Chapter 33: The Phantom Thieves and the Ship of Pride.
November 20th, 2016.
What am I doing? Akechi question himself, while walking down a long hallway. Why am I even here? He could not understand why he was walking down the hall, let alone why he was going down a lift to a underground basement. He could tell it was somewhere in the prosecutor's office, that was for certain. But why?
As he continued to walk on, which he started to realise he had no control over his action, he saw a lone guard standing outside an interrogation room. So, I'm questioning someone? But who? He wonders as the guard opens the door. But when his eyes fell on the lone person in the room, he was shocked.
It was Ren. Battered, bruised, and bloodied. Line marks wrapped around his wrists, evident of cuffs being tied on far to tight. And a discarded syringe lay on the floor. What the hell happened to him!? No one has mentioned arresting him!
As Akechi's thoughts went into overdrive, what happened next shocked him even more. His body, acting on its own, rips the gun out of the security guard's pocket and shoots him between the eyes before turning to look at a shocked Ren. "I owe you for all of this…Thanks." Akechi could hear himself speak, but the words that came out…sent a shiver down his spine.
I sound like Sho! He mental screams as he watches himself approach the table. "That's right. You and your little friends were vital to the plan. And now, it will be completed. Your popularity truly was quiet stunning." Was? What am I talking about!? The Thieves are still popular! "That just made using you all the more worthwhile…"
"You won't get away with this, Akechi…" Ren replies calmly, yet there was fear in those eyes of his.
"So, you finally pieced it all together, have you?" Pieced what!? What am I talking about!?
"We know. You are the one behind the mental shutdowns. Black Mask." Ren says with venom in his voice. Akechi could feel his heart freeze at the words coming out of Ren's mouth.
What…? Me? Black Mask? Is this some sort of joke!?
"Congratulations on finding out." Akechi says, the warmth and coolness of his voice long gone. Replaced by a hint of deranged madness. Before pointing the gun directly at Ren's head. "Case closed… This is how your 'justice' ends."
No! Stop! Akechi internally screams. But he could do nothing, as he pulls the trigger and…
…he violent wakes up in bed, breathing heavily before glancing at his clock. Just before midnight, almost the 21st.
"What did I just see…?" He whispers, getting out of bed and heading to the bathroom. He could feel his face was covered in sweat as he washes himself with fresh water. "These dreams have been happening ever since we saved Guernica… But what are they?" The dreams he was having varied, but they all seemed to follow the same theme.
Him being Black Mask.
He watched himself kill Wakaba Isshiki, commit several Mental Shutdowns and Psionic Breakdowns. Killing President Okumura and Kobayakawa. Blackmailing Ren and the others into changing Sae-sans heart or else he would rat them out. Although it was surprising that Hifumi, Shiho, Mishima and Yoshizawa were not there.
In fact, both Kasumi and Sumire were completely missing! Not even their father appeared in those dreams. And his mother… He shakes his head, sending water droplets flying across the room.
Then there was tonight's dream. Him killing Ren.
"What does this all mean? Was this suppose to happen?" He question out loud, pacing around in his room. "Should I bring this up to Ren and the others now? Or should I wait until Shido has had his heart changed?" He groans, sitting back on his bed before glancing to a picture frame.
It was a simple picture, taken just at the start of the year. But to him it was everything. In the picture, it had him in the centre while a girl with red hair trailing down her back latched onto his side with a smile. While on the other, holding up a peace sign and one eye closed and a black beaty spot on her face, was a girl with brown hair tied up in a pony tail.
Akechi sighs, grasping the picture in one hand. "How would you react if you were still here? Chew us both out? Join Ren and the others as Thieves?" He questions the girl with brown hair before putting the picture back down. "I don't know. But I do know one thing. I will keep Yoshizawa safe. I will not let Sho or Shido harm her in anyway." He turns to look out at the night sky, a determined face setting. "I won't let anything harm any of them."
November 25th, 2016
The diet building. An imposing structure where laws are decided, political moves played and power held. A much needed building in any democratic society. But to the Phantom Thieves looking at it from across the road, they saw what it really was. A Palace, for a dictational tyrant.
"This is it. We've been waiting for this ever since we came back in April." Makoto tells the team, staring at the diet building.
"Before, I was just a bystander while you all moved to change his heart. This time, I will be there to see it through." Sae reaffirms, her won eyes glaring at the building.
"Then let's not waste anymore time." Ren says, pulling his phone out. He had already privately messaged Akechi, letting him know today was the day. It was also worded in a way that only Akechi would understand. Either way, Ren activated the nav, brining them in to the Metaverse. And back to Shido's Palace.
Just like before, the team find themselves standing at the bow of a ship, with the diet building acting as both the front, bridge, and entrance into the giant cruise liner. While all around them, covered by the blood red sky, Shido's Palace plough through the sunken city of Tokyo. Smashing into high-rises and sending them collapsing into the sea.
"This is Shido's Palace? A ship sailing through a sunken Tokyo?" Shiho asks, staring at the high rises around them.
"Even though this country may sink, he alone will survive… That's what this place represents in his mind, right?" Hifumi quotes, earning a nod from Yusuke. It was what he said the first time they entered.
"As if we needed a reminded on what would happen if he wins." Ryuji bitterly remarks.
"Why are we still dressed normally? Shouldn't we be in our attire?" Sae asks, looking over herself.
"Once we step through the diet building doors, we will. On this ship, everyone wears a mask. Every cognition, personal Shadow and Guard Shadow." Futaba replies, glancing at the building. "And if I remember correctly, we need five letters of recommendation to enter the main hall where the Treasure is kept."
"Anyone remember who it was we need to get the letters from again?" Ann asks, scratching her head.
"A Yakuza member called the Cleaner, an IT Company President, a TV Station President, Politician Ooe and a former noble" Haru lists off each person they needed to get letters from. While cringing at remembering the former noble.
"When we get to the noble, lets find a way of getting near him that DOES NOT involve us getting into swimsuits." Makoto stats, shooting a glare at Ryuji who, wisely, says nothing.
"Swimsuits?" Sae asks, with an eyebrow raised.
"The former noble is located at the swimming pool. And is surrounded by cognitions of bathing girls wearing skimpy swim suits." Yusuke supplies to Sae, who nods her head.
"I see." She says neutrally. "Then we shall cross that bridge when we reach him. For now, who is the first person we must find?"
"Politician Ooe. He's in the cafeteria, which we need a pass to enter. Luckily, one of the personal shadows drops one in the bar connected to it. All we need to do is grab it and we can enter the café." Ren replies, before walking to the building. "Let's do this guys." With determined step, the Thieves enter the Diet building with flames covering their vision the moment they enter. All around them, cognitions stand with masks covering their faces. A few of which glowed with yellow eyes.
While standing directly in front of the Thieves, on either end of a large staircase, were giant statues of Shido. While large megaphone echo from the platforms above, as confetti rained down from the sky.
"As someone who had seen the inside of the diet building, this is a giant insult to what it actually is." Athena comments glancing around. "So, how far do we go up."
"Four levels to reach the next corridor. It also leads to the Treasure room, but we need those five letters first." Oracle replies, her screens glowing around her.
"Then what are we waiting for?" Violet asks, skipping up the stairs. Only to be cut off by a security shadow that quickly changes into a Cerberus, as it quickly charges up a fire spell. "Uh oh!"
"Violet watch out!" Panther shouts, jumping in front of her and taking the fire head on.
"Bufudyne!" Fox shouts, sending a tree of ice through the underside of the Cerberus, destroying it in one go. "Are you two alright?"
"I'm fine, thanks to Panther." Violet says before looking at the floor. "Sorry for rushing ahead like that."
