Chapter 3: Armoury of the Fox Noir
"How are Shiho and Mishima doing?" Sae asks Tae as she walks down the stairs.
"Physically, they are all right. Only sleeping off the after-effects of the Domination." Tae informs them, taking a seat. "As for Ryuji, his arm is fine, although I am surprised at how fast the medical supplies work here. One quick bandage around his arm, and he's already better."
"Hey. Not that I'm complaining." Ryuji replies, coming down the stairs. "Means I can get back in the fight much quicker." Tae shakes her head at him as he sits next to Ann, wrapping her in a one-arm hug.
"I suppose the power of cognition must still be working here. Even if it's limited like this." Mona admits before turning to Iwai. "How are the weapons?"
"For a group of rebels, they're not bad." Iwai replies. "Needed some fine-tuning and some cleaning here and there, but otherwise, they are good to go. There are even some slingshots for you, Morgana, and some bows and arrows for Shiho." He pulls his cap down, covering his eyes. "I would be worried that we don't have any ammunition, but it seems our guns don't run out of ammo anyway. Just need a fresh mag while placing the used one in a pouch, and you're good to go. The same can be said of the slingshots and bows."
"I always found it strange Shiho never ran out arrows in her quiver…" Ann comments, leaning her head on Ryuji. "Speaking of weapons, how did you still have your gun when you were in jail, Iwai? I thought they would have looked you over."
"You'd think so. If I appeared here outside the cell." Iwai replies with a grin. "Since I was already in the cell, they never bothered to check. That alone speaks a thousand words."
"Mean Marie is cocky as hell. But still…We need more strength." Futaba replies, holding the ruined model of the Edelweiss in her hands. "All of our best weapons were in my room when we came here. And with the Edelweiss in this state… I can't bring her out to help. And only Inari has the skills needed to repaint her."
"After seeing what power it has after helping us escape, I can agree on wanting it fixed." Erina admits. "But, until we find out where the others are, we're stuck." As the team pondered on what to do next, Akechi's phone began to vibrate.
"Hm? Who could be calling me? There's no signal here." He asks before answering. "Hello?"
"Hello. Thank you for answering. This is Lavenza speaking."
"Lady Lavenza!" Mona shouts in surprise as Akechi turns it on speaker while those not in the know look at each other, puzzled.
"Lavenza?" Erina asks Toshiro, who shrugs his shoulders.
"I understand the surprise at my calling, but considering the unusual circumstances we're in… I have made use of your smartphone so we can speak."
"Well, despite the intrusion of privacy, I admit I'm interested to know what you have learned." Akechi tells her.
"Of course, and I apologize for the wait, but preparations are ready for the fusing of new personae. However…I can sense that Ren is still not amongst your ranks…"
"And we found out why." Sae reveals with anger in her voice. "I woman called Marie has used a form of brainwashing she calls Domination on Ren and the others. Turning them into her puppets. We have only just rescued Ryuji, Ann, Futaba, Mishima and Shiho."
"I see… Normally, it would be impossible for a being to be able to wield such influence over a Wild Card. However, I will explain more here." Lavenza replies before the sound of something breaking echoes from the phone. Along with something hitting a person's head. "Ah! Not again…!" Lavenza cries in disbelief before the sounds of her whacking a hammer against something echo from the phone.
With everyone sweat-dropping at the rather cartoonish sounds echoing from it.
"Is…everyone okay?" Ann asks as the sounds stop with Lavenza returning to the phone.
"It was nothing. Please come to the Velvet Room immediately. And please, bring Iwai and Erina with you. See you soon." And with that, she hangs up.
"Um… What is this Velvet Room?" Erina asks, completely confused.
"It's better if you see it rather than us explain it." Mona replies. "But why does she want Iwai?"
"Who knows? But, might as well tag along." Iwai replies, standing up. "So, how do we reach it?" No sooner does he ask than a blue door appears opposite the restroom. "Huh…"
"Alright, we'll be back soon." Akechi tells Sojiro as the group enters the Velvet Room, with Tae heading back upstairs to check on the sleeping Thieves while Toshiro stares on, dumbstruck.
