Chapter 5: The Joker and the Queen.
"How are they doing?" Yoshida asks, watching Tae come down the stairs.
"They're doing okay. They've just woken up not that long ago." Tae tells him, turning around to the two girls as they slowly make their way downstairs.
"Sumire." Akechi says softly, walking up to the redhead before hugging her, while Sojiro does the same to Hifumi. "I am so glad you are safe."
"I'm glad to be free as well…" Sumire replies before glancing over to Tao, Shinya and Kawakami. "And I am SO sorry what I did to you…"
"Don't. We all know neither of you were in control." Kawakami says softly, standing up to give her a hug. "I'm just glad the two of you are free."
"As are we…" Hifumi replies, glancing around before giving a sad sigh. "Ren and Makoto are still under her control?"
"That's right." Sae replies with a frown. "Erina has sent her scouts out to find them, but we haven't heard anything back yet. And it's worrying."
"I see." Sumire says quietly before looking up with fire in her eyes. "Well, you can still count on us in the fight! Being used as a puppet again, this time against my will, has crossed the line!"
"What she said." Hifumi replies, anger in her eyes. "Tae told us the broad strokes to get us up to speed, but we had already made our choice before then. I will never forgive her for what she did to us. We are in this fight until the end. If she wants a war, we will give her one."
"Right." Sumire replies before rubbing her head. "But still…I swear I can still hear her laughing in my head… Even when under her control, all you heard was her constantly speaking to you…"
"And Ren and Makoto have been under her spell the longest…" Ann comments with a frown. "They must be going crazy right now… If only we were able to avoid her Domination."
"She only got us because we didn't see it coming. And that she used our fear of Joker and Queen from our sparring sessions against us unintentionally." Ryuji adds with a grimace. "That really came back to bite us…"
"We know why they did that particular sparring session. We were losing cohesion at the time and began to argue among ourselves." Yusuke remarks with a shake of his head. "It did not help that Okumura had died just before that as well, making all of us uneasy."
"Died? But… he's alive in jail?" Toshiro says, puzzled, as Erina looks on with a confused look along with Tao. Everyone in the café turned to him as one spoke to him in a monotone voice.
"Later." Toshiro holds his hands up in surrender as Erina and Tao chuckle at him, just as a scout bursts into the very busy café.
"I've returned with a report!" He declares, drawing the eyes of everyone.
"Did you find the others?" Morgana asks with hope in his eyes, only for the scout to sag his shoulders.
"Unfortunately, no." He reveals, dampening the mood of everyone. "But it's still very important! A room has been discovered that Marie's army has been using! Very important documents are supposedly stored inside! But one of their bases is located nearby…"
"Important documents?" Sae says with narrow eyes. "It might have clues as to where Ren and Makoto are…"
"It may also have other important details. Such as army deployments and internal details." Yoshida remarks before humming to himself. "But why would they be in a location outside her main castle? Even if it is near a base…"
"This smells like a trap." Sojiro replies, folding his arms with an irritated look.
"But it would definitely put us in an advantageous position if we have those." Futaba argues. "I'd say it's worth the look."
"But if we sneak in, we might get overwhelmed before we can even get the documents." Haru points out worriedly.
"In that case, this calls for a lightning run." Hifumi replies, flicking some hair back. "We wait for an opening when their guards are down and charge in from all angles. Confuse them how many of us there are while taking them out as fast as possible. By the time they regroup, we should be able to weaken them by a large amount."
"Take them out so they don't have a chance to call for backup." Iwai remarks with a smirk. "Not a bad idea."
"It'll also be a good chance for Hifumi and Sumire to get used to their new style of fighting." Futaba points out, bringing her screens up. "Sumire can use bless magic, no surprise there, and some healing as well. More weight off Shiho's back." Shiho sent a thankful nod to Sumire in response. "As for Hifumi, she can use psi magic as well as boost our speed. But she also has access to some close-range attacks as well."
"It makes sense." Yusuke remarks. "Hifumi uses a sniper rifle. If a foe got too close, she wouldn't be able to defend herself properly."
"Well, all this is good and all, but are you sure you should follow this plan?" Sojiro asks, worried. "It feels too risky to do."
"It's also the only one we have." Akechi says with a hand on his chin. "As it stands, we don't have the capabilities to take out all of her bases. A lightning run is our only chance."
"In that case, I'm coming along with you." Tao suddenly says, standing up. "That bitch thought she could turn us into her mind puppets and get away without payment. I've already had to deal with that shit when Jerri made me her puppet. And I'm sick of it." Iwai glances at her, seeing the determination on her face, before silently nodding. He picks up a gun next to him and tosses it over to Tao, who grabs it with one hand.
"If you're coming along, then use that. A Beretta 93R. Something tells me it fits your style." He tells her, picking up his own pistol. Tao looked it over from every angle, smiling to herself before making sure the safety was on.
"Thanks. This will do well." She replies while Morgana tosses her a grappling hook as everyone gets ready to head out. Leaving behind those who could not fight and Toshiro. Sojiro watches as the team leaves before growling to himself and throwing his towel onto the bar.
"All right, people. Team huddle!"
