Chapter 26: The Execution Grounds of Envy.
October 30th, 2016
Sae never realised how liberating it was to be in complete control of her heart. Since awakening to Justitia, the turmoil that once raged inside had settled. Something she was more than happy with now that she knew just how corrupt the system she was working for. Seeing the Director's Palace first hand was proof of that.
So it was with great reluctance that she even entered his office, seeing him sitting at his desk impassively. She knew what type of monster he was no. And that he was the reason for her father's death, yet she could not say any of that here.
Least she gives herself away.
"Nijima, I'm glad you're here." The Director speaks, watching her. "I have some news that I need to share with you regarding the Phantom Thieves." Sae's shoulders tense up, her thoughts going to Makoto and the others.
"What do you need to tell me?" Sae asks neutrally. The Director sighs as he stands up, walking over to the window.
"As you know, public support behind them has continued to grow. To the point that people have begun to question us and out inaction against the Thieves' targets. This is why, after careful consideration, I will authorise the SIU bring in any suspects who are most likely connected to the Thieves." Sae's eyebrows shoot up. What he was suggesting was tyrannical!
"Do we even have any evidence that connects them, sir?" Sae asks, although she already knew the answer.
"We won't need too. Their own admission of guilt will be enough." The Director points to a file on his desk. "Inside are our list of suspects, who we will bring in on the 20th of November. Of course, we cannot bring them all in, so I am counting on you to narrow down our choices." The Director looks at Sae with narrow eyes. "This is your chance at a promotion, Nijima. I expect you to do your duty as a prosecutor."
"Yes, sir." Sae replies, picking up the folder. "If you will excuse me." Turning on her heels, she leaves the room while the Director continues to look out the window. While Sae disappeared into a nearby woman's bathroom to look over the files in privet. Opening it up, she was met by a list of names that were in the book as she scanned each one. Some of them from large companies, others in the police force. There were even some gangs that were listed as well.
But her heart sank when she found all of the students from Shujin on the list, alongside a few from Kosei including Yusuke and Hifumi.
They plan to drag all of them in and try to force them to confess? They only care about winning, even if it means destroying the lives of innocent people. She closes the book, placing it into her bag as she leaves the restroom. And we have until the 20th before they do this. I suppose it's a good thing we are infiltrating the Palace today.
Leaving the Prosecutors office, Sae walks over to a nearby alley, hidden from sight. And waiting there for her were Ren and the others. "I'm sorry I am late, the Director wanted me in his office."
"What did he want?" Makoto asks. Sae heaves a sigh, glancing around before taking the folder out and passing it to Futaba.
"This is a list of people they plan to arrest on the 20th on trumped up charges of being Phantom Thieves." Sae says as Futaba opens it. "And I do mean all of them. Even if they asked me to 'slim it down', I would bet my badge they would still arrest them all."
"Jeez, they certainly don't mess around." Futaba shakes her head. "I mean, arresting the entirety of Shujin? There's no way people will accept that. At least, if they weren't being manipulated by a false god that is."
"This is bullshit. Ain't no way it would fly." Ryuji comments, folding his arms.
"It just shows how desperate Shido is in capturing us." Morgana comments from Ren's bag. "Since he can't blame us, he's trying to capture us."
"Which means that we should expect police and SWAT when we send the calling card. Like last time." Makoto says, before looking at Ren who was tightly gripping the side of his bag.
"We won't let that happen." Ren says, taking his phone out. "Let's bring down Shido's puppet." With a press on his phone, the team are transported to the Metaverse, their Thief attire materialising in flashes of blue fire.
"I know I didn't have a chance to say it last time, Sis, but I really like your outfit." Queen comments. Athena smiles as she looks over herself, feeling the tonfas in her hands while glancing at the twin pistols in their holders.
"Seriously. It's way better than mine." Panther replies, folding her arms. "And why am I the only one who has exposed skin?"
"Nothing can be done about that." Mona comments, leaping onto Joker's shoulders. "For now, lets head back to the Palace." The team nod, turning to the exit with the rumbling of thunder heralding their arrival as they step out from the alleyway, gazing upon the Directors Palace.
"Well, how do we enter. For I think I speak for us all when I say I DON'T want to go through the front door again." Panther remarks, looking at the lowered drawbridge.
"Well, climbing the walls it out." Oracle points out. "And there's no moat leading to a sewer system either."
"What about the building attacked to the wall?" Spring points to. "It looks like its part of the Palace."
"Most likely a prison complex were they hold prisoners." Athena surmises. "It may also be our only way of entering without rising suspicion."
"Hopefully we can find a map of this place." Fox intones as the team move to the Prison Complex. "This place is new territory for all of us."
"At least we know what foes we will find here." Joker comments as the team look at him. "The same ones that would have been in Athena's palace, just without the gambling." Ignoring the look Athena gave him, Joker led the team towards the prison complex, keeping as far from the walls as possible. The last thing they wanted was to be ambushed again.
The prison complex itself looked almost like a giant block of blue stone, broken up by small barred windows. While a door leading inside was blocked by a steel gate. Fortunately, there was a vent located nearby the door, allowing the Thieves to enter.
Finding the interior to be just as oppressive on the inside as it was on the outside. Black chains line the floor, while some hung from the ceiling. Torches lined the walls and support pillars, sending shadows flying in all directions. The faint sound of wind echoed through the halls, while the roar of thunder outside and flash of lightning seeped through cracks in the wall.
But it was the rows of cells that had their attention. Rows upon rows, stacked liked boxes lined the walls. Each one connected by a metallic walkway. And each cell holding a humanoid insect.
