Disclamer: I don't own anything except for O.C

A/N: This chapter may contain some suggestive themes. It took a while to finish due to time constraints but here it is.

I hope you enjoy the chapter! Since when is Sumire so bold?


Seoul Korea

Tsubasa was savoring the sweets at the table situated on the outside dining roof deck, alongside Mitsuru Kirijo.

The strange woman wore something like a biker lion tamer. She wore a fur coat over a black catsuit. She still fights with a rapier and carries an Evoker in a holster on her thigh.

The Head of Shadow Operatives has explained in detail her role as part of Japanese law enforcement. An unofficial section of the police backed by the Kirijo Group, the purpose of the Shadow Operatives is to hunt Shadows and deal with Persona related activity.

At first, Tsubasa was considering having the stranger escorted out of the hotel as she felt like that woman might be dangerous, but then she recalled learning about the Shadow Operatives from Maiko Shimazaki and Barry Goodman months ago. The head of the Operatives bares the same name as that lady, so it must be the same person. Plus, she knows about Performa's and Personas, which are basically the same thing.

The Mirage feeds on Performa as well as Shadows and Personas. It is really intriguing to meet Persona users out of the blue; the only person she knows who has had that power before is Rise-Sama through Kiria's connetions.

Mitsuru was surprised to learn about the Mirage from the Idol. The Head of the Shadow Operatives was taken aback upon learning about the new threats. Specters that can eat Shadows is unheard of, but also pose a threat to humans? That could explain why there are no reports of Shadows in the entertainment sector these days. Admittedly, she and Fuuka have looked into these new threats in the entertainment sector since the incident with the Phantom Theivs and the Opera Theater.

"So that unknown world I've gone to is called the Idolaspeare?" Mitsuru asked as she crossed her legs.

Oribe nodded after she finished her strawberry cupcake.

"Does it take you to other places around the world?"

"It's the first time I have heard about it," Tsubasa remarked.

Mitsuru sighed, "As I thought, it's an unusual phenomenon."

Mermaid standing beside her master, "Well since we cleard things up I was wondering if I can-"

"No, humans are not on the menu."

"Actually, I was wondering if I should kill her? Since she knows too much already," Tsubasa gave the demon a look and turned her attention to Mitsuru.

Mitsuru sighed, "If I may ask; can I join your security detail?"

Tsubasa blinked in surprise, "Huh?"

"I will admit that this is new to me, but I believe that I and Tourqe have been brought here for a reason, and I tend to seek my answers to the question on my accord. That said, I..." The redhead woman trailed off as she closed her eyes, "Do need a passport to Japan." she crossed her arms.

"Passport?"

"I don't think a foreign government is going to let me go if I just flashed my Government ID."

Tsubasa's placed her finger on her chin, "Hmmm, well, you do own a company, right?"

"I do, but that will not be enough."

"Yea, they'll start interrogating you," Oribe rolled her eyes, "Maybe you can talk to Mr. Mahiro, I'm sure he'll back you up."

"Back her up you say?" Tsubasa jumped out of her seat and bowed.

"Mr. Mahiro!"

The old man arrived at the rooftop with his cane in hand, "You don't have to treat me so formally, child." he then eyed Mitsuru.

"Mrs. Kijiro, it's been awhile."

"How long have you been watching us talk?" The redhead woman stood up as well to face the former MP.

"Just now recently, your friend told us that you'll be here," said Mahiro, "If you want a passport all you have to do is ask. Don't go out of your way to do your conspires espionage and drag Mrs. Oribe into this."

Mitsure, "Forgive me, sir."

He raised his hand, "To be clear, you're not in trouble for infiltrating our security with your name and face and I don't care how you got here." He walked pass the three females to look out at the skyline.

"I suppose you want me to leave. I could do that but-"

"You want my help," Mahiro finished, "Of course I'll help you, however..." He turned to face the girls and then looked Mitsuru straight in the eyes.

"I need you to become part of Oribe Tsubasa's Secret Service."

Mitsuru blinked in surprise, though Tsubasa and Mermaid weren't surprise.

"You're the kind of person I need currently, Oribe's safety is vital to me," Mahiro explained, "I trust that you won't mess this up?"

Mitsuru sighed as she crossed her arms, "To be honest, I was asking her the same question."

"As usual looking for excuses, so are you in or out?"

"I'm in."

"Good," the Old man chuckled as he walked up to the entrance, "Given your profession, I expect no less from you. I'll explain in finder details," He signaled the head of the Operatives to follow him. Mitsuru complied and followed him close.

Mahiro gave a glacé to Tsubasa, "I hope you two have fun chatting with her."

"Yea, we did," Tsubasa bowed again. Mermaid simply nodded. Mitsuru for her part, assured him that they had not been harmed, which he accepted. Mitsuru and Mahiro headed downstairs.

Oribe Tsubasa took a deep breath, "This is exhausting. Hey Ceada, do you think I should trust her?"

"There is no malice in Mrs. Kijiro's words. So yes, we can trust her."

"At lest in this whole tour," Oribe Tsubasa remarked.

"What about Mr. Mahiro?" Mermaid asked.

"Mr. Mahiro is like an old granpa. He may be suspicious about Maiko-san, but he's not bad. Hey, e've already covered this!"

Marmaid laughed.

"What's so funny?"

