Chapter 22: Black Mask
September 22nd, 2016.
Sir Kunikazu Okumura, the great profiteering sinner of greed. Your success and global fame exist due to the tyranny you rain over your employees. Thus, we have decided to make you confess all your crimes with your own mouth.
From, The Phantom Thieves of Hearts
Okumura growls at the card he holds in his hands, hoping his glare will set it aflame. Alas, the card refused to ignite, so he threw it down to the table.
"How did they find out about me?" He hisses, his eyes never leaving the card. It was a shock to suddenly find the card waiting for him on the table this morning when he woke up. Let alone on Autumnal Equinox Day. "I have been covering my tracks. The SIU Director has reassured me that the police would never catch on. So how?"
"Father?" Haru's voice echoes from the stares as she makes her presence known. "Is everything alright?"
"It's nothing Haru. Leave me alone." Okumura deflects a little too quickly, keeping his gaze on the card. Not seeing Haru glance at him, fully dressed, to go outside as he pulls his phone out. "I need to let them know. I have to take care of this before it becomes a problem…" He dials a number, bringing the phone to his ear. "I've been sent a calling card from the Phantom Thieves, and I need you to send it over to the police." He narrows his eyes at the voice on the phone. "Don't make me repeat myself. Give it to the police. That's an order. These scoundrels have threatened me. Aren't the police supposed to side with law-abiding citizens?"
As Haru watches her father on the phone, the world turns black as Shadow Okumura takes his place. Arms folded and glaring at the pitch blackness ahead.
"I will not fail!"
As the world returned to reality, Haru slipped out of the room like a mouse as she silently brought out her own phone.
Chatroom: Return of the Phantoms!
Noir: My father has read the card. It's time.
Joker: Understood. Shadow, Morgana, Oracle and I are already on our way there.
Queen: I'm already in the area alongside Fox.
Skull: Headin' over with Panther, Spring and Outlaw. Think Black Mask is already waiting for us?
Oracle: If he is, I'll pick him up. He won't slip past me again. Just a heads up in case you forgot, but he summons robots to fight us. They have the same weakness as the others, so as long as we stay calm we can breeze through them.
Spring: We're all ready, so give us the sign, Joker.
Joker: It's Showtime!
Security droids run rampant around the spaceport, hunting for the intruders with all haste. The production lines had also been shut down, ending all progress to whatever Shadow Okumura was doing. All the while, the Thieves silently move through the Palace using the Safe Room located outside the Treasure.
Rushing to the Treasure, they could see the Big Bang Burger door had been opened, revealing the UFO that Shadow Okumura had been hiding. Just as an arm extends from underneath the UFO, extending towards the Treasure.
"Fire your grapple shots at the arm!" Joker shouts, firing his grapple. The other Thieves follow suit, each grapple latching onto the arm as it grabs the Treasure. And as the arm retracted with the Treasure, the Thieves were dragged along side it.
"This beats having to run after it!" Skull shouts as they approach the SS Utopia.
"There's Okumura!" Fox calls, pointing at the Shadow of Okumura standing directly under the UFO. Staring at them with a lock of shock and surprise as the arm brings his Treasure towards him, alongside the Phantom Thieves.
"How?!" He shouts as the Thieves land before him, while his Treasure connects to the underside of his UFO. He didn't even have time to activate the self-destruct yet, banking on the Thieves running all the way here.
"Nice to meet ya, mister CEO." Outlaw snarks with his arms folded.
"Sorry to drop in unannounced." Panther adds with a smirk of her own. All the while, the team stayed away from the centre of the platform, avoiding the ray shield trap. Shadow Okumura growls in annoyance, grasping the remote in his hands.
"It's over, Okumura. Hand over your Treasure and return to your other self." Joker tells him. "We're not here to play any games."
"Games, you say?" Okumura asks before putting on a smirk. "Then, if not games, how about a talk? I am sure you are dying to know who is controlling everything, correct?"
"Sorry, but we already know." Spring says with a shake of her head.
"What?!" Shadow Okumura shouts, taken aback. A supposed pillar he could stand on swiped right from under him.
"We also know of Black Mask. The assassin. Perhaps you could tell us about him?" Shadow asks with a glare.
"Black Mask? Never heard of him!" Okumura denies. "If it is not information that you want, then how about money? Even you cannot resist the call of gold!"
"No." Noir says softly, walking forward. "Nothing you say will change our minds. We are changing your heart, saving the lives of your employees, force you to realise the gravity of your sins." She clutches a hand to her chest, staring directly at Shadow Okumura's eyes. "In this world, there are things that money and stats can never buy. The familiar love of family being the most important. And we will force you…" She pints a finger at him, while grabbing the brim of her hat. "To realise what you have done to your daughter!"