"This is how he sees the people we arrest?" Athena asks in disgust, walking past one of the cells. "As insects?"
"At least you still saw them as people in yours sis." Queen says with a shake of her head. "But honestly, this is not the worst we have seen." Athena turns to look at her, with a questioning look.
"Dare I ask what?"
"It's best that you don't." Joker says, before holding a hand up. A Shadow Guard marches down the hall, a lantern held in it's hand as it did it's patrol. Waiting for it to approach, Joker leaps onto its shoulders before ripping its mask off. Flipping backwards, the guard falls apart, transforming itself into a Kikuri-Hime. Which was quickly absorbed into his mask after knocking it to the ground.
Moving past the distraction, the team carefully move through the halls hiding behind boxes and pillars. Seeing more cells filled with inmates, some holding more than they can hold. Before eventually reaching a large circular hall with three levels above them. While a path split off to the right.
"Alright. Which way do we go now?" Outlaw asks, glancing at the higher levels. Oracle, with her screens up, looks at the local area as she taps a finger on her chin.
"I wish I knew. It would be so easy if we had a map…" She comments before the sound of marching feet echoes down the right corridor. The Thieves melt into the shadows, watching as two Shadow Guards enter the main hall along with a cognition of Sae. As Queen silently gasps as Athena narrows her eyes, C-Sae walks to the centre of the room before turning to the guards.
"And you are sure they have been sent to the tower?" C-Sae asks with an uncaring voice, one that made Athena's skin crawl.
"Yes, under the Director's orders." One of the guards replies. C-Sae huffs, flicking some hair out of her eyes, glancing around the cells.
"Good. They have been nothing but eye-sores. I was beginning to think he was holding them here as trophies." C-Sae replies before smiling darkly. "And with this, my promotion will all be assured. After all, the ends justifies the means."
"How absurd." Athena comments, walking out from the shadows as the Thieves follow after her as C-Sae and the two guards turn to them in surprise. "The ends will never justify the means."
"Phantom Thieves… So, you escaped the tower." C-Sae comments, causing the team to tilt their heads in confusion. "Well, no matter. I will drag you back there myself!" She shouts, as the black mist forms around her before pealing away to reveal her monstrous form.
A long black gown reaching to her feet, with a pitch black shawl resting on her shoulders. Long red gloves race up her arms to her shoulders, while her head was encased in a helm that was vail like in appearance, with the sides covered in black fabric. As for her face, just hidden by the helm, it was as black as a corpse with no hint of light in her eyes.
"You cannot escape your judgment!" C-Sae shouts as her two guards dissolve into an Ose and a Queen Mab, as a black scythe caked in blood forms in her hands. "Now, submit to your execution!"
"Heads up guys! C-Sae has no weaknesses and is immune to bless and curse!" Oracle shouts as C-Sae leaps towards them, scythe spinning in her hand as the Ose and Queen Mab charge forward. The Thieves scatter, avoiding the scythe as they split up to deal with the three threats. Athena, Joker, Queen and Mona focusing on C-Sae.
"Artemis! Masukukaja!" Joker shouts, buffing the fours agility as they duck under another scythe swing.
"Anat! Marakukaja!" Queen shouts, buffing their defence.
"Miracle Punch!" Mona shouts, sending a giant boxing glove at C-Sae. While it hit, Mona failed to land a critical as C-Sae swiped at the four with Myriad Slashes. The four dodged the best they could, but some strikes found their marks As C-Sae unless a Maeiga on them.
"Athena!" Joker shouts, jumping in her way to tank the hit along side Mona and Queen. As the curse washed over them, Athena dashes around the side, storing away her tonfas and pulling out her twin pistols and unloading bullets into C-Sae's side.
The cognition roars in pain as it glares at Athena, swinging her scythe at her neck only for Athena to slide to her knees, avoiding the blade. Putting her now empty guns away, she brings her tonfas back out as she summons Justitia to her side.
"Megaton Raid!" She shouts, sending the heavy strike right at the cognition, sending it to their knees. Letting the four unleash and all-out attack on the cognition. Surprisingly, it doesn't kill it, but it is gravely wounded as it struggles to stand once more.
"No… my promotion… I won't let you get in the way!" C-Sae shouts, igniting her scythe in fire as she leaps forward once more.
"Debilitate!" Joker shouts, de-buffing C-Sae before flipping backwards as he switches to Arsène. "Heat Riser!" He shouts, casting the spell on Athena. With a nod of appreciation, Athena calls Justitia to her side once again. Her eyes glaring at the cognition in disgust.
"I may have been like that before, but I am that woman no longer! Megidola!" With a thrust of her hand, Athena sends the blast of Almighty magic right into C-Sae's chest, enveloping it in an explosion of light. The distorted cries of the cognition rang out before they were cut off in a sudden silence. As the light fades away, only a scorched mark on the floor and a damaged bag was all that remained of C-Sae. While the Ose and Queen Mab had been easily dealt with by the others.
"Well, that was certainly an interesting fight." Fox comments as the team regroup, while Violet walks to the discarded bag.
"I'm more interested at what C-Sae said before the fight." Shadow comments, looking around them. "How we should be in the tower." Oracle shrugs her shoulders as she brings up her screens, trying to find which route to take.
"Hey guys! This bag has a map in it!" Violet calls out, running up to them with a piece of parchment. Like the little gremlin she is, Oracle snatches the map from Violet and uploads her systems. Only to groan in disappointment.
