Chapter 17

The sky was blaring, as if the clouds themselves were holding alarms flashing red across the land. Lights were on everywhere inside the castle, silhouettes of the shadows rampaging everywhere gave the once dreary structure life. The panic of the Phantom Thieves arrival has stirred up the storm.

Joker tugged on his gloves, a small smile gleaning his upper lip. The sight of it all made this a little more alluring to the Arsene inside him. Even the others beside him couldn't contain the glee from the performance preceding this glamorous occasion. Seeing Kamoshida lose it when every student was reading the Calling Card was priceless. The anger and frustration made him look so weak and pathetic instead of everyone else for once. Now what would he look like once they snatched away these desires and rendered him meek and pitiful? It was a rather sadistic pleasure they were adamant on sating.

"Alright! You guys remember the route?" Mona shouted out, his miffed eyes lingering on Joker.

The teen sighed under the cat's scrutiny. "I remember this time."

"Good, then it's all set! Everyone, follow Joker! No fighting if we can help it!"

"Right!" Skull and Panther synchronized, racing forward as Joker took the lead.

They flew over scaffolding and entered through the second story window. Crouched, they peeled over the banisters and dropped down on the second floor. They zoomed over the floor. With immediate precision they all pelted through the massive portrait of King Kamoshida. The secret passage closing behind them before any armor could see their shadow flying over the floor.

The group activated the lift, zipping them up to the top. They exited the doors and slid into the shadows. More armors than they've seen before marched around in irritation. They zigzagged between the cover. Staying low by the counters. Then rushing up the stairs as the armors turned their backs. Even as the floors and walls cracked and changed. They kept behind cover and out of sight. The armors didn't even turn their way or hear their steps. With the last shadow turning away from their position they dashed out of cover and rushed up the stairs. They were in front of the doors to the throne room without a single sighting.

They didn't pause to celebrate, they rushed through the doors. Entering the empty room Skull turned to stare at the entrance. "What the hell's goin' on here? The door's just sittin' open, and there aren't any soldiers around."

Mona peered over at the blond. "This place is probably undermanned now that they all got assigned elsewhere. Either way, we win as long as we can steal the Treasure! Let's keep going!"

With a frown, Joker relented. Something felt off, but all the guards were gathered everywhere else for once and they couldn't ignore the opportunity that created. That's the power of the calling card. But where was Shadow Kamoshida? He had a bad feeling, but there wasn't time for a choice in the matter. He rushed past the throne and up the stairs. They burst through the treasure room door and came to a halt at where there once floating mist was. Inn its place was a golden crown with velvet cloth sown into it. Glistening jewels pressed into the arches and rim of the headpiece gave the piece more color and life. It was like the crowns in England. Not to mention about the same size as a car.

Seeing it the cat leapt into the air, eye beaming like vibrant stars. "Aww yeeeeeaaaaaaaaah! The Treasure has appeared!"

Skull balked up at it. "Man, it's huge!"

"What do you think!? It's just as I said! Now we can steal it!" Mona didn't even register what the blond said. "Ahh… this shine brings tears to my eyes."

Panther crossed her arms, a twitching scowl on her cheeks. "It kinda pisses me off. Why's it so pretty? Isn't this Kamoshida's desires?"

Joker scoffed. "He is an egomaniac."

"T-treasure." Mona drooled

Skull scratched his head. "Uh, the cat's actin' awfully excited."

Panther looked down at Mona, tilting her head to the side. "What's wrong? Is something-?"

Everyone jumped back as the cat launched himself at the crown with a long, hefty meow. He latched onto it and began rubbing his chin on it affectionately, purring and giggling worse than a schoolgirl.

Joker slowly pulled out his phone and lifted it. Disappointment fell on his face. "Drat. Forgot. No camera."

"Can we stay focused, please!" Panther shot him a look.

Joker put his phone back in his pocket, lifting a hand next to his mouth to call out, "That's not catnip, you know."

Their resident scout continued to rub himself on the crown, meowing up a storm. At this point Joker was just glad they couldn't see anything up front.

Skull growled, stomping over to the perverse horn-cat. "All right, that's enough, you stupid cat!"

