Chapter 29: Rebel!

Oracle's voice continued to echo around the room as she stared down into the abyss. She swore she could still faintly see Isara's tank form, but with the distance between them, it was almost impossible to make out. The rest of the Thieves stood in shock, staring at where the bridge once stood while Jerri continued to fly above them. Her porcelain figure hid any sense of triumph in her ascendance.

"What a proper fate for such a nuisance." Jerri comments offhandedly, even as she begins to glow. "Either way, I must take my leave. Wi will see you dearies later…"

"You bitch!" Guernica screams, firing her gun alongside the rest of the Thieves. Only to growl as Jerri teleports away, dragging Erina, Yuki and Tsuchiya with her. Leaving them alone with a stunned Toshiro.

"Aw, what's the matter, Toshiro? You all seem distressed." A mocking voice suddenly echoes through the room, dragging all eyes upward to a hidden speaker. "I thought you had no problem 'standing up for what's right,' hmm? Aren't casualties like this supposed to happen?"

"Stop it…" Toshiro meekly retorts, grabbing his head as his eyes grow wide, falling into a panic attack.

"No. I don't think I will." The voice responds condescendingly. "Do you remember how good it felt to have Nakabachi on the ropes? A righteous crusade to topple an unjust ruler? A banner of justice to unite those who were wronged? Why don't you face reality!? You sicced a lynch mob on Nakabachi, and because of your actions, Natsuhara—"

"STOP IT! PLEASE STOP!" Toshiro screams, falling to his knees as he clamps his ears, trying to block out the voice even as some of the Thieves gather around him in concern while others gather around Oracle at the edge.

"Nakabachi, your classmates, even Natsuhara and your sister. I can only imagine how much they resent you! I must say, watching you march in here, with absolutely no clue to what you did in complete obliviousness, what an absolute riot! Ahahahaha!"

"If you're done with the gloating, what the hell is your goal, bastard!?" Joker shouts at the speaker while Medic looks over Toshiro.

"Perhaps you should focus on yourselves. 'Phantom Thieves of Hearts'. Soon, you will wish that you stayed under Marie's control. At least then, you would be ignorant of the consequences of your actions. After are, you are partly to blame for Toshiro's actions, are you not? And the death of one of your comrades?" The Thieves grit their teeth at the barb, the recent action more than fresh in their minds. "No matter the name, a thief is a thief. And believe me when I say your childish ideals have sent the world down a ruinous path."

"Like hell we did!" Panther shouts back in anger. "We SAVED the world from Yaldabaoth and Nyarlathotep! SO cut it with the theatrics and show yourself already!"

"Ooh, how intimidating… I am to assume you will force me to submit to your so-called rebellion? As you have done to so many others?"

"Spare us the lecture. If you have a problem with us, then show yourself!" Queen shouts, standing next to Oracle who had not moved her gaze from the abyss.

"Now, now, no need to rush. For there is more to tell of this sordid tale. We'll meet again soon, once the whole truth comes to light. That is, of course, if the spineless man has any will left to fight afterwards. Until then, I'll be waiting for you with the source of all this pain."

"What the hell are you talkin' about!" Skull shouts at the speaker, but all he got in return was silence. "Damnit, he's gone dark on us."

"Hey, you… We were looking for you…" All heads turn to the source, seeing before them the rebels had finally arrived on the other end of the remaining bridge. But something was different about them.

"Why are their eyes glowing red?" Spring asks nervously, taking a few steps back.

"I have a bad feeling about this…" King remarks, hands reaching for his guns. The Rebel leader moves forward, eyes glaring towards the Thieves. And especially towards Toshiro in intensity.

"We've got you… We've finally got you! The ruler of this world—the source of all evil—is finally before us! We've got you now, **s**o ***b*! You're the one who drove us all to ruin! Toshiro Kasukabe!"

"What!? But wasn't Nakabachi the ruler of this kingdom!? How the hell can it but Toshiro!?" Outlaw shouts as everyone reaches for their guns. But the rebel's refused to elaborate, instead heaping insult upon insult at Toshiro, sending him to the brink of tears as he falls to his knees. Suddenly, purple and black mist consumes the rebels, morphing their forms until they become Legionnaires themselves. All of them gunning for Toshiro as they charge across the bridge.

"Megidolaon!" Crow shouts, blasting away the front line with the powerful almighty spell as the Thieves open fire on their former allies.

"Why are they attacking us now!? Aren't we on the same side!?" Teach shouts, firing a missile towards the Legionnaires, taking out a group of troopers in the blast. Yet more seemed to appear behind them as brutes and drummers join the fray.

"I had a feeling something was wrong." Boss suddenly comments, firing his shotgun before letting out a spear of bless magic. "I may still be knew to all of this, but if Nakabachi was the ruler of this place, then these ones have not been following the rules properly."

"But if it was the student council president and not the vice-principal…" Athena catches on, throwing a concerned glance towards Toshiro, before ducking under a shot from a trooper. "Damn it, we have to get out of here now!"