"Correction, only half a map. It shows what's here in the Prison complex and the lower half of the tower but that's it. No location of the Treasure at all." Oracle reveals, displaying the layout of the complex. Apart from the floor they were currently on, there were two more levels above them with the seconds floor leading into the tower. While the right passageway C-Sae appeared from led to a guard tower.
"When's the last time we found a map that was split in two?" Outlaw asks Spring.
"I think it was Kaneshiro's Palace that had it split in two." Spring replies, tilting her head.
"Why can't they just make it easy and keep I as a single map?" Skull groans, kicking the floor. "Anyway, we can get into the tower from the second floor right? Let's head up there and get goin' already." Before anyone could argue, Skull was already bounding up the stares to the second floor, with the team following after him.
It didn't take them long to find the entrance, but it had a little problem that they should have seen coming.
"It's locked." Panther says bluntly, looking at the closed door. Not helped by the cell gate blocking access to the door as well.
"If we want to continue on, we'll need the keys. And I think we all know where they would be kept." Queen surmises as she looks to the floor below. "In the guard tower."
"But before we head off, we should check out the floor above us." Mona suddenly points out from Joker's shoulder. "I can sense a Will Seed above!"
"A Will Seed?" Athena asks, with a confused look. Joker had never said anything about Will Seeds when she 'talked' to him in the original timeline. And judging by Violet's confused look, she had no idea either.
"Ah, right. It's something we only found out when we came back in time." Joker replies, seeing the looks on both of their faces. "It's easier to show you than explain it." Accepting that response for now, Athena and Violet followed the rest of the Thieves up the stairs to the third level. While they didn't see the Will Seed door, they did find a Safe Room to rest in. It was when they left the safe room did Noir notice a small outcrop near the stairs.
Pointing it out, the team use their grapple hooks to leap up to the hidden area, finding the door covered in vines. And inside was the first Will Seed of the Palace.
"When I heard it being called a 'Will Seed', I was expecting more of a smaller seed like object. And not a skull-shaped potato the size of a hand." Violet comments as Joker nabs the Seed.
Without success, there is no point to anything.
You only get one shot. Once you lose, it's all over.
The victor gets the final word. The only thing the loser contributes is pathetic excuses.
Those damn Nijima. Tripping over success while I have to work for it!
"What was that!?" Violet shouts, hand going for her rapier as the Directors voice echoes around them.
"The Palace rulers thoughts. Will Seeds are born from their twisted desires." Mona reveals as the team leaves the room. "And there are two more for us to find." Violet nods in understanding while Athena stands in silence. Queen spots this and places a hand on her arm in worry, only for Athena to shake her head. This was something she had to deal with.
Quickly retracing their steps back to the first floor, the team head down the right path leading towards the guard tower. Along the way, the ambush several guards patrolling the halls with Joker managing to obtain a Orlov Treasure Demon and a Unicorn. The last one was one that none of them expected to see in a Palace like this.
Thankfully, it wasn't long before they arrived in the guard tower. Although, to call it a guard tower would be a complement. It was more of a room the size of three Shujin classrooms, with beds chained to the wall and a rack of weapons lining the centre of the room.
Two guard shadows patrol the room, neither aware that the Thieves had managed to sneak in before they were ambushed by them. Leaving the Thieves free to examine the room to their hearts content.
"Here! I found a set!" Noir calls out, holding a metal ring holding three keys.
"Nice work Noir." Joker complements, taking the keys. "Now, lets head to the next area." With keys in hand, the team return to the locked door, opening both the gate and door and entering into a dark tunnel. Where they could hear a gathering of guards cheering on something happening outside.
"I have a bad feeling about this." Oracle comments as the team near the exit, the cheering getting louder. Joker and Queen poke their heads out, glancing to the sides to find the area around the exit was clear of guards. There was even a safe room nearby as well. Stepping out of the tunnel, they could hear the cheering was in fact coming from below so, with curiosity over taking them, they peak out over the edge of the wall.
Only to find a site that made their skins pale.
"Joker? Queen? What's wrong?" Athena asks, noting the paling on their faces as the others join them. Only to glance down to the ground below to find an execution taking place.
"What in the?"
"The 'eff!?"
"How terrible…
"That's sick!"
The Thieves reactions were understandable. For down on the grounds, where they had been when they first scouted the palace out, was now a gallows with two hanging nooses waiting for their victims, who were currently kneeling on the wooden boards with cloaks covering them up. All around, guards cheered and jeered at the impending execution while the Director's Shadow walked calmly on the gallows.
Taking it all in with a sick smile.
"Today, we end the crimes to the leaders of the most wanted fugitives alive! The Phantom Thieves of Heart!" He shouts to the sky as lightning rips above him. The guards around him cheer ever louder as the two guards next to the prisoners remove the cloaks on them.
Revealing them to be cognitions of Joker and Queen. With the only difference being that their heads where wrapped in darkness, and their eyes glowed a ruby red. Without prompt, the guards force the two cognitions to their feet before dragging them over to the nooses, and placing their heads within them despite their struggles.
"Have you any final words?" The Director asks the two cognitions, only to be met by silence. "So be it." With a disgruntled look, he grabs a lever next to him and pulls. Trap doors underneath the two cognitions open up, dropping the both of them and snapping their necks as the guards roar in excitement. Yet the look on the Director's face was anything but.
"Hmpf…there is only so much joy one can get from executing fakes." He remarks as he turns to leave with the two guards. Leaving the bodies of the cognitions hanging from the ropes. All the while, the real Thieves watched on with horror and disgust.
