Chapter 13: The Museum of Vanity/Free Time
Will took the list of requests from Victor's hands to check the new request:
-"You can't be serious…"-he said in shock as he noticed that, in effect, the next request said to take them outside.
-"Why would I make a joke about this?"-Victor took the document back.
-"T-This can't be happening! Why must we do that with our client!?"-Will started to panic.-"Victor, who wrote this!?"
-"...I suppose it was our Master."-he murmured.-"But, I doubt about it a lot."
-"Huh!? You don't know either?"-Will said.
-"Although, it shocked me a bit…"-Kazumi interrupted them.-"Why is it a big deal that you two cannot get out of this place?"
-"We can."-Victor replied.-"I have no objection to accompany you as it is for the sake of your rehabilitation."
-"I-I think it is off!"-Will said still in panic.-"I don't know why...but the thought of doing it makes me feel... nervous."
-"Will, you're not acting like yourself."-Victor said.-"We shall do this in order to help our client with her rehabilitation."
-"Fine, fine. I'll go!"-Will said after he took a deep breath.-"Show us that Arcade!"
-"Ok…"-Kazumi replied.-"So, how are you two going to get out?"
-"You'll see."-Will replied.
-"You shall return if you have nothing else to do here."-Victor said.
-"I'll be waiting!"-Kazumi said as she went to sleep.
In Mementos, she found herself in front of Morgana:
-"You took a veery long time in your thoughts."-Mona said as he crossed his paws.
-"Yeah, sorry."-Ace went back on her feet and saw the door of the Velvet Room opening with the twins getting out from there.
-"Ace, what are you looking at?"-Morgana said and saw the two kids in shock.-"W-Who are those!?"
-"Let's make this quick."-Victor said as he held hands with Ace and Will held his.
-"Yes, let's go."-Ace said as she pulled out her phone.
-"Wait, Ace! What are those kids!?"-Morgana said before the space distorted back to reality.
In reality, she was received by her partners:
-"Welcome back!"-Ann said.
-"Huh? Where is Kitagawa-kun?"-Kazumi asked as she didn't saw him around.
-"He returned home. He mentioned his curfew approached so he just left now."-Ryuji said.
-"I see. Well, let's scatter for today."-she said with a smile. Morgana saw from her bag the two kids who were still with her but didn't even turn around to see him.
After Kazumi separated from her friends, Morgana finally confronted her:
-"Kazumi! Stop ignoring my questions!"-Morgana meowed.-"Who are these kids and why the others can't see them!?"
-"What a noisy cat…"-Will complained.
-"Sorry, Morgana."-Kazumi apologized in advance.-"They are my acquaintances. Their names are Victor and Will."
-"We don't have time to speak. Take us to that place called 'arcade' already."-Victor said.
-"I see they like to boss you around."-Morgana said with disgust.-"Just to be a pair of kids…"
-"Show more respect to your superiors, cat."-Will said as he looked at him with a sharp look on his eye and took Kazumi's right hand.
-"Y-Yes…"-Morgana felt somehow intimidated by him.
-"I feel like I suddenly gained three little brothers…"-Kazumi thought with a nervous smile.
After a walk through Shibuya's Central Street, they finally arrived to the arcade:
-"This is the arcade."-Kazumi said as she showed them the placement.
-"There is a lot of people…"-Victor said.-"What are they all doing?"
-"Playing video games."-Kazumi said.-"Young people like to spend their free time doing something entertaining in front of a screen with lots of effects. Would you two like to try some?"
-"Try…?"-Will looked around and his eyes spotted a game where a couple was pressing arrows on the floor.-"What about that one?"
-"That's Dancing Moonlight."-Kazumi explained.-"It's a game where you have to dance by following the arrows on the screen."
-"Dance?"-Victor said.
-"Well, those people already ended their turn. Let me show you how it works."-Kazumi said as she advanced on the front.