"But we can't! Our only route out of here is blocked!" Devil shouts back, firing her mini-gun in a sweeping arc over the Legionnaires, forcing them into cover yet not relinquishing their control over the bridge. Brute leap over the gap between the platforms, charging forward as shielders form on the bridge. Blocking any advances going forward. Oracle had her screens up, desperately trying to find another route out, yet her mind kept going back to Isara. Her eyes drifting over the now darkened button that was used to summon her.

"Oracle! Look out!" Fortune shouts, tacking Oracle to the ground as a brute lands right where she was sitting. The two of them roll to the edge, barely just avoiding rolling off as the brute lumbers towards them. Flanked by two troopers.

"Oracle! Fortune!"

Darkness. That's all that could be seen. Pain racked through as though someone slammed a sledgehammer into them. They could here the sound of battle above them, yet what could they do. They were stuck…

She was stuck.

Helpless to do anything but wait for a rescue.

Helpless and useless…

Do you really think you are useless?

Who…? … Yeah… I am useless… I can't even do a rescue right. Or see a trap for what it is…

Do you really think so? The others do not see that in you. They see you as a dear friend, a member of their family. Are you going to sit here and leave them to their fate?

Of course I wouldn't! If I could, I would charge in there and show them what I could do! But it's either as a tank or as a model… Not as a person…

And what is topping you from doing that? This world is built around cognition. You have the desire to make it so. But the question is, do you have the strength to grasp it? The bravery to dive into the unknown?

"Oracle!" A voice echoes from above through the darkness, a surge flowing through her broken body.

My friends…my family… they need my help! If I could become something else, something that can help them more than what I can do now, then I will take it. No matter what happens to me!

Very good. I knew your heart wouldn't lead you astray.

A course of energy flowed through Isara, as she could feel herself changing. Growing smaller, yet not to the same size as her model form. It was a strange, new, yet exiting feeling that she was experiencing. Yet one question remained on her mind.

Who are you?

That is not important at the moment. Isara. We will meet again when the time is right. But for now…

"My family needs me!"

"Oracle!" Guernica shouts, firing at the brute and it's escorts, trying to divert its attention. Yet the brute did not even flinch as the round slam into its side, while the troopers turned to fire at her. Fortune stands in front of Oracle, chakrams in her hand and ready to fight as the brute towers over them. The missiles in its hands grasped tightly.

Slowly, it raises up one hand, ready to smash both Fortune and Oracle of the edge and into the abyss, even as the rest of the Thieves try and move to their rescue. But it seemed they would not make it in time, as the brute brought it arm down on the two Thieves. Before a swarm of missiles rushes up from the abyss and slam right into the brute. Sending it flying back and crashing into it's escort.

"What was that?" Fortune asks, turning to look at Oracle. Oracle herself didn't know, before taking a glance over the edge into the abyss. She could see nothing, just darkness and a small light. A light that was suddenly getting bigger before suddenly shooting past her and into the sky. Followed by another swarm of missiles that smash into the shielders blocking the bridge.

All fighting seemed to pause as the mysterious figure lands on the field, slamming her hand into the ground superhero style. Allowing the Thieves to get a glance at who it was. Dressed similarly like Oracle, but with additional armour plates on her arms, chest and shoulders. Coloured in Black with red and blue highlights, with two cannons on her forearms while a backpack with thrusters was connected to her back. Two missile pods sprung out from the backpack while the person's face was hidden behind a triangular blue visor, while her black hair ran down the base of her neck. The emblem of the Phantom Thieves proudly emblazed on the left shoulder armour.

A flash of light runs up the mask, splitting it into two as it retracts above her head. Revealing a face that was similar to Oracle but without her glasses. With glowing blue eyes with a circular black ring in the middle. While a scar in the shaper of a meteor strike was above her left eye. While she continued to gaze at the Legionnaires with a fierce anger.

"Leave my family alone you freaks!" She shouts, the two missile pods on her back aiming at the Legionnaires on the other side of the bridge. "Missile Storm!" At that, a barrage of missiles rush out from the pods, streaming into the air before coming down directly on top of the Legionnaires, breaking their lines and scattering them from the blast. A brute rushes across the bridge, only for Isara to aim one her arm cannons at the brute and fire an almighty shell at the brute. Hitting it in the chest and forcing it to jump towards her. Falling short of landing on her.

With a flock of her wrist, Isara extends a silver blade from her wrist, slashing at the brute and destroying it as the rest of the Thieves, stunned by her sudden appearance, refocus their efforts on the Legionnaires. Just as Oracle ran up to Isara with wide eyes behind her mask.

"Isara? Is that you?" She asks, not believing her eyes. Even as Isara turns around to look at her with a happy grin.

"It is. And I am glad I made it back in time." Isara replies with a smile, just as the last of the Legionnaires begin to fall back. But before anyone could celebrate Isara's return, or even ask how this happened, a cry from Toshiro grabbed everyone's attention as Toshiro grasps both sides of his head in pain.

"Toshiro! Keep it together!" Medic shouts, rushing over to start checking up on him.

"Ah! Ah! AHHHHHHH!" Suddenly, a blast of light escapes from Toshiro, flooding everyone's senses with light as, once more, a memory begins to play.

