The group successfully climbed up the castle's outer walls. They were able to do so without being noticed thus far. "We made it to the top..." Dragon said while taking a quick glance around. Even if their Personas were weakened, their physical ability was unhindered within the Kingdom.
"And we haven't been spotted yet." Erina was feeling good about this! The Phantom Thieves were much more impressive than she thought. "I hope we can keep this up..." But as she said this, she noticed a group of lookouts not too far away. It didn't look like they noticed the group just yet. "...Maybe I spoke too soon."
"They haven't noticed us yet." Wolf spoke calmly. "What's the plan here?"
"We take them out, and quickly." Joker said. Everyone was on the same page with that plan.
"It appears that this Kingdom operates on the same premise as The Streets." Crow mentioned.
"The...Streets?" This was the first time Wolf was hearing of this. Sophie also looked at Crow curiously.
"Don't worry about it. The short of it is that long range combat is the safest bet. But that doesn't mean close quarters combat is off the table." Crow noted.
"This will be a good chance to test our new weapons!" Sophia was all prepared for this. "I'll take them down in one shot with a 'bang!'"
"Personas are still options too; we just have to be mindful." Dragon said.
"By the way...Zen, er, Wolf?" Erina looked towards Wolf. "Are you sure you're going to be okay? That was a pretty long climb."
"Wh..." Wolf blinked under his mask once, but he soon realized what he was going on. "Are you thinkin' just because I'm older than everyone that I can't keep up?!"
Erina placed her hand on her chin, her red eyes glancing off to the side in a coy manner. "Welllll, I'm not going to say yes, but..."
"Shaddup!" Wolf groaned. Erina was just as bad as the others, poking fun at him for his age! This did at least make Dragon, Joker, and Viper snicker.
"Cut him some slack." Joker said. "He may be over twice our age, but he can still keep up!"
"Don't worry, Wolf. I think you're just fine despite your age." Sophie said, in an effort to cheer Wolf up.
"I don't need your pity." Wolf groaned instead. Just when it was getting nice to not have his balls busted for his age or anything. At least his meant the others were feeling in high spirits. So...he could take a jab or two for the moral.
"Can we get moving?" Despite the humor of it all, Viper was getting impatient. Not that she wasn't paying attention, but all this whispering and waiting about wasn't getting anything done.
"She's right, we can't waste too much time." Crow spoke up. "Let's take them out quickly. We have the numbers."
"We can push them out of cover and swarm them quickly." Dragon suggested. With their numbers, that was a very possible plan.
"I'll move in first!" Mona used his speed to scuttle along. Diego was summoned, creating a tornado of wind around the Legionnaires before they knew what hit them.
"W-Whoa?! What's going on!?" One of the Legionnaires gasped, before all of them were thrown from their cover and scattered about in separate directions. The moment they were exposed from cover, Sophie, Wolf, and Crow moved in, taking them down with their guns just to get a feel for them. The Legionnaires were defeated shortly after that quick assault.
"Oooh, these guns feel pretty damn nice." Wolf said while looking them over. Lavenza really hooked them up.
"Wow! You guys are impressive!" Erina grinned. But the time for platitudes was not now, because reinforcements arrived in the form of a large Legionnarie. This bulky one appeared nearby, spotting the group not too far away. "Oh, man...I hate these guys."
"What do these guys do!?" Mona whispered.
"We hit them, and they strike back before we can react!" Erina groaned, quickly hiding behind some cover. "It doesn't matter where you shoot them from, they'll always find a way to come towards you; be it on foot or even leaping up a ledge!"
"Just like in The Streets..." Joker noted. He recalled a few of these larger ones from before; those types were the ones that got a hand on Skull. Now that he got a proper look at it, it reminded him of the various Slammer enemies fought in The Streets.
"On the upside, I don't see any paint coming from this one." Viper pointed out. That was annoying to deal with.
"So, how do we deal with these big guys if they're going to hit us as soon as we hit them?" Wolf questioned.
"Watch." Crow slipped out of cover, rounding the corner while pointing his gun at the large Slammer. He took a shot, and the Slammer recoiled from the impact. But after that, it leapt towards Crow, who jumped back just for distance. After that, the Slammer started to cower.
Once it was open, Joker swiftly moved in with a knife attack, using his speed to dash past it and knock it back in the process. The Slammer struck the wall and bounced off of it violently. Raoul was then summoned to axe kick the Slammer and finish it off before it could recover.
"Whoa, what!?" Erina's visible eye widened in surprise. "You made it look easy!"
"You guys already know how to fight 'em?" Wolf was surprised too.
"We have some experience...from yesterday." Dragon said with a sheepish smile. "Well, to be completely fair, I don't even know how much time has passed since we've arrived here.
"Yesterday? What in the world are you kids up to these days..." Wolf rubbed the back of his neck.
"Enemy eliminated!" Sophie said with a grin. "That didn't appear so difficult."
"These guns are doing a lot of work." Wolf admitted. "Still, our situation still isn't the coziest right now."
"It sucks." Viper sucked her teeth in annoyance.
"It seems you all are still feeling held back. I must say, you're all certainly holding your own regardless." Erina was impressed. The Phantom Thieves were smart, quick on their feet, and still capable of putting up fight despite how watered down they felt. They were the right people to ask for help. "By the way, I have a question. Those..."Personas" of yours...how'd you get them, if you don't mind my asking?"
"That's a question and a half..." Joker wasn't sure how to describe it. It felt so natural him at this point.
"Personas are the power of the heart made manifest." Mona explained. "You should be able to summon one too, if you try. Sophie over there is an AI, but she managed to grow a heart of her own and have a full fledged Persona!"
"All thanks to everyone here!" Sophie added. Although, this did make her miss seeing the others, and regretting the situation they found themselves in. "That is why I want to help them regain control of themselves. As humanity's companion, that is the least I can do!"
"AI...?" Erina blinked at the term.
"What, is this your first time hearing the word or something?" Viper looked at Erina. "I heard it too many times over the course of summer."
"More importantly!" Erina ignored that question, for something that caught her attention more. "I can summon one if I try? Mind if I tried it now?!" She then fell silent, placed her hand over her hair, and... "PERSONNNNNA-!" The fact she did this so loudly and so suddenly caught everyone by surprise.
"Wait, don't-!" Joker said, but it was already too late.
"What is WRONG with you!?" Viper gasped.
"Keep it down!" Wolf said with a hushed whisper.
"Are you trying' to get us caught...?" Crow grit his teeth at Erina's stupidity.
"Who goes there?!" A voice said off in the distance.
"They've heard us." Sophie reported flatly.
Realizing her mistake, Erina let out a sheepish smile. She can't believe she just did that, but she couldn't help it! "Sorrrrrrrry...!"
"Ugh..." Dragon couldn't help but let out a groan. "Please put a little more thought into things going forward..."
"That's totally my bad!" Erina wasn't denying this was her fault. It was a little embarrassing that she acted so impulsively, but she wanted to try it!