Please let it be semester break already... Hey, UknownHero here and welcome to another chapter of Senran Persona. So...How's everyone doing so far? You enjoying your break? Doing your projects? Hopefully working at home or studying? Look, I'm not good at small talk and can someone please tell me why my TV keeps turning on and off if it's plugged in for a few days and the only way to fix it is leaving it unplugged. I can't play P5R if I can only see the screen every other second.
Anyways, onto the reviews. To Dartz: Well...your suggestions in the review are being considered and some are currently being put into the story. Thank you for helping improve the story. Remember, I'm usually watching the reviews closely so don't be afraid to do one. To Vein Bloodborne: Hee ho, my dude. Hee ho.
Anyways, that's it. Now, it's time to prove our existence.
I really hope I didn't write that before.
Load Game... Start!
Chapter 37: The Treasure of Azazel
(5/27, Early Morning)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
Rays of sunlight soon peeked through the windows of the apartment complex and the two roommates were peacefully sleeping, their mask having the hardened cream masks and their hair wrapped in a towel as they were doing so.
"N-Nya~" Asuka happily mumbled in her sleep. "You're right, Morgana-chan. It's so fun being so fluffy and cute~" She then added.
"Ngh...I will tie you to a hydrant next to Ryuji-dog if you try to mate with her..." Homura meanwhile growled in her sleep as she brought her roommate closer to her, resting her bunned up hair against her pajama covered breasts. "There you go, step away from the adorable kitty...Go back to Akira." She then ordered in her sleep.
"Mmm...Why do you look so scared, Akira-kun?" Asuka soon asked in her dreams.
"Mmm~" Homura seducingly moaned out in her sleep as her eyes fluttered open. "What a good night's sleep..." She soon mumbled out before looking down to seeing her roommate's head being pillowed by her own breasts, causing her to blush but smile. "Ok, this one's on me this time..." She mentally admitted with a smile. "Sis, come on now, it's time to wake up." She softly called out.
"Moh..." Asuka moaned in a somewhat whiny tone as her eyes started opening. "Morning Homu-nee..." She soon mumbled out as well as the two sat up. "Oh! I didn't strip us in our sleep." She revealed as the two were still in their pajamas.
Homura in turn looked down to see that she indeed was still in hers. "Well what do you know." She replied with a smile while stretching her limbs. "I guess you're unconsciously breaking your habit, Sis." She then deducted in a teasing manner.
"Maybe." Asuka replied with a giggle. "We'll have to keep trying in the future then." She then added. "If you don't mind that is~" She soon concluded in a more playful and teasing manner while tugging on the side of her pajamas.
Homura however snorted to hearing that. "Careful Sis, your inner Katsuragi's showing." She countered in amusement.
"Hehehe...well, then let me do this!" Asuka called out as she jumped onto her roommate and began gently feeling up her breasts.
"H-Hey! Sis! Hahahah...!" Homura struggled as she then began giggling. "C-Come on! We gotta get ready! Hahaha!" She then added as she kept laughing.
Asuka meanwhile began giggling as she kept going. "I love my Homu-nee!" She happily replied.
"I love you too, Sis. Now please get off me. We have to get washed up and we gotta wash off the face masks." Homura soon reminded.
"Mmm...ok!" Asuka happily replied as she got off the tan skinned girl before the two stripped themselves down and headed for the bathroom sink and turned on the water before washing their faces.
SPLASH!
As the two rubbed off the hardened cream masks, they immediately noticed the different.
"So smooooooth~!" The two got out in amazement and with stars in their eyes as they caressed their faces. "Baby soft too!" They then added.
"Ann was right, my pores feel completely clear! My face is literally shining!" Homura soon stated in a bewildered tone.
The brunette nodded in agreement to that fact before a thought came to mind. "...Think we can use this in the bath too? Like part of our celebration bath bomb baths?" Asuka soon asked.
Homura's eyes immediately widened to the idea as her grin widened to imaging it. "Yes...it would..." She slowly replied. "Want me to look up perfect baths?" She then suggested.
"Please do after we take ours." Asuka happily replied almost immediately. "I'll make a quick breakfast of eggs and toast after we take a bath." She then informed as she went and ran the water.
"It'll get the shampoo." Homura responded as she looked at the bottles. "Ok, still got some of Fruity Proficient, but I think we should mix it up..." She thought as she looked at the others before grabbing the red bottle. "Yeah, Cinna Diligence should do." She soon decided as she returned and the two got into the bath.
SPLASH!
"Ok Sis, the usual." Homura casually instructed as she squeezed some red colored shampoo out.
"Yep." Asuka replied as she let her roommate do her thing. "Mm~ Cinnamon this time~" Asuka got out while taking a whiff.
Homura merely giggled as she began scrubbing. "I thought we should mix it up this time." She simply explained as she lathered her roommate's head before taking a whiff herself. "Wow I can really smell the cinnamon." She soon admitted.
"I know, it's so invigorating." Homura complimented with a satisfied smile as she continued scrubbing.
As they washed themselves off, the two felt a tingly rush going through their bodies.
Asuka feeling as though her Diligence went up as a result.
Homura meanwhile felt as though her Maturity was increasing as a result.
"Ahh...I can never get tired of these baths..." Asuka breathed as they dry themselves off.
"Indeed." Homura calmly replied in agreement. "Come along now, we have to prove our existence to society once again." She soon reminded.
"I know." Asuka sighed out as the two stood up and wrapped their towels round their bodies. "I'll go and make us breakfast." She then added as she made her way to the kitchen while tugging on her towel.
"Thank you. I'll get our uniforms." Homura replied as she went to the bedroom. "Which do you want Sis, green or red?" She then called out while going through the bra and panties.
"...Is there any other color of uniform?" Asuka meanwhile asked.
"Underwear Sis, I meant panties and bra." Homura casually corrected.
"Oh! Um...surprise me!" Asuka soon replied.
Nodding to that, Homura went back and dug into her roommate's clothes. "Green flames." She thought as she picked up the set before going to her own clothes. "Meanwhile, I'll go..." She muttered as she looked through hers. "This one." She decided as she got the tan floral pair and got it on. "Mm, this pair suits me well." She then complimented herself with a satisfied smile before leaving the bedroom after getting herself fully dressed in her uniform. "Your clothes are on the couch, Sis." She soon informed, noticing her roommate only wearing an apron.
"Thank you! Breakfast is gonna be served soon." Asuka called back. "Um, where's the salt again? Oh, found it. Nevermind!" She asked before finding it.
Homura could help but giggle to herself, not even phased by the naked apron appearance before she pulled out her phone. "May as well use the down time to do some research for perfect baths..." She soon decided as she sat down, quickly going onto the internet to find out if there was anything else they could do.
Soon, it was only the sounds of frying eggs and the occasional squeak of Asuka filled the apartment. It was a rather peaceful morning.
"Cucumbers over the eyes? The hell?" Homura muttered in confusion as she looked through the instructions and the explanation for it. "Hmm...it says that doing so hydrates your skin and slows blood flow to the area around your eyes, reducing puffiness as a result." She muttered in a fascinated tone.
Asuka soon came to the table with two plates. "Here we go Homu-nee, eggs and toast." She informed while placing them down.
"Thank you Sis." Homura replied as she placed her phone away and started eating. "So, what's the plan today?" She soon asked.
"Not sure, really." Asuka answered as she gained a thoughtful expression. "I guess I'll explore around the city more. Maybe work at Leblanc. How about you?" She replied followed by her own question as she also started eating.
"Well, Akira hasn't asked for a training session lately so I may as well nag him to pay for one." Homura responded with a shrug before shivering. "Hrrrh..." She groaned out.
"What's wrong?" Asuka asked in concern.
"I dunno but...do you get the feeling you're being watched when you're in the city?" Homura questioned with a frown.
"No..." Asuka replied. "Homu-nee, you're being paranoid again." She then pointed out in concern.
"I know, but it's just this...this gut feeling that someone is watching, you know." Homura sighed out. "Gah, probably am too worried about nothing. Come on, let's finish up and head out." She soon decided.
"Hai." Asuka agreed with a nod before they quickly finished breakfast and left the apartment.
(5/27, Lunchtime)
(Shujin Academy, Classroom)
The day was going rather quickly for the group members at Shujin Academy. Things had actually gotten better, even just a little.
"Your committee's doing work!" Asuka exclaimed with a pout on her face.
"Yep. About 90% of the school still hates it, but that's gonna change soon!" Homura declared before turning away from her roommate. "...I hope." She added under her breath.
"YOU CAN'T ERASE TIME! FINE! YOU CAN FREEZE TIME AND YOU CAN TURN BACK TIME, BUT YOU CAN'T ERASE TIME! THAT DOESN'T MAKE SENSE! IT DOESN'T MAKE EFFIN' SENSE!" A familiar voice declared in a frustrated manner.
Asuka and Homura soon raised their eyebrows as they saw the Leader wildly waving arms around, talking/ranting about something to both blonds, who listened with intent.
"IT'S CONFUSING I DON'T KNOW, HOW DOES KING CRIMSON WORK?! HOW DOES IT WORK?! HOW DOES KING CRIMSON WORK-Oh hey, girls." Akira countered before greeting the two girls.
The girls wondered how Akira survived that emotional whiplash.
"Uh...what are you guys talking about...?" Asuka asked as they sat down at their desks.
"JoJo stuff." Ryuji simply replied.
"Still don't know what that is..." Homura muttered with a sweatdrop.
"Eh, we'll give you a few episodes of the anime some time." Ryuji replied before turning back to the Leader. "Okay, so I think it can be simplified to King Crimson being action without consequence and GER is consequence without action. No, wait, or is it the other way around...?" He then explained, though unsure.
"You are so behind." Ann deadpanned. "D4C is going to wreck you two."
"King Crimson?" Homura repeated with a raised eyebrow.
"GER?" Asuka also repeated in confusion.
"D4C?" The two shinobi then got out in unison.
"D-Don't worry about it." Ann sighed out as the Vice Leader pulled out the bentos she bought from the convenience store.
"God, I love premade bentos..." Akira suddenly admitted in satisfaction. "I gotta buy one on my way to school some time." He then added.
"Yeah, and way cheaper too than the stuff the school serves at the cafeteria." Ann then pointed out.
"...We have a cafeteria?" The three transfers got out in confused unison.
"You guys don't explore the school much, do you..." Ryuji deadpanned.
Homura then coughed into her fists to compose herself. "W-Well, I will be exploring the school as the Disciplinary Committee Head." She soon reminded in a more mature manner.
"And...erm...I don't hang around after school. So many stares and whispers..." Asuka sighed out.
"Yeah, I usually buy Water of Rebirth and Arginade every week and leave." Akira got out with a shrug.
"Well, hopefully me and my committee will make this school a lot more...something...something..." Homura muttered out before narrowing her eyes at her lunch. "Aw man, there's not enough rice for my meat..." she then noticed.
"Hey Asuka-chan, Homura, did you do something last night?" Ann suddenly asked as she got a closer look. "Something seems different about you two as well, something...cuter." She then explained, though was unsure of what to say.
"Yup, we tried out that face cream before we slept last night." Homura answered." Homura revealed with a grin.
"That explains it. You definitely look more feminine now." Ann replied and praised with a nod and a smile on her face.
"You mind telling me where I can get that?" Akira asked. "I need a way to improve my Charm while I sleep." He then explained.
"Sorry, it's a girls only thing." Ann replied with a giggle.
"...That will not stop me." Akira bluntly stated.
That statement in turn caused the others to sweatdrop. "...That's some scary determination, dude." Ryuji got out.
"I'm surprised you noticed Ann-chan." Asuka admitted.
"Well the other guys in class were staring at the two of you when you got here. The other girls too." Ann pointed out. "It was like you had them all under a spell or something." She then added.
"No, I think that's the usual reaction to them." Akira pointed out. "Or...to any of us really." He then deadpanned as he saw everyone in case staring at them.
"...Hey, mind your own business!" Ryuji called out. Instantly, all the students turned away. "Goddammit." He grumbled in annoyance.
"You know, someday we'll meet someone who looks up instead of down when we first meet." Homura groaned out. "It won't be in this school, but somewhere in Tokyo." She then added.
"There, there." Asuka got out in a comforting tone as she patted her roommate's back. "I'm sure someone in this school will." She then assured, just as a fluffy haired third year passed by their classroom without any of them noticing.
"By the way, what are you guys having for lunch?" Homura asked.
"Cupcakes." Ann answered.
"Ramen." Ryuji replied as well.
"I just buy bread from the school store." Akira concluded with a shrug. "Though, now that I know a cafeteria exists...nope, still not gonna." He soon decided.
"Oh, right. Here's your sushi. I hope you like it!" Asuka got out as she handed the Leader a container full of sushi.
Akira opened it up and checked the sushi. "Spicy Futomaki Rolls. Nice." He got out as he began digging into his pocket.
"O-Oh, you don't have to pay me for the sushi." Asuka stated.
"Still owe me." Ann vocally reminded as the other girls winced.
"We're working on it." Homura sighed out as she casually opened a familiar stick of gum.
"What is that?" Ryuji asked.
"I dunno." Homura answered before shrugging and throwing it into her mouth.
"Shouldn't you not eat something if you don't know what it is?" Akira pointed out.
"Hey, I've had worse stuff put into my bloodstreams. Besides, it's just gum." Homura assured as she kept chewing before coming to a complete stop. "...Why does it taste like I'm eating a Big Bang Burger?" She soon asked.
"What?" Ryuji got out in confusion as Ann grabbed the wrapper.
"The ingredients are...sugar, gum base, sweeteners, plasticizers, flavors, artificial colors, polyols..." Ann read out before narrowing her eyes. "...Steak grease, bacon fat, pork fat, fry fat...and cinnamon." She then concluded by listing off the final ingredients.
"Cinnamon? Gah, I hate cinnamon...Though, I do wanna try cinnamon buns." Homura muttered out mid-chew...before stopping completely. "Hold up, steak grease, pork fat, bacon fa- what kind of gum is this!?" She then started repeating before getting straight to the point and asked the big question.
"Um...meat gum? They were giving free samples of it last night..." Asuka meekly answered and explained.
That immediately caused the tan skinned girl to spit it out back into the wrapper. "Bleh! Meat Gum!? What in the world was someone thinking!?" Homura got out in disgust as she went and threw it into the trash. "I mean I love meat and all, but even I have limits!" She then added.
"Are you okay?" Akira asked in concern.
"Yes. Now if you'll excuse me Sis, Akira. I'm...gonna go to the bathroom and cry until lunch ends to forget about that disgusting taste from my mouth." Homura got out as she stumbled out of the room.
"Uh...Good luck?" Ryuji got out before the tan skinned girl shut the door behind her.
"...Ah, right, um, Asuka you mind if we step outside?" Akira soon requested.
"Um, sure?" Asuka replied with a raised eyebrow as they got up from their seats and walked out of the classroom.
"So, I stopped by the Velvet Room last night and um...Jack Frost isn't going to be available for a while." Akira vaguely revealed.
"What!?" Asuka yelped out in concern.