"We have been waiting for you." Lavenza greets them as Igor gives them a nod of greeting. Although…he did have a noticeable cog mark on his head.
"Umm…Master Igor? What happened to your head?" Mona asks carefully, with Lavenza giving an innocent whistle.
"Just a slight accident, is all. No need to worry, little Morgana." Igor replies before glancing up. "I have heard from Lavenza about Ren. It saddens my heart to learn what has happened to him and the others, even if it answers why I can't sense him…"
"Lavenza said something about that. How does she have power over a Wild Card?" Akechi asks cautiously.
"Normally, a Wild Card would possess more than enough willpower to resist such a forceful control over their mind. Or, if controlled, it would only last during a battle for a short while. But…" Lavenza takes a deep sigh. "I fear this power of negation that has affected the Velvet Room has also impacted the power of the Wild Card."
"Meaning that the natural resistance Ren would have had is gone?" Futaba asks before going wide-eyed. "Then… does that explain why he can't use multiple personas? He tried to change Personas when we were first ambushed, but he could only use Raoul."
"I am afraid it does." Igor reveals. "However, while one door closes, another door opens. For you are already learning new skills that will augment your already powerful repertoire. But that is not all. Tell me, have you encountered these on your journey so far?" He holds out a hand as a cog manifests before him.
"Those? I found some when we were rescuing Shiho and Mishima but didn't say anything." Ann replies, taking out some golden gears. "What's special about them?"
"These gears are actually personae." Lavenza reveals. "In this world, free personae take the form of gears, from which you will be able to receive a small portion of its power."
"Wait? Are you saying we get to have a second persona? Like Ren?" Ryuji asks with building excitement.
"Indeed." Igor reveals. "These… 'sub-persona' are unique only to this world and a few others. But I guarantee they will be of use. However, without Ren here to access the room, you will have to make do with what you find outside. Unfortunately, you are not able to use these Erina…"
"Aww…" Erina replies with a pout. "Then, why did you want to see me?"
"To reassure you." Lavenza says. "There is a hidden power within you, Erina. We hope that you will discover it on this journey. Having said that, there is another reason why we asked you and Iwai here."
"I was wondering when I would be mentioned." Iwai replies, folding his arms. "So? What do you need me for?"
"There is another function that these gears can offer." Lavenza reveals. "You can use them to create new weapons to use in combat." That got Iwai's eyes as he stroked his chin.
"Huh…interesting. But I'm guessing only the kids can use them?"
"Unfortunately, yes." Igor reveals. "However, Erina is an exception, but for the rest of you, that is the case."
"Then that's fine. Gives us non-persona users more options in case we're out in the field." Iwai replies. "Will you need Ren to make those?"
"Thankfully, no. All we need are the correct gears." Lavenza reveals. "Having said that, do you want to create new weapons?" The team glances at each other, thinking for a moment before shaking their heads.
"Thank you, but I believe we should wait until Ren is back with us. He has more experience in deciding these things than us." Akechi replies.
"Yeah. This is Ren's specialty." Futaba agrees, nodding her head. "But, I think he'll appreciate Iwai being there."
"I see. We shall respect your wishes." Igor replies. "That said, do not hesitate to visit. We appreciate the time to talk. And we wish you luck in rescuing the others." The team nods at Igor, giving their thanks to the both of them before returning to the hideout.
"Ah, your back." Sojiro says on instinct before nodding his head at the tables. "You have some people who want to thank you." The team turned to look at the tables to find Shiho and Mishima awake and drinking some coffee.
"Shiho!/Mishima!" Ann and Ryuji shout as they rush to their sides, with the two turning to look at them with still-tired eyes. Yet smiles all the same.
"You two alright?" Ryuji asks as Ann sits next to Shiho.
"Other than what feels like a concussion…yeah." Mishima replies, taking a sip.
"Same with me… It was torture being a prisoner in my own body." Shiho replies, shaking her head, before glancing at Erina. "You were the one who I tried to stop on the Edelweiss. Sorry about that…"
"Eh, no harm, no foul." Erina shrugs off. "I'm just glad you two are back to your senses."