"Oh nothing," the Demon Mermaid exclaimed. Oribe rolled her eyes, "Whatever, I'm going to finish my desert."

"Good idea. Those sweets will make your boobs bigger and softer."

"Not true, and I do exercise daily," Tsubasa can hear Ceada giggle.

"Then how can you explain how you have an attractive hourglass figure?"

"Like I said, my figure has NOTHING to do with it," Tsubasa huffed. She's now wondering how Itsuki-kun is doing. Oribe is pretty sure that Itsuki has having fun fighting all those mirages and going on an adventure without her currently.


"Sempai... Can I kiss you?"

"What?"

"Please kiss me Sempai... no one will have to know... It will be between us."

Rise and shine!


{Play Phantasy Star Online Soundtrack - Day Dawns}

Sky Garden Palace

Itsuki woke up from a dream. He was laying on the altar, Itsuki instantly got up.

"It worked," Tiki exclaimed.

"I'm so relived," Ninian smiled.

"Fae is so glade that you are awake," exclaimed Fae, "All thanks to Fae and Tiki's magic remedy!"

Nah huffed, "It's about time. Sleepy head." she crossed her arms.

Aoi Itsuki rubbed his eyes as he looked at his surroundings. He first saw Tiki, Fae and Ninian when he opened his eyes. He also saw Nah and Raidou, as well as all of his friends and partners. Kiria Kurono, Toma Akagi, Eleonora Yumizuru, Mamori Minamoto, Yashiro Tsurugi, Futaba Sakura, Akria Kurusu, Ann Takamiki, Yusuke Kitagawa, Makoto Niijima, Haru Okumura, Ryuji Sakamoto.

"You gave us quite a scare," Makoto Niijima signed in relief. "Disclaimer, though; nobody had to kiss you, buddy," Touma said.

"What just happened and why did you guys act like I'm dead?" Aoi couldn't help but asked.

"You just got sleep magicked by a Mirage that 'what happened. Any longer, then you will end up like sleeping beauty," Morgana crossed his arms. "You should have been more careful, Mr. Itsuki," Fae puffed out her cheeks.

"Aha, now I remember..." Aoi said as he stood up from the altar, "My bad everyone..." he laughed heartily.

"You got Tiki all worked up," Kiria pointed out, "Fae and Tiki whipped up a remedy to wake you up."

"Lucky the three dragon goddesses got plenty more where that came from, unlike that rabbit." the Cat Thief remarked.

Akira, "Is it really that neccary to bring up Henry?"

"Would you prefer I make a sick burn about Barry?"

The Joker simply shrugged.

"I heard that!" Barry shouted in the background.

"Honestly, I prefer a sick burn about Barry-Sensei after all, Henry has been really helpful thus far," Ann said.

"HEY! Just for that, you'll be working for my underworld bootcamp," Barry Goodman made an accusing finger at Ann.

Ryuji snickered. Barry then targets him, "And that goes for you too!"

Ryuji flinched while Ann rolled her eyes and said, "Sorry Barry."

Itsuki mind started to swirl, thinking about what in his dream: Sumire was in it, and she was pretty. Why is he dreaming about Sumire? Chrom appeared beside him.

"Itsuki, are you feeling alright?" Chrom.

"Yea, I think," Itsuki admitted, "I had a dream about Sumire though..." he muttered, the thought of her make him nervous.

"In any case, I'm glad that you are okay," Mamori said. "I agree," Haru said.

"Right," Itsuki Aoi said with determination, "I'm ready to go back in there."

"No so fast hot shot, you need to rest. We're not going anywhere until everyone can get their barrings and deal with whatever's in that dungeon," Morgana raised his paws.

"I don't know," Joker said, uncertain as he crossed his arms. Morgana narrowed his eyes at the Joker, "At the very, lest we can think and plan things out before we rush inside again."

Akira sighed, "If you say so. How about it, Itsuki?" Aoi Itsuki thought about it for a moment, "Yea, I suppose we can take a break before we go back in."

"Well, it's settled it then," Tiki exclaimed.

...

Twenty minutes later

Barry Goodman trained Ann and Ryuji while Toma and Makoto were chatting with each other. Elonora is talking to her Mirage and Demon while ignoring the fact that Toma has a girl talking to him about silly sentei stuff.

Mamori, Haru, Yashiro, and Yusuke were engaged in a discussion regarding planning and techniques to fight demons and mirages.

Itsuki had explained to Joker, Kiria, Futaba and Morgana about his dream. At first, it could be brushed off as Itsuki's first crush, but they remembered what Itsuki told them about his other dream. Tiki Fae and Ninian had listened in as well, not sure what to make of it. Nah had stayed with her three kin this entire time along with her fellow Demon Summoner Raidou.

"So you have a permeation about dating that girl," Morgana concluded.

"A date? Great now I'm confused," Itsuki sighed.

Futaba stated, "You have recently acknowledged your romantic interest in Sumi-San."

"I… don't recall. I mean, I like her, but-"

"You like her butt~" Futaba snickered.

"Not funny, Futaba," Kiria scolded.

"I'm kidding, sheesh," Futaba laughed.

Itsuki blinked in surprise before laughing nervously at the joke. In these areas, he acknowledges that he lacks interpersonal skills, and he clearly regards Sumire as a friend, as taking care of a friend who has experienced a significant amount of hardship is a commonplace occurrence. It's not in his interest to imply that he has a romantic interest in Sumi-chan, especially if she had other relationships in the past but talking to her suggests that she has no 'real' relationship to brag about.