Marie's troopers were having the time of their life. Camping in their base, bullying anyone who came near before sending them off to Marie. Really, they couldn't ask for a better leader than their Great Lady Marie.
While it was true that some rats were moving about and causing her no end of anger, it would only be a matter of time before they were found and brought before her. But until then, they would wait here in their fort until called upon.
I mean, really, who would attack a fort with thirty Legionnaires in it? It would be suicide! Even if they were drinking a lot of wine and were severely intoxicated. But that didn't matter one bit! They would take down anyone who dared to attack this fort!
Yet on the outside, looking in from a house roof, the Thieves watched on as Marie's troops got drunker and drunker.
"Who knew that they could get drunk?" Spring comments as Shadow looks through her scope.
"It is certainly surprising, but it adds to our favour." Crow comments. "In their current stupor, they would be more likely to panic once we begin our attack. But we have to do so all at once."
"And while we're doing that, Erina can sneak over to the hidden room and nab the documents." Skull adds, shooting a grin at the Rebel Leader.
"How's it looking, Shadow? See any points we can infiltrate from?" Athena asks, watching as Shadow slowly pans over the fort.
"Plenty." Shadow replies with a grin. "I can find four areas we can attack from. Giving us a good field of fire as well. And with me up here, they won't have anywhere to run."
"Usually, I don't think we let ourselves get this bloodthirsty for battle." Panther remarks, shaking her head. "But after all this shit we got put through being Marie's pawns, I still have a lot of pent-up anger I need to get out."
"Same." Violet quips, placing her gun on her shoulder.
"Well then, how about we stop talking and get into position?" Tao asks with a grin, checking over her gun one more time.
"Agreed. The time for vindication is at hand." Fox comments, with the team slowly leaping off the roof as Shadow stays behind. Erina separated herself from them, ready to head for the secret room as the team split into four groups.
Shadow continued to look through her scope, watching everyone move into position. One by one, each of them sent a signal to her, informing her that they were ready. It was up to her to start the ambush. Glancing over the fort, she could see several barrels of gunpowder spread all throughout the base. One of which was close to a fire with five troopers around.
Grinning to herself, Shadow aims her rifle at the barrel, waiting for a sixth trooper to get near it before firing her gun. The round easily sails through the barrel, detonating it and consuming all six troopers in a fiery explosion.
Quickly changing targets, she singles out another barrel next to a fire, repeating the same tactic and taking out another four troopers. Just as the other Thieves launch their attack from the sides, catching the remaining twenty Legionnaires off guard. Five more fall to the barrage, while another two attempts to escape, only to be shot by Tao and Iwai.
Shadow had to admit, the two seemed to work well together as they focused on the Legionnaires standing in the open as the Thieves used their magic to force them out. A quick glance over to Erina showed her entering the secret room just as the Thieves managed to whittle down Marie's troops to single numbers.
"What are you doing?!" A Legionnaire asks from behind, startling her as it aims its rifle at her. "You are coming with me!"
"Not today. Chiyome! Swift Strike!" Catching the Legionnaire off guard as her other self appears behind her, she quickly slashes at the trooper three times. Knocking its gun out of its hands and forcing it back. With Shadow aiming her rifle at it with one hand. "Checkmate." She says, firing a single shot through the Legionnaire before grappling down to the ground. Her position was potentially compromised.
Rushing into the now fallen base, Shadow could see the others had quickly made work of the remaining drunk troopers. It was fascinating to see how easy they became so easy to deal with once under the influence of alcohol.
"Impressive work, people." Iwai complements. "That was a textbook lightning run. And you certainly showed your weight, Tao." He remarks, tilting his hat to her.
"Well, when you've lived on the streets as an orphan like I have, you learn a few things that keep you alive." Tao remarks, checking over her gun. Iwai pulls the cap over his head, hiding the look in his eyes as Erina comes rushing into the empty base.
"I got the documents!" She says with a wide smile.
"Then let's head back to Leblanc and look over them there. Reinforcements could be on their way." Athena informs. Without any argument, the Thieves quickly begin a hasty withdrawal from the area, leaving a fort smoking in ruins with broken wine bottles scattered about.
Leaving the incoming reinforcements to wonder what had happened here that created this destruction.
"Did you get the documents?" Toshiro asks as the Thieves enter Leblanc. Erina proudly smirks as she holds up the files in her right hand before placing it on a table.
"We sure did." She says with pride as Kawakami opens it up to look at it, before narrowing her eyes in confusion. She closes it, reading that the front did, in fact, say 'TOP SECRET' and 'HIGHLY CONFIDENTIAL', yet…what was written in here when she opened it was…
"'Never get on her nerves! The Ultimate Guide to appeasing Lady Marie!'? Is this some sort of joke?" She asks, drawing the eyes of all who stare with dumbfounded expressions on their faces.
"What?" Shinya asks, seeing the Thieves still processing that information as Kawakami slowly nods.
"'Magic tricks are forbidden as entertainment. Lady Marie will lose it if she can't figure out how something works.' 'Curve your back a little when you're being Lady Marie's Chair. It's important to create a snug fit.' This is just sad."
