back."
"You won't stop us," Joker finalized with a determined gaze, one that took Shadow Steven further aback.
At this point, Connie hardened her face as she stepped back to take Joker's side, trying very hard not to let Shadow Steven's hurt expression get to her. She noted how her Shadow now stood beside her in a similar show of defiance.
Negotiations were over.
For a moment, everyone stood at a standstill.
Until at last Shadow Steven sighed and eyed the rebels in sympathy. "Alright, I understand."
Then he clapped his hands. Before anyone could react, pink bubbles bloomed from below and subsumed each of the gang except Connie and her Shadow, who managed to grab her other self and dive to the side to avoid the same fate.
"What the—?!" Mona cried out.
Skull tried to punch his way out, to no avail, only to wound up with an aching hand. "ARGH! Damn it!"
"It's clear you all need a time out," Shadow Steven continued in a firmer voice, face no-nonsense before he turned to the Cognitive Crystals. "Pearl, Garnet, Amethyst, I'm gonna send each of these guys to different places so they can settle down easier. Can I trust you all to keep eye on them?"
Cognitive Pearl chuckled in a motherly manner, sounding too eager. "But of course you can, Steven! Anything for you after all!"
"Hey, if it shuts these losers up," Cognitive Amethyst drawled.
Panther felt her blood go cold. "You're gonna separate us?!"
"NO!" Connie cried out, banging her hands against Joker's bubble. This couldn't be happening! "LET THEM OUT!"
To her horror, neither Steven's Shadow nor the cognitions heeded her plea.
"Now, now," Cognitive Pearl tsked in a condescending tone, "let's not waste our energy making a scene." She raised her hands and clapped. On cue, Shadows appeared behind her and her comrades, weapons already drawn.
"Uh guys," Skull gulped. "I'm open to ideas."
Fox grunted as he failed to slice open his own bubble. "Our prisons are nigh indestructible! I fear we may need a miracle."
"Can't we do anything?!" Mona cried in frustration.
Right then, Connie spotted her sword lying some feet away and started to make a move for it, only for a familiar studded whip to lash just a few inches shy of her feet, forcing the girl to backpedal.
Helpless, Coonie could only watch her newfound comrades rack their minds in desperation for a solution, any solution, before hanging her head in likewise sentiment.
There had to be a way.
"It's pointless."
Connie jerked her head up in surprise and turned towards the source of the voice. "Huh?"
Cognitive Garnet had finally spoken, just as authoritative as that of the real one. Except…
"There is no future where you all escape this," she continued. "Admit you are powerless and accept it. It's all you can do."
Cold, Connie realized. This version of Garnet sounded so cold, uncaring, like she couldn't sound any more disinterested in the fates of these youths, never mind how any of them felt.
The nearing sound of footsteps caught her hearing and dread dropped into her stomach the moment she realized Shadow Steven now stood before her and Shadow Connie, ready to send them and the Thieves away.
What hurt most was the sad, piteous smile he gave her.
"I know you hate this. I know it's unfair. I know you want to do more to help, but it's just how things are, so trust me when I say I'm gonna fix everything. I'll have saved everyone before you know it!"
His words echoed in Connie's mind, the girl's face wide-eyed and blank, while her Shadow, who'd been silent, hung her head with balled fists.
The prince reached up to bubble her as well—
"You know?"
Her words gave him pause, unwittingly giving Connie the floor.
"You know?" she repeated, incredulous. Her facial expression started to melt into something akin to anger. "How can you know when you clearly don't know what's going on to begin with?"
Shadow Steven shrugged with that same happy smile that Connie, to her own shock, wanted to slap off.
"Oh, well I'm sure the Gems and I will figure it out—"
"No," she cut him off. "No, you won't. Do you even know the first thing about changes of heart? Or the Metaverse or Palaces? What about distortions?"
As she expected, Shadow Steven showed a moment of hesitation at all the new terms. "Well, that last one sounds a lot like Corruption, so—"
"So what?" she cut in. "You're just gonna dump every affected Gem in Diamond essence? You can't know if that'll work if you don't ask the people who actually know stuff about the cognitive world!"
At this point, Shadow Steven finally gave up on smiling, stubbornness starting to form on his face. "Then I'll ask you and your friends one by one. That way, we will know."
"That's not enough," Joker stated with a shake of his head.