Morgana crossed his arms and said, "Well then let's talk about this 'permeation' I think it's best to play alone for now. Granted, this Sumire chick claims that she was a part of our group and that we had forgotten about her, and if that were the case, then Joker would have scored with her. Just my opinion."

Akira sweat drop. It's hard for him to have any memories of the redhead, even if she is cute and attractive. But honestly, he is more attracted to Kawakami... and Ayaha... well, nevermine. He then blinked at the realization of Morgana's remark about his dating.

"Really?" Akira facedeadpen. Morgana shrugged. "Well, it could have been worse. Itsuki may be a chick magnet, and he is unaware of it. The lucky son of a gun..."

"He's right here, you know," Akira said. Kiria sighed, "Moving along. I think, for Sumrie's sake, Morgana might have a point."

"You mean I have to go on a date with her just to make her feel better?" Itsuki said, weighing the pros and cons once more, it reminds him when he was helping Eleonora with her acting skills, "It seems plausible. Even though she's living with me, I'm not sure what she's really looking for beyond that."

Akira coughed in one hand with a blush on his cheeks, "Could be about the V-card."

"Ah, yes, the V-card," Morgana said with a thinking pose with a smirk on his face.

"V-card?" Chrom questioned.

"What's a V-card?" Itsuki asked.

"You'll find out."

Itsuki scratched the back of his head, and Mirage Chrom then said, "Well, anyway, I think we should head back to Tharja's palace."

"About time," Mirage Tharja said, appearing beside Kiria. Chrom nodded in agreement.

Morgana's face turned to dread as he looked down, "Now I wonder about that Mirage that we've encountered.

"What you face is not an ordinary Mirage," Ninian said. A group of seven looked at Ninian.

"That was a Defile Stray Sheep," said the Dragon Oracle, "It's one of the Fell Dragon's minions."

"I heard the stray sheep can put a person to sleep," Tiki said as she nodded in agreement to her kin.

"Well, that explains a lot," Futaba said while thinking, "It just about means that we have to level up."

Kiria raised an eyebrow at her close friend and said, "Aren't you forgetting something?"

Futaba yelled, "That's right," as she pulled her notebook and pen from her coat pocket and got started writing.

"Fae wants to go with you guys," Fae exclaimed.

"No, you have to stay here," Kiria crossed her arms and glared at the strawberry haired Manakete.

"Awe."

While they talked about how to deal with this new kind of monster from Grima's camp, Mamori, Haru, Yashiro, and Yusuke joined in on their plan on how to deal with the sheep demon. Tiki=Waifu and Nowi arrived after hearing what happened to Itsuki and sighing in relief that he was alright.

Ann and Ryuji returned from bootcamp with Barry Goodman. The blond-haired dance instructor chuckled as he explained that the pair had learned a valuable lesson about not underestimating or shaming him. To him, he is a drill sergeant; never mock the drill sergeant. Both Ann and Ryuji apologize, though it wasn't as bad for Ann as she thought, Ryuji on the other hand...

"Is Ryuji going to be okay?" Mamori asked Ann.

"He's a professional athlete. He'll be fine," Ann said.

"Hey, even an athlete has its limits," He glared at Ann with her shrugging in response.

"Athlete? As in basketball?" Eleonora asked with interest as she crossed her arms. Ryuji's face brightens at the Idol's inquiry and said, "Why yes, I'm probably the best thrower in high school." he boasted as he flexed his right arm.

"You know, we actually joked that Barry-Sama might want to become our Gym teacher and that got the guys all quivering," Ann snickered.

"I can image," Eleonora smirked.

"Oh, come on, really, Ann? I was about to make my move," Ryuji slapped his forehead.

"Well you're doing a swell job so far," Morgana remarked.

"Hey, not cool! With this whole time displacement thing, I should be called Senpai."

"That again..." Ann's facedeapen.

"Dream on," Eleonora retorted.

"Yea, not happening," Tiki=Waifu said simply.

"To be honest, I pefer call Haru-senpai, she's good at axes," Mamori said.

"Awe, thank you, Mamori-chan~" Haru said sweetly. Ryuji hung his hand in shame.

"Jokes aside, we're all set and ready to go," Ann said.

Itsuki nodded, "Okay, let's go."

{Stop Phantasy Star Online Soundtrack - Day Dawns}

...

Tharja Palace

The architecture of the Labyrinth is similar to Tiki's but with a dark marble design that is Greek but with a hunted mansion motif. The Pillars are colored black with gold trimmings, paintings of the desert landscape, including a village where mounted on the stone walls is of brimstone.

Itsuki Aoi, Akria Kurusu, Mamori Minamoto, Ann Takamiki, Kiria Kurono, Yusuke Kitagawa, Eleonora Yumizuru, Haru Okumura, Yashiro Tsurugi, Futaba Sakura and Ryuji Sakamoto had once again entered Tharja's Labyrinth. To finish what they started.

Hostile Mirgage and some Shadows has appeared to have respawned along the way, but the group managed to deal with them easily. At one pointed, Aoi and Kurusu did a jointed attack with a troll and took him out.

