Chapter 7: Prison Break!
Night had fallen on the Kingdom, with Marie's troops prowling the quiet streets looking for the Rebels. Some were even walking down the street with Café Leblanc right in their faces, yet they passed it by without even giving it a passing glance. As though they could not see it at all.
It was certainly strange for Erina, looking down from a one-side window up above. Behind her, all members of the Phantom Thieves lay sleeping in their beds while her people kept watch. She lets out a yawn, thinking of heading to bed before noticing that a certain person was missing.
"Where did Toshiro go?" She asks, standing up. Walking to the other half of the room that connected to the medical room and armoury, she was surprised not to see him in either room. Leaving only one place left.
Heading downstairs, she was not surprised to see Toshiro looking over the map of the city with a small light. Not bright enough to catch attention outside, thanks to the heavy curtains. But enough so that he could read.
"Doing a little midnight reading?" She asks, catching Toshiro's attention.
"Erina? I thought you were sleeping." He asks, watching her take a seat opposite him.
"Nah, not really feeling tired at the moment." She replies before glancing at him. "Actually, there is something I need to say."
"Oh?" Toshiro replies, raising an eyebrow. "What would it be?" Erina takes a breath, leaning backwards.
"It's about what you said one time. How we shouldn't act recklessly. Deep down, I know you are right." She tells him, earning a shocked look from him. "I understand where you are coming from, I really do. If I go down, the rebellion goes down with me. I know that much, at least. But… Whenever I encounter a situation like that, my heart is pulling me in another direction. Like it's screaming at me that I will regret it if I run away." She gives out a chuckle, looking at him. "That's weird, right? Being afraid of running away than fighting?"
"Only you could say something like that so casually." Toshiro remarks, shaking his head. "And normally, I would prove my point. But, after seeing you come in with that wounded person, I see now why the Rebel Corps will follow you to the ends of the earth. I must admit, I envy your courage…" Erina looks at him with s shocked expression as Toshiro leans back and folds his arms. "I must admit, though, you can be stubborn as a mule."
"Oh? Then does that make you a sloth then? Or a turtle? No, wait, a snail." Erina snarks back, with Toshiro wincing.
"You make a fair argument. I am aware that I lack any combat skills out of everyone here or anything that could be in a supporting role. And that my legs always tremble when I'm out on the battlefield, let alone give out adequate advice in the heat of battle like Iwai-san or Makoto-san." Toshiro folds his hands on the map before looking up at Erina. "But that doesn't mean I'm not completely useless. In truth, I believe I fill more of the role of a strategist alongside Yoshida-san and Hifumi-san. It will be a role that will allow me to contribute to the party in my own way."
"Toshiro…" Erina says quietly.
"Just as you all have your convictions. I have mine. And I refuse to let anyone die under my watch. Or become brainwashed again. And that includes you. We are all in this together." Erina looks at him in surprise before reaching over to shake his hand.
"In that case, I will treat you as a true comrade. And not as a liability." She tells him before looking over the map. "So… Why are you looking over the map anyway?"
"The person you rescued managed to tell me information about the prison's interior before falling asleep." Toshiro reveals. "I am currently going over it to devise a proto-strategy before bringing it to the others for a revision." Erina nods her head, following Toshiro's explanation. "Don't worry, I won't stay up too late. I was about to finish up anyway."
"All right." Erina replies, standing up. "Good night, Toshiro."
"Good night." Toshiro replies as Erina heads up the stairs before returning to the map. As he finalized the last few points before bringing it up tomorrow, he couldn't help but think about Erina.
Why did she remind him of someone? And why can't he remember who that person was?
Dawn gently breaks over the Kingdom, with Marie's forces tired from the late-night search, marching back to their bases in defeat. Having failed to find the hideout. As for the Phantom Thieves and Rebel Corps, they were enjoying a nice breakfast of curry and coffee before Toshiro called everyone to attention.
"Apologies for starting this so early, but it's time to go over what we have learned about Marie's current security strategy." Toshiro announces with Yoshida and Hifumi next to him. He motions to Hifumi to go next.
"After we managed to free Ren and Makoto at the plaza, Marie has grown even more desperate to capture all of us." Hifumi continues as Yoshida rolls out the map.
"Considering how prideful she is, there's no doubt Marie wants to make examples out of all of us." Makoto comments.
"Just like how the SIU and Shido became desperate to catch us." Ren adds. "But desperation can easily lead to people making silly mistakes."
"And that is the exact situation we are in." Yoshida remarks. "For Marie has made a mistake that we can capitalize on."
"What mistake did she make?" Sae asks. Yoshida motions to Toshiro, letting him continue.
"As Erina and her team found out yesterday when they saved a fellow Rebel, Marie is having her forces spread out all over the city to find us." Toshiro replies, nodding to Erina. "And from what Erina told me this morning, they did walk down this street during the night but failed to even register this place at all."