"It's nothing bad! He's just...training." Akira explained before his eye drifted off to the side.
(Velvet Room)
Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!
You know, this horrible abuse would be...you know, horrifying...if it wasn't for the fact Jack Frost squeaking every time he was hit like a toy.
Squeak! Squeak! Squeak! Squeak!
Even if it was hilarious doing so just for the sound.
(Shujin Academy, Classroom)
"I should probably never mention Lockdown..." Akira whispered to himself.
"What was that?" Asuka asked.
"I mean, Caroline and Justine are treating Jack Frost pretty well so just...don't worry about him." Akira informed.
"Wait, why are you telling me this?" Asuka asked.
Akira only let out a smirk, and the Vice Leader knew what it meant.
Time to send the calling card.
(5/27, After School)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
Everyone immediately dispersed after classes were done, letting everyone do some last minute preparation or business they had to do before they went to the apartment.
Akira used this time to sell all the stuff that they got in the Palace as well as going to one of his confidants to get some more medicine before arriving at the hideout.
Eventually...
KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!
"I'll get it!" Asuka got out as she went to the apartment door. She opened it and saw the Kosei Student Council President, who was panting slightly. It looked like she rushed here. "Hi Yumi-chan. The meeting was just about to start." She greeted.
"Thank you, Asuka-san. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu." Yumi replied as she entered the apartment. "Sorry for coming late, I just had to do some last minute paperwork at school today." She then apologized.
"Yumi-senpai, you were only...exactly one minute late." Yusuke pointed out after a quick check of his phone.
"Yes, and I am sorry for wasting time." Yumi replied. "We could've started this meeting earlier should I have arrived sooner." She then stated.
"You know, there is such a thing as being too responsible..." Ryuji muttered out.
"Nonsense Ryuji-san, there is no such thing as being too responsible." Yumi responded.
"I agree with you there." Homura got out with a nod of approval.
"I'm just saying to loosen up, ya know. There's a difference between being cool and being cold." Ryuji replied in an easy going manner.
"That is pure nonsense." Homura and Yumi however responded in unison before blinking and looking at one another in a surprised manner before smiling.
"Come on. You get what I'm sayin' right, Akira?" Ryuji got out as he turned to the Leader.
You're right, Ryuji.
Uh, no.
"Uh, no." Akira deadpanned.
"Aw come on..." Ryuji groaned out.
"Dinner's ready!" Homura informed as she brought out the plates. "Get it while it's hot!" She then advised as she brought practically a buffet to the table.
"Wow, you made this all pretty quickly." Ann got out.
"Yeah, well, you have to make the most out of your ingredients. Nothing should be wasted." Homura stated.
"Hai, one lesson of a shinobi, being able to make meals off of the land." Yumi soon informed.
"Oh, and here's some sushi for Morgana-chan. I got your favorite fish." Asuka got out as she slid a plate of sushi in front of the not cat.
Morgana in turn wagged his tail in excitement with a wide grin on his face. "Oh, you shouldn't have Lady Asuka, but if you insist." He replied as he began eating with gusto.
"Itadakimasu." Akira quickly got out before the Thieves began digging in as well.
"Holy- Lady Asuka, you and Lady Homura could be chiefs with cuisine like this!" Morgana praised in amazement.
"Chefs." Ryuji corrected.
"You know what I mean!" Morgana countered in annoyance.
"We can't say things right lately, huh..." Ann giggled out.
"Probably from the Metaverse or something." Akira casually guessed.
"Speaking of which, are we going to talk about the calling card?" Yumi questioned.
"Guess we should." Asuka replied with a nod. "Let the meeting of...Wait, should we set up the Kekkei first?" She quickly asked.
"Hmm...Nah. Too much trouble right now and it doesn't really matter." Homura stated.
"Okay. So, let's talk Madarame." Asuka declared.
"We can take him down, yes?" Yusuke asked after swallowing a rather large portion.
"Madarame's going to be a changed man." Morgana reminded. "There won't be any way to revert it though. Are you sure you're OK with that?" He then added, questioning the artist's resolve to go through with the mission.
"I have thought it over carefully, and I cannot think of a future in which he does not pay his dues." Yusuke confessed. "He has preyed not only on the art world, but on countless talents...so I humbly request your help." He then answered with conviction.
"It's all right. You know we're already all in on this." Akira assured the young artist in a kind tone before gaining a determined expression. "Madarame needs a change of heart." He then stated.
"I apologize for making you do this though..." Yusuke sighed out.
"Not at all. We just didn't want to impose if you weren't feeling up to it, Yusuke." Ann assured. "But if you're already determined to do it, then there's nothing more for us to say." She then stated.
"Yes. There was only one way this should end." Yumi added.
"If I recall, our next step is sending a calling card, correct? What a suave maneuver." Yusuke remarked with a smile.
"It's not just about acting cool, though." Homura reminded. "The calling card is a way to trigger a change in his cognition to materialise the Treasure." She then explained.
"A change in cognition..." Yusuke repeated. "That reminds me, you went through some trouble regarding that before..."
"Ah, you must be talking about when we forced open that security gate in the courtyard." Morgana spoke up as the veteran female members of the group groaned.
"The Palace is a cognitive world, so changing its ruler's cognition changes the topography...I think." Ann then explained.
"Very nicely put, Lady Ann! You're absolutely correct. This will be a vital tactic from here forward." Morgana praised.
"She even added your signature I think." Homura muttered under her breath.
"Actually, may I ask a truly basic question?" Yusuke then asked.
"Um...sure, Yusuke-kun. Shoot." Asuka replied with a nod.
"You continue to mention cognition quite readily...But why does this world formed from materialized cognitions even exist to begin with?" Yusuke questioned as he frowned in thought. "Don't tell me...Has it always existed, while we go about our daily lives completely oblivious?" He soon deducted.
"Honestly, I'm not sure. At the very least, I know it existed before the Kamoshida incident...but that's all." Morgana replied.
"I see..." Yumi responded with a nod.
"Crap, he totally caught me off guard with that..." Ryuji admitted. "It's kinda weird thinkin' there might be whole worlds we just don't know a damn thing about..." He then mumbled out. "...Did the thought ever cross your mind, Akira?"
"Not really..." Akira admitted. "But then again, considering our lives right now, I guess anything is possible." He then added in flat tone as his eyes drifted towards the shinobi.
"Well, I just assumed it was always here. Like...when the universe was created." Asuka admitted.
"You mean the Big Sneeze?" Ryuji asked.
"It was the Big Bang." Homura corrected with a sweatdrop.
"I know what I said." Ryuji got out with conviction.
"Don't be so anxious. You don't even know everything about the city you live in, after all." Morgana assured. "All that's important is that we know how to make use of that world and how to traverse it." He then stated.
"He is correct. We should focus on our present." Yumi agreed before frowning. "Which worries me." She then suddenly admitted.
"Hm? How come?" Akira asked in an interested tone.
"I mean...Are you sure the calling card will work right now? Madarame has received many slanderous letters so there was bound to be one that was close to the truth." Yumi asked. "We may have missed our opportunity before our heist had even begun." She soon explained in a slightly worried tone.
"That is a possibility..." Yusuke muttered out.
"I'm guessin' those letters are based off of the rumors, nothin' concrete. Well, we just have to show the bastard we're serious and we know his secrets." Ryuji answered with a devious smirk.
"Wait. Are you going to write it again, Ryuji?" Homura got out in a skeptical tone. "That last one was questionable at best and childish at worst." She then admitted in an uneasy manner.
"Pfft! I'm not gonna write it." Ryuji scoffed out before taking out his bag. "I already made the damn things." He then stated with a grin he poured the calling cards out of his bag and onto the table. "I knew I had to make the card look more professional this time so I talked to Yusuke last night and he helped out a ton on the design." He then revealed.
"So these are the final calling cards?" Yumi asked.
"Yep! And fresh off the printers too!" Ryuji answered. "Milked 'em dry red and black ink." He then declared.
"I also printed a few of my own." Yusuke added as he brought out several stacks out of his bag.
"I like the new logo Yusuke-kun." Asuka complimented. "It looks like a professional version of Ryuji-kun's logo." She then added.
The light gray haired girl then held the red card in a curious manner. "Hmm, so this is the calling card you and Yusuke-san created." Yumi started in a fascinated tone. "Sir Ichiryusai Madarame, a great sinner of vanity whose talent has been exhausted," She then began reading, getting the rest of the group's attention in the apartment complex. "You are an artist who uses his authority to shamelessly steal the ideas of his pupils, leaving nothing but misery in exchange. We have decided to make you confess all your crimes with your own mouth." She then continued. "We will take your distorted desires without fail. From, the Phantom Thieves of Heart." She soon concluded as she looked at her fellow thieves in an impressive manner.
The blond meanwhile grinned to the calling card being read out loud. "So, is it good?" Ryuji soon asked the group.
"Yep, that sounds a lot better than the last one." Homura replied while cooking dinner. "I must give you props." She then admitted.
"Yeah. That one to Kamoshida sounded so childish, so I worked really hard to-" Ryuji started, however...
"He had me proofread it." Yusuke interrupted. "You have a very colorful vocabulary, Ryuji." He then stated as he then looked towards the tan skinned girl. "Also, thank you for cooking dinner for us Homura-san." He then added in a grateful manner.
Homura however shrugged her shoulders. "Eh, it ain't a big deal." She casually replied in a nonchalant manner. "We did this last time with everyone before we sent the Calling Card to Kamoshida as well, sort of like a preheist dinner if that makes sense, except this time I'm cooking." She then explained.
"As the saying goes; you can't steal shit on an empty stomach." Asuka stated.
Yumi however puffed her cheek to that. "Language Asuka-san." She chidded.
"Hey, we're all friends here. Friends can swear amongst each other." Ryuji got out in a laid back tone.
"You're one to say. I've never heard you say fuck." Ann pointed out.
"And please don't order Sis around Yumi." Homura requested as she looked at the light gray haired girl with a menacing smile. "Our apartment, our rules!" She then declared as she went back to cooking.
"Aren't you supposed to maintain high public moral standards?" Yumi reminded.
Asuka however giggled to that. "Oh Homu-nee does that at school as head of the Disciplinary Committee." She pointed out. "But only at school Yumi-chan." She then explained before winking in a teasing manner.
The tan skinned girl merely nodded to that as she smirked in proud manner. "Yes, Shujin Academy will soon be heading down a better path thanks to my committee." She then revealed.
"You seem to take a lot of pride in your committee." Yumi then pointed out.
"Hey, I'm working my ass off to erase everything Kamoshida has done and improve everything for the better at Shujin." Homura soon reminded.
"Well, to have set such a noble goal is surprising coming from someone like you." Yumi admitted. "Also, language." She then got out once more in a chiding tone.
"Oi, even though my former family was a set of monsters, I was still a Good Shinobi myself until my middle school framing." Homura remarked in slight annoyance.
"You're still a slightly unstable girl with a sister complex." Akira then quipped out.
"I do not have a sister complex!" Homura countered in an offended manner. "Is it so wrong to care for someone that cares about me equally?" She then asked.
"No. But it's fun to tease you about it considering your sister complex you keep denying you have." Yumi stated with a giggle escaping her lips.
Asuka however pouted to that. "Moh, Akira-kun! Yumi-chan! Don't tease Homu-nee!" She got out in a childish manner and a puffed up cheek.
"But your reactions are really cute." Ann giggled out.
"Mmmm~" Asuka and Homura moaned out in unison as they both pouted with puffed up cheeks.
"Well, at the end of the day, you did great. The both of you." Morgana praised the dyed blond and the artist. "We're fully prepared to steal Madarame's heart!" He soon declared.
"After we eat." Akira added as he returned to his plate.
"Right." The Thieves replied in unison before returning to their meal.
"Yusuke-san, how did you make all those Calling Cards?" Yumi asked in a curious tone as she looked at the stack. "Your scholarship doesn't cover printing credit." She then pointed out.
"I made one, then I copied the original and printed the rest." Yusuke answered. "I own a Print Go*Co. Art can be digital too, though a physical canvas will always be superior." He then revealed.
"...So you've owned a portable printing press this entire time?" Ryuji then asked.
"I have it on me right now." Yusuke answered as he went to his bag and brought it out.
"Y-You just carry that around?" Ann got out in disbelief.
"It can actually be surprisingly useful." Morgana admitted.
"...For what?" Akira asked after a few seconds of silence.
"Let's just say it makes it more convenient for us than trying to go and get the cards printed at a store." Morgana however suggested while swishing his tail around.
"You know, when you say Let's just say... it's usually followed by a vaguer phrase than that..." Akira pointed out.
"Maybe we should get a connection to a printing company or somethin'." Ryuji suggested before he looked over to the light grey haired girl. "You think you can do that?" He then asked.
"I run an information network, not a yakuza family." Yumi sighed out. "...But I'll see what I can do. A little blackmail should get the job done." She then added.
"That's...kinda scary how casually you said that..." Asuka admitted.
"Oh, sorry. It's just been a very long time since I was on a team." Yumi apologized. "I honestly should contact my friends back at Gessen." She then admitted.
"So...what brand of weirdos are your friends?" Homura had to ask.
"Hm? What do you mean by that Homura-san?" Yumi innocently asked.
"Well...one of Sis's friends has a breast groping obsession." Homura awkwardly revealed as the Vice Leader nodded in agreement. "And mine are...Um...Better if you don't know them."
"Well, I assure you that my sisters are normal." Yumi stated in a reassuring tone. "Though I must admit my friend Murakumo-san is incredibly shy and can become a stuttering mess without her oni mask on. " She then admitted.
"Aw, she sounds cute." Ann admitted. "...Wait, why an oni mask?" She soon asked.
"Oh, uh, due to...personal reasons, she wears a mask to make herself seem menacing, even deepening her voice when she wears it." Yumi simply explained.
"So she's hiding her true self..." Akira muttered out. "I get wearing a mask to deal with life's hardships, but a physical mask is..." He then started before he trailed off at the end.
"We all went through our own fair share of hardships." Yumi however informed. "If my grandfather wasn't so kind, I...I would be in a similar situation as Yusuke-san." She soon revealed. "I'm so sorry for not pushing..." She began apologizing, however...
"Enough. The only one who needs to apologize is Madarame." Yusuke interrupted.
"Oh, uh, Yusuke. Do you mind helping me with something...extreme?" Homura suddenly asked.
"Hm? What is it?" Yusuke got out as he narrowed his eyes.
"Well...I want to...devalue...all that artwork in the gallery...And I need an artist's touch to pull it off." Homura said as she rubbed the back of her head.
Ryuji's eyes then widened as a smirk came across his face. "Oooooh, hehe, it's gonna be Red Shujin all over again." He realized in an excited tone.
This in turn got Yumi's attention. "Red Shujin?" She repeated in the form of a question.
"You know, like how we spray painted the school to make it a little more...vibrant." Ryuji answered.
This in response surprised Yumi to this reveal. "Oh! So you and Homura-san were the ones that painted graffiti all over Shujin Academy." She realized in an amazed tone.