She put some coins to start the game and selected a song called "Soul Phrase". In the screen, the avatar of a handsome guy with white hair and using a red hood started to dance as the arrows showed on the screen:
-"Here I go!"-Kazumi said as she started to dance at the rhythm of the song.
-"So, what are you kids with Kazumi?"-Morgana asked from her bag, as she left it with Victor.
-"His acquaintances."-he replied.
-"She already said that…"-Morgana said disappointed.-"I was asking why did you two came from Mementos and how come nobody sees you?"
-"You're annoying."-Will said.-"We are helping her to become more powerful and we can't be seen by anyone but her, actually it is weird that you can see us as well."
-"Does that answer your question?"-Victor said.
-"You only made me question it even more..."-Morgana said.
-"Now write me an endless song~
As I'll feel so alive.
Watariyuku yami no saki e~! (Get over ahead the darkness)"-as soon as this verse ended, the machine announced an excellent score for Kazumi.
-"Aww! I thought I could beat it on King Crazy this time…"-she complained as she went down the stage.
-"Well. Want to try the game?"-Kazumi said to them.
-"Definitely. I'll teach you how to dance properly, client!"-Will ran towards the stage.
-"Me too."-Victor said as he ran towards them and gave her bag back to Kazumi.
-"Ok. Select the song you will like to dance."-Kazumi said to Will and he used the controls on the floor to select a song called Aria of the Soul (t. Komine remix).
-"No way! That's the hardest one!"-Kazumi thought shocked.
A woman in a blue stewardess' dress appeared on the screen and the twins prepared themselves to follow the arrows. To Kazumi and Morgana's surprise, they were really good at it...so much that they got the desired King Crazy score:
-"...They did the best score in the game."-Kazumi said in shock. It was a shame everyone in the arcade was unaware of this.
-"How's that? Aren't we the best?"-Will said proud of himself.
-"That was marvelous, Will!"-Kazumi said as she looked at him with shiny eyes.-"Who taught you two to dance like that?"
-"D-Don't look at me like that!"-Will hid behind Victor a bit nervous of Kazumi's appraisal.
-"...Who knows?"-Victor said as he scratched his hair confused.-"I think this is the first time we do it…"
-"L-Let's try other games!"-Will said as he ran towards a machine with a fighting game.
-"Those two…"-Kazumi said to Morgana.-"Could they have amnesia like you?"
-"I guess so. They are so weird."-Morgana said.
After a couple of games, the twins finally decided that it was time to return to the Velvet Room. They guided Kazumi until the alley near the Airsoft Shop where the entrance was:
-"I appreciate you took our request."-Victor said.
-"It's no problem. I enjoyed myself as well."-Kazumi smiled.
-"Take this!"-Will gave her a Jack Frost doll he won in a crane game.-"I have no need to keep it with me so you deal with it."
-"What a cute doll."-Kazumi looked at it with a big smile.-"Thank you, Will."
-"Don't thank me! It pisses me off, client!"-he exclaimed.
-"Yes, yes."-she just nodded. She was kind of getting used to how they were.
-"I'll give you your next request the next time we meet."-Victor said.-"You must return home for now."
-"How caring, Victor. Thank you as well."-Kazumi said before they went back.
-"What did they mean by request?"-Morgana asked finally.
-"You have been quite a curious cat today."-Kazumi said as she pinched one of his cheeks.-"They are the ones who have been fusing my Personas."
-"Those kids have the power to do that!?"-Morgana exclaimed in shock.
-"That's right and that's everything I will say."-Kazumi said to him.-"By the way, we should keep it a secret for now. They are something not everyone should now."
-"If you say so."-Morgana said.-"Don't let your guards down with them in any case."
-"Yes~"-Kazumi replied with disbelief and went home to start a new day tomorrow.
May 22nd.
After school, Kazumi decided to invite Ann to eat the crepes she promised:
-"Ann. Want to go for some crepes?"-Kazumi asked as she reached her on the train station.