"That's the power of a Safe Room." Morgana chimes in. "Only we can see it. Anyone who is a threat is incapable of seeing it."
"Hold on… Marie has had her troops looking for us all night? Wouldn't that mean they are tired?" Ryuji asks.
"It's possible. However, Marie could have another group searching during the day while the night team sleeps." Makoto replies.
"But while Marie is doing that, she has also moved a large portion of the Legionnaires deep into the city." Hifumi continues, moving several pieces towards the centre of the map. Leaving very few along the outside. "And if Marie's is relocating a large detachment of her army to the centre…"
"Then it means that the prison will be lightly guarded." Akechi surmises with a hand on his chin.
"Between guarding a prison and making us her slaves, something tells me Marie will be more focused on us." Sumire chimes in with a disgruntled expression.
"Which, in turn, is the mistake she has made in her desperation to catch us." Kawakami says. "She's tunnel visioning on us and becoming blind to everything around her."
"So I take it we are to pull the soldiers away from the prison and have a team sneak in and rescue the prisoners?" Ohya asks, with Yoshida nodding at her.
"Yes. That is the plan." Yoshida remarks. "If her focus is on us and only us, then we can easily enter the prison and break the Rebels out. However…. For this plan to work, someone will have to act as a decoy…"
"Decoy… A risky plan…" Iwai comments. "You will need those who are fast and agile while also being a high target for Marie."
"So, the plan is splitting into two groups. One to distract and one to infiltrate." Shiho comments.
"Won't that put the decoy team under too much risk?" Tao asks. "If they aren't quick or careful, they could easily get surrounded and caught by that bitch-to-be."
"That is why we will establish an escape route beforehand. Complete with traps to slow down the pursuing Legionnaires." Toshiro reveals. "Not only will it allow the decoy team to evade capture, but it will lead the Legionnaires to their own demise as well."
"That, and if all else fails, they can escape with our grapples." Makoto replies, snapping her fingers.
"Couldn't the decoy team also join in on the prison attack when they get away?" Shinya asks, with Hifumi nodding her head.
"There's nothing stopping them from joining." Hifumi confirms. "This is a strategy built around our weakness, turning it into our advantage. It's a gamble, but the only one we have."
"Weren't we originally going to go after Marie's bases?" Mishima asks.
"That was the original plan. But we are still lacking in numbers." Yoshida remarks. "This plan is to solve that shortage and open up our options."
"But if we are doing this…who's going to be the decoy?" Ann asks, all eyes looking at the three strategists.
"I'll do it." Erina says, drawing all eyes to her. "Out of all of us, Marie hates me the most. And I know these streets like the back of my hand. I might not be the fastest among us, but I can certainly stay ahead of Marei's goons."
"But what if you get injured? That would slow you down." Futaba asks with a concerned look.
"If that happens, I'll heal her up." Morgana says, drawing everyone's gaze. "There are more than enough of us to attack the prison. And I'm easily the fastest among us. I'll stay with her and patch her up if needed."
"Then allow me to join you." Yusuke suddenly says, placing the tank model down.
"Yusuke? Are you sure?" Haru asks with a worried look.
"I am. Other than Morgana, I am also one of the fastest here. The two of us will be with Erina to give her support if needed." The group could tell there was no point in dissuading them with the glint in their eyes.
"Just be careful, you hear me." Sojiro tells them with a stern look. "I do not want to hear you getting brainwashed again. If you do, I WILL be marching into Marie's castle and drag you back here myself with Merlin."
"They will be fine." Chihaya says, holding out her Tarot Cards. "The cards never lie after all."
"You have become very scary at reading those when we got here…" Ohya comments with a weary look while Tae looks at Toshiro.
"Have you decided on an escape route?"
"We have." Toshiro replies. "We have a few small details left to hammer out, but we are confident it will work."
"Then let's get ready." Ren replies, standing up and looking at everyone in the cafe. "Once Toshiro and the others have ironed out the plan… It's Showtime."
"Show your faces, Rebel Crops!"
"Lady Marie will have your heads!"
The three decoys watch as Legionnaires rush past, searching high and low for them in every spot but where they are. It was quite comical if they were being honest, but there was a slight problem.
"This place is crawling with them… If we get any close, we'll be spotted for sure." Erina tells the two in a hushed voice.
"Yeah. It's too early for us to move. We need to wait until the signal." Mona agrees, watching the Legionnaires pass by wearily.
"Erina, Mona, Fox. Do you copy?" Oracle's voice crackles over the headsets.
"We read you." Fox replies calmly. "We are at the starting point, ready to move."
"There's a lot of guards here, Oracle. If we move now, we'll be spotted." Mona tells her, resisting the urge to hop around.
