Chapter XXVI: Turbulent Darkness
Untouchable/Shibuya, Tokyo (渋谷区, 東京)/7:53 PM (JST)
"Hey, are you five almost done here? I'm about to close shop!" Iwai barked, eyeing Midari and admiring the pistols in a display case. He shifted to the opposite corner where Shinya, Nicola, Reiko, and Li-Ming looked over a sword collection.
"Why the hell are you rushing me, old man?! I'm one of your loyal customers! I bought my last firearm here!" Midari scoffed at Iwai's tone.
"Some of us have to close up so we can go home. Don't you got a place to call home?"
"Yeah, what of it?"
Turning his scowl away from Midari, Iwai faced the four teens. "And don't y'all have families you need to go to?"
"Hey, we aren't little kids, pops!" Shinya retorted. "And it's Saturday! We don't have school tomorrow!"
"C'mon, be nice. Let's just go, Shinya," Reiko suggested.
"Maybe if he asked nicely."
"Heh, I don't think we should be giving him any more problems, Shinya. Reiko's right. Let's leave. We can come back here another time!" Nicola said, pulling Shinya away.
"Ugh, fine! Let's go then."
Watching the teens leave the store, Midari scoffed. "Noisy kid. Hey, wait a minute. Don't they hang with that Ren guy?"
"Hey, what did I just tell you?"
Irked by Iwai's annoyed tone, Midari responded inappropriately. "Ugh, shut the hell up! I get it, I'm leaving!" As she turned to leave, she saw Shinya and his friends standing outside the shop and pointing to the sky. "Huh? What the hell are they looking at?" She walked outside to meet them. "Hey, what are you four pointing at?"
"Um, don't you think it's obvious?! The sky's purple!" Li-Ming exclaimed.
"Purple? But, doesn't that mean a typhoon's coming?" Midari recalled.
"There wasn't a typhoon warning from what we know!" Nicola replied.
While not buying into there's a typhoon coming, Midari looked up and his face conveyed befuddlement when staring at the deep purple permeating through the skies and clouds. She was at a loss for words and couldn't discern what this entailed.
"What the fuck…?" Midari muttered as before long, her Guardian Spirits, Blue Dragon and Nurarihyon, materialized. "You two sense something's off?"
"Hey, Midari!" Came a familiar cry and a voice Midari was familiar with. The eyepatch-wearing woman attentively turned to her far right. "Yumeko?"
Yumeko waved and called out to her. "Hey, over here! Have your Guardian Spirits been acting up?"
Midari nodded in response.
"Ryōta and Mary are with me! Our spirits are connecting with the other Guardian Spirits within the area! Come this way!"
As Yumeko turned the leave, Midari screamed. "Hey, wait! Come the fuck on! Who else is close by?!" As she second-guessed herself and decided on her course of action, she turned to the four teens. "Oh, sup, kiddos?"
"Hey, yourself. You really love coming here a lot, huh?" Shinya addressed Midari's constant appearances in Untouchable.
"Nevermind that, you shouldn't be here 'cause trouble's about to stir," Midari warned Shinya and his friends.
"What kind of trouble? Oh, and did you forget my friends and I have special abilities that tell us if there's danger lurking," Shinya reminded them.
"Yeah, no kidding. I've been getting awful vibes before we came here from those purple clouds," Nicola stated.
"I don't like this feeling either. I hope it's not a sign of bad things to come," Li-Ming concurred.
"Oh yeah, how did I forget? Keep your guard up then. It's looking very sus out there." With that, she turned to leave and followed Yumeko's direction.
"How did she forget we have powers now?" Reiko wondered, eyeing Midari leaving Untouchable.
"I mean, a bunch of us have now gained special abilities ever since those things attacked Meiji Shrine. Let's not forget my sister and her friends," Nicola said.
"Or, Ren and his group. They're the Phantom Thieves for goodness sake," Shinya whispered, making sure Iwa didn't hear them.
"Hey, there you kids are!" The sound of a woman's voice chimed in, catching Shinya and his friends by surprise.
The teen turned to face Karen, Aurora, and Emily.
"Oh, it's you three!" Nicola cried out.
"Hey, Nicola!" Emily greeted him.
"We're out looking for my brother and his friends. Then, the sky suddenly changed. I'm glad we could find you," Karen said as she and her friends confronted Nicola and his group.
"If you're wondering where my sis Mia, Louis, and the others are at? No, I don't know. Sorry, Karen."
"I see, thanks for telling me, Nicola."
Emily sighed. "Nuts, I was going to ask if you heard from Yakumo."
"Can you at least tell us what the purple sky and clouds mean?" Nicola asked the ladies.
"Not a sign of an impending typhoon, I can tell you that much. It's not safe to be out now." Karen plainly stated. "C'mon, this way. We'll take you to Yaksha."
The three women and the four teens headed straight for Yaksha Weaponries. On the way, they found a black van parked outside the weapon shop and two guards in riot gear putting up a barricade on the street.
Seeing the riot geared individuals, Emily frowned. "Hey, what's going on here?"
They saw Davis confront one of the riot geared men.
"Something's up," Shinya didn't like the outlook of this situation either.
"Why are you blocking this road? We demand to know your reasons!" Davis barked at the riot geared men.
"Back away now and leave the premises," the riot geared man on the right demanded.
"The same goes for all of you!" The other riot geared man aimed and pointed his rifle at Karen and the others.
"What's the meaning of this?!" Karen shouted at them.
"They're making us leave behind the shop! And they were being very pushy about it, too!" Rin cried out as she and Coco stormed out of Yakshas.
"Who authorized you to remove us from the shop?" Coco verbally pushed back against the riot geared men.
"That's none of your business, ma'am."
"I make it my business when you're forcefully removing us from our home. We pay rent here!" Coco yelled in his face.
"Coco, enough!" Davis stepped in between her and the riot geared individual, preventing an escalated situation from breaking out. While defending her, Davis briefly saw Coco blushing behind his back.
"Thanks, Davis. You didn't need to do that." As she said this, the man's gentler features showed on his face as he held her hand.
"No, but I wanted to. Are you ok, Coco?"
While he held her hand, Coco's cheeks turned from pink to red. "Yeah, I am now thanks to you. I appreciate it."
"Sure thing. Just know you don't have to handle everything on your own."
"That's enough. You two withdraw now," Hamada's commanding voice interjected, causing the two riot guards to step away. Hamada walked out of the van with The Pack accompanying him. "We're so sorry for the inconvenience, but this is a state of emergency. We prefer you leave before things get hectic."
"Do you mind telling us what the emergency is for?" Karen asked Hamada.
"You needn't worry. The Consortium will provide security. Our guards have spread out and put up barricades," Kimiko reassured her.
"Are the police involved in this situation, too?" Aurora inquired.
"They will be soon," Tomoyuki calmly stated.
"Please, we are asking you to leave now for your own good," Minami added, beckoning the group away.
However, Shinya recognized Hamada. "Hey, you're those four jerks that tried picking on my friend Ren!"
Pivoting over to Shinya, Hamada's scowl resurfaced. "You little…"
"Yeah, it's me! You pushed me down when I stood up for Ren and Ann! But, me kicking you right in the dick was pretty satisfying," the teenage boy smiled proudly. "But, now you four are some kind of security guards? Oh please! Like I'm ever going to listen to you!"
"You'd best watch your mouth around me now that I have official authority."
"From who? You're not even with the police. I don't know who this Consortium whatever is, but if you don't have badges as Makoto does, then you don't get to boss us around!"
"Shinya, please!" Reiko pulled him aside.
"Hmm, the boy is right. Where are your badges?" Davis asked the Pack.
"Hey, didn't Ren and Skyler pass intel they learned about The Consortium to us?" Rin recalled.
Emily recalled. "They mentioned someone within their group investigating them but coming up short until they revealed themselves at the ball event Davis worked at."
Davis then asserted and confronted the four Pack members. "I headed up security for that evening. I don't remember you four working for security. I know and remember lots of faces from every guard I've worked with, but not you four. Show us your badges now."
Smirking and showing no intimidation for Davis, Hamada casually shrugged. "And what if we don't? Are you going to defy us?"
"He's an active security guard and knows what the hell he's doing. We'll leave when he tells us to," Coco replied.
The Pack exchanged glares and huddled together as they discussed their resolution. Davis beckoned the group back.
"I don't like this," Li-Ming nervously whispered.