"This is what he plans to do to us in real life." Skull bitterly remarks, his hand shaking in rage. "As if I couldn't hate the guy any more than I already do." Before glancing over to Joker and Queen. "Hey, are you guys okay?"
Everyone turn to look at the two leaders, their eyes not leaving the bodies of their fakes. Before they slowly turn around and sink to the ground. "I…think that will be enough for today…" Queen says, a little shaken up. "Seeing yourself get killed like that…even if you know it's fake…"
"Completely understandable. Especially for you, Joker." Athena says, putting a hand on Queen's shoulder while looking at him. "There's no doubt that brough some unneeded memories."
"Yeah…" Joker replies, glancing around. "Let's take a day of rest so we can mentally prepare ourselves. If what we saw was what he wants to do to me and Queen, I shudder to know what he plans to do for the rest of us."
"Somehow…I think we'll find out regardless." Shadow quietly remarks as the team retreat into the Safe Room. While the gallows were flocked with ravens and crows.
November 1st, 2016
Taking a day of rest after seeing the 'execution', the Thieves soon find themselves back overlooking the courtyard. With the gallows still there alongside the bodies of the cognitions.
"Okay, so where do we go now?" Outlaw asks, glancing at the walls. Now that they had a chance to look at it proper, the courtyard only had two buildings inside it alongside the gallows. While the looming central tower castle loomed over them all.
"Well, judging by what we saw the first time we came here, the Treasure has to be in the area beyond the central tower." Oracle points out, bringing up the incomplete map. "Unless that open gate we saw was a ready herring the first time. If not, then the controls to opening it have to be inside the central tower."
"What about those building over there?" Spring asks, pointing to the right. "Anything useful in there?"
"Hard to say. There could be more holding cells or guard rooms. But it doesn't hurt to check." Oracle admits.
"Well, we won't find out hanging around here. Let's go." With a flourish, Joker leaps from the balcony and lands onto the courtyard. No guards were present, which was concerning even as the rest of the team joined him. But before they moved to inspect the two buildings, Joker and Queen paused to look at their cognitions. Only to go slightly pale at the sight.
The cognitions had been picked clean by the birds, leaving behind skeletons handing by ropes. Even their outfits had been torn apart, leaving behind rags. It made them think what the other cognitions of the Thieves were being put through.
Shaking their heads, Joker and Queen quickly catch up to the others as they reach the first building. Opening it up, they find the building's interior to be completely ransacked. Tables and chairs flipped over, bookcases torn apart. Not even the hanging chandeliers had been spared the devastation.
"What happened here?" Skull asks, pushing a table over. "It's like someone had a bar brawl and forgot to tidy up."
"I think the question is, why is the building like this to begin with?" Shadow asks back. "If this place is a reference in his cognition, then what is it referencing?" Skull shrugs his shoulders at the question while the others continue to search the room. Before a soft gasp from Queen drew everyone's attention to her.
As she stood, holding onto a police badge in her hands. One that Athena recognised.
"That badge…" She says softly, gently taking it out of Queens hands. "It's the same one that our dad wore…"
"Wait…then this whole room…" Mona begins, looking around with wide eyes. "Was his representation of your dad?"
"But why? Did he not say that he hated him?" Noir asks gently. Before a hum from Fox drew everyone's attention.
"I believe, that while he does have a strong sense of jealousy towards your father, he also respected him a lot. Enough so that he had his own 'home', as it were, inside this Palace." He glances around, taking in the ruined building. "Even now, he cannot let go that sense of envy. Evident by how this building still stands."
"A envy that led the Director to killing him out of spite." Athena ends with a frown. I swear, he will pay for this."
"We will make him pay sis. For everything that he has done." Queen agrees with a death glare. Seeing nothing else of note in the ruined building, the team leave and enter the next. Finding to their shock a guillotine that had taken its latest victim, with a flash of lightning illuminating the room.
A cognition body of Shadow strewn on top of the guillotine, with two guards passing her head between them like a softball. Before she knew what she was doing, Shadow was already running towards the guards, spinning her kunai around before throwing it forward and wrapping both it and the chain around the head and pulling it towards her.
"Hey! That's ours!" The two shadows yell before dissolving into a Power and Valkyrie.
"And I'm supposed to care? Boudica! Mind Slice!" With Boudica thrusting her spear forward, she strikes both of the guards with a powerful strike and manages to confuse the Power. While the Valkyrie tries to counter-attack, it is sent into a deep sleep by Panther as Noir strikes them both with a Psionic attack, sending them to their knees, with the Thieves ending the fight with a single All-out attack.
As Shadow watches the guards vanish, she looks at the head in her hands. Like with C-Joker and C-Queen the day before, her cognition's face was also covered in darkness. But she could swear she could see a look of fear beneath that cover.
"Are you okay, Shadow?" Spring asks, watching as Shadow places the severed head next to the body.
"No…not really." She replies, turning back to Joker and Queen. "Now I understand how you felt when we saw that." The couple silently nods at her as the team steps away from the guillotine and makes to leave the building. Only for Mona to pause as he gives the air a sniff.
"What's up, Mona?" Outlaw asks, noticing the non-cat's pause.
"I smell a Will Seed nearby." Mona replies, grabbing the team's attention before looking up to the ceiling above them. Despite the low levels of light, they could see a small hole in the ceiling leading to the next floor. Using their grappling hooks, they head up through the hole to find themselves on an abandoned floor, with the second Will Seed door hidden away on the far side.
I won't let you steal all the work that is mine.
I am the ultimate champion; I am success incarnate.