"Perfect. We'll kick things off the moment I give the signal. For now, let them make visual contact with you, and then keep your distance. Follow the route planned out and hit all the traps along the way."
"Understood, we'll keep her army at bay." Fox replies to her, eyes flowing over the Legionnaires.
"We'll keep them distracted until night falls if we have to." Erina tells her with a smirk.
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. All right, guys. Commencing the operation in three… two… one… Go!"
At Oracle's command, the three decoys stand up in full view of the Legionnaires, grabbing their attention instantly.
"Ahhh! They found us!" Mona screams in mock panic.
"What terrible misfortune!" Fox dramatically shouts, throwing a hand over his eyes.
"Whatever shall we do nowww!?" Erina cries, with acting the same level as Panthers.
"It's the Rebel Corps! The Rebel Corps is here!" A brute yells in anger, pointing a hand at them. "Surround them! Capture them! Get them now!"
"Nooo! This is the last thing we wanted to happen!" Mona cries in faux dismay.
"Flee for your lives!" Fox shouts dramatically as the trio grapple up onto the scaffolding in the area, letting their faces break out into rebellious smirks.
"C'mon guys… Inari's acting was actually very good, but Erina and Mona were worse than Panthers!"
"HEY!"
"But that doesn't seem to matter! Keep moving, guys!"
"Hold it right there!" A trooper shouts, leaping onto the scaffolding, only to be hit in the head by a stone from Morgana's slingshot, sending it flying back down to the ground. Brute rushes along the bottom, trying to knock the scaffolding down, but Fox and Erina push off some conveniently placed explosive barrels onto them. Blowing the brutes up.
More Legionnaire troopers fire at them as they run past, their shots either missing or hitting the wooden crates and barrels. However, they failed to realise that they themselves were next to some explosive barrels as well, with For and Erina shooting the barrels and detonating them.
At one point, Mona slices a rope in half, sending a pallet full of marble walls slamming down onto the pursuing Legionnaires. Just as the trio leap off the scaffolding and rush into the road leading to the trap.
While behind them was a venerable parade of Legionnaires, rushing forward towards a road filled with traps.
"Listen up! The Rebels have been sighted within the city limits!" A troop of Legionnaires informs a patrol outside the prison. "All nearby units are to join the chase at once! We will drag their leaders all the way to Lady Marie's feet! Move out on the double!"
"Looks like that worked." Skull remarks, glancing at the prison. "All we need to do now is get inside." He turned back to the team, glancing at Ohya and Chihaya, who had decided to accompany them along with Tao.
"So, a quick question about that. How do we get in?" Ohya asks, holding the minigun in one hand. The fact that she wasn't slowed down by such a heavy weapon or backpack was honestly shocking at first. Until they remembered that Cognition was at play here. Again.
"That's where these come in." Joker comments, aiming his left arm at a window. He fires his grapple, sending the rope inside before zooming in through.
"That's all?" Ohya asks, glancing at the device on her wrist.
"Better keep up, Devil." Guernica remarks, following in after Joker with Queen right behind her. Ohya shakes her head at the codename the team gave her while Chihaya chuckles.
"Like your codename is any better, Fortune." Devil remarks, following in after the team with Fortune right behind her. Sojiro, going by the codename Boss, because what else would he go by, followed behind them. But when they joined the others inside, what they found was nothing but a large room. With several floors built into the walls, each one holding numerous prison cells filled with Rebels.
"This place is much larger than the one where we found Toshiro, Yoshida and Iwai." Athena remarks, looking at the cells fit to burst. "Just how many people are trapped in here?"
"Too many…" Oracle says sadly, her screens filled with dots.
"Get off your lazy butts! You're not done practising for the wedding reception!" A trooper's voice draws all eyes to the floor, where Legionnaires are forcing a group of hat people to dance.
"But my feet hurt so much! Please, no more samba, at least for a bit, please…!" One of the Rebels asks before getting whacked in the head by a musket.
"No whining! And once we're done with samba, we'll practice your party tricks next! All who refuse are subject to caning!"
"The only one getting a caning is you." Joker's voice echoes behind the Legionnaires as they spin around, finding the Phantom Thieves standing above them. Weapons drawn and glares active.
"What the!? How did you lot get in here!?"
"That's for us to know and you to never find out." Toshiro tells them with pride. "If you will, Joker."
"Gladly." Joker tells him before turning back to the Legionnaires. "It's Showtime!"
At Joker's call, each member of the Thieves, except Devil, Fortune, Guernica and Boss, leaps into the air and dives to the ground. The four up above open fire on the Legionnaires, forcing them into cover from the fire of their weapons.
"Call for reinforcements!" One of the troopers shouts, popping out to take s hot before Shadow snipes it right through the head. One of the troopers breaks cover, aiming to call for help, but is enveloped in flames from Panther. A group tries to hide behind some cover, only for Noir to blast them away with her grenade launcher.