Like being struck by lighting, Mona froze stiff. He spun around to look at his audience then pushed off the Treasure to land with his head bowed to the ground. He cleared his throat with a small cough. "Oh, um, yeah… Forgive me for the displaying such an insolent sight in front of a lady."

"But you were okay with us watching?" Joker waved a finger between Skull and himself.

Panther gave the small cat a once over, unsure of what to make of the previous sight she witnessed. "You were completely out of character too. What was that about?"

Morgana began shaking, as if he were covered in water trying to get it off. "I couldn't stop it either… To think I'd be drawn to human desires this much."

"I'm pretty sure neutered cats loose that instinct. Want to look into some vets?" Joker stroked his chin.

"No!"

Skull raised a hand. "I'm for it. Grossed out just by watchin'."

"I'm not cutting off my chastity!"

"Dude, That crown's gonna start popping out a litter."

"D-don't be ridiculous! If anything, my affection for human desires should prove that I'm human." Joker and Skull gave each other knowing looks. "NOT LIKE THAT!" Mona lifted a paw to block out the sight of Panther as he slowly etched away from the crown. "A-anyway, you guys need to carry it!"

Skull grumbled, strolling forward. "All you do is bark orders. Still, that was easier than I thought! I thought for sure there'd be some insane trap or something."

Joker looked around the room for the jinx.

Panther stepped up to the other side of the crown, peering up at it while her fingers traced it's side. "His Palace will disappear if we take this back right? And Kamoshida will change too."

Seeing nothing, Joker walked up to the crown too and grabbed on of the sides along with Skull and Panther.

Mona nodded. "That should be the case."

"Good. Now's our chance then." Skull pulled down and the crown settled into their hands. Panther lurched down, straining her voice. "It's heavy!"

"Damn crown matches his damn head!" Joker grunted under its weight.

Mona turned around humming a little tune to himself. "To think it'd go so well… I've even found three Persona users in the process." He turned to face them and puffed out his chest. "My judgment was correct. I made the right choice in making a deal with you! Nyhahaha!" The cat then spun around and skipped out of the room.

Joker narrowed his eyes. "How about we see if this fits on his head."

Skull grunted. "I'm down for that."

"Guys! It'll crush him!" Panther objected.

"Well it's crushin' us while mister big-shot's just prancin' around!"

"Just- let him have his moment."

Joker looked over at her. "We are. We're crowning him."

"Move it, buster!" She tried kicking him. Still got her to smile, if only a little.

The trio slowly made their way out of the trophy room and made their way down the stairs. Joker took the lead, taking on the brute force of the weight as they descended. His arms felt like torches were being lit in his biceps. Still, he tried to keep an even pace with his partners as they descended to the bottom. They made their way past the throne and began making toward the exit.

"Go, go! Let's go! Ka-mo-shida!"

The three stopped at the strangely familiar girlish disembodied voice. Joker looked over at Panther. "Did you say something?"

"That wasn't me."

A giant grunt boomed from the exit. A metal clang bounced on the crown. The treasure flew from their hands and rolled toward the throne. In a blur a figure back-flipped over the group, landing on the uplifted platform in front of the throne. Shadow Kamoshida stood. He outstretched his hand and the massive crown vanished, appearing in his hands in normal size. The perverse cognition of Ann then rushed from the side and embraced him in an affectionate hug. The 'king' tossed the crown up and down. "I won't let anyone take this!"

Joker stretched his back, popping his spine in several spots. "And there's the jinx."

Skull checked over at him. "The wha?"

Shadow Kamoshida lifted the crown in the air. "This proves that I am the king of this castle- it is the core of this world!"

Panther's growl rumbled in her throat, her head pulsing with veins. "That rat bastard. That's how he sees me, isn't it!?" She was staring at the cognitive version still latched around the 'king's' arm.

Skull rested his hands on his hips. "Yo, pervert. Were you waitin' to ambush us?"

With a scoff he replied, "I just made it easier to find you. I'll dispose of you myself. Right here, right now."

"That's our line, you sexually-harassin' D-bag!"

"What a selfish misunderstanding." A coy grin grew on his face.

Panther crossed her arms. "How is it a misunderstanding!? You were doing things that you kept secret from others!"