"Don't worry. I'm immune to fire, remember?" Panther replies, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Still, don't rush forward again like that, okay?" Violet nods, happy that Panther was not angry at her rash movement.
"Ah, is this a show of sorts? Mr. Shido never fails to keep his guests entertained!" One of the masked guests suddenly shouts, clearly amused by the brief struggle, much to the ire of the Thieves.
"What the hell? Don't they care about their own safety?" Outlaw asks, put off by the attitudes of the cognitions and shadows.
"It's because they believe no harm will come to them since they are on Shido's ship." Queen surmises with arms crossed.
"Urgh…the walls are covered in posters about Shido." Spring comments with a shake of her head. "It's nothing but propaganda."
"Best to ignore it Spring. It will only get worse the more we continue." Noir comments as the team continue up the stairs. Sneaking past Security Shadows before arriving at the fourth floor. Entering through the golden doors, the team arrive in a long hallway, with branching paths leading towards four golden doors with lion heads emblazoned on them.
"So, the Treasure is just beyond those doors?" Shadow comments, eyeing the golden doors.
"Yep. Shame we can't just kick the doors down." Skull admits while rolling his shoulder.
"It would make it easier, but it wouldn't surprise me if Shido's cognition of these is bomb proof." Joker replies, swiping a brochure from a rack. "At least the map for the Palace is the same." He remarks handing it off to Oracle, who was grinning like a gremlin.
"Yep. This will make things easier. And it looks like everything is in the exact same place as before." She reveals, brining her screens up. "So that means our targets are in the same spots. Restaurant, top-side pool, casino, hotel room and engine room."
"Which means our path is the same as last time." Queen surmises before becoming thoughtful. "What about the Will Seeds? Do they appear on the map?"
"Maybe? There are some rooms that are shown, but I'm not sure if its guest rooms or anything else." Oracle responds, hiding her map away.
"Either way, we won't find out standing around here. Lets go." Joker commands, eagerly wanting to be done with this Palace. Even if he knew what was coming next. He wasn't sure if he was exited to beat up Shido again, or tear into Yaldabaoth again. Maybe both.
Moving through the right corridor, the team head up the stair to the next landing, finding more doors leading to hotel-esque rooms. Slipping through a large purple double door, the team find themselves in the bar area. A two floored room with bars on both levels with many personal shadows and cognitions.
"So, which bar has the card we need?" Spring asks quietly as the team mingle with the crowd.
"First, we need to find the one whose lost his card…" Queen whispers before seeing a gathering nearby. "And I think we found them." She taps on Jokers shoulder, pointing at the gather before the two get as close as they could. Overhearing that one of the patrons had lost their card. Smiling, Joker activates his Third Eye, following the footsteps before arriving at a bar on the lower level and obtaining the card.
The couple then headed for the restaurant, where Fox and Noir had led the others as they waited for them to bring the card.
"Hello. Do you have proof of membership?" A waiter asks, standing next to the restaurant door. Joker shows him the card he found, earning a nod of approval from the waiter. "Thank you, sir. Please head inside. But bear in mind, seats marked with blue flowers are for special guests. Please bear that in mind."
"We will. Thank you." Joker replies politely. Even if they were cognitions, it never hurt to be polite, as the Thieves enter the Restaurant. Seats spread out as a large stage for a bad took up half the area. While a large window gazed onto the passing high-rises.
"Wow…this place could give that fancy hotel buffe a run for its money." Outlaw comments, thinking back to their celebratory meal after Kamoshida's defeat.
"But where is Ooe?" Spring asks, glancing at all the tables.
"He'll be at that one with the blue flowers." Noir points to a lone empty table. "The last time we managed to get the letter from him, Queen and Skull sat at the opposite table and drew his attention."
"It could work again, but something tells me we would rather be with our significant others this time." Fox comments, wrapping an arm around Noir. "But only in a small group. Too many of us would make him uneasy.
"In that case Joker, Queen, Spring and Outlaw will gather at that empty table. The rest of us will be in the shadow nearby." Athena comments. "That way, we will be able to help in case things turn violent."
"Considering how we fought all five of them last time, I won't be surprised if we do fight them again." Panther comments with a shake of her head.
"Well, lets find a seat. Shall we Outlaw?" Spring asks, wrapping an arm around Outlaw.
"After you Spring." Outlaw replies as the two walk to the nearby table while Joker and queen follow them with easy smile and entwined hands as they take a seat. All the while the none coupled Thieves shake their head at their interactions. As the group settled down and discussed what to order, Athena and the others watched from the shadows. Ready to jump in when needed. Soon, a guy in a decorative mask spots the team before walking over to them arms folded.
"On who's permission are you sitting here, brats?" He asks, unhappy at seeing a bunch of kids sitting at a table.
"Sorry if we are offending you. But we didn't see a reserved sign here, so we assumed it was free." Queen eloquently says.
"It'd be a nuisance if you made a ruckus next to my table." The man says, narrowing his yellow eyes.
"We apologise. We promise to keep our voices as quiet as possible." Spring says, bowing in her seat. The man seemed to accept this as he was about to leave, before Queen stops him.
"Excuse me for asking, but are you Mr. Ooe?" The man looks at Queen, slightly suspicious.
"Indeed I am." He confirms with a head nod.
"Ah, what fortunate timing." Joker says, drawing Ooe's eyes.
"Sorry if we are being forward, but we would like a letter of introduction to Mr. Shido." Outlaw says with an open hand.
"From the look of it, you appear to be minors. Why do you need an introduction?" Ooe's questions.
"We want to see him in person. His…political ideology speaks to us." Spring says, although she was internally wincing at every word. Not that any of them liked doing this.
"Of course, the same can be said about you, Mr. Ooe." Queen adds, falling on the try and true method of buttering the target up.
"You have quite the silver tongues for being so young. Tell me, are all four of you in high-school?" Ooe asks, impressed by the four.
"We are, sir." Joker replies with a nod of his head.
"I see. Speaking of high-schools, I heard somewhere that a Principal confessed to some rather heinous crimes. Supposedly, he also tried to leak Mr. Shido's name…" While they didn't show it, all four perked up at the confession. "Had he simply allowed himself to be transported here, he would have been safe from the Phantom Thieves. Well, not like any of us are afraid. So long as Mr. Shido has his Treasure, we are safe."
That's interesting to know… Joker mentals acknowledges, sharing a look with Queen.
"As an elite myself, I cannot see why he did not go through with it. Why, by pledging your loyalty, you're given the honour of selecting those who have Mental Shutdowns."
"Does that mean, you asked Mr. Shido to cause a Mental Shutdown in someone as well?" Joker asks, but he and Queen already knew who he had murdered. This was more for Spring, Outlaw, Shadow, Violet and especially Athena's benefit.
"Well yes, I did. More or less."
"Considering your calibre, I would assume that the target must have been someone quite important." Queen comments, giving a fake smile at Ooe.
"Important? Oh no, the target itself was not important." Ooe says with a dismissive hand. "Do you recall the subway accident early last spring? The one I had targeted was the engineer."
"That was you?!" Outlaw asks, shocked while Spring silently gasps with both hands over her mouth. Shadow, Athena and Violet were equally shocked, while Joker and the others stood in silence.
"It was to take out the president of some company and a diplomat who sided with the current government. Oh, and there was another case involving a politician with ties to the current government. I heard that he hit a young girl in the accident and killed her, but that is no concern of mine."
That was new to the future thieves, although they had an idea on who that girl in question was. If Violet's violent trembling was of any indication.