"About that… Can you tell us what's going on? I feel like we are behind on a lot…" Mishima asks awkwardly, with the Thieves glancing at each other knowingly as Sae gives a sigh.
"Right. Well, this is the current situation…"
"So…that's what's going on." Shiho says with a sigh. "Out of one war and into another…" Before giving out a steel gaze. "Either way, you can count on me to help. That Marie was dragging us around like a doll. And I want to get some payback."
"It's the same with me." Mishima replies with an equally angry face. "She won't get away with using us like this. Or anyone in this city. Besides, the others are joining, and what sort of Thieves would we be if we ran away now?" Shiho grins at Mishima's words while Erina smiles at the two, extending her hand.
"Then welcome to the Resistance, Comrades." The two shake her hand while Toshiro stands in the corner, concern written all over his face.
"D-Do you really intend to go to war with them?" He asks nervously. "Have you considered a path without violence? Perhaps we could talk to them and come to an agreement."
"Toshiro…I am afraid such a plan will not work here." Yoshida tells him, drawing all eyes. "True, we Diet Members should always strive towards peace and shun violence. However, there comes a time when all motions for peace are tossed aside. Leaving only one option. Fight. Or risk losing not only yourself but the very people we are supposed to help."
"He's right. If they really were willing to listen to us, they would have done so by now." Erina says, staring Toshiro in the eye. "And before you say that you or Yoshida-sensei can give it a shot, need I remind you that you were in a prison cell, Toshiro? But…if that won't convince you, then let's all take a walk. I want to show you the state of our country and how we are being treated with your own eyes."
"And it will give Shiho and Mishima time to adjust to the changes." Futaba interjects with open screens. "Shiho is all about healing and curing ailments, while Mishima has attacks revolving around range while inflicting Forget. Good thing no one here is immune to gun damage, huh?"
"My one weakness…" Mishima says jokingly.
"B-But what about the report you're waiting for?" Toshiro asks as the team heads for the door, with Sojiro and the other non-combatants joining them.
"Don't worry. If they get here before us, they will wait." Erina replies easily with a grin.
Once more, scaling the walls, with additional people to help (Sojiro's back included), the Team stand on top of the ramparts looking down at the city below. While small, it was easy to pick out the patrolling groups of Legionnaires as they hunted for them. Breaking into houses and dragging away hat people.
They showed no mercy in their hunt for the Rebel Corps.
"Do you see, Toshiro? This is what we have to put with. Every day." Erina tells the politician as he looks out, distraught. "There can be no negotiating with people like Marie. All we can do is fight back."
"This is…worse than I imagined. I knew, judging by our brief engagements, that Marie is a tyrant, but this…" Toshiro remarks quietly. The Thieves and their confidants stay quiet at the sight. They had seen and experienced something similar to this before.
"Round up the citizens we have captured and get ready to send them to the castle." A Legionnaire's voice echoes from under them. "If they resist, beat them within an inch of their lives! Then they'll listen."
"Despicable…" Yoshida growls quietly as Erina and the Thieves simmer.
"Why wait until they disobey? Why not do it right now!?" One of the Legionnaire's shouts, slamming his musket into the back of a tied-up hat person. With several more of its friends joining in as the hat people scream in terror and fear. And that was the straw that broke the Thieves' back.
"That's enough! Blondie! Snap!" Outlaw shouts in rage, summoning his other self and raining rounds on the Legionnaires, forcing them away from the captives.
"Wha!? Ambush!" One of them cries as the Thieves leap down onto the ground, aiming their weapons and lighting them up, forcing the Legionnaires into cover. Tae rushes over to the injured hat people while Iwai joins the Thieves in the firefight.
"Hold on. I'll patch you up." Tae tells them, beginning to administer aid with Spring rushing to her side.
"Let me help. Persephone. Dia." She quietly tones, healing one of the hat people with Tae giving her a nod of thanks. While Sojiro looks on down with Oracle. Toshiro and Yoshida watching on with fear and pride, respectively.
"Heads up, guys! We have another group approaching from the south!" Oracle tells them, her screen alight with blips.