"We went through all of that….for a simp guide?" Futaba asks with her shoulders dropping.
"Who hates magic tricks? Magic tricks are wonderful!" Sumire says, shaking her head.
"And who the hell would agree to be a chair? That's messed up." Ryuji asks, shaking his head.
"I think it is best if we dispose of this… 'document'." Yusuke remarks as he slowly works on the Edelweiss model.
"No complaints here." Erina replies, throwing it into the trash. Just as the team were beginning to sulk about the complete waste of time they all went through, one of Erina's scouts bursts through the door. Panting hard.
"Ex…Excuse me, Captain! I have an emergency report from our scouting team!" Everyone in the café turns to look at the scout as he manages to catch his breath. "By all appearances, Marie is finally ready to hold the wedding she's been planning! Apparently, she has arranged for a giant cake to be prepared in the city plaza!" The scout then sighs deeply, looking up with weary eyes. "And they have captured almost every one of our spies who brought us this intel…only one was allowed to escape, and they let him."
"They?" Erina asks, although she and everyone else already had a feeling about who it was.
"Yes. From the scout descriptions, one of them was a 'man with a black jacket and red gloves' and a 'woman with a long scarf and white gloves'."
"Ren and Makoto… So, Marie is having them in charge of guarding her 'Wedding'." Sae remarks with a frown.
"That is not all." The scout continues. "Apparently, two more unknowns were spotted at the plaza as well. Both of them were women, one with long blond hair and another with short dark hair."
"Chihaya and Ohya. Figueres they would be here as well." Ryuji remarks bitterly.
"But still… A giant cake? Like a Wedding Cake?" Ann questions with tired eyes.
"The more I hear about this, the more pissed off I am." Mishima remarks, with Shiho nodding vigorously.
"Say, what do you believe has caused her to hold her wedding now?" Tae remarks.
"Tae makes a good point. If all she wanted was a ceremony, she could have had one right now." Hifumi remarks with an open hand.
"Well, according to past reports, Marie has struggled to find someone who she deemed worthy enough to marry." Erina replies with a worried frown. "I have no idea what's taken her so long, but it sounds like she may have finally found someone to put through the ceremony."
"Am I the only one who thinks it's weird putting together a wedding ceremony BEFORE finding someone to marry?" Futaba remarks, shaking her head. "Thats like, the OPPOSITE of what she should do!"
"So…did they find out who she is marrying?" Haru asks with a concerned look.
"We did, ma'am!" The scout replies. "Furthermore, we found out he will be there in person! All we know about him is that he's a 'handsome man with dark hair and piercing eyes'."
Once more, the record playing in Leblanc screeches to a halt as everyone, apart from Erina and Toshiro, goes wide-eyed at the news.
"'Dark hair and piercing eyes'? You are sure about this?" Yusuke asks as they all can feel a burning anger within them. The scout slowly nods his head, fuelling the fire building in them as Erina looks around in worry.
"Does that description…remind you of anyone?" Toshiro asks, even as he feels intimidated by the anger before him.
"Yeah… Of course, it does…" Futaba says, her hands balling into fists as she threatens to pierce her skin with her nails. "That description matches Ren perfectly!"
"Oh…if she wasn't dead before, she so is now…" Ryuji snarls, smashing his hands together.
"There is no way in HELL Ren would ever agree to this! Marie is forcing him into this!" Ann shouts, equally disgusted. "If anything, it should be Ren and Makoto getting married! Not that bitch!"
"He already has my permission…" Sae mumbles to herself quietly.
"I don't want to even think what Mako-chan would say if she was with us…" Haru replies, shaking her head.
"No doubt she would already be out the door, marching over there to free him." Yusuke remarks with a frown, gently placing the model down.
"We cannot let this happen!" Shiho shouts with disgust in her voice.
"No. We won't." Sojiro replies calmly, but the look on his face is anything but calm as he takes his apron off. "This is the final straw." He says, grabbing his white coat and hat. "I stayed behind last time, knowing that I couldn't do anything. But I will not stand on the sidelines any longer. Not after what she did to my daughters, and ESPECIALLY what she is doing to my son!" He reaches under the bar, grasping something. "It's time she felt a parent's wrath. Personally." He says with narrow eyes, pumping a shotgun as he stands up, earning wide-eyed looks from the Thieves.
"Oh shit. Boss has a shotgun." Mishima eloquently says before Tae pulls out a rifle from behind the couch.
"I'm coming with you. I may be a medic, but there is only so much one can take before they've had enough."
"And the medic is pissed off as well." Ann comments before shuffling comes from Shinya.
"Same with me." Shinya adds, pulling out two laser guns. "They didn't call me the King of Gun About for nothing. Ren saved me once, so it's time I returned the favour!"
"H-Hold on!" Toshiro tries to say, only for Yoshida to place a hand on his shoulder.
"Toshiro-kun. Let this be an important lesson." He says calmly before putting on a black fedora. "There are times in which one cannot win by sticking to the rules. One has to deviate from them in order to beat a foe." He reaches behind a couch before pulling out a Tommy Gun. "It's time we offer a deal with which Marie cannot refuse."