"Raoul! Eiga!" Joker shouts, blasting an area with curse magic while a trooper aims its musket at Joker. But as it fired, Outlaw ran between them, taking the hit. Or rather, the shot bounced off him harmlessly.
"Did something hit me?" Outlaw asks, looking around as the Legionnaire who fired the shot trembles in fear.
"Don't space out now, Outlaw!" Skull shouts, rushing past and blasting the one who shot him with his shotgun.
"Heads up! Brute incoming!" Violet shouts, pointing at the trio of brutes charging towards them. One of them wearing a black coat.
"They won't get past me!" Spring shouts as she begins to glow red. "I may be a healer here, but that doesn't mean I'm helpless! Persephone! Coming of Spring!" Behind her, Persephone manifests on the field, channelling an orb of light in her hands as Spring fires an arrow into the sky. When it reaches its apex, Persephone fires the orb of light at the arrow, turning it into an arrow of light as several more appear around it. Before the arrows all fire down right at the brutes.
While it didn't kill them, it still heavily damaged them, while a triangle of flame emerged between her, Outlaw and Skull. With the two boys on either side of the Brutes, allowing them to unleash a Triple Threat, wiping them out.
"What's going on in here!?" A blue Legionnaire shouts, rushing in with five more troopers and two drummers.
"Mapsi!" Noir shouts, hitting the new group and forcing them to come over to her in a staggered group.
"Mafrei!" Queen follows up, squashing them all together with atomic fire. Just as Devil turns her gun on them and lets loose a storm of bullets.
"This is fun!" Devil comments, letting the guns cool down while Fortune looks at her with a concerned look.
"Should I be worried?" She asks before several footsteps behind her draw her and Guernica's attention as two more troopers rush to stop them. "Stay back!" Fortune shouts as she and Guernica fire on the exposed Legionnaires, gunning them down. Although one of them did manage to injury Fortune's arm.
"Merline, Media." Boss intones, healing the four of them and sealing the small cut on Fortune's arm. Much to her thanks before he turns his attention back to the ground.
"We've got one more group coming in from the north!" Oracle shouts over the headset as a final group of one brute, two drummers, and four troopers rush into the room, with Joker glancing at them while glowing with a red aura.
"Time to wrap this up. Raoul! Phantom Judge!" Joker shouts as Raoul forms behind him. The two hold out open hands towards the charging Legionnaires, before igniting an explosion under them, sending them flying into the air and falling flat on their faces before vanishing into darkness.
"All right! We're in the clear!" Oracle shouts as the team gets to work, busting the cages open and letting the Rebels free, the Rebels cheering in joy as they escape from the cells like a dam bursting.
"Amazing! You absolutely trashed those Legionnaires!" One of the Rebels says in awe before looking around. "But…who are you people? Are you here to help take our home back?" Queen crunches down before the Rebel, pushing her mask up while giving a kind smile.
"Yes. We are helping Erina and your other friends with that."
"You know the Captain!? Where is she?" The Rebel asks, all eyes going to the Thieves as they remove their masks temporarily.
"At this moment, Erina and two of our members are working to keep Marie's army away from here." Joker tells them with determined eyes. "We are heading over to join her and push them back. Are you willing to help us?" The Rebels look at each other before looking back with fire in their eyes. All of them cheering out in agreement.
"Then, let's not waste any time." Crow comments. "Erina, Mona and Fox should be nearing the trap as we speak."
"Right. Move out!"
"This has been a merry chase!" Fox comments as the trio continues to run, slicing a rope next to him. "And Marie's troops continue to fall for our traps!" Behind him, a metal support beam falls to the ground, crushing several troopers under it. The traps had worked wonders on thinning out the parade chasing the trio, yet there were still too many for them to take on by themselves.
"We're almost at the rendezvous! I hope Joker and the others were successful!" Mona cries, hoping onto Erina's shoulder. "You guys have the grapples ready, just in case?"
"Ready to go." Erina replies as the trio comes to a supposedly dead end, with Marie's forces blocking the exit.
"We've got you now, Rebel Scum! You're done for! Lady Marie's going to make you regret defying her!" The Legionnaires say with gloat in their voice, believing they had finally caught them. But instead of seeing the look of defeat on their faces, instead all they saw were rebellious smirks.
"Regret, you say? How laughable." Fox comments, shaking his head.
"Yeah. We'll see who will be doing the regretting soon enough." Erina replies, looking very pleased with herself. The Legionnaires looked at each other, puzzled as to why they weren't scared of them.
"Did you really think we led you here because you were chasing us?" Mona asks with a cat grin. "We weren't running into your trap. You were running into ours!"