"I see. That is very useful information, Mr. Ooe." Joker says calmly as he, Queen, Outlaw and Spring stand from their seats. At his confused look, Joker continued. "See, my girlfriend's sister is a prosecutor at the Public Prosecutors Office. And we could very easily pass on what you have told us to her. So how about it? A letter of introduction to keep us silent?"
"Is that a threat? Who are you four?" Ooe asks, not amused at the four kids before him.
"Wouldn't you like to know?" Outlaw says cryptically.
"The letter, please." Spring says sweetly, hoping to avoid a fight. Yet the dark aura around Ooe told her they were getting one no matter what.
"Don't get cocky, you brats! I'll never give you one!" With a burst of darkness, Ooe transforms into a Yamata-no-Orochi, with all eight heads ready to bite down on the four. Only for the rest of the Thieves to emerge from the shadows and surround Ooe as the area transforms into a battle arena. "Where did you all come from!?"
"Like we'll tell you, asshat!" Skull shots before blasting Ooe with a Ziodyne. The lighting rases of Yamata-no-Orochi, shocking him as Shadow and Noir stand before him, masks burning away before they both blast him with a join Psiodyne, knocking him to the ground, with the Thieves unleashing an all-out attack on the downed shadow.
But it was not enough as he rises up again, casting a concentrate on itself before unleashing a Bufudyne towards Panther. Fox leaps in front of her, blocking the ice while Joker switches to Artemis and debuffs this eight headed snake.
Feeling its power weakened, the shadow attempts to debuff the Thieves in turn, only for Joker to buff them back up. Before the shadow was struck again by a join Psiodyne attack, leaving it defenceless as the Thieves lay into it from every angle.
Eventually, the Yamata-no-Orochi is defeated, as it reverts back to Shadow Ooe. Lying on the ground out cold. As a letter of introduction falls into Joker's hands.
"Alright! One down, four to go!" Skull proclaims with a grin.
"This man…" Violet says quietly, as she glared at him. "He's the reason my sister died…all so he could kill a political rival…" He hand was slowly reaching for her rapier as anger began to cloud his mind. Before Panther gently stops her.
"It's not worth it. Besides, sending Ooe to jail and letting him rot while destroying his entire career has more satisfaction than killing him. It's what I did with Kamoshida when we first defeated him." Panther gently tells Violet as the Thieves leave the restaurant. "It's not worth it, falling to their level." Violet looks at Panther before glancing back to the unconscious Ooe. She takes a deep breath, releasing her hand on her rapier as Panther lets go.
"Thanks for that. I almost did something I would regret for the rest of my life."
"Anytime, Violet." Panther replies giving her a pat on the shoulder. Athena watched them both, approving the handling with a smile as the team continue on. Finding themselves in a lavish hallway filled with rooms, the team proceed on before nearing a large clearing. Only for Oracle o suddenly stop in her tracks.
"Wait guys! That room is—!"
But she was too late, as the entire team vanished in a puff of smoke. And found themselves turned into mice.
"Oh, not this again…" Mouse-Joker groans with a paw on his face.
"How did we forget about this?" Mouse-Queen asks, with a shake of her head.
"What the—!? Were mice!?" Mouse-Mishima asks in shock.
"I thought we had enough of this back in Oracles Palace!" Mouse-Spring agrees looking at her tail.
"This is prepawsterous! Or something like that…." Mouse-Fox says while scratching behind his ear, only for Mouse-Panther and Mouse-Skull to deck him in the face.
"Really, Fox?" Mouse-Shadow asks while Mouse-Athena, Mouse-Mona and Mouse-Noir shake their head.
"Oracle. How do we return to normal?" Mouse-Violet asks, looking up at the only member not transformed. Before she watched as Oracle joined them and became a mouse.
"It's that statue of Shido." She says, pointing a paw at the golden statue. "Whenever we enter its range, we turn into mice. We can't fight like this, but we can use the tiny vents to get around locked doors. I'm just surprised we forgot about this…"
"We can blame ourselves later, Oracle. For now, stay away from the Guards and keep a lookout for some pedestals. We can turn the statues off by hitting them." Mouse-Joker shouts before rushing off to a nearby vent, with the rest of the Thieves following after him. Moving through the halls while dodging the patrol guards was just as nerve racking as the first time. Not helped by how their group has gotten larger.
Luckily, switching off the statues was the same as before so the Thieves were soon able to regain their human forms while unlocking the doors. But a surprise waited for them in the large hall that the smaller ones connected to.
"Hey! A sense a Will Seed nearby!" Mona alerts with a pointed paw to a balcony.
"Well, lets go get it then!" Skull shouts as the team grapple their way up to the balcony. Compared to al the other Will Seed doors they found, this one was covered in rose vines while having golden VVIP written on the black doors, underneath golden images of a bird.
"How appropriate." Fox comments as Joker slices the rose thorns apart before pushing the doors open with the red Will Seed waiting for them.
"One down, two to go." Spring comments as Joker grabs it. Just as Shido's voice echoes around them.
I trust no one but myself.
Who would have guessed the incompetence of others is all it takes to surge the polls.
Now, who to erase next...
"Even now, he still plans to kill people." Noir comments with a disgusted look. "It makes me glad about what waits him once we're done."
"Lets keep moving. We still have four letters left to get." Joker replies as the team head back to the main hall. After a little bit more of mousing around, the team find an elevator taking them to the top deck. Where they stare through a large glass window wall to find the top deck pool.
"Okay, this is where that former noble is." Oracle says brining her screens up. "The question is…how are we going to get the letter from him."
"You said that the last time you came here, you talked to him while in swimsuits." Athena comments, glancing at Queen. "Am I correct in that he is a perverted man."
"Yes." The future thieves reply in unison.
"And there is no other way to grab his attention?" Athena presses.
"Nope. He brushes off everyone." Joker replies with a frown. "And we also found out he wouldn't give one to anyone without a 'prestigious bloodline', aka royalty." With a resigned sigh, Athena glances at the pool before nodding to herself.
"Very well then. Were is the fitting room?" He question makes the Thieves jump in surprise at Athena's blunt question.
"Are you sure Sis? We can look for a different way." Queen asks but Athena shakes her head.
"If it worked before, then it will work again. However, so that there is no awkwardness, everyone will be in swimsuits. And I will talk to the noble."
"You sure you want to do that? Last time, het got hands on with me." Panther warns.
"I will be fine. And in the event it comes to blows, I know you all will be ready to jump in." Athena reassures. The team look at each other with pensive looks, before joker gives out a resigned sigh.
"I don't like this, but it looks like we have no choice." He says begrudgingly before heading for the door. "We enter the dressing room via a vent last time. We'll have to do the same thing again." With awkward steps, the team head down to the pool area before catching a glimpse of the former noble. Lounging around on the pool deck on a reclining chair.
Reaffirming his position, the team enter the dressing room via the vent and, after a quick glamour change, exits back onto the deck in swimsuits matching their corresponding elements.
"At least we still have our masks on." Spring comments, rubbing her bare arms.
"And we are traveling in a group." Shadow adds, glancing around while feeling the gaze of several of the shadows and cognitions. "Is this entire deck filled with people who idolise young people?"
"Let's not find out." Joker replies shaking his head, before glancing to Athena. "You're up. We'll be nearby in case things go south."
"Of course." Athena replies before heading towards the former noble with more confidence and purpose than the team expected.
"Wow…" Violet comments. "She not even phased…"
"That's my sister for you…" Queen replies as the team move to nearby spot. Where they could hear the conversation.
"Good afternoon." Athena says to the former noble.
"Hm? What do you want?" He asks, while his eyes wander. Is Athena showed any uncomfortableness, she didn't show it.