"It's ok. Maybe they're talking things out," Reiko said.
"Somehow I doubt it," Emily, along with the other adults, cautiously watched them.
As The Pack turned to face them, formless black shadows quickly materialized behind them. The group stepped back with Davis and Emily standing up for them. The black formless entities morphed and took on physical forms. Loud bird-like screeches came from these entities. Their bodies took on familiar shapes of the Velociraptors. Two of them had dull brown and gray feathers covering their bodies while the other two had tufts of colored feathers on their heads and front limbs. Each creature stood nearly 5'10 feet tall and have sickle-shaped toe claws.
Of these four, one of the brown and gray feathered creatures protectively stood beside Hamada. Separating itself from the rest of its pack, it had three feathered wings on each side of its body. Each wing was armed with sharp claws. It had a lizard-like snout with razor-sharp teeth. Its yellow eyes scanned the opposition and screeched. Then, it produced loud crackling sounds to communicate with the other raptors.
"D-Dinosaurs?!" Li-Ming was taken aback.
"But, they're not real. C'mon, you saw them appear from those shadows, right?" Shinya nervously muttered.
"And they have feathers like birds!" Reiko cried out as she hid behind Shinya.
"Remember we can fight back since we've got special powers, Reiko."
Nicola grabbed Li-Ming's hand. "It's ok, I'm sure we can handle them. But, I don't blame you if you're still scared."
"Well, what's the verdict? Are these manifestations of the Yami Matter?" Coco asked for an answer.
"It certainly matches the description of black formless entities bringing creatures and people into our world," Davis replied, adamantly facing The Pack and their Persona-like raptors.
"These four summoned these dinosaurs like they were Personas! Almost the same way Ren and the others do!" Shinya exclaimed, recalling the instances he and his friends have seen the Phantom Thieves utilize their Personas in the heat of battles.
"You people know about the Yami Matter? Well, that means we can't let any of you leave here alive!" Hamada chortled, his voice becoming distorted. Lizard-like hisses were heard mixed in with his vocals.
"You know far too much! And we can't let our secrets leak!" Minami snickered, her voice was mixed with a snake's hiss.
"The Yami Matter granted us these new abilities and Personas. As such, we'll eliminate you with them!" Tomoyuki cackled, his voice fused with a turtle's vocalized grunts and hisses.
"You brought this upon yourselves when you could've simply walked away!" Kimiko sneered, her voice mixed with a lizard's hisses.
"Now you've made us summon the Kyōchō to kill you," Hamada smiled evilly as he and his colleagues methodically approached the group.
The two riot guards witnessed The Pack and the Kyōchō confront the group. They turned to leave, but Hamada's Kyōchō sprang forward and pounced in front of them. Growling, the Kyōchō snapped its jaws and spooked the riot guards. One tried to shoot it, but the raptor familiar shot a few sharp feathers from its wings, a few of these feathers broke the glass of their face guards. Both men fell covered with the creature's feathers stuck in them and screaming in agony.
"Hey, those two were with you!" Emily exclaimed.
"When we mean none of you are leaving here alive, we do mean all of you. These two grunts are expendable. My familiar's Zhenniao Arrows have enough toxins to immobilize them. Enough to put them in temporary vegetative states." A cruel smile formed on Hamada's face. "We are now carrying execution orders on behalf of Juzo Mido!"
"Juzo Mido?" Karen muttered as that name snapped her back to reality. Gnashing her teeth hard, her face contorted with fury at just the mere mention of her enemy's name. "You're following that bastard's orders?!"
Hearing Mizo's name, Emily's mind snapped and she expressed equal disdain. "You said Mido?! Where is he?!"
"That's none of your business, lady. Now, prepare to be executed by us, The X-Pack!" Hamada declared as the Yami Matter's influence took hold of his and his three colleagues' minds and bodies.
The group backed away from The X-Pack and their Kyōchō familiars. The X-Pack sneered and growled like their raptor familiars, intimidating their newfound prey.
"Ok, kids. Let's see these special powers you have to fight these things," Coco said.
"How about we relocate? We can split up and lure two of them away," Shinya suggested.
"Good thinking, Shinya. We can take two of them and the others handle the rest," Nicola approved his friends' strategy.
"Ok, there's a back way through the ship that'll take you to the other side," Davis said.
"Thank you," Reiko nodded.
With that, the four teens, Karen, and Aurora headed into the shop and found the backway into the other side of the shop. However, Tomoyuki and Minami headed around the corner with their raptor familiars to pursue them.
As their friends left, Davis, Emily, Rin, and Coco stayed behind and fended off Hamada, Kimiko, and their Kyōchō.
"So, who wants to go first?!" Davis bellowed, bringing out his right hand forward and summoning a warhammer. "My Argent Wolf Warhammer will easily crush your feathered beasts."
"Oh ho, we're really doing this?!" Coco howled as a bayonet materialized in her hands. "If there's anything my Riot Breaker is good at, it's bringing the pain."
"Now, we're talking, but I'll do you one better!" Rin announced as she took out her Japanese great sword. "My Nagimukuro is ready to slice and dice these jerks and their turkeys!"
"I'm gonna sink my claws into you freaks!" In response to the feathered raptor-like creatures, Emily transformed into Adel, the Successor of the Claw. Having transformed into her fiery catgirl-like form, Adel let out a ferocious bellow and brandished her claws.
"You coordinate well for a pack," Davis growled at Hamada.
"Thank you, but enough pleasantries. It's time to feed," Hamada smirked as he and Kimiko attacked them alongside their Kyōchō.
Upon sneaking out the back of Yaksha, Karen, Aurora, and the four teens faced the left direction, but Minami and her Kyōchō blocked their path. Desperate, they turned to the right. Sadly, Tomoyuki and his Kyōchō were in their way. The group found themselves cornered.
"Going somewhere?" Tomoyuki taunted them.
"You weren't going to leave without saying bye, were ya?" Minami mockingly sneered at them.
"Damn, they caught up to us!" Reiko screamed.
"Remember, we've been preparing for fights like this!" Shinya declared as his laser guns materialized in his hands. After brandishing his weapons, he fired quick laser shots at the two X-Pack members' feet. "Heheh, that's for pushing and embarrassing me in front of my friends! You can call me Gunslinger now!"
"And kicking my friend in the balls wasn't enough for you?!" Tomoyuki yelled out while being forced to hop around the laser beams."Go on, you foolish dino-birds, get them!"
Just as the two Kyōchō headed off the four teens, Karen, and Aurora, Nicola turned into his Successor of the Breath state. As he gained his gargantuan armored form, the Kyōchō started backing away.
"C'mon, attack you, bird brains!" Minami berated their Persona-like raptors.
"As my friends' 'Protector', I'll make sure none of you pass me!" Nicola declared, announcing his codename while living up to the aforementioned name. He swung at the Kyōchō and the X-Pack members.
Then, Reiko cast paper seals that struck Tomoyuki, Minami, and the Kyōchō. "And I, Shikama, will keep you at bay!"
"And I, Tamer, want to introduce you to my cute but deadly little friends!" Li-Ming shouted, summoning her Shēngxiào.
"Nicely done, kids, but we can't let you show us up. Ready, Karen?" Aurora asked as they invoked their Successor forms.
Finding themselves outnumbered and perhaps outmatched, Tomoyuki, Minami, and their Kyōchō witnessed Karen become Medic the Successor of the Heart and Aurora turn into a giant white wolf named Leto the Successor of the Ribcage.
However, despite finding themselves outnumbered, Minami and Tomoyuki cackled as their Kyōchō screeched.
"Ok, you had us scared there, but it's not going to matter," Tomoyuki chuckled, regaining his composure.
A fiendish grin curved on Minami's lips. "We're still gonna take your asses down in the name of Lord Mido."
"They're confident, guys. I don't like this," Shikama muttered.
"Don't worry, they're just blowing smoke up their ass, Reiko," Gunslinger reassured his cautious friend.
"Still, I advise not letting your guards down," Medic warned them.
Patting the Kyōchō's feathered heads, Tomoyuki and Minami declared. "Let's rip 'em to shreds and leave nothing of them behind!"
Meiji Shrine (明治神宮)/Shibuya, Tokyo (渋谷区, 東京)/8:16 PM (JST)
Having sensed the impending arrival of the next Yami Matter event, Yuriko left her meditation quarters and walked out to witness a gathering near the shrine. She recognized the many faces she knew from Hyakkaou Private Academy.