-"Wow. I totally forgot about it!"-Ann said in shock.-"It must have been because of everything that happened with Yusuke…"
-"I shouldn't have asked…"-Kazumi said lowly as she stepped back.
-"Don't dare to run away! I won those crepes fair and square!"-Ann said as she grabbed her from the stomach and started to tickle her.
-"Wait, Ann! Hahahaha. Not here!"-Kazumi resisted herself.-"Fine, I'll give you your crepes!"
-"Yes, victory!"-Ann said as she let her friend breath while some students in the platform looked at them with all kinds of opinions.
When they arrived to Shibuya, Ann guided Kazumi to the crepe stand in the central street. They bought the chocolate ones and Ann suggested to go to Inokashira Park. As they arrived there, they sat nearby the lake:
-"So yeah, that was why Ryuji owns me money…"-Ann was saying.
-"That's so cute."-Kazumi said with a smile. Ryuji was truly a mama's boy if he used his train money to bought his mom a dolphin plush.
-"That's right! You know, I figured a way to make me stronger!"-Ann said.
-"Really? How's it?"-Kazumi asked interested.
-"I thought that to be strong, I'll have to pay no mind to what anyone says about me."-Ann said as she stood up.-"Kazumi, try telling me whatever you think it can offend me."
-"Are you sure about it?"-Kazumi asked.
-"Yes! Give me your best shot!"-Ann said.
-"Well, then… You are an airhead!"-Kazumi said but Ann was not affected.
-"Uh-huh. Keep going."-she said.
-"You don't have a boyfriend!"-Kazumi said next.
-"Seriously? Give me all you got!"-Ann said insisting for a challenge.
-"Suzui-san hates you!"-Kazumi exclaimed and Ann almost got a heart attack.
-"What? What the heck was that!?"-Ann said offended.
-"You said that I should use the best I had…"-Kazumi used as an apology.
-"Oh. So, it was just..a joke huh?"-Ann started to laugh nervous.-"I guess this is not working at all…"
-"Sorry."-Kazumi apologized.
-"It's fine."-Ann gave a reassuring smile.-"Anyways, I don't really think I can do the same to you… I barely know anything about you."
-"What do you want to know for instance?"-Kazumi asked.
-"Let's start with the reason why you want to be strong."-Ann said as she sat next to her.-"You mentioned you wanted to have my determination back when you lost everything."
-"Well, that was…"-before Kazumi could explain, Ann's phone began to ring.
-"Why now?"-Ann complained as she took the phone and saw it was a message from her agency.-"I'm sorry. It was from my agency."
-"Oh. Do you have a photo shoot to go?"-Kazumi asked.
-"Not now. It just a reminder for my next photoshoot, apparently there's a lot of models who lost their scheduled shoots and subs have to come for them."-Ann said.
-"How did you start your model career, Ann?"-Kazumi asked interested.
-"Well. It happened back in Finland when my parents asked me to be a sub in their fashion show."-Ann commented.
-"Fashion show?"
-"Yes. They are both fashion designers that put up extravagant fashion shows. They jump from country to country a lot so I see them less and less these days."-Ann said without a sense of loneliness.
-"So your parents are travelers too, huh?"-Kazumi said with a smile. She just spotted something they had in common.-"My father is an engineer. He is always traveling to other countries so me and my brother barely saw him with us."
-"It was just like me and my caretaker. But, was it just the two of you?"-Ann asked.
-"Yes. My parents divorced when I was twelve so I started to take care of my brother and me when he wasn't around."-Kazumi mentioned.
-"Woah…"-Ann was impressed.-"So you are very dependable ever since…"
-"Kinda…"-Kazumi said nervous as she felt appraised.-"Were you also forced to grow up on your own?"
-"Something like that."-Ann said.-"Now that I think about it… Isn't being dependable a kind of strength?"