"So…negotiations have failed then…" Shadow Okumura scoffs, before pressing the tigger on his switch.
Emergency launch sequence will soon be activated. Certain areas may be shut off or destroyed.
All around them, orange emergency lights flare to life as the UFO begins to power up, while a floating chair fit for a certain Emperor floats behind Okumura to which he sits in.
"There is still plenty of time before launch… I will crush you all!" He snaps his fingers as several shoots slam down into the ground, dispersing eight worker robots ready to fight. While a force field envelops him, protecting him from any and all attacks. "Let's see you fair against my company's elite soldiers!"
"Urgh…not this shit again…" Skull groans as the eight robots ready themselves to fight.
"Go my employees! Be the foundation upon which victory is built! As for your targets…" He thrusts an open palm forward. "The pompous man in the black coat! The barbaric, dark-haired woman! The obnoxious blond one! And the slutty-looking woman in red!"
"What did you call me!?" Panther shouts angrily while Skull bristles with lightning.
"He did not call me barbaric right now. Did he?" Queen asks in a low voice to Joker, who himself was feeling very insulted at being called pompous.
"RODGER, RODGER!" The droids chant, charging towards the fuming four. Not before Morgana jumps in front of them.
"Not on my watch! Magarula!" He shouts, sending a powerful gust of wind at the robots, knocking them down to their knees. "Baton pass to you Panther!" He shouts, passing the Baton to Panther who quickly rips off her mask.
"Take this! Maragion!" Surrounding the eight robot's in balls of fire, she incinerates them leaving nothing but ash. "So much for your 'elite' troops."
"Bah! Never mind those useless louts! You have but only scratches the surface! Haru! Be a dear and show them what company loyalty looks like!" On command, C-Haru walks up behind him, taking position on his left as she glanced at the Thieves with an uncaring look.
"Yes, father! Your will is absolute!" With a malicious grin, Okumura settles into his chair as six more chutes slam into the floor.
"Now then, I hope you haven't underestimated the size and strength of my company. Employees! Fall in line!" With a snap of his fingers, the chutes open revealing six more worker robots, this time wearing yellow suits. "Disregard your previous targets! Focus instead on the oddball with the fox mask! The sadistic musketeer! And that…bizarre, black-and0white thing!"
"I AM NOT A THING!" Mona shouts in anger. "That's even worse than being called a cat!"
"To call me an oddball, how insulting!" Fox says with a shake of his head.
"I'm not sadistic. Black Mask is sadistic!" Noir shouts, not noticing the looks she was getting from the others.
"Artemis! Marakukaja!" Joker shouts, summoning Artemis and buffing their defence. Just in time as the robots unleash a barrage of attacks on the targeted four, prompting Queen to do an emergency Mediarama to patch them up.
"Boudica! Mapsio!" Shadow shouts, summoning her newly evolved self to psionically slams the machines into the ground. "Bassing the Baton to you Fox!" She cries leaping over to him and slapping his hand.
"With pleasure. Mabufula!" With an icy chill, Fox runs spears of ice through the worker robots. Showing that even though they wore different suits, they were no stringer that those wearing blue. "Is that all you have?"
"Ugh, damn these Thieves… Chief Clerks! Get in here and take care of this!" Once more snapping his fingers, he summons more chutes to the field, summoning yet again six more robots. Tall red thin ones this time. "I won't let petty thieves stand in the company—no, MY WAY!"
"My fathers will is absolute." C-Haru monotones, before casting a spell on one of the robots.
"There's a good daughter! Now I can take pride in my work!"
"DESTROY THE INTRUDERS!" The red robots call, while one of them stands still as it randomly salutes to the air.
"Why is one of them saluting?" Outlaw asks, before jumping in to parry a blow aimed at Morgana. Joker's eyes widen as he looks to the saluting robot. Noting how it seemed to glow brighter with each second.
"Crap! Everyone brace!" Joker shouts, bringing his arms up. The rest of the Thieves copy him, just as the saluting robot explodes into flames. Sending shrapnel flying everywhere as it takes two of its fellow robot's with him. Leaving only one remaining on the field. The one that was buffed by C-Haru. Seeing the carnage, the robot suddenly turns around and flees. Not sparing the Thieves or Shadow Okumura a second glance.
"Hah! Looks like your employees aren't so loyal Mr CEO!" Oracle gloats from inside Promethius. But Okumura just scoffs.
"Losing some disposable employees is nothing to me. I have more than enough to replace them! You've made a grave error underestimating my company body!" With a snap of his finger, he resummons six more red robots to the field, just as C-Haru once again buffs one of them.
"Not this time! Dekaja!" Joker shouts, still having Artemis equipped, and negates the defensive buff C-Haru had placed on the robot. "Now!"