Mona nodded. "He's right. We've got way more experience in dealing with the Metaverse than you. We can't share any of that if you imprison us like this."
Shadow Steven only shook his head in return. "You'll only get hurt if I let you roam free! None of you know what you're getting into!"
Skull scoffed. "And cuz you're somethin' besides human, you automatically do? Talk about a load of crap."
Okay, now Shadow Steven was starting to get upset, a flicker of the same pink energy from before accompanying his rising anger.
"I do! Better than any of you, whether I want to or not! You don't know any of the lengths my family's gone through to keep your world's safe! You don't know what I've been through to keep this world safe!"
"It's not as though we're unaware," Noir gently countered at seeing how worked up the prince was getting. "However, resolving this takes abilities we have that you don't."
"Face it," Queen stressed. "You need us."
Shadow Steven said nothing at first. His face softened for a moment, a moment that gave Connie and her Shadow hope that perhaps they'd finally gotten through to him.
Then he closed his eyes and clapped his hands, summoning even more Shadows.
"I'm sorry," Shadow Steven responded in a soft tone as he reopened his eyes and took in the group's disbelief. "I'm the only one who can fix everything. Otherwise, what's the point of me at all?"
All Connie could do was stare back at him.
And then Shadow Steven said the worst thing possible: "So please, trust me to know better."
Connie's breath hitched.
"OK, fellas," Shadow Steven ordered the Quartz guards with that same infuriating smile. "You can take these guys away now. I'll see about talking some sense into them—"
"Idiot…"
That word, spoken in a cold hiss in a voice he knew well, took him off guard. When the prince turned, he discovered the 'fake' Connie staring down, eyes hooded and unviewable.
Save for her frown.
"You. Absolute. Idiot."
Shadow Steven barely managed to stutter a surprised 'what' before Connie continued.
"Acting like you know better than everyone else. Pretending you know exactly what's going on when you don't know shit."
Hurt flashed across the prince's face, the boy flinching at the cuss word. For an apparent fake, this other Connie knew how to hit a sore spot.
But no, he wouldn't let her get to him. The prince schooled a firm countenance, doing his best to stand tall.
"I know plenty."
"No, you don't."
Shadow Steven stepped closer. "Yes, I do."
"No."
Another step. "Yes."
"NO."
Another step still. "YES."
Connie finally raised her head, glaring in full force. "NO!"
"For the love of—"
The prince raised his hand to bubble her, only for Connie to slap his hand away. He tried again, only for Connie to slap his hand again. This went on three more times before the prince finally reached the end of his patience.
"STOP IT!"
Then the girl was right up in his face, not even caring the boy had gone pink.
"YOU STOP IT!"
Everyone, even Cognitive Garnet, could only stare in shock – yet no one more shocked than Shadow Steven himself, cowed by the snarling girl forcing her way into his personal space, forcing him to back away with every sentence and finger-jab to the chest.
"Yeah, that's right, Steven Universe. You wanna scream, I'll scream right back. You wanna use force, I'll send that back too. No matter what you say, what you do, I will never stop pushing back until you finally get it into your thick, know-nothing skull! So drop these bubbles, drop your excuses, AND DROP YOUR FUCKING HOLIER-THAN-THOU BULLSHIT!"
Somehow, the silence hung even heavier as Connie panted from her rant, never thinking she would have ever been this way with Steven, let alone a version of him.
But like hell if she had any regrets.
Behind her, her Shadow smiled.
Are you done retreating then?
Connie barely had a moment to register the sudden voice in her head before a pulsating pain went off in her head immediately after, causing her to grip it.
So eager for peacetime, so desperate to forget your own scars, you have the gall to abandon your post. To forget the injustice that still runs rampant.
"Wh-Who are—" was as far as Connie managed before the hellish migraine intensified, driving the wailing girl to her knees. She hardly registered Shadow Steven falling to his knees in suit, pleading her to tell him what's wrong, or her Shadow picking up her other self's discarded sword.
I am thou, thou art I. Duty calls once more. Will you heed it and seal our contract—with a hellish screech, Connie doubled over in pain, the ground beneath her splintering into a crater as though by impact, sending Shadow Steven flying back – or would you rather leave the undeserving to fate's cruel whims just to spare yourself further pain?
Another pant for air…and then a smirk, followed by a chuckle. Connie's breath started to steady.