-"Yeah! You're right!"-Kazumi said amused.-"That means that we are really strong already, doesn't it?"
-"Or maybe not?"-now, she wasn't so secure.
-"Maybe we should get a third opinion…"-Ann said with the same sensation.
-"What if we ask Suzui-san?"-Kazumi said.
-"Shiho? Uhm...It wouldn't be a bad idea…"
-"Ok. We will go the next time we can pay her a visit!"-Ann said.
-"That would be nice."-Kazumi said.-"Oh yeah, I forgot. We will start the infiltration tomorrow, ok?"
-"Sure!"-Ann said.-"You know what? I want to be dependable in battle as well."
-"Can you think about how I can assist you like you did with Ryuji?"-Ann said.
-"An assisted attack?"-Kazumi thought about one based on the fact that Panther used a whip.-"I figured out something!"
-"For real? What is it?"-Ann asked excited.
-"You should attack the Shadows like they were your slaves!"-Kazumi smiled.-"Since you have the appearance of a dominatrix, it fits totally with you!"
-"A dominatrix, really?"-Ann said surprised.
-"Something like…"-Ann pretended to wave a whip and posed with a sexy determination.-"On your knees!"
-"That!"-Kazumi said.-"I feel nervous just to hear it now…"
-"It sounds so badass! Thank you, Kazumi."-Ann smiled as she stood up properly again.
The action of hanging out together caused their bond to grow deeper and the Lovers Arcana got a third star.
*Follow up with Ann unlocked*
-"See you tomorrow!"-Ann said to her as they waved goodbye to each other.
Meanwhile, in the other side of the park, Ryuji was running by himself. Ever since he confronted his ex-track team members, he was looking for a new place to train with Kazumi and well, the park didn't really seem ideal on his perspective. He took a break after reaching the fountain and saw a familiar face:
-"What the hell…?"-Ryuji stopped drinking his soda as he saw Yusuke trying to catch a pigeon without success.
-"Mom, that guy is acting weird!"-a kid said as he pointed at Yusuke who finally got to catch an elusive pigeon.
-"First the nude painting, now this…"-Ryuji sighed.-"Is Art this weird of a hobby?"
-"Art is not a hobby!"-Yusuke exclaimed in defense as he looked at Ryuji with his cold gaze.-"It's a lifestyle!"
-"He heard me all the way here!?"-Ryuji exclaimed in shock and Yusuke got closer.
-"Of course I did. You're like a megaphone after all, Sakamoto."-he said.
-"I'm Ryuji."-the blonde boy clarified.-"By the way, why are you catching pigeons in the park?"
-"Why not? They are a symbol of peace."-Yusuke said.-"I wanted to find peace for myself so I would make this fine bird my peace charm."
-"No, you won't. City pigeons have like tons of illnesses."-Ryuji took the pigeon from his hands and released it.-"Even someone like me knows that."
-"Was I mistaken? How could a creature that symbols peace could bring such a calamity on his body?"-Yusuke felt disappointed.
-"Dude, chill."-Ryuji chuckled.-"Why are you looking for peace anyways?"
-"To be honest, I find myself complicated about the situation with my sen-...Madarame."-Yusuke said while looking down.
-"I see."-Ryuji said as he scratched his abdomen a bit uncomfortable.-"Wanna sit down and talk 'bout it?"
-"It will be a pleasure."-Yusuke replied.-"I didn't know you could be a nice guy, for someone who behaves like a monkey."
-"Don't call me a monkey!"-Ryuji exclaimed angry.
They sat on the swings of the children's playground:
-"So, how's your relation with Madarame right now?"-Ryuji asked as he started to move the swing he was on.
-"He hasn't paid any attention to me because of the exhibition."-Yusuke said.-"I suppose he expects me to forget what I saw and keep drawing for my sake."
-"What a ego-driven old shit…"-Ryuji muttered.-"Don't worry though. Once Kazumi gives the signal, we're gonna charge wild on his mind."