"Then let's finish this up quick!" Iwai replies, clocking a trooper square in the head as it rushes from cover.
"Agi!"
"Zio!"
Panther and Skull cry, shocking and burning the troopers still in cover. With Mona blowing them away with a well-placed Garu. Right into the incoming reinforcements.
"Partisan!" Erina cries, summoning an ethereal spear and slamming it into the pile of troopers.
"Whu? What were we doing?" One of the troopers asks in a daze as the others slowly stand. Wide open to Crow and Athena, who bombard them with a join Megido spell. Wiping them out in one hit.
"Alright! Operation Sneak Attack is a success!" Oracle shouts as she jumps down to the ground. Sojiro cautiously follows her, moving via boxes stacked nearby with Toshiro and Yoshida.
"That felt good." Outlaw remarks, shouldering his rifle as Spring and Tae join them with the rescued hat people.
"Everyone has a clean bill of health." Tae remarks, seeing the hat people rush up to Erina in joy. "Thanks to Spring."
"I'm glad to have helped Tae. You know, if I wasn't focused on Volleyball, I think I could have gone down the path of a doctor." Spring remarks, giving a head tilt. "Then again, it never hurts to have some knowledge on hand. Injuries do happen in Volleyball."
"I'd be happy to give you some pointers." Tae tells her with a smile, while Toshiro glances between Spring and Panther with a nervous look.
"So…those costumes are not forced on you by Marie? You really do wear those leather su—"
"What was that?" Spring and Panther ask him at the same time. Neither of them is amused at Toshiro's words as he quickly and wisely shuts up.
"N-Nothing! Nothing! I'm just surprised at how you guys actually won…what with how Erina talks about the Legionnaires, that is." He says quickly, trying to salvage the situation. "Your powers never cease to amaze me."
"Well, it is not the first time they've done this." Sojiro remarks with a proud grin. "It will take more than this to slow them down."
"Even so, Marie's army has a hunger for violence." Iwai comments, looking over his gun. "And with a low opinion of others."
"Leaving us with only one option." Athena replies, folding her arms. "Revolution. We are the only ones who have the power to save them. And I know that if Joker and Queen were here, they would agree without question." Erina nods thankfully at them before glancing around the area.
"Alright, I think it's time we returned to the hideout. Marie's forces will no doubt have picked up on their missing patrols."
"Agreed. And I already have our escape route covered!" Toshiro tells them before turning to a rope dangling down from the side of the rampart. "This way!" He says before, and very quickly, rushes over and rappels his way down without taking a moment to pause.
"Damn…he's quick." Outlaw remarks as the team rushes after him. He may be quick, but he's being too quick!
"Lady Erina! I was worried you were all captured!" The scout replies, watching as everyone files into Leblanc.
"Sorry about that. We had an impromptu rescue mission." Erina replies as everyone takes a seat around Leblanc. "But never mind that what have you to report?"
"We have spotted two individuals near the armoury wearing outfits similar to yours." The scout says, motioning to Akechi and the others. "One of them was a 'skinny, katana-wielding man' and a 'terrifying, axe-wielding woman'."
"Yusuke and Haru." Akechi says immediately. "It would seem Marie has been paring them up based on their relationships."
"What do you mean by that?" Erina asks curiously.
"Well, Ann and Ryuji are a couple, Shiho and Mishima are a couple…" Mona says slowly, with Erina getting the message with wide eyes.
"Ah… Right. She really is a hopeless, psychotic romantic." Erina replies, shaking her head. "Anyway, we need to come up with an idea to rescue them."
"There's no doubt they will still be under her control. So, charging the armoury is out." Futaba remarks.
"Head-on assaults are not our style anyway. We sneak in, rescue them and anyone else, and sneak out." Mishima replies with a nod.
"Right. Stealth is always our number one aim." Ann agrees.
"And you are right to do so. The armoury is one of Marie's most important strongholds. And much more heavily guarded." Erina tells them as Yoshida brings out a map. "Oh, thank you, Yoshida-sensei."