"What's going on out here?" Yuriko asked as she caught Yumeko, Ryōta, Mary, and Midari with a large body of former Hyakkaou students on one side.
"Hey, Yuriko! You came out just in time!" Yumeko hollered and waved to get the shrine maiden's attention.
"For what?" Yuriko veered to the opposite side where The Consortium trio, Kirari, Sayaka, and Ririka, held their ground. Her face contorted with shock. "That's the former student council president!"
"Please, can we all settle down and discuss this with civility?" Kirari calmly approached the tense situation with a peaceful resolution. She shifted her calm blue eyes toward Terano. "Hasn't our feud gone on far long enough?"
"You continue to speak with a forked tongue, Kirari! We know you three have been up to no good!" Terano pointed at and accused the former student council president. "You've been making shady deals with a phantom organization! It only makes sense considering you'd make any deals to keep yourself afloat!" She fiercely turned to Sayaka. "And it would explain the connections that helped appoint you as the new principal of Shujin Academy!"
Sayaka huffed and retorted. "You have some nerve…!" Before she can finish her rebuttal, Kirari calmly cut her off.
"And pray tell who told you all this?" Kirari asked Terano.
"Ms. Jabami Yumeko. She has connections with the Phantom Thieves. She told us all we need to know. You've been aligned with a group called The Consortium?" Terano said, looking Kirari dead in her eyes.
When they faced off, their Guardian Spirits briefly appeared, symbolizing their long-standing rivalry. Opening its peacock tail feathers, Tengen Kujaku screeched at Terano's Narikama Tanuki.
Upon realizing her cover has been blown, Kirari tried to maintain her cool demeanor. She quickly shifted her focus from Terano and faced Yumeko.
"My, Ms. Jabami, you went to such great lengths and contacted the Phantom Thieves to investigate me? Well done. I suppose I can't have any secrets from you anymore."
As her red eyes gleamed, Yumeko smirked. "Checkmate, Ms. Momobami."
For a brief moment, Yumeko's Nine-Tails and Kirari's Tengen Kujaku faced off, symbolizing their rivalry stemming back from their Hyakkaou days.
"Hey, Yumeko. Let's not fight here, ok?" Ryōta persuaded her.
"He's right. There's something off about the purple sky. It's creeping me out," Mary said.
"Yeah, and our spirits are acting kinda off," Itsuki observed everyone's Guardian Spirits glowing in response to the strange phenomenon occurring in the sky.
"Mine was acting all weird before I came here," Midari said.
Ryōta grabbed Yumeko's arm. "Please, let's go."
"Yeah sure," Yumeko nodded. "Besides, Kirari lost this game. Her secret's out."
"Not quite yet. This is the perfect place to settle our differences for good. Would you like to duel, Jabami Yumeko?" Kirari coolly offered, letting her words entice Yumeko's competitive spirit. When Yumeko turned to face her, Kirari beckoned Sayaka and Ririka to stand beside her. "Why don't we make this three-on-three?"
"Sure why not? If you're relying on friends, then I've got Yumeko's back!" Mary declared, standing beside Yumeko.
Witnessing Yumeko and Mary standing together, Terano fiercely nodded and wheeled over to them. "Is there room for one more on your team?"
"Knock yourself out. Ok, Kirari, let's settle this, but how would you like to duel? Using our Guardian Spirits?" The Compulsive Gambler inquired.
"I'll do you one better. Why don't we invoke our Guardian Spirits and utilize their powers? You and your friends have already demonstrated that, Yumeko," Kirari said.
"How about it, Ririka?!" Mary called out Kirari's sister. "You want a duel with your Guardian Spirit?"
Slightly taken aback by Mary's direct challenge, Ririka stammered. "W-Well, that's why we're here, right?" She flustered when being in Mary's presence, which elicited a sly grin on the blonde gambler's face. "C'mon, don't you still value our friendship?"
"Y-Yes, I do, but…"
"Then, let's have a duel for old times' sake."
Terano heatedly directed her fierce gaze toward Kirari. "No more foolish games! We're settling this here and now!"
"As you wish," Kirari smirked as she instinctively summoned her Guardian Spirits, Tengen Kujaku and Hyobishin the black panther. "I hope you don't mind if I utilize both of my Guardian Spirits, Jabami Yumeko."
"Go ahead. That way, I can beat you at your best."
"Hey, Ririka. You better not hold back on me! Otherwise, I won't acknowledge you anymore!" Mary called out to Kirari's sister, who let out a loud gasp and meekly nodded. "C'mon, where's your resolve?!"
Clenching her fists tightly, Ririka rebuked. "Fine! I'll bring it! Just be careful what you wish for!" With that, she summoned her Guardian Spirits, the Atlas Bear and Rokugezo elephant.
"And I will join this fight as well!" Sayaka called out, summoning her Guardian Spirits, a Hiyokucho the waterfowl and a swarm of Usura-hicho frost butterflies.
"Come forth, my Guardian Spirits!" Terano summoned her Guardian Spirits, Narikama the raccoon dog and Masaru the monkey.
Wasting no time, Yumeko summoned the Nine-Tails and Mary brought out her two Guardian Spirits, Janomecho and Enku the kirin.
"Hey, Terano. I'll do you a big favor," Yumeko whispered to her.
"I'm listening."
"I'll fight Kirari briefly and let you deal with her as you see fit. What do you say?"
Terano furrowed her brow and snorted irritably. "I normally dislike such a notion, but you and she seem to have your issues. Fine, I'll grant you this, but I'll be the one who ultimately defeats her."
"It's settled. Pleasure doing business with ya," Yumeko coyly smiled, quickly donning her Tamamo appearance.
Donning her Brave form, Mary brandished her spear. She eyed Ririka, who invoked the powers of her two Guardian Spirits. Ririka's clothing was replaced with a dress with a bear's face and equipped with ivory dual swords.
"Let's do this!" Sayaka let her Guardian Spirits' powers resonate with her, which altered her clothing into a frost blue dress with frost butterflies surrounding her and a waterfowl's feathers adorning and creating a forehead crown.
"Shall we, Ms. Yumeko?" Kirari chortled, resonating with her Guardian Spirits. Her outfit was replaced with green & blue peacock feathers on her arms, legs, and back coupled with black panther claws, ears, and a tail. "Don't I just look beautiful and adorable?"
"Very much so, but this fox is ready to put you down!" Yumeko/Tamamo directed her gaze toward Mayura/Kirari.
As Tamamo got on all fours, she gained her Nine-Tails' aura and directly attacked Mayura head-on. The Consortium member narrowly dodged the fox's claws and shot feathered projectiles at Tamamo. Tamamo rolled away and lobbed energy balls from her nine tails. Using her feathers to glide, Mayura quickly flew over and dodged her opponent's attacks. Mayura then swooped down and tackled Tamamo down. Every former Hyakkaou student moved out of harm's way. Some, including Ryōta, Itsuki, Midari, Yuriko, Rei, and Yumi, summoned their Guardian Spirits and observed the proceedings.
Tamamo and Mayura quickly collided head-on in a melee. Tamamo's fox cloak pushed against Mayura's feathered cloak. Mayura used her panther claws to tear through Tamamo's fox aura. Grinning excitedly, Tamamo exerted enough power to knock Mayura away with her nine tails.
On the opposite side of the fight, Tanuki-Ō/Terano and Sayaka/Frosthra briefly fought. Utilizing her Guardian Spirits' energies allowed Terano to fight out of her wheelchair. Frosthra used her frost butterflies to create a blinding mist to throw off Tanuki-Ō. Having caught Tanuki-Ō in her icy trap, Frosthra attempted to take her out with icy feathers. When her feathers struck Tanuki-Ō, the woman exploded into smoke, leaving a statue in her place. This distracted Frosthra enough for Tanuki-Ō to cast a giant raccoon dog, which fell right in front of Frosthra, causing a big enough shockwave to knock her back. Having defeated Frosthra, Tanuki-Ō watched Tamamo's fight with Mayura.
Meanwhile, Mary/Brave and Ririka/Defender briefly engaged in combat and words. Pleading Defender to cease being a Consortium member, Brave quickly swung her spear and unleashed a wind attack, which knocked Defender back. Defender quickly got up and swung her ivory swords at Brave. Brave's spear broke the ivory swords. After kicking Defender down, Brave pointed her spear to the woman's face.