"Mazionga!" Skull shouts, sending lighting coursing through all six of the machines, and paralysing three of them. "Baton to you Queen!" He shouts, giving Queen a high five as she rips her mask of.
"How about this for a blast? Mafrelia!" With explosive fury, Queen consumes the robots with a blast of atomic fire. But to her chagrin, all six were still standing but badly damaged. "Not enough huh? To you Outlaw!" With a hive five, she give the baton to Outlaw, with Ned Kelly already forming behind him.
"Even if you resist it, it doesn't matter if you are already half dead. Riot Gun!" With a hail of bullets, Outlaw rips through the six red robots as they ping off Okumura's deflective shield.
"You little—! Damnit! Hey, Section Chiefs! Get these loudmouth brats out of my sight!" Once more snapping his fingers, he summons the chutes to the ground. This time only summoning four light blue lanky robots.
"The numbers are getting smaller each time, we're almost there!" Spring shouts with a grin.
"There won't BE a next time for you! All of you! Target the false enlightened one! As well as that gunslinging wannabe! I don't forget that disgraced ninja-Ronin!"
"Gunsling—you did NOT just call me a wannabe!" Outlaw shouts, very much insulted.
"I can look past being called a ninja-Ronin but disgraced? That is a line too far!" Shadow bites back.
"A false prophet huh? Well if I was false could I do this? Nike! Mahamaon!" Joker couldn't help but raise an eye at that. From what he experienced, instant-kill spells did nothing to the Palace rulers or the 'mini-bosses'. At least until now as he watched as each one fell to the bless attack, surprising the Thieves, Shadow Okumura, and Spring especially. "Huh…I didn't think that would work, to be honest…"
"Well…that was new…" Oracle comments as an awkward silence fills the area, even as the sirens continue to blare away before Okumura snaps himself out of it.
"In that case, let us try again!" He snaps his fingers, once again summoning the Section Chiefs to the field. "Don't think that trick will work twice!"
"Wasn't planning to! Makouga!" Spring shouts, sending the bless attack at the light-blue robots and knocking them to their knees. "Your up Mona!" She calls, passing the baton to Mona who grins at the downed machines.
"Leave it to me! Magarula!" With a powerful blast of wind, Mona sends the Section Chiefs flying as Okumura angrily slams his hand onto his chair.
"Argh…FINE! Your time has arrived, Chief Directors! Go forth and show them the weight of the corporate elite!" Slamming his hand onto the controls instead of snapping his fingers, he summons two chutes to the field, deploying the hulking green robots to stop the Thieves.
"Such machines will never stop us! Mapsio!" Noir shouts, using psychosis to slams to the two machines together, nocking them to the ground. "Your up Joker!" She calls, passing the final baton to him. With a smirk, he summons Arsène behind him as dark energy builds up in his hands.
"The shows over! Arsène! Maeiga!" Slamming his hands into the ground, Joker sends spirals of darkness over the green brutes. The curse spell washes over them as the brute try to fight back, one of them swinging a punch at Outlaw who deftly dodges out of the way before they finally succumb to the spell.
"Grrrrrrrr…" Okumura growls, seeing his best men being swatted away like flies. "It seems ordinary workers are not fir for the job! Executive Director! To me!" Once more slamming his hand on his chair, he summons a giant single chute to the field. Before it opens up, it is ripped apart by a massive black robot, easily bigger than any of the green robots. "Now then, fulfil your duty as my right-hand man! For the eternal prosperity of Okumura Foods!"
"FOR THE ETERNAL GLORY OD OKUMURA!" The Exo-Robot booms before throwing a punch at the floor. The thieves scatter, avoiding the massive fist as Panthers launches an Agliao at the robot, only for the spell to harmlessly wash over it.
"What the? That did nothing?" She shouts, before jumping back to avoid another punch.
"It doesn't have a weakness! Either hit it with an Aliment or take it down the hard way!"
"PETITIONING REQUEST FOR BIG BANG CHALLENGE!" The Exo-Robot commands, casting Makarakarn on itself just as Skull and Shadow launch a joint lighting and psio attack on it. Only to have their attacks redirected back to them.
"Request granted! Show those Thieves the might of Okumura Foods!" Shadow Okumura shouts, throwing over an acceptance form with his signature. The Exo-Robot charges up, summoning a giant burger between its arms before forcing it to explode like a mini Big Bang.
Even though the Thieves had their guards up, the attack still landed a heavy hit on them. Even worse, all of them were struck down by the Hunger Effect.
"Good, good! Do not hesitate! Show no mercy!" Okumura eggs on as the Exo-Robot casts Heat Riser on itself before launching another Big Bang Challenge on the Thieves. Only for Okumura's eyes to widen in shock as the attack instead heals the Thieves and cures them of their Hunger. "No!"