"Who do you think did it? The janitor?" Homura sarcastically asked as she crossed her arms over her chest.
"Well, it had honestly confused me wondering who had painted all of Shujin Academy, but now know that you did it make sense since you are a shinobi Homura-san." Yumi politely explained.
"Well I thought Shujin could also use some color, I mean it was pretty dull when me, Sis and Akira got there." Homura replied in a casual manner. "So...do you mind helping out, Yusuke?" She soon requested.
"...I shall." Yusuke replied with a nod.
"Sweet!" Homura cheered out with a fist pump.
"...But only if you do not touch the Sayuri or any of the pieces since they all belong to those Madarame stole from." Yusuke however requested.
"Only your pieces then, huh. Wouldn't that raise alarm bells?" Homura pointed out.
"I am also referring to the other pieces stolen by others that were once under Madarame's wing." Yusuke then explained.
"...So all of the artwork?" Homura then asked.
"If it isn't a problem." Yusuke replied in a polite manner.
"...Fuck it. I'm just gonna do all of them except Sayuri." Homura sighed out. "I doubt his former students give a shit about 'em anymore." She then assumed.
"Language." Yumi chided.
"I apologize, it came out by habit." Homura apologized.
"Too responsible." Ryuji deadpanned.
"Please be quiet, Ryuji." Yumi and Homura requested in unison before going back to their food.
(5/27, Evening)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
Soon, afternoon began evening as everyone left the apartment for the night, leaving the two roommates alone as they began cleaning the dishes from their meal.
"And...done!" Asuka breathed out. "Clean, once again." She soon declared.
"Thank you, Sis." Homura got out as she finished washing the last of the dishes. "I really hope we don't have to go grocery shopping tomorrow." She then added.
"I'll go out this time. I'll pick up more of that super special shampoo as well. The store should still be open" Asuka offered. "And I'll make sure to get a bigger bottle." She then added.
"Of course. Remember, Body Chops in the Underground Mall and it's called Courage on Parade." Homura replied and reminded.
"Hai!" Asuka happily replied with a playful salute.
BZZT! BZZT! BZZT!
Suddenly, they heard their phones vibrate and quickly pulled them out.
[Shut7heFUp: Yo, I tried changing the chat icon.]
[Sweetkat06: Looks the same to me.]
[Shut7heFUp: Maybe it's just for the group and doesn't show up in here...Well, you should take a look later. It's that Phantom Thieves logo I had Yusuke draw for us. The calling card turned out great 'cause of him.]
[TheWildJ0ker: Are people gonna question why the Phantom Thieves have a kunai and shuriken stabbed into the hat?]
[FireGirl20: Well, we can always rebrand ourselves as the Phantom Shinobi...]
[TheWildJ0ker: Morgana will remember that.]
[Shut7heFUp: Anyways, this is the first job for the Phantom Thieves. We really can't screw this up, k?]
[Sweetkat06: I know.]
[TheWildJ0ker: I'll hold you onto that. Everyone, get some rest now. I won't tolerate anyone coming late tomorrow.]
[SushiRoll23: Don't worry Leader. We'll be there!]
"I better turn in early then after I get back." Asuka got out as she put away her phone.
"Um...Actually, I'm going out to buy some art supplies." Homura announced as she grabbed her bag. "I should be back soon so I'll get the bath ready." She then reassured.
"Thank you." Asuka replied with a nod as she watched her roommate leave before heading out herself.
(5/28, Early Morning)
(Shibuya, Museum)
The next day came quickly as Akira was waiting outside, fiddling with his phone with Morgana watching over his shoulder.
"Do you think we should be up this early?" Morgana asked before yawning. "We could've done it at midnight." He then pointed out.
"Well, you know how Sojiro is. I'm pretty sure he's glad that I'm out already." Akira replied. "Now keep watch. You're my eyes right now." He then reminded.
"I know, I know..." Morgana sighed out as he looked around, only seeing a few people walking around. "They better be done soon..." He muttered under his breath.
Soon enough, Akira and Morgana heard someone approaching them and looked up. The Leader couldn't help but smile as Homura and Yusuke walked up to him with devilish smirks.
"So, how was the gallery? Any new pieces?" Akira asked in a playful tone.
"Plenty. I'd say the artist has their passion expressed all over the walls." Homura answered.
"I am curious to see Sensei's reaction to the new art pieces." Yusuke stated, already imagining his sensei's reaction. "Now, shall we prepare for the heist?" He then suggested.
"Just one more stop first." Akira replied. "Let's stop by your place for a bit, Yusuke." He soon suggested.
"Hm? Why?" Homura asked.
"Remember when Ryuji said we have to show Madarame we're serious? Well...Let's show him we're serious." Akira simply answered with an evil grin.
(5/28, After School)
(Shibuya, Madarame's Exhibition)
His day was going rather well. He had some exquisite sushi for breakfast at a high class restaurant and spent most of his day lounging around at his personal home, away from that pathetic excuse of a shack.
...That is, until he got a call from his security team that the exhibit had to be closed indefinitely as they investigated an...incident that was seen earlier this morning.
When Madarame arrived at the exhibition to learn about this, he almost had a heart attack. "W-WHAT IN THE WORLD!?" He exclaimed in shock.
Red, black and white cards covered the walls and even the ceiling. Every single painting on display had been vandalised with red, black and white paint. Some were merely splattered beyond recognition. Others had such kind remarks such as YOU ARE A FAKE!and THIEF.
But the most prominent was WE'LL TAKE YOUR HEART.
And the Sayuri...it was completely untouched...apart from the single calling card stuck over the face.
"Sensei!" A familiar voice from behind him called out, surprising him as he turned around.
"Madarame-san!" A female familiar voice called out in concern.
"A-Ah, Yusuke, Y-Yumi-san." Madarame responded as he tried to keep calm, removing some sweat from his forehead. "Are you okay? Did those vandals do anything to you?" He soon asked with a worried look on his face.
"No, we just arrived ourselves." Yusuke replied as he looked around to appreciate his newest art piece. "Who would do such a thing...?" He asked in false anger as the Kosei High Student Council President removed the calling card from the reproduction Sayuri.
"The Phantom Thieves of Heart?" Yumi read out, feigning confusion. "It's...It's for you, Madarame-san." She then informed.
"What?" Madarame got out as he snatched the card from her hands and read it to himself. "...Whoever did this will be punished very dearly." He growled out as a guard approached him. "Why wasn't I notified this morning!? What did you get from the security cameras!?" He demanded.
"N-Nothing! All the cameras...They were destroyed..." The guard answered before getting a call. He picked it up and paled. "A-And sir...there seems to be a pile of burning paintings in front of your atelier...of the Sayuri?" He soon informed, though confused.
"Burning...!?" Yumi and Yusuke gasped out.
"Wait, the Sayuri? But...It was stolen!" Yumi got out in disbelief as she looked at the renowned artist. "Why are there burning copies of the Sayuri? Is it to make a statement?" She soon questioned.
The elder artist in response narrowed his eyes to that. "Useless!" Mararame quietly muttered to himself in anger.
Suddenly, to Yusuke and Yumi, everything went black as Madarame was replaced with his Shadow.
"It's those damn brats doing, isn't it?" Shadow Madarame guessed. "Well, it means nothing...they will pay, I will make sure of that. Their future will be reduced to nothing!" He then declared.
"We'd like to see you try." Yusuke and Yumi thought as they gained determined looks on their faces as everything returned to normal.
"I want every single person on my security team to investigate this matter this instant! I want whoever has done this arrested immediately!" Madarame ordered as security scrambled. "Yusuke, Yumi-san. I'm sorry you have to see me like this but I would like for both of you to go home." He soon requested.
The light gray haired girl in response nodded to that. "Of course. I hope you catch these criminals." Yumi replied.
"Rest assured, I will make sure these...thieves are punished under the law." Madarame declared as the two began to leave. "Oh, and one more thing Yusuke. I need you to...prepare something for me when you get home." He soon requested in a vague manner.
"Yes, sensei. I'll get right on that." Yusuke lied as he tried to suppress the glare he wanted to give the man as they left.
Outside, the rest of the Thieves were waiting. "Alright, no turning back now." Akira stated.
"Yes. Madarame is planning for Yusuke-san to replace all his paintings. We need to act now." Yumi informed.
"The Treasure has surely appeared now." Morgana meanwhile informed.
"Then let's get this show on the road." Homura spoke up as she cracked her knuckles.
"Your heart is already ours." Asuka got out with a determined expression on her face.
"You better enjoy the air of freedom while you still can, old man." Ryuji muttered. "Anyways, let's hope this stunt gets everyone talkin' about us online. The news about this ain't gonna be a secret for long. We'll show the world what the Phantom Thieves are made of!" He then revealed.
"Remember everyone, we only have one shot to pull this off." Morgana soon reminded.
"It's do or die. Let's do this." Akira added. "I'll be counting on everyone here." He then declared.
"We'll be counting on you too Leader. Let's take his heart." Ann replied as they started making their way to Madarame's Palace.
The light grey haired girl then looked at her junior. "Yusuke-san, are you still willing to go through with this? Because no matter what, your life will change in the end." Yumi asked in concern.
The rising artist in response nodded to that. "I am Yumi-senpai. And we will not fail." Yusuke declared, feeling Goemon's rage in his soul.
(Madarame's Museum, Museum Entrance)
Joker put away his phone as he and his fellow Thieves glared at the Palace, searchlights covering the sky.
The museum was a mess. Red, black and white paint ruined its immaculate golden sheen. Even the line of people was gone...only their dead bodies.
"The atmosphere here seems significantly different..." Fox noted.
"I mean, we did basically declare war on him by effin' up the exhibit." Skull pointed out.
"It was to be expected in the end, I feel a truly evil presence here now." Widow soon informed as she narrowed her eyes.
"But there's nothing to fear." Mona stated. "We secured a route, and we're ready to go. We'll take his Treasure in style!" He then declared.
"Okay, is everyone ready to go?" Joker asked. Everyone nodded in response. "Alright, Madarame, get ready! Your heart is ours!" He soon declared with a rebellious smirk on his face.
Nodding to this, the group soon dashed in.
(Upper Main Hall)
"Okay, here we are." Yang got out.
"Let's run through the plan." Widow suggested.
"Alright, I want Skull and Panther to take care of the security room. Fox and Yin, you're on hook duty. Tie Mona to the thing and make sure the hook doesn't fail. I'm in charge of the lever. Yang and Widow, you're on backup so I'll stay here and hold down the area." Joker instructed. "Everyone, synchronise your timer to three minutes. As soon as I say go, start it and get to your position. If we are a second off, the heist is essentially a bust. The plan should go off as lights out, hook down, hook up, lights on, Treasure ours. Is that clear?"
"Yes, Leader." The Thieves replied in unison as they took out their provided stopwatches and quickly set it to three minutes.
"It's finally time..." Skull got out.
"There will be no turning back once we begin the operation." Widow stated.
"And if worst comes to worst, we might have to fight..." Yin pointed out.
"That's right. Are you ready, Joker?" Mona asked the Leader.
"Yes. This is it, people! Let's show the world that the Phantom Thieves exist!" Joker answered before proudly declaring.
"Time to begin the heist." Yin started in a serious tone.
"Start your timers...Now! GO!" Joker ordered as they hit start at the same time.
"You heard him! Move it!" Yang called out the Thieves dashed out of the room...except for Joker.
"...Why did I give myself the easiest job?" Joker muttered to himself, realising it was going to be a very boring three minutes.
(Lower Main Hall)
With Skull and Panther...
"There's an enemy inside, just as expected..." Panther muttered out.
"I mean, we've done a ton in here. It ain't surprisin'." Skull pointed out. "Anyway, I'm gonna try and draw it out, so I'll leave the switch to you." He then informed.
"Will you be OK...? What if it catches up to you...?" Panther however asked.
"Heh, don't underestimate an ex-runner. I'm definitely gonna shake it off!" Skull assured in a confident tone. "Plus, I got the shinobi to back me up. Just hide over there while I draw 'em out." He then reminded.
Panther frowned before nodding and jumping behind a plant while the dyed blond knocked on the glass door.
"Heyyy...! There's some weird people over hereeee! The guy with the skull mask is oddly handsome! Please come help!" Skull got out in a crappy girlish voice before running away, causing the Guard Shadow to leave the room.
"Hm!? What's the matter!?" The guard asked as he looked around before seeing Skull running away. "HEY! Get back here you damn thieves!" It ordered as it chased after the ex-runner.
After waiting a few seconds to make sure the coast was clear, the ash blond got out of cover and looked down the hallway Skull and the Shadow had gone down. "You better make it Skull..." Panther got out before heading into the security room.
Meanwhile, Skull was running away from the guard, who was starting to catch up to him. "Damn, my leg's still not ready for this shit..." He swore out.
Looks like it's time to call back up.
"YANG! HELP!" Skull shouted out. "GET THIS GUY OFF ME!" He then added.
The white full face masked girl nodded from the shadows as she fired her grappling hook. "GET OVER HERE!" Yang called out as zipped onto the guard's back. "Let's do this together Skull!" She declared as she ripped the guard's mask off.
"Did you serious quote Mortal Kombat without realizin' it?" Skull joked out.
"Mortal what?" Yang however asked.
"Gah! Doesn't matter right now. Let's take 'em out!" Skull called out as the two charged at the Shadow.
(Upper Main Hall)
Meanwhile, with Yin, Fox and Mona...
"Is this good?" Fox asked once the not cat was securely tied to the hook.
"Is it too tight?" Yin added in concern. "Or not tight enough?" She then asked
"No, it's perfect!" Mona replied.
"You seem to be enjoying this." Fox remarked.
"Only the best can appreciate these critical moments. Plus, this feels like we're really phantom thieves!" Mona answered in an excited tone.
"But we are Phantom Thieves, Mona-chan." Yin giggled out.
"We'll be counting on you, Mona. And Panther as well." Fox got out as he looked down to see if their teammate was in the security room.
"Let's hope nothing goes wrong." Yin got out as she checked the timer. "Thirty seconds." She soon informed.
"More than enough time." Fox stated with a nod before giving the ash blonde the signal.
(Lower Main Hall)
"Looks like Mona's ready." Panther got out as she saw the artist give a thumbs up. "Dammit, I hope Skull hasn't gotten himself killed..." She then muttered in concern.
"Panther." Widow got out, causing the ash blond to yelp and turn around. "Are you ready?" She soon asked.
"Don't do that!" Panther gasped out as she tried to calm down her heart. "A-Anyways, I am. All we have to do is-" She then started, however...
Beep! Beep! Beep!
"Now!" Widow called out as the ash blonde hit the Enter key. "Lights out." She then whispered as the power cut off.
(Upper Main Hall)
With Joker...
As soon as things went dark, he pulled the lever down. "Come on, come on..." Joker mumbled under his breath. "I hope this is low enough..." He then got out in anticipation.
"Up up up!" Yin called out from her position.
Joker nodded as he pushed the lever up.
"He's got it!" Fox announced just as Panther and Widow arrived in the room.
