Memory 11: Rebellion
The End
The end of the road had finally arrived. From here, within his heart, was where Connor's entire journey to retrieve his lost memories would finally end...And he would return to the real world to not only be by Haru's side once more, but to also confront Alena. All that was left was to destroy the very "core" of what kept those false memories from the Shadows attached. He had no idea on what to expect. No idea of who or what the Shadow that was at the center of everything looked like. But regardless of if he was ready or not, the time to turn back had come and gone. But he didn't plan to turn away. He was ready to face what was in front of him and to return to his home.
Soon enough, his feet then land on the pavement alongside Iris', with his Blue eyes now looking around to figure out where they were now. But, it didn't take long for him to know where they were at. Meiji Shrine. Or rather, on the path that leads to it. In front of them was where the shrine itself was at. Where the final Shadow was likely at. But that wasn't the primary focus currently. Rather, he was looking around. "Meiji Shrine...T-This...This does bring back memories..."
"...Hey, wasn't this the place where you met Fluffy on New Year's?" She asked, observing the area a little bit. That name did grab his attention. Fluffy. A fitting name for Haru. "I...I do remember being here once...With my Mom on New Year's as well actually." Hearing that made his eyes remain on her while her head moved around. "...She said she'd wish that we would always be together. I never had a Dad, so...It was always the both of us." Then, she looks down a bit...Her Rainbow hair now turning Yellow. "To think...All of this started because..."
"...D-Don't worry...We'll stop her...W-We have to..." Hearing that, she looks up and nods while her hair and eyes turned Green. Slowly, he starts to make his way to the shrine, with her following his lead. His heart was racing the whole time, but...He kept his composure. He was ready to settle the matter once and for all. To be whole once again.
After all, he had already made his choice long ago.
March 19th, 20XX
Okumura Residence/Early Morning
Last night was, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the worst days Connor had ever experienced. To be told and to see that everything he thought he had and was beforehand was a lie, as well as remembering the death of his mother and his old house life...It shook him to his very core. His heart was broken. He couldn't bring himself to return to his home. Be it his real one from before or even the apartment during college. He couldn't bring himself to go to sleep or even eat. He couldn't bring himself to do anything. All he could do was wallow in the pain...Unable to know what to do or to feel. He was currently in an emotional prison.
At this very moment, he was lying on the bed with only his briefs on. Both his and Haru's bed at this moment. While it was dark thanks to the shades, it had Blue walls with wooden flooring, a large bed with a White blanket, a matching carpet underneath it that covered a good amount of the room, a side table, a desk just on the opposite side of the bed, and a few dressers around the room. As he lay there, she was laying down right next to him in her Pink nightgown...All she could do was just stare at him with worry. "Connor...Darling...?" She softly asked, trying to inch closer to him.
"...E-Everything...Was a lie, Haru...Everything about me..." He soon responded, not once looking at her with his eyes filled with pure defeat. Devoid of happiness. "...I-I never knew how to cook...I never knew anything about gardening...I never had a family I played baseball with...I never had a loving family...I-I didn't have that at all...I-I lied to you...I lied to myself...The only thing I remember...W-Was running away from my father when I couldn't handle my mom or me being abused anymore..." Tears would then start to escape him. "...I-I'm...I'm not the person you thought I was...I-I..."
He needed comfort...More than anyone might think. So, all she could do was hug him from behind. To tell him that he had her. "...No, you're not...You're still the person I cherish the most...I'll always be by your side..." However, he doesn't say anything. There was nothing to say. And so, he remained silent...Lingering in his thoughts. In his time of sadness. She didn't know what to do. Be it for him and with Alena considering her connection to Mementos. There was only one thing she thought of. "...I need help from the others. They'll know what to do."
"...Wait, are you for real?!" A loud voice then asked through a computer. And one that Haru was holding while she was in the living room, sitting on a Black couch and wearing her Purple sweater and Black skirt. As of this very moment, she was in a voice chat with not just the one who screamed...But with many others. Without a doubt, those of the Phantom Thieves. Or rather, formally were. "I thought we took care of that stupid place twice already! How is it back for a THIRD time?!" The voice of Ryuji then asked.
"...Well, it's like Haru said...This person seems to have had connections to the Metaverse much longer than any of us have." Makoto then spoke. "But...The very thought that she can do something like that is...Worrisome."
"Indeed...I don't think we've come across someone quite like this before." Yusuke follows up. "Still...To be able to change and swap memories with others...To force people to forget...It's almost terrifying to think of someone being able to do that."
"...It pisses me off is what it does!" Ryuji then shouts again. "That guy didn't even have a CHOICE! He was forced into that bullshit! Just knowing she did that makes me-"
"Ryuji, stop!" Ann then interrupted him, silencing him. "I know how you feel, but yelling won't do anything to help."
Silence then filled the air...Until Makoto spoke once more. "...As frustrating as it is, we just need to figure out what to do about Mementos. Any ideas, Mona?"
"...Hm...Well..." Morgana then began speaking, deep in thought. Anyone else listening could just hear the sounds of meowing. "...Well, it's just a thought, but...She said her Persona is connected to Mementos, right? Well...I think all we'd have to do is just remove what's letting her do that. That thing, being her Persona."
"Is that possible? Wouldn't it hurt her or-?" The former student council president asked.
"Well...Personas are a part of ourselves, like our Shadows. A part of our hearts. If it's ever removed, we could lose it forever. If her Persona is what's letting her do this, then...All we would have to do is remove it from her somehow...Or just have her lose control of it."
"Well, it's a start, I guess. Dunno how we'll do that, but...I'll figure that out." Futaba then says. "Just hate that this has to happen right when Spring Break starts up."
Ryuji then sighs. "No kiddin'...Especially when we're all so far away now. I mean...If I need to, I GUESS I can try to convince my mom to let me come back there to visit. I'm sure she'd say yes, but, y'know. Just give me a few days to get over there. What about all of you?"
"Actually, that works. I'm returning to Japan for just a little bit in a few days. So I'll definitely come by to help with all of this. Especially when that guy is hurting so much." Ann then follows up.
"Wait...Seriously?! Awesome! Then this might work out!"
"Well, I'm finished with my exams and the semester. So I can try to come by around the time you two do." Makoto does as well. "...I think all of us might be able to come by to help after all, Haru. What about you, Yusuke?"
"...Hm...I should be able to, but..." Yusuke was speaking before stopping. "...I'm not sure if I have the funds to even make the trip there."