"Eri… How are things?" Toshiro asks, looking at her sitting on the bed. Bandages cover her entire body and half her face. The light in her eyes almost completely gone. While Toshiro's right hand was also bandaged up, from when he tried to save her.

"Oh, it's fine… Tsu came round to check on me yesterday as well… I'm glad she wasn't there to see what happened… But maybe, I can't tell the difference anymore." She reaches forward to give her legs a pat. "More importantly, how did things turn our at school? Tsu hasn't told me anything else, but…" Toshiro takes a deep breath, his gaze not falling from Eri's.

"Nakabachi was charged for all his crimes. Including the students who pushed him to snapping." Toshiro tells her, his voice unwavering. But it was clear that the fire in his eyes had been almost extinguished.

"I see…" Eri replies, turning her gaze back to her lap. "Look's like everyone got a crappy ending out of this didn't they…? And… I'm sure they haven't been easy on you and Tsu, either…" She keeps her gaze on the bed, not waiting for his reply. "You don't have to lie. Anyone with half a brain would guess that the kids who got punished are blaming us for it. And, you are the only two at school who they can vent at it for…"

"It's alight." Toshiro tries to reason with. "I'm taking it as an experience for later in life. The same with Tsu."

"I'm sorry…" Eri interrupts, her gaze still on her lap. "I'm sorry, Toshiro. I'm just… I'm so sorry! It's all my fault! If it wasn't for me…!" Eri begins to cry, squeezing her eyes shut as she couldn't look at Toshiro in the face.

"That's not like you." Toshiro instantly says, not believing what he was seeing before him. "The Eri I know would never give up, no matter what we were facing! And I know Tsu would say the same if she was here! C'mon, where is that carefree attitude of yours? 'We'll start the next chapter!' That's what you'd say, right?!"

"I'm sorry, Toshiro…" Eri responds, her voice sounding so distance. "But, I can't fight anymore…" Suddenly, the scene began to glitch out, as though someone had disconnected the video feed as it abruptly came to an end.

"Yeah… I remember. It's all coming back…" Toshiro comments, slowly standing up with a hand on his head. "But, I'm not off my rocker yet. I just… how much of a fool was I? I became so intoxicated by righteousness that I only made the situation worse. And I got people hurt…As if that weren't bad enough, I came close to making those same disastrous mistakes again. I am truly… a fool beyond redemption."

"And are you just going to stand here and wallow in it?" Joker suddenly asks, folding his arms. "If you stand here being all pathetic, Erina, Tsuchiya and Yuki-san are all still deep in trouble. Are you going to just leave them to whatever Jerri has planned for them?" Joker words seemed to snap some life back into Toshiro, as he glanced at him in an almost daze.

"Yes… You're right. Phantom Thieves… I have a favour to ask… Would you just… leave me here? It's not like I'm going to be much use to you anyways."

"Are you an idiot? Why would we leave you in a place that's clearly dangerous?!" Violet asks, shocked at Toshiro's request.

"If that's what it must be, then so be it." Toshiro replies in a drone like voice. In a tone that . In a tone that Oracle recognised as a bad sign. "Who knows how many people I've hurt? All because I convinced myself I was doing the right thing. You all saw my past, didn't you? You saw how it all ended? Well, I'm not strong enough to laugh off all those scars. How am I going to live with myself if I take a stand again? I'll only end up hurting all of you this time!" Toshiro's face starts to contort, as he begins to fall into a hysteria. "It was all a mistake! At this point, I'd rather—!"

"Shut up!" Isara shouts, before landing a punch right on top Toshiro's left cheek. Snapping him out of the hysteria he was falling deep into. "I did NOT just almost die and come back just to watch you fall into a hysteria trap!"

"And I know what it's like to be so sick and tired of everything that you almost want to die." Oracle add, stepping up to Isara. "But even if your in a dark place, you promised you mom, didn't you!? And what about your sister!? Wouldn't Tsuchiya always ben by your side to help pick you up again if you stumble and fall!? To call all that a mistake would be… Just don't you say you want to run away from all of it by dying!" Tears were threatening to spill from Oracle's eyes, as a light returned to Toshiro's eyes. Who could only look away in shame at what he was about to say and do.

"I think, pressing on now would be a fools errand." Queen comments, her arms folded yet a worried look plastered on her face.

"Yeah. Let's head back to the hideout and decompress." Joker commands, turning for the lone bridge leading the way out, with the Thieves following him in muted silence. While unknow to them, Lavenza was speaking in Joker's mind.

I am thou, thou art I...

Thou hast turned a vow into a blood oath.

Thy bond shall become the wings of rebellion

and break the yoke of thy heart.

Thou hast awakened to the ultimate secret

of the aeon, granting thee infinite power...

"Like we thought… they're all gone now." Haru comments as the Thieves enter the empty hideout. With not a single hat person in sight, or any noise coming from upstairs.

"What was wrong with them anyway? Not showing up when we attacked Nakabachi, only to then backstab us like that?" Mishima asks as everyone sits around the café. "And not only that, but Isara has a body now."