"You are welcome." Yoshida says with a nod as Erina leans over the map.
"The armoury is located here, just under the chapel where we rescued Mishima and Shiho. We can reach it via the same way if we are careful."
"But that is not all either." Toshiro suddenly says, drawing all eyes. "There's also a rather complex system of security gates throughout the armoury. It'd be all too easy to get lost and captured."
"How do you know that?" Ryuji asks with narrow eyes.
"Yeah. You sound like an expert…" Shiho agrees.
"Well, I wouldn't go that far. But I was taken there for a while when I was captured. Before being taken to the same cell as Yoshida-san and Iwai-san." Toshiro reveals. "If I remember correctly, they were also holding prisoners there as well."
"Maybe it was a supply run. But why did they take you in as well?" Iwai questions.
"I don't think logic is a word in these Legionnaire's dictionary." Tae remarks with some sass.
"Well then. If you remember those gates, then you have no problem going with them to help, right?" Sojiro remarks, giving Toshiro a look. "We have our lives on the line. If you really care about people, then you will act and show it. Words can only get you so far."
Toshiro looks to the ground in contemplation. He WAS going to say that getting through was impossible. That they should wait until a better opportunity arose. And yet… If he was supposed to be the next Prime Minister, as these people have said he was a candidate for, then how could he do so if he was willing to abandon people? But….these were children… Even if they had two adults with them, they were still children!
"Then tell me how it is acceptable to bring a group of children into a glaringly dangerous place!? How is that responsible!?" He shouts in anger for the first time, earning quite some surprise from those around him. Before Sae gives out a sigh.
"Because. They have already done this before." She tells him straight, silencing his words. "More often than not, they have always been endangering themselves. All so that people like Shido and Kamoshida could face the verdicts that they avoided due to their wealth and influence. Without them, people who would remain untouchable would have continued to get away with crimes that ruined countless lives." She stands up, glaring at him with the Nijima Stare. "And no matter how hard or tough things get, they never back down."
Toshiro stands silent, words failing to come to his mouth as the Thieves begin to prepare with Tae and Iwai heading to the attic to grab supplies and new guns for them.
"Toshiro. What you have said is perfectly reasonable." Yoshida says, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder. "However, these people have been failed by those in power far too often. You might want to choose a path of least resistance to get us home, but these children can never accept that. Especially if it means abandoning their own. Would you do the same for your own party members? To the people who support you?"
"No…" Toshiro says quietly, taking a sigh. "No, I wouldn't." He glances up at the Thieves, doing some last-minute checks before heading out. "As a responsible adult, I could never let minors wander off into danger alone. If it is to help your comrades, I'll accompany you." He draws their attention. "I may not be able to fight, but I can still guide you through the base. Not only do I know the general layout, but I've kept a mental note of the gates with lighter security."
"Ohhh….Now that's something!" Erina says excitedly.
"Well then. It would seem this mission has become easier." Akechi comments, opening the door. "Let's begin, shall we?"
Once more, moving via the ramparts, which by now should be swarming with guards yet are left untouched, the team make their way to the armoury. Passing by the ruined chapel along the way as Legionnaires work to fix it. Not that it would do them much good.
"We're coming up on the armoury now." Erina tells them, looking around a corner to what could be essentially called a mini castle.
"I had hoped to pick up on them, but I've got nothing…" Oracle reports with a frown. "They must be deeper inside."
"No doubt where Marie holds her prisoners here." Athena remarks, looking back to a panting Toshiro. "Do you need some time?"
"I…I just need a minute…" He remarks, straightening himself out.
"How close are we to the weakest area?" Spring asks. Toshiro walks up to the corner, glancing around the side before pointing up at the wall.
"That window. It leads right into a storage room that is left unguarded. It is also connected to a path that leads right to the deepest part of the armoury. The only problem is getting up there without causing too much noise."
"Well, it's a good thing we still have these." Mona replies, pointing at Athena's grapple.
"Oh yeah… I forgot about those." Skull remarks, looking at his own grapple.
"Why did we not use them to escape Marie when she had us cornered?" Panther asks with a dumbfounded look.