"The people around me were the ones who kept it secret." Shadow Kamoshida laughed. "Adults who want to share in my accomplishments, students who have the drive to become winners. They willingly protect me so that we all may profit from it."

Skull blanched, just now realizing how much his opinion of this man could plummet further. "Profit!?"

"There are too many imbeciles who don't understand that! Including naïve brats like you and that girl who tried to kill herself!"

Panther sighed, stepping back. "True, she's a total idiot…" Joker shot her a look of confusion. She ignored him and continued. "Letting you manipulate her, trying to commit suicide. And I'm even more of a dumbass for not realizing that! But no matter what kind of fool someone might be. They don't need your permission to live their lives!"

"Drop the attitude, you mediocre peasant! There's no wrong in using my gifts for my gain! I'm a cut above all the other humans!"

"Above? You mean beneath. You're a goddman demon obsessed with your sick desires!"

Red light surrounded the 'king' he bent forward laughing. His voice deepened, distorted, becoming something more vile. Joker stepped back, Yu kicking into high gear. He recognized this. The repressed emotions of the shadows being released. The true vulgar nature on full display. The actual monster within coming out to play.

"That's right." The Shadow Kamoshida threw out his arms. His skin convulsing, limbs growing, color shifting to a sickening pink. "I'm not like you. I am a demon who rules this world!"

The whole room was swallowed by a sea of red and black. The walls warping, the aura like blood evaporated into the air. The taste of iron ran along their tongues. The lights were drowned out as the four thieves watched as the monster before them grew. Limbs gushing out of his sides, face twisting into an unrecognizable form.

Skull backed away, face paling. "Wh-what the hell!?"

The demon in front of them was nothing like the Kamoshida they know. No lips, just sharp teeth, the massive crown rested on his head, a long tongue that would put a snake to shame, a knife and fork in one set of hands, a wine glass and a stiff whip in the next. Its eyes were droopy and lecherous as it barreled down at them. With a laugh echoing throughout the whole castle, the demon began swaying back and forth in a little dance. "I'm allowed to do whatever the hell I want!" A goblet came rising from the ground, grey legs hung over the side of the rim, squirming.

The only one unaffected by this was Yu, Joker, he's seen enough ridiculous things in Inaba. He stepped forward, tossing the back of his coat away from him with some pizzazz. "Let's finish this." Hearing him the others snapped out of their daze and came rushing forward, weapons out and at the ready. Joker's knife, Mona's scimitar, Panther's whip, and Skulls spiked bat.

Seeing their resistance, the 'king' roared. "You goddman, no-good, shitty brats! Haven't you been taught not to point at people!? Huh!?"

Mona stared at the crown on the monster's head. "We should catch him off guard and steal it! Let's attack him and wait for that opportunity!" The group charged.

Kamoshida whipped the ground. Red mist flung from the floor. Humanoid creatures chained to massive iron balls rose from the ground. They each wore a kind of metal helmet obstructing their whole head. They had to be slaves. Volleyballs dropped from the sky. The slaves leapt up and slammed the balls toward the teens.

Mona rolled to the side. Panther got hit in the chest and thrown to the floor. Skull tried ducking. He got a face full of projectile. Joker slid to the side watching it fly past him. For once he was thankful for the chalk-tosser. A sharp pain crushed his sides as Kamoshida's knife slashed him. Joker flew into a wall with a mighty crash. Mona dodged the demon's fork only to be struck by the whip.

Shadow Kamoshida dunked the wine into his mouth with a slurp. His body burst with energy. His tongue then lashed out. Skull and Panther were thrown off their feet and into a pillar. Skull pushed himself back up. The veins in his head popping. "Persona!" He shouted. Captain Kid appeared. Lightning blasted out of his arm cannon. The electricity struck the demon. The monster flinched. He whipped his slaves once more. They all jumped up for another volley of balls. Skull dove to the side. He even tackled the dazed Panther before she could be hit.

Mona leapt to the side. Joker dove under. They both leapt over the knife and fork. Mona then grabbed onto the fork to be hoisted into the air. Joker pulled off his mask. "Saki Mitama!" The crescent moon appeared. An ice spear shived its way into Kamoshida.