-"It seriously sickens me how a teacher thinks they have a right to steal or ruin what you worked so far for…"-Ryuji mentioned angry remembering how Kamoshida abused physically his team.
-"If I recall correctly, you guys mentioned you changed the heart of your P.E. teacher for more than the sense of justice."-Yusuke said.
-"Justice? I think that might fit our leader. She was the one who did it for all the victims."-Ryuji stopped the swing.-"Ann and me, however, is a different story."
-"That bastard made Ann's friend commit suicide. That was what made us snap out."-Ryuji remembered pissed off.-"It was enough with getting our lives at school destroyed..."
-"Destroyed?"-Yusuke insisted in knowing more.
-"Yeah. I was the star of the track team."-Ryuji said.-"That made him jealous and that's why he started to abuse our team on his supposed coaching. Just to make me the only culprit of my team's disband."
-"I bet Madarame was jealous too…"-Yusuke said.-"Having an artist block and talented students pressing forward…"
-"Would you think he will return to the sensei I used to know if I get him to remember how to make art?"-Yusuke asked.
-"We can try."-Ryuji smiled at him.-"You can talk to his Shadow, but let's take the treasure first. That will make him vulnerable."
-"I'm grateful with you today."-Yusuke smiled as he stood up from the swing.-"Looks like you were the pigeon I was looking for."
-"Don't compare me with those flying rats, geez."-Ryuji said in disgust.
-"Oh. I forgot to ask…"-Yusuke ignored his complain.-"Did Asaka-san come back safe yesterday?"
-"Yes, she did. Why the question?"-Ryuji replied but he felt uneasy that Yusuke asked for her.
-"It feels discourteous to leave alone a person who you were supposed to wait for."-Yusuke said.-"Specially someone as kind as her."
-"Uh-huh."-Ryuji said while looking away.
-"Pardon my curiosity, but, are you two in a relationship, perhaps?"-Yusuke asked with an inquisitive look.
-"What!? No!"-Ryuji exclaimed loud as he stood up from the swing.-"We ain't a couple!"
-"Is that so? Well, that takes a weight less of my heart."-Yusuke said.
-"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?"-Ryuji asked with certain curiosity.
Before Yusuke could answer, their phones rang at the same time. It was a message from Kazumi:
"I'll have everything ready for tonight."
"The infiltration starts tomorrow after school, understood?"
-"Roger!"-Ryuji replied.
*"Understood. Where shall we meet?"-Yusuke asked.
x"We have our hideout in the walkway of Shibuya Station."-Ann said.
x"We'll meet there and head to Madarame's house in order to enter in his Palace."
"Don't be late!"
-"Say that to yourself, cutie."
*"...Cutie?"-Yusuke suddenly dropped the conversation to face Ryuji.
-"I thought you said you two were not a couple."-Yusuke said with a serious face.
-"Oh, crap."-Ryuji cursed his own loudmouth for this.-"We aren't. I just like to joke around with her like that…"
-"Is Asaka-san the type of person who will joke with such words?"-Yusuke asked.
-"Come on, man. Don't take it too serious."-Ryuji sighed.
-"No, this is interesting indeed."-Yusuke went back to the chat.
"Ignore him! He's just trying to get me angry."-Kazumi replied to the previous message.
*"I understand."
×"Ryuji, you idiot."
"You and Morgana are equally mean with me. -3-"
-"Ok. Ok. Sorry!"
-"I am so excited to take another treasure!"-he tried to change the theme.
*"Indeed."
*"I hope we have the chance to make him reconsider more than anything…"
"We could try."-Kazumi replied and left the chat. She was already at home and ready to build infiltration tools.
Morgana climbed up on her desk, oblivious to the chat:
-"What did they answer?"-the cat asked.-"Hey, hey, I'm a member of the group too. Let me see the chats as well!"
-"You can check them while I am doing lockpits."-she replied as she sat down in her desk chair.