"Yes!" Panther cheered out.
"Executed perfectly." Widow declared just as two familiar faces ran into the room.
"Whew! That guy was tough..." Skull panted out.
"Stupid resistance to fire and electricity..." Yang grumbled under her breath. "Did we do it?"
"Let's check on the hook team then." Joker suggested just as the lights came back on.
The remaining Thieves nodded before following the Leader up into the opening and to Fox and Yin, who finished untying Mona while he held tight to the Treasure.
"Hehehehe...! How's that for a skilled plan!" Mona declared.
"We did it, Mona-chan!" Yin cheered out as she swung the little guy around and gently hugged him.
"Yeah, we did amazin'!" Skull called out with a grin.
Down below, the Shadows were in a frenzy. "L-Lord Madarame! Th-The piece is gone!" They heard one of the guards cry out.
"Ngh...How dare those vermin..." Shadow Madarame growled. "But now we'll corner them like the rats they are! Lock all the doors at once! They have nowhere to run!" He then barked to his guards.
"So? What'd the Treasure turn out to be? It's definitely a paintin' like we guessed." Skull asked and assumed.
"We can look into that later. For now, we must escape." Widow stated in a serious tone.
"Yeah, it's time to go!" Mona declared as the Vice Leader tied the cloth the painting was in around his neck.
"Um, are you sure you can move properly with the Treasure on your back?" Panther asked in concern.
"Do not worry Panther. A mere painting will not slow me down. Just keep moving and don't worry about me for now." Mona reassured as they ran back to the control room.
"What the...?" Joker got out as he tried to open the door out of there, but to no avail. "It's locked!" He soon revealed.
"What!? Shit!" Skull cursed. "But it was open before!" He then complained.
"...Until just now..." Yang realised as she palmed her mask. "Madarame just said to lock all the doors..." She then added.
"Which means we're cornered like the rats we are." Mona muttered out.
"Shoot, we forgot to plan an exit..." Yang groaned out. "Looks like we'll have to wing it from here on." She then decided.
"Let's go back through the opening. There has to be a vent out of the room..." Yin guessed in an unsure tone as they began running back through the opening.
Suddenly, Joker spotted a blue widow from across the room. He looked at his fellow before nodding, firing his grappling hook and swinging over to the other side, with the others following suit.
"Through here, through here!" Yin quickly got out as she climbed through the blue window.
(Outside)
The Thieves emerged from the window and looked around, realising they could see an uncomfortable amount of buildings lower than them.
"Whoa, this shit's real high up..." Skull got out to the sight.
"But at least we're outside!" Mona stated. "Is there a way down out here!?" He soon asked.
"Well..." Joker started as he looked over the- "Holy effin' shit..." He got out. That was way higher than he was expecting.
"We are not sky-diving off another Palace!" Panther suddenly called out. "Let's just find a way down that doesn't involve falling!" She soon suggested.
"Agreed!" Widow replied with a nod. "We can't risk our lives over convenience! Besides, we might destroy the Treasure." She then added as the Thieves ran on the rooftops to find a safe way down.
Suddenly, they came across an angry red portal, like the ones in the Twisted Labyrinth. "Oh...that doesn't look safe..." Yin got out with a wince.
"But we have nowhere else to go." Fox however reminded.
"Yeah, just jump through it! We'll take care of anything on the other side!" Mona got out.
Joker nodded before closing his eyes and dashing through the red portal, expecting the worst on the other side.
(Central Garden)
Joker instantly pulled out his gun and prepared it, just in case there was an immediate threat. However, he frowned as he realised they were in a familiar place.
"Is this...the courtyard...?" Skull got out as they looked around.
"So they were connected." Widow concluded.
"I knew it! All that security would've been meaningless if it just led back inside!" Mona declared in excitement.
"It seems we managed to escape their siege." Fox guessed.
"We still have a ways to go, though. Keep going." Joker ordered as he put away his gun.
However...
"Mrrr...Meowww..." Mona suddenly started to meow, looking rather antsy.
"Oh no...not again..." Yang groaned out.
"Eh?" Widow got out in confusion.
"He's reacting to the Treasure. He gets...weird around it." Joker informed. "Which hopefully does not involve cat jizz." He then quietly added.
"Mona, calm down. We need to get out of here!" Skull called out.
"M-Meowwww...! I can't take it anymore!" Mona got out in anticipation. "Let's take a look at the Treasure! The splendor hidden behind the cloth is killing me!" He then declared in excitement.
"Oh my God, we can look at it when we're out of the Metaverse!" Yang growled out. "You lasted this long without going nuts, just wait!" She then reminded.
"Yeah..." Joker muttered out with a frown. Why did he feel something was off?
"Well, there's no one around so it wouldn't hurt to take a peek..." Yin muttered out in a curious manner.
"It would be informative to see what the painting is." Widow admitted.
"Widow!? Oh come on, we're going to die..." Yang sighed out as the not cat placed the Treasure down and undid the cloth wrapping.
"And...Treasure!" Mona called out as the Thieves looked at the painting...
Only to see a very crappy painting with a badly drawn face on it.
"Hrm!?" Mona got out in surprise.
"This is the Treasure!?" Skull exclaimed in disbelief.
"Um...I guess this is the only Madarame original?" Yin guessed.
Suddenly, something clicked for the Leader.
"...It is." Joker realised as his eyes widened. "This isn't the Treasure. It's a fake!" He then informed, as the artist then noticed that the security system was beginning to turn on.
"Get back!" Fox called out as everyone dove out of the way.
The security system activated, nearly frying everyone with billions of volts.
"Meddlesome vermin..." A unwanted, yet familiar voice growled.
The Thieves picked themselves off the ground and turned to face the ruler of the Palace, his guards by his side, with one of them holding a painting.
"Is this what you're looking for?" Shadow Madarame soon questioned in a mocking tone.
"It was a trap." Yin whispered out. Of course Madarame prepared for them. They did mess with the security while he was still in the room.
"Dammit, why didn't I see this..." Mona cursed under his breath.
"Hey, thanks for bringing the real Treasure, Madarame. Now if you could just hand it over real quick..." Joker got out as he held out his hand.
"As if I would hand over the Treasure so easily." Shadow Madarame countered.
"That wasn't a question." Joker corrected as the Thieves pulled out their guns
"So you had a fake prepped, huh!?" Skull stated the rather obvious.
"Counterfeits are accepted in the world of Japanese art." The Shadow scoffed out, not bothered by the weapons aimed at him.
"No. They are not!" Widow called out as she chambered a round into her rifle. "They're accepted in your world, but not in ours!" She then declared.
"What made you change like this!? Is it because you became famous!? Can't you understand how much it pains me to inquire about the crimes of my foster father!?" Fox however cried out.
" ...Now that I think back, the only reason why I took you in was due to my ties with your mother." The ruler revealed, causing the young artist's heart to stop for a second. "That woman never lost her passion for painting even after her husband died. Her skills and talents were quite astonishing...That's why I decided to look after her." He continued, smiling to himself.
"So you could steal everything she created..." Joker whispered to himself.
"Your mother and the artwork she created—They're all my works of art!" Shadow Madarame declared.
"How...How dare you..." Widow darkly began with her rising killing intent.
"How low can you sink...?" Panther growled as she glared at this excuse of a man.
"I suppose I can grant you a gift before you die—a glimpse of the true Sayuri." The Shadow then got out.
"Th-The true Sayuri...?" Fox repeated as the guard holding the painting held it up to sky for all to see.
It was the Sayuri, in all its untouched glory. The fog was gone, though. It depicted a woman cradling onto a baby with a loving, tender look in her eyes.
"What the...That's the Sayuri...?" Yin gasped out.
"So I was right...There was something underneath." Widow got out.
"That's...the real Sayuri...? This can't be...!" Fox whispered out as tears edged out of his eyes. "Mom...!" He soon exclaimed.
"Mom!?" The Thieves gasped out.
"It's...It's a self portrait." Joker realised.
"Indeed it is. This was painted by your mother, Yusuke. It's a portrait of herself." The Shadow confessed. "A woman who knew her death was coming painted her last wishes, for the son she would leave behind. That is the truth behind the mystery of Sayuri's expression!" He soon explained and revealed.
"You stole something that personal...!?" Skull exclaimed in anger.
"You...You piece of shit...!" Yang growled, feeling the ghost of the Engetsuka on her back.
"I knew at first glance. I knew it'd be a huge success, if I added a touch to the painting and announced it under my name!" Shadow Madarame revealed.
"But the baby in the picture...Why did you paint over it...?" Fox soon questioned.
"...It was all to stage it. If the babe is erased, the reason for the woman's expression will become a mystery, like the Mona Lisa's smile...!" Shadow Madarame soon revealed, causing the young artist to pale to this information. "That is what the general public is drawn to! Each of those parasitic critics wrote the same thing!" He soon declared.
"I always felt something was off about all this..." Panther growled out. "Now I know what it is. If you really treasured that painting, you wouldn't even think about replicating it for profit! You don't love art at all!" She then accused.
"Though you have a real Treasure, your true skills are nothing more than those scribbles on that fake!" Mona called out.
"It doesn't even make me laugh!" Skull shouted out. "You ain't even an artist! You're just an effin' evil shithead!" He then added.
"So you'll defy me no matter what..." Shadow Madarame got out in a somewhat disappointed tone. "Well then, since you're my work of art, Yusuke, I'm going to reap you for the sake of my future...Along with those insolent friends of yours there." He soon declared.
"I can't believe you're treating both mother and son like they're objects...You're inhuman!" Panther soon declared in disgust.
However, Yin quickly noticed the shadows of the young artist's mask cover his eyes. "...Fox?" She soon called out in concern.
"I've heard that you destroy your art once they outlive their usefulness..." Fox suddenly got out before staring directly into Madarame's golden eyes "...Did that include my mother as well?" He soon questioned in an accusing manner.
The air quickly grew cold.
"W-What...?" Widow got out as her eyes widened.
"...She just so happened to have a seizure in front of me." The Shadow revealed. "That's when a thought crossed my mind...If I don't call for help and leave her be, I could obtain her painting without any strings attached." He then explained, as if it was nothing new.
This in turn caused the entire group to gasp, already knowing what this meant.
"You...You killed her...!" Fox growled.
"I did not. It was nature that took your mother away." Shadow Madarame countered while feigning denial.
"YOU EFFIN' KILLED HER!" Skull roared, his body shaking with rage.
"YOU'RE A MURDERER!" Yang declared with a fiery fury. However, a quick glare from Joker stopped them from pumping the Shadow full of lead.
However, the scam artist simply ignored the two as he continued his monologue. "The artistic talents you inherited from your mother were a delightful miscalculation, though." Shadow Madarame soon admitted. "If I'm to steal ideas, it's much easier robbing the future of brats who won't talk back than adults. It's thanks to you that I came up with the idea. You have my gratitude." He then explained and revealed with a vile smile on his face, without any sign of guilt or remorse.
"I...You...Let her die for nothing but fame...for money..." Yin whispered out in disbelief.
But before another could say anything else...
FWOOOOOOOOOOSH!
A strong gust of cold wind suddenly blew through the entire area. "You...You...You piece of fucking shit!" Widow shouted out in fury as she readied her fans and a pillar of ice formed out of the ground behind her fellow thieves while a blizzard started to form as well. "I'll...I'll...!" She soon began.
However, before she could slice the Shadow's head off his shoulders...Fox began to laugh.
"Fox..." Joker whispered out as the artist's laugh became a mad cackle.
"I thank you...Madarame..." Fox got out. "Now...every reason for me to forgive you has disappeared without a trace at this very moment! You aren't some rotten artist...You're a despicable fiend who wears the skin of an artist!" He soon declared with fury.
"All you good-for-nothings...! Barging into my museum and doing whatever the hell you want...Those who have the connections make the rules; those who don't, follow them. Not to mention, the value of art is all subjective! I make the rules in the art scene! I am the supreme being! I AM THE GOD OF THE ART WORLD!" Shadow Madarame soon began declaring as a dark aura to rise around him.
"This isn't good! Get back!" Mona warned as the group jumped away before a burst of darkness caused them to shield their faces.
When they put down the arms, the Phantom Thieves gasped as they saw the Shadow's true self. He had become a set of four paintings showing different parts of his face; his eyes, his nose, and his mouth.
"I'll paint all over you!" A more distorted voice of Shadow Madarame declared.
However, the Thieves only glared at the monster in front of them. "Some god. All I see is a demon wearing the mask of a human." Widow seethed as Fūma appeared behind her, glaring at the Shadow with pure hate in her eye.
"There's no redemption for you...no light, only darkness." Yin declared as she summoned Kaeru to her side.
"We're gonna make sure the whole world knows that not only are you a scammer and thief, but a murderer as well." Yang got out as Wolverine appeared in a burst of crimson flames
"We'll make you confess every single crime from your own mouth, you demon!" Joker then declared as Arsene appeared behind him, shaking with rage.
"Death would only be a mercy...But what I'm about to do to you...is a gift!" Fox shouted out as he ripped off his mask.
(Cue Dragon Road- Night Version by Kenichi Tokoi)
"GIANT SLICE, GOEMON!" Fox commanded as his Persona slashed at the Shadow's nose.
"GAH!" The Shadow grunted outbefore shaking his paintings, shaking off the attack. "There is a world the mediocre cannot understand!" Shadow Madarame soon declared.
"...So his Shadow turned into a bunch of paintings. Kamoshida's Shadow was way worse!" Yang remarked as she looked at the monstrous form of the false artist's Shadow.
"Still not pretty to look at." Skull remarked.
"He's become his true form. Azazel!" Mona got out. "This will be nothing like Shadow Kamoshida. You better give it your all here!" He then advised.
"I'll destroy this facade...and tear you limb from limb...!" Widow declared. "Fūma!" She soon called out. "Aqua! Hit him in the left eye!" She soon commanded.
However, disgustingly, the eye drank the water spell.
"Hahahahaha! I'm disappointed Yumi! I thought you could do better!" Shadow Madarame taunted.
"Ew! What the-!?" Panther exclaimed. "Did...Did it just absorb Widow's attack!?" She soon asked in confusion.
"Oh, this is gonna be a puzzle..." Joker muttered to himself. "Well then, let's do some testing! Mapsi, Archangel!" He soon ordered.
WEEEEP!
"AH!" The Shadow screamed in pain, feeling his parts get torn from the insides. However, his nose felt a lot better now.
"Okay, the nose absorbed my attack but not the others..." Joker thought with a frown. "He has different resistances on every part..." He then added.
"I'll try and figure out their affinities. In the meanwhile, just throw out spells and stuff!" Mona suggested.
"Right, so go for multi-target attacks everyone!" Joker ordered.
"Alright, come on Carmen! Maragi!" Panther commanded as her Persona bathed the area in flames. The eyes absorbed the fire, but everything else was burned. "I'm guessing he has no weakness like Kamoshida..." She then deducted.
"Yep. Come on, Captain Kidd, go on a Rampage!" Skull soon ordered as he ripped off his mask.
BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM! BAM!