"You're me, aren't you? You already know my answer."
The moment she raised her head back up, one could see her irises had turned an unsettling gold. However, that detail did not garner attention long for in a blaze of blue fire, a mask immediately materialized over her face, deep purple and in the shape of a lotus, its leaves arranged like a star.
The other her chuckled back as Shadow Connie made herself known beside Connie and offered the sword. Well spoken. Then let us raise our blade and shake the ill-earned pride of those who dare wrong those we cherish to its core!
Yes. No more hesitation.
Joining her Shadow's grip on the sword hilt with one hand, with the other Connie ripped the visors clean off her face with a scream and sickening squelch. On cue, the fire burst around the two in a cerulean inferno that forced all those present to shield their eyes from its heat and light.
"Connie!" Panther called out over the sound of rushing flames. She and the other Thieves hadn't noticed yet that the explosion had destroyed their bubble prisons.
As the fire started to dissipate, a silhouette became visible through the flames.
Or rather two silhouettes.
The first to be viewable, by virtue of size alone, was a tall and imposing horse whose body ranged from black at the lower legs to light purple along the back in a strata-style pattern reminiscent of canyon walls, glittering amethyst hooves, dark purple leaf-mane and -tail both studded by vibrant pink flowers, a harness made of golden vines, fierce black eyes, a purple lotus symbol on the forehead, and a collar studded with purple gemstones and a black left pendant hanging from the front.
Atop the horse's back, seated on a black saddle lined with gold and matching leaf embroidery was a familiar girl – only now she sported a black jutti with golden flower imprints as well as matching lining at the arms cuffs and collar area, her hair tied by a gold hairband into a low ponytail, purple harem pants with gold cuffs, black dhoti with gold imprints resembling vines, and fingerless black gloves with purple palms. A matching purple scabbard strapped to her back sported the same embroidery as her dhoti.
All these details came together into an image that screamed power.
Power that stared down Shadow Steven and the Cognitive Crystals, who stared back in shock and confusion.
"What's wrong?" Connie called out. "Speechless?"
Shadow Steven took in the sight, stunned, and even started reaching a hand forward as if to approach, to make sense of the sight before him.
A harsh grab of the prince's left shoulder put a stop to that plan immediately.
"DON'T JUST STAND THERE!" Cognitive Pearl screamed at the guards as Cognitive Garnet shoved Shadow Steven behind her and Cognitive Amethyst. "DO SOMETHING!"
The head guard straightened at once. "O-Of course, ma'am! You heard her, troops. Move in!"
With that command, the Shadows around them started to charge.
"Look out!" Mona cried out, he and his fellow Thieves posed for a fight.
Connie, however, did not panic.
Instead, she raised her palm, her new steed lifting a front hoof in time with this act as the Shadows closed in…and sealed it into a fist.
At this signal, the horse brought its hoof down with a mighty clop and sent out a wave of power that ruptured the ground into earthen spikes, impaling the Shadows close enough while sending the rest flying. The very sight caused the other Shadows to stop in their tracks in terror, now unwilling to come any closer.
Both Shadow Steven and the Cognitive Crystals gaped in absolute disbelief and (in the CC's case) terror, unable to fathom what just happened.
"Connie-san," Violet awed.
"Holy shit," Skull exclaimed. "Did you guys just see that!"
Mona could only shake his head, mystified. "Amazing, such a powerful Persona!"
"And so beautiful too!" Noir added.
The horse neighed proudly as if in agreement with these statements. Connie almost chuckled at the very thought. This beast truly was her real self.
But there'd be time to reflect on that later.
"I won't let pain stop me. Not anymore. And I won't let what others think of me decide for me either. This is for your own good, Steven, to hell whether you agree or not."
As she spoke these words, the Phantom Thieves joined her side, weapons at the ready.
That's when Connie noticed Joker looking up at her with a smirk. As usual, he only had one thing to say.
"Show us what you've got."
The newly made Persona user returned the smirk right back with a nod before she pulled out the broadsword from her scabbard, revealing its gleaming silver blade.
With a flourish, she pointed it forward at the remaining Shadows.
"LET'S CUT A PATH, NACHIYAR!"
Note: I've got sketches for Connie's PT attire and her first Persona down. If anybody would like me to post the colored versions, just say so.