"Well…we were surrounded and getting shot at on all sides. Not really an environment to stop and think when bullets are zipping past your head." Outlaw remarks.
"I admit, I felt the same feeling when we were ambushed. Before Erina saved us, that is." Crow remarks before glancing at Mona. "Do you have any spares on hand?"
"Only two." Mona replies, handing it to Erina and Iwai. "So someone will have to pair up with Toshiro until I can make more." The team looked at each other, about to debate on who would take him before Erina cut them off.
"I'll take him." She says, walking up and wrapping an arm around him. Before Toshiro could have a chance to protest, Erina aims her left arm at the window and lets the grapple fly. Not even a second later, the two are dragged right into the window, with Toshiro screaming all the while.
"So much for stealth…" Iwai grumbles as a few troopers appear along the wall, looking for the source of the noise. Before turning around and heading back to their posts. "Then again, it's usually the guards that fail the check." Iwai comments before following the two in with his own grapple.
"I never even got to tell them how it works…" Mona comments sadly as Athena picks him up. Shaking her head, Athena follows after Iwai with Mona as the other Thieves grapple one at a time. Finding themselves in an area stacked with boxes filled with canon balls, musket balls, cannons, muskets and explosive barrels filled with powder.
"All right, we're in." Panther whispers as the team huddles up. "Which way do we go now, Toshiro?"
"Give…give me a moment…" He replies, recovering from his abrupt flight as everyone just sweat-drops at him. A few seconds later, he straightens out and points to a lone hallway. "All right, apologies for that. The path we take is this way. Follow me." He tells them, having fully recovered as the team presses on.
Passing by more rooms filled with weapons of war and even provisions and medical supplies. Erina couldn't help but comment on how much stronger they would get if they could take all this. If they had the manpower anyway. But soon, they finally reached the deepest part of the armoury.
Along with more cells holding hat-people hostage, while a central area was boarded up with boxes and stakes. A sort of fort inside a fort.
"It would seem this is as far as we can go." Athena remarks, glancing around. "But where are Fox and Noir?"
"I'm picking up two readings nearby. Maybe they are hiding?" Oracle comments, looking around nervously.
"Please tell me they aren't going to jump out and laugh… We don't need that cliché here." Spring asks with a pleading look.
"Yeah…we could really do without that." Mona agrees with a nervous look. Just before, a familiar person jumps atop the central fort.
"Aaahahaha!" M-Noir laughs, drawing the eyes of all as M-Fox quickly joins her.
"AHHH! Cliché alert!" Oracle yells, rushing behind Iwai.
"I can hardly believe you came all the way here after tearing down my chapel! Why didn't you run away to whatever rat hole you came from?" M-Noir asks, the normally sweet smile she used on shadows somehow even more deranged than usual under Marie's control.
"Mindless vermin like yourselves are easy enough to round up, however." M-Fox intones with a grin. "It is time you bowed down to your new master!" All around the fort, troopers appear to man the defences as Noir unveils her grenade launcher and Fox his assault rifle.
"This will be a hard wall to crack…" Crow admits, glancing around. "But where is the flag?"
"I don't know. But something tells me it's inside this…'base' they made." Athena remarks with a frown.
"Hey, lady! Get your filthy mind powers out of them right now!" Outlaw shouts, rifle aimed at a trooper next to M-Fox.
"You idiotic boy… Every single one of my subjects should feel nothing but gratitude for this." M-Noir replies before launching a grenade at them and forcing them to scatter.
"But very soon… You will not have to worry about that anymore." M-Fox adds, unleashing a burst of fire at the Thieves with the troopers opening fire in tandem. "All you'll do is obey every order from your beautiful, charming master."
"And what more could mindless vermin ever hope for in life?" M-Noir asks before the two of them laugh at the Thieves hiding behind cover. Before a blast of fire scotches a barrel near them, blowing up and sending two troopers flying.
"I am SICK of hearing that laugh!" Panther shouts, spraying bullets at the fort as Skull sends up some lightning to force them back. "Oracle, where is that Flag!?"