While Madarame's eyes and nose were battered by the skill, his mouth took it in stride.
"I think I'm starting to figure it out." Joker muttered to himself. "The mouth absorbs all physical attacks! Go for magic!" He soon ordered.
"Really? Alright, Joker! Magna!" Yin called out as Kaeru blasted the mouth with a boulder, taking out a few teeth, though they quickly regrew.
However, the Shadow's mouth quickly countered the attack as it went up to Skull and tried to bite his arm off.
CHOMP!
"Shit!" Skull swore out as he managed to rip his arm away from the Shadow's mouth, but tore the sleeve of his leather jacket off. "Aw, come on!" He grunted.
"Remember to watch your clothes! They get destroyed, you're practically dead!" Mona warned.
"So similar to that of a Shinobi Tenshin, understood." Widow responded with a nod.
"Yeah, though unlike a Shinobi Tenshin, we can fix it up using a Sewing Kit!" Mona revealed.
"God, I wish we could..." Yang lamented before ripping off her mask. "Come on, Wolverine! Gurentou! RIP HIS EYES OUT!" She soon commanded.
STAB!
"That's a nope!" Yang called out as his right eye just healed right back up.
"I think I get it now. The eyes love Fire, Ice, Wind, Electricity and Water! Physical or any other element should do." Mona informed.
"You really think so?" Fox asked.
"I know so! GARU!" Mona called out as he casted a wind spell upon the Shadow's nose.
WOOSH!
"Yes!" Mona cheered out. "Then that means the nose wants Earth, Psychic, Nuke, Bless and Curse. Anything other than that is fine though!" He soon assumed.
"He can drain any element, but not with every part." Joker concluded.
"God, that is hard to keep track of..." Skull got out with a frown.
"Just follow Joker's orders! For example..." Yang called before looking towards the Leader.
"Terror Claw! Target his big dumb nose!" Joker ordered.
"That." Yang finished in a flat tone as she ripped off her mask. "Fear me! Persona!" She cried out as Wolverine's claws gained a purple glow and slashed at the nose.
SLASH!
"AH!" The Palace ruler cried out in pain before glaring at the Thieves. "Take this! Artist's Grace!" Shadow Madarame declared as it began spitting something out of his mouth.
SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH!
"UGH! W-What is this!?" Widow exclaimed as she was splattered by inky black paint. It felt like it was being absorbed into her skin.
"The ink's color is absorbing light! That can't be good." Mona got out in concern. "We better watch Widow." He then advised.
Joker nodded as he swapped Persona. "Here you go, Widow. Rakukaja!" He called out.
Instantly, she felt much more...sturdier than usual. "You have my thanks." Widow responded.
"What you've done to senpai, I will not allow you to hurt her further!" Fox declared as he ripped off his mask. "Strike, Goemon! Bufu! Aim at his mouth!" He soon ordered.
CRACKLE!
"Yusuke, still a fledgling. I shall show you a real artist's masterpiece! Silent Snowscape!" Shadow Madarame declared, his nose glowing as he unleashed the ice spell on the light grey haired girl.
Widow only narrowed her eyes as she took the spell full-on, knowing what she was good against...
SHATTER!
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!" Widow cried out in pain as she fell to the ground, her outfit torn to shreds and leaving her in her icy blue and white bra and panties.
...That element, which did more damage than expected.
"What the!? Widow doesn't have an Ice weakness!" Yang exclaimed in confusion.
"No way..." Joker muttered as it soon came to him. "Shit, that paint makes anyone covered in it vulnerable to everything!" He swore out.
"What!? How is that fair!?" Skull complained.
"Defend Widow until she gets to her feet!" Yin ordered. "And watch the Shadow! We can't get covered in that paint too!" She then added.
"Watch out!" Joker called out.
"Huh?" Yang got out in confusion before the ruler attacked her with his mouth. "OW! He bit my chest!" Yang yelped in pain as she covered her now exposed right breast. "Sewing Kit!" She soon requested.
"Got it, Yang-nee!" Yin responded as she tossed the item to her roommate.
"Careful. We only have five of them!" Joker warned. "Well, four now." He then corrected himself.
"Widow, here!" Yin got out as she quickly brought a Sewing Kit to the downed light grey haired girl.
Widow could only groan in response, but it sounded like she was thankful as her clothes were repaired.
"Hahahahaha! Don't you see? Brats like you will never make it in the world! You should all just die here rather than delay the inevitable!" Shadow Madarame laughed out as his eyes glowed, his mouth being engulfed in a red aura.
"It can buff itself too!?" Panther exclaimed.
"Hmm..." Fox hummed out as he narrowed his eyes. "I'm starting to see something here..." He soon stated.
"You have a plan, Fox?" Skull got out in surprise.
"He bites with his mouth, he casts spells with his nose, he buffs himself with his eyes..." Fox soon listed off.
"They even have different skills on each part..." Yin realised. "Everyone, focus on the nose! We need to prioritise in taking away his ability to attack us effectively!" She ordered.
"Yeah. If you can't do anything to it, buff and debuff!" Joker ordered as well. "Persona! Arsene, Sukunda!" He commanded as his initial Persona lowered the nose's accuracy and evasion. "Should be easier to hit, give it what you got!" He soon informed.
"Yes, Joker!" Panther called out with a salute. "Agiliao!" She soon commanded.
FWOOSH!
"HOT!" Shadow Madarame wailed in pain.
"You know, your nose burns just as nicely as those forgeries." Joker taunted. "Hey, you should donate some of them to the homeless. I'm sure they'd love the new kindling." He then added with the rebellious smirk on his face.
"NO! I WILL KILL YOU, YOU SHITTY BRATS!" Shadow Madarame declared in fury after hearing and learning that.
"And you're a vile and murderous adult! So we're even!" Yang countered. "Come on, Gurentou!" She then commanded as she ripped off her mask.
SLICE!
"ARGH! Stop it!" The Shadow demanded in even more pain.
Now, there was Shadow blood leaking out of the nose. "One more attack should take it out!" Yang announced.
"Fox, finish it off!" Joker ordered.
"I shall! Goemon!" Fox commanded as he sent his Persona forward.
Goemon shoved his large smoking pipe up the painting's nose and through it, causing it to stick out the other side, before placing his feet on it for leverage to pull it out.
"FATALITY!" Skull jokingly declared with a smirk.
"GAAAAHHHH!" Shadow Madarame however wailed as the nose painting fell to the ground. "You'll pay for that!" It soon declared in anger.
"No we won't! Nose down!" Panther announced as she cracked her whip.
"Mouth next! He can't attack with just his eyes!" Yang soon ordered.
"Come on, Kaeru! Magna!" Yin commanded as she summoned Kaeru to her side.
"Pitiful man, your time is short so why destroy the future when you will not live to see it." The Vice Leader's Persona declared in disgust as she threw the boulder.
"I'm only-MPH!" Shadow Madarame began, only to get a mouthful of rocks.
"STUFF IT!" Yin, Yang and Widow all ordered at once.
"And go to hell!" Pather concluded while cracking her whip. "You're up Skull!" She then called out.
"On it! Captain Kidd!" Skull replied as he ripped off his mask.
Immediately, Captain Kidd rushed in and forcefully opened the painting's mouth before shoving his cannon into it.
"Eat shit! ZIO ZIO ZIO!" Skull commanded as his Persona shot electricity into it, causing the Shadow to make a gagging noise before his Persona let go and let the painting fall.
"You have nothing to hurt us with Madarame! Finish the eyes off!" Joker commanded as he summoned Arsene to dig his heels into the Shadow's left eye before ripping it out.
"We're brutalising him! Let's keep that up!" Mona encouraged as he summoned his Persona. "Zorro, give him a black eye with Lucky Punch!" He soon commanded.
BONK!
"Gah! You'll pay for that you damn monster cat!" Shadow Madarame declared in pain as the eye that was struck blinked.
"Grrr...!" Mona growled out, though it came out too...cute to be threatening.
"How dare you!" Yin and Widow exclaimed in offended manners.
"There are plenty more things you can get pissed about! Stay focused!" Joker however called out.
"Hai!" The two Good Shinobis/Thieves responded.
Widow soon took out her rifle and breathed out all the air in her lungs to steady her shot. "Aim and..." She thought as she zeroed in on her target...
BAM! BAM!
"Bullseye!" Widow declared as she shot the two eyes, taking out the last of the paintings instantly.
"GAAAAHHHH!" Shadow Madarame cried in pain as the paintings melted into a black mass, his human form soon spawning out from it.
"He's back to normal! Attack now!" Yin commanded.
"Hai!" Widow replied as they aimed their guns at the Shadow.
"Dammit! I'm the great Madarame!" The ruler of the Palace declared. "The Madarame who gathers a full crowd every time he opens an exhibit! I'm not someone that worthless brats like you are allowed to defy...!" He then added.
"SHUT UP!" Widow screamed at the ruler, her form shivering in cold fury. "This Palace...This entire world...I'll tear it all down, and make sure you never see the light of day again!" She soon declared.
"Senpai, calm yourself!" Fox called out. "Acting like that will get you killed."
"I know. But we must make his life a living hell with all the pain he's inflicted!" Widow replied, tears running down her face.
"You heard her. ALL-OUT ATTACK!" Joker ordered as they all rushed in.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! BASH! CRACK! SLASH! SLAP!
"We can do this! Keep the pressure!" Yin called out as they landed back on the ground.
However, this only caused the ruler to glare at the Thieves. "You think I'm vulnerable in this state!? You just haven't seen what I am capable of!" Shadow Madarame growled before letting out a vile smile. "THIS IS YOUR PUNISHMENT FOR DEFYING THE ALMIGHTY MADARAME! TASTE DEATH ITSELF FROM MY MEGIDO SPELL!" He declared, already charging his mightiest attack.
"M-M-M-M-Megido!?" Mona sputtered out in a panicked tone. "We're all in serious trouble!" He then exclaimed while flailing his tiny arms.
"Huh?" Skull got out in confusion. "What the hell do ya mean?" He soon asked in a panicked tone.
"No time! IT'S ABOUT TO KILL US ALL!" Mona screamed in fear as he covered his oversized head with his tiny arms.
Joker frowned as he stood his ground, already switching to a Persona with high Endurance.
"What!?" Yin exclaimed. "Oh God! YANG-NEE!" She called out in a panic.
"YIN! RUN!" Yang however called back.
"We don't have time to run..." Widow sadly stated. "It's been an honor." She then got out in a resigned tone.
"You're just giving up like that!?" Panther exclaimed before seeing the fear in her eyes.
"MADARA-MEGIDO!" The Shadow called out as he casted his all-powerful spell.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" The Thieves screamed as-
Plink!
"...Plink?" The Thieves thought in confused unison.
"...What?" Mona soon got out as he felt the spell rain down on them like a...light drizzle. Why weren't they dust yet?
"Is this supposed to hurt?" Fox asked rather casually as he was pelted with the...attack. "Because I barely feel anything." He soon stated.
"...This is an Almighty attack?" Joker deadpanned as the spell bounced off his head.
"What kind of weak attack is this!?" Yin exclaimed.
"Ow! Hey! Quit it!" Panther got out in annoyance while the tan skinned girl picked up one of the Megido balls.
"...These are just ping pong balls with Megido on it!" Yang called out. "It's even misspelt!" She then added, her eye twitching at the error.
"Do you own anything that isn't shit!?" Skull yelled at the Shadow, who only glared in response.
"I highly doubt it." Widow sighed. "All-Out Attack?" She soon suggested.
"All-Out Attack." Joker ordered in a flat tone.
"You are a stain on humanity!" Fox shouted out as they rushed the Shadow.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! BASH! CRACK! SLASH! SLAP!
"Don't stop! Hit him with everything you've got!" Yin called out. "Magna!" She commanded.
"Bufula!" Widow ordered.
"Gurentou!" Yang roared.
"Headbutt!" Skull yelled out.
"Giant Slice!" Fox ordered.
"Agilao!" Panther declared.
"Garu!" Mona got out.
"Eiha!" Joker concluded as he brought Arsene to his side.
"AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Shadow Madarame cried in pain as he was absolutely blasted with everything the Thieves could muster. However, their assault stopped as the ruler quickly transformed back into his set of paintings.
"Guh...he's back to his stupid painting form..." Yang grumbled out. "Alright. Nose, mouth then eyes! We can do this again!" She then ordered while readying herself along with the others.
"Hey, wait a minute..." Yin however whispered out as she spotted a few buckets of black paint and brushes nearby. "Over there! That looks promising." She soon pointed out.
"Yeah..." Mona got out. "That paint's the same stuff Madarame's using on us!" He exclaimed in realization.
"Well then, good as time as any to show him our art." Yang stated with a smirk. "Okay, one of us needs to go and grab it while the rest of us distract him. Who do you want to send out?" She soon asked.
"Fox, go and paint us a masterpiece." Joker whispered the order.
"Thank you Leader. I'm on it." Fox replied with a mad smile before dashing off.
"Alright everyone, as before!" Joker called out as he summoned Franken. "Zionga!" He commanded.
ZAP!
Meanwhile, with Fox, he watched his team mates fight the Shadow while he snuck around, the sounds of battle drowning out any noise he would've mistakenly made.
After waiting a few seconds, he saw the opportunity to make his way to the paint bucket and brush and dashed over to it, grabbing the equipment before diving back into cover.
"Better time this right..." Fox whispered out as he narrowed his eyes, waiting for the right moment as he held the paintbrush.
"Getting drained here..." Yang panted out as the Vice Leader tossed her a Snuff Soul.
"Come on, Fox..." Widow whispered out as she ripped off her mask. "Bufula, Fūma!" She soon commanded.
As the battle continued on, the young artist continued to prepare himself as he got to the paint and brush.
Eventually...
"BOOP!" Yin and Kaeru called out in unison as her Persona took out her boxing glove.
BONK!
"AGH!" The Shadow screamed in pain as Kaeru broke his nose. "Urrrrgggghhhhhh..."
"He's stunned!" Mona soon announced.
"NOW!" Fox called out as suddenly dashed forward, brush in hand.
SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH! SPLASH!
In a flash, the Shadow was covered in black paint.
"Nice, Fox!" Mona praised with a grin on his face as the group looked at the black paint covered Shadow.
"Thank you, truly something to hang in a museum." Fox replied as he threw away the equipment.
"Nghhhh...!? Wh-What the...!? My powers...They're suddenly draining..." Shadow Madrame struggled out in confusion and in a panic to the sudden development.
"How do you like the taste of your own medicine, asshole!?" Skull taunted. "Come on! Let's eff him up!" He then ordered.
"Don't waste your Spirit Pool. Rampage." Joker simply commanded with a snap, summoning Shiisa to his side to beat the hell out of all the paintings, taking them down in one move. "You know what to do!"
"All-Out Attack!" Yin called out as they rushed the Shadow.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! BASH! CRACK! SLASH! SLAP!
Quickly, the Thieves reduced the paintings into nothing but a mass of black goo before Madarame's human form rose from it.
"Madarame's normal again!" Mona exclaimed in happiness as they aimed their guns at the Shadow.