"You've had your fun, Okumura! But how about we show you OUR super attack! Come on out, Edelweiss!" Oracle shouts as Prometheus shoots down a green beam to the field. From the aura, the Edelweiss makes its grand returns as its guns automatically lock on to the Exo-Robo. "Fire!" With a single command, the tank opens fire at the Exo-Robo, the almighty shots dealing severe damage to the robot. But as the Edelweiss goes back to Oracle, the Exo-Robo is still standing, yet sparking heavily.
"It's on its last legs! Don't let up! Debilitate!" Joker shouts, removing the effect of Heat Riser from the Exo-Robot as the Thieves lay into it with every heavy-hitting spell they have. "Megido!" Using the only attacking spell he had on Artemis, Joker launches the Almighty attack right into the Exo-Robot's chest, finally destroying it as it falls to the ground in pieces.
"What...!? Even him...!? Grrr, someone! Is there anyone here!?" Shadow Okumura shouts in desperation, but when the chute comes down to deploy a robot, all it left instead is a pile of resignation letters. Which were quickly blown away. "Wh-Why isn't anyone coming!?"
"Okumura. You've been forsaken even by your own employees. It is time to end this fight." Noir tells him with a stern face, even as the inside of her mind screamed at her to keep an eye out around them.
"Oracle?" Joker asks quietly into an earpiece. Something they had all planned for before going in in case one of them spotted Black Mask.
"Nothing yet, but I'm keeping an eye out." She responds, clearly playing double duty the entire fight.
"Damnit! If that's how it is…" Shadow Okumura glances to his left, his eyes falling on C-Haru. "Haru! I command you to go forth! Show them the might of our company! Okumura Food will be gutted if I fall! Do you grasp the situation here, Haru?"
"Of course Father." C-Haru replies before walking out of the protective shield and transforming into a tall robot on a single wheel. "THIS IS FOR MY FATHERS SAKE." It was then that C-Haru began to glow, indicating that she was about to self-destruct.
"Everyone, brace!" Joker shouts to the team as they put their arms up. Just as C-Haru was about to explode, Oracle activates a Final Sheild to protect them from the blast and preventing them from taking critical damage. The same could not be said for Okumura, as the blast destroyed his protective shield, leaving him open to a single shot from Joker as he destroys his chair, sending him sprawling onto the ground.
"In the end, I am just one more in a lineage of failures…" Okumura says, as he gets to his knees. "I surrender, Phantom Thieves. I will contact Haru's Fiancé and rescind the marriage offer. I will cut all ties between them…" He glances at the ground in despair. "But even so, this may be the end of Okumura Foods… Even if I alone are charged for my crimes, the board of directors will shun Haru away from any higher positions… I worry for her future…"
"You need not worry." Noir says gently, kneeling down in front of Okumura. "She already has her future planned." Okumura looks at her, confused as to why she said that.
"Wh-why do you say—?" Okumura asks through trembling lips. Noir nods slowly, smiling gently before opening her mouth to speak and reveal her identity.
But she never got the chance.
"Awwww. Isn't this just so heartwarming? Forgive me if I actually throw up." A voice suddenly echoes from the ramp leading to the UFO as all eyes turn to the source. A silent gasp escapes the Thieves as they see the man walking down the ramp. A figure that any of them could recognise.
"No way. How did I not see him?" Oracle whispers in disbelief as the man casually approaches them while the team form a wall between him and Okumura.
They were right to be on edge, for any of them, even Spring, Outlaw and Shadow, could recognised the getup. A black and blue body suit, with clawed gauntlets on the hand with studded belts along the arms and legs. A black knights helmet, along with a pointed black mask with red tinted lens. A short black cape reaching his elbows flowing from his back. And two katana blades held in sheaths hanging from the back of his waist.
"Black Mask." Joker says through gritted teeth, tightening his grip on his dagger.
"Oh? You've heard of me? Guess I shouldn't be surprised at that." Black Mask casually dismisses.
"Black Mask? Whay are you here?" Shadow Okumura asks with wide eyes full of fear. Black Mask gives a long and drawn out sigh as he shakes his head.
"Do I have to spell it out to you?" He says dramatically before smirking with killer intent. "I'm here to kill you."
"What!?" Shadow Okumura gasps, falling backwards as the Thieves tighten their circle around him. "But, why!?"
"Isn't it obvious? We can't have you go confessing about Shido and the SIU Director now. And besides…" His grin seems to get even wider as he reaches for the twin katanas on his waist. "Your death will paint the Thieves as the true culprits of the Mental Shutdowns. What greater honour could there be than that?"
"Like hell are we letting you do that!" Skull shouts, already falling into his battle stance.
"You want Okumura, you will have to go through us first!" Panther shouts, whipping her whip. But despite their words, all they did was cause Black Mask to laugh as he draws his blades. The serrated edges gleaming in the light.