The only thing that matters in the end is securing my victory.
The SIU only got to where they are because of me, and me alone!
"Such vulgness." Noir comments as Joker grabs the Seed. "He's disregarding the work of everyone in the SIU. Even if some of them are no different than he is."
"I wonder what will happen to the SIU when he confesses to his crimes, rather than him dying as a martyr." Fox adds with folded arms. "It would certainly draw the attention of the government."
"Mostly likely PubSec would come down on them. Maybe on the Phantom Thieves as well." Athena adds. "Of course, it wouldn't surprise me if they were also corrupted by Shido."
"All the more reason we bring him down." Joker comments as the team returns outside. Some guards had appeared to do patrols around the courtyard, forcing the Thieves into the shadows as they approached the central tower.
While they could avoid fights, the team took the chance to fight each shadow guard in their path. Anything to get stronger to stand against Black Mask. During this, Joker managed to acquire a Queen Mab and Valkyrie for himself.
Soon, the team entered the lowest floor of the central tower, finding more holding cells backed into the tight corridors of the hall. Chains hung from the ceiling while more lay stroon about on the floor. The Thieves spent more time making sure they didn't trip over a length of chain and bash into a roaming guard.
Turning a corner, they soon find themselves in a long room with a wooden table with another map lying on top.
"Well, well. This is the second part of the map of this place." Oracle says, uploading the map into her system. "And like we guessed, the Treasure is just beyond that gate we saw the first time. As for the controls to unlock it, I'm seeing two rooms which could hold the controls."
"Then let's head up there and unlock it!" Spring shouts, but before anyone can agree with her, a scream echoes from behind, startling the Thieves as Skull jumps onto Panther in fright.
"Skull, get off me!" Panther groans, dropping Skull to the ground. Skull, for his part, looked up with some bashfulness before the same screen echoed through the halls.
"What is causing that anyway?" Mona asks as he rushes over to a nearby door and opens it. Rushing into the corridor, Mona chases after the source of the screams as the Thieves chase after him before they find where the source is coming from.
A locked room, with a cognition of Panther being tortured on an Electric Chair, surrounded by Guards.
"Dear Kami…" Noir says quietly as C-Panther screams in pain as electricity is pumped through her again.
"This is messed up…" Oracle whispers.
"Joker, I think it's best if we call it for today." Athena says, glancing at the room before them. "Something tells me only more pain awaits us as we climb."
"Yeah. I agree." Joker replies as calmly as he can. Thankfully or not, a Safe Room was located nearby, allowing the Thieves to leave the Palace with ease.
All the while, C-Panther's screams continued to echo from the tower.
Chatroom: Return of the Phantoms!
Athena: How is everyone holding up? I understand that what we're seeing so far is bringing up bad memories for you.
Panther: I would be lying if I said I was fine. I can't get that out of my head…
Shadow: The same with seeing my decapitated body. Even if our faces are hidden, it still manages to feel real.
Outlaw: For real! I mean, Oracle already said it, but it feels like we've walked right into a Dark Souls game!
Spring: What makes me feel worse is that, if not for modern laws, he would totally do that to anyone arrested. Does he not even care if people are innocent or not?
Athena: Guilty until proven innocent. That is how our courts work, unfortunately.
Fox: While seeing these fates affecting our cognitions is terrible, I worry more about our leader's mental health.
Skull: Joker? You doing okay, bro?
Joker: Could be worse… I should be better once we get this Palace over and done with. I've had enough flashbacks to that incident as is.
Noir: I admit, even I am starting to feel put off by what we are seeing.
Oracle: Something is actually making Noir feel uncomfortable?! We're doomed.
Queen: Having said that, are we ready to head back in for today?
Joker: Not today. Akechi actually texted me earlier for a game of pool. Think I'll join him for a game and take my mind off things for a bit.
Violet: Mental health is always important, senpai, especially for you.
Athena: I agree. We can finish tomorrow. We still have time. For the rest of you, take the opportunity to steal your minds. No doubt we will see what else the 'Director' has in mind for the rest of you.
Fox: I feel sick already…
Skull: Same dude…
November 2nd, 2016
Ren didn't expect Akechi to call him suddenly today, forcing them to skip heading back into the Director's Palace for now. But on the other hand, he was more than welcoming the distraction. Especially after seeing the cognition of himself and Makoto get hanged and left for the ravens like that. And Hifumi's decapitated body. And Ann being electrocuted to death. He should stop thinking about this now.
At least it was for another game of billiards. One that Ren was winning against Akechi's non-dominant hand.
"I must admit, I am impressed at how well you've gotten." Akechi says, watching as Ren pockets another ball. "You have certainly been practising haven't you?"
"Well, I do come here with the others every now and then." Ren admits with a smirk, hitting the ball but not pocketing anything. "Time's like this makes me realise how fun billiards is."
"Oh I agree." Akechi says with a smile. "A truly fascinating game. You can't simply strike the ball you're aiming for. You have to be indirect, but precise, to land a pocket…" He hits a ball, sending it into a pocket before moving around the table. "Sometimes, it feels like it shares many similarities with the 'perfect crime'."
"The 'prefect crime'? How so?" Ren asks, a bit taken aback by Akechi's words as the Detective fails to pocket a ball.
"Simple. You eliminate your target without ever directly connecting yourself to it. Ring any bells?" Akechi replies with a smile. Ren silently nods, already knowing the answer since, well, he technically WAS the answer.
"You mean like the Phantom Thieves and their change of heart? Or the Mental Shutdowns?" He replies, noting the grim look on his face.