At Mona's yell, Rebel troops appeared all around them, holding muskets of their own on the walls, while those who were on the ground had bats, pipes and even a few cookery pots and pans. While the Thieves appear along the walls and behind them. Turning what was supposed to be a cornering into an ambush.
"All units: CHARGE!" Oracle shouts from inside Al Azif as the Rebels charge at the Legionnaires while those up above open fire at them. Erina, Fox and Mona charge forward to engage in close range, with the Thieves on the other side doing the same.
What followed next could be called a bloodbath. The imprisoned Rebels, having to deal with all the pain, torture and dance lessons at the hands of the Legionnaires, let their anger out on full display. Gang piling on brutes, smashing drummers into walls and pining down troopers as they beat them with bats and pipes.
While for the Thieves they usually avoided letting their anger get the best of them, but in this situation, they let it out without holding back. Magic flew through the air, throwing several into the air where several of them followed up and shot them as they fell to the ground.
Until, eventually, all of the Legionnaires were beaten, dissolving into black mist and vanishing into the wind. Leaving behind exhausted but jubilant Rebels as they cry out in victory. As Erina looks around in awe.
"We did it. We faced Marie's army and won." She says breathlessly, looking at the Thieves. "That was incredible!"
"It was." Joker replies, glancing around. "Once everyone has been accounted for, we'll retreat from the area."
"Indeed. The moment Marie hears about this, she will come here personally." Queen agrees, brushing some hair behind her head.
"Back to the hideout, everybody!" Skull shouts over by an empty alleyway, with the Rebel army running through like a river. As for the Thieves, they opted to use their grapples to leave the area.
For the first time, Erina could leave the area with pride. They had taken their first true battle against Marie. And won.
"Welcome back." Yoshida greets the team as they enter the café. Curry and coffee all ready to go. "How did it go?"
"A magnificent victory." Yusuke says eloquently. "Marie's forces were no match for us."
"That's right. The plan went off without a hitch." Hifumi remarks. "And with that, Marie's forces will be in complete disarray."
"Meaning this is our best time to strike right?" Shiho asks with eagerness in her voice. "And everyone here will be there when we take Marie down, right?"
"Of course." Sojiro replies, nodding his head. "Why do you think we have weapons of our own? Let alone me with a Persona?" Ren grinned at the response, still not believing that Sojiro's persona was Merlin and not a famous thief. Then again, they can all be thieves.
"Before we discuss our next move, I have a proposal to make." Erina says, drawing the eyes of everyone. "I want Toshiro to take command of the alliance between the Phantom Thieves and the Rebel Crops."
"You what!?" Toshiro asks with no small amount of surprise. Not that they could blame him, suddenly being asked to take on a leadership role.
"I agree with Erina." Yoshida comments. "Not only was he the cornerstone to our last plan, but he is also in a unique position. He is neither a Phantom Thief nor a long-time member of the Rebel Corps."
"That's right, Yoshida-sensei." Erina tells him, looking back to Toshiro. "I want you to take command of our joint forces in battle. I know you're capable of leading us to victory. What about you, Ren?" All eyes turn to him as he looks at Toshiro with an impassive look, before giving him a small smile.
"I agree with Erina and Yoshida-sensei." He says, straightening up. "I already have my hands full keeping the Thieves together. Especially when our numbers grew. Keeping a team of eight together is easy, but fifteen plus our confidants? That's a bit too much for me. That's why Makoto is co-leader." He flashes a thankful look at her before turning back to Toshiro. "So that's why I'm in agreement. Let us focus on our respective group while you keep an eye on the broader picture. That way, we won't run into any problems down the line."
"I… I see…" Toshiro replies, stunned as he reforms himself. "Honestly, I am surprised at what you have said. And the responsibility you have placed on me. But I will agree I am more suited for fighting with brains rather than brawn. If you want me to be the Commander of this Alliance, then I see no cause to object."
"We'll be counting on you, 'Rebel Commander Toshiro'." Ryuji says with a giant grin, with Toshiro shaking his head at the name.
"'Rebel Commander', huh? What a promotion." Toshiro remarks.
"All that's left is taking down Marie." Tao comments, standing up from her stool. "This is going to be a big fight."
"In that case, I would call a strategy meeting on our next operation." Toshiro calls as Yoshida grabs the map. Opening it up, Toshiro points his finger at the very centre of the city. "Marie's Castle" Everyone stares at the castle in the centre of the map, a mixed feeling of anger, hate, and excitement running through them. They were finally approaching the main event, as it were.
"So our next mission is to take down Marie's castle and Marie herself." Akechi surmises with a grin. "Honestly, this has been a long time coming."
"But still, it's a castle." Shinya interjects. "Don't those take months to take down?"
"If we were outside the outer walls, it would be." Makoto tells him. "However, since we are already inside, the hardest part has already been taken carded off."