The cat let go of the fork. He flipped into the air. "Zorro!" The Spaniard appeared waving its sword. Wind gushed down. It slashed the demon everywhere.

Panther rushed up and tore off her mask. "Carmine!" Fire erupted around them. The flames traveling over Shadow Kamoshida.

The demon roared as all the attacks hit him. He whipped the ground. Then his arms waved frantically at the thieves. Panther dodged the knife. Joker ducked under the whip. Mona jumped back from the fork stabbing the ground. Suddenly balls came flying. Joker batted his to the side. His hand nearly snapping at the force. Mona got socked in the side of his head. He flipped in the air and dove behind a pillar. Panther's wind was wiped out. She lay sprawled on the ground gasping.

Skull pulled back his bat. Then he bashed the ball coming at him. "Knock it off!" The ball blasted back toward the slaves. It then smashed into the face of Skull's attacker. It collided with the ground in a heap.

Shadow Kamoshida chuckled lecherously. He slowly peered over the gasping Panther, crawling over to her feet. Stinging pain ruptured the 'king's' wrist. He roared and looked to his hand. Joker pulled out his knife and rushed up the arm. The demon swung his knife. Joker raised his knife and jumped. The blades clashed. Joker's momentum propelled him over the giant blade. Flipping through the air the teen ripped off his mask. "Pixie!" The little fairy appeared. A beam of green light spilled out of its hands toward Panther. All the air instantly came back to her. She leapt to her feet and dashed away.

The 'king' howled in rage. Then jabbed his knife toward Joker. The teen threw his grapple in the air. The hook snagged the banisters of the second floor. Joker yanked himself away from the fork. The grapple let go. The teen spun in the air. He pulled out his gun and aimed. He emptied his magazine into the demon's right eye. The monster hollered in pain. He pressed the wine glass to his injured eye. Joker landed on the floor. His team rushing to his side. Skull bapped his leader's back. "Nice one!"

The fork slammed down on the goblet. The knife slashed down. It sawed into one of the squirming legs. The fork pierced the legs. Shadow Kamoshida lifted the seizing limbs and shoved it into his mouth. The phantom thieves stepped back in disgust. Slimy spluttering and chewing filled the room. The 'king' looked back at them as all the wounds vanished from his body. "Mmm. Mmm. Mmm. That hits the spot!" He taunted. "Come at me, you pieces of shit! I ain't lettin' you sleep tonight!"

The group dove behind the pillars as balls came pelting their way. Mona scratched his head. "He healed himself? Is it from eating one of those… things in the trophy? Then we should destroy that first!"

Joker looked over at the other pillar housing Panther and Skull. "Who wants to take out a trophy!?"

Skull thrust up his hand. "I do!"

Panther leapt out of hiding. "Too slow!"

"Hey, wait!" He charged after her.

Panther threw out her palm. Flames bellowed into the trophy. The goblet began glowing red. The 'king' stared at his shimmering trophy. "Hey! You don't know what this is worth, so stop touching it! Don't do it anymore got it? I've warned you!"

Skull pointed at the glowing cup. "It ain't worth shit!" Captin Kid appeared. It raised its cannon arm and fired.

Shadow Kamoshia fell back. His eyes widened as the hot goblet exploded. The hot shards pelted into him. He cried out at the sight. "No way… this was from when I won the national." He failed to notice the thieves surrounding him. The group pointed their guns at him. He looked around at them. The demon shook with fury. "You think you can get away with doing such a thing? Do you realize who I am!? I am Kamoshida! Don't you get it!?"

Joker shrugged. "Is that like a new emetic or something?"

"Huh!?" The demon was dumbstruck. "Like I keep saying- I am Kamoshida! I'm the king!"

Skull rolled his eyes. "I always saw you as a condescending hotshot, but right now… you're just a pathetic loser."

Panther pointed her gun at the crown. "We came all this way to steal that! Will you just give it up and hand it over?"

"Silence!" Shadow Kamoshida waved his arms around. "I won't let the likes of you have this!"

Mona cringed. "You still have the energy to say things like that!? Then we're going to up our game as well!"

Joker smiled. "Let's go all out."