"Yoshida-sensei has gone full gangster!" Sumire says with amusement while Iwai and Tao shake their heads with smiles. Before steps echoed from the stairs as Kawakami came down with a pistol strapped to her hip and…
"Is that a freaking RPG?!" Futaba asks with eyes almost popping out of her head as Kawakami walks to join them. And she was indeed carrying an RPG on her shoulder, with a backpack holding spare rockets on her back.
"This may seem out of character for me, but I have had it with this 'Marie'. She brainwashed MY students, forcing them to do things they would NEVER do. And if there is one thing she should know, it is to NEVER mess with MY students." Kawakami says in a calm furry. While the Thieves all look at each other, amused with gratitude for the increase in firepower, Toshiro is not.
"Hang on a moment!" He finally shouts, grabbing everyone's attention. "I understand why you want to attack, but you're all being far too hasty! Don't you think Marie would have set this up as a trap for us?"
"Oh, there's no doubt it is." Akechi replies calmly. "And while we would like nothing more than to beat up Marie the moment we see her, rescuing the others is our top concern. We are not going in 'guns-blazing' if that is what you are worried about."
"I understand that…but there is a difference between recklessness and bravery. Looking at all of you, even if you know what you are doing, I feel uneasy." Toshiro admits, looking away from them.
"Hey, Toshiro, right?" Tao speaks up, getting his attention. "We know where you're getting at. And that's cool. But even so, there are things in this world that you have to stand up for! I learned that lesson while I was an orphan on the streets." Toshiro looks at her, shock on his face.
"Tao is right. And it is how all of us learned to move on." Sae replies with a firm nod. "We're all committed to this. No matter what."
"And yet, you're going in anyway? Even though you know it's irrational?" Toshiro remarks, stumped at the people he saw before him. Before he gives out a tired sigh. "I just can't understand how you all think. But maybe that is a fault on my own side. I'm sorry for trying to take over the situation like that." He looks up at them and folds his arms. "I am not opposed to conducting a rescue operation. I will accompany you as well and offer any aid as needed."
"Then let's get moving and crash this wedding." Hifumi remarks, opening the café door. As the entire team of twenty leave, heading for the central plaza.
With such a big group as them, it was inevitable it would be a slow march to the central plaza. Not helped that Morgana didn't have any extra grapples for everyone. Something he would fix when they get back. On the bright side, it allowed Sojiro and the others to get used to firing their weapons and learning the golden rules of combat.
Even if they couldn't use magic, they could still join in on Triple Threats. There was something funny about watching Kawakami jumping into the air and firing a missile during a Triple Threat. As for how they could join in…. Cognition, as Oracle put it.
But as they got closer to the central plaza, Toshiro couldn't help but worry about Erina. So, during a brief moment of rest, he pulled her to the side to talk to her.
"Erina, there is something I wanted to ask you after you were injured saving Violet and Shadow."
"Oh? You mean the nicks I got?" She asks, talking about the grazes she received.
"Yes, but not just that. You were almost shot in the head when rescuing Fox and Noir, as well. In both cases, if you were shot in a more vital area, you could have easily lost your life. I understand that each of you has been following your heart to fight for what you believe is right, and I can't fault you on that." Toshiro takes a sigh, leaning on a wall, as Erina stands there, wondering where he is going.
"Your behaviour isn't condemnable… however, I can't approve of it either. I recognise that you've all been very capable of carrying out your missions with your lives on the line. But all it takes is one slip-up, and it's over. Your goals, your ideals, your dreams… gone forever." He looks at her, shaking his head. "I just felt like I had to point this out, even if you all already know it." He was immediately expecting a joking rebuttal from her, but instead, Erina gave out a sigh, glancing at the ground.
"I know." She admits. "As long as I fight, wounds like these are unavoidable. Still, I can't let my fear control me. Doing nothing won't help. The only thing I can say for sure, though, is… I'm really scared." Toshiro looks at her, surprised that she would even admit to such a feeling. "I'm scared that we are entering into a world where corruption is free to flourish. And, even worse… I'm scared of becoming someone who's okay with that."
"So I fight because I refuse to give up and turn a blind eye to the injustices in my world. Not only that, you said it only takes one slip-up for everything to be lost. But getting hurt or suffering through hard times, those don't mean it's over." She places a hand over her heart, glancing at the Phantom Thieves as they talk among themselves. "When you follow your beliefs for long enough, you're bound to meet those who share your beliefs and are willing to fight by your side. And when something is impossible by yourself, you can trust your comrades to help." She looks back at him, giving Toshiro a small smile. "When you think of it that way, it takes more than one setback for it all to become meaningless."
With that, she turns around to re-join the others, as Toshiro looks one, letting her words bounce around his head. "Ridiculous…" He says to himself, yet, on the inside, he found himself accepting them without issue. After that little moment, the Thieves continued on, moving close and closer to the central plaza until they arrived, hiding behind several marble walls, boxes and crates near a scaffolding.
But the cake they saw was not what they had imagined it to be. Sure, it was large, taller than the buildings around them, and covered in pink and white frosting. But the more worrying fact was that the captured rebels were actually stuffed INSIDE the cake, with their hats and arms poking out from the sides as brutes continued to put more white frosting on the cake.