Those aren't plastic. Those are real metal! Joker internally shouts as Black Mask approaches them, like a predator stalking his prey, without a hint of deranged madness but of a seasoned killer. I've got a bad feeling about this…whoever this is, it is NOT Akechi!
"You guys have guts. I wonder if you will last just as long as the other guys I've fought." Black Mask quips, drawing wide eyed looks from the others, just as a dark aura surged around him. While a scar on his face along with his eyes glow blue. "Now, let's get this party started, so come on out…"
"Tsukuyomi!"
Tsukuyomi!? The future Thieves internally shout as a black shadow forms behind Black Mask. Before melting away to reveal a tall man wearing a black and white striped body suit, the colours stretching down to his high heeled shoes and gloves. A priest like robe with red decors covers his chest, the long rob fluttering about while its face was covered by a golden helmet. A crescent moon stretched out from the helmet, almost as though it was being torn apart, while in its left hand it held a long black blade. Darkness seemingly floating from it like fire.
"Now then. Let's have some fun!" Black Mask shouts, dashing straight towards Joker with both swords coming down to slash him in two. Joker raises his dagger, blocking one blade while Queen blocks the other with her knuckle duster as Fox dashes in from the side. "Myriad Slashes!" Black Masks shouts, jumping backwards as Tsukuyomi lashes out at Fox.
"Tempest Slash!" Fox cries out, with Kamu Susano-o clashing blades with Tsukuyomi, landing two small cuts on the demon Persona.
"Zionga!"
"Agliao!"
"Garula!"
Skull, Panther and Mona launch their spells at Black Mask, but he easily dodges past them without missing a beat.
"Is that all you have? How boring. Life Drain!" Holding its left hand out, Tsukuyomi drains energy from Noir as she charges towards him. Forcing her to stop mid charge. "Abyssal Wings!" He cries out, while Tsukuyomi's robes flutter open as a hoard of black feathers streak towards the Thieves.
"Not on my watch!" Joker shouts, leaping into the attack as he switches Arsène to the front. The attack hits him, injuring him slightly but much less than what would have been done to the others. Especially Spring. "Arsène! Triple Down!" Summoning his other self, Joker sends a barrage of gunfire towards Black Mask, who uses his twin swords to deflect nearly all the rounds. Save for a few that graced his arms and legs.
"Not bad…I'm actually starting to enjoy this." He says with a wide grin, before his eyes latch onto Oracle and her screens. "A Navigator? I wonder if you can put up a fight like she did!" He leaps forward, blades ready to slash only for his blades to collide against Outlaws. "Dual wielding? That's my gimmick!"
"Then cry me a river!" Outlaw shouts, pushing Black Mask back with noticeable effort as Spring and Shadow charge in from the sides.
"Psio!"
"Kouga!" The psionic and bless attack steam in on Black Masks sides, only for him to leap backwards and letting the attacks slam into each other. Parrying another axe strike from Noir as he flips through the air.
"You're good. But you all pale in comparison to them." Black Mask comments, readying to strike once more, before a low groan from Okumura catches everyone's eyes. "Shit!" Black Mask curses as Shadow Okumura vanishes into light. Safely returning to his other self. The Thieves silently breath in relief as Okumura's Palace begins to fall apart around them.
"We need to go, now!" Mona shouts to the team as they start rushing for the exit, while Shadow nabs the Treasure with her grappling hook.
"Not so fast!" Black Mask shouts, taking his phone out and hitting an app. Before the Thieves could leave, the area around them shifts and contorts violently before they suddenly find themselves in the Path of Akzeriyyuth.
"What the—!? Mementos!?" Outlaw shouts as the team suddenly find themselves in the dark purple corridors. "How did we get here!?"
"By me, cowboy." Black Mask reveals, holding his phone. "You didn't think that I would have some way of dragging people into Mementoes when a Palace was collapsing, did you? And besides, with how much fun I was starting to get, it would be a shame to end this now! Vorpal Blade!"
With deranged glee, Black Mask jumps back into the fight with the Thieves, hitting nearly all of them with the powerful attack. Before he quickly followed it up with another Abyssal Wing, forcing the Thieves further back on the defensive.
"Artemis! Debilitate!" Joker shouts, hoping to at least slow down Black Mask with the spell. To his amazement, the spell hit Black Mask. But not because he was trying to didge.
"Oh? You can use multiple Persona as well? That makes you the third Wild Card I've fought. I wonder if you can match the other two, though?" Black Mask comments before rushing towards Joker again as Mona and Skull jump in his way and lock weapons with him. "You want to die first, kitty cat?"
"I am not a cat!" Mona shouts as the two manage to force Black Mask back. The Debilitate works its magic while Panther and Shadow wrap their weapons around his waist and left arm.