-"Start, meow!"-Morgana cheered her to begin while he was checking her phone with his cat paws.
Hours later...
-"It looks like Yusuke had the same idea you had back with Kamoshida…"-Morgana mentioned while Kazumi was concentrated on her task.-"I told you guys that if a person has a Palace, there's no turn back unless their treasure is stolen."
-"That's something Kitagawa-kun will have to discover by himself."-Kazumi said.-"We can't turn back either."
-"That's some serious determination you have there…"-Morgana meowed nervous.
-"It's all done."-Kazumi said as she showed her progress to the cat.
-"Nice! You really got the hang of it!"-Morgana cheered her.-"Well, it's time to go to sleep."
-"Right?"-Kazumi agreed and she went to bed. Tomorrow, they were going to start the infiltration.
May 23rd
After school, the rebels gathered in their hideout:
-"Asaka-san."-Yusuke saw Kazumi coming, along with Ann and Ryuji. She said she could be the last one to arrive because of other things she had to do.
-"We are all here. Let's head to Madarame's house."- Kazumi said after greeting him.
They walked until the corner of the street where they saw the museum for the first time. Then, as soon as they checked nobody was around, they activated the Nav app.
The Museum entrance remained unchanged which was a sign that Shadow Madarame wasn't highly concerned about their presence. They resumed their operation from the same point the peacock door was and ambushed the guards passing this room.
At the middle of the hall, they found a second piece for the map and pinpointed a location that Morgana thought it was were the treasure was hidden. It was all going smoothly until their paths were blocked by infrareds:
-"More of these fancy lights, huh?"-Skull commented unimpressed
-"So this is why there are no many guards. Madarame must think that he doesn't need to trust anything but a security system like this."-Fox said.
-"I guess we will have to find a way to turn them off…"-Ace said as she checked the map-"We will have to find a way from that labyrinth of lasers we saw before."
-"There are too many guards on that…"-Panther complained-"But, I guess we should start moving or we will never get to Madarame!"
After they beat up all the Shadows on that room, they realized that there was no exit. Everything was locked:
-"This is gotta be a joke…"-Skull said-"There's no way to round this room!"
-"Quiet! We don't want the Shadows of other rooms to come to us!"-Morgana said. Ace was looking at the map with disappointment and then, she noticed Ann looking at a painting on the wall.
-"Is there something wrong, Ann?"-she asked her
-"This picture...It looks weirdly big…"-Ann said and Yusuke look at it.
-"You are right. Not to mention, there's something bizzard about it…"-as he observed it better, he saw the picture getting blurry as if it was made of water.
-"Huh?"-Fox expressed confused.
-"Did you see that?"-Panther asked him as she thought it wasn't possible and Fox nodded.
-"What is it?"-Ace asked and saw the blurry effect of the picture as well.-"It...moved?"
-"I see, maybe these pictures can be a puzzle to move forward."-Morgana concluded.
-"Could it be that…?"-Ace said excited as she ran towards the picture
-"Ace! What are you-"-before Fox could say anything else, he saw surprised that their leader trespassed the picture.
-"I knew it! It's like a portal!"-Ace said as she saw her friends on the other side.-"What are you staring at? Let's go!"
-"You heard the girl…"-Skull said as him and Morgana went on and then, Panther and Fox.
They crossed another picture and jumped out of it, then they got inside of the locked room where a strong-looking guard was standing:
-"We will need to disarm that security guard if we want to make it to the control room."-Morgana said-"Ready to fight everyone?"
-"We are good to go."-Ace said and they entered in visual contact with the guard.
-"Who are you!? This is restringed area!"-the guard said.
-"Move aside!"-Ace asked him while preparing her dagger.
-"Do you really think you can put me apart with just asking? You're sorely mistaken if you think that it's going to be like that."-the guard said as he was transforming into his shadow form.