"This is…horrible." Noir comments, with a hand over her mouth.
"Is she really going to eat them?" Shinya asks with a disturbed expression. "I've seen this happen in games before, but…"
"I would ask what game you are playing, but this is neither the time nor place." Kawakami comments before glancing at the bottom layer. Eyes widening in shock. "Uh oh."
"'Uh oh' what?" Sojiro asks, following her gaze before seeing the problem. "Oh. That is a problem." Everyone follows their gaze before silently gasping in shock. There at the bottom layer, with one of Marie's Flags nearby, was Ohya and Chihaya. Stuck inside the cake with the top of their bodies freed. While their hands were stuck in the cake.
"Well, this makes things a bit complicated…" Mona comments before looking around, noting the scaffolding everywhere. "But where are Joker and Queen?"
"I don't know, but seeing her treat people like that. It's inhuman." Spring comments. Oracle opens her map, hoping to find them. But she didn't get a chance to look.
"Well, now. It sounds like you think I consider them people." Everyone freezes the moment they hear the voice before all eyes dart to the top of the scaffolding in front of them. Standing above them back to back, the pink sky seemingly making the aura around them even more intense and arms folded, were M-Joker and M-Queen.
"Seeing the looks on your faces, it seems you didn't know you were expected." M-Queen comments, flicking some hair back as M-Joker chuckles darkly. Sending chills down everyone's spines.
"I had considered naming all of you guests of honour for my ceremony… But instead, I think I'll make you the entertainment!" M-Joker remarks, placing his hands into his coat. The Marie grin dominates his face.
"Soon, you'll experience the celebration up close and persona. Once I've taken back my groom, that is!" M-Queen adds, causing the team to pause.
"'Taken back'? Wait, Joker isn't the groom?" Mona asks, with the team now confused as to who she is talking about.
"What gives! Didn't you abduct our brother over there to marry him!?" Panther shouts at the two controlled Thieves.
"What? Why would you think I would settle for some inconsequential, dirt-poor brat?" M-Joker replies, causing a wave of anger to fly over the team, overpowering their initial fear of Joker and Queen. "There is but one fitting suitor here…" M-Joker intones before both he and M-Queen point directly at the team, shouting as one.
"Toshiro Kasukabe is destined to be mine!"
"WHAT!?" Everyone shouts, taken aback by the declaration as Toshiro looks up with wide eyes of fear, confusion, and a slight bit of 'I am so done with this'.
"You—You're marrying ME!?" Toshiro shouts back up in complete confusion.
"Have you forgotten our arrangement? Or, perhaps you are not remembering on purpose?" M-Queen asks, slowly taking out her revolver while one hand holds a knuckle duster. While M-Joker takes out his own pistol and knife. "Whatever the case, you have no choice but to stand by my side…forever!"
The moment M-Queen said that, Toshiro felt a sudden spike of pain flies through his mind, almost sending him to his knees.
"What's going on!?" Outlaw asks, looking between Toshiro and the two brainwashed Thieves.
"We can worry about that later! We have to save Queen and Joker first!" Noir shouts, looking up at the two Leaders.
"We don't have a chance against them if we don't hold back." Mona comments. "Hold nothing back, guys! Or we'll be at Marie's mercy!" The team grimaces as they nod in unison, as all around them, Marie's Legionnaires spawn onto the field, with M-Joker and M-Queen staring on from up high.
"Now, kneel before me… And become my slaves!"
"That's enough, Marie!" Sojiro shouts, standing up and walking to the front. "Let them go this instant!"
"Why should I do that, old man?" M-Joker replies in an uncaring voice. "Don't tell me… Because this one is your son, right?" Sojiro growls at Marie as she makes M-Joker laugh at him obnoxiously.
"Why do you look so angry? You should be proud that he has found his usefulness with me. Isn't that what all parents should want?" M-Queen remarks, flicking her hair back.
"How could I EVER be proud of what you are forcing them to do! Just like what you made my daughters do!" Sojiro shouts, a hand pointing at Oracle and Shadow.
"Oh? They were your daughters? I suppose it would make sense that your children are as useless as you." M-Joker replies with a grin.
"And you couldn't be more wrong." Sojiro remarks. "They are more useful than you would ever know. More kind, caring, and willing to throw themselves in harm's way to protect the ones they love."
"And why should I care?" M-Queen remarks with indifference. "You're just an old man past his expiry date. You have no use. You'd be lucky enough to even be a footstool. That's just how worthless you are!" The two controlled Thieves laugh at Sojiro as he glances at the floor in silence.
"It's true. I'm nowhere near these kid's levels. However, that does not mean I am useless!" He looks back up at the two, a fire behind his eyes. "Whenever they needed help, I was there! Whenever they needed shelter, I was there! Whenever they needed a shoulder to lean on, a word of comfort, or even just reassurance, I WAS THERE! And right now, Ren and Makoto need my help! And I will get them back from you, no matter what it takes!"
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Well done.
A pulse rips through Sojiro's mind as he grasps his head with his left hand while the Thieves gasp in shock.
While others believe that old age is a weakness, it is, in fact, our strength.