"Yes. To both of them." He places his stick down, realising that he had lost the match. "Everything happening around us, every little inconsequential event, may simply be one ball striking another. But there's no guarantee that the ball can be precisely controlled. And despite the best player's best intentions, the ball may strike many unrelated obstacles in its path."
Ren looks at Akechi and just see how, tired, he looked. As though he was forced to keep running without stopping for a break. Or he was just lacking sleep.
"Are you alright Akechi?" He asks, thinking it was time to get to the heart of the matter. "Kasumi talked about this earlier, but she's noticed that you've been acting, different, since April. Is it anything you can talk about?"
Akechi looks at Ren, eyes wide before chuckling in good nature. "Of course she noticed. She's always been sharp." He comments with a shake of his head. "It's fine. Nothing serious. I've just been concerned for Yoshizawa and her father since…"
"Her sister died in a crash? She told us about it." Ren responds, much to Akechi's surprise.
"She told you? I'm impressed. It's something that none of us want to remember." Akechi glances around, before nodding his head to the stairs. Ren follows him as they enter into the cool evening air as Akechi leans on the wall. "As you already know, Yoshizawa lost her sister in that crash. As for the driver, it was discovered he had a Mental Shutdown."
"What?" Ren asks numbly, even though he already has a sinking feeling.
"It is true. The sighs of a Shutdown were found on his body. He was also an influential business man as well. On that day, anyone could have been a casualty. It was just unfortunate that she was the one that was hit." Akechi reveals before giving a long sigh. "If my mother was awake, I am sure this would not have happened."
"Kasumi did say she was in coma…how long has she been in one?" Ren asks, noting that Akechi was still calling Kasumi by her last name for some reason.
"My mother… Honestly I am unsure as to what caused it. Some say she is the victim of a Psychotic Breakdown but I find that hard to believe. She was found battered and bruised in an alley way on her way home from work two years ago, just after the Mental Shutdowns and Psychotic Breakdowns started happening. I feel she was assaulted by members of Kaneshiro's gang, sending her into this coma." Akechi sighs deeply, rubbing his face with a weary look. "I…I just wish she could wake up. She had always been that stable factor for us… And I feel we need it more than ever."
Ren stays silent, listening to Akechi's tale as his mind went into overdrive, while the seventh star appeared on Akechi's Tarot card. The two theories that Akechi put forward were solid, all that remained was getting evidence for either of them. But if it was Shido who ordered a Psychotic hit on her…
Then he had just given them more of an excuse to beat his shadow to a pulp when they face him.
"Hey, have you heard about those painting appearing on the side of important buildings?" A voice catches his attention. Narrowing his hearing, he could see it was coming from a group not far away, whispering about something. To a normal person it would just be out of hearing range, but not to a Persona user.
"You mean the ones claimed by Guernica? Sure I've heard of them." One of his friends replies in a non-caring tone.
"Well, I heard that she's a supporter of the Phantom Thieves."
"Really? That's not surprising."
Ren mentally tells himself to keep an ear out as he begins to head home. Something in his mind was telling him Guernica would be important down the line.
November 3rd, 2016,
The Palace had seemed to get even more oppressive as the Thieves return. Exiting the Safe Room in the tower, C-Panther's screams had all but ceased, as was evident with her charred body. Panther was glad she had a very light meal going into the palace today.
But before they could even press on, another cell nearby echoed with the sound of activity. Activity of a group of guards Water Boarding a cognition of Skull. A bad taste in Skulls mouth, seeing how his first near death was related to water.
Ignoring the feelings building in them, the team head up a nearby spiral staircase up to the second floor, ambushing a lone guard along the way with Joker nabbing a Norn from the fight. But the second floor of the tower held two more lit cells with Shadow Guards torturing more cognitions of the Thieves.
In one cell, strapped to his back, C-Fox was being stretched out on the Rack. With what sounded like bones snapping as the ropes around his wrists and ankles are pulled tighter. While in the other, a cognition of Noir was being buried under a pile of stones. Gradually crushing her to death.
"Just how sick is this man's mind?" Queen asks to no one in particular as they grapple to the beams above them. Heading for a hole in the roof.
"At this point, I've lost track of counting." Oracle comments before giving off a gasp.
"Oracle? What's wrong?" Mona asks, before his eyes lock on a giant boiling pot locked behind a cage door. Inside the pot of boiling oil or water, was a cognition of Mona being forcibly pushed down by the Guards on either side. "Mrow…that's the worst way to go…" He comments, wincing for his fake before seeing another cell down the hall emitting a light.
Deciding to investigate, Mona heads over to it to find a cognition of Oracle being strapped to The Wheel. As a fire is lit underneath it as a couple of guards spin it around. Mona visibly flinches as the Wheel is turned, before shaking his head and doubling back to the others.
"What did you find Mona?" Athena asks, noting his return.
"You don't want to know." Mona says, locking eyes with Oracle. She seemed to get the message as she turned around and started walking away from where Mona came from. Oracle did not want to see what the Director wanted to do to her. But as she did so, she stumbled upon a lone vent leading higher into the Tower.
"Hey guys! I've found a vent!" She calls out, ripping the grate off Batman-style. "Anyone want to check it out?"
"I'll go first." Joker replies, heading into the vent with Mona following after him alongside Oracle. The rest of the team remain behind, eyeing up the spiralling staircase leading to the next floor.
The vent that the trio headed into already began to go up at a steep climb, changing directions every now and then before coming to a stop overlooking a strange room. The three could see, through an elongated vent cover, that the room had a chair pointed towards a set of five screens surrounding a larger central one alongside a computer keyboard.