"Dammit! Dammit...! Stop it, you brats, or else...!" Shadow Madarame grunted out.
"Or else what? You have nothin' to give to us." Skull pointed out.
"But we have a lot to give to you." Panther added.
"Hey, you don't even have to steal it from us, thief." Mona stated.
"Grrrr...You'll regret this! Do this and no adult will help you! " Shadow Madarame shouted out.
"We're doing fine without 'em." Joker casually replied. "Now go for the throat." He darkly ordered.
"You don't have to tell us twice." Yang replied as she glared at the false artist before dashing up to him, slashing him with her katanas before leaping back and firing her machine guns at his head, causing the Shadow to fall to the ground.
"Nice! Kick him while he's down! Don't let up!" Panther shouted out.
"DOGPILE!" Yin ordered.
And with that, the Phantom Thieves...just kicked the shit out of Madarame for everything he's done, ganging up on the man and using their bare hands to beat him black and blue.
Yin then picked the old man's other half up by the collar and punched him across the area, knocking himself into the guard that was holding the painting, killing it, and causing it to fall and hit the Shadow in the face.
Joker then proceeded to shoot the remaining guard, leaving the ruler alone.
"Give it up Madarame! We've already won!" Yin called out. "We've got you surrounded! You've got no one to help you!" She then declared.
"Hehehe...HAHAHAHAHA! You naive little girl! I do have allies to help me in times of need!" The Shadow revealed as he laughed maniacally as he picked himself up, his Treasure in hand.
"Huh? Oh no..." Panther whispered out in a worried tone.
"I'm the great artist, Madarame! If you brats cannot fathom that...Then you'll witness it for yourselves! Behold, my master craft!" Shadow Madarame soon declared.
Suddenly, around him, four clones in different colored variations of him appeared and surrounded the Thieves.
"W-What the!?" Yang exclaimed in disbelief. "Copies!? Are you kidding me!?" She then added in shock.
"Oh...I get it...all you can do is rely on yourself and your effin' counterfeits. No one else, huh." Skull got out.
"Well, let us see what happens when we take that away." Widow declared as she flourished with her fans.
"Alright, Phase Two!" Joker announced as he rolled his shoulders.
"Phase Two?" Yin, Yang and Widow repeated in confusion.
"No matter how many obstacles you may throw at us, we will not stop until you pay!" Fox declared.
(Cue Before My Body is Dry by Mika Kobayashi)
"How many more gimmicks can this guy have?" Skull asked.
"He seems desperate. Madarame could be on his last legs so he's pulling out everything he can." Mona guessed. "These copies seem pretty dangerous though..." He then informed while narrowing his eyes.
"Then let's take them down fast!" Joker declared.
"Damn clueless brats...My fiery rage shall reduce you all to mere ashes!" The red cladded Shadow Madarame declared.
"You know nothing of a fiery rage..." Yang growled. "Allow us to show you! Widow! Fox!" She then added.
Widow and Fox looked at each other before nodding. "Aqua!/Bufu!" the two commanded, their Personas dancing around each other before casting their spells upon the Estraz Fury.
"AAAHHHH...!" The red copy screamed in pain before falling to the ground.
"Don't even try to beg!" Fox shouted out. "Someone as irredeemable has no right!"
"You dare defy an esteemed elder? May you all be frozen with fear!" The blue cladded Shadow Madarame declared.
"No, the only thing frozen here is you and your heart!" Widow declared. "Yang, Panther, burn that one!" She then called out as she high-fived the tan skinned girl.
CLAP!
Yang smirked under her mask as she did a quick flourish. "Oh, you are boned!" She soon declared.
"Look at that..." Joker muttered out in surprise. "She already knows Baton Pass." He then added.
"Gurentou!" Yang ordered with excitement.
FWOOSH! SLASH!
"GAH! IT BURNS!" Estraz Sorrow screamed in pain as Wolverine removed her claws from his torso.
"Nearly sliced 'em in half!" Skull cheered out.
"These guys...are really weak..." Panther noted.
"As well as being pretty obvious to what they're weak to." Yang admitted. "Red is weak to ice and blue is weak to fire." She then added.
"I know color theory, Yang." Panther deadpanned.
"You get what I mean though! Passing it to the next!" Yang responded and announced as she high-fived the dyed blond.
CLAP!
"Disappear from my sight without a trace, like dust scattered in the wind!" The green cladded Shadow Madarame declared.
"We'll do just that...after your heart's in our hands." Mona replied. "Skull, go for it!" He then ordered.
"Shock 'em, Captain Kidd!" Skull commanded.
ZAP!
"G-G-G-Garch...!" Estraz Mirth choked out, his limb spasming as he collapsed.
"Boom! Your turn, Yin!" Skull called out as he high-fived the Vice Leader.
CLAP!
"I'm feeling the flow!" Yin declared as she felt energy rush through her body. "Give it your all, Madarame!"
"My brilliance strikes like a flash of lighting- and now you'll taste it for yourselves!" The yellow cladded Shadow Madarame declared.
"Yeah, it tastes like shit! Just like your art!" Skull called out.
"Ground him!" Joker ordered.
"Magna!" Yin soon commanded her Persona to shoot a rock at Estraz Joy.
CRASH!
"Yatta!" Yin cheered out as the last of the copies went down.
"H-How can this be...?" Shadow Madarame gasped out, his greatest creations taken down so easily.
"It's because you can't be selfish. Because when your back's against the wall, you always have your friends to back you up. Lucky Punch, Kaeru!" Yin once more ordered.
BONK!
"GAH!" Shadow Madarame exclaimed as he fell to the ground immediately.
"Kn-Kn-Knockout!" Skull announced as if he was a sports commentator. "Round two to the Phantom Thieves!" He then declared.
"All down. ALL-OUT!" Joker commanded.
"Time for some brutality!" Mona called out as they rushed the Shadow.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! BASH! CRACK! SLASH! SLAP!
"Ngh..." The Palace ruler groaned out as he stumbled back before regaining his footing. "No...I am Madarame...I will not be ruined...BY CHILDREN!" He soon declared in a desperate manner as more of his forgeries spawned around him, all clothed in different colors than before..
"More!?" Yin got out in disbelief.
"Quantity over quality. As expected of a scam artist." Joker muttered out.
"Jeez, he doesn't give up does he." Yang complained in frustration.
"That would be an admirable trait if it wasn't so pathetic." Widow stated in disgust.
"This world is an illusion, something he sees instead of facing the reality of his life. He will fight to the bitter end to keep it up." Fox reminded.
Widow in turn nodded to that. "But that is why we're here. To dismantle it and show him the consequences of his actions!" She soon declared.
"My word in the art world is like a nuke. I can choose the target, and destroy whatever I see fit!" The light blue cladded Shadow Madarame declared.
"That only means you make the world of art worse! Your analogies suck!" Panther called out.
"Mapsi!" Joker commanded.
WEEP! WEEP! WEEP! WEEP! WEEP!
While all the other copies took damage, and that the one in pink laughed at the spell, Estraz Anxiety went down like a bag of bricks.
"These clones are weak to elements we don't have. Looks like we're relying on you for a bit Joker." Mona stated.
"Your minds cannot comprehend my brilliance! My art can only be understood by elites, not brats like you!" The pink cladded Shadow Madarame declared.
"YOU COPIED YOUR STUPID SCAM!" Skull shouted out. "Joker! You gotta have somethin' for 'em, right?" He then asked.
"Yep. Shiisa, Frei." Joker declared and ordered.
Estraz Surprise didn't even get a chance to scream as...
KABOOM!
Yeah, that.
"Oh, I really hope there's no such thing as radiation here..." Yang idly thought.
"Of course not." Wolverine responded.
"Are you not blinded by my talent? How can you little shadows like you stand against the rising sun?" The white cladded Shadow Madarame declared.
"We're not blinded because we can see who you truly are. You cannot hide in the light that never existed!" Fox stated.
"Arsene! Eiha!" Joker commanded as he summoned his Persona.
DOOM!
And with that, Estraz Despair went down like the others.
"Joker, are you getting tired?" Yang soon asked.
"No, I'm getting started!" Joker declared as he let out a mad smile.
"Your futures are dark...with every word, I will ruin you further! The abyss of failure is all you deserve!" The black cladded Shadow Madarame declared.
"Sorry, but the abyss screamed when I stared back." Joker countered as he ripped off his mask. "Makouha!" He commanded.
SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE! SHINE!
And Estraz Hope went down as well.
"Almost got them all! Don't stop!" Panther cheered on her Leader.
"For all that defied my genius like this...You shall be buried by the earth you stand upon!" The brown cladded Shadow Madarame declared.
"Not if we bury you first!" Yin countered.
"Work on your comebacks Yin! Aqua!" Joker advised as he brought out Mermaid.
SPLASH!
And down went Estraz Pity.
"Joker's mowing through them!" Mona declared with a smirk.
"I will force all of you out of the art world...Like the current of water flowing and rushing down a river!" The aqua blue cladded Shadow Madarame declared.
"You never belonged in it to begin with!" Fox shouted out as Joker high-fived the Vice Leader.
CLAP!
"I'll finish it! Magna!" Yin commanded as she ripped off her mask.
SLAM!
"GAH!" Estraz Deceive yelped out in pain as he fell, but wasn't destroyed.
"Mona-chan! You go!" Yin soon called out as she raised her hand up.
CLAP!
"Thank you, Lady Yin! Lucky Punch!" Mona called out as his Persona brought out his boxing glove.
BONK!
And with that, the last of the Shadow Madarame's fell.
"All of them down!" Fox announced, already knowing what they're going to do.
"CAN YOU PLEASE JUST GIVE UP ALREADY!?" Yang screamed as they rushed the Shadow.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! BASH! CRACK! SLASH! SLAP!
"Ngh...Okay, now I'm starting to run out of juice." Joker panted out as he landed back on solid ground...before groaning as more clones spawned.
"Aw, is he spawning even more!?" Panther exclaimed.
"How many times do we have to teach you a lesson, old man!?" Skull shouted out as more clones spawned. Although...
"What!? I, the great Madarame...made an error!?" Shadow Madarame exclaimed in shock at this development.
"Eh?" Yin got out in confusion to that sudden claim.
"Oh..." Widow got out in realisation as she saw that the clones were...not in a state to fight.
"Haha! He made a mistake!" Yang laughed out to see the copies that were all sleeping.
"He's screwing up more the weaker he gets! Keep the pressure on him!" Joker called out.
"But he keeps creating more and more! We can't handle this many at this rate!" Yin called out.
"Do we have to take them all out at once or something?" Skull asked in concern.
To that question, the Leader took in a deep breath as he knew what he had to do.
"I might have something that can do just that." Joker got out as he pulled out and twirled around a special pistol.
"Hm?" Yin got out as she saw her fellow Leader pull out a gun she had never seen before. "What the...where did he..." she wondered out loud, growing quickly worried about the dangerous look in his eyes.
"Go and face the music!" Joker declared as he placed the gun to his head.
"Joker don't-!" Yin yelped to stop her fellow Leader, however...
"Persona!" Jokered called out as he pulled the trigger.
BANG!
Everything stopped as the Thieves stared at their Leader, who was frozen like a statue.
Something was wrong.
Really wrong...especially when the ground under them began shaking while the air felt colder and the area darkened.
"J-Joker...? What did you do!?" Widow exclaimed.
"Is he...no, it can't be!" Mona began as he paled in fear. "Did he...summon Death itself!?" He soon deduced he quickly turned to the others. "Everyone! Get back!" He then ordered in a panic.
RRRRRRRRAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!
Suddenly, the ground behind Joker cracked open, as if something from hell was escaping before bursting out, taking his position by its wielder.
"I am thou...thou...art...I..." A deep and dark voice began as the earth quaked. "No one can escape time; it delivers us all to the same end. You can't plug your ears and cover your eyes. So I shall accompany you on this journey...and give all your enemies a peaceful death!"It soon declared with fury.
"Wipe them out...Rain mass destruction...Burn their dread...Thanatos...Picaro!" Joker shouted out, his eyes flashing red as his new Persona roared.
"Wh-Whoa..." Yang gaped in awe.
The light grey haired girl however paled to hearing the name. "T-Thanatos is a Persona!?" Widow got out in fear.
"I guess so!" Mona replied in disbelief.
"Let us end this!" Joker declared.
"Door to Hades!" He and his new Persona proclaimed as an orb of pure dark energy formed above the Palace Ruler and his forgeries.
"W-What the...?" Fox gasped out. "H-How powerful is our Leader...?" He soon asked.
"Very." Joker simply answered before...
BBBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMM!
As soon as the Thieves could see once again, all they saw among the ashes were Joker, with a completely different Persona by his side, and Shadow Madarame, who was close to defeat.
"So that's what an Almighty attack is supposed to do..." Joker breathed out, Orpheus Picaro vanishing before promptly collapsing to one knee, completely exhausted. "Finish him off." He then ordered.
The Vice Leader in response nodded as she turned to the others. "You heard him." Yin began. "RAVAGE THEM! ALL-OUT ATTACK!" She soon ordered.
"This is the end!" Fox declared as they rushed the Shadow one last time.
SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! SLASH! BASH! CRACK! SLASH! SLAP!
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH...!" The Palace Ruler's Shadow wailed in pain.
"It was fun while it lasted. Goodbye." Fox calmly got out as he landed back on the ground.
Joker managed to recover enough energy to stand up and approach the defeated Shadow.
"Guh..." Shadow Madarame grunted out as he stumbled back. "Why don't you brats understand...!? That naive look on the world will destroy you!" He then declared.
"But it doesn't give you the right to make it worse." Joker stated as he walked up to the weakened Shadow, twirling his real pistol around.
"W-Wait...hold on...!" Shadow Madarame quickly began to cry and shout. "You can't do this...!" He then fretted.
"Y'know, I actually understand your brilliance Madarame, and realise what you put into every work and what you truly feel. And guess what?" The Leader admitted as he chambered the next round in his gun.
Click!
"It's nothing." Joker declared.
BANG!
The Shadow's heart stopped, only feeling the bullet graze his cheek.
Soon enough, the Shadow fell to the ground in fear, holding tight to his Treasure, no longer having the power to fight.
"Okay, that was kinda lame." Joker awkwardly admitted in a mutter while holstering his gun.
"Any last words before we tear this world down?" Yang asked as Thieves surrounded the defeated Shadow.
"Eek...!" The Shadow shrieked as he tried to crawl away from the Thieves, but to no avail. "No one cares for true art...All they want are easily recognizable brands...! I'm a victim in this too...! Wouldn't you agree!?" He declared his reasoning followed by the question.
Ka-chunk!
"No. We don't." Widow bluntly replied as she pulled out her sniper rifle. "Your excuses mean nothing, Madarame." She then declared.
"Yumi, you have to understand! The art world revolves around money...You can't rise up without any money..." The Shadow tried to explain, quickly getting on his knees and grasping at their outfits. "Yusuke, you understand, don't you!? Being a poor artist is truly miserable...! I just didn't want to return to that life!" He cried out, tears running down his face.