With age comes wisdom and knowledge that our youth lack in their time.
Sojiro stomps forward, the feeling of a sword chilled to absolute zero, digging into his mind.
Tell me, will you continue to stand to the side and watch?
Or will you bring your knowledge to bear?
"That choice, is more than obvious." Sojiro remarks, glancing up at the mind-controlled Joker and Queen. His eyes glowed yellow.
Then, let us conjure a contract.
I am thou… thou art I.
Show them what magic old age can bring
And the knowledge of old that guides the youth of tomorrow!
In a flash of blue, a mask appears on Sojiro's face. Stylised in that of a crescent moon, the points coated in silver pointing down. The top half a soft cream, while the bottom half is dark grey.
Gripping both sides without hesitation, Sojiro pulls with all his might. And rips the mask off his face as he is consumed in a flash of fire, screaming in anger.
"What is going on!?" The two controlled Thieves shout as the plume of fire erupts into the sky, the Legionnaires covering their faces while everyone else stares on in shock.
Gradually, the fire fades, revealing a figure standing behind Sojiro. Or rather, floating on a dark cloud. Wearing a wizard cloak with pointed shoulders, coated a dark blue while entwined with images of stars, moons and galaxies. A deep red scarf falls over his shoulders, while a long white beard flows from his hidden face. Two blue dots glare from his hidden face while a crocked wizard hat, stylised like his robe, covers his head. His hands were covered in purple wraps, while a grimoire with blue covers and gold binding was held in his left hand. His right hand held a staff that was made from wood, holding a pulsing gem of many colours.
As for Sojiro himself, he still held the shotgun in his left hand, but now he was holding a book in his right. As for his clothes, Dark grey metal boots covered his feet, reaching his knees, while white breaches with grey straps ran up his legs. A deep white robe flows over his shoulders with grey decals with dark grey metal plating covering his shoulders. His hands were protected in white and black gloves, while a white pointed hat rest on his head.
All the while, he was sporting a confident smirk.
"Did Sojiro awaken to a persona!?" Oracle shouts in shock as Sojiro opens the book.
"So… This is what it feels like, huh? How liberating…" A sphere of light forms in the book as Sojiro turns to look at the controlled couple. "You called me useless before. Let us see what you think of me now! Show them your knowledge, Merlin! Kouga!" Sojiro shouts, sending a blast of light right at a group of Legionnaires, blasting them away while leaving the stragglers dizzy.
"Nice one, Boss!" Skull shouts in praise as Sojiro re-joins them. "Now, let's save them!"
"Gladly." Sojiro remarks, turning his gaze back at the couple as they stare down in anger.
"Fine then. It doesn't matter what you try. I'll take your heads…" M-Joker starts, aiming his gun at the team.
"…and make them toppings for my cake! Your Rebellion ends here!" M-Queen finishes before the two of them leap from the scaffolding and land on the ground, cracking the road underneath.
"Here they come!" Fox shouts as M-Joker sends out a blast of curse magic, followed by M-Queen, who unleashes a blast of atomic fire.
"Merlin! Kouga!"
"Themis! Megido!"
The two spells stream forward, colliding into the ones from M-Joker and M-Queen, cancelling each other out. The two controlled Thieves open fire with their guns, their accuracy scarily good as the bullets land all around the rescue team.
The Legionnaires open fire in turn, using marble walls and scaffolding as cover. But the Thieves don't hold back. Lashing out with magic of their own forcing Marie's troops into cover while Sojiro and the confidants focus their fire on the ones out of cover. As for Sojiro himself, he was showing his skills with not only bless magic but curse as well.
Meanwhile, Yoshida did his best to lay down a stream of rounds to pin them down while Tae fired single, precise rounds on any who exposed their heads. Iwai called out movement as Kawakami focused on restricting the Legionnaires movement. But the Thieves could easily tell this was becoming a repeat of their first fight. Cornered into a single area with no room to move. This had all the making of a stalling manoeuvre.
"We can't stay here! We have to take that flag down and rescue the others!" Shadow shouts, sniping at a Legionnaire who had managed to climb the scaffolding.
"It's not easy to do so when those two have us pinned down!" Tao shouts back, pointing at M-Joker and M-Queen as they lay down very accurate support fire, the two of them doing acrobatic flips as they move from cover to cover. Mixed in with their spells. Crow and Athena look at each other, before nodding as one before turning to Kawakami.
"Kawakami! Fire a rocket! Crow and I will use it as cover and engage Joker and Queen in close combat! With them focused on us, Erina can make it to the Flag!" Athena tells her, grabbing the teacher's attention. She holsters her gun before bringing the RPG out, only to pause.
"Where do you want me to shoot!? I don't want to bring the scaffolding on us!"
"Clear a path towards the Flag!" Iwai shouts, pointing at a line of troopers blocking the way. "Erina, take some people with you and get rid of that flag!"
"Right!" Erina nods while Kawakami takes aim at the lone troopers. Hiding behind their marble walls. Pressing the trigger, she fires a rocket right at them, the kickback surprisingly not moving her a bit before the troopers were enveloped in a giant blast. M-Joker and M-Queen are momentarily stunned by the attack, with random pieces of stone flung towards them, before noticing Athena and Crow rushing at them.