"Are you serious, Inari!? Still?!" Futaba then yelled out, followed by a sigh. "...Fiiiine, I'm sure one of us can help with that. If everyone else is going to group up, then I can too. Where should we meet up?"
"Hm...Perhaps LeBlanc? It's where we've always gone to for so long, after all."
"Hm...Yeah, that'll work. I'm sure Sojiro won't mind. What about you, Haru? What are you going to do?"
At this point, it was Haru's time to speak. She was unsure of what to do...Aside from being by Connor's side. That was her main focus. "I...I think I'll be taking care of Connor-Kun until all of you arrive. But...I'm unsure of how to help him. To help raise his spirits, even if just a little bit..." She missed seeing that soft smile and that look of life in his eyes. It hurt to see him without it. "Maybe...I could help him get away from everything for the time being until you all arrive. Take him to Miura Beach for the time being, but..." Even then, she was unsure.
"...Haru." The final voice in the voice chat spoke. It was Joker. "...We'll all be there to help you two. You focus on helping him. Just doing that for him is enough. We're all with you."
He was someone of little words, but...It was enough to make her smile and let out a small laugh. "...You're right. Thank you, everyone. And when you arrive, I'd love for all of you to meet him!" She was going to get the help she needed. Everyone was coming in their time of need. Now all that was left was to be with her lover.
To do everything she could for him.
During their whole meeting, all Connor could do was just continue to lie there in their bedroom. Depression had struck deep into his soul, and his eyes were still lifeless. All he could think of was his past actions...As well as everything he thought was real to be fake. How he lied to Haru...And how he lied to himself. All he wanted...Was for the pain to stop. The pain of realizing how much of a lie he lived. The pain of heartbreak. It was all he thought about...Until the door opened, with his "fiancee" walking in. However, he didn't look as she approached him. "Excuse me, Connor-Kun...I was wondering if you wanted to go to the beach tomorrow? To help get away from everything for now?" However, he says nothing. "Connor-Kun...?"
"...I don't deserve it...I-I don't deserve you..I-I should have died from that accident...N-Not mom...I-I..." It was all he could muster out...Before falling back into pure silence. He couldn't bring himself to cry. All of the tears within him were cried out. There was nothing for him to say. All she could do was listen to him in sadness before sitting down next to him, petting his head softly. Petting it in comfort. That alone finally made his dull, lifeless Blue eyes look at her hand. Then, he slowly puts his hand on top of hers. "I-I..." Silence once again. Being silent like this and holding her hand while lying down was all he could do. Regardless, all she did was pet him...Wanting him to know he was cared for and loved.
It was all she could do at this moment.
March 20th , 20XX
Okumura Residence/Morning
Throughout all of yesterday and the night before, all Connor was able to do was just lie on his bed. Once again, not being able to eat or sleep through all of yesterday. But today was when they would both go on a trip to Miura Beach, where they would try and get away from everything, at least for now. It took some time to get the things she needed for the trip as they were going to be gone all day, especially the van they were going to use. Today was going to be a day when they would forget about everything for a day...At least until the others would arrive to help them. Little would they know that today was the day...Everything would change.
Outside of her home, Haru was currently putting what appeared to be multiple bags into what appeared to be a small van while wearing a Light Blue sundress with a White shirt just underneath. And nearby was Connor...Standing there close by, now wearing that Red sweater and Tan pants, with his Olive Green scarf still on him. But like before, his Icy Blue eyes were filled with lifelessness...His expression was as stiff as stone. Not one bit of emotion was on his face. And his head was down the whole time. Once she put the final bag in, she closes the back of the vehicle and approaches him. A bright smile on her face. "Okay! Everything is ready! Are you ready to depart?"
"...Sure..." He plainly spoke. Even his voice lacked emotion.
Seeing and hearing him like this...Certainly tore her up deep inside. She wanted to try and do everything she could to help take his mind off of it, but...She was having doubts about if it would help. And so, she cups his cheek. "...It'll be fun, Connor-Kun...Trust me." However, all he does is just stare at her. With that, she grabs onto his hand and starts slowly taking him right inside of it, to which he starts moving and going inside the vehicle.
But, unknown to them, someone was watching in the distance. Just around the corner from her home, in fact. Alena, who was now wearing a Black trenchcoat and pants with a White sweater. Her eyes were wide from what she was witnessing. To see that he was about to leave for the time being, especially when she had spent the last while preparing to make him "whole" again, concerned her. "...I wasn't expecting this...This is...A problem..." She then looked to the side for a moment, in thought. Though the moment she did, she saw a White car just parked close by. Someone inside of it...Was watching them as well. Perhaps it was a stalker of sorts?
She would then approach the vehicle on the driver's side and knock on the window, with the driver lowering it. Within it...Was Sugimura. And being interrupted like this, especially by her, made him angry. "...What? What could you possibly want!?" He asked with anger in his voice. It seems he didn't want his time wasted, or to lose sight of them.
"...What are you doing?"
"...None of your business, you bitch! Now get out of here! I'm busy. You have no right talking with me!"
She looked over to the van the couple was currently in before looking back at him, almost immediately recognizing who he was. "...Ah, now I remember you. You're Kishi Sugimura. You come from a rich and influential family in the political world, I hear. I recall there being a video of you being punched some time ago when grabbing Okumura in a cafe." Hearing that made him even angrier. But seeing this connection, this chance of fate...Gave her an idea. "...You want her back, don't you? Well...I want her out of the picture as well."
That made Sugimura look back, confused. "...The hell do you mean? What are you talking about?"
"...You want Connor out of the way, just as I want Okumura out of the way. What say we...Strike a deal?" She asks, crossing her arms. She was ready to make an offer he couldn't refuse. "...You're planning on following them, yes? Take me with you. I have business with him as well. In exchange, I'll...Make sure you'll be able to have her all to yourself. Have her be whatever you desire her to be. You have my word."
Hearing that only caught his attention, with a laugh leaving him. "...You? You have NO right to be making any kind of deals with me, lady. No right to associate yourself with me. You're far from above me to try that talk with me." But...To hear that she'd be able to make that happen. He was curious. He was willing to do anything to make Haru his again. His toy. His doll. Everything...That lacked any sort of romance. That's all he saw her as, and nothing more. "...But, what have I got to lose? You got me curious. Alright. Get in, lady." And with that, she moved to the passenger seat and sat in it. And the moment the van started to move, they too started to move.
Their mission had begun.