They all lunged. In a blur they began striking the demon from all sides. Shadow Kamoshida tried flailing his arms. The small group easily evaded the flimsy attack. The demon roared. He grabbed the chains of his slaves. Then threw them around in the air. Mona and Skull were wacked out of the sky. Panther stopped and rushed over to them. A green light emanating from her hand toward them. Joker flashed through the sky. Then he slashed the 'king's' right eye for good measure. Joker grappled the side. Then he swung to his friends ready for more.

Shadow Kamoshida tossed his limp slaves aside. "I'm the king! If I'm not, then who is!? How dare you keep defying me… Looks like I gottabring out the big guns! Slaves! Bring over you-know-what! Time for my killshot from when I was active and rockin' it! Killshot… as in I'll make the kill!"

Joker swallowed, stepping back. The rest copied him. All ready to dodge.

The demon whipped the ground. "What's the holdup? Where's my ball!?"

"I-I'm so sorry, King Kamoshida!" Mishima came running from the sides. He held a volleyball in his bandaged arms. "I-I have it right here!"

"Too slow, Mishima! Worthless chump!"

"Mishima!?" Skull choked.

Panther backed away. "Wait, what!? Why's he here?"

Joker even stared wide eyed at the injured teen in front of them.

Mona waved them down. "Calm down. That's only Kamoshida's cognitive version of him! It's not the real Mishima!"

Shadow Kamoshida whipped the cognitive teenager. "Good, Mishima- now pass it to me! Don't tell me you can't even do something as simple as that!"

Cognitive Mishima whimpered. Then he tossed the ball into the air. The 'king' put down his tools. Then leapt up into the air. Joker recognized the move. He spun on his heels and yelled, "Spike! Move!"

The other three rushed away from the demon. Kamoshida's hand bashed the volleyball. "Behold my greatness!" The ball blasted toward the group. It smashed into the ground behind them. The ground erupted from beneath them. A tidal wave of stone and marble throwing them away. The blast of air and heat threw them into the walls. Every one of them coughed up blood as they struggled to their knees.

Seeing them struggling, the Shadow Kamoshida snatched up his tools. "I knew it. I can't go all-out with Mishima providing the backup." He began whipping the cognitive teen over and over again. "Hey, shit-for-brains! Get off my court!"

The fake Mishima covered his head. He sobbed as he rushed out of the throne room. "I-I'm sorry, King Kamoshida!"

"Next slave, get out here!" The 'king' slapped his whip on the ground with a snap. "Hurry up with my damn ball!"

Mona flicked his paw in the air. Green energy emanated from him to everyone else. All the pain vanished from their bodies. Breathing became easier. They struggled to their feet.

A girl skipped out onto the field. Everyone's shocked faces watched as she skipped up to the demon. "King Kamoshida, I've brought you your ball, just like you asked."

"Now there's a good girl, Suzui."

Shiho? Joker stared at the girl, speechless. It defiantly looked like the timid girl he had met at school, but what she wore was outlandishly debauched. It was like a cross between a bikini and a bunny suit, every covering was furry and unnaturally tight. She wore bunny ears, a strange bottom with a bunny tail, a strapless top, a choker, red high heels, and bracelets on her wrists.

Shadow Kamoshida laughed as his eyes wandered the girls exposed body. "Yeah, all women should obey my orders like this- ain't that right, sweetheart?"

The cute chuckle emanating from the 'bunny-girl' made Joker's stomach clench. It made his blood boil.

Panther regained control of her tongue. "N-no way! What's Shiho doing here!?"

"Panther, calm down!" Mona jumped up and down next to her. "That's not the real one!"

"Y-yeah, you're right… but, this is just…"

"Dammit, even Suzui Too!" Skull whipped his bat around, stomping his foot. "You've gone too far, you piece of shit!"

Laughing at their behavior, the 'king' brandished his whip again. "Ah, I get it! You want to see my killshot again, don't you?"