Beam sabre and tonfa were drawn, forcing the two into a melee fight as Sojiro gave them support with magic.
"Aren't you creative little shits?" M-Queen growls, launching a flurry of kicks and punches at Athena before dodging a blast of light. Thankfully, the two of them had the same training, so it was easy for Athena to parry and block all of her strikes. Even if they did hurt. "Why don't you give up!?"
"Never. Not until you get out of my sister and future brother-in-law's minds!" Athena retorts, launching her own assault and forcing M-Queen on the defensive.
"But it won't matter what you do! My victory is assured!" M-Joker snarls, clashing his knife against Crow's beam sabre. Before jumping back and sending a blast of curse magic at Crow, who counters with his own curse magic. "Tricky brat!"
"Something I learned from the one you're in control! Now get out of their minds right now!" Crow comments, taking his gun out and firing several rounds at M-Joker, forcing him back before launching a Megido spell at him. M-Joker slides under the spell, driving his knife towards Crow who parries with his beam sabre.
While Crow and Athena kept M-Joker and M-Queen busy, Erina dashes through the gap in the lines made by Kawakami with Toshiro, Spring and Outlaw by her side. Shadow was giving them cover fire while the rest turned their attention to the Legionnaires to the south, with Kawakami firing another rocket at them, creating another hole in their lines.
"You're starting to get scarily good with that, Kawakami-sensei!" Panther points out, letting down a field of metal at the troopers.
"What can I say? The gloves are off." She replies, pulling another rocket from the bag. She had to admit it was kinda stupid. She could pull out as many as she wanted. But as she took aim once more, the clocking of a gun to her side drew both of their attention. A Legionnaire with a different hat and a blunderbuss had managed to sneak around to fire at their blind spot from behind. And had her in its crosshairs. But before it could fire, it heard the pumping of a shotgun. Turning around to its right side, the trooper finds Sojiro aiming his gun right at its face.
"Who—!?"
"You've hoo'ed your last, boy."
Pulling the trigger, Sojiro blasts the Legionnaire in the face, turning it instantly into dust before racing to join the others back in cover, letting loose with a blast of bless magic and curse magic. Tao and Iwai were giving each other covering fire while Shinya proved why he was called the King. Easily blasting any Legionnaire who popped its head out with his twin laser guns.
But as the fighting continued, Oracle noticed Erina and the others were pinned down near the flag. Some Legionnaires had managed to get on top of the scaffolding blocking their view and where firing from above.
"Noir! Fire a grenade over here!" She calls out, highlighting a part of the scaffolding. Confused, Noir follows through, launching a grenade at the area. The grenade lodges itself into the wood before detonating in a large explosion, sending the scaffolding plummeting to the ground while also giving everyone a clear view of the Flag. They could also see that Erina and the others had managed to get Ohya and Chihaya out of the cake, with the two of them brushing off any residue from their clothes.
The collapsing scaffolding forced Athena and Crow to jump back to avoid getting crushed, separating themselves from M-Joker and M-Queen, who were forced to do the same before catching a glimpse of the Flag as Shadow sniped it in half.
"How do you like that, bitch!" Tao shouts in glee, noting the Flag being destroyed.
"You meddling little shits…" M-Queen seethes before the two of them grin with delight.
"Although, how much longer can you hold out? I still have plenty of pawns to throw at you." M-Joker retorts as several brutes and troopers appear around the Flag stand, with M-Joker and M-Queen joining them.
"At this rate, it will be a losing war of attrition." Yoshida remarks, letting out a burst of fire as the team moves to join the others at the cake. "We need to rescue those two now!"
"Fine! I'll finish this now!" Erina shouts, dashing from her spot just as everyone rushes up to join her and the others. As Erina charges, everyone joins in, firing their guns as they go while Athena and Crow reengage with M-Queen and M-Joker.
But just as Erina reached the stand, ready to plant her flag, a shot rang out across the plaza. All eyes turn to Erina as she falls to the ground with a bullet wound in her shoulder. With Toshiro running over to her.
"Erina! Say something! Erina! Hey, answer me!" Toshiro cries, with Erina giving a weak groan in response. Marie's troops shout in a joyful roar as Erina has seemingly been dealt with, with M-Joker and M-Queen disengaging from Athena and Crow and leaping back towards the Flag stand. Grinning in triumph.
"You have to…finish it…" Erina weakly tells him, sending Toshiro wide-eyed. "I know…you can do it… It's just like before…"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" M-Queen gloats as M-Joker shakes his head. "You must be getting delirious from blood loss if you think that man is capable of anything on his own! He is nothing without my control!" The two Dominated Thieves turn their eyes to the others, snapping their fingers into the air.
All around them, more of Marie's forces appear like cockroaches, forcing the Thieves into an ever-increasingly desperate situation.
"This is the end for all of you!" M-Joker shouts as the two aim their guns at the cornered thieves. The reality of the situation piling on the Thieves like an avalanche.