Miura Beach/Afternoon
Soon enough, their time on the beach finally arrived. Unlike most times when Haru would drive at such a fast and reckless speed to get to their location, she decided to take things slow for Connor's sake. Especially when he was in such a horrible state of mind at the moment. So she did have to try and force some sort of self-control. But they would eventually arrive. The beach with its Pure White sand and its beautiful Blue ocean. And it seemed that, like them, many people had the same idea. Many groups of people were around either playing in the water or just walking around on the beach. Although not as many as there would be in the summer, there were still plenty of people during the spring.
Eventually, the couple was now walking on the beach hand in hand. While she had a happy look on her face and carrying stuff in her other hand, ranging from a basket to an umbrella around her arm, all Connor could do was just look down. His face was still saying all of what he was feeling at this moment. Soon, they would stop at a certain spot and she would quickly stab the umbrella into the ground and expand it. "...There! I think this is the perfect place!" She then set down her basket to take out a couple of towels for them to rest on if needed, then rose from where she was to look at him. "...Would you like to go on a walk, Connor-Kun? It's always so nice to walk near the ocean."
However, all he does is just look down with his life-devoid eyes before looking up, staring at her before glancing back to the ground once more. "...Okay..."
All she could do was stare sadly, hurting from seeing him in such a state. But, there wasn't much to be done except just be by his side...And to try and help him forget about it. Even if just for an afternoon. She holds onto his hand softly, to which he could only react to by staring at her with his stone-cold look. "...We can only walk if that's what you wish to do. We don't have to do anything else but that. I even brought boxed lunches for us to enjoy." However, he didn't say anything else. Slowly, she began to start walking, with him now starting to do the same. His head was still down, with her looking over at him as they did. She was worried, but...She kept her warm and loving smile for him. To try and bring his spirits up.
Unknown to them...They were being watched. Watched by the two individuals in the White car just on the street nearby. They couldn't act since there were plenty of people out. So all they had to do was wait.
Wait to finally act.
Miura Beach/Evening
The sun was now setting, and the night was finally approaching. The two of them had been on the beach all day. And soon enough, most of the people that were there decided to leave. All that was left in the area was only Haru...And Connor, sitting on the sandy beach, and close enough to be near the ocean. Despite mostly walking by the beach together and sitting down to try and eat when they needed to, nothing worked. He couldn't bring himself to look up at the sights, let alone eat any of the food she prepared for the trip. Even just the trip on its own, to be with her like this, wasn't enough. That day...Truly shattered his heart. It felt hopeless for her. Hopeless to help him right now.
All she could do was sit there, staring at the setting sun, before looking at him sadly. "...It's...Beautiful, isn't Connor-Kun? I...Love the-"
"...Haru..." He spoke finally, slowly looking up at the horizon in the ocean. "...W-Why...Do you still care about me...? I...I lied to you...Everything about me..." At least...He was forming sentences again without breaking down this time. "...I-I'm...I'm not the person you thought I was...The person I said I was..." Slowly, he now looks at her. Looking at her with his own two eyes. "...My...My memories...Everything was fake...W-What if...What if somehow, my feelings are...?" He couldn't finish. Then he looked down again. "...I-I don't even know who I am anymore...What memories are right...Or what memories are wrong..."
All she could do was listen. Soon, she shook her head. "...I do, Connor-Kun...You're a caring, loving person. You've shown me that you cared for me many times...Whatever happened in your past, it doesn't change who you are now. You're still...The only one I want to be with. And...If you can't remember now, then I'll be here until you CAN remember everything. I'll...Be there for you through everything, no matter how many difficulties we shall face." Her eyes then stared at his, with commitment in her eyes. She truly did mean what she said. "...I love you, Connor-Kun. I always will. I'm...Happy to be with you."
Something about what she had said slowly had some form of life return to his eyes. To hear her love for him, and to hear what she said about still being happy with him...Something was slowly bringing him back. Right now, at this very moment...He knew his love for her was still real. There was no doubt about it. "H-Haru...I-I..."
Before he could continue, the sounds of someone walking on sand began to approach them. Two pairs of feet were moving, in fact. "...Well, well. Looks like we FINALLY have you!" That voice was very familiar, and one they knew. They slowly looked over to see who it was. Sugimura. And who was next to him only shocked Okumura further. Alena.
"S-Sugimura-San?! Alena-San?!" Okumura asks as she then stands up, with her "fiance" slowly standing up to see them as well. "H-How did you-"
"This lady fetched a ride from me! And now, I've done my part." He looks over to the nurse now, stepping back while holding out his hands to bow. "...Now...Will you?"
"...Very well. I'll fulfill my end of the deal, Sugimura." With that, she snaps her left hand to have the wave of Red and Black energy shoot out of her. Doing this immediately sent them straight to the Metaverse, changing Haru's outfit completely. The sand had quickly gained a Red hue and the sky had once again become dark. This alone took the playboy by complete surprise. He had no idea what was happening. With them now in the other world, the Blonde slowly began to walk up to both the Black and Blue haired male and his Phantom Thief partner. "...You've become a pain in my side, Okumura. Ever since you came into Connor's life, you've made things complicated. And now...It's time to rid of your involvement once and for all.
With the snap of her right hand, Mnemor was summoned from within her shadow as Blue flames surrounded her, with the dark puppet only staring deeply into their eyes. Most importantly, the eyes of Connor. The Persona just appearing from nowhere made Sugimura quickly fall right down on his rear and start crawling back with wide eyes. He was taken aback by what was going on now, especially when it was something he's never seen before. "W-What...The hell!? What's going on?!"
"...The very thing I'll use to change her to your liking." Alena responded to him as she continued to walk, her eyes fixed on Haru. "...All I need to do...Is to seep my threads into your Persona. And then, I can adjust you to his liking. If not, then I can disable you. I can tie you up and let him take you. Then, with you gone...I can take Connor and shift him so he can finally live a life without the pains of the past."
"No! I won't let you do that to him!" Noir then yelled out, with her eyes giving off a serious glare. With her axe now in her hand due to the shift, she points it at her. "All you've done is control his life! Who he is as a person! Who he can and can not remember! All you did was hurt him! He's been feeling nothing but pain!"
"...You don't understand. I was merely helping him. But, what you said before...You were right about one thing. I never did give him a choice, did I?" Then, she looks over at Connor. All he could do was stare, watching everything with his stone-cold expression. "...Connor. Forgive me for before. I never gave you an option. This time, let me make it right for you." She then offers her hand to him. "...I have the Shadows I need to restrengthen the very thing holding those memories together. Take my hand, and I can make you forget everything. Forget about how much pain you're in."