"How did you manage that anyway?" Ohya asks, giving Isara a look over. She had not reverted back into her model form, but then again Morgana was still in his metaverse form as well, so she could be following similar rules.

"I don't know." Isara admit, leaning on a stool. "But I'm not going to complain. Now I can fight by your guys side instead of having to rely on my tank form."

"Speaking off, can you still access your tank form?" Akechi asks, raising an eyebrow.

"Maybe? But I think it'll take both me and Futaba to access it." Isara replies, giving her shoulders a shrug.

"While Isara's transformation is a boon, I think I have a theory about those rebels." Morgana interrupts, jumping onto the table. "I'm theorising that they were created from Toshiro's memories of the students he inspired to rebel."

"At first, one would assume it would be two sets of students facing against each other. Those who wanted freedom, and those working for Nakabachi." Sae comments, arms folded. "But it would seem that its more accurate to say that both factions had grudges against Toshiro."

"But still, wasn't it them who put Nakabachi into the corner that ended up with him trying to kill Natsuhara?" Shiho asks. "It wasn't Toshiro's fault that he had a breakdown."

"That doesn't matter when they are looking for a scapegoat." Iwai remarks, giving his hat a dusting. "Pinning their problems on another person just so they can avoid the blame. I've seen that happen far too often." All eyes turn to Toshiro, who was sitting at the bar in silence.

"I hope he's alright. He hasn't said anything in a while now…" Ann comments with a worried look. Ryuji takes a glance at him, commenting that maybe a one on one talk will do him some good. But before he could stand up, Makoto blocks his path, motioning her head to the bar. For while Toshiro sat in silence, a cup of coffee was suddenly placed in front of him.

"One cup of Leblanc's finest. Your favourite remember?" Hifumi asks, standing opposite him with Ren and Sojiro on either side of her. All wearing aprons.

"Oh, thanks." Toshiro responds, taking the coffee and having a sip.

"Feeling better?" Sojiro asks, hands in his pockets.

"Yes. I am." Toshiro replies, setting the cup down. "It's as delicious as I remember. And I should also apologise for what happened earlier. I'm a full grown adult, but I ended up having a temper tantrum. Enough that I received a punch from Isara."

"Sorry about that…" Isara apologises, looking away with some guilt.

"Don't. I deserved it." Toshiro responds, shaking his head and grasping the cup with both hands. "And I want to apologise to everyone here as well."

"I think we need to apologise as well." Ren comments, rubbing the back of his neck. "We were the ones who forced you to gin there in the first place after all. It's would maybe be unfair to say we know how you feel from your past, but you were just pushing for what you believed was right in the end. The same as us. And no one could have predicted that things would have turned out that way."

"Everyone makes mistakes. And we certainly aren't any different. I mean, we went back in time to do a complete start over from our mess-ups." Morgana quips, hoping onto the bar. "But, we do make a point on having no regrets about the actions we took. Only to learn the lessons from it so we don't make the same mistakes." Toshiro reminds silent, taking another sip of coffee as light returns to his eyes even more.

"What am I doing?" He asks to no one in particular. "I take a stand, I falter, then I get discouraged, and you all come back to pick me up… Only for me to falter again. I'm suppose to be an adult, yet I'm stuck in this endless cycle. You know, it's actually kind of a relief, finally seeing the truth."

"Whether child or adult, congressman or café owner, there will always be setbacks and growth." Yoshida sagely remarks with arms folded. "While we would like to think of it, there is no human who possess a perfect heart. We all have our inner darkness. And one does not move forward if they let their past dictate their actions of today."

"Right you are, Yoshida-san." Toshiro agree, nodding his head with a smile. "Forget about the request I made back in that room. I want to come with you. I'm not so bold as to claim I'll be able to handle anything that may come our way. But right now, the last thing I want to do is run away or die. I need to stick it out if I want to be true to myself."

"In that case, we need to know where Erina and the others have been taken." Ren remarks, taking his apron off. "Do you have any ideas Toshiro?"

"There is one place that we have not yet seen. One place that I have no doubt is where Erina, Tsu and Mother are being held." Toshiro stands from the bar, back straight as an arrow as he looks around the café. "The Student Council Room. It's where I believe we will also meet the voice from beyond the speaker. Let's not waste anymore time!"

"Since when did you give out the orders?" Shinya remarks with a grin as everyone leaves the café. His comments earning a chuckle from everyone as they follow after Toshiro towards the Student Council Room. Just as always, the hallways were void and cold, the red light from outside replaced by a deep blue. Once more sending a familiar feeling up Ren's spine, that he still couldn't put a finger on.

Not that he had long to think about it, for they soon found the door leading to the council room at the top of the stairs.

"So it is here after all." Toshiro remarks as they stand outside it.

"Why is it at the top of the stairs?" Kawakami asks. "The one at Shujin is located on the third floor."

"Somehow, I don't think this is where it's supposed to be." Makoto comments, glancing at the blue light from the door.

"It's the place where I spent the most time here as a student. As well as where I spent the most time with Eri." Toshiro confirms, eyes narrow. "Whoever is here, they must be planning to use those against me. Just thinking about it make me feel like I'm about to fall apart."