"I concede. Please," Defender surrendered as Brave held a hand out.
"I knew you'd come through. Now, let's convince your sister to stop this fighting," Brave added, helping Defender up.
When Tamamo lunged at Mayura, Mayura shot her down with a flurry of fire, water, and lightning projectiles from her feathers. Looking to decisively defeat her opponent, Mayura placed a foot on Tamamo's back.
"Looks like I win our final game, Ms. Yumeko," Mayura smirked.
Giggling incessantly, Tamamo rebuked. "...sorry to disappoint you but I only made you think you won. I'll concede here because someone else's about to deliver the check and mate." As she said this, Mayura didn't have enough time to react when Tanuki-Ō threw herself into Mayura.
Delivering a headbutt into Mayura's side, Tanuki-Ō knocked the former student council president down. As Mayura stood and launched feathered projectiles at her opponent, Tanuki-Ō dodged every attack. The two rivals briefly fought to a standstill. After hitting Tanuki-Ō with a lightning shot, Mayura was thrown off when Tanuki-Ō exploded into smoke, leaving a statue in her place. Tanuki-Ō sneaked behind Mayura and kicked her back, bringing her rival down.
"Ms. Kirari!" Frosthra screamed as she hurried over and consoled Mayura. When Mayura beckoned her off, Frosthra blinked in confusion. "What? Don't tell me you're…"
"I finally concede to you, Totobomi Terano," Mayura nodded, borrowing Frosthra's handkerchief to wipe some blood from her bruised left elbow.
"Are you ok?" Yumi asked, helping assist Tanuki-Ō.
"You let me win, Yumeko? Why?" Tanuki-Ō asked the Compulsive Gambler, who chuckled out loud to her and the other's confusion.
"You had more to gain to win this duel than I. I have more important matters ahead. Actually, no, all of us have more important things than settling old duels," Tamamo addressed every former Hyakkaou student.
"She's right, Kirari. There's no point in us fighting anymore and our futures now go beyond being Consortium members," Sayaka spoke out, kneeling beside her sister.
"Ririka?" Kirari smiled composedly. "You're right. And Terano, congratulations, you've finally won. How does that make you feel?"
Terano stared at her hands and looked back at Kirari. "I guess, ok? I don't feel like I gained anything besides restoring my pride."
"You and Yumeko helped me open my eyes. Now, I don't have to use others for my personal gain anymore. Thank you," Kirari nodded to her two rivals.
"Nothing to it," Yumeko winked.
"And what can I say? I accept my loss to you and your friends with grace, Jabami Yumeko," Kirari replied, smiling coolly like the color of her icy blue eyes.
Yuriko sighed deeply, catching Midari's attention.
"Yo, what's wrong?"
Narrowing her eyes, Yuriko grimaced as she sensed something amiss. "And here I thought only my Guardian Spirit was acting suspiciously odd."
Just then, every Guardian Spirit in the vicinity appeared and glowed in response to a distortion in space in the sky. The Spiritual Gamblers noticed every other Guardian Spirit wielder became distressed. The air around the area filled with dread.
"Something's coming out of the sky!" Yumemi cried out as numerous black bolts shot out of the distortion hole and crashed into the outside of Meiji Shrine.
From these bolts are the Lost consisting of Shamed Thralls, Snouted Wanderers, and Dark Vampire Wolves.
"Oh, great, it's those Lost creatures!" Mary cried out as many of the other Spirit Guardian wielders cried out in horror.
"Demons!" Kaede shouted.
"Oh god, monsters!" Runa screamed with terror.
Upon seeing the creatures, Terano shot a scornful glare toward Kirari, Sayaka, and Ririka. "Well, how do you three explain this? Is this your doing?!"
"Don't be ridiculous! We don't know anything about summoning demons from another world!" Sayaka angrily retorted.
"She's right. We are not responsible for this!" Ririka cried out.
"I believe you, Ririka. I bet your benefactors within the Consortium are behind this," Mary added.
Ririka whispered to Kirari. "Right? We know The Consortium has unleashed some horrors thanks to some dark force, but nothing to this extent."
As her cool demeanor faded, a deep sigh escaped Kirari's mouth. She then turned to Yumeko with a stalwart glare. "Yumeko. I can look you dead in the eyes and tell you I have nothing to do with these creatures."
Yumeko smiled. "Somehow, I can believe you."
"I can assure all of you I have nothing to do with this. Sayaka and my sister can vouch for me." Kirari spoke out against her accusers.
"Then, you can prove us wrong by fighting with us!" Yumeko responded as her Nine-Tails turned to face and attack the otherworldly beings. As the Nine-Tails howled, Yumeko's red eyes glowed intensely and as an intimidation display toward the monsters. "The Nine-Tails and I are ready to tear some new assholes apart!"
"We're in this, too!" Ryōta cried out as he, Mary, Midari, and Itsuki conjured their Guardian Spirits behind them.
"And as the shrine maiden of these sacred grounds, I shall join you!" Yuriko summoned her Guardian Spirit as well.
"We'll fight with you as well," Terano offered as she called Yumi and Rei over. All three of them readied their Guardian Spirits.
"We're ready whenever you are, Yumeko," Rei firmly said.
"Will you two stay behind and defend this shrine?" Kirari asked Sayaka and Ririka.
"Of course," Sayaka loyally responded.
"We are in this to the end," Ririka nodded.
"You be careful, Ririka. Thanks for taking off your mask and showing me your true colors," Mary playfully smiled at her.
"Same to you, Mary, and thank you," Ririka replied, watching Mary leave and feeling her heart racing. "From now on, I'll be truer with my feelings."
"Let this be our chess table. Ms. Jabami, I'd happily allow you to make the first move and lead us into a new battle," Kirari conceded to her favored rival.
"Thanks! Then, the king commands some to stay and defend the shrine while some of us head back to the city!" Yumeko declared as she and Nine-Tails led the charge against the invasive monsters.
Many of the Spiritual Gamblers stayed behind to help Yuriko defend the shrine. However, Yumeko gathered Mary, Midari, Kirari, Terano, and Rei.
Outside the Tokyo City Opera Tower (東京シティオペラタワー)/Shinjuku, Tokyo (新宿区, 東京)/8:45 PM (JST)
Having gotten past Shibuya, the group beelined straight through the Shinjuku prefecture. They headed toward the famed Opera Tower. While on the run, Louis briefly noticed the landmark, remembering once taking Cruz to a concert during one of their dates. He would also take Makoto and Haru there for an opera event.
"Louis?" Makoto interjected, breaking Louis's concentration as he was lost in thoughts. "Hey, are you ok?"
"Yeah, I just had a lot of thoughts. Cruz appearing the way she did threw me off and seeing that opera tower."
"Yeah, I remember coming here. All three of us had a good time." Makoto remarked with a smile. Her smile faded and quickly replaced with a determined look. "But, we have to stay focused. We're just going to help her father."
"You and she can sorta relate when it comes to dads?"
Makoto nodded. "I lost mine. I don't want someone else to lose theirs, especially not to the Yami Matter."
Suddenly, the Revenants' eyes glowed red. They felt an impending force preparing to crash over them like a tidal wave.
"Skyler?" Hifumi turned to her distressed boyfriend.
"Hifumi. They're coming!" The voice of Io called out within her mind. Then, Io emerged from a flash of white light coming out of Hifumi's chest.
"Io!" Skyler turned to the Vein Remnant.
"The Lost are coming! The Yami Matter is granting them entry into this world!" Io forewarned the Phantom Thieves and the Vein Remnants.
"Then, we know what we must do," Ren said.
With that, the Phantom Thieves conjured their Thief apparel and powers. The Revenants invoked their Vein Remnant appearances and Blood Type enhancements.
"Everyone, please! We must hurry! We must not let any distractions get in our way!" Cruz pleaded. However, as she advanced, a portal opened in front of her, the Phantom Thieves, and the Vein Remnants. This sudden disruption haltered their advance, but a giant armored hand quickly popped out of the portal and seized Cruz.
"Hey, let me go!" Cruz screamed, attempting to break loose but failing to stop whoever grabbed her.
"Now, now, let's play nice, dear Cruz," an insidious voice chortled, bringing chills and distress to the Vein Remnants as they recognized the man's sinister tone.
The Vein Remnants saw their nemesis, Juzo Mido, emerge while holding Cruz hostage. Upon seeing him, Louis, Sion, Yakumo, Mia, Jack, and Eva reacted furiously toward him, but none with more vitriol in their systems than Louis, Yakumo, and Jack. Their eyes glowed bright red profusely with deep contempt.