To forget the pain. The pain he was feeling. The pain...Of remembering the abuse. The pain of realizing that he lived a lie. Something about getting rid of it sounded...Pleasant. "F-Forget...The pain...?"
"...I know how much you miss your mother. How you wish to forget everything that you've remembered right now. So...Allow me to offer you that choice now." He listened to her. They both did. "...If you let me merge these Shadows within you, I can strengthen that core. And with that, your transformation will be complete! You'll forget about the abuse and your family for good! I...I can be your mother! Your family! But...If I do, then you'll lose all of your recent memories of the past year too."
The mere sound of that had his eyes wide open. All of his recent memories...Gone. "...T-Then...That would mean..." He then slowly looks at his lover, who stares back in worry. That alone was enough to make him look down at the sand. All of the memories he spent with Haru...Every single moment would be gone. A clean slate.
"...She'll only get in the way. But...It's a small price to pay to finally be happy. To forget the pain! To have a real family! For us to be a family!" Alena now looked at him with pleading eyes. "You can either let me...Or resist. Those are your only options. But know that, one way or another...We will be together. As a family. A family...That will make us both happy."
His only two options...Are to either resist to keep the memories he has now or to allow her to change him. Change him to her liking if it meant for him to be happy. To be free of the painful memories. It was at this moment...Haru couldn't intervene. It was his choice now. And whatever choice he decided on...She had to respect it. "C-Connor-Kun, I-" But just then, a laugh began to escape him. And it only got louder and louder. That took everyone by surprise. "C-Connor-Kun...?"
"...I-Is...Is this some kind of joke...?" He now looked up to Alena. His eyes...Were full of life once again. No. Now full of rage. "You're saying...You're giving me a choice, but you're...You're only putting me back to where I was before! You...Call that a choice?! Who...Gave you the right to do that to me?! To mess with my mind!? To...Try and take Haru away from me?! My memories of her?! Memories of Mom?! She gave me meaning in my life, even when I wasn't myself! Who are you to take that from me?! I-If...Losing her means I'll get to be happy then..." He now points at the nurse. "...I would rather DIE than forget about Haru! Forget about my mom! Those memories...ARE MINE! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO THEM!"
"...So you've finally decided to raise your blade." A voice then asked within his head, with sudden pain then forming within it. No. Coursing through his whole body. His eyes now glowing in a Gold color. "...You seek to break free of the shackles of control. The chains that stop you from moving forward from the past. Is that what you wish to achieve?"
With that question, a dark smirk forms on his face. All the while, a Golden masquerade mask with colorful feathers on the side suddenly formed on his face through a burst of flames. "...I do...Lancelot..."
"...Very well. Then let us make an oath. I am thou, and thou art I. It is time to use your sword to cut us a path to freedom! Cut the chains that bind us to our past! We are bound no longer! We will become our own knight! Create...Our own knighthood!"
And with that, he grabs onto both sides of the mask, trying his best to rip it off. A bright light began to shoot out from him while he was now surrounded by Blue flames. Screams of pain began to escape him, feeling each and every single Shadow that was inside of him and his mind making him resist. But soon, he would finally tear it off, leaving blood on his face. The flames then intensified and grew around him. All everyone on the scene could do was just stare. Especially Sugimura at this moment, who was still lying on the sand in shock.
Soon, the flames would disappear, leaving Connor in his own Phantom Thief attire. His outfit of rebellion with his sword, shield, and magnum. And his own Persona behind him; Lancelot. All everyone had were stares of shock. Especially his lover. "Connor...Kun...?" She asked softly.
Hearing his name, his eyes slowly opened up to reveal his Golden eyes. His eyes were full of anger. Full of hate. Full of determination. And all of it was aimed at the nurse before him, with the flames intensifying. The old Connor had died, once again.
But Knight was born.
Present Time
All Knight did as he walked was think of what had just happened in the real world. Once he had awakened to the power of his Persona, the next thing he knew, he was sent right into his mind. To finally reclaim all of his real memories. As of right now, Haru was in danger. Who knew what Alena could and would do to her at this very moment? There was no time to waste. He had to return to the real world. His eyes were all on the road to the area that looked much like Meiji Shrine, eventually making their way to the torii gate that would lead to the main shrine.
However, their walking would then stop at the sight of the shrine before them. But close to that was an empty square-shaped area that was accessible from all four sides, each one holding a gate. But most importantly, someone was in the middle of that area, waiting. All they could see was their back. They knew who it was. The final Shadow. The Core Shadow. The one that held Connor's false memories together. "It's...Him..." The short woman spoke out, with the young man now quickly sprinting toward it. It didn't take long for her to follow him as well.
Eventually, they entered the area to get a closer look at their final enemy in detail. The figure didn't even need to look to know it was them, with a laugh now leaving them. "...Took you long enough, Connor. I was hoping you'd make it." It then turned around, with shock now washing both of their bodies by who it was. They knew who it was immediately. Connor's father, Akuhei. Now wearing a Brown suit to match his short, Brown hair. And a White button-up shirt to accompany it. The final Shadow...Was his father.
THE DEMON
"D-Dad...?" It was all Connor could even muster, with him stepping back a bit. Slight tints of fear now filled his eyes. It was truly him. "B-But...What are you...Doing here...?"
"...Yeah. Craziest FUCKING coincidence, huh? I'm just as surprised to be in here too!" He now starts pacing, keeping his Gold eyes all on him. "Well, let me put it in baby terms for you. That Alena chick...She wanted to rewrite your memory so badly to make you her new son, she shoved all those Shadows into you. But, none of them were able to stay connected on their own. So...She had an idea. Make something to keep them attached. A core to keep your stupid, fake memories intact. So, she went on looking for a strong enough Shadow that would be perfect for the job! And lo and behold, here I am!" He opens his arms up with a smirk on his face. "Bet even Takeishi didn't even know about any of that!"
He was still taken back by just...Seeing him there. Seeing him before his very eyes again. But, he had to keep his composure intact. "...S-So if you're here, then...That must be...She killed you when ripping you out of your real self..."
"...Yep, but I was on my way out anyway! She did me a favor!" That confused him now. "...Once your dear old Momma kicked the bucket, I left. No point in sticking around anymore! The day I left once she killed herself, heart attack kicked in. Alena found me after she did her stuff with you, and...Well, you know the rest, kiddo!" Yet another laugh left him. "The funniest part of it? Heart attack came from drinking too much! Looks like karma came full circle, huh?" Soon, he stopped pacing and crossed his arms. "...But, it's not all bad! Because thanks to you, I get to be in here! And with those stupid Shadows gone, I've found myself a clear path to getting a new body!"