"Ladies please….Safe that sort of play for the bedroom!" He drops his sword, grabbing Panthers whip and Shadows chain before dragging them both over to him and throwing them and Skull and Mona. He then kicks his swords up into his hands, parrying strikes from both Spring and Outlaw before kicking Outlaw into Spring. Watching the two roll to the ground, he quickly ducks under a sword swing from Fox before leaping away from a Triple Down by Noir.
"Frelia!" Queen shouts, summoning Anat and sending atomic fire at Black Mask, hitting him in the side. Earning a cry of pain from him as he jumps away, rubbing his arm. "Looks like Nuke is your weakness, Black Mask."
"You bitch! You'll pay for that!" He snarls, summoning Tsukuyomi once more before a low groan echoes through the tunnel. Accompanied by the sounds of rattling chains. "What is that?" Black Masks asks, completely unbothered by the sounds.
While the Thieves collectively paled in dread.
"Oh crap…" Oracle whispers as she spies a floating chain appear near a corner, slowly backing away. "It's the Reaper…"
Hovering above the ground with a bloodstained trench coat, chains wrapped around its torso in a cross while two long revolvers were grasped in each hand. A lone eye peering out from a blood covered sack covering its head, dressed all in pitch black. While the Thieves collectively paled at the sight, Black Mask only grinned with excitement.
"What is this? A new foe? Well, show me what you have!" He shouts, charging at the Reaper as it fires its twin revolvers at him. Which his parries and deflects before leaping in to slash across its chest. The Reaper flies back, unleashing a Mudo spell on Black Mask only for the spell to be negated.
"Now! While he's distracted!" Joker shouts as Joker turns into his van form. With Black Mask distracted by the Reaper, the Thieves easily board Mona and speed off away from the fight.
They had done what they needed to do and confirmed Black Masks' identity. There was no need to fight him yet. Especially with how much stronger he was over them…
The destination has been deleted.
"Is everyone okay?" Ren asks the team as they take a breath in an alleyway near Shibuya Underground Mall.
"If by okay, you mean 'still in one piece', then yes I am. Just terribly tired…" Yusuke admits as he leans on the wall.
"For real…" Ryuji agrees, leaning on his knees.
"Black Mask…he was much stronger than we thought…" Ann comments while rubbing her arm.
"But that's not the only thing." Ren says, drawing all eyes. "At this point, we can safely say that he is not Akechi."
"Agreed. But let's talk about this some place else. Or tomorrow. I can barely keep my eyes open." Makoto admits, shaking her head. Ren had to admit, the double fight against Okumura and then Black Mask did leave him pretty drained. If it wasn't for the Reaper showing up at that point, they could have easily taken some major damage from those blades of his.
"Okay, everyone head back home. We'll talk more about this tomorrow at Leblanc. But remember one thing guys." Ren smiles wide as he pushes his glasses up. "We saved Okumura's life." The sting of Black Masks domination over them quickly evaporated as jubilant smiles washed over the Thieves.
"We did, didn't we…. We changed fate again." Yusuke comments, looking at Haru who was shedding tears of joy.
"Thank you, everyone. Thank you…" She quietly says, while Yusuke embraces her.
"Ah, you're back." Sojiro says quietly, wiping down the counter as Ren, Futaba, Morgana and Hifumi enter Leblanc. "You kids okay? You look like you've been put through the ring."
"Honestly, it feels like we were…" Futaba replies, falling into one of the empty booths. "We managed to change Okumura's heart, and keep his Shadow alive."
"Really?" Sojiro asks, as a small smile forms on his face. "So that means he won't suffer a mental shutdown, correct?"
"That's right. But it wasn't easy." Ren comments, heaving a sigh. "We ran into Black Mask." Sojiro tensed up at hearing the name 'Black Mask'.
"So…you ran into Akechi." He deduces, only to be surprised when the four shake their heads.
"We ran into 'Black Mask', yes. But we can definitively say that he was not Akechi, but someone else." Hifumi replies, before nodding to Futaba.
"In the original timeline, Black Mask's Persona was Loki, and he used a serrated laser sword in his left hand. But this Black Mask had two twin serrated katanas, and a persona called Tsukuyomi. Then there was how he summoned it. His eyes and a scarn on his face glowed blue when he summoned his persona. While Akechi, like us, uses a mask."
"So, a complete different person is playing as Shido's assassin?" Sojiro summarizes, with a frown. "But who?"
"I don't know. But what he said during our fight has me concerned." Ren replies, folding his fingers. "We are not the first persona users he has fought, nor am I the first Wild Card he's encountered." Ren closes his eyes, leaning his head on his entwined hands as a heavy silence fills the café.
"Just who is he?"