"If you would be so kind, I would like to have an introduction letter to Mr. Shido."
"A letter of introduction you say?" The man rubs his chin, angling his eyes away. "Hehe, like I would give one to a nobody like yourself."
"Oh? How so?" Athena asks, hand on her chin.
"I've made my decision to only introduce those with a prestigious lineage. No matter how beautiful a girl may look on the outside, you can't change your ancestry." He says with a shake of his hand.
"Oh my, I appear I forgot to introduce myself then." Athena says suddenly in mock shock. "My name is Mer Lorraine." The name sending the former noble wide eyed.
"Lorraine?! Are you in fact related to the famous French Lorraine's?" He asks with surprise.
"Yes, I am. My mother is a descendant of them. Although it means I am half-French and half-Japanese, as you said, ancestry does not lie." Athena says, stringing the former noble along as she did to many suspects in her line of work.
"I see…yes I do feel and sense an aura from you that is different to those I've met before who claimed to be nobles…" The man says slowly.
"If you are will, I can introduce you to my mother, in exchange for a letter of course." Athena holds out a hand, with the man gleefully giving her a letter in return.
"Then consider this sending my regards to her." The man happily remarks. Athena smirks internally as she gives a polite smile in return.
"Thank you." She says turning to leave, before the man grabs her arm. So, this is what Ann mentioned. Good thing we came prepared.
"Hold a moment, you look down right gorgeous in that swimsuit. Perhaps you would like to try on some other ones. In my room?" He asks with a predatory smile. One that made Athena want to puke.
This is what Makoto and the other girls had to put up with when Kamoshida was around? Unbelievable. "I apologise, but…" Athena gently takes his hand off, before erupting into the flames of rebellion as Joker and the others surround the former noble. "I'm afraid I have to decline."
"What!? How dare you set me up like this!" The noble shouts as he turns into a Forneus.
"It's your own fault. Megidola!" Athena shouts, blasting the Forneus with the Almighty spell as Skull joins in with a blast of Ziodyne. Stucky by both its weakness and an Almighty spell, the Forneus falls to the ground in a daze, with the team slashing into it with an All-out assault as it tries to recover. Floating back from the attack, the Forneus attempts to mind-control some of the Thieves with a Mare-Karin.
Only for him to miss as the team easily jump away from its line of control. Outlaw and Noir pummel the Forneus with gun attacks, while Spring and Violet slam join bless spells into its wing. Just as Fox slices into its other wing. Spiralling down towards the ground, Mona rushes in and blasts it back into the air with a Garudyne.
Falling from such a height, with both of its wings damaged, the Forneus collapses onto the deck before reverting back to the disgraced noble, unconscious and beaten.
"Alright! We got the second letter!" Outlaw says with joy as the team glance to Athena. "Still, that was amazing work."
"Yeah. You had him trailing after you without hesitation. And with way better acting than my fake-British attempt." Panther remarks as Athena brushes her hair to the side.
"When you interrogate criminals for a long time, you learn how to string them along to spilling their secrets without resorting to violence. As Joker here knows."
"That I do." Joker replies as the team start to leave. "And for the record, you're way is far superior than the others ways thay made did to me." Athena wasn't going to deny that, remembering Joker's beaten and bruised body along with the discarded syringe. It made her sick whenever she remembered that. "So, what was his reasoning for inflicting mental shutdowns."
"Wealth, and meeting wealthy families. That's all he cared for." Queen revels as Athena scowls. There would always be people like him.
"So, where is the next person?" Shadow asks, turning to Oracle.
"He's in the casino. No doubt trying to score big." She says, rolling her shoulders. "Think you can convince him again Noir?"
"I did so once, I can do so again." Noir says with a nod. With the path set, the team head over to the other side of the pool and re-enter the ship. Once more finding themselves in red and golden halls of the ship, the team rush past several doors before suddenly finding themselves turning back into mice.
"Not again…" Mouse-Violet moans with a paw on her face.
"How many of these statues are there?" Mouse-Outlaw asks Mouse-Skull who shrugs his shoulders.
"I dunno, I lost count."
"Then my ad-mice would be to pro-squeak cautiously." Mouse-Fox says, only to get a double kick from both Mouse-Panther and Mouse-Spring.
"Less puns, more running." Mouse-Joker scolds as the team continue on. Before running into a certain trap that wasn't there before. A steel cage with a block of cheese, sitting innocently in the middle of the way.
"Oh, this aroma…" Mouse-Fox says as he heads to the cage. "It's cheese… The cheese is beckoning to me!" He says before leaping into the cage.
"Oh damn…Cheese? I can't even control myself…" Mouse-Skull admits before he too rushes into the cage.
"Hey! Make some room!" Mouse-Outlaw shouts as he too leaps into the cage.
"Come on you guys…how could you fall for such an obvious traaaaahh I can't help myself! Save some for me!" Mouse-Mona squeaks as he as well goes into the cage.
"Really guys? How weak minded are you?" Mouse-Joker says before his eyes lock on the cheese. "I take it back! Leave some for me!"
"Wha? Wait! Guys!" Mouse-Panther tries to stop Mouse-Joker but he had already bolted into the cage.
"I'm so hungry! Move over Outlaw!" Mouse-Spring says as she now joins the guys, much to Mouse-Panthers dismay.
"I love cheese! Let me have some!" Mouse-Violet squeaks as she rushes past Mouse-Panther.
"Oh my… It's luring me in…" Mouse-Noir comments as she and Mouse-Shadow rush into the cage.
"I never felt so ravenous in all my life!"
"You two, Noir and Shadow!? Hey, Queen, aren't you going to—"
"Thanks for the food!" Mouse-Queen shouts as she joins the rest in the cage, while Mouse-Panther looked on dumbstruck. Until she gave in and joined the rest of the Thieves inside the cage while Mouse-Oracle and Mouse-Athena, out of range of the cheeses aroma, watched on dumbfounded. Watching as the cage closed right behind the team trapping themselves inside.
"We're at max capacity here! Hey, stop kicking me Outlaw!"
"Sorry Skull!"
"Cheese, more cheese. Is there any more cheese left!?"
"Wait, how did this happen? We're smarter than this."
"Apparently not."
"We knew it was a trap, and we walked right into it regardless…"
"So, did the little meece enjoy their fest?" Mouse-Oracle asks as she and Mouse-Athena help release the trapped Thieves.
"Thanks for the help. But still, who knew that cheese could hypnotise us." Mouse-Violet comments with a shake of her head.
"I would say it is due to our current condition as mice. As public opinion knows, mice are always drawn to cheese." Mouse-Athena surmises, much to the others annoyance.
"Okay, from now on, avoid any cage that has cheese in it. And if you do find yourself drawn to it, take the cheese out of the cage and then eat it." Mouse-Joker informs with a stomp of his little mouse foot. With that mouse decree down, the team proceeded through the twisting hall once more. Deactivating statues and beating up guards. During this, Joker managed to find an Emperor's Amulet Treasure Demon.
Soon, the team found themselves on the rear end of the ship, finding another small bar and swimming pool alongside a Safe Room for them to rest up. After taking a moment to rest, the Thieves venture back out, taking note of the change in the guard shadows, from simple guards dressed in security outfits to full tactical SWAT members.
It was clear that Shido's paranoia was growing.
Making their way pas them, the team soon find the door leading towards the casino. But not before they were stopped by a guy in a purple shirt.
"Is that the Cleaner?" Outlaw whispers to Fox, who nods his head slightly.
"He is."