"So you inflict that life on others to do so?" Yin growled as her hands clenched into fists of disgust, causing the Shadow to whimper.
"A fiend like you has no right to speak about the art world!" Fox countered in disgust as he shoved the pathetic off their clothes. "You're done for, along with this wretched world!" He soon declared.
"No, please! Just...don't kill me...!" Shadow Madarame shrieked.
"Why would we? Your blood isn't worth more than dirt." Widow countered.
"No...You will return to yourself in reality and confess your crimes- all of them!" Fox ordered as he pulled the pathetic man up by the collar.
"Y-You're not going to kill me...?" Shadow Madarame soon got out in confusion and shock.
"No. Repent." Widow simply ordered as she placed her finger on the trigger.
"Swear it!" Fox demanded.
"All right...All right!" Shadow Madarame whimpered in fear before looking around in a paranoid manner. "Wh-What about the other one though? The one with the black mask?" He soon asked.
"Hm...?" Fox and Widow got out in confusion as the veteran Thieves' eyes widened.
"Y-You don't know? I thought they were a thief like all of you! With that same power!" The Shadow assumed.
"A Persona-user?" Widow gasped out with wide eyes.
"With a black mask..." Joker added before everyone's heads slowly turned to their black, full face-mask wearing friend.
The Vice Leader however shook her head to that. "N-Not me!" She declared.
BOOM!
Suddenly, the ground underneath them began to shake and crack as pieces of the Palace began to rain on them.
"We don't have the time to talk! We need to leave ASAP!" Mona got out before turning into the Morganamobile. The veteran Thieves didn't think twice as they ran inside, while the young artist threw the old man down and ripped the Treasure out of Madarame's hands.
"Yusuke, Yumi, what should I do?" Shadow Madarame soon asked in a desperate tone.
The two in mention however narrowed their eyes. "Why ask us?" Yumi coldly replied.
"Use your own ideas for once." Yusuke finished as he tucked the Treasure under his arm before they both walked to the...van that suddenly appeared out of nowhere.
"Y-Yusuke? Yumi?" Shadow Madarame got out as the two walked away from him, neither taking a second to look back. "Yusuke! Wait! Please stop! Yuuusssuuuukkkeeee...!" He soon cried out as his museum fell around him.
(Madarame's Shack)
[The destination (Madarame's Museum of Vanity) has been deleted.]
[Thank you for your hard work, and have a nice day.]
"And that's that." Akira got out as he put away his phone as the group stood in front of the shack.
"We should leave." Yumi suggested before looking up at the shack. "There's nothing left here." She then added.
"It would be bad if people started getting suspicious of us." Morgana agreed.
"Come on guys." Ryuji got out as they began walking away from the shack.
However, Yusuke stayed behind as he looked up to the shack.
No matter what, even if the Palace was gone, its ghost remained.
"Are you coming, Yusuke-kun?" Asuka called out.
"Yes, I'm...I'm coming, Asuka-san." Yusuke replied before looking at the shack once more. "Good-bye, Sensei..." He then whispered out before catching up to the group.
The Kosei Student Council President then looked at her kouhai. "Are you going to be okay?" Yumi soon asked in concern.
"We'll see." Yusuke answered before blinking as he remembered something. "...Where did you get the car by the way?" The young artist then had to ask.
This in turn caused the vetran thieves to sweatdrop. "Oh boy..." Homura groaned out as they left the area.
(Shibuya, Accessway)
"I guess the mission was a success. All that's left now is to see if he had a change of heart or not." Ryuji sighed out before taking a swig of his drink and grimacing. "Ugh, so bitter...Why'd you get it black?" He then complained.
"Because it was on the way, Ryuji." Ann sighed out. "If you want a drink you actually like, get it yourself." She then added.
"..." Ryuji, however, remained silent.
"You don't have money, do you." Ann deadpanned, the dyed blond's further silence only caused her to facepalm in turn.
"You really don't like bitter stuff huh." Homura remarked.
"Who would dammit!?" Ryuji countered.
"Language." Yumi meanwhile chidded.
"You should really give up on that..." Akira deadpanned.
"The Sayuri..." Yusuke meanwhile whispered out, his hands shaking as he looked at the true painting.
"You're not gonna get all teary-eyed and say stuff like Mom...! are you?" Ryuji got out in a mocking tone, before getting whacked upside the head by the tan skinned girl. "Ow!" He yelped in pain.
"Ryuji Sakamoto! Learn some tact you jerk!" Homura chided.
However, the young artist ignored the dyed blond as he took in every detail. "To think that this painting was the source of Madarame's distorted desires." Yusuke remarked. "The only saving grace is that my mother won't know what transpired..." He then added, though there was no hiding the sadness in his voice.
"The genuine painting at his atelier has been altered, after all..." Morgana soon reminded. "Well, the one we didn't burn or defile. Ironic as it may be, this one here is her true self-portrait now." He then informed.
"...It's a wonderful painting." Ann meanwhile praised as they stared at the painting.
"Your mother was an amazing artist, Yusuke-san." Yumi complimented with a soft smile.
"Yes. She was." Yusuke sniffled out.
"The painting definitely looks better now." Homura admitted with a smile.
"And now the painting has returned to its true owner." Asuka soon reminded with a smile.
"...I'm thankful for it." Yusuke got out with a sad smile. "However, it's impossible for this painting to be acknowledged by society anymore..." He then pointed out.
"Who cares?" Akira spoke up. "You know it's value now after all, who cares what some critic says about it. It's yours, and it's now in its true form." He then added.
"You may be right...Seeing my mother's expression here, it's doubtful that she would've wished for fame." Yusuke guessed holding it up so the sun would hit it just right. "So this is my mother...There's no way that I would remember her face clearly...But I was right about the rush of emotion I felt when I saw this painting." He then admitted.
"Guess that's why you're obsessed with it." Asuka got out. "Even if you didn't know, she was always there for you. Was Sayuri your mother's name?" She soon asked in a curious manner as everyone looked at the artist.
"Of course not." Yusuke answered as he shook his head.
"Yes. Madarame isn't foolish enough to name the painting after the original artist." Yumi stated.
"Then what is her name?" Ryuji asked in a curious manner.
"...Yumi." Yusuke soon responded.
"Yes, Yusuke-san?" Yumi meanwhile asked
"No...her name was Yumi Kitagawa." Yusuke revealed with a small smile.
FRRRIP!
Everyone could practically hear the record scratch as everything just stopped. "R-Really?" Ryuji got out in disbelief.
"Yes, Madarame once told me her name when I was young, but hers is spelt differently." Yusuke explained. "Yumi-senpai's name is spelt to mean Snowy Spring, but my mother's was spelt to mean tenderness and beauty." He then added.
"Oh..." Ann got out as she rubbed the back of her neck and looked away.
"...You thought I had some sort of Oedipus Complex, don't you." Yusuke deadpanned.
"No..." The veteran Thieves denied as they looked up and to their right.
"Are you thinking about it now?" Yusuke soon asked.
"..." The others meanwhile were silent to that.
Yusuke gave the Thieves a flat look before sighing while Yumi just gave them the most brutal disapproving look they've ever seen.
"Yeah, sorry. We've been dealing with other complexes lately." Akira apologized and explained.
"Hey!" Asuka and Homura called out in an indignant and offended tone.
"I didn't imply anything." Akira quickly pointed out.
"But I can see what you mean." Yumi admitted with a playful smile.
"So, what're you gonna do now?" Ryuji asked. "We're gonna keep targetin' big shots." He then revealed.
"...Why do you do such things?" Yusuke however asked in a curious manner.
"It's to get back at scumbags and like...society in general?" Ryuji answered with a shrug. "We also wanna give courage to the people that're sufferin' 'cause of selfish adults." He then explained.
"Yeah, there's a lot of injustice in this world." Asuka added. "I mean, there's not a lot of people out there fighting for the little guy, so...why not us?" She then explained.
"Courage, hmm...?" Yusuke repeated. "What good does that do? You mean the courage to stand up for themselves? Will acquiring that make them happy?" He soon questioned.
"Probably..." Akira answered. "Well, we just assumed." He then added.
"...Yeah. There's no knowin' whether it'll turn out good for everyone or not. Still, we won't know unless we give it a try." Ryuji stated.
"And it's better than doing nothing." Ann added.
"And that's all we can do, really." Homura admitted with a shrug.
"...In other words, it all depends on the person, hm?" Yusuke soon guessed. "Then the same can be said about myself right now. I also suffered because of an adult's selfish act. Moreover, if we investigate these Palaces, it may expand my artistic repertoire." He then stated.
"You really only think about art, huh? You're impressive." Ryuji remarked in amusement.
"Well I won't take part in any inelegant plans, all right?" Yusuke soon informed.
"No worries! I've got it covered!" Ann assured the artist, which caused everyone to sweatdrop. "Plus, we have a rule that says we always have to decide on a target unanimously." She soon revealed.
"How about it, Joker?" Morgana soon asked. "We can give our calling cards a lot more oomph if we have Yusuke on our team." He then stated.
"He'll be a great member." Akira answered with a nod. "I expect great things from you." He soon advised.
"I will try and live up to those expectations." Yusuke replied.
"Hey, what about you Yumi-chan?" Asuka asked. "Do you want to join the Phantom Thieves too? Like, help us with other targets?" She soon asked.
"I do." Yumi replied without hesitance. "I've always believed in justice and righteousness, and this entire experience has taught me that I'm not doing enough to further my grandfather's dream. It would be foolish of me not to join." She then explained.
"Hehehe...That's great Lady Yumi!" Morgana cheered out.
"Plus, someone has to watch over Yusuke." Yumi added with a small smile.
"S-Senpai..." Yusuke got out, red dusting his cheeks.
"And there is also that person Madarame's Shadow mentioned before we left." Yumi then added, causing the Thieves to frown.
"Another intruder besides us, huh?" Homura muttered out.
"Our only clue's a black mask, so that doesn't necessarily mean it's just one person, right?" Ann pointed out.
"Who isn't me." Asuka added. "Why did you look at me when you guys know that I cannot be this Black Mask person." She soon asked with a pout on her face.
"Well...It is a little-" Akira started.
"Akira-kun/Akira!" Asuka and Homura shouted out in unison.
"Sorry, sorry." Akira quickly apologized.
"Well at the end of the day, Lady Ann's right, but it does prove our theory that we have someone with a Persona going around and causing mental shutdowns." Morgana stated.
"Rrrgh...We need more info on this monster than that they have a black mask..." Homura grumbled in frustration.
"But there's no way to check anymore. The Palace is gone." Yumi lamented. "If only we had more time to interrogate his Shadow..." She then muttered.
"I'll try probing Madarame then. I may be able to learn something from him." Yusuke soon offered.
"Are you sure? I mean, there's no way the Madarame here will know anything about what his Shadow knows." Ann pointed out.
"I can at least try. The smallest detail can open up many possibilities." Yusuke got out. "I'll contact you all if anything turns up." He then promised.
"You better. As soon as we have enough evidence, we're going after them." Akira declared.
"An artist and a phantom thief. It seems I'll be engaging in two trades from here on..." Yusuke soon stated. "Very well. You only live once, after all." He then added.
"Whoever is causing these incidents...we will bring them to justice. As a shinobi...and now as a thief." Yumi soon assured with a determined look on her face.
"True justice Yumi." Homura soon corrected with a smile, causing the light grey haired girl to smile and nod in agreement. "We should probably head home. Honestly, I'm exhausted from this experience..." She soon suggested and admitted.
"Yeah. Let's." Akira agreed with a nod. "Ugh...Why didn't I summon Orpheus Picaro...?" He meanwhile thought.
"I am sorry, my Trickster. That was not a situation where I would be much help." Orpheus Picaroexplained in a sorrowful tone. "But I promise that my power will be available in your next test of your abilities." It then assured.
"Thanks." Akira whispered out as the Thieves separated and started heading home for the night.
Sleep would be amazing right now.
(5/28, Evening)
(Shibuya, Shin Megami Apartment Complex)
"Well, that sucked." Homura sighed out as soon as she and her roommate entered the apartment.
"I didn't think he would be the type of person to just...let someone die." Asuka mumbled out as she placed down the duffle bag. "Moh...now I just wanna charge in and...and-" She began seething out.
"Sis, we changed his heart. That is enough." Homura interrupted. "He will be paying for his crimes. For the rest of his pitiful life. I just hope Yusuke comes out of it alright." She replied.
"You know, it's nice to see you care about Yusuke-kun." Asuka noted. "I thought you still hated him for the nude thing." She soon reminded.
"He's someone who suffered...like me..." Homura explained. "I'm still going to give him um...crap...over blackmailing us though." She then added.
The brunette in response nodded. "That's understandable. But at least we got some new friends out of it." Asuka replied with a smile.
"Yep. And hopefully we don't screw up massively like that again." Homura added, a sentence that she would regret saying in the coming month.
"Hai." Asuka replied with a nod.
"In any case...bath bomb bath time?" Homara soon stated more than asked in an anticipated tone.
"Oh God, yes." Asuka responded, also in anticipation to the thought as the two stripped themselves down and made their way to the bathroom. "You got instructions to make it even more amazing?" She soon asked as she ran the water.
"Let me check." Homura responded as she went to the kitchen. "Sweet! We got a cucumber!" She declared as she began cutting some. "Sis, get the cream!" She then called out.
"Hai!" Asuka replied with a nod and a salute...
BZZT! BZZT! BZZT!
Only for it to fall, along with Asuka's happy expression. "Why now...!?" Asuka whined out as they picked up their phones.
[Shut7heFUp: Yo, good job guys!]
[TheWildJ0ker: We all did our best.]
[Sweetkat06: We all did our best.]
[Sweetkat06: Dammit.]
[Negative8Degrees: I would like to give my thanks for allowing Yusuke-san and I to bring Madarame to justice.]
[All4Painting: Yes. Because of you, I was able to retrieve the painting that had been filled with my mother's love as well.]
[Sweetkat06: Hearing you say that makes the whole thing worth it, Yusuke!]
[SushiRoll23: Yeah! :D]
[FireGirl20: You still owe Asuka and Ann an apology.]
[All4Painting: Oh...Right. I'll make it up to you two soon.]
[Sweetkat06: Seriously, though. I wasn't sure you'd really want to change Madarame's heart.]
[All4Painting: I'm sorry to have worried you. I have no regrets about it now.]
[SushiRoll23: Especially with what we know now...]
[Sweetkat06: The change of heart WILL happen this time, right?]
[TheWildJ0ker: It'll be fine, Ann. We just need to wait until it really kicks in.]
[Shut7heFUp: Yeah. We did it just like with Kamoshida.]
[Negarive8Degrees: Yes, just as my Shujin contact informed me. Well, apart from the Metaverse.]
[All4Painting: It still feels surreal that you're this powerful, senpai...]
[ThWildJ0ker: It's not a bad thing though. Hope you can find some good targets.]
[Negative8Degrees: I will do what I can Akira-kun.]
[Negative8Degrees: By the way, what Madarame said back at the Palace...]