"If you lose it again, don't forget that we are here to back you up." Ren tells him, giving Toshiro a pat on the shoulder. "Let's get this other with, right?"

"Right." Toshiro replies, stepping forward. "Just like a bandage. Rip it off nice and fast. We'll save Erina, Tsu, my Mother, and settle the score I have with my past self." Without hesitation, Toshiro opens the door revealing a dark room with the hallmarks of a Student Council. While one half was shrouded in darkness, the other half barely lit by a faint blue light. And as the Thieves enter the room, they are engulfed by their flames of rebellion.

"Something's off…" Gecko remarks, twisting his right hand around. The others look around, trying to peer into the darkness around them, before something catches Guernica's eyes.

"Guys! Other there!" She calls out, pointing forward. As everyone turns to face the spot, they are greeted by the sleeping form of Erina on a couch. Yet Tsu and Yuki were nowhere to be seen.

"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen. I'm pleased to see you've arrived safely."

"Oh joy. It's the 'Mysterious Voice' once again." Medic sarcastically says as everyone glances around.

"That's enough games! Who the hell are you?" Toshiro calls out, hand on his hip.

"Who am I? My, what a surprise. You, of all people, should know who I am. I am the embodiment of your sin. I'm you, Toshiro." Behind Erina's chair, a pair of glowing golden eyes appear, followed by the sound of footsteps. "Do you recall the crime you committed?" The voice asks, stepping into the light. Revealing itself to be Toshiro. Only the golden glow of his eyes vanished, replaced with a white void surrounded by black.

"Is that Toshiro's Shadow?" Queen asks.

"No. I'm not getting anything like the other Palace Shadow's we faced! He's something else!" Oracle reports, her screens flashing before her. That only raised more questions for the Thieves about who this person was before them. And if they weren't Toshiro's Shadow, then who?

"And so our fated encounter is finally here. We meet at last, my other self." Shadow Toshiro greets with a bow, not that the real Toshiro would greet him back. "You remember it all now, don't you? Being nothing more than a mindless puppet behind your fiancée's beck and call. Killing your mother by dragging her on a selfish whim. Standing by idly as your father and brother sought to claim Japan as their own. And then masquerading as a hero of your school, only to send your idol and crush careening down into the depth of despair! All of these sins you decided to deny, isn't that right?"

"Shut up." Toshiro says bluntly. Yet it did nothing to wipe the smirk of Shadow Toshiro's face.

"You know Toshiro. I pity you. All of your pain and suffering is because of her, Eri Natsuhara, your sister, Tsuchiya Kasukabe. And this girl, your mother, the lingering husks of your dreams." At that moment, Yuki and Tsuchiya are pulled out from the darkness, wrapped up in stained cloth and suspended from the ceiling before the Thieves. Their mouths covered by cloth and muffling their voices.

"Don't you dare touch them!" Toshiro shouts, instantly realising what was going on.

"Don't touch them? You want me to leave them alone, do you? Don't lie to me. Be honest, Toshiro. You despise them, don't you? You went through hell because of Eri's silly ideals. How you were abandoned by your mother and sister. Trust me, I know… I am you, after all." Toshiro takes a step back, no believing the words he is hearing from this imposter's mouth, while Yuki and Tsu shake their heads vigorously. "So rejoice, Your wish is about to be granted. Haven't you realised by now, Toshiro?" Shadow Toshiro snaps his fingers, instantly dissolving the room and revealing that they were, in fact, on the roof of a giant tower, with a giant clock embezzled in a tower beside them.

As the Thieves glance around at the new surroundings, maniacal laughter from Shadow Toshiro drew all eyes back to him. Tsuchiya and Yuki were still hung above him, the strings of paper connecting them to the tower wall. But from Shadow Toshiro's palm was a web of more paper robe. Holding Erina off the side of the building as she remained unconscious.

"The incessant pain and suffering you've had to endure, it's all because of her! Your inescapable curse. Do you finally understand now? The one to blame for your pathetic life, one full of cowardice and obedience…"

"Stop!" Toshiro shouts with gritted teeth. Yet Shadow Toshiro remained impassive.

"How about we change that course for you now? I'll take this curse called Eri Natsumi and purge her from your soul forever! And then, I will do the same with your mother and sister. You will never have to suffer again!"

"Not happening!" Joker shouts as he and the Thieves charge forward. Only for Shadow Toshiro to flick his hand towards the ground. Sending countless wraps of paper to ensnare the Thieves and pin them in place.

"Is this the best you have to offer? You fell right into my trap without a second thought!" Shadow Toshiro gloats between laughter, himself surprised at the recklessness of the Thieves.

"Damn it. How did we fall for the oldest trick in the book?" Shadow asks through gritted teeth.

"I can't move or switch forms!" Isara calls out, herself enveloped by the paper.

"Don't you see now, Toshiro? There's no one left to save you now." Shadow Toshiro gloats, staring right into the eyes of Toshiro. "Resolve, conviction, ideals… You can try to numb your soul with cheap tricks and words, but it won't make a difference."