Joker cursed under his breath. Mind rapidly trying to think. His experience facing these monstrous shadows in overdrive. This was obviously a physically based 'boss,' as the Investigative Team dubbed them. However, he didn't have a single persona that was resistant to that. It didn't even seem like it had a particular weakness. His stomach churned as the regret of not performing more executions ate away at him. The only way to grow was to kill. It was wrong, but he was supposed to do it anyway. Irritated he looked around, but no idea came to him. He growled then looked over at Mona. The cat looked at him in turn. A light bulb light up in his head. "Mona. We'll distract him. Get the crown."

The cat looked stunned, but immediately grinned. "Sounds like a plan."

Joker tore off his mask. "Berith." The mounted knight flew out and slashed his spear along the ground. Dust flew into the air. Joker pelted through it, shouting out, "Take out the fake Shiho!"

"Erg- Fine!" Skull advanced.

Panther looked pale but followed behind them anyway.

Cognitive Shiho bent down to toss the ball. Berith galloped over. It stabbed her in the chest. The fake girl dropped the ball. She staggered back. Joker whipped around her and kicked her toward the others. Panther flinched as she whipped her weapon. The lashes struck the fake Shiho several times. Then Skull bashed his bat into the cognitive girl's face. The fake girl then exploded in a puff of smoke.

The demon growled. He slammed the knife and fork on the ground. He then dragged them over the floor. The three dodged out of the way. The 'king' glared at where the fake Shiho was. "Hmph, even Suzui was useless. Looks like I'll have to give her some special instruction latter… one-on-one!"

Panther's grip on the whip intensified. "Kamoshida! I'll never forgive you!"

Skull patted the bat against his palm. "Sorry, Suzui… I swear we'll beat that bastard's ass!"

Shadow Kamoshida whipped the floor again. "What's the matter, slaves!? Hurry up and bring me more volleyballs! I can't serve up my killshot without any balls!" There was no movement from anywhere. "Huh!? Did I just… Am I really out of slaves!?"

Joker chuckled. "He's out of tricks."

"Let's get 'em!" Skull charged, the bat over his head.

Panther leapt forward. Fire erupted from the air. The flames smashed into the demon. Skull slid up and pointed his finger. Lighting pelted through the air. It struck the monster from behind. Joker ripped off his mask. "Arsene!" The original persona spun around. It waved its hand. A curse attack washed over the demonic foe.

Shadow Kamoshida roared in pain. It threw its arms at them. Skull leapt over the knife. Panther jumped away from the fork. Joker sidestepped the whip. The 'king' froze. His eyes jumping between the three of them. "Is there one less of you?" His eyes narrowed, head spinning around in search. "I knew it! They're missing! Where'd they go!?"

Mona leapt off the second story terrace. "It's already check and mate!" He dove into the crown on the demon's head. The Treasure was flung to the floor. The 'king' dropped his wine glass and whip. The free hands snatching around his head. "Noooooo! My… my precious!"

Mona landed next to the others. "Good, Kamoshida's shaken up!"

Panther smiled. "I think we can do this."

Joker pulled off his mask. "Arsene!"

"Carmine!"

"Captain Kid!"

"Zorro!"

The four personas flew up. They each slammed into the dazed Shadow Kamoshida. Fire, wind, curse, and lighting flashed before them. A mixture of colors that rattled the floor. In a wretched roar, the giant demon vanished in a burst of red mist.

Catching their breaths, they looked over at the crown resting on the ground behind them. Grabbing his neck, Joker tilted his head side to side as he walked over to it. A man darted from behind him and snatched up the crown. Shadow Kamoshida, back to... normal, looked at them nervously, then spun around to run.

Skull gagged and rushed after him. The 'king' rushed to an open window, stopping at the threshold. The four surround him, making sure there was no room for escape. Panther crossed her arms. "What's wrong? Not running away? Why don't you run? Aren't you a great athlete?"

The 'king' stomped his foot, refusing to turn away from the red sky outside. "It's always been like this… all those goddamn hyenas forcing their expectations on me! I'm doing this all for them! What's wrong about demanding a reward for that!?"

Skull scoffed. "Now you're makin' excuses? We'll do something about that distorted heart of yours."

Shadow Kamoshida only groaned with a shiver. Shaking as he hugged his 'precious' closer to his chest.