"It's right in the middle of that fort! But we need to find a way in!" Oracle replies, ducking as a shard of ice flies past her head. "Dang it! Using Fox's ice magic against us!? Not cool! And against a defenceless Navigator like me!? That's against the rules!"
"Oh? I didn't know rules were involved. Then how about this?" M-Noir asks, using her psi spell on Iwai and Erina, tossing them into the wall like dolls as they crash into a pile of crates.
"Iwai! Erina!" Spring shouts, ready to dash over to them, only for bullets to dance around her feet.
"Spring!" Outlaw shouts, seeing the attention drawn to her. Just as M-Noir aims her grenade launcher at her, he can feel a burning anger in him. Just waiting to be let out, roaring to be let out, and so he lets it. "No you don't! Shoot Out!" Outlaw cries as Blondie forms before him in a red aura before unleashing a storm of bullets in a long line before him. Passing right through the barrier and forcing M-Noir and M-Fox to dive out of the storm.
With Spring free, she rushes over to Crow and Erina, the two patching each other up with her emergency support. "Media." Spring chants, healing the two up faster.
"Thanks, Spring. Marie caught us off guard using Noir's magic like that." Iwai admits as the two stand. Covered by the boxes, they were unseen by Marie's troops or the mind-controlled Thieves. Giving Iwai an idea. "This is our chance to sneak around and enter from the back."
"Will they even have a way in the back?" Spring asks quietly as the trio begin to move.
"We won't know staying here. And we need to get inside and destroy that Flag." Iwai comments, turning his head at hearing Mona cry in pain at getting clipped in the ear. "Let's hurry." He motions forward, pushing through the crates and boxes around them before coming to the back. Where a conveniently placed ladder lay leaning against the fort wall. With two troopers standing guard.
"Well, we found a way in. Now, we need to take those two out without alerting the rest." Erina remarks. Iwai nods his head, reaching into his jacket before pulling out a silencer and turning to Spring.
"We're the only one with silent weapons. On my mark, you fire an arrow at the one in front, and I'll shoot the one behind it." Iwai tells her. With a nod, Spring pulls out an arrow and takes aim at the trooper. Holding steady as she awaited Iwai's call.
"Now." He whispers, and Spring lets the arrow fly. Hitting the trooper right in the head and sending it to the ground instantly. Its friend turns to look at him before being quietly shot in the head by Iwai and falling to the ground alongside its buddy. "Move."
The two girls follow after Iwai, rushing up the ladder and ducking behind two crates on the landing. On the other side, they could see M-Fox and M-Noir firing down on the others, attacking with magic every so often as the troopers continued to fire down.
Some had fallen, but the rest were well hidden by cover. Yet none of them expected the small team behind them.
"Erina, go." Spring whispers to her. With a nod, Erina hops down to the lower level, silently moving to the Flag and slicing it off with her spear. Unfortunately, she got the attention of M-Noir.
"How did—!? That stunt again!? Stop her!" One of the troopers turns around, firing at her with the bullet just missing her head by inches. Not moved by the shot, Erina slams her spear into the pedestal, sending the glow streaming out through the room. Engulfing the Legionnaires and the controlled Thieves. "Damn it! You unruly insignificant brats!"
"I'm going to make you pay for this! …Just you…wait…and…see…" M-Fox ends just as their masks return to normal, and the neck collars vanish. Leaving the two of them staggering on the rampart, gasping for air as the Thieves grapple up to them.
"Noir! Fox! You two all right?" Skull asks, placing a hand on Fox's back.
"Urgh…" Fox replies before collapsing forward with Skull and Outlaw catching him with Spring and Panther doing the same with Noir.
"Looks like they fell unconscious…" Athena remarks, glancing at the freed hat people walking out of the cages. "We've done what we came here to do. It's time we left."
"Athena has issued the command! It's time to fall back!" Toshiro happily says, waving over to a convenient escape route.
"Toshiro is always so eager to retreat…" Erina deadpans as Iwai carries Fox while Athena grabs Noir. Crow and Panther nod at her in agreement before the team and the hat people bid a hasty retreat out of the armoury.
With two more of their family freed from Marie's control.