"What is this?" Mona asks. "It's like a giant version of Oracle's room."
"It's also out of place. I mean, it goes against the entire theme of the Palace." Oracle points out. Joker hums to himself, looking at the strange room before the Shadow Director walks into the room from a secret entrance. The trio go quiet as the Director walks up and sits in the chair, with the central screen turning on, revealing a man covered in shadows. But from the spiked helmet he was wearing, the trio knew who it was.
"Shido…" Joker whispers with a growl. Oracle and Mona both put a calming hand and paw on him as Joker takes a deep breath. He could let his anger out on him again when they reached his Palace.
"What have you to report, Director?" Shadow Shido asks with arms crossed.
"Nothing much, sir, but I feel as though they are nearing my Treasure. But they are surprisingly slow. That or they are being cautious after I confronted them before." The Director responds, earning a hum from Shadow Shido.
"Interesting… It would seem the Thieves are not as cavalier as I assumed." Shadow Shido strokes his chin, his mouth obscured by the shadows.
"Is the plan still to go ahead?" The Director asks, pricking the ears of the trio.
"It is. The moment your real self receives the calling card, our trap will be set. I promise you already have a way of ensuring your Treasure will remain untouched?" The Director smiles at Shido, folding his fingers together.
"I assure you. It will be the one line the Thieves will miss to catch." That caused the trio to raise their eyebrows as they slink back into the vent. Leaving the Shadow Director none the wiser that they were there as they returned to the group.
"What did you find?" Queen asks them as they return while Fox replaces the vent grate. After Skull took a moment to straighten it out.
"Our fears are right. Shido is planning to ambush us on the day we send the card. No doubt the same as Akechi did in the original timeline." Joker tells the team while patting down his jacket.
"Not only that, we found the Shadow Director sitting in a room with six screens, speaking to Shido's Shadow from his Palace. I wouldn't be surprised if the five blank screens we saw were connected to the other Palaces we brought down. Excluding mine that is." Oracle adds, patting down her legs.
"How did he do that?" Noir asks with a tilt of her head.
"No doubt from the research he stole from Wakaba. But for him to develop it to this extent…" Athena deduces while holding her chin. Joker, for some reason, thought he felt there was more to it than just Wakaba. His mind went to Maruki and his research, but his work hadn't been stolen. Maybe he was just being paranoid.
"Do not forget that he had five Shadows from other Palaces with his as well. We should not underestimate his knowledge of the Metaverse." Fox reminds the group with folded arms. "Least it is our undoing once again."
"It also sounds like the Director has a plan for making it hard for us to get his Treasure. What that entails, we don't know, but we should keep it in mind." Mona adds as the team glances at the spiral staircase.
"Well, we've seen nearly everyone getting tortured and killed in this place except for us. Time to see what he plans to do to us, right Spring, Violet?" Outlaw says with a shake of his head.
"I would rather not know, Outlaw. But something tells me we won't have a choice." Spring admits with the team heading up the stairs.
"I think he only has cognitions of you guys from that live broadcast. It would explain why Athena appeared normal-ish compared to the others…" Violet replies while rubbing her arms. "And honestly, I would rather not know what would happen to me."
As the Thieves reached the top of the stairs, a lone Guard stood atop, its back turned to them as Panther leapt onto its shoulders and ripped its mask off. Ambushing the Ganesha and letting Joker absorb it.
"According to the map, there is one more floor above us, i.e., the rooftop." Oracle announces with her screens hovering around her. "And there is a room on this floor which I think controls the gate leading to the Treasure."
"Let's check out the roof first before heading to that room. The last Will Seed is probably located up there." Mona suggests, with the team quickly following through as they search for the stairs. But not without finding the cognitions of Spring and Outlaw on this floor.
Outlaw's cognition was being hung from a wall by nothing but Manacles on his wrists and ankles, while Cognition Spring was trapped in a Scavenger's Daughter. All the while, Shadow Guards stood around, mocking the captured Thieves.
Ignoring the desire to burn the entire place to the ground, the team continued on to the roof, where they found, much to their surprise and displeasure, Akechi's head impaled on a pike along the rampart of the wall, along with other officers that Athena recognised.
While standing at the far end near a tower turret, a lone red Shadow Guard stood watch over the last Will Seed Door.
"Okay Oracle. What are we dealing with here?" Skull asks, resting his weapon on his shoulder.
"Looks like it's a Baal. Resists both fire and bless while draining wind. However, it is weak to nuke." Oracle informs from the data on her screen. "Go nuts Queen!"
"I think I will." Queen replies while walking forward alongside Joker, Shadow and Mona. Grabbing the attention of the Guard.
"What are you prisoners doing up here? Shouldn't you be having your sessions right now?" The Guard questions, stomping towards the group.
"Sorry, but none of us are interested in these 'sessions' you have here." Joker replies, flipping his knife around in his hand.
"In that case…allow me to deal with you personally!" The Guard breaks apart, forming into a Baal before it casts Magarudyne on the four. Winds wrap around them, biting into them apart from Mona, who casually blocks the wind without issue.
"Mercurius! Mediarama!" Mona shouts, healing the team from the light wind damage.
"Artemis! Debilitate!"
"Anat! Freidyne!"
The twin spells from Joker and Queen slam into the Baal, sapping its strength while sending it to its knees. Quickly finding itself on the other end of an all-out attack. Yet it wasn't enough to kill it as it stood back up. Unleashing an Ayamur attack on Joker, who backflips away.