{Play Final Fantasy XVI OST - Stillwind (Battle)}

-New (Mirage) Encounter: The Defile Stray Sheep-

It wasn't long before they reached their destination, with the Defile Stray Sheep blocking their path. The appearance of this creature is similar to that of a gigantic centipede, adorned with a sheath of sheep wool covering its body. Its head is that of a skull, but the forehead cracked open to reveal a blood shot eye and large bug-like fangs. Its legs are like bony rib cages.

The Defile Stray Sheep instantly charged at the group, the said group moved out of the way. Mamori conjured her axe weapon and summoned Paravati to be at her side as she raised her axe upward. It was Haru's cue to distract the Mirage by using her rifle and firing at the monster. The Defile Stray Sheep reacted by turning its forces at Haru and conjured a laser beam through its eyeball. Okumura performed a high jump and brought out her axe, leaping forward and slashed down at its eyeball.

It's screeched as it became staggered. Haru high jumped backwards to her group.

Morgana then conjured his Persona and gave it the order to cast lightning. Zoro compiled and hit the 'Sheep' with a lightning strike.

Touma and Makoto then conjured their bike. Cain at the back side of Touma's bike as they and Makoto charged with a stream of hevey flames of blue and red at the centipede. The did a hard upturn while the flames touched the wool of the centipede. Makato and Touma turned again and charged at the monster. The Mirage fired its eye beams at the two, but they dogged. After she stepped on the gas and performed a midair jump spin, her bike slapped the monster's head with its wheel and then turned around to Touma side.

While Mamori's friends are focused on distracting the best, she and Paravati are conjuring magic. Paravati clamps her hands together as she gathers the energy for her mistress's axe. Drug standing guard while until then.

Aoi Itsuki slashed the monster in the eye using his rapier. The centipede was pushed back, it then cast a sleeping powder.

"Sempei... Sempei... Sempei..." Sumire's lustful voice, as if she is whispering in his ear.

Aoi Itsuki grunted as he felt the effects. He then drank the position that Fae had given him, as well as others. It keeps them from falling to sleep.

"Kiss me..."

Why is he still hearing her voice? It must be another trick.

"Are you okay there?" The Joker asked.

"Yea, I'm wide awake," Itsuki gave a thump up.

"Good on you man, but we got bigger problems," Ryuji.

The Defile Stray Sheep screeched in rage.

"No kidding," Ann remarked as she covered her ears.

Morgana, "I think it's about power up." Just as he just said that, the centipede red aura became inflamed, like what you see in an anime.

"Whelp it's power up," Morgana remarked.

Futaba Sakura yelled, "Its attack power is up by four, and defense is up by three. Be careful guys!"

"What about weakness?" Mirage Chrom asked.

"Still weak to Fire," Futaba replied.

The Centipede raised its upper body and slammed down, causing a quake. Futaba, Ryuji and Tiki=Waifu fell down on their butts but quikly got back up, Kurono tended to Sakura's side and got the Navi back on her feet. The Mirage then targeted Kiria and Futaba and darted fast towards them.

"Kira-San! Futaba-Chan!"

"Watch out," Morgana shouted.

The girls shocked but put up their battle stance. Mirage Tharja appeared before the two girls and clutched herself before open her outstretch arms, conjuring a powerful blizzard. The Defile Stray Sheep froze still before it could reach them.

Both the Idol and Navi nodded to each other and ran at a distance away from the monster. It wasn't soon as the monster broke free from the ice.

"Is this normal!?" Eleonora shouted.

"Unless you are dealing with the Fell Dragons minions, then no it's not," Yusuke said.

Eleonora grunted, "I hope Mamori knows what she's doing. Come out, Pyro!" Pyro Jack appeared beside his mistress.

"Let's do this: Flamenado!"

Eleonora jumped and flouted midair as she closed her eyes and clamped her hands together. Wind started to swirl around her until it formed a tornado. Pyro Jack cast fire, turning the tornado into a flamenado.

Elle's eyes snapped open as she conjured her bow from Viron and pointed at the centipede Mirage and released the fire arrow followed by many clone arrows.

The arrows landed hits on the monster while the flamenado was drawing close, and it wasn't long before it was sucked into the vortex. Ellie got out of the Flamendo before it happened.

The group watched as the centipede was sucked in. After the Flamedo disappeared, the monster fell on its back and got staggered as it quickly got back up.

Eleonora's and Pyro Jack's moves have admittedly triggered a session attack.

Tiki=Waifu used a dragon claw to land a hit on the boss, then Ryuji with his Persona, followed by Yuskue with his Persona.

Futaba called out her UFO Persona to carry out a thunder attack.

Kiria cast a wind spell, landing hits on the Defile Stray Sheep.

Yashiro used his sword to slash at the Defile Stray Sheep.

Haru fired her rocket launcher at the best.

The Joker fired his gun at the eyeball of the Mirage.

Morgana summoned Zoro and commanded him to attack it with his sword.

Makato and Touma summoned their bikes once more to perform a joint attack on the monster.

"Well, that did the trick," Morgana said in surprise.

"It's weak to fire but no dice, that thing is tough," Futaba Sakura said.

"Everyone stand back!" Mamori shouted to her friends. Her axe glows in a rainbow color. The younger Mirage Master slammed her axe, creating a huge crescent shape light that shout out from her axe and like a rocketed towards the centipede with a tremor filled with light.

"Itsuki."