"Such idiocy is a stain upon my Lord's name." Jerri's voice soon joins as she flies into the area. Landing on Shadow Toshiro's shoulder.

"Oh fuck off, Jerri! No one wants you!" Guernica shouts in annoyance as she tries to break out from the paper.

"My, my, my. Still not learned your manner, have you? What a pity." Jerri comments, shaking her head before looking toward Toshiro. "How about you, Toshiro? Have you not come back to your senses now? You must remember all that pain and fear you hid away…"

Toshiro's eyes glance over to Erina, still hung up above the vast drop before them.

"Now, remember it, drink it all in. For it will be the moment the symbol of your revolution rots away! So you stay put and behave yourself, as I strangle this rebel filth!" Shadow Toshiro turns back to glare at Erina, Jerri's gaze following his with a deranged glee as Toshiro falls to his knees. Joker grits his teeth, glancing to the knife in his hands before dropping it to the ground. With what little room he had, he kicks it towards Toshiro, the knife landing next to his right hand.

"Take it, Toshiro!" Joker shouts, catching Toshiro's attention as he looks at the knife. Conflict written on his face, just as paper wraps over Joker and the others mouths.

"You are wasting your breath! There is nothing he can do now, the flame of his rebellion has finally been snuffed out!" Jerri proclaims with glee as Shadow Toshiro smirks with pride.

"Yes. And now… Die! Worthless husk of Eri Natsuhara!"

"To…shiro…" Eri's voice slips out as the wrapping around her tightens from Shadow Toshiro's attack. "Remember…how it actually ended… What we did…wasn't a mistake!"

"But, I just… can't fight anymore…" Eri lets out a sigh, leaning back on her bed before glancing at Toshiro with a calm look. "But still, even though I can't fight anymore, you shouldn't regret what we have done."

"Huh? What do you mean?" Toshiro replies, slightly stunned by her words.

"You see, Kurano-san came by earlier." Eri explains, glancing out the window, Toshiro following her gaze. "She apologised over and over. She really feels guilty for the way things turned out. Apparently, she told the school about her part-time job. Said she wished she'd done it sooner."

"I knew it…" Toshiro remarks, looking away. "We should never have…"

"But… she also said she was grateful." Toshiro turns to look back at Eri, a tear running down from her non-covered eye. "She said she's in a much better place than if she'd done nothing and let Nakabachi go on using her. Her exact words were, 'Thank you so much… Seriously!' It made everything that happened…worthwhile." She turns to look at Toshiro, reaching forward and grasping his hands with hers. "Toshiro, you have to see it from her… No, our point of view. I won't say we handled it the right way… But deciding to stand up to Nakabachi, I know in my heart it wasn't a mistake. As for me, well, I won't be doing any fighting by your side of Tsu's for a while…"

"But…" She leans forward closer to Toshiro. "If you can find some way to keep on fighting, to hold onto that will of change, instead of regretting it… Then I promise, I'll catch up to you one day, and we'll keep making the world a better place!"

"Eri…" Toshiro breathes, kneeling down as the two hug each other.

"So, at the very least, that's what I want to do. You're your own person, with your own future to find. But, I know your heart. One day, you're going to…"

"The hope she placed in you…It's still right here! So, please…Please! Stand up, Toshiro!" Erina shouts just before more paper wraps around her mouth. But it was more than enough for Toshiro, whose eyes narrow with a fire burning behind them, to grab Joker's knife and run towards his Shadow before throwing it directly at him, forcing him to dodge unsuccessfully as the knife embeds itself into his right hand.

With his concentration broken, the paper holding Erina in the air unravels, dropping her to her death. But not before Toshiro leaps forward and grabs her hand with his right. Saving her but almost throwing himself off the roof. Purple lighting sparks up his hand, sending immense pain up his arm, yet he refused to let go, even as Erina told him to. The sparks causing his glove to evaporate, revealing a hand lined with scars.

"Don't you remember? When push comes to shove, I take care of business!" Toshiro snaps back, his grip tightening even as Erina begins to slip through his hand. Above, the clock on the tower that had been frozen and six o'clock began to move forward.

"What are you doing Toshiro!?" Shadow Toshiro shouts, holding his injured hand with Jerri on his shoulder. Watching as Toshiro manages to pull Erina back up, turning to look at him with a defiant glare. "Why do you look at me that way? I'm you!" Toshiro remains silent, not even bothering to respond. "You're wrong… You've got it all wrong, dammit!"

"Why do you still resist!? You were supposed to get rid of her! My Lord's plan depends on her very existence to be wiped out forever!" Jerri shouts in anger, trying her best at a death stare, but it only comes out like a stern look from a teacher. "Did you not say that fighting and struggling on a passing whim only leads to suffering!?"

"That's why you wanted to get rid of her? Of my sister and mother? How idiotic." Toshiro remarks, closing his eyes and shaking his head. "Why don't the two of you just shut the hell up? Your disgusting lies won't work on me anymore. I am my own self, my own person. And I will say when this revolution has reached its end! Not from a delusional manic pretending to be me or a tacking pink peacock! I am my own self!" For a second, Erina's lone eye glowed yellow as she remembered something else about herself.