"I believe it's time we mixed things up. Shadow! Let's go!" Mona shouts, sprinting over to her side.
"At your ready." She replies, catching a small glowing light from Joker's jacket.
"It's Showtime!"
With the dropping of the red curtain, the arena was transformed into an armoury with Shadow and Mona walking through it. Before they find their weapons lying on a table. But instead of going for their own, they take the other's weapon instead.
"Time for a test run!" Mona shouts before sprinting out a door towards the Baal. He throws the kunai towards the Baal, wrapping it around its chest before using it to slingshot his way into the sky.
Just as Shadow comes in from behind and slashes in a triangle formation at the Baal before jumping back.
The moment she does, Mona comes back down and slams on the Baal's head, using the chain to tie its limbs up and making it trip onto the ground. Falling on top of the kunai with its head, killing it as Mona and Shadow exchange their weapons again.
"Think I'll stick with the sword." Mona comments as the two return back to the armoury.
"Never stop learning." Shadow replies, closing the door as the red curtains return.
"Nice work guys! Thinking of swapping weapons?" Oracle quips as the team gathers around. Only for Athena to stay at the side, watching with thinking eyes.
"Everything okay, sis?" Queen asks, seeing her sister's thinking face.
"It's nothing. Just wondering about these 'Showtimes'. That's all." Athena replies, nodding to Queen before noticing Violet standing next to the severed head of Akechi. Walking over to her, she places a hand on her shoulder, snapping her out of her daze.
"Listen, I don't know more about this Akechi than my original one. But if he is what he really is, an innocent man doing what he can to uphold the law, then I promise we will not let this fate come to pass." She says to Violet, looking at the severed head. "People should always have a second chance."
Violet nods as she walks away from the head towards the Will Seed door. Joker had already chopped through the black iron chains around the door and was just opening it as the two rejoined them.
Finding inside the final Will Seed. And the last of the Directors' thoughts.
There is no future for insects.
Say whatever you like. I'm the one who will come out on top in the SIU.
No one can change the system in my mindset to exploit insects.
For Shido's success, I'll do anything that I have to.
"Completely delusional." Fox quips as the team return to the roof.
"I agree. The fact that the SIU are run by a man like him is mind numbing. Then again, how many of them are being controlled by Yaldabaoth?" Athena adds with folded arms.
"Something we can find out once we beat him. But first, we have a treasure to find." Joker ends, heading back for the stairs. Leading the team back to the lower floor, they follow the map laid out by Oracle to the room that she identified as the control room for the gate.
What it turned out to be was a room filled with gears and winches. With a lever in the centre that controlled the direction the gears spun. Seeing no other option, Joker flips the lever in the opposite direction as the gears start spinning in reverse. While Oracle had a screen open viewing the gate.
On silent hinges, the gate is slowly opened, allowing the team to pass on through. Taking a moment to jam the lever so the gate would not close again, the team return to the courtyard and head through the open gate.
Finding themselves in a long winding tunnel, with a Safe Room located halfway down, the team emerge into a large cavern with stalactites and stalagmites growing in every direction. While hovering before them between the jagged rocks, was the Directors Treasure.
"Finally! We found it!" Panther yells as the team form around it.
"This is the Treasure?" Athena questions before her eyes widen. "Ah that's right. This is the form it takes when the ruler deems its untouchable. Meaning that when the card is sent, its true form will reveal itself."
"That's right. The only problem is how do we even give it to him? I highly doubt that having Athena give it to him is the smartest idea." Mona remarks, earning a thankful looks from Athena.
"How about I send him an email? It would be with Alibaba so they wouldn't be able to track me." Oracle offers.
"It could work. And give me plausible deniability." Athena admits. "When should we send the card."
"The 5th of November. I'm not waiting until the 19th or 20th for this one." Joker replies, eyes glued to the Treasure. "The least time we give them to prepare this 'trap', the better." A notion equally shared amongst the rest of the Thieves. They were not going to wait for them to spring the trap on their terms.
They are springing it on their own.
Confidant Ranks:
Yaldabaoth: Jester (Rank 9)
Phantom Thieves of Heart: The Fool (Rank 10/Max)
Makoto Nijima: High Priestesses (Rank 10/Max)
Ryuji Sakamoto: Chariot (Rank 10/Max)
Ann Takamaki: Lovers (Rank 10/Max)
Yusuke Kitagawa: Emperor (Rank 10/Max)
Haru Okumura: Empress (Rank 10/Max)
Futaba Sakura: Hermit (Rank 10/Max)
Morgana: Magician (Rank 10/Max)
Mishima Yuuki: Moon (Rank 10/Max)
Suzui Shiho: Charity (Rank 10/Max)
Kasumi Yoshizawa: Faith (Rank 5/Max?)
Hifumi Togo: Star (Rank 10/Max)
Sojiro Sakura: Hierophant (Rank 10/Max)
Goro Akechi: Justice (Rank 7)
Sae Nijima: Judgment (Rank 9/Locked)
Chihaya Mifune: Fortune (Rank 10/Max)
Munehisa Iwai: Hanged Man (Rank 10/Max)
Tae Takemi: Death (Rank 10/Max)
Sadayo Kawakami: Temperance (Rank 10/Max)
Ichiko Ohya: Devil (Rank 10/Max)
Shinya Oda: Tower (Rank 10/Max)
Toranosuke Yoshida: Sun (Rank 10/Max)
Takuto Maruki: Councillor (Rank 9)
Lavenza (Justine & Caroline): Strength (sealed?)