"...The hell are you talking about, old man?!" Iris then spoke up, looking confused while crossing her arms. "What do you mean by a new body?!"
"...You don't get it, do you, shorty? With them gone, I'm the last one here! The last and only Shadow here that can fully remember!" He lifts his arms into the air with a smile. "All of those Shadows were only in the way. All of them were layers to protect me! The core of everything! You couldn't get to me unless you took care of them...And I couldn't get to you! You did me a favor, Connor! Because one step closer to getting out of here...Meant one extra step for me to get to you! To take control of you...And your body!" Then, looked down at his "son". "...Didn't you feel me? Feel me when you lost yourself?! That's me...Slowly slipping into your mind, ready to take over! After all, I'm in the core of your heart!"
All Connor could do was listen, staring at him with wide eyes. The reason why he was able to gain that "power" he did before...To enter such a state of violence. The answer was in front of him. "I-It...Was you...?"
"Of course! Though, since they were connected to me and I kept them together...I guess a bit of me rubbed off on them. Wouldn't you say..." His smirk only grew. "...You little Mom Killer?" That name only threw more shock into the duo. That very name...Came from him. He was their influence, just like he was with Knight. With that, Akuhei quickly takes off his jacket and throws it to the ground alongside his shirt, revealing his torso to them. On his chest was a tattoo with the design of a Red Devil with Black tendrils around it. And the moment it was shown, he put his hand on it and gave it a tight grip to suddenly have his entire top not only gain a Charcoal color, but also gain muscle mass in both the top and his legs. In addition, a blank, White mask then forms over his face for protection. "...Now, stand still, kid! Your time in the sun is over! It's time for me to get back to the REAL world!"
With this, his father then quickly sprints toward him with his fist ready. And did this at a much faster speed than Connor had expected, taking him by surprise and quickly rose his shield to defend himself. All the while, Iris quickly shifted to her bird form to get on his shoulder. It was then that the fist made its impact, leaving a large dent in the buckler and forcing the owner to be sent away from just the sheer power of it. His body was sent flying from just the attack alone. But he quickly recovered from the attack by landing and skidding on his feet. The young man's Ice Blue eyes then looked over to the indention left on it before looking back. Unlike before, his "father" was much more dangerous than before.
"...You alright, Connor? I know he's your Dad and all, but..." The bird then spoke to him, with him not once looking at her. But he was listening. "...We CAN'T let him win this. You know that."
"...Y-Yeah...I know. He has to go, just like everyone else...To be honest, I'm glad. Because now..." He then tightens the strap on his shield. "...I can finally let go of him for good." His sword was then unsheathed and aimed at the final Shadow. This was it. The final showdown. If he wins, then he could go home. And if he lost, then his father would take over his body. And he didn't want to think of what could happen. "...I'll show you useless..."
Memories broken, the truth goes unspoken! I've even forgotten my name!
I don't know the season or what is the reason I'm standing here holding my blade!
A desolate place! Without any trace! It's only the cold wind I feel!
After that punch, Akuhei shakes his fist a little bit afterward and only stares, smirking. "Come on...Show me what you've got, kid!" And in lightning-fast speed, he quickly dashes toward the young Phantom Thief to swing his fist at him again, to which he sidesteps at the very last moment and counters by taking out his gun and firing off multiple rounds to his head to try and finish the fight right then and there. But, to his surprise, the bullets were only crushed when they made an impact on the guise. That alone made a smirk form under the mask, and quickly looked over at him. "...Nice try, kid. You can't break through this mask no matter how you try!" And from that attempt, he slowly starts walking toward him, cracking his knuckles.
It's me that I spite as I stand up and fight!
The only thing I know for real, there will be bloodshed!
Witnessing his father slowly start to walk made Connor start back up in response before ripping his mask off. "P-Persona!" From this action alone, Lancelot appears behind him and quickly takes out its new Black and White sword to immediately dash and swing it toward his enemy. With the power behind it now, it would help even the odds. With the sword swung, the Core Shadow quickly lifts his hand to stop the attack almost immediately once it was close enough. Seeing the attack halted like this only threw the user in disarray. Could he...Be invincible somehow? "Lancelot! More power!" From that command, the blade then gains an aura of Blue and Red mixed together to have energy now erupt from it, strengthening the swing even more.
The man in the mirror nods his head!
The only one left will ride upon the dragon's back!
Because the mountains don't give back what they take!
Oh no, there will be bloodshed! It's the only thing I've ever known!
Seeing this increase in power only made Akuhei nod from the display...With a laugh soon after, impressed with the attack. "Ah, this! Now, this...Was a neat little trick!" But soon, that smile underneath his mask grew as he continued to stare at the attack trying to break through the defense. "...But not neat enough, you little shit." And with his other fist, he quickly turns and throws a punch to do something that shook both Knight and Iris. It not only broke through the blade's power, but quickly broke through the sword itself, shattering into many pieces. And that alone stopped the attack in its entirety. "...Now THIS is an attack!"
And with such blinding speed, he quickly runs and jumps to deliver a strong yet powerful uppercut. The punch itself tore and shred through its strong armor to leave a destroyed trail behind. Its chest was completely exposing the hollow armor, and that was enough to make it disappear. That alone made the user feel pain course through his chest from the attack alone, with the muscular man slowly looking over at him. Bullets weren't enough. And neither was Lancelot's power. So, he had to do something. With his sword, Knight then rushes toward him with a warcry in desperation. And soon, he swings his blade.
But, like last time, the tall Shadow quickly stops and grabs the blade with ease. An even louder laugh left him as his "son" struggled to break through. It was clear he was just toying with Connor. "...Are you kidding me, kid?! Do you WANT me to snap this little thing too?! You're just as stupid as your mother!" With his hand, he applied enough pressure to have it quickly snap into two, leaving him with just half a sword now. Now, the young man was left without a weapon to fight against him. Without warning, Akuhei quickly kicks Knight in the stomach to then send him away and leave him rolling around while his navigator holds onto him for dear life. Now, he was just lying down on the ground.
Losing my identity, wondering "Have I gone insane?".
To find the truth in front of me, I must climb this mountain range!
Looking downward from this deadly height and never realizing why I fight!
From just the kick, Knight began to spit out blood while slowly trying to get up. The impact had taken him by surprise. Now he was on his knees, trying to recover. "C-Come on, Connor! He's not wasting any more time! W-We have to figure something out!"