[Shut7heFUp: You mean about the other intruder besides us? It was something about that black mask guy, yeah?]
[All4Painting: That may have been nothing more than a lie. Madarame was quite deranged at that point, after all.]
[SushiRoll23 :But we can't just write that type of thing off.]
[FireGirl20: Yeah. Worst case scenario, they know who we are. We might be under their watch right now! We should be paranoid!]
[SushiRoll23: Homu-nee, calm down! Come on, deep breaths...]
(...)
[FireGirl20: Sorry, Hebijo training paranoia. ^^"]
[TheWildJ0ker: I guess we should be worried though, or at least keep our eyes peeled.]
[Negative8Degrees: I agree. But for now, we should wait for his change of heart in peace. We will get to this other user when the time comes.]
[FireGirl20: Rodger Dodger!]
[TheWildJ0ker: OK. Have a good night's sleep everyone.]
Both girls soon sighed in relief as they plugged their phones into the chargers.
"I wonder what type of Palace our next target will have..." Asuka mumbled out.
"Hey, the human mind is a realm of infinite possibilities Sis." Homura got out. "I really hope there's one that gives us tons of loot." She then added.
"Money seems to be on your brain a lot..." Asuka pointed out in slight worry as she wrapped her head in a moist towel.
"I can't help it. The only job I have is being a Phantom Thief. And you got two jobs, for crying out loud, Sis." Homura replied and reminded as she came into the bathroom with cucumber slices in hand before doing the same.
"And you still don't want help with that?" Asuka soon asked and offered as she began applying the cream to her face.
"Hey, I need to help myself before I can really start helping you." Homura replied. "Can't be a freeloader for the rest of the year." She then added
"Okay, but I'm always here if you need me, Homu-nee." Asuka replied
"Thanks, but that won't be necessary." Homura replied as she took and began applying the cream to her face.
"Man this cream feels good." Asuka happily admitted.
"I have to agree, I'll have to ask Ann where she bought it so we can buy more." Homura replied with a grin.
"I'll remind you when we go to school on Monday." Asuka soon got out. "So what are the cucumbers for Homu-nee?" She then asked with curiosity.
"It's to prevent dry eyes and keep them moist Sis." Homura explained as they entered the bath and placed the slices over their eyes. "Now Sis, drop the bath bomb!" She soon ordered.
"Hai!" Asuka replied as she did as ordered
PLOP! FIZZZZZZZZZ!
Almost immediately, the bath bomb started dissolving as carbonated bubbles started to fill the tub and air.
"The bubbles feel totally gooooooood~" Both girls moaned out in feminine pleasure while rubbing themselves down.
The two roommates eventually bathed in relative silence, giving each other the occasional compliments and such, before deciding to just lay in the tub to just soak for a while.
"Hmm...I wonder how Yusuke never noticed that the Sayuri was of his mother until it was in its true form..." Homura wondered out loud, breaking the silence.
"...That's a good question." Asuka replied. "It's so cruel...Madarame practically used his inheritance like a carrot on a stick." She then added.
"And here we thought Kamoshida couldn't be topped." Homura sighed out before grimacing as she remembered...Shiho's ruin. "Gah! Stop, stop, stop! Don't think about that right now...!" She got out in a panic before she felt someone taking hold of her hand, relaxing her immediately. "Thanks Sis." She mumbled out.
"I'm always here. You're not alone anymore." Asuka reminded in a comforting tone. "We're like family now." She then added with a gentle smile.
"...How can you be so...so..." Homura got out, hesitant to say the right word. "I mean I-" She then started, however
"Stop. I know what you're going to say." Asuka interrupted as she tightened her hold. "You're going to beat yourself up verbally, tell me you don't deserve to be in this bathtub and just tell yourself you'll never be more than an Evil Shinobi as always, I will always say..." She soon started.
"...It doesn't matter. That you will still be by my side no matter what." Homura continued.
"Come on, Homu-nee. It's that type of thing that's holding you back." Asuka stated as she rubbed her thumb on the back of the tan skinned girl's hand. "Holding you back from..." She continued before trailing off.
"Hanzo's suggestion?" Homura guessed. "Sis, I...I still need some time." She soon informed.
"Then take it. Take all the time you need. Even if you accept when we're old and wrinkly, I'll be waiting." Asuka assured. "We are two halves of a single whole Homu-nee." She then added.
"Light and dark. Black and white " Homura replied.
"Sword and shield." Asuka soon added.
FIZZZZZZ!
Suddenly, another rush of carbonated bubbles filled the tub and the air.
"Another rush of bubbles~" Asuka breathed out. "Oh, that feels good~" ~ It's filling me up Homu-nee~" She soon sighed with bliss in her voice.
"Hehehe. Yeah." Homura replied before settling in.
Unlike before, both girls felt as though they were changing within.
Without even realizing what happened, a couple hours had passed as a result.
"I love you, Asuka~" Homura suddenly confessed in a slow and relaxed manner, feeling a little...weird right now. "You're so awesome and cute and sweet and cool~" She then complimented.
"I love you too, Homu-nee~" Asuka replied in the same way. "Today effin'...effin' kinda...what was the word?" She started before asking.
Homura suddenly began to snicker. "Rock? Like your element~?" She soon guessed.
"Yeah, that~ Wooooooooo...~!" Asuka soon cheered out as the two sunk into the water.
"Are we totally drunk or loopy from the bath bomb~?" Homura asked before she uncontrollably began giggling. "Hahahaha! Ah who cares~ I love space whales~" She soon decided and declared.
"...We should totally get out before we fall asleep in the tub again~" Asuka suggested in a dazed tone.
"It's Sunday tomorrow~ I don't mind spending a day inside with you~" Homura responded.
"Aw~ That's so sweet...But seriously, we totally need to get out~" Asuka cooed before switching to a more serious yet relaxed tone as she climbed out while briefly taking the cucumber slices off her eyes.
"Fine...~" Homura relented with a cute pout as she climbed out as well. "Let's just skip dinner and head straight to bed. We can have a big breakfast tomorrow." She then decided as the two dried themselves off
"Yeah..." Asuka breathed out as she looked at her roommate's body while she dried herself. "Man, you're so cool and sexy Homu-nee~" She happily and innocently complimented in a dazed manner while leaning closer. "You totally could've been a model too~" She then added.
"You're just saying that to make me feel better~" Homura guessed.
"Oh, maybe you should become one too...~" Asuka soon suggested in a loopy manner. "It'll be great, we'll be the super shinobi sisters of the modeling world~!" She then declared.
"Haha haha! Oh, that's a good joke Sis! Tell me another!" Homura giggled out in a feminine manner.
"No, I'm serious! You could be...so cool out there~" Asuka countered.
"I may be drunk/high, but I know that's a terrible idea~ Modeling is your thing now Sis~" Homura replied as the two headed for the bedroom.
"Aw...~" Asuka goulet out with a pout.
"That's okay, though, because when I find my Paddington Bear, I'm sure you'll support me like I am...when I get over my several hang ups about it~" Homura reassured.
"Hehehe...bears." Asuka snorted out.
"What~? I meant calling, but bears sound nice~ I always wanted to fight a bear~" Homura soon responded.
"Daidouji-senpai fought a bear once~ From the zoo all of Hanzō is banned from~" Asuka giggled out.
THUD!
Suddenly, the tan skinned girl fell to her knees. "H-Homu-nee?" Asuka got out in concern.
"My legs are froggies Sis~!" Homura mumbled out. "Carry me~!" She soon requested in a more childish tone.
"Homu-neee...I'm too tired~" Asuka however replied in exhaustion. "W-Whoa!" She then yelped out as her roommate tackled her to the ground on their futon, causing her to lay on her stomach.
"So smooooooth~" Homura mumbled out in a high manner while nuzzling two very soft pillows.
"H-Homu-nee~! T-That's my butt~!" Asuka tried to tell her roommate while wiggling her hips to shake her off.
"Zzzzz..." Homura suddenly snored out.
"Oh no." Asuka got out as she realised that she was not going to let go. "H-Homu-nee, my butt isn't a pillow." She then added.
"Tonight it is. You better get comfortable." Kaeru suggested.
"Moh..." Asuka got out before sighing and settling in.
"Mm...family...want..." Homura mumbled out. "Mama. . Papa...no hurt Homura...Homura...good girl..." She suddenly whimpered and sniffled in her sleep.
Asuka's eyes however widened to hearing that as she paled slightly. "...Eh?" She responded in a concerned whisper as she looked at the other girl, who currently had tears in her eyes. "Oh Homu-nee..." She sadly got out while rubbing the girl's head while slowly moving it to her lap.
"Ngh..." Homura groaned out in a fear filled tone while her body was shivering.
"Shhhh...it's ok Homu-nee...it's ok..." Asuka cooed out in a sisterly manner.
Homura meanwhile just snuggled in response.
And with that, Asuka went into a deep sleep, hoping things would be better from here on out.
(?)
Where am I?
"...Concerning...Metaverse..."
Who...Who is that...?
"Is that true...?"
Wait...isn't that...?
"Beyond...knowledge...rehabilitation...smoothly..."
I...I can't...heavy...
"Devotion...grow even deeper..."
Akira...
"Hm?" Akira hummed out as he looked around his velvet cell. Did he just...?
"We said, return to sleep Inmate!" Caroline ordered as she smacked the bars of his cell with her baton.
"These fleeting moments should not be wasted." Justine advised. "Please, rest." She then added.
Akira silently nodded before going to his cell's bed.
It may have been his imagination, but was there...
"We said sleep!" Caroline reminded. "Or do we have to beat you unconscious?" She soon suggested while preparing her baton.
"Hey, I get it! I get it! Sorry..." Akira sighed out before returning to his dreams.
And he thought Morgana was strict about sleep...
Save Game... Quit!
(Persona Tracking)
Joker
Level: 24
Personas: Arsene (Resist: Curse) (Weak: Ice, Bless), Jack Frost (Null: Ice) (Weak: Fire) (Lockdown), Kushi Mitama (Resist: Wind) (Weak: Fire), Shiisaa (Resist: Physical, Gun) (Null: Bless) (Weak: Curse), Saki Mitama (Resist: Ice) (Weak: Electric), Franken (Resists: Bless, Earth) (Drain: Electric) (Weak: Curse, Psycho), Mermaid (Resists: Water, Fire) (Weak: Electric, Earth), Archangel (Null: Bless) (Weak: Curse, Electric), Ame-no-Uzume (Drain: Fire) (Weak: Psychic), Orpheus Picaro (Resists: Bless) (Weak: Electric, Curse)
Persona Trait: Arsene- Last Stand (Allows use of ambush-only skills after Baton Pass.), Jack Frost- Ice Lineage (Chance to halve costs of Ice skills), Kushi Mitama- Life Focus (Increase self's HP regen skills by 50%), Shiisa- Nuke Lineage (Chance to halve the cost of Nuke skills.), Saki Mitama- Self Hypnosis (Prolongs buffs cast on self by 1 turn), Franken- Elec Bloodline (Chance to halve costs of Electric Skills), Mermaid- Wet Bloodline (Chance to decrease cost of Water skills), Archangel- Chained Technique (Raises damage after Baton Pass), Ame-no-Uzume- Elec Bloodline (Decreases SP cost of Elec skills by half), Orpheus Picaro - Circle of Sorrow (Activates Endure up to 4 times)
Skills: Eiha, Cleave, Sukunda, Dream Needle, Adverse Resolve, Mudo, Baisudi, Bufu (X3) Mabufu, Ice Break, Rakunda, Ice Boost, Garu, Makajama, Media, Regenerate 1, Wind Wall (X2), Growth 1, Forget Boost, Double Fang, Skull Cracker, Frei, Zio, Rampage, Dodge Curse, Dodge Elec, Energy Drop, Resist Dizzy, Bufula (X2), Aqua, Media, Rakukaja (X3), Lunge, Zionga, Mamagna, Dazzler, Hama, Psi, Rebellion, Makouha, Varja Blast. Mazio, Mapsi, Diarama, Tentarafoo, Divine Grace, Shock Boost, Cadenza, Maragion, Matarunda, Endure, Agidyne, Matarukaja, Fire Boost
Accessory: SP Adhesive 1 (Skill: Invigorate 1)
Yin
Level: 24
Persona: Kaeru (Resist: Earth, Fire) (Weak: Wind, Gun)
Persona Trait: Path of Light- Gain some HP when using support/healing skills
Skills: Magna, Media, Sukukaja, Lucky Punch, Mamagna
Confidant Rank: Rank 4
Accessory: Chakra Choker (Effect: +SP 10)
Yang
Level: 24
Persona: Wolverine (Resist: Physical, Gun, Fire, Wind) (Weak: Water, Earth, Bless, Psychokinesis)
Persona Trait: Path of Crimson- Gain some HP when using Physical/Magic skills
Skills: Agi, Cleave, Gurentou, Regenerate 1, Terror Claw
Confidant Rank: Rank 3
Accessory: Yin Yang Pin (Effect: +Reduce Curse and Bless damage (Low))
Mona
Level: 23
Persona: Zorro (Resist: Wind) (Weak: Elec)
Persona Trait: Proud Presence (Increases effect of allies' healing skills)
Skills: Garu, Diarama, Patra, Media, Lucky Punch, Magaru, Me Patra
Confidant Rank: Rank 2
Accessory: Breath Sash (Effect: +10 HP)
Skull
Level: 23
Persona: Captain Kidd (Resist: Elec) (Weak: Wind, Earth)
Persona Trait: Raging Temper (Might increase allies' physical attacks by 40%)
Skills: Lunge, Zio, Tarukaja, Headbutt, Adverse Resolve, Rampage, Mazio
Confidant Rank: Rank 4
Accessory: Wind Ring (Effect: +Reduce Wind damage (Low))
Panther
Level: 23
Persona: Carmen (Resist: Fire) (Weak: Ice, Water)
Persona Trait: Mastery of Magic (May decrease SP cost of allies' magic skills)
Skills: Agilao, Dia, Dormina, Tarunda, Maragi, Dekaja
Confidant Rank: Rank 2
Accessory: 2nd Mate Badge (Effect: +10 HP)
Fox
Level: 23
Persona: Goemon (Resists: Ice) (Weak: Fire)
Persona Trait: Scoundrel Eyes (High chance to evade Phys attacks for all allies.)
Skills: Bufu, Giant Slice, Sukukaja, Vicious Strike, Mabufu, Counter, Rising Slash
Accessory: Bold Eyepatch (Effect: +Evade Physical (Low))
Widow
Level: 24
Persona: Fūma (Resists: Ice, Water) (Weak: Fire, Curse)
Persona Trait: Dance of Justice- Chance to trigger a Baton Pass for the next ally when hitting a resistance
Skills: Bufula, Aqua, Ice Boost, Water Boost, Dazzler.
Confidant Rank: Rank 1
Accessory: Zodiac Charm (Effect: +2 Magic)
And with that, Madarame has been taken care of. But...Oh, there's a little event coming up on the thirtieth of May in-story.
Please laugh evilly if you know what it is.
UknownHero signing off, my friends!