"Still… it is a castle we are attacking. Would be nice to have some heavy firepower." Ryuji remarks, glancing over to Yusuke, who is still working on the model.
"About that. I may have an idea." Erina suddenly says, grabbing everyone's attention. "It hit me when I saw the cannons in the armoury when we were rescuing Yusuke and Haru, but I never had a chance to say it until now. I'm thinking we should acquire some for our own."
"Indeed. Having cannons of our own would be beneficial in battle." Yoshida remarks with a nod.
"Even if we can't get the cannons, getting the explosives would still work in our favour." Hifumi remarks with a knowing look.
"I get it. We can smoke the Legionnaires out with bombs, then take them down in one go!" Morgana quips, jumping on the spot.
"If my memory serves me, I think I saw some bombs outside the castle at one point when under Marie's control." Ren remarks, pointing at an area on the map. "Around here."
"Can we steal them?" Mishima asks with a hopeful look, but Erina shakes her head.
"Unfortunately, even with all of us here, it would be improbable to take them with us."
"I have to agree." Makoto admits. "Not only would it be risky taking them with us, but if we were attacked while carrying them, we could run the risk of catching ourselves in the blast."
"Meaning we should test them inside the castle." Shiho comments with a slow nod.
"That could work out. Not only could we see how good they are, but we could take out a good portion of Marie's troops as well." Ann comments with a finger on her chin.
"Well, if that's the plan, then count me in! I'm good with handling small explosives!" Morgana quips with a joyful smile while Iwai stands up.
"I'll come along as well. Might help give some pointers to cause the most damage."
"Then that definitely means I'm coming as well." Tae remarks, grabbing her rifle. "If any of you get injured, I'll be there to patch you up." Erina nods at the two as she grabs her weapons and heads for the door.
"We won't be long. We'll be back before you know it." She tells the group as they head out, leaving the rest to wait and prepare.
"Hurry up and move those barrels! Lady Marie wants all cannons primed and ready!" A Legionnaire shouts to its fellow men while barrels upon barrels of explosive powder are stocked high and large with nothing separating them in the case of a catastrophic explosion. Unaware of the group of four looking over the wall.
"This hurts to watch…" Gecko comments, shaking his head. "No safety taken at all."
"This just makes our mission easier." Mona quips. "One spark and the whole place goes up."
"Taking us along with them." Gecko reminds. "Forget about testing, one spark and this whole place becomes a crater."
"Should we change the plan then?" Erina asks as she and Tae look on. Gecko hums to himself, looking over the area.
"I didn't say we should give up. All I'm saying is that the mission has changed." He replies. "If they are gathering this much in one place, then they intend to use it against us when we march on Marie. Either for cannons or as traps."
"Meaning we will take a lot of damage and casualties." Tae, or Medic as her chosen codename remarks with a wince.
"So, what's the plan?" Erina asks, looking over the explosives lined all over the place. Gecko hums to himself, looking over the area. Single barrels were spread all around the centre, while the large stockpiles were placed around the edges. There was another large pile in the centre, another blatant safety hazard… Yet one that could be useful to them.
"That central pile." Gecko points out. "If that goes up, the entire place will follow. The only question is now to set it off."
"Would this do?" Medic asks, pulling a lighter out. "I confiscated this during a check-up. Been meaning to get rid of it."
"That could work. All we need now is a fuse to light." Gecko comments, with Erina pulling out some rope. "And we have a fuse."
"Guess it's up to me to set it up then." Mona comments, grabbing the light and rope. "If things get heated, you guys will bail me out, right?"
"You got it." Erina replies with a smile. With a nod, Mona leaps into cover, beginning his sneaking mission. With all the patrolling Legionnaires, one false step and he would be spotted instantly. So, like the gentlemen thieves of old, Mona waits. Biding his time before leaping from cover to cover. Hiding behind low walls and barrels as the Legionnaires walked past him. Unaware of his presence. Before he finally reached the central pile, and ducked into a small gap.
Crawling his way in, Mona inserts the rope into one of the barrels and draws it out near the exit before lighting in with the lighter. Taking a quick moment to make sure the coast was clear, he leaps out back to some cover, slowly making his way back. But as the seconds ticked down and the fuse got closer to the barrel, Mona began to quicken his pace.
Unfortunately for him, it was the wrong idea to take.
"Hey! Where do you come from!?" A Legionnaire shouts, spotting Mona as he nears the exit. Grabbing the attention of all of Marie's troops in the area. "We have a Rebel in here! Get him!" In an instant, all the troopers started firing at Mona, forcing him behind cover as the few brutes lumbered towards him.
"Garu!" Mona shouts, blasting some of the troopers away as they slam into explosive barrels. At that moment, Gecko, Medic and Erina opened fire from above, surprising Marie's troops and giving Mona a chance to run.