"MIDO?!" Yakumo and Jack yelled out in unison.
"You bastard! So, you decided to show yourself after all this time?!" Yakumo shouted furiously.
"Cruz! Let her go, you monster!" Louis shouted.
"Louis! Help me!" Cruz pleaded, but she was quickly silenced as Mido clamped her mouth shut.
"Heheh, is that any way to greet an old friend, Louis? It's so good to see you and your friends again. And how can I forget you, Phantom Thieves? It's an honor to meet you all in person. Consider me a big fan of your work," Mido casually greeted the two groups.
"It's him! We saw that image of him through Sion's Memory Echoes!" Yusuke reminded the other Thieves.
"Yeah, I remember," Makoto frowned.
"And he's as creepy as I remember him," Ann shuddered at Mido's ghastly appearance.
"I wasn't there to see those Memory Echoes you all saw. It's my first time seeing this side of Mido, and yes he's revolting as you've described!" Sumire glanced over the Revenant scientist with equal disgust.
"I don't know. He doesn't seem that scary to me, but he's still the bad guy we need to take down. Only he has to know where Sae is held captive," Akechi stated, reminding himself of their priority mission.
"Hey, he also has Cruz now, Akechi!" Jack yelled at him.
"Hey, dude! You're the last asshole we want as our fan!" Ryuji berated the evil Revenant.
"Io, is this him?" Hifumi asked as a ray of light came out of her and allowed the pale-skinned Revenant to come out.
"Yes, this is Juzo Mido," Io greeted Mido with the same scornful look as her Revenant colleagues.
"No doubt that's him, Hifumi," Skyler said, keeping Hifumi and Io close to him.
"Oh, and where are my manners? Why don't I bring out a surprise guest for you, Phantom Thieves? I'm sure you know this person well," Mido added, snapping his fingers, which signaled someone else to emerge through the portal.
When the Phantom Thieves discerned this individual, Makoto's eyes widened in horror.
"No, it can't be…!" Haru audibly gasped.
"SIS?!" Makoto cried out as she and the Thieves faced Shadow Sae.
"It's been a while, Phantom Thieves. Ready to play another game with me?" Shadow Sae evilly chuckled. "And Makoto, I'll make sure to find us a game we can both enjoy."
"Sis, what has Mido done to you?! How did he extract your Shadow self?!"
Mido chuckled malevolently. "You can thank my latest experiment. The Yami Matter helped me extract Sae's shadow and manifested her Shadow form. And thanks to the Yami Matter's influence, she's under my control. Niijima Makoto, you and your friends will have no choice but fight Shadow Sae if you want to save the real Sae."
"Where is she?!" Makoto demanded.
"You better give us a clear answer, you bastard!" Louis yelled out.
"Directly where you can meet me and where you'll find Cruz. Roppongi Hills Mori Tower. Play our game and you'll get Sae back, but it won't be that simple. We have more guests coming," the insidious Revenant scientist looked up and scanned the sky as dark energies began manifesting. "Yes, right on time."
"Um, guys! Y'all need at the sky!" Futaba directed her friends toward the sky.
When everyone looked up, the Thieves and Vein Remnants' faces paled at the sky turning purple.
Suddenly, a great distortion formed in the purple sky above them. Sensing malevolent energies amassing from the source, the Revenants' eyes glowed and their bodies instinctively felt familiar otherworldly vibes. The Thieves and Vein Remnants instinctively readied battle postures in the face of the impending danger.
"Do you feel that?!" Yakumo/Omusubi exclaimed.
"It's the Lost!" Mia/Mircalla cried out in alarm.
"Holy shit and look at how many of them they are!" Skull yelped in disbelief.
"Yes, and we're in for a long night," Fox added.
"We can take them all, right? I mean, could I handle them in my state?" Panther said as Joker held her hand.
"Are you going to be ok? If things get too intense…"
Panther simply nodded. "I'll be fine and be extra careful. My powers should be enough to protect our unborn child."
Suddenly, bolts of black energy clashed with the ground and summoned a similar otherworldly army of creatures. The Lost army scanned their new surroundings and faced the opposition.
"Man, they're more of them than in Osaka!" Skull exclaimed.
Oracle added. "Yep, I'm not thrilled having to fight these freaks again."
Fox scoffed over Oracle's comment. "Neither am I but we can't let them spread through the prefectures."
"Let's take them down fast so we can save Cruz," Joker addressed Skyler and the Revenants.
"Hell yeah we are," Sion replied.
"Senpai, we're ready to slay these monsters!" Violet said.
"Hold your ground right now," Joker ordered, cautiously watching the Lost army gaining their bearings with their surroundings. He counted each that surfaced in their world.
The Lost consisted of Shamed Thralls, Snouted Wanderers, Dark Vampire Wolves, Euphoric Soldiers, Argent Wolf Soldiers, one Argent Wolf Berserker, one Queen's Knight Reborn, one Invading Executioner, one Blade Bearer, one Cannoneer, one Gilded Hunter, Hunters in Black, one Hellfire Knight, one Frozen Empress, and one Lord of Thunder.
"There's so many of them!" Hifumi/Tennyo exclaimed. She turned to Io/Moonlight. "We can bring down their numbers if we work together."
"I agree!" Moonlight responded, waving and brandishing her halberd. "There's nothing we can't defeat if we're together, Hifumi."
"Yes!" Tennyo concurred as she readied her ko-naginata.
Taking out his Queenslayer Blade, Sion added. "And when it's us three, we can't be beaten."
"Phantom Thieves, let's send the Lost right back to the holes they crawled out of!" Mona cried out.
"Hehehe, yes. The Lost should keep you all preoccupied while I relocate Ms. Silva here safely," Mido reminded the group of the hostage he still held captive, which quickly grabbed Louis/Sekiken's attention away from the invading Lost assembly.
"Let her go, Mido! This is between us! Call off the Lost and fight us on your own!" Sekiken demanded, quickly drawing and brandishing his Enduring Crimson sword.
"No surprise you'd hide behind a hostage, you coward!" Omusubi yelled.
"You have to fight the Yami Matter's control! You're a part of sis!" Queen pleaded with the Shadow.
"No, I must eliminate you for Lord Mido," Shadow Sae replied with a cruel smile. "Lost gathering, come forth and heed my command! Attack the Phantom Thieves and their Revenant allies!"
"I bid you all farewell for now," Mido backed off with Cruz and entered the portal.
"MIDO!" Sekiken yelled out as he rushed toward the Revenant scientist.
"Endure and slay the amassing Lost! Show me that you're capable of your reputations, Phantom Thieves and my old Revenant adversaries! Once you do, meet us at Roppongi Hills Mori Tower!" He left while hollering with laughter.
As Sekiken lunged forward, he reached for Cruz. Cruz barely held out her hand for her ex-lover, but the portal closed between them, cutting them off from each other's contact. Cursing loudly, Sekiken turned around and watched his friends begin to fight the Lost.
"Louis, we're going to need help over here!" Sion called out to his friend.
Clenching his fist, Sekiken punched the ground and cursed. "DAMN IT ALL!" He quickly reached Queen and Noir, who both worried for his well-being.
"We're going to save her, Louis. I promise," Noir consoled him.
Queen, on the other hand, stayed silent and keenly watched Sekiken swing his Enduring Crimson toward a Lost.
Amid the violent skirmishes, the Phantom Thieves and Vein Remnants engaged the Lost in an all-out melee, resulting in civilians fleeing for their lives and the first couple of Lost being wiped out. Calling on his Persona for this battle, Joker summoned Seth as the demon cast Agidyne and incinerated a Snouted Wanderer and a Euphoric Soldier. When several Shamed Thralls ran toward Joker, the Phantom Thief conjured Metatron. The angelic being cast Makougaon and obliterated the Lost creatures.
When a sword-wielding Shamed Thrall charged at Jack/Hunter and Eva/Songstress, the former instinctively activated two armored canine heads from his back. The canine heads viciously ensnared the Lost and tore it into pieces, resulting in a bloody mist. Songstress countered an Argent Wolf Soldier's axe attack with spikes shooting out of the ground and stabbing the Lost creature.
Sion, Tennyo, and Moonlight brought down an Argent Wolf Soldier. "Nicely done, you two."