-"Panther, Morgana, Fox, let's do this!"-Ace said and they stood in front while Skull stayed behind-"Skull, I leave to you the support.
-"Of course!"-Skull hid himself behind one of the sofas.
-"Let's see if you will keep smiling, buddy."-the Shadow with the shape of an origami-made warrior said.
Morgana ordered Zorro to use Garu and it hit him, however, the shadow was able to hit him back with a snap attack. Morgana recovered himself and Ace used Tarukaja to power up Fox who tried to use Goemon's Gigant Slice but was blocked by a mysterious force.
-"What in the-"-Fox was confused by this
-"Don't lose focus! He blocks physical attacks!"-Morgana exclaimed
-"Here I go!"-Panther made Carmen throw agi at him inflicting a burn on his body
-"Excellent!"-Ace praised while the demon directed a spell to infuriate her-"Who do you think you are!? Gonna erase that smile from your face!"
-"Oh no, Ace was hit by a rage-inducing attack!"-Morgana said nervous-"We can't let her attack like that!"
-"Persona!"-Morgana summoned Zorro to use Patra and release the induced rage
-"Huh?"-Ace was oblivious to what happened-"Was I hit by something…?"
-"Here comes the seconds!"-Shiki-ouji tried to use the snap attack again on Ace but she avoided by rolling to a side, then, Yusuke used Bufu on the target.
-"The enemy is still burned! Ace use wind to boost the damage!"-Morgana said to her and she nodded as she changed her mask.
-"Leave it to me!"-Kazumi said as she summoned a new Persona, a creature that looked like a papyrus child-"Kodama!"
The Persona used a wind attack that left the bringer of misfortune on his last moments:
-"He's still holding back…"-Ace said a bit angry
-"Let me handle this."-Panther said as she tensed her whip and Ace gave her strength by doing a high five with her.
-"Go, go, Panther!"-Ace cheered her on as Panther hit the floor hard with her whip
-"Scream like a pig for me, will you?"-Panther said to the enemy and proceeded to whip him up with an impressive force and a sadistic smile until the shadow disappeared defeated.
-"Impressive!"-Ace was clapping hands to appraise Panther
-"That was crazy…"-Panther said with a smile as she didn't know she hit that hard.
-"..."-Skull, Mona and Fox were speechless to the whole thing.
-"What's wrong? Did the cat bite your tongues, guys?"-Panther asked with a playful tone
-"I didn't bite anyone's tongue…"-Mona said nervous and Ace started to laugh.
-"I think they are just impressed that we are stronger now."-Ace replied
-"I will say I'm rather scared…"-Skull murmured.
-"Look at this…"-Fox was looking at the floor next to where Panther was and found a purple card with the symbol of a first-aid kit on it.-"He dropped some sort of card."
-"I wonder what is that for? I have never seen something like it."-Mona said.
-"Can I take it, Fox?"-Ace asked to him while offering her hand and he give it to her-"Thanks. I think I can find a purpose for it."
-"Anyways, we're already on the control room so let's turn all this annoying lasers off."-Skull said as he hurried to it and everyone followed close.
However, when they reached the computer inside the control room, they found out that they can't deactivate it without a password. Mona suggested to go back on their tracks to find a shadow that knows about the password and found two guards talking about it. It seems like the password was on Madarame's feet:
-"The password is Madarame's feet, like a shoe size perhaps?"-Panther suggested.
-"Do you his shoe size?"-Ryuji asked to Fox.
-"No. I have never heard it from him."-Fox replied.-"Are you sure that is the password?"
-"Any ideas, leader?"-Mona asked to Ace who was trying to think
-"Maybe if there was a poster or a replica of him somewhere, we could size his feet…"-Ace said.
-"Wait. Wasn't there a statue of Madarame near the other control room?"-Panther said.
-"You're right. Let's check that one out!"-Skull said and they made their way back to that statue.