"What are you punks whispering about? You know, I've heard you've been causing a big mess around here. And that's not good." He snaps his fingers as four Baphomets appear around the Thieves. "Drink some salt water and reflect on what you've done." He remarks before vanishing into a cloud of smoke. Leaving the Thieves to fight the Baphomets. Which when compared to the personal shadows they have fought, were nothing special to write home about. A round of bless spells from both Violet and Spring brought them down quickly as the team wiped them out with an All-out attack.
It brought a smile to Joker's face, feeling how they were almost back at full strength once more. Now if only he could regain his roster.
"So, now that we've met the cleaner, how many more times will he get in our way?" Athena asks, turning to Joker.
"If I'm remembering right, two more times before we finally face him in the engine room. And he takes the form of a Ongyo-Ki."
"Well, we still have two more targets left to deal with before we reach him. The casino is just beyond these doors." Oracle pints out, opening the door to find the walls lined with slot machines. While not on the scale of Athena's former palace, it was still a shock to see how many slot machines were around here. And seeing them made Athena wince in disgust.
Pushing the feeling out of them, the team continue on, ambushing a guard with Joker managing to absorb a King Frost. With the new Persona under his belt, Joker led the team into the main atrium, gazing around at the countless slot machines on both levels. While directly below them, sitting at a single machine, was their next target.
"There he is. Are you ready Noir?" Joker asks, casting a glance at her.
"I am." She nods back, ready to walk towards the man. With a deep breath, Noir approaches him, watching as he manages to score a jackpot on the machine. "Excuse me? I am dreadfully sorry to bother you. But I would like a letter of introduction to Mr. Shido." Te TV President turns to look at her, tilting his head.
"A letter of introduction? But you are obviously a child." He says, unimpressed.
"I am Haru Okumura. Daughter of the president of Okumura Foods. I believe we have sponsored you before?" She says to the man, electing a surprised look from the man.
"Oh? You are here? I heard that the board had been neglecting to bring you to any meetings involving the company."
"I decision that I supported. We deemed it necessary for that Okumura Foods could earn back the trust it had lost due to my father." She replies neutrally, failing to inform of her planes to leave the company entirely one day.
"Ah, I see, I see. Very reasonable. And it's true that I am quite indebted to President Okumura. He funded us extremely well, after all. My condolences to what happened to him."
"Yes. When he found out what he had become, he was racked with guilt." Noir replies, keeping up the illusion.
"I can imagine. Regarding his exploiting management, Mr. Shido asked if I could defend him as much as I could. I even threw some extra security his way, but there are limits to what you can do against the Phantom Thieves. The damage almost reached Mr. Shido himself. Which is why the SIU Director had him arrested at that speech, even if the original intention was to cut him off…"
Noir bites her lip, knowing exactly what he meant by that.
"It seems he didn't incite him on the ship at all. Same with the SIU Director and that Academy Principal. Apparently, all three were traps to ensnare the Thieves, but they avoided each one. He is a nasty manipulator. Its just that we underestimated the Thieves themselves."
"I see…" Noir says quietly. "Be that as it may, may I please have an introductory letter? Once our company has recovered, I will arrange for us to corporate with you in a sponsored role."
"You really are the daughter of that president. But, will you regain the authority to do so? Your employees would probably resent you. But then again, that's not important. I'm in your fathers debt. I can repay some of the kindness to his daughter." He removes a letter from his pocket, handing it over to Noir.
"Thank you, very much." She says, giving a small bow. Turning around and leaving the man behind.
"Your father was a fool. If only he did what he was told, he would still be in power." The Tv President remarks, turning back to his machine as Noir leaves him alone. She felt proud for keeping herself in check and avoiding a fight with the President. Well, it helps that her father was still alive and not dead, so he only broadcasted the moment of his arrest and not a Mental Shutdown.
"You okay, Noir?" Fox asks, placing an arm around her shoulder.
"I'm okay, Fox. Just proud I managed to get the letter without a fight." She remarks, holding up the letter.
"Next up is the IT President. The false Majed." Queen says, turning her eyes to a nearby door. "Just need to pass a few more corridors and reach the outside of the ship. We'll need to climb some lifeboats to enter his room."
"Then we better get moving. Shido is probably catching on that were here, if not already." Spring remarks as the team head up the flight of stairs.
"Honestly, it wouldn't surprise me if Sho and Akechi are already here." Mona remarks as the team duck into the doors. Once more walking through the red hallways. While making their way through, Joker managed to obtain both a Baphomet of his own, as well as a Hanuman. But the greatest find was the second will seed. Hidden away in a locked off area of the ship that could only be reached as mice.
Not that they were complaining when they managed to reach it.
Only those who support my methods deserve my guidance.
The enemy is coming, from more ways than one.
First, I'll conquer this nation. Then, I'll conquer the world.
"Conquer the world? Is he crazy?" Outlaw questions as Joker grabs the seed.
"Many conquerors have tried to take over the world. And all of them have failed. There is never enough manpower, resources or strength of will to accomplish it." Shadow says with a shake of her head.
"But with the power of the Metaverse, he wouldn't need to use military force. All he'd have to do, is place people who are loyal to him in power, then annex them under his rule." Queen surmises with a frown.
"All the more reason for us to stop both him and Yaldabaoth." Joker says firmly, placing the seed into his pocket. "This is why we exist. To bring down tyrants like Shido, even if people won't recognise us for our efforts. It's better to live a life of obscurity in the shadows than the corruption of fame."
With the Will Seed acquired, the team continue on through the halls, ambushing any guard they came across. Eventually, the Thieves found themselves on the outside of the ship, right next to a decorative wall leading up to several life boats above them.
"The guys were looking for is right above us." Skull points out as Joker and Fox start to climb.
"And who will get the letter from him this time?" Spring asks, following Skull as the Thieves sneak their way up to the higher floors.
"Leave it to me. I got it from him last time, I can do it again." Oracle replies with a smirk, just as the team come to a stop next to some search lights. Several platforms led up to a level of rooms with open decks, with the targets room located at the far back. "Looks like his room is still the same. That makes things easier."
"Not just that Oracle. I'm sensing the last Will Seed." Mona interjects with a grin, pointing at a level above the one where the target was.
"Well, that's convenient." Skull remarks with a shrug.
"It is, but I'd wager that its also being protected. Just like the other ones." Shadow says with an eye roll.
"It's not even a question at this point. It's a certainty." Noir replies with a shake of her head.
"Well, no point in standing around here then." Joker says, activating his grapple and heading for the Will Seed level. Sneaking back into the ship, the team head down the short corridor before finding, as expected, a guard protecting the final Will Seed room. Without missing a beat, the team entered the room with the guard facing its back to them.
"Would you shut up about the you-know-what…" The guard seemingly moans to itself as it spins around, seeing the group before him. "Whoa, giant rats! I'm gonna you-know-what the lot of ya!" While the Thieves felt mildly insulted at being called rats, the guard transforms into a Kali and two Dakini.
"Watch out Outlaw! Those guys are immune to guns! And that Kali is immune to fire, psio and curse!" Oracle warns, With a groan, Outlaw puts his rifle away, bringing his twin swords out as the team split up to deal with the three foes. A first in their fight against the Will Seed guardians.
While Panther, Noir and Shadow focused on the Dakini, Joker joined Skull, Fox and Queen against the Kali. It may be immune to his curse spell and gun skill, but not against his other moves. "Arsène! Lullaby!" With a snap of his demonic fingers, Arsène sends the Kali into a deep sleep. Just as it tried to buff itself with a charge.
"Blast him Seiten Taisei!" Skull shouts, sending a Ziodyne towards the Kali, striking hard. The blast knocking the Kali to its legs, leaving it open for the four to wail into it. But it was not enough as the Kali stands back up on wobbly legs.