"Don't give up yet! We can still prevail!" Toshiro's voice rings out over the plaza, with all eyes darting to him. As he held Erina's Flag in his hands. And a fire ignited behind his eyes. "We can't let this one setback make our efforts meaningless! Stand and fight!"
"What was that!?" M-Joker shouts as the two Dominated leaders look on in shock and horror. "Don't you dare Toshiro!" The two aim their guns at him as Toshiro runs for the standing, firing shots at his arm and leg. But they only grazed past him as Toshiro grimaced and bared it.
"Now it's overrr…!" Toshiro shouts, slamming the flag into the podium and sending the cleansing light throughout the entire plaza. All of Marie's troops disintegrated from the light, including the cake and freeing the Rebels, while the lipstick marking on M-Joker and M-Queen's masks started to fade away. The two of them screamed in pain as the light cleansed them of Marie's Domination.
"No! How could you, Toshiro!? You bastarrrd…!" M-Queen shouts as the marking finally fades away, along side the aura and collars. Before both she and Joker collapse to the ground, unconscious.
"REN!/MAKOTO!/ERINA!" Everyone shouts as they all gather around the three fallen individuals. Sojiro, Oracle and Shadow move to Joker, Athena moves to Queen, and Tae, with Spring, moves to tend to Erina. Everyone else took up a half-circle defence while Yoshida walked up to Toshiro with a beaming smile.
"Heh…Haha! How about that…I actually did it…" Toshiro remarks with deep breaths as Yoshida pats him on the back with a beaming smile.
"That you did! I am proud of you, Toshiro." Yoshida tells him with pride. Toshiro nods to him before collapsing forward before Outlaw grabs him.
"And there goes the adrenaline." He remarks as Ohya and Chihaya walk up to the unconscious Joker and Queen.
"Are they all right?" Ohya asks with a worried frown.
"They will be. Once they have a good long rest." Sojiro remarks, lifting Joker up. "They've been under her control for far too long." Before suddenly finding his legs almost give out beneath him as Iwai and Tao grab him. "Hoo boy… That's some kickback…"
"Let me carry him, Sojiro. You need some rest." Iwai replies, gently taking Joker, and Tao keeps Sojiro steady. "They are really lucky you awakened, huh?"
"Yeah…I suppose so." Sojiro remarks before looking at Joker. "Hearing her speak from them like that… Just pushed me over."
"But they are free now. They are safe." Athena replies, picking Queen up. "But more importantly, how is Erina?" All eyes turn to her as Tae and Spring work to seal up the wound in her shoulder.
"What's the call, Doc? She'll make it?" Skull asks with a nervous thrown.
"She's a lucky one. The round went right through her but missed her veins and arteries. Might have chipped a bone, but if you were anything to go by Skull, then some medicine back at the café will fix her up." Tae replies, finishing up wrapping a bandage around her shoulder as Spring works on sealing the wound with magic. "Sealing the wound only does so much. Stops the bleeding, but she will still need rest."
"If only I had more powerful spells." Spring comments, shaking her head. "At least it wasn't a vital hit."
"Still…that was a rough one. I don't think any of us could go through a second round. And Boss is going through post-awakening fatigue," Mona comments with a groan. "Let's get out of here and…"
Before Mona could finish, the ground started to rumble.
"What the? Another earthquake?" Iwai asks, but for the Thieves, a cold dread went down their spine.
"This rumbling… It can't be!" Noir says in shock before a very familiar tank, to some of them at least, rolls into the plaza with a few guards by its side. Holding a very different Marie.
Her skin was covered in marks resembling magic spells, while her pure white gown was torn in places, with rips running along its sides. And her face had noticeable stress lines around her eyes.
A far cry from how she first looked when she Dominated the Thieves the first time.
"Look at what you brats have done!" She shouts in anger at them. While Sojiro growls at her in parental anger. "I poured my heart and soul into preparing that ceremony, and look what you've done to it AND me! You ruined my immaculate form with whatever sorcery you have! And YOU!" She points at Sojiro with rage. "What was that act that you pulled off!?"
"Guess our Personas decided to do a little remodelling on her." Panther quips with a smirk to the others before frowning in disgust at Marie.
"What's wrong? Not a fan of a little magic trick?" Sojiro quips at her, infuriating her further.
"On any other day, I would have you dragged from the back of my carriage through every street in my kingdom until nothing was left! But that might be too much. After all, you're nothing more than stupid children and old farts!"
"Chihaya, what's the forecast?" Fox asks quietly. Chihaya brings out one of her cards, nodding to herself before glaring back at Marie. It was the Hope card in an upright position.
"We have Hope." She says simply before the sound of a stampede echoes through the plaza. Marie looks around, confused, before an entire stampede of hat people rush into the plaza and pile on the troopers around Marie.
"What the!? What are you brats doing!?" She shouts at the hat people in anger as one of them rushes up to the exhausted group.
"The time has come for us to pay back our debt! Please see to the safety of the Captain! We will hold her off!" The hat person says before turning around and leaping into the brawl.
"Now our chance! Go!" Iwai shouts, motioning to a nearby path. With heavy hearts, the team rush for the exits as Marie summons more guards to fight the Hat people. Fuming, she watched them all escape her trap.