"I-I can't...I-I..." He tried to say until he finally looked up. His Blue eyes then caught sight of the bulked Shadow running right at him, making them wide and quickly swinging his arm away. "T-Tetrakarn!" And with that, a barrier was then formed in front of him in the hope that it would protect him. However, instead of a swing of the fist, Akuhei then uses his arm to reach for Connor. His hand immediately shattered through the Tetrakarn to grab his neck, now lifting his "son" up to choke him. "G-Get...Get...H-Hands...O-Off..." He was now struggling to speak because of the amount of pressure on his throat.
"Connor!" Iris squawked out, with her Rainbow feathers now turning Red. "Get off of him, you asshole!" She then flew off the Thief's shoulder to quickly start pecking at his father's head to try and make him let go.
The attempted attacks, while they didn't hurt, certainly annoyed him, and he quickly gripped the cockatoo with his spare hand. "Get out of my way, you stupid BIRD!" And without a second thought, he tossed her away. It was fast, hard, and far enough to make her hit one of the walls and fall right down. The young college student witnessed what he did despite being choked to death, with a hand reaching out to her. "...What's wrong, Connor? You were so confident not too long ago. What with all the other Shadows you killed before and all. What happened, kid?" He then applied even more pressure to his throat, all in an attempt to slowly kill him in his grasp.
The sounds of him attempting to breathe filled the air. His slightly closing eyes seeing his friend on the ground only made his eyes flash Gold, with an attempted scream then leaving him. "I-I...RIS!" And suddenly, with a burst of strength, he quickly kicked his father's chest. That not only made him let go, but also sent him back slightly. And that was enough to make the Phantom Thief drop to the ground so he could catch his breath while coughing. "I-Iris...!"
Hearing her name then made her slowly recover from the throw, eventually seeing him lying there. "Connor!" And soon, she wasted no time in quickly flying over to his side again.
From the kick alone, the Core Shadow only stared at his hit chest for a moment before letting out a loud laugh. "That was a good kick, Connor! Took me by surprise with that one!" Then, he starts walking toward his "son", watching him slowly start to sit up while holding his throat. However, all he could do was just stand there, staring. "But...That's probably all you're going to be able to do, kid. You got no swords, no way to take me down...No nothing. You're better off just letting me kill you." But, another chuckle left him. "...But don't worry...Once I take over your body, I'll "thank" Alena for it...And show your new girl one HELL of a time!"
All the bird companion could do was just stare in anger, despite her beady eyes. She wanted to hurt him. Badly. But that stare...Was cut short by Connor's voice. "...F-Father...Why...?" It was all he could ask, catching their attention. "...W-What made you like this...? What turned into this...? Y-You loved Mom...And Takeishi! You loved them! M-Mom said you were never like this!"
However, his father only stood there...Listening to him. Soon, he finally spoke. "...You wanna know a funny secret, Connor? I was always like this!" That only made him more confused. "...You really think his death ACTUALLY changed me? No...It only gave me more stuff to ruin your Mom over! To destroy her!" That alone made them stare at him with shocked eyes. "...You should have seen what it was like before you came in! She was crying and begging for Takeishi to come back! And when I blamed it ALL on her? Oh, you could just SEE how much of her spirit was crushed! I couldn't get enough of that! And it only got better when she let me start hitting her years later!" All Akuhei could do was just start laughing. "Little did she know that I had a hand in Takeishi's death..."
"A hand in...Takeishi's death...?" It was all his "son" could ask until...Something hit him. The accident he spoke of was when their brakes stopped working. The pieces had fallen together, which made Connor look down. "T-Then...That means..."
"Yeah...I messed with the brakes so I could put him in the hospital. But what I got? It was even BETTER! He ends up dead, and now I can lay that blame on her to make her want to die too? AND let me treat her like garbage?! That only sweetened the deal! And it only got better once you came in and I had to act the part!" His grin only grew with the explanation. "...Wanna know something else too? When you two were gonna go drive to that University, I messed with the brakes again to get another kick out of it! Make another accident to push her far enough to make her take her life! But you ran out and went into that coma instead. Ruined a part of my plan, but I still drove her to kill herself after laying the blame on her! So it all worked out still!"
"...Why...?" He now just plainly asked, with Iris staring at him in concern. She knew how important they were to him, especially given recent events. "...Why did you do that to Mom?! To Takeishi?! WHY!?"
"Why?" A small chuckle left him. "...Because it's fun." From those very words alone, it felt as if the whole world had just crashed onto Connor. To finally know why he was like this. "...Ever since I was your age, I jumped around from woman to woman, doing every little thing that I could to make them and their families lives a living hell! To make them miserable enough to wish to die! To make them die! And once they're done, I moved on to the next! Then...I saw your Mom. She...Was a special kind of someone! Someone I had to break nice...And slowly. I had to make a facade for years, but the end result? Perfect! Destroy someone with such love and life in them? To see them crushed beneath me? Beautiful."
He listened to everything, sitting there with his head down. Nobody could see it, but...His eyes were full of rage. He saw her as a toy. His own personal plaything. Amusement. It made him grit his teeth. "C-Connor..." The bird softly spoke, trying to comfort him.
But then, he slowly got up...A small laugh then escaped his mouth. That alone caught their attention once more. "...I guess...I was wrong about you all along. Me, Mom, and Takeishi. All this time, I thought you were a father who lost his way...Maybe at worst, a bad father. B-But you're none of those..." Then, he looks up with his Gold eyes. The eyes inherited by his father. Inherited by him being within the very core of his mind. "...You're a monster. The worst of the worst! To think...Someone like you exists! Taking pleasure in hurting people like this for so long...It makes me sick!" He grips his fist and what remains of his sword in anger. "...But...It makes me feel better. Knowing what I know..."
"Oh? Why's that, kid? What makes you feel SO much better about knowing I killed them?"
"...It's because it tells me...I'll be nothing like you! Ever since I gained that power, I was worried I would be just like you! All this time, I thought it was me who got killed Mom! But no...It was you. It was always you from the very start! You've had your grip on our lives from the very start! A grip so tight that we could never escape!" His glare only intensified. His hands shaking. "...You ruined Mom's life! You ruined Takeishi's! You ruined so many others! And now, I know what I have to do...As a knight." He then aims his destroyed blade at him, a Gold aura now radiating from him. This made everyone's eyes wide. "...I swore to protect the weak from the strong and evil! I swore to Mom! To protect Haru from people like you! And I can do it...Knowing that I can live for her! To avenge her! To remember her...Without any more regrets!"