But just as Mona began hoping his way up towards them, the fuse reached the explosive barrel in the centre. Just as a Legionnaire moves a barrel and watches the lit fuse enter the barrel.
"What the—!?"
The central pile of barrels lights up, the flames consuming any nearby trooper or brute with impunity. The heat from the flames ignites the barrels lying around the ground, adding more to the fireball as it spreads throughout the area.
The blast wave mixes with heat and hits Mona from behind just as he jumps over the wall and sends him rocketing to the floor as Erina, Medic and Gecko leap down to avoid the flames and blast wave.
The large stockpiles placed in the corners of the room also ignited from the flames, blowing out the walls and sending an ear-rupturing roar echoing throughout the city as rubble fell from the sky.
Those in Café Leblanc looked around in worry as the tremors and roar echoed through the building. While Marie watched on in horror at the rising smoke cloud blocking her window. Meanwhile, at ground zero, a chunk of wall that had crashed into a house acted as a shield to those under it while they recovered their hearing.
"Now that… Was one huge blast…" Erina comments, rubbing her ears. "Is everyone all right?"
"Still alive." Gecko replies, dusting off his cap. "That was a bigger blast than I imagined."
"You're telling me…" Mona moans as Medic checks on him. "My ears are still ringing… and my back and tail hurt…"
"You got some burns from that, Mona." Medic replies, wrapping some bandages around him with cooling gel. "But other than that, you're fine." Mona gives her a thankful nod before standing back up with a slight wobble. Noticing it, Medic picks him up and lets Mona ride on her shoulder as the group exits their cover. Seeing the destruction they had brought.
"There's nothing left. It's all gone." Erina remarks at the smouldering ruins and large clouds of smoke above them.
"That's what happens when you don't store explosives properly." Iwai remarks. "Still… This could be useful when we start our attack. So long as WE use it properly."
"How about we discuss this back at the Café? I think Marie will be sending her troops here soon." Medic remarks.
"Good idea." Erina replies, turning around and heading for a nearby alleyway with Gecko, Mona and Medic right behind her.
While leaving behind a smoking message to Marie.
"What the hell happened out there!?" Ryuji asks as the group of four enter the café. "The entire building shook!"
"Hehe… Would you like the short answer or the long answer?" Erina asks as Tae takes Morgana upstairs to get a better look at his injuries.
"Both." Futaba replies. Erina nervously chuckles while Iwai pulls down his hat.
"Well… Short answer: the gunpowder blew up." Erina tells them with a nervous look. "Long answer: we blew up the entire place when Mona lit a fuse in a central pile of explosive barrels. Which then ignited similar piles placed around in corners."
"And there were no safety precautions in place?" Haru asks with a dumbstruck look. Only exemplified by Erina's nervous nod. "That's…I have no words for that…"
"But what happened to Morgana? Did he get caught in the blast?" Ren asks with a worried look.
"No. He was leaping into cover when the barrels exploded. Got hit by a shockwave mixed with heat." Iwai tells him. "Only got some singed fur and a few burn marks. Should be better soon."
"That's reassuring." Makoto remarks. "We are almost ready to start the assault. Just need to wait for Morgana to recover then we can begin."
"In that case, let's take a moment to rest up." Erina replies, sitting down at a booth. "We can only begin when we are at full strength anyway." A calm silence falls over the café as everyone starts to mentally prepare themselves for the upcoming battle. Before Mishima decided to ask a question.
"So, I've been wondering this for a while." He starts, getting everyone's attention. "If we lose this war, and I'm only speaking hypothetically here, but if we did, does that mean Toshiro would have to marry Marie?" Toshiro visibly paled at the question as everyone turned to look at him.
"Well, history is written by the victor, so I suppose in this situation, he would." Yoshida remarks with a grim expression.
"Well, he DOES like to brag about his housekeeping skills. Maybe he would end up being a better partner than you'd think." Ohya remarks with a grin.
"There is no way I will ever accept that! Who knows what she'll do to me!" Toshiro replies with fear in his voice. "And besides, marriage is supposed to be a wonderful thing when two people come together in unison. What she is doing here is a complete desecration of it!" Toshiro rants, silencing the people in the café. Before a sigh from Sojiro draws everyone's attention.
"Marriage, eh? …It is a wonderful thing."
"That's odd to hear, coming from a lifelong bachelor." Kawakami snarks with Sojiro giving an indifferent huff.
"Semantics. But they say that when life breaks your spirit, a wife or husband can help to mend it. And when you find yourselves apart, you need only shut your eyes to see them again."
"Is it really all that great?" Shinya asks. "It seems like a hassle to me."