Panther peered down at him. "Scared? Right now, you're seeing the same view that Shiho did. I'm sure she was scared too… except she had no choice but to jump." The 'king' spun around in horror. The teen girl didn't stop seeing the fear in his eyes, "What will you do? Will you jump? …Or would you rather die here?"

Joker's jaw clenched. His dry throat swallowed the little spit still there. Was this happening? The only way a shadow could disappear was if it were accepted by the real person. They would need the real Kamoshida. If they couldn't take the treasure without killing the shadow, then their goal was out of reach from the start. His heart began beating loudly, his breathing labored while his fists shook. Was he going to end up like Adachi? He couldn't bear the thought, but at the same time he couldn't bring himself to stop her.

Carmine appeared behind Panther, balls of flame igniting in its palms while they both glared at the shivering 'king.' Mona crossed his arms. "Do you want to finish him off? It's your call."

"No, please wait! I beg you… Just forgive meeee!" Shadow Kamoshida backed away, a hand stretched out in plea toward Panther.

Panther's eyes twitched, a snarl etching on her face. "Shut up. I bet everyone told you the same. But you… you took everything from them!" A fireball shot from Carmine.

"No!" Shadow Kamoshida flinched away, jumping back. The fire exploded against the wall next to him. He turned to stare at the singed wall then back toward Panther, sweat pouring off his face. He knelt down, bending his head. "I accept defeat… You want this? Take it." He tossed over to them.

Joker caught it in his hand, rotating it as he looked over it.

"Go ahead and finish me off… You do that… and my real self will go down too. You have that right since you've won."

The boys shifted in their feet, feeling uncomfortable at the reality. Joker slid his thumb over the crown, his mind in a fog. This wasn't worth it. All this fighting for a stupid crown. It never made sense to him in the first place. He was just desperate to have something save him. Logically, this wasn't going to work out for him. Every time, he told himself about that one rule. Shadows need the real person. There was no other way of getting rid of it. If the real person didn't want to change the shadow never will either. When everyone in Inaba was trying to reject their shadow it always failed and the shadow would attack. That's what this whole damn mission was about, forcing the real person to reject their shadow.

Panther shook, head tilting back as she raised her arm. Fire flew out and toward the sniveling man. Skull and Joker leapt forward. "Ann!"

The fire sparked against the floor next to the 'king.' Missing by a hair.

Carmine vanished and Panther's mask returned to her face. "If his mind shuts down, he can't admit his crimes."

Mona rubbed his paw under his nose. "You're kind, Lady Ann."

The boys relaxed, letting out the breath each were holding.

Shadow Kamoshida lowered his head further. "I've lost. You're through when you lose. What am I- What am I supposed to do now?"

Joker looked down at the crown, shaking his head. Lost. That's all he's done. No one knows his face. No one knows his name. No one knows how he feels. No one cares. Even then, that question always picked at him from behind his mind. The answer, "The only thing you can do. Move on."

The three beside him froze at his words. There was no doubt they heard the strange tone in his voice. They can see the glaze over his eyes while he appraised the crown in his hands. The emptiness as if his soul didn't reside in the shell they see.

Shadow Kamoshida looked up at Joker, then at the crown. "All right…" Joker staggered at those words. The former king smiled gently, closing his eyes. "I will leave now and return to my real self."

Joker's breath died in his throat. What? What was happening?

The Shadow Kamoshida began fading away from sight. A peaceful expression on his face. "I'll make certain that I-." A white light filled the room and the man was gone.

Joker continued staring at the place where he saw the man knelt, speechless. It returned to the real self? Without the real one accepting it? This wasn't making any sense. How?

Tremors. It shook the walls and the floor. The dust rose in the wake and cracks webbed over the marble around them. Mona looked up at them. "Hey, just so you know, we don't have time to waste. This place is about to collapse!"

The shaking grew, and the chandelier above crashed right behind them. Skull pelted toward the door. "Run!"

Everyone dashed after him. Joker tucked the crown under his arm as he chased after the team. His mind in a blank. He still didn't understand. He still couldn't put the pieces together. Did everything he know… was it a lie? Then, does that mean Yu was a lie? He could hardly dodge the downfall of rock and castle as he zipped across the hallways. His mind was off, only his body worked. The only thing that went through his head was, 'we will see.'