"Behind you, Sion!" Moonlight exclaimed, swinging her halberd at a Snouted Wanderer, beheading the demonic-like Lost as it collapsed and dissolved into dust.
When a Euphoric Soldier prepared to fire Moonlight with a bayonet, bolts of lightning struck and neutralized the Lost. Tennyo came forward and blasted it with another Lightning Thorn, completely obliterating the Lost creature.
Two Argent Wolf Soldiers charged at Hound and Skull. One of these Lost soldiers came with a hammer and swung at Hound, who tucked his head and invoked his two metallic hound heads. The dual metal hounds snarled and ensnared the Agent Wolf Soldiers, ripping it apart. Running steadfast at the other Lost soldier, Skull swung his Ruyi Jingu Bang mace at the creature, but it was blocked with a shield. Skull repeatedly smashed the mace against the Lost soldier's shield, attempting to break it.
"Heads up, Skull!" Omusubi hollered as he sent one of his metal hound heads and bit the Lost soldier's arm off, tearing off the limb holding the shield.
"Nice!" Skull rushed the disarmed Lost and smashed the Lost's face with his mace. Following three more bone-crushing blows to the creature's face, Skull split its head in two and killed it. "That'll show 'em!"
Suddenly, the Argent Wolf Berserker stalked toward Skull and Hound. The titan raised and swung its giant axe at Skull and Omusubi. As both rolled away, Skull summoned William, who then shot a Ziodyne blast at the giant Lost. However, the lightning blast had little effect on the Argent Wolf Berserker, taking Skull by surprise.
"Whoa, shit! That didn't work!" Skull gulped as the Argent Wolf Berserker swung its giant axe at him and his Ultimate Persona. William quickly intercepted and stopped the eight-footer with a Headbutt, which dealt damage to the Lost. "Nice one, William!"
As the Argent Wolf Berserker shook off William's physical blow, it kneeled to a knee and dropped its giant axe, unleashing a reddish wave that knocked away signs, light posts, and vehicles. Taking cover, Skull managed to escape getting caught in the destructive wave. Then, a giant hound head came shooting through the Lost's chest. Omusubi used his Blood Veil to backstab and face-planted the Lost to the ground.
"Let's finish it" Omusubi called out as he drove his great sword through the Argent Wolf Berserker's head. Afterward, Skull followed with William's God's Hand, delivering a fatal blow that destroyed the Lost and ground it into dust.
"Good work, Skull!" Omusubi gave a thumbs up to Skull, who recollected himself.
"Sheesh, that guy was tough. Didn't expect him to take William's lightning attack."
"We better be vigilant then," the Revenant said. "Let's see who else needs our help."
"Yeah!"
Mircalla and Mona teamed up against the Invading Executioner. The eight-foot-tall lady-like Lost jumped up and danced around the butt end of her lance before sliding down and across at her two adversaries. Mircalla and Mona quickly dodged the Lost. Firing shots from her bayonet, Mircalla attempted to stun the pig-tailed Lost, but the giant woman stopped the projectile shots with her lance.
"Damn, she's fast!" Mircalla cursed.
"Allow me!" Mona interjected, summoning Diego to duel with the Invading Executioner.
Drawing out his sword, Diego clashed with the Invading Executioner. She swung her lance around and launched watery spheres at the Persona. Diego cast Magaru to nullify the Lost's attack and burned her.
"Now, give her a Miracle Punch, Diego!"
With that, the Persona battered the Lost with his patented Miracle Punch, dealing critical damage to the Lost. As Diego went for another attack, the Lost swung and slashed Diego with her lance.
"Hang on! I'm going in!" Mircalla jumped in and interceded the Invading Executioner, invoking her Stinger-Type Blood Veil. Sending her metal tail forward, she skewered through the Lost's chest and tossed her around before slamming and pinning the Lost down. "I've got her, Mona!"
"Diego, go for the finishing blow!" Mona commanded his Ultimate Persona, who proceeded to finish the Lost with a Magarudyne.
"Alright, Mona!" Mircalla cheered as she and Mona high-fived.
"We did good, but we're not out of the woods just yet."
"Yeah, I know," Mircalla said as several Snouted Wanderers armed with swords and axes charged at them. Finding some exhilaration in slaying these monsters, a sadistic grin formed on Mircalla's face. "I'm kinda liking this. Maybe too much."
Mona coughed. "Here, we need to replenish our strength!" With that, he cast Mediarahan to restore his and Mircalla's energies.
Feeling their powers replenished, Mircalla and Mona went to town on the Snouted Wanderers.
On the opposite side of the battlefield, Sekiken slipped behind the Cannoneer and invoked his Ogre-Type Blood Veil. He shoved his demonic hand through the rotund creature and tore a hole through its chest. He then delivered quick, consecutive slashes with his sword and brought down the Cannoneer.
Meanwhile, Queen and Noir double-teamed the Blade Bearer. When the female Lost went for a frontal attack with her sword, Queen caught the sword with her hands and jumped up, delivering knee strikes and kicks to Blade Bearer's face. Noir then came in and clobbered the Lost's face with her Fleurs du Mal axe. Following bone-crushing axe blows, Noir summoned Lucy to distract Blade Bearer.
"Now, Queen!" Noir called out.
With that, Queen summoned Agnes. The Persona then blasted Blade Bearer with Mafreidyne, viciously burning the Lost. Lucy fires a One-Shot Kill to neutralize and bring Blade Bearer to her knees. Finally, Queen swiftly jumped into the air with her right hand glowing with a force equaling nuclear power. She dove into Blade Bearer and crushed her head with a Nuclear Fist, causing her entire upper body to explode in gory fashion before dissolving into dust.
"Well done, ladies! That takes care of these Lost!" Sekiken called out.
Queen and Noir reconvened with Sekiken as they cleared a path, taking out several Shamed Thralls.
Elsewhere, Panther, Violet, and Eva were caught in a battle with the Frozen Empress. Having summoned Celestine, Panther sent her Ultimate Persona to engage the freezing abomination. Celestine unleashed Agilao, causing the Lost to evade the fiery attack. Violet brought out Ella to combat the Frozen Empress. By Violet's command, Ella hit the Lost abomination with Kougaon with critical force, causing the behemoth to topple over.
Smirking, Panther assessed the Lost's weakness. Giving herself a Fire Boost, Panther augmented hers and Celestine's fire-based attacks while Songstress kept the Frozen Empress at bay with her Ivy-Type Blood Veil.
In retaliation against its attackers, the Frozen Empress generated a red crystal, enabling it to create a blizzard field that repelled Panther and Songstress. Then, the Frozen Empress conjured a blue crystal, enabling it to attack with a powerful offense, and fired an icicle barrage at the three women. Then, after being augmented by Panther, Celestine incinerated the icicles. Conjuring blades of sand, Songstress blasted some icicles with her Volatile Storm, causing many of these ice projectiles to explode into pieces. The Revenant then offered her Gift Prowess, temporarily augmenting her and Panther's attack speeds. At the same time, Violet used Diarahan to restore Songstress' energy.
"Thanks for the boost, Eva!"
"Make it count, Panther!"
Violet declared. "Let's put an end to this monster!"
"I didn't even need to figure out your weakness when you got scared by my fire!" Panther said with a scowl, fiercely gazing at the Frozen Empress. "Celestine, let's finish her!"
As the Frozen Empress went for Panther, it manifested thick ice pillars and lobbed them at Panther. Songstress then stepped in with a bayonet in hand which she procured from an already slain Lost and fired a shot. The bayonet shot neutralized the ice pillars, causing them to disappear. Through using Ella's power, Violet struck and gravely injured the Frozen Empress with Sword Dance. Then, Celestine unleashed Blazing Hell to obliterate the Frozen Empress. The Lost bellowed its final, dying screams as it burned to ash.
"That was a close one," Panther muttered.
"Hey, that was nicely done," Songstress approached her.
"Thanks, now I just need a breather."
"You did splendid, Panther," Violet said.
"We can't stop now. The others might need us."
"I know," Panther said, readying her whip for another fight.
Fox and Oracle engaged the Hellfire Knight. Fox first summoned Gorokichi to attack the Lost. The Hellfire Knight swung down its claws over the Ultimate Persona. Gorokichi struck back with a Giant Slice. Having dealt damage to the Lost, Oracle ran behind the Hellfire Knight and sliced the back of its legs with a laser sword.