Something that was more important than anything else.

That's right… I'm…

"Argh!" Toshiro suddenly screams, hands reaching for his head as he almost falls to the floor, drawing wide eyes from everyone around.

Well, you seem to have finally found your resolve.

Erina closes her eyes from behind Toshiro, before she floats into the air, leaving everyone wondering what was going on. What looked be a faint mirage around Erina suddenly became a blazing inferno of azure flames staring from her feet and rising to envelope her like a cocoon. The raging fires and winds pushing her hair back to reveal her second eye, as both glow with a yellow glow.

All manner of suffering can lead your heart astray….

But a kindled flame can withstand any strife in this world!

Toshiro glances up, a mask that looks to be made of stone covering his face. Leaving only his right eye uncovered. He grabs the covered side with both hands, tugging hard as the mask refuses to budge. Even as blood flows down his face and over his eyes.

And with this, we begin the next chapter.

I am thou, thou art I…

Now… CALL MY NAME!

"ERNESTO!"

With a roar, the azure flames consume Toshiro as he finally rips the mask off. Leaving everyone stunned at the sudden and unexpected awakening. Jerri and the fake Shadow Toshiro most of all. The flames begin to part, revealing Toshiro standing not in his diet clothes but in an outfit that is almost identical to Erina's. Only now, both legs were in metal greaves, with blank pants. Both arms were covered in metallic gauntlets with black gloves underneath. While the rest of the outfit, similar to Erina's, was missing the look of being through a never ending war, instead looking pristine and out of the wardrobe for the first time. And on his hips, was a sabre used on ships back in the 1800s, along with a flintlock pistol on the other side.

And behind him was his persona. A woman with metallic clawed hands hidden by silver sleeves ran up to a red jacket, the coat tail stretching far into the wind lined with bullets. Two giant revolvers made up her legs, reaching up to her knees. Black leggings run up her non-covered legs, running into a joined shirt and short top, coloured in black and white stripes. Her red face and white hair were covered by a black hat with a golden star and mask, leaving her golden eyes visible to see.

"Impossible! A Persona!? But such an awakening should not be possible!" Jerri gawks in shock as the fake Toshiro glares in anger. As for the normal Toshiro, he casts a glance at the Thieves before throwing his left hand out.

"Fire at will, Ernesto!" At Toshiro's command, Ernesto flies into the air, aiming her gun legs at the captured Thieves before unloading a stream of rounds at the paper holding them, Yuki and Tsuchiya down. The bullets easily pass through the paper, freeing them as they all stand up for battle while Yuki and Tsuchiya rush to their side. "You can't stop us. The rebellion is here. The rebellion…inside my own heart!" Toshiro shouts, drawing the sabre with his right hand and grabbing the flintlock pistol with his left.

"Still, you spout nonsense?! You can't change who you are, no matter how much you try!" Fake Toshiro shouts, erecting a barrier around him as Jerri takes to the sky.

"To me, my dearies!" At her call, several troopers emerge onto the platform, all ready to assist the fake Toshiro as Jerri hangs in the sky. "This is where you will fall, Toshiro!"

"No. That's not my name here." Toshiro replies, throwing out a smirk as his mask reforms on his face. "My name… is Rebel! Here to bring this rebellion to its fruition!"

"He's certainly worked up!" Skull shouts as the Thieves rush up to regroup with him. "But where's Erina?"

"She still here! But she's also Tosh…I mean, Rebel's Persona! How the hell is that possible anyway! That's like a cheat code!" Oracle comments in annoyance, summoning Al Azif and taking up a position in the air in safety.

"We can worry about that later! But for now, it's Showtime!" Joker shouts, summoning Raoul to his side. "Eigaon!" Taking the first move, Joker blasts the approaching troopers with curse energy, even landing a hit on the fake Toshiro. Only to watch as the barrier around him reflects the attack around him.

"Damn it! That's a strong barrier!" Oracle shouts as the troopers open fire at her, only to be met by a salvo from the Thieves in response. "We won't get through that easily."

"Then allow me." Rebel announces, pointing his sabre forward. "Witness our power as one! Liberator!" Behind him, Ernesto takes form, firing an almighty shot from one of her gun legs and shattering the barrier around the fake Toshiro. Taking the chance, Rebel charges forward and slices at him with his sabre, pushing the fake Toshiro back as the Thieves open fire on the troopers.

"I won't allow you to do this!" Jerri shouts, summoning more troops to her side before having to dodge a barrage of rounds from Guernica, Violet and Fox. "Will you three leave me alone!?"

"No." They reply simply, continuing to fire at the annoying bird as the Thieves support Rebel in his fight. Swiftly using his sabre in a faint, Rebel fires his flintlock at point-blank range, hitting fake Toshiro in the shoulder and sending him stumbling back. In response, fake Toshiro ends numerous paper ropes towards him in the hope of stringing him up. Only for Tsuchiya to rip them to shreds with her Sten gun.

"You bitch!" Fake Toshiro shouts, changing his focus to her before having to didge another one of Toshiro's swings. "What have you done…? What the hell have you done!?"