"Not enough? Then how about this!? Bufudyne!" Fox shouts, forcing a tree of ice to surround the Kali, damaging it and causing it to freeze. Earning a smirk from Queen as Anat forms behind her.
"Checkmate. Freidyne!" The blast of atomic flames smashes the ice surrounding the Kali, forcing it to its knees once more. And rendered powerless as the four attack all at once again. This time, sending the Kali back to the sea of souls where it came from. Taking a moment to breathe, Joker checks on the others seeing them easily deal with the Dakini. Not that he was surprises, considering all they had going for them was an immunity to guns.
With a grin, Joker strolls up to the final Will Seed door and slices the rose vibes away. Opening it to grab the final Will Seed. Even as Shido's words echoed around them.
The only thing you have to do is follow my orders.
I don't need a whole range of troops as long as the ones I have are useful.
There are still numerous additional ways to capitalize on cognitive psience.
That research woman's death was way too unfortunate, I mean-
"That bastard…." Oracle growls. No one could blame her since Shido was the one who had her killed.
"He will get what's coming to him. You did it once. You can do it again." Spring comforts, placing a hand on her shoulder. Oracle draws in a shaky breath before nodding back to spring.
"Yeah, you're right." Oracle agrees as the team heads back outside. "Come one, we still have two letters to grab. One of which is right below us." Retracing their steps, the team jumped down to a lower level, leaping over dividing walls between rooms before arriving at a room with its balcony door open. Dropping down, Joker takes a peak inside, spotting the target sitting on a couch with two ladies with him.
"There he is. Just like last time." He says to the others, before glancing to Oracle. "You ready, sis?"
"I am. Just be ready to jump in if I provoke him like last time. But since his Medjed plan failed, I should be fine." Oracle replies stretching her fingers.
"So, he was the one behind the Medjed plot originaly? How am I not surprised." Athena asks with a shake of her head.
"Knock him dead, Oracle." Skull says with a grin.
"You've got this." Mona says, bobbing his head up and down. Oracle smiles at the support, and the knowledge that they were ready to jump in if needed, before walking into the room towards the IT President. Easily catching his attention.
"What!? Who are you!?" He asks, going defensive immediately.
"Sorry about my entrance." Oracle says, already way calmer than she was the first time round.
"Those clothes…" The President says, glancing over Oracle before shaking his head. "I-I mean, did you come in through the window!?"
"Well, the door was locked, and you weren't answering. How else am I supposed to get in? But I completely get how you feel. There is nothing better than being safe and relaxed in your own room. Your and IT guy, right? I can tell we speak the same language." She walks around before making herself at home on one of couches, brining out her laptop and turning it on.
"That's not what matters here—just who are you?" The man asks, sitting up and walking over to Oracle before his eyes land on her laptop. "Huh!? Is this yours?"
Gotcha. Just like last time. Oracle smirks as she looks at the IT President. "This little guy got your attention? I made him myself." The Man walks closer, yellow eyes bulging as he sees what was on her laptop.
"This is amazing…to think you could do this much on a mobile device…"
"Yep. Although, I normally use this one as a sub-processor when I'm hacking into a tough system." Just as before, Oracle's words caught the man's ears.
"Hacking? Do you mean like cyber-attacks?"
"Yep. Say, have you ever heard of Medjed?"
"Well, of course. Who hasn't heard of Medjed in the IT world?"
Time to do a little lie. "Well, I want to be one of them. I've been doing coding for so long that I wanted to join their ranks. I even hacked into these tough websites so I could use it as proof to join them." She brings up the sites that were planned to be fake Phansite pages, causing the It President's jaw to drop.
"These…these are the sites we planned to use! They had the highest level of encryption ever… And to think you easily sliced into them."
"Oh, they were yours? Sorry, I didn't know." Oracle says with a frown, while on the inside she was cackling like a madwoman.
"I would ask why you went after us, but if you didn't realise, then that's fine. But still…" the man places a hand on his chin in contemplation. "Your skills would be extremely useful…Maybe even enough to bring down the specialist working for the Phantom thieves… You see, we planned to use those fake sights to bring them down when we failed to infiltrate their main website. If your skills are this good…" He takes a letter out of his pocket and gives it to Oracle. "Then please introduce yourself to Mr. Shido. I'm sure he would be more than grateful to have someone like yourself working for us."
"Thanks." Oracle replies, taking the letter and pocketing it. "I'll be sure to talk to him." Like never! With that, she grabs her laptop and leaves via the open window with the It President confused at her exit, but shrugs it off as he goes back to his own. Unaware that Oracle had already regrouped with the Thieves. "Got it!"
"Nice work, Oracle." Queen complements. "I'm surprised you didn't lay into him like before."
"Well, it was tempting, but I figured that going the Noir route would save us time and energy. After all, The Cleaner will certainly put up a fight. And with Sho waiting for us after…"
"We know Oracle. Better to save our strength for the real fights and not the annoying ones." Panther replies as the team returns to the lower deck.
"So, how do we get to the engine room?" Spring asks, glancing at the nearby door. "Through there?"
"Nah. That leads back to the bar." Mona replies, sprinting to a nearby vent. "The way to the engine room is this way."
"Why am I not surprised we have to go through a vent?" Shadow asks while Fox helps rip open the vent. Despite the steam coming from the vent, making it an uncomfortable trip, the Thieves press on before arriving at the engine room. And the large, wide space that once became Akechi's tomb.
"This is the place…" Joker comments as the team leaps down. Noting the lack of guards.
"I can still remember our fight with Akechi here. The shutting of the watertight door and his final stand…" Fox comments, glancing at the nearby emergency switch.
"This is where Akechi-kun died?" Violet asks, saddened at the reveal.
"Yeah. He did. But not this time." Panther replies, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We'll make sure of it." Violet, thankful at Panther's words, nods in reply before following the rest of the team towards the back of the engine room. Finding a locked room, the team moved around before finding another vent leading into said room. Where the Cleaner and several of his goons stood. Waiting for new orders.
With a silent nod, the team leapt into the room, startling the Cleaner and his men.
"You punks!? You sneaked into here?!" He asks, taken aback by their appearance. "And here I thought you learned your lesson… Unless the hit on me is that big?" He rips his shirt, revealing the tattoos on his shoulders. "So? Which clan are you from? I'm a busy man. I've got to clean up all the shit from the Mental Shutdowns."
"We're here for a letter of introduction to Mr. Shido." Joker says as calmly as he can. Even if he hated saying that.
"A letter? That's why you came after me? All for a letter?" The Cleaner asks, shaking his head in amusement. "And why the hell would I give you one?"
"In exchange for a new tattoo design." Fox says, calmly walking up. "One that I designed." The Clean folds his arms, looking at Fox with an intrigued expression.
"Is that so…Alright. Show me. But I'll tell you know, I won't accept anything 'cept a godly phoenix, fitting for my godly personality." Fox nods, taking out his art tools and a large piece of parchment, and begins to draw. While the future Thieves already knew what Fox would draw, the new Thieves had no idea what it would be.
So when they saw the finished product of a phoenix in flight shining as bright as the sun with feathers raining down on a rocky landscape, they were understandably taken aback.
"Um…that might be a bit big to be a tattoo…" Outlaw says nervously, with Spring nodding her head in agreement.
"Such a powerful aura…" Shadow remarks, hand on chin.
"Once again, your skill at art is impressive, Fox." Athena remarks with a slow head nod.
"Daang…. I've never seen anything like this before… I like it!" The Cleaner says with a large smile. "I'll give you a letter, kid. Nut on one condition. I want you to be my personal tattoo artist."
"I'm afraid I must decline. For I have decided I must carve my own path as an artist. I will not receive the aid of others." Fox replies instantly, folding his arms.