As soon as the shadow next to it was defeated, Ace went to the front of the statue and kneeled to size its foot but she suddenly saw an script under them:
-"There's something written here."-Ace said to the others to drag their attention and then, proceeded to read:
-"Here we praise our most holy lord Ichiryusai Madarame, the one ray of hope in this depraved world.
He stands alone as his two adept hands paint into the future. None shall ever match his excellence."
-"Puff...He is puffin' his chest out, huh?"-Skull said with disgust.
-"Hold on a moment. Could this be what the guard mentioned?"-Yusuke said.
-"If that's what it is, I don't see any numbers"-Panther said.
-"There are actually."-Fox said as he read the script again-"The 'one' ray of hope...He stands 'alone' as his 'two' adept hands paint into the future. 'None' shall ever match his excellence."
-"I see!"-Ace said as she figured out what Yusuke was trying to point out.-"The password will be 1120 then."
-"Nice! Let's try that one then!"-Mona said and they went back to the control room. The password was right and the system of infrareds was deactivated.
After that, they ran towards the path that was blocked before and solved a puzzle involving more of the portal paintings. In these pictures, the inner thoughts of Madarame about art and youth made echo through the thieves which made them feel more determined to steal his heart and to Yusuke; it was a grim reminder that he was never as he pictured him to be. Then, the next puzzle they crossed paths with was a labyrinth of gold where the path was bifurcated with only paintings of 'Sayuri' as clue.
Fox was the one who figure out which path to take as he was the one who could recognize Sayuri the most. Finally, at the end of the labyrinth, it was the door to the treasure room. At soon as they entered, they saw Madarame on the distance while there was something behind him held back by infrareds:
-"There is Madarame's Shadow."-Ace said with a frown on her face.
-"Is the treasure behind him?"-Mona asked.
-"I can't see anything. We will do best if we get closer."-Fox said and they sneak out to a wall near to the room where Madarame was.
-"There it is!"-Mona murmured.
-"It looks very hazy too…"-Panther said.
-"For the time being…"-Mona replied.-"Once we send out the calling card, it will materialize like 'Yoohoo'!"
-"I wonder what form it will take…"-Fox asked.
-"I don't know, maybe it's a self-portrait…"-Skull said.
-"The source of what made Madarame's mentality distort so much…"-Fox thought.
-"We got our infiltration route cleared."-Ace said as she looked at the map.-"However, I wonder how we can get the treasure through all that security…"
-"There are still rooms we haven't visited."-Mona said as he checked the map over her shoulder-"There might be something we can do to work it out."
As the cat advised, they checked out the rooms and found a second control room where they can turn off the shutter doors and the lights. However, the infrareds around the treasure were still there and the computer only allowed Madarame to shut them down. The rebels checked the other room and found a lever that worked for a grappling hook right above the treasure:
-"That's it! If we can put down the hook while nobody's watching, we can get the treasure!"-Mona said full of confidence.
-"While nobody is watching…? There's a lot of guards down there!"-Panther said.
-"Maybe if we turn off the lights…"-Ace suggested.
-"That's our Ace! It is exactly what we are going to do."-Mona said.-"We will split up in groups: one of us will shut down the lights, the other two will control the lever and the other two will take care of the grappling hook."
-"Another classic movie plan...Count me in!"-Ace said excited for putting that plan up.
-"You gotta be kiddin' me…"-Skull murmured-"Is this really going to work?"
-"It will!"-Ace assured to him.
-"Let's trust in our leader and Mona."-Panther said.
-"Well, it's time to go back and write the calling card."-Mona said.
-"Alright...but this plan makes me worry…"-Skull said.
-"I can't figure what it will be Madarame's treasure…"-Fox said.
-"We can worry about that later. Let's go back!"-Panther said as they all returned to the entrance with the Nav.
With the infiltration route cleared, the only thing remaining now was to steal Madarame's treasure. Kazumi was confident that they will get it and Yusuke will finally be free of his grasp.
Take your time...