By the time she got home, Makoto was tired and exhausted. She was lucky that she already had dinner pre planned before they left, so making something to eat would not take long. At least, that was the original plan.
"Makoto!" Sae voice rings out through the apartment, startling her as she drops a cooking utensil. Just as Sae rushing into the living room, breathless. "You're here…"
"Sis? What's wrong? Why are you back so early?" Makoto asks, taken aback by her sisters entrance. A surprise exemplified as Sae envelops her in a hug.
"You're here…you're alive…" Sae whispers, holding onto Makoto as though she would vanish. It didn't take long for Makoto to realise why Sae was home.
"Sis…you remember?" She asks quietly. Sae separates them, giving her younger sister a tiered but relived smile.
"I do…just recently anyway." That was Makoto needed to hear as hugged Sae again, the prosecutor warmly returning the hug as the two sat down on the couch. "You can already guess what questions I want to ask."
"That I do, Sis. TO be honest, you are the last one to remember." Makoto gently says before telling Sae everything that had happened since their fight against Yaldabaoth. Sae listened intently, face neutral as she processed everything she was told, from saving Shiho from being raped by Kamoshida, to her, Mishima and Hifumi joining them as Persona users. She was surprised to hear that they changed Kobayakawa's heart, while silently fumed at hearing how he viewed both her and the others, and saved his life in the process. But what caught her ears was today's recent heist. "So, you managed to change Okumura's heart and save his shadow from Black Mask who is not Akechi this time… You have really put your 'second chance' to good use."
"It was the first thing we all agreed on when we came back in April. But now we have more questions on Black mask, as well as Akechi. He still heard Morgana talking about pancakes, so he HAS been to the Metaverse, but he is not Black Mask." Makoto rubs her head with a tired look. "It's honestly giving me a headache."
"I see… There's one other thing I need to ask." Sae says with some uncertainty in her voice. "Do I still have a Palace?" Makoto looks at Sae for a moment, before smiling warmly and shaking her head.
"No, you don't. We found out from Futaba's Shadow that, when we came to the past, we merged with our old selves in order to come back. The same thing happened with our Persona's and Shadows. Its why when I brought Morgana here you commented on seeing him before, and why you don't have a Palace."
"That's a relief…" Sae admits with shake of her head. " I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I developed a Palace again." She thinks to herself for a moment, before looking back to Makoto. "You are all planning to meet at Leblanc, correct? I would want to join you."
Chatroom: Return of the Thieves!
Queen: Sis remembers. And she is on our side.
Joker: I had a feeling she would. Glad to hear it.
Spring: That means everyone remembers, right?
Fox: Indeed it does. The Phantom Thieves of Hearts are made whole once more.
Oracle: Unless you count Akechi. But that's debatable. BTW Noir. How's your dad?
Noir: I haven't seen him yet. Apparently, he was at a meeting when we entered his Palace. But I did just receive a call from him saying he was on his way home early. The fact that he is sentient to drive is giving me hope.
Panther: So we are back in the waiting game. Man I hate this part….
Skull: Ditto…
Queen: Just to let you guys know, Sae is coming to LeBlanc tomorrow. She wants to know what our plans are going forward since we won't be framed for the Mental Shutdowns this time.
Joker: That is fine with me. I was planning on asking all of our confidants to come tomorrow anyway. After all, our last two targets are the big ones.
Outlaw: The SIU Director and Shido.
Skull: Then we take on that stupid jerk again.
Panther: I have been waiting for round 2 against him. He's going down!
Shadow: While I share the excitement, I fear we are still too weak to take him on.
Especially after our fight with Black Mask.
Spring: Who was he? He definitely wasn't Akechi, his voice gave that away.
Oracle: There's also his Persona as well. Akechi used Robin Hood and Loki, but Tsukuyomi is a new one.
Joker: Questions we'll have to ask tomorrow. Get some rest, guys, you did good work today.
Putting her phone back in her pocket, Haru briefs a deep sigh. Despite all of the reassurances, she couldn't help but worry about her father. Sure, they saw him vanish like all the other Shadows, but was he safe? What was stopping Shido from causing a Mental Shutdown in someone else and killing him in an accident?
Then again, it wouldn't prove that they were the ones who killed him. The reason why Haru's father was killed was to frame them after all. Killing him in an accident wouldn't work.
Her musing were cut shot when the door to her house opens up, revealing a very worn out Okumura walking into the house in a daze. Tear stains lining his cheeks, as his gaze locked on Haru.
"Father? Is everything alright?" Haru asks, playing up the act. Okumura says nothing, only continuing to stare at her before suddenly rushing to her and enveloping her in a crushing hug.