"Excellent way to bring it down to size!" Fox shouted. "Now, Gorokichi, finish this horrid monstrosity!"
Gorokichi quickly struck the Hellfire Knight with consecutive Myriad Slashes. Then, Gorokichi finished it off with Brave Blade.
Fox and Oracle nodded to each other. A pack of Dark Vampire Wolves arrived to attack them. Drawing out his Heaven's Gate gun, Fox fired and blasted a few demonic wolves. Oracle fiercely slashed apart a few wolves with her laser sword.
Hunter used his dual hound heads to ensnare the Hunters in Black. As Gilded Hunter witnessed its subordinates being wiped out, the Lost ran at Hunter. Hunter responded and sent a hound head to seize the Gilded Hunter and crush it.
"That takes care of such a lowly beast," Hunter said, turning over to his right where he saw Joker and Sion fighting the Queen's Knight Reborn. "Joker, Sion! I'm heading your way!"
Once Hunter stormed over toward the Queen's Knight Reborn battle, numerous Lost stood in his way. He snarled and tore through them with his hound heads.
As the Queen's Knight Reborn dropped its spiked sword, Sion stopped it with his Ogre-Type Blood Veil. Grabbing the Lost's sword, Sion crushed it with his demonic hand. The Lost swiftly brought down its already broken sword to crush the Revenant. Sion rolled away, allowing Joker to intervene and invoke Raoul. Joker's Ultimate Persona collided with the Queen's Knight Reborn. The Queen's Knight Reborn guarded against Raoul's physical attacks with its shield.
While Raoul kept Queen's Knight Reborn at bay, Joker summoned Sraosha. The Zoroastrian figure cast Debilitate to drain a decent portion of the Lost's power. Raoul charged blue flames from its hands and smashed against the Lost's shield.
"How about this?!" Sion snarled, invoking his Stinger-Type Blood Veil. He quickly shoved the metal scorpion's tail through the Queen's Knight Reborn, breaking through its seemingly impenetrable body. With his eyes flaring red, the Revenant then ran his demonic hand through the Queen's Knight Reborn and tore out its innards.
"Now, let's send this thing to hell, Raoul!" Joker said with a devilish grin as his mask burned with blue flames, matching the fires wielded by his Ultimate Persona.
Then, and only briefly, the Queen's Knight Reborn spun around, swinging its shield and sword around to push Raoul back. Then, numerous spikes shot out of the ground and pierced through the Queen's Knight Reborn. Moonlight and Tennyo arrived in time to assist Joker and Sion.
"Hold it in place, Io!" Tennyo called out as she blasted the Queen's Knight Reborn with a Lightning Thorn.
Unleashing Eigaon, Raoul then obliterated the Queen's Knight Reborn.
"Thanks, you two. We couldn't have beaten it without you," Sion addressed Tennyo and Moonlight.
"You're welcome, but we can't take all the credit," Tennyo said as she and Moonlight smiled together.
Just then, the Lord of Thunder attempted a sneak attack. However, Joker, Sion, Tennyo, and Moonlight were more than prepared. When the behemoth generated and fired long-ranged lightning blasts at them. The group dodged and fought back with ferocity. Summoning Seth and Metatron again, Joker sent the two Personas alongside Sraosha to attack and neutralize the Lost. Io used Regenerator to increase her, Hifumi, and Sion's energies.
"Thanks, Io! Now, this is the last one to take out!" Sion declared as he ran forward, dodging the Lord of Thunder's lightning blasts. Taking out both his Queenslayer and Hanemukuro, Sion slashed through the Lost's face and took out its eyes.
Swinging down her ko-naginata, Tennyo conjured giant Shogi pieces and used her Shogi Shield that neutralized the Lord of Thunder's attacks. Io then flew on top of the Lost's head and shoved her Dammerung through its skill. Brandishing his Hanemukuro, Sion swiftly slashed into and maimed the beast with a barrage of quick blade strikes. After Sion critically injured it with his Circulating Pulse, Joker sent Raoul to finish off the Lost with Eigaon.
Once disposing of the remaining Lost, the Phantom Thieves and the Revenants took a breather after what seemed like forever. Although the creatures weren't difficult, their sheer numbers proved troublesome.
However, one opponent remained. Queen, Sekiken, and Crow immediately confronted Shadow Sae, who didn't waste any time attacking her adversaries. Shadow Sae unleashed unprovoked attacks against Queen, now completely under the Mido and the Yami Matter's control.
"Thanks to Juzo Mido returning me to who I'm supposed to be, I can once again become the law! The everything! No one deserves to win more than anything in this world… EXCEPT ME!" Shadow Sae screamed, sending Queen flying back with a powerful roundhouse kick.
Bringing her arms up to guard against Shadow Sae's kick, Queen scowled. "Yeah, I've heard that all before! I'm going to bring you back to your senses because you know where sis is being held!" Clenching her fists, she dropped into a fighting posture. When Shadow Sae flew at and threw a straight punch, Queen dodged and kneed Shadow Sae's solar plexus. Then, she side-kicked the shadow and uppercut her jaw.
Dismayed by Queen's direct blows, Shadow Sae was appalled by her relentless actions. "You would dare strike me?! Your own sister's shadow?! I have her face you know!"
"I love my sis, but there's still that part of me that still wants to kick her ass for the mental abuse she put me through, but that's knowing you were the one controlling her actions! I'm not holding back!" Queen said.
"Well said, Makoto," Sekiken interjected.
"Tell us where Niijima Sae is," Crow demanded the shadow.
"As if I'll make it that easy for you!" Shadow Sae retorted as she transformed into her Leviathan form. She immediately retaliated with Severing Slash, intending to main Queen first, but Queen called on Agnes and rammed into her Persona vehicle head-on against Shadow Sae.
After getting rammed away, Shadow Sae was struck by Sekiken and Crow at the same time. As she tried the duo off, Shadow Sae responded with Gatling Gun.
"I will win for sure! Justice is always on the side of the victor!" Shadow Sae screamed, pivoting and firing a bullet barrage at Sekiken and Crow, who both dodged. However, she quickly ran up and slashed Sekiken her sword.
"Louis!" Queen cried out, witnessing Shadow Sae slash Sekiken. This quickly set her off as she blasted Shadow Sae with Atomic Flare.
Upon getting severely damaged by Queen's devastating blast, Shadow Sae was critically injured, leaving herself open for Crow to summon Hereward. Channeling his Third-Tier Persona's strength, Crow dashed forward and struck her with Laevateinn. After self-regenerating and picking up his Enduring Crimson, Sekiken recovered and passively invoked his Gift power, striking Shadow Sae with his One-handed Sword Mastery.
Finally, Queen swiftly ran up at Shadow Sae so fast that the shadow wasn't able to keep up. Queen delivered her Nuclear Fists double fist, which did enough damage to knock Shadow Sae out of her Leviathan form.
"I've got you where I want you," Crow then pointed his jagged sword over Queen. "Now, take us to Sae."
Before she could say anything, Shadow Sae felt the Yami Matter's control subside. Rocking her head back and forth, she almost nodded off until she regained her bearings and looked around befuddled as to what happened.
"Where am I?" Shadow Sae asked.
"Mido sent you to attack us, but we've freed you from Mido and the Yami Matter's control. Can you stand?" Queen asked, intently glaring at the shadow, who stirred and stood on her feet rather gingerly.
"Now, will you take us to Sae?" Crow demanded
Before Shadow Sae could answer, Queen, Sekiken, and Crow heard their friends hollering and running up to them.
"Guys, we've beaten my sister's shadow and looks like she's going to cooperate with us," Queen said.
"But, what if she decides to turn against us?" Mircalla eyed Shadow Sae suspiciously.
"You needn't worry. I don't sense the Yami Matter's presence in her anymore," Moonlight reassured the others.
"She's right. I felt the dark power removed when Queen delivered the final blow," Sekiken stated.
"Man, what a rumble. If we weren't pressed for time, I'd ask for a breather," Skull remarked while catching his breath.
"You're right. We don't have any more time to waste! We need to find that bastard Mido and save Cruz!" Sekiken angrily cursed.
"Listen, Louis. We need you with a clear head. Mido is baiting us. We need to be cautious when we approach Roppongi Hills Mori Tower," Queen firmly said. "Shadow Sae, is that correct? That's where we'll find sis and Cruz?"
"Yes, and as you said we need to tread carefully. That's where the Consortium's quarters are located. Mido will know we're advancing toward his location," Shadow Sae replied.