"Right," Itsuki nodded as he raised his sword upwards to the foggy sky as a beam of light burst from the sword.

It was Joker's cue to use the wild card and summon Satanael. The Persona conjured a ball of red energy and turned it into a beam at the centipede.

Mamori's celestial Crescent Moon attack was the first to hit the monster, secent with Satanael's attack and then Itsuki takes one last look at the Mirage with intensity in his eyes before slashing down on the staggered mirage, the said mirage screeched as it was incinerated by the compline blast.

{Switch to Forbidden Sanctuary (Grima Map) - Fire Emblem Echos: Shadows of Valentia OST}

"We did it!" Haru exclaimed. Mamori's heavy bunny armor disappeared as she and Paravait and Mirage Draug ran up with the group. Haru and Makoto tend to be the younger members of the group.

"Are you okay?" Haru asked.

"Yea, I'm alright." The young burnnett girl said.

"That was pretty spectacular, Mamori-chan. I can't believe that it worked," Haru exclaimed.

Makoto smiled as she nodded, "Yea, that was also brilliant. You seem pretty good at tactics."

Mamori giggled, "Thanks guys. I surprised myself with that move," she said brightly to everyone. Paravati giggled.

"Man," Ryuji whined as he rubbed his buttocks, "that mirage is too powerful."

"Too powerful, as a matter of fact," Kiria said, crossing her arms, her eyes lowered, "What's a Grima Mirage doing here in Thajra's Palace?"

"Something tells me that it's going to be like this with the rest..." Itsuki thought. He is sure there will be new areas to explore based on the memories of their Mirage Partners, and if that's the case, then why?

The sound of his phone interrupted Aoi's thoughts. He picked it up from his pocket and saw a topic message from Tiki.

[Topic Message Start]

Tiki: Big Bro, how did it go?

Itsuki: Great, we just beat the "Grima" Mirage that's been blocking our path.

Tiki: That's wonderful; I thought you were going to clock out or something. XD

Itsuki: 0_o

Tiki: In all seriousness, it's surprising to see Grima's minions still present in the Idolasphere. Yes, Tharja's Palace is part of the Idolasphere.

Itsuki: What could it be? Has this anything to do with Ayaha?

Tiki: I don't know; we're trying to figure things out. It is never a good sign when Grima's is involved in the Idolasphere... Well, Veronica is still a concern for us as well; me, Fae and Ninian are just worried about your safety, that's all. We haven't noticed anything strange about Ayaha yet. I guess Miss Patty actually did dispel the Fell Dragon from Ayaha's body.

Itsuki: Do you think that the Fell Dragon found another host?

Tiki: I don't think so... or we would have heard something from the Archangels. Well, even without their help we would of notices anyway... So far not so much going on in our end.

Itsuki: Thanks, Tiki; you're always looking out for us. :)

Tiki: Oh, you're welcome, big brother, stay safe and hope we see you soon! ^_^

Itsuki:Okay, see you soon.

[Topic Message ended]

Itsuki hangs up his phone and says, "That was Tiki; she wanted to check up on us."

"For a moment there, I thought it was that red head," Morgana.

"To be fair, that Mirage is tough to beat," Makoto crossed her arms, "I'm worried too if it was anything related to the Fell Dragon."

The raven-haired boy scratched the back of his head and asked, "It will not be easy like last time, I wager..."

"The Fell Dragon? We'd fought it in its spectral form. Tiki, Fae and Ninian helped us a lot with it at the time." Makoto said.

"And Ayah was possessed by it," Aoi Itsuki affirmed. Makoto nodded in reply.

The Joker sighed, "I'm just glad that she's still alive. Though I still worry about something bad happening to her..."

"As long as she does not enter the Idolaspear we are in the clear," Morgana remarked.

"Yea," said Kiria, "Good thing Maiko's watching her. Now let's get moving."

Everyone in the group nodded.

As they entered the room, Tharja was the first to beat them to it. Kiria notes her Mirage Partner is starting a large portrait of a family. Kiria, Itsuki, Joker, and Morgana walked up to Tharja too as they observed the portrait.

Chrom appeared beside Itsuki, "Is that... Robin?" Itsuki and Kiria blinked in surprise.

"Y-You know him?" Aoi asked, stunned. Chrom placed his palm on his forehead, then crossed his arms as he lowered his gaze.

The Mirage looked at his partner and his friends, "Somehow I rember his face and his name."

"Maybe its the same thing how you remembered Marth," Kiria said.

"Perhaps... I should consult Nah about this."

"How about you, Tharja," Kiria asked her Mirage Partner.

"I had a dream that I was getting married to that same man. I was human at the time," Tharja said, pointing her cloaked arm at her family portrait.

"Really, dang, you looked pretty hot as a human," Morgana remarked as he rubbed his chin and closed his eyes with a smirk.

"I never pegged myself to be the married type, but I suppose this 'Robin' being my husbon is all the more worth wild."

Kiria face deadpan at Tharja's giggle.

"Wow, and those must be your kids," Futaba exclaimed.

"Probably, but their names escape me," Tharja said nonchalantly. Futaba Sakura huffed.

"Oh, come on, one of them is-" Kiria coughed in one hand and glared at Futaba.

Futaba then stammered, "Right, never mine!"

Itsuki and Chrom looked at Kiria and Futaba, confused.

"A lot has happened since Kiria started out as a Mirage Master, It not a lot we can say," Joker spoke up.