"Haru! I am sorry! So very, VERY sorry!" Okumura says, sobbing into her shoulder. "I failed you. I failed as a father, as a company owner. I failed my employees, and betrayed your trust with a marriage proposal against your will. I am so, so sorry!" His sobs continue, even as Haru gently pats him on the back before guiding him to the couch.
"Father…did you…?" She asks quietly, although she already knows the answer. She had to keep up the act, after all.
"Yes… The Phantom Thieves have changed my heart. Now I see the monster I had become. So blinded by my greed that I refused to see anything else…" He sighs heavily, pinching his brows. "I deluded myself into diving into the sea of politics, thinking it was my key to greater glory and profits. But I was wrong. Oh, how wrong I was… Even worse was that I treated you as nothing but a pawn in a game…How could I allow myself to fall so far…"
"Father…" Haru says quietly.
"And then, there are the Employees… I've treated them as nothing but machines to be thrown away when no longer needed. I've turned this into a Black Company, all for my own greed." He turns to look at her, tears still in his eyes. "I plan to publicly reveal everything tomorrow. I will step down as CEO and turn myself in. I will disavow the marriage contract as well….But…" He looks to the floor in shame. "I fear I have destroyed your future….The public will brand you a daughter of a criminal…the board may even prevent you from running Okumura Foods as CEO…I am so sorry…"
"I don't care about that." Haru says, bringing her father's face to hers. "I don't care about running the company or becoming CEO. All I ever wanted was to have my father back. My real father…" Tears threatened to fall from her eyes. "The father who read to me when I was little, who went out to play with me when I was alone. The same father, who, while strict and firm, was gentle and kind. And even if it is for these few moments…" She chokes back a sob as she smiles at him. "I am glad that he has finally returned."
At that moment, the damns broke for the both of them as they sat there, hugging on the couch, letting all of their emotions fly free. Eventually, the two of them calmed down enough that Haru reached under the couch to give him his Treasure.
"By the way, this arrived earlier from someone. I thought that you might want it." Haru says gently, placing the box on Okumura's lap as he looks at it with nostalgia.
"This…was the model I wanted as a child. The inspiration behind Big Bang Burger…" He says quietly, a ghost of a smile on his face. "Those were simpler times, even if grandfather had us in debt…" Haru nods quietly before looking at the fireplace.
"And, about my future. I've already decided on what I want to be. I want to run a café with my own grown beans, with the one that I love."
"The one you love? Haru… do you mean?" Okumura asks before shaking his head. "No, it is not my place to ask anymore. Having said that…" He places a hand on her shoulder, giving her a truly genuine smile. "I am happy for you to find someone to spend your life with."
Haru gave Okumura a grateful smile, leaning her head on his shoulder as she drew in the atmosphere. Even if it was for this one moment, she was happy to be reunited with the father she loved.
Even if she would only see him again from the other side of a glass window.
Night-time had fallen over Tokyo, the citizens falling into peaceful slumber. All except one man, as he glared out the window to the sleeping city.
"You failed me again, boy." Masayoshi Shido says with displeasure, looking at his assassin. "I thought I told you to eliminate Okumura's Shadow?" The boy huffs, his face hidden by the shadows as he folds his arms. Wearing a sports singlet with a jacket around his waist, three-quarter pants and a small pouch bag near his feet.
"Those freaks are week individually, but make up for it in numbers. I would have finished them off in mementoes if that floating cloth didn't get in my way." He dismisses, thinking back to his fight with the Reaper.
"And you were lucky to survive that." Shido admonishes before shaking his head. "Do you forget who gave you a purpose when he found you wandering the country without a path?"
"Yeah, yeah, I know." The man says, sitting upright and grabbing the pouch bag. "So, what now? Can't blame them for the Mental Shutdowns now." Shido growls before looking back over the city.
"It won't matter. Okumura won't tell anyone who is in control. As for the Thieves, I believe I know who they will target next. The SIU Director."
"That old man?" The boy asks before shrugging his arms. "What makes you think they will go for him?"
"Call it a Politicians Intuition." Shido replies, folding his arms behind his back. "When the Thieves send their next Calling Card, we will be ready for them. And when you go…" Shido turns to look at him. "Take your 'apprentice' with you. It's time to see if he has what it takes to kill."
"Him? He's spineless. He wouldn't kill a fly. But if it's to protect her…he'll have no choice." The man agrees, stepping into the light. Revealing to have long red hair and a cross-shaped scar with blue eyes. "Alright. I'll take him along. See if he really does have what it takes to dirty his hands."
"Be sure that you do." Shido replies. "When next you meet them, do what must be done. Do not be distracted by any powerful foes. Show no mercy. Prove them that you are the superior Persona user…"
"…Sho Minazuki."
Confidant Ranks:
Yaldabaoth: Jester (Rank 7)
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 6)
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 5)
Lavenza (Justine & Caroline): Strength (sealed)