"Just wait till you're older." Futaba snarks. "You'll find yourself eating those words. And besides…" She turns to look at certain people standing around the café. "I think our resident couples agree with Sojiro." Her comment sends all of them into a blushing frenzy as everyone else chuckles at them.
"Even if that is the case, none of us would be getting married for a while." Yusuke remarks, his face still red.
"Seriously. We are still in high school." Ann agrees before giving Ryuji a side glance. "Not that I would be opposed to it…" She says quietly so that only he can hear, turning him even redder than before. While Toshiro simply smiles and shakes his head.
"Seeing all of you turning red with embarrassment over marriage reminds me that, underneath that Phantom Thief demeanour, you are all still kids with bright futures."
"What an old man thing to say, Toshiro." Erina snarks with a grin.
"O-Old!? I will have you know I am still young and fit as a flea!" He says to her in irritation, by Erina doesn't drop her grin.
"Fit as a flea? That's a bit of an exaggeration. I'd say you are just a flea." She replies back to him. While the two continued to bicker like an old married couple, Sae noticed that Ren and Makoto had disappeared upstairs.
Nodding to herself, Sae follows after them, earning a knowing look from Sojiro as she heads up the stairs. Quickly finding the two looking out the window.
"Have you ever thought about it, Ren? About getting married in the future?" Makoto asks gently.
"I have." Ren replies honestly. "To be honest, I would love nothing more. But, at the same time, I know it's far too early to ask. I'm about to go into third term at Shujin, and you are going into college. And neither of us have stable jobs to support that lifestyle." He takes a breath, turning to look at her. "But, I already know that, whatever future I walk, I want to walk it at your side. No matter what."
"It's the same with me." Makoto replies, leaning into him. "You are the one I've chosen, Ren. The man I want to spend my life with, no matter what is thrown our way. It's just all this talk of marriage had just gotten me thinking about the future. A future with you." She turns to look at him with a loving smile. "And I can't think of anyone else I would rather spend it with."
"And nor should you." Sae says, startling the two. "Sorry, I didn't mean to listen." She tells them as she walks up. "I will be honest, Ren, when I first heard you two were dating, I did initially have my doubts. As any older sibling would. But, after everything that has happened, awakening my own persona and fighting by your side, those doubts had long since vanished." She looks him in the eye, giving him a friendly smile. "Which I why I can say this without question. When the time comes for the two of you to tie the knot, you both have my blessings."
"Sis… Thank you!" Makoto replies, giving her a hug as she pats her on the back.
"Thank you, Sae-san." Ren tells her, giving a bow. "I promise I will always treat Makoto right."
"I already know you will." Sae replies, before turning around. "I'm going to check on Tae and Morgana." She tells them before heading off towards the medical room, leaving the couple alone as they turn to look out the window. Before someone else comes up the stairs to join them.
"You guys doing all right? Everyone is wondering about you." Tao asks, making her presence known.
"We're doing okay. Just thinking about the future is all." Makoto replies, making Tao contemplative.
"The future, huh? That's a heavy one." She remarks, sitting on a bed. "To be honest, I'm struggling to find out what my future is."
"What do you mean by that?" Ren asks as the two sit opposite her.
"For a long time, I thought that I could do street art forever and keep my promise with Luca alive. But recently, I've been having doubts about it." Tao reveals. "That's why I want to open a tattoo shop. So that even if in a different form, I can still keep our promise alive. But now I'm wondering if it will even work out…"
"I'm sure it will." Ren tells her. "You've been doing street art ever since you and Luca were kids. You have a unique style nailed down. And I am sure once people start talking, you will find it to be a success."
"And you can even find people to spread your message to as well." Makoto replies. "And besides, it's not like you will stop doing street art when you open a tattoo shop, right?"
"Of course not! Street art is my life. But I do admit that I need to take a step back every now and again." Tao admits. "Honestly, I just keep thinking back to when I was under Jerri's control. How she almost turned me into a destroyer. If it wasn't for you guys, I don't even want to know what would have happened." She holds her hand out to Ren. "That's why I need to say it again. Thanks for helping me back then, and know that I am always on your guy's side no matter what."
"And that feeling is mutual, Tao." Ren replies, shaking her hand. Before he hears Lavenza's words echo within his mind once more.
I am thou, thou art I…
Thou hast acquired a new vow.
It shall become the wings of rebellion
That breaketh thy chain of captivity.
With the birth of the Art Persona,
I have obtained the winds of blessing that
Shall lead to freedom and new power…
Art? That's more of Yusuke's theme. Ren internally jokes to himself as he and Tao drop hands. Just as Sae enters the room with Tae and a very healthy Morgana.
"Okay, Morgana's burns are all healed up. No surprise there." Tae informs them as they stand. "Everyone ready to get this meeting started."
"Yeah. More than ready." Ren replies as the group of six heads downstairs. It was time to swing this Revolution into overdrive.