"Your attitudes change. Where did all that cockiness of yours go?" Rebel asks with a grin, pointing his flintlock at fake Toshiro. All around him, the Thieves went to town on Jerri's minions, some even focusing on the pink bird herself. Yet fake Toshiro was not done yet.

"You should watch your tongue, Toshiro. If this form is not enough to cow you… then perhaps your great failure will!" At that, he melts into the floor as a form of grey goo-like matter before a rumbling shakes the building. Drawing all eyes to the edge.

"What now?" Crow asks, eyes locked on the edge. Suddenly, a giant broken-up hand crashes down on one side of the building, followed closely by a second as a giant figure pulls themselves up to their level. A figure of Eri Natsuhara, sporting the injuries of her accident from the train. Her right eye was gone, leaving nothing but an empty socket, while her left eye was a bloodshot multi-coloured mess.

"Hey, Toshiro… I hope you're ready for me to get my payback." Shadow Eri comments, glaring directly at Rebel as she stands in the middle of the Thieves. "You know you have it coming, right? All of this… is YOUR FAULT!" Shadow Eri roars down at the Thieves, causing some of them to cover their ears. While Rebel glances at his left hand, griping the flintlock pistol in a tight grip.

"So…this is how far low you will go!? Using her against me? Big mistake." Rebel glances up at Shadow Eri, his lone eye narrowed in rage as he glares at the giant fake. "And I'm going to make it your last! You want your payback!? I'll make sure you GET IT! BAYWEL MK II!" Once again, Ernesto appears behind Rebel, firing off a barrage at Shadow Eri and forcing her back temporarily. "Phantom Thieves, LETS GO!"

"RIGH!T"

"Let's give ourselves a helping hand." Fortune comments as Tyche forms behind her, the two of them glowing red. "Wheel of Fortune!" Above them, a circular disk with different cards appears as an arrow spins around. Eventually, it stopped, landing on what looked to be the Chariot card as all the Thieves suddenly felt a power boost surge through them.

"Can't let you kids have all the fun!" Boss comments, Merlin forming behind him as the two of them raise their books into the air. "Blessing of Magic!" Just like Fortune's skill, Boss's magic washes over the Thieves, boosting their magic power just as Shadow Eri slams her hand on the roof. Sending out a dark shockwave as the Thieves take cover behind ventilation ducks.

"Ziodyne!" King and Skull shout as one, blasting Shadow Eri with lightning in her lone eyes. Shadow Eri lets out a shout of pain right before Outlaw and Spring fire their weapons into her right hand, followed closely by Shadow and Devil doing the same to her right. Furious, Shadow Eri forms a golden sphere in the middle of their formation alongside three troopers who are standing out in the open.

"What is she planning to do with that?" Violet asks, blasting one of the troopers with a Kougaon and knocking it to the ground.

"I don't know, but I'd rather not find out!" Mona shouts, nailing another trooper in the head with a rock. At that, Mona notices a triangle of flame between him, Violet and Isara, with the golden sphere right between them. "Let's go! Triple Threat!" Mona shouts as the three of them leap into the air and attack the three troopers and spheres all at once. Eviscerating it in one blow.

"DIE!" Shadow Eri screams, lifting one hand into the air as dark energies swirl around it. Seeing the incoming attack, the Thieves scamper out of the way just as Shadow Eri brings her hand down on the roof. Sending out a large shockwave in the direction of her slap. "You won't get away! I won't let you!" At that, several dark chains wrap themselves around Gecko, Guernica, Rebel and Tsuchiya, dragging them before Shadow Eri's right hand as it lifts itself into the air.

"Not on my watch! Missile Storm!" Isara shouts, letting loose a stream of missiles that slam into the dark chains. Freeing the captured Thieves, who rush out of the danger zone just as Shadow Eri slams her hand down once again.

"Give them to me…give them ALL to me! Give me your lives! Just like how he took mine!" Shadow Eri crosses her hands while four spheres of dark energy form in the centre of the roof and begin to drain energy from the Thieves and transfer it to Eri.

"Not on my watch!" Athena shouts, aiming a hand at the four Spheres of energy. "Divine Judgment!" At her call, a blast of almighty energy engulfs the four spheres from above, rebounding their energy right back at Shadow Eri and causing massive damage to her while Athena's skill heals the Thieves back up.

"Toshiro….! Why won't you die!?" Shadow Eri screams as she tries to hang on to the edge of the roof as Rebel calmly walks towards her.

"Because I have too many promises to keep. Lives that need to be lived. And I won't allow a false spectre of my failures to hold me back! I am going to continue living for myself and for Eri! LIGHT OF A PROMISE!" At his call, Ernesto's twin leg guns both glow with almighty magic before blasting Shadow Eri directly in the face with a powerful, rapid-fire blast. The force of which proved too much for Shadow Eri to handle, as her grip failed, and she fell to her apparent death. Disintegrating into darkness as she fell.

The battle… was over.

Confidant Ranks

Toshiro/Erina : Eclipse (Rank 8)

Tao : Art (Rank 10/Max)

Isara : Aeon (Rank 10/Max)