"I see..." Chrom said.

"Say, um, you gals don't mind that I bring this portrait with us, right?" Morgana asked Kiria and Tharja.

"Hmm, I was thinking the same thing," Tharja said.

"Wow, we think alike," the cat exclaimed.

"I don't see why not, but first we need to get whatever is inside the treasure box before we can do anything else."

"Yeah, we might end up in an Indiana Jones situation again," Morgana said sheepishly.

Nowi, "Hey guys! How do you open this treasure chest?"

Morgana's ears twitched at the word treasure chest, and he hung his head with a huff before turning his attention to the wooden box in the middle of the room.

"Good thing I have the skeleton key..." The Shadow muttered as he walked up to Nowi and Tiki=Waifu.

"Skeleton Key?" Tiki=Waifu asked.

"It is a figure of speech," Morgana said. Itsuki, Akira, Kiria and Futaba joined the group.

Nowi puffed out her cheeks in a pout, saying, "Then how are we going to open it?"

The box started to light up, and a loud gurgle sounded as the top began to open. The group is astonished as a stream of bubbles emerges from the box. Out of it came a larger bubble with a rainbow musical note inside. It was slowly heading towards Kiria and her Mirage, Tharja. The astonished idol reached out and touched the bubble with her hands. The bubble floated above her hands.

"A musical note?" Itsuki contemplated while in a contemplative pose.

Morgana for his part, was disappointed that it wasn't some big diamond or something golden. But on the other hand, there are other boxes that are ready to be opened in this room.

"So that's the thing we are looking for," Makoto remarked.

"It seems like anything Mirage-related has to do with music or entertainment," the Joker said aloud.

Why not, as long as it helps us save the world. Tiki-chan, Ninain-chan and Fae-chan need all the help they can get," Ryuji said.

"Agreed," Kiria nodded as she held on to the bubble with the music note inside, "Let's take what we can get here and be out of here."

Everyone in the room nodded in agreement.

"I thought you never asked," Morgana thought, while his eyes glittered in excitement at those words from Kiria-chan.

...

{Switch to Phantasy Star Online Soundtrack - Day Dawns}

Sky Garden Palace

"Took you long enough," Nah pouted. Raidou tipped his hat to the group. Caroline and Justine have just returned.

"I had a feeling that she's going to say that," Itsuki thought.

"Big Brother, you're back," Tiki exclaimed.

"I am grateful that you all returned safe and sound," Ninian said.

"Fae still wants to come along next time," Fae said, puffing out her cheeks.

Ninian giggled and said, "I'm sure you'll get your chance in the future. I would like to tag along too, just to see how the other Mirage Masters fight."

"But it's not going to be for a while as the star of the show is out on a tour," Touma Akgai said.

"You mean Tsubasa?" Makoto asked.

"Yup," The flame-haired boy made a toothy grin as he put his hands on his hips like a superhero.

"AHHHH! Tsubasa-chan," Morgana said in crocodile tears of joy, "how did you grow up to be such a remarkable young woman?"

Morgana whipped away his tears with a handkerchief from his gear and blew his nose on it. Herny the Angel Rabbit was quick on his feet as he brought a trashcan next to the Shadow. The said Shadow tossed the handkerchief into the trashcan and thanked the rabbit. The Rabbit nodded as he closed the lid and buzzed at the speed of a cartoon character.

"You're sounding like Barry," Eleonora said as she crossed her arms.

"Well, I used to hang out with her when she was thirteen."

Futaba Sakura coughed with one hand.

"Oh, right, the note. Your up Kirai-chan," Morgana said sheepishly.

Kiria Kurono handed the bubble with the musical note inside to Tiki. Tiki, Fae and Ninian gasped with amazement as the bubble floated above Tiki's hands.

"Wow, you did it," exclaimed Fae, "Fae knew you could do it!"

"Will this help us?" Kiria asked.

"YUP! The bubble was just what we needed for our ritual," Tiki said with excitement as she handed it to Caroline.

"Ritual? I thought it was about a concert," Ryuji said as he scratched the back of his head.

"The concert IS the ritual," Eleonora pointed out to the blond idiot.

"Oh, right," he said sheepishly.

Tiki laughed, "So anyway, how was Tharja's Palace? I see you've gotten a lot of stuff from there."

"We did, and we found out that Tharja used to be married to a guy named Robin," Futaba said.

"I have two daughters. One, who is older, I use experiments on."

Kiria narrowed her eyes at her Mirage companion and asked, "Do you really conduct experiments on your kids?"

"My experiments were conducted solely on my firstborn, and they were harmless to her. For instance, I presented her with a talisman that bolsters her confidence and focus. Before that, she was sick most of the time, which kept her from playing with her friends from outside."

"So, what are their names?" Itsuki asked.

"My kids? Well, the older one is Noire and the younger one is Morgan."

"Remarkable," Chrom said with amazement, "Is there something else you remember other than your family."

"No," Tharja said bluntly, "but I think it is slowly coming back to me. Though, to be honest, I couldn't care less," she sighed dramatically, "the thought of Robin makes my heart flutter~"

Tharja then turned to Yuskue, "You must draw a pitcher of him!"

Yuskue simply shrugged and said, "I usually don't do it for free, but sure, whatever."

"Sounds like things are going well for you, Tharja. I think we can safely expect more doorways like Tharja's to appear in the future." Tiki smiled.