"Well, no letter for you then." The Cleaner remarks as an aura forms around him. "Now then, I think it's about time I cleaned you all up!"
"After all that and we're still going to fight?" Spring asks with an exasperated sigh, watching as the Cleaner turns into an Ongyo-Ki. "Okay, what are we up against Oracle?"
"Level 60 and has no weakness. But no strengths either, so go wild!"
"Miracle Punch!" Mona shouts, opening the fight with a cartoonish glove. Smacking right into the Cleaner's face. Unfortunately, he doesn't get a crit as the Ongyo-Ki counters with Myriad Slashes on Fox. Fox counters the strike, sending the attack back at the Ongyo-Ki as Violet attacks with Tempest Slash.
The Ongyo-Ki roars in anger, unleashing a Mudoon spell at Queen, who dodges the instant kill spell with ease. A flash of light from Spring, alongside a roar of bullets from Outlaw, turns his attention two the couple before ice encompasses his foot.
Growling, the Ongyo-Ki Rips his foot from the ice just as a joint blast of thunder and fire slammed into his stomach. Sending him to the ground, although he quickly managed to get back up. Enraged, he throws his double-bladed spear at the Thieves but Noir and Shadow catch it with their minds and send it back at the Ongyo-Ki. Slamming into its shoulder. A rush of wind roars past him, knocking him unbalanced as two orbs of Almighty magic and one nuke slam into the ground around him.
Engulfing him in an explosion of blue and violet. But the Cleaner refused to fall, standing tall and roaring at the Thieves in an open challenge.
"This has gone on for long enough. Queen, with me!" Athena shouts, rushing forward as Queen follows her. Catching a glimpse of the glowing star in Joker's pocket.
"It's Showtime!"
The two sisters leap into the air as the red curtain falls on the battlefield. Changing the area into a dojo. With the Ongyo-Ki standing in the centre while Queen and Athena stand on either end. The two bow to each other before rushing towards the centre to engage in an Aikido training exercise. While the Ongyo-Ki was stuck right in the middle.
As the two continued to land punches and kicks on the Ongyo-Ki, Athena suddenly back flips while kicking the Ongyo-Ki in the face. Sending it flying upwards. The two sisters glance at each other before they leap upwards, following after the Ongyo-Ki before they are both above it. Charging energy in their fists.
"Fists!"
"Of!
"JUSTICE!" The two scream in unison, sending the Ongyo-Ki hurtling to the ground in a combined nuke and almighty fused beam. Destroying the dojo in a massive explosion while the two land on a nearby roof. Staring at the explosion with grins.
"Nice one! And the Ongyo-Ki is down and out!" Oracle chirps as the Cleaner reverts back to normal. But he was not angry at the lost. In fact, he was smiling.
"You punk's are tough! I like that!" He says, fishing out a letter and tossing it to Joker. Who catches it between his fingers. "Here! On the house. And it's time for me to bolt." He spins around, heading for a small door as the Thieves watch on. "I know when to leave a sinking ship." He remarks before leaving the room. And leaving the team with one less heart to change.
"A shame, but I suppose we can't get them all." Athena remarks as Joker takes out some of Bosses curry and coffee. "That's all five letters obtained. But we have one more fight before we head back to that door."
"Yeah." Joker replies, glancing at the door behind them. "I'd bet my mask they are already waiting for us. Rest up and reclaim your energy. This will be a hard fight." Before he sees Skull smirking to himself while looking between Queen and Athena.
"By the way…that Showtime Attack? Guess you are now both the Fists of the Phantom Thieves." The look he got from both of them silenced him quickly as the rest of the Thieves chuckled at the blushing sisters. They truly did think on the same wavelengths at times.
The rest was short but much needed as the Thieves ate their food. Once finished, the team quietly opened the door and went to the open area. They could already feel the tension in the air as they approached the open space as ever member mentally prepared themselves for a fight.
They could have made their entrance with the use of a smoke bomb, but that would have given away too much. No, they had to make it look like they stumbled into it.
"Huh. So this is where you rats were scurrying about." A voice echoes above them as the team turns around. Standing above them on a pipe where Sho and Akechi. Sho stared at the Thieves with a glare while Akechi sent the Thieves a wink before the two jumped down to the Thieves level. "Gotta admit. I'm surprised you managed to get this far in his Palace. You really are like those guys, aren't you?"
"Don't know who you are talking about, nor do we care, Sho Minazuki." Joker replies. Sho stops as his shoulders stiffen, Akechi slightly behind him.
"How did you find out my name? Was it Yu? Naoto? That Kirijo both and her robots?" He asks with anger in his voice. The Thieves tilt their heads, not heading the names before or thinking he was talking about others.
"Neither. Heard a rumour about some Grand Prix, and you're name came up." Joker says, deflecting the question. "Why Shido? You've seen his palace. You KNOW what kind of man he is. So why throw your lot in with him?"
"You want to know? It's simple." Sho replies casually. "All of this is so I can grow strong enough that I can finally kill my rival. Yu Narukami."
"Yu Narukami? The journalist?" Athena asks with narrow eyes.
"Yes. Yu and his Seekers of Truth." Sho agrees. "I admit, they did save me from becoming a pawn, and letting me find my own path. But that doesn't change the fact that I vowed to kill him. And with this power that Shido has given me, I can see it through."
"And what makes you think Shido would even let you do that? He could easily blame you for the Mental Shutdowns." Queen questions, only for Sho to laugh.
"Why do you think you are still around? That's what you are all for." He replies with a shake of his head. "Even as corpses, you will still have uses." He snaps his fingers, summoning a Cerberus and Cu Chulainn to the field while stepping back. "By now, you know how I've been committing the Mental Shutdowns, but do you wonder how Psychotic Breakdowns happen? This is how!" He opens his hand covering the toe shadows in a dark aura and turning their eyes yellow.
"What out! He's made them go berserk!" Oracle warns as the two shadows turn feral, snapping jaws and growling at the Thieves. As Sho steps back, he casts an eye at Akechi, and a cruel smile forms on his lips.
"How about we make this a little more interesting, huh?" He says, raising a hand at Akechi, who turns to look at him. Before he could say anything, the same black aura washed over him as he screamed in pain. His eyes turned yellow while Robin Hood was engulfed in a red aura. All the while, the Thieves, and especially Violet, watched in horror as Akechi became psychotic like the shadows. "Have fun."
"Akechi!" Violet shouts as the two shadows charge towards them in a feral rage. Akechi right behind them as he zeros in on Violet. Athena rushes to her side to aid her while the rest of the Thieves deal with the crazed shadows.
"Akechi! Snap out of it!" Athena shouts, swinging a tonfa at Akechi, only for him to duck under the strike. He attempts to slice at Athena with his blade, only for Violet to block the strike with her rapier as she gets into a blade lock with him.
"Akechi-kun, please stop this!" Violet cries, trying to get to him. "You're stronger than this! Don't let Sho take over you!" Akechi's eyes flickered for a moment as he tried to take back control, but the Call of Chaos proved to be a strong power as Akechi flew into a swinging rage. Violet does her best to avoid and parry every swing coming her way, with help from Athena making her task easier. Although Akechi's blade did clip her thigh, she powered through the pain as she forced another blade lock.
"What's wrong, prince? Is a gymnast too much for you to handle?" Sho taunts, lazily sitting on the pipe. He stands up, unsheathing his blades as his gaze falls on Akechi. "Well, might as well speed things up. After all, he does have you planned to take the fall. Might as well do that now." With a grin, he drops down to the floor, charging directly at Akechi's exposed back.