And with that, in a burst of Blue flames, Lancelot then reappears behind him, despite the somewhat destroyed state it was in. And slowly, with the aura surrounding his user, it absorbs the energy to have it flash in a bright light, blinding the buff shadow. But when the light faded away, Lancelot was no longer there. Instead, it was a knight with Gold armor and White under armor. The helmet had multiple colored feathers on the top and a Black version of his user's mask on its face. But unlike before with Lancelot where there was a clawed gauntlet on its left hand, it was now on the right on the new Persona. And in its other hand, held the Black and White sword once again, but with a handle and grip that was of the same color as its armor.
And with its summon, the broken blade within Connor's possession then began to glow, replacing it with a smaller replica of the sword his other self had. Seeing this certainly amused Akuhei, even letting out yet another laugh. "Well now...Someone's ready for Round Two!" Then, a scowl forms. "But it WON'T matter. I'm STILL going to get out of here. And when I do, I'll make sure that "Haru" girl knows what it's like to wish to die! I've got the strength of a thousand Shadows thanks to Alena feeding me so many of them! I'll show her, and every other woman I'll-"
"...Shut. Up." He then boldly spoke, immediately silencing his father. "...You have NO right saying her name! NO right being in MY mind! Making plans with my body! Staying in my memories! My memories are for the people I love the most! The people I cherish! You have NO place here!" Then, he grips his chest to quickly gain the Red aura to mix with his Yellow one, alongside making his new Persona now gain the Blood Red hue. The two of them now entering their Reversed Mode. "...You took their lives...And now, I'm taking what's left of YOURS!" He glances at Iris now, who could only stare with her feathers being Orange. "...Iris...I'll need your help for healing if I need it. Can you do that?"
With that, she bobs her bird head, now turning from the color she was on to Blue. "...Like you need to ask?" Then, she eyes the final shadow. Connor's Demon. "Let's kick the shit out of this asshole and get you home!"
"...Agreed. Let's go...Iris...Excalibur." He spoke softly before aiming his blade at the muscular Shadow, with his eyes flashing from the power. He was ready to reclaim his place in the real world. And to finally leave behind the past. To close this door and open the next. "...It's SHOWTIME!"
And with that, Knight then quickly dashes toward his father with his sword prepared and ready to strike. From seeing this alone, it causes the other to then start running as well. Soon, their own weapons are then swung toward each other. The young man with his sword while the older one with his right fist. Just then, both the duke and blade then clashed with each other, causing literal sparks of tension between them. The sounds of their clash filled the air, with a scream filled with rage then escaping the thief to have the element of Bufu now emitting from his blade. That alone started to have the Core Shadow's hand start to freeze up from the cold, to which they then quickly undid the fist to then grab the blade to try and snap it. But even that wasn't enough this time.
"What...The hell?! What did you do?!" However, his "son" didn't respond and only continued to stare and try to break through to get a slash in. So, he only had one more thing to try and do. "You've been playing around with swords for too long, kid!" Without warning, he kicks him in the stomach to make him let go and send him back a bit. With the blade in Akuhei's hand, he throws it to his side to leave it stabbed into the stone ground. "Now, be good...And DIE!" And without a weapon to him, the Core Shadow then begins rushing at him with the slightly frozen fist ready, now gaining a Fire-like energy around it. Doing so melts the ice.
Standing here, I realize; You are just like me trying to make history!
But who's to judge the right from wrong?
When our guard is down I think we'll both agree; That violence breeds violence!
Despite the kick that was put on his stomach, it didn't take long for Connor to recover and see the attack heading for him. A growl then escaped him before he swung his own left fist to suddenly stop and clash with their fists. That alone took his "father" by surprise, especially when he was handling both the heat of the attack as well as matching the strength behind it. The flames were starting to burn through his coat despite the armlet and shield he was wearing. But right on cue, Excalibur then comes in from behind him to swing its right claw toward the Core Shadow, to which it's countered by Akuhei's other fist. Now, both of the arms were being used.
But in the end, it has to be this way!
This gave the young man the opportunity to then quickly use his other fist to then swing and hit his father's head. Despite the shielding, that made his head tilt and sent him skidding backward...All while leaving a crack on the mask. "...I...WON'T!" The punch alone then gave him enough time to run forward with his own hands ready to be thrown and quickly deliver a fast punch to the Shadow's stomach with his left, stunning and taking it back. "You will acknowledge...Our pain! Our suffering! AND OUR EXISTENCE!" And in sync, both he and his Persona then ready their right fists and quickly swing them, hitting The Demon and sending him away to crash into the shrine. That alone made it fall apart.
After the punch, he observes the burn marks left on his arm as well as the destroyed part of his coat. It didn't take long for Iris to glow in a Green color to heal it right away while Knight grabs onto his sword nearby, reclaiming it once more. Meanwhile, the remains of what was the temple were then lifted and destroyed by an explosion of flames, which in turn started to have anything made of wood nearby catch on fire. And from within those flames came out Akuhei, now adjusting his neck while walking. "...That was one HELL of a punch, Connor! But I gave you that one! So...Now we're starting Round Three!" Then, he raises his fist. "You ready?!"
With that, he takes a defensive stance while his Persona fades away to return to being his mask and preparing his blade. "...You first!" And with that, it earns a warcry from his "father" before running. The Phantom Thief could only stay there, ready for any of the attacks that would come in. And with that, yet another powerful swing of the fist was thrown, with Knight quickly countering it by parrying it and spinning around him to deliver a deep slash through his torso, letting a loud scream escape. But it didn't stop the onslaught that was swinging his fists, with the young man now guarding and parrying with each and every one thrown his way. His speed only grew with each passing moment.
"Stand still, you LITTLE SHIT!" He growled out, with anger now starting to course through his body and now gaining a Red hue as well. With each hit, it was deflected. Somehow, and in some way, the tides had turned. Now it was HIM being outsped and overpowered. And underneath that Blank mask...Those eyes were wide. "DIE!" And with the last swing, it was then blocked with an enhanced Tetrakarn once Connor swung his hand, knocking him and his arm back a tad bit.
"...Go, Excalibur!" And with a sudden swipe of him ripping his mask off, the Golden knight reappeared once more with its sword out and did something that shocked the giant Shadow to its core. It swiped its large sword while now having a Gold colored energy forming around it and cut right through Akuhei's elbow, disarming and dismembering his right arm with a single swing. A scream now escaped him as Black fluids leaked out. One arm was gone...And now, he was weakened.
"You...You...LITTLE..." And just then, a rageful howl escaped him, causing strong winds to emanate from him. The flames around them were now twirling and growing fierce from this alone.