"And with it, we grab more musical notes." Morgana concluded.

Tiki nodded in agreement.

{Stop Phantasy Star Online Soundtrack - Day Dawns}


Aoi House residences, Tokyo.

"Sempai..."

The Raven Haired teen rubbed the back of his neck as he walked on the sidewalk, reaching his house. He approached his residence but stopped at the entrance. His mind recollected that his mother had chosen to work late hours, leaving him alone with Sumire.

"Sempai... Can I kiss you?"

Aoi felt a shiver down his spine while he started to sweat a little. This is not him thinking about this. He can't be out of his gourd.

"Please kiss me Sempai... no one will have to know... It will be between us."

He shook it out of his thoughts, maybe he's just imagining things. The idea that Sumire's voice could be part of what to come seems doubtful. Plus, it could be something else entirely, in his imagination. So, maybe…

"I really shouldn't get so worked up about it," Itsuki thought as he slowly reaches to the doorknob. He still felt a cold shiver down his spine.

"Sempai~"

The sound of the creaking door can be heard in the house, "Sumire, I'm back." He walked in as he can smell Rice Balls, Noodles, and Sushi coming from the kitchen.

"Hey Hero Sempai! I'm in the kitchen!"

"Okay," He took off his shoes, stretched his limbs, and proceeded to the Kitchen. Sure enough, Sumire did make Rice Balls, Noodles, and Sushi.

Sumire turned around to formally greet Itsuki Aoi, who was attired in a pink t-shirt, a red apron, a yellow skirt, and blue and brown lineage stockings. "Its good to see you back home, Hero Sempai.""

"I noticed that you cleaned up the place while I was gone and prepared dinner, Itsuki noted, "And dinner as well."

"I know. It does look basic-"

"I mean it's good that you prepared, I was hungry after a dungeon crawl," Itsuki raised his hands and laughed heartily, "That said you did a good job."

"That is very kind of you to say," Sumire smiled as she laced her fingers behind her back, giving him the look of satisfaction and glee.

Itsuki resisted eye contact, apprehensive of being distracted by her dazzling ruby eyes. "Well, you… are the honored guess." Okay, what was that? An honorable guess, sure, but the fact that she has gone out of her way to make dinner for him seems reversed.

...

Sumire was positioned in a somewhat awkward manner, akin to submitting an application for a maid position, throughout the entire duration of his meal. Which she later admitted that she was applying for a maid job? Itsuki was slightly confused about Sumire's job plans; first she said that she wanted to work for Maiko at Fortuna, then she wanted to work for a Maid company? Well, at lest, she is laying out her options. Of course, he reminded her that he will help find a suitable job offer anyway he can.

That way, she won't dip into Nowi's 'funds'.

"Oh, um, your mom is working late hours again… So, I thought it would be an opportunity to show you a, um, present? In the living room. It's not ready, though, I'll have to get it upstairs."

Itsuki Aoi just go done with his dinner, "Okay but first, let me clean up the dishes then I'll meet you in the living room."

"Perfect," Sumire exclaimed as the energetic girl waved at him as she ran off. Itsuki sighed, as he rose from his set.

"Hopefully, it's not a weapon," Chrom said through Itsuki's mine. "Can't imagine her doing something like that," Itsuki Aoi remarked. He walked up to the sink, while putting on the apron.

"Guess I'm not used to making jokes."

"Yea... I get what you're saying. She's trying to adjust to this new life, which is not easy for anyone." He started washing the dishes.

"All the while seeking comfort. I should note It has been five years and that girl had not aged since being trap in the Idolaspear. She had overcame Kronya with your help, but there are plenty of things unresolved."

Itsuki, "I guess one of them involving her Carnage Form abilities."

"Indeed, which is why Caroline and Justine are training her."

Itsuki was thinking about Lavenza and wondered where she fit in all this. Did she say something about Tsubasa obtaining a wild card? Inquiring to Caroline and Justine is not on the cards, and Morgana had been dodged the question about her experience when she was younger.

{Play Bayonetta OST – Chapter Clear}

After he finished the dishes, he walked to the living room. Sumire had cleaned up the house, well, notably the Kitchen and living room. The flat screen T.V is on showing a video of a fireplace, he looked around to see the couch is neatly organized, his family china is well polished and place accordingly. Itsuki also smell of incense being lit up as well. He is reminded of something he watched in movies or a TV Show-

"So, what do you think?" Aoi jumped at the sudden voice from behind him and turned around. She smiled as her pink lipstick lips curled into a smile, her ruby eyes beaming with excitement. She opted not to wear her glasses for this occasion.

Itsuki blinked, "I... Um," he surprised that he was able to process words. She was dressed in a stunning glittering red satin off-the-shoulder short A-line cheap homecoming dress, red elbow-length 1920s opera bridal dance gloves, and wore a red rose choker and diamond earrings.

The Background of Aoi's Hysteria has been replaced with pink colors and floating big bubbles, but the appearance of Sumire remained unchanged. WHAT? He shook it off, and is back to reality.

"You look," Itsuki trailed off for a moment, "Have you been cleaning up around here?"

Sumire covered her mouth with one hand and giggled, "Well, of course. You know that I wanted to spend some time with you after everything you've done for me."

Itsuki sighed as he looked the other way as he scratched the back of his head. Signs of a faint blush appeared on his cheeks.