An attack that Violet saw coming.
"Look out!" She cries, pushing Akechi to the side as Sho brings his blades down. She parries one, but the other slices through her body and out her back. Time seemed to freeze as everyone stared at the sight, Sho's blade covered in blood as he pulled it out from Violet's stomach. Blood dripped from her mouth as she slowly collapsed backwards into Athena, who caught her and started casting Samarecarm on her. All the while, Sho looked on with indifference.
"That was it? What a letdown…" Sho casually remarks before he is suddenly blasting in the side by a Megidola spell. Courtesy of Joker as the rest of the Thieves charge in at him after dealing with his pets. Grinning, he completely disregards Violet and Athena as he charges into the brawl, Tsukuyomi by his side as he unleashes an Abyssal Wing on the Thieves.
But as Sho threw himself into the fight, Akechi was regaining conciseness, waking up on the floor as his eyes fell on the wounded Violet. Fear strikes his heart as his eyes widen in shock, standing to his feet shakingly as he moves to her side. Athena took note of his arrival but, seeing him return to his normal colours, said nothing as she continued to focus on healing Violet.
"Violet…" Akechi whispers in fear, resting a hand on her shoulder. Violet groans, weakly opening her eyes as she sees Akechi return to his senses. Giving a weak smile in response.
"You're back…Crow…" She says, raising a hand to place on his cheek. "I'm glad…"
"I didn't do this… Did I?" He asks, fear in his eyes. The last thing he remembered was the pain of Sho's Call of Chaos rushing into his brain. Violet slowly shakes her head.
"No…I saved you…from Sho attacking you…" Her eyes fall on Joker and the others, locked in combat with Sho.
"Her wound is closing up, but she lost quite a bit of blood from the attack." Athena reveals, watching as the wound heals up. She glances at Crow, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She'll be fine. Right now, Joker and the others need your help." Her eyes glance to Sho as he blocks both Outlaw and Fox before kicking both of them into Skull and Noir. "So long as he runs wild, she'll stay in danger." Crow glances between Violet and the Thieves as they engage with Sho, as a wave of anger builds up within him.
Anger at himself for falling for Sho's trick, anger at Shido for recruiting such a man in the first place. Anger at all the pointless deaths that have happened because of Shido's schemes, the countless innocents left scared and broken. But more than that, a raging anger at Sho for what he did to Violet. The one person who had a place in his heart that no one else could ever fill. And he almost took her away from him, like how he took her sister from them both.
"You're right." Crow says, slowly standing up as he could feel Robin Hood within him change. "For too long, I have been on the wrong side, forced to work for a madman and a murderer against my will. But now…I don't care anymore…" As he speaks, his outfit begins to change. Black gauntlets and greaves from his arms and legs, similar to those of Sho's Black Mask costume, but instead of looking sinister, they had a knightly appearance to them.
And as Joker cast a glance in Crow's direction, he could see above his head the tenth star appear on his card. As Lavenza whispers in his ears, time crawls to a still.
I am thou, thou art I...
Thou hast turned a vow into a blood oath.
Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion
and break the yoke of thy heart.
Thou hast awakened to the ultimate secret
of the justice, granting thee infinite power...
As time returned to normal, Joker flipped back to avoid a slash from Sho as Spring charged in with her spear, forcing him back. A blast of lightning from Skull and a wave of ice from Fox corner Sho in a corridor of magic as Queen blasts him with a point-blank nuke. His weakness sent him flying but only caused his excitement to boil.
"This is great! Fighting with anger, with resentment, it's the only way to get into a good fight! Who needs bombs when you have unlimited power!" Show shouts, blasting the team with an Abyssal Wings. But just as the curse magic was about to strike, Crow stepped in to absorb the magic. "Huh, finally decided to switch sides, huh?" Sho asks with a knowing look as the Thieves glance at Crow's updated look. "I was wondering what it would take to finally get you to snap. Now you are a detective knight? How cliché…"
"I had a rather large patience." Crow remarks, slowly walking forward with blade in hand. "All this time, I had waited for the perfect opportunity to leave and expose not only your crimes but Shido's as well. But…that no longer matters to me…" He brings his sword up, pointing it directly at Sho. "You… you almost killed Violet, just like how you killed her sister. I have long considered myself as someone who would not give in to anger and rage…but for you…" He tightens the grip around his sword as an aura begins to form around him. "I'll make an exception! LOKI! LAEVATIENN!"
With a roar, Loki appears behind Crow, wrapped in chains of blue, as he launches a blade of pure Almighty magic directly at Sho. Caught off guard by the new Persona, Sho just dodges out of the way as the blade slams into the deck, exploding and catching Sho in its range. Seeing this, Crow charges forward, engaging Sho in a sword fight as the two exchange blows. The Thieves charge in, aiming to assist, but are held back by a Vorpal Blade attack from Sho. Seeing his chance, Crow manages to land several cuts on Sho's arms and legs, only for Sho to return the favour.
"Riot Gun!" Crow shouts, sending the gun attack at Sho. Only for him to duck out of the way and slash twice over Crow's chest. Not deep enough to kill, but enough to send him to the ground in pain. But before Sho could capitalise on this, he was struck by almost every element of spell in the side sending him flying into the wall of the ship.
With a groan, he picks himself up before finding Joker's knife under his chin as Skull and Fox place their feet on his blades. While Mona and Queen get to work healing up Crow's injuries.
"It's over, Sho." Joker says coldly, holding the knife at him. Sho glares at him, glancing around to see a way out before he is struck in the head by Noir. Knocking him unconscious.
"That was for trying to kill my father." She says bitterly as Shadow and Panther wrap their weapons around his arms and legs. Joker nods at them before turning his attention back to Crow and Violet. The two of them lying on the floor, unresponsive.
"How are they?" He asks, slightly worried.
"Well, they both took some bad hits. It'll be a few days before they can fight again." Mona says, as the residential healing expert. "But other than that, they're fine. Violet, especially since Athena was quick to heal her."
"I'm just glad the blade didn't go any higher. Sho was close to puncturing her lung." Athena admits, picking Violet up with both hands before glancing at the unconscious Sho. She scowls as she gently passes Violet to Noir before marching over to Sho and yanking him up. "I'll take him to the prosecutor's office and have him locked up. Since he's walking around with real swords, it will be easy to put him under arrest."
"Be careful, sis. He might wake up on the way back." Queen replies with a worried look. Athena gently shakes her head as she heads for the exit with Skull and Fox accompanying her. Just to make sure he stays asleep and that Athena avoids any guards on the way back.
"What do we do with Violet and Crow?" Shadow asks, looking between the two.
"I can take Violet to my house. There is plenty of room." Noir offers.
"What about Crow?" Oracle asks, looking at the detective prince. Joker sighs as he picks him up, being careful not to agitate the chest wound.
"I'll take him back to Leblanc. I'll explain to Boss that Crow is on our side while giving him my bed to rest. I don't mind sleeping on the couch."
"If you're okay with that…" Panther replies, a little uneasy. Joker nods before turning back to the depths of the engine room. By now, a Cognition of Akechi would have appeared before them, but it would seem that there is no cognition this time. Something that he was secretly thankful for.
As the team returned to the front of the ship, Queen and Spring took a small detour to open the doors leading to the Treasure room. Allowing them to skip right to the Treasure when they were ready.
With the doors open, the Thieves took a moment to sigh in relief as they returned to reality and sought about treating Akechi and Kasumi. There was no doubt these two would want to be there when the hammer fell on Shido.
A fall that was quickly coming, whether he realised it or not.
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 10/Max)
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 10/Max)
Lavenza (Justine & Caroline): Strength (sealed?)