From the strong air currents, it was now starting to become harder for Iris to stick onto her partner's shoulder. "H-He's...Had THIS much still in him?! How strong is this guy?!"
However, her time of sticking onto Connor's shoulder would come to an end as she lost her grip and was quickly sent away, catching his attention. "IRIS!" But then he turns to see his father now charging at him with his much more murderous aura, with his face now suddenly being met by a sudden clothesline and making him fall right down onto the ground and drop his blade. His eyes now looked to see his "father" standing before him, his only fist now glowing even brighter...Consumed in flames. And with a smirk.
"Now...DIE, CONNOR!" Then, he quickly threw a downward punch toward him, covering the whole area with a wave of fire and causing an explosion between them. That in turn made the flames grow much more and were now uncontrollable. As well as cause cracks to form in the ground that emitted even more fire. The whole area was now covered in fire, and there was nothing to stop it.
Now recovering from both the wind and explosion, the bird slowly got back up to the sight before her. As well as seeing the punch leave a giant crater in the ground...Where Connor was. That in turn made her return to her human form, with her eyes wide and Black. Just like her hair. "CONNOR!" She screamed in worry and was ready to run, but saw the fist that was swung down being held, making her stop.
I've carved my own path, you followed your wrath!
But maybe we're both the same!
The world has turned, and so many have burned! But nobody is to blame!
Despite the punch, all Akuhei could do was just stare in bewilderment. Unable to believe what he was seeing. His fist...Was stopped and held by the Phantom Thief's palm. His jacket was completely gone except for the sleeve on the right arm, his vest and shirt were half destroyed, and lost his tie. But now he was covered in a transparent yet Gold colored set of armor. This...Was a new ability from his Persona. All the Core Shadow could do was simply stare. "Y-You...WHO ARE YOU?!"
"...You know who I am...Akuhei..." He softly spoke with a soft smile and voice before his stare intensified. "I'm...MY MOM'S SON!" He continues to hold onto his hand and pulls him toward him, then does a kick-up to get back up onto his feet using his only spare hand. But in doing so, his feet hit the father's mask and head, immediately breaking through it to expose his face. The impact alone quickly made him start stepping back from the attack, which also left him stunned.
Yet staring across this barren wasted land, I feel new life will be born beneath the blood-stained sand!
Beneath the blood-stained sand!
Now standing up, he slowly picks up his blade from the ground and aims it while the transparent armor disappears. He was ready to finish this fight. And so, he rushes toward his father with the sword ready, all while letting out a powerful warcry. The muscular one was still stunned and unable to react. And once he got close enough, he uses his blade to quickly stab and penetrate through where his heart was in his chest, then twisted it to then deliver a quick yet powerful slash, cutting off and disarming the other arm. That, in turn, earned another painful yell from the last Shadow.
With that final cut, all Knight could do was just stand there, trying to catch his breath as he dropped his weapon. There was nothing else the Shadow could do except stand there, bleeding. With that, and due to a lack of energy, he pulled his magnum out to prepare to shoot a round. This was it. The finale of the fight. "...It's...Over..." It was all he could say as those eyes of his burned with the reflection of the raging flames. His eyes...Burned with determination.
All the "father" could do was just stand there, staring at him. He lost, and there was nothing he could do to stop it. His time of being in his mind was over. And so, a little laugh left him. "So...This is how it ends, huh? My time of being in your head...Is over. Didn't even get to go outside after being in here for a year..." They stare at each other's Gold colored eyes, with Akuhei smirking. "Go ahead...Do it. But if you do, you'll be thrown RIGHT back into the real world. And know this..." His "son" stood there, listening. "...No matter how much you say you will, you'll never forget me. Never get over me. I'll always crop up in that memory of yours...Just like with everyone else. I'll still be alive...In your memory."
All he did was stand there, still aiming the gun at him. Not once did he have a hint of hesitation in his eyes. Especially when he knew, that deep down, his real father was dead now. But, he keeps his grip firm. "...Who says I will? I'll never be able to forget you. Not after all you did to me, Mom, Takeishi, and many others...But...Do you know what I'll remember you for? What everyone else you hurt will...?" Nothing but the sounds of crackling flames filled the air. "...The worst of people. A lesson...A lesson that we can be better than people like you. If ruining lives is your way of being remembered in some way...Your way of living...Then, we can remember you in the best way we can. To be better people than just some BITTER, HEARTLESS, old man! Turn your abuse...Into something positive. For something to teach our families! Our children! Their children! That's all you'll be...And nothing more."
"...Maybe, but I know you. You'll never let go of me. You'll never let go of the past. You need me." Soon, his breathing became shaky. "Y-You...NEED me, Connor..."
"...You're wrong. I don't. Because...I'm leaving you and the past behind. Leave behind the pain and the bad memories...And make new ones. New ones while also taking the people I loved's memory with me. My Mom's memory. Her memory and love...Will guide me. Like always..." He puts his finger on the trigger now. "...You have no place in my future. Not when Mom's spirit and Haru are there. There for me...With me."
Hearing those words...Filled his eyes with fear. "Y-You're...Just going to leave me behind?! Just like that?! Leave your dear old Dad-"
"...You're not my father. You're far from one." His stare only intensified. "...Goodbye, Akuhei."
He now shakes his head with a growl. "Connor, don't you DARE! YOU NEED ME! YOU-"
And just then, the gun was fired. A bullet had pierced Akuhei's skull. His body lifelessly fell onto the ground and slowly began fading away into ashes until nothing more was left. All except...For a house key. Connor's old house key from before. Slowly, he picked it up to look at it...All while those Gold eyes returned to their Ice Blue color. Realization had set in. It was over. The fight within his mind was over. He was now free. His mind was truly his once again. Slowly, Iris walked up to him, seeing the object that was left behind. Even she was in shock. "I-I can't believe it...Y-You..." Then, she looked up at him with a proud smirk. And her Black hair and eyes turning Blue. "You did it! You really did it!"
Slowly, he looks over at her with a smile. A happy, but exhausted smile. Even he couldn't believe it. "Y-Yeah...I did it..." Slowly, he looks up to the sky to see that the whole area was now being covered in light. He was now...Truly himself. He would soon return to the real world. And eventually, they too would be covered in it. And he took it with his head held high.
"Haru...I'm almost home..."
Songs and Lyrics Used; All owned by their respective artists:
The Only Thing I Know For Real - Jamie Christopherson/Metal Gear Rising
It Has To Be This Way - Jamie Christopherson/Metal Gear Rising (DarKLumina Mix)