"Then, a few of us will accompany Shadow Sae and save your sister, Makoto. I'll volunteer to come," Crow suggested.
"What?" Queen was taken aback by Crow's offer.
"Please, let me make it up to you and Sae."
"Hold on, let's not get too hasty!" Sekiken exclaimed.
"Guys! My ears are picking up on something heading our way! Now, more than one thing!" Mona warned his friends.
"Ugh, another wave of enemies?" Omusubi scoffed with irritation.
"Yeah, and there's ten of them!" Oracle scanned the presence of ten enemies.
"Stay together, everyone!" Joker declared.
Upon hearing this, the Phantom Thieves and Revenants formed a circle and dropped into battle stances. Mona spotted something flying through the air at high speeds. The others heard quick wisps in the air and feverishly scanned their surroundings.
"Guys, I don't like the sound of this," Panther said in distress, instinctively brandishing her whip.
"Oracle's right. I am picking up on ten distinct scents!" Mona confirmed. "Be careful!"
Just then, a wide distortion formed and the sky's color then shifted from a bright purple and became bathed in bright crimson, resembling an ocean of blood. As the distortion expanded, loud, unruly screeches came out and startled the group. Raising their heads, the Thieves and Vein Remnants caught the sight of ten otherworldly beasts descending through the crimson sky. These beasts were a collective unit of ten large swans with feathered wings and back legs. Their tails resembled a swan's feathered backends. Lupine ears adorned their heads. The beast has scaly front legs that resembled griffin's front limbs. Riding these ten swan-like beasts are the ten Vamkyries.
Shadow Sae quickly recognized Brynhildr riding on one of these swan beasts. "That's the one who ambushed Sae and delivered her to Mido!"
"She's the one?!" Queen glared up at Brynhildr.
"It figures Valkyries and now Vamkyries would ride swans," Fox observed.
"What do you mean?" Skull asked him.
"Because in Norse Mythology, swans are linked to swans. They've sometimes been referred to as swan maidens. They disguise themselves as swans to fly away."
Oracle nodded. "Yeah, thanks for the mythology lesson, Inari, but they're dropping in front of us now and don't like the way they're looking at us."
"Greetings, Phantom Thieves and Draugar scum, tonight is where thou will die," Brynhildr prematurely declared the heroes' executions. "Mido demands thou all die. Then thou will not get in the way of his plans."
"That's why we'll go through you first!" Joker rebuked, readying his dagger.
"Thou art welcome to, but now that we hath our Vargr Swans, thou dost not stand a chance," Eir replied.
"The Draugar among thee will die first!" Göndul shouted, setting her sights on Sekiken, who didn't relent and prepared to attack her.
"And I do remember I want revenge on thee. After I kill thee, my beauty shalt be unsurpassed and undisputed!" Skögul then let out a haughty laugh, causing some of the Thieves and Vein Remnants to cover their ears.
"Please someone shut her up!" Songstress cried out.
"I'll gladly do that!" Noir said, readying her battle axe to cut down Skögul.
"Mido is throwing everything at us just so we don't get to sis!" Queen clenched her teeth angrily.
"And now Cruz! We don't have time for this!" Sekiken shouted.
Quickly taking out Blood Gram, Brynhildr pointed it toward Sekiken. "Thou will make time for us because we shalt execute thee and hand your bodies to Mido! Thou shalt see Mido either way!"
"Then, why don't we help hasten the time so you can save your friends?!" A voice belonging to the Elven Princesses quickly drew the Thieves, Vein Remnants, and the Vamkyries' attentions from their tense facedown.
"Nadia, Anastasia!" Tennyo and Sion cried out as the elven duo approached them, but they didn't come alone.
"We're sorry we're late, but we got caught up with random Lost on the way here," Anastasia apologetically said.
"And look! We brought some company along!" Nadia pointed to the Advent Eight following their lead.
"Oh, thank goodness!" Panther said.
"You couldn't have brought them at a better time," Mona said.
"Hey, guys! So, looks like you're about to fight these undead jerks again?" Valkyria said, shifting her view toward Brynhildr. "Guess who's back? This Valkyrie 'pretender' is about to beat you down!"
Brynhildr scoffed in response. "Hn, thou art back for more pain? Thou art not tired of losing to me?"
"Last I checked, I beat you and your ass ran from me!" Valkyria rebuked the Blood Vamkyrie.
"Now that we're all here, we can help even odds since these undead freaks brought their own back-up," Norse-Knight said.
"Tori and Hiroshi, I'm glad you two are here," Queen said. "Listen, the sooner we beat the Vamkyries, the sooner I can go save my sister."
"But, isn't that Niijima Sae?" Norse-Knight pointed to Shadow Sae.
"That's her shadow. The enemy retracted her out of Sae's body and we need to return her to Sae before it's too late," Sion explained.
"Well, don't worry. We can help you get past these Vamkyries," Hōō reassured the Thieves and Vein Remnants.
"Once we put our powers together, not even these steeds of theirs will stand a chance," Sudsakorn added.
"We've been honing our abilities and I believe we've tapped into new potential," Nephilim said.
"This is a good chance to show off our enhanced abilities," Horus stated.
"So, no need to worry anymore," Psyclone said.
"I suggest we divide into groups and take our chosen Vamkyrie," Stronghold added, eyeing the ten Vamkyries.
Chortling, Brynhidlr shrugged her shoulders. "It dost not matter to me and my Vamkyrie colleagues. Bring as many more to fight us. The more bodies, the more blood we can spill!"
"Then, if it's another fight you want, you're about to get it!" Joker promptly stated as the Thieves, the Vein Remnants, the Elven Princesses, and the Advent Eight assembled near him.
Unbeknownst to the groups, a secluded Mido observed in secrecy and chuckled. His right eye glowed brightly as it scanned the Phantom Thieves and the Vein Remnants.
"Heheh, it certainly is going to be a long night for all of you, my oblivious friends. Before long, I'll have you, Shin-Io, and your precious Revenants, too." Behind him, he held an unconscious Cruz contained inside a black sphere, which was created by the Yami Matter. "Aren't you excited, my dear Cruz? Very soon, you'll be reunited with your precious Louis."
Chapter Soundtrack
Takehito Shimizu & Toru Watanabe feat. AXL21 - Evolution - Mido's early introduction to his enemies before sending the Lost and the controlled Shadow Sae, alongside Mido kidnapping Cruz.
Yakuza 0 OST - 40 Firelight - The start of the fifth Yami Matter event.
Yakuza 0 OST - 44 Reign- vs. Lost. vs. Lost in Meiji Shrine.
Bellum (Beyond Fear) - DLC Instrumental Alt. Version - Code Vein - vs. Lost.
Code Vein OST - Tears of Passion - vs. Lost.
-Shin Megami Tensei V OST - Battle - Da'at- An alternative song of vs. Lost.
VAMPS - Sin In Justice - vs. and saving Shadow Sae.
-Shin Megami Tensei V OST - Battle - Humans, Demons, and…- An alternative song of vs and saving Shadow Sae.
Yakuza 0 OST - 42 Archnemesis - Encountering the X-Pack controlled by the Kyōchō.
Shin Megami Tensei V OST - Da'at: Ginza- The protagonists encounter the whole Vamkyrie Advent team.
A/N: The Fifth Yami Matter event has commenced. The Lost has surfaced. Mido has taken Cruz captive! Not good! Not only has he pissed off Makoto for taking Sae hostage but now has pissed off Louis!
The Phantom Thieves and the Revenants take the fight to the Lost. Shadow Sae briefly attacks Queen and her group, but not after Queen takes out her frustration and lays out the shadow enough to bring her back to her senses.
The Spiritual Gamblers and the other Kakegurui characters return with slightly expanded roles and just in time to fight Mido's forces. Guess Kirari and her crew are out of the Consortium. Oh well, they're rich, they'll be fine as long as they don't die. The Yaksha Revenants and Shinya's group hold their ground against the X-Pack and their Kyōchō. Since we're onto the Yaksha Revenants, looks like Davis and Coco might have a thing for one another, huh?
And let's not forget the unpleasant arrival of the Vamkyries. Of course, there's the impeccable timing by the Elven Princesses and the Advent Eight. Even with these reinforcements, can they get by a group of demi-goddess warriors before their inevitable showdown with Mido?
A lot of ass-kickings shall commence in the next chapter.