...

Sumire sat down with her hero, Itsuki, as they watched a DVD drama show on TV. She made a commentary on the entire thing, while Itsuki simply nodded.

Itsuki for his part, had told her the full story of his mission with his friends. The revelation of Tharja originally being human and a mother of two daughters. At the time, she was a powerful mage capable of doing anything and has been part of Chrom's army, but in terms of her personality, she has not changed.

"Before he became who he is, I wonder what his life was like," Sumire wondered aloud.

"A lot of it has to do with this Veronica," Itsuki shrugged. The redhead's brows frowned as her gaze lowered, "I wish we both knew. I know everything about Kronya, but for Chrom the more I hear about him, the more I am keen to learn more. Of course, Nah-Chan pointed out that Chrom is the Yilssen Prince."

"Yeah, he might have an interesting life," Itsuki remarked, "but that's no secret to me, I've been with him long enough to understand him."

"So..." Sumrie twiddled her fingers, "Has Tiki-chan found what she was looking for during that mission?"

"Yeah, we found a Melody Spirit, which could help Tiki save the world," Itsuki said. Surmire's face brightened as she looked at him with excitement, "Really? That's great! I would like to come with you, but you know."

"Well, maybe next time," Itsuki smiled. It was Sumire's turn to look away with a blush. Afterward, there was silence between the two as they watched the show on TV.

"Sempai..."

Itsuki snapped out of his thoughts and asked, "W-What is it?" as he looked at her once more.

The redhead teen girl looked down, somewhat nervous, "You said that you can do anything for me, right?" she places her hands on her lap.

The raven-haired teen boy joked, "Well, as long as I don't kill anybody,"

Wait a minute...

"In that case, I would like to make a request." Sumire's expression has changed into something serious. "I know this is all so sudden, but I think we know each other quite a bit..."

Sumire's gaze catches Itsuki Aoi's, reaching the point where their noses almost meet. The young man is alarmed and begins to sweat. The jitters in Summers eyes were gone, and instead there was a fervent desire, as if she had found her soulmate.

Soulmate?

"Um, someone's calling!" Itsuki quickly got up from the couch, "S-sorry, I have to take this, I'll be right back!" he said as he made haste to the kitchen.

"Is there something wrong, Itsuki?"

Itsuki washed his face in the kitchen sink and said, "Something is off."

"How so? There's nothing wrong with her."

The young man dried himself with a towel and said, "I'm getting that same feeling as when I first met her, and I can't tell what it is. Maybe you know."

"I think this is the part where we should 'play along'?"

"Yeah, heh, I think you're right, heh. What might Tiki and Tsubasa might say..." he said with a heartly laugh.

"Sempei... can I kiss you?"

"huh!?" He turns around.

"Please let me kiss you," Sumire pled to her heroic savior as she clamps her hands together. Her ruby eyes tell the story of her longing for a real companionship, or rather, a relationship.

"Sumire," Itsuki stammered. He realized that his back had hit the kitchen counter. Sumire wants to kiss him? Whatever for? Could it actually be that she really likes him? It's not like they're on some sort of date.

Wait... DATE!? Is that why she sets everything up for him, even the way she dresses? His mind flashed back to the time when he was talking about this with Kiria, Futaba, Joker and Morgana. He was astonished by the accuracy of his premonition. Unlike Tiki, he didn't take this seriously at all

He really feels that this may be out of character for Sumire to even think about. His face started to flush, he had really mixed feelings about this.

He quickly maintained his composure, saying, "I know you've been through a lot, and I understand that, but I would like for us to be friends."

"We are friends, and we will always be friends, but…" She looked down and said, "It's been a long time since I've been trapped in the Idolasphear. I haven't aged a day since, I think I'm like Ayaha in a way... but you saved me and Kronya and I became real friends."

Sumire looked him in the eyes and said, "We will remain friends, but I want this from you. Could you..." She looked him in the eye once more, "would you mind doing this favor for me as friends?"

"It would appear that she is not under the influence of anything. However, despite this, she does have a sense of longing after her five-year ordeal with the Mirage."

"So your saying..." He's starting to figure out what's going on here, and Chrom is not being helpful on this matter either. Itsuki considered himself a problem solver for his friends in the entertainment industry, but how is he going to solve his way out of this? A girl who is... crazy about him.

"No one has to know," Sumire whispered.

"Wha-"

"It will be between us!" She declared.

"But."

"Just one kiss," she said, walking up close to him, "and that will be it."

His heart started to race as her red-gloved hands slowly reached and cupped his face. Why does he feel lost in her eyes? Sure, she's beautiful, but this is going too fast for him.

He had options: he could push her to the side and say no, or he could talk his way out of this.

"Just one kiss?" Crap!

Her body pressed against his as she said, "Just one kiss... No one has to know."

"Just one kiss..." Itsuki repeated it in mine.

She closes her eyes as she kisses him and wraps her arms around his neck.

Itsuki eyes widened in shock, but it was too late; he could feel her soft lips. His face turned red-hot, admittedly.


Next Time- More interesting twist with newcomers and a Mirage attack during Oribe Tsubasa's Asian tour. Itsuki Aoi grappling on what had transpired from last night with Sumire as he, Tiki and the rest meet with Primarch Maxwell. Makoto and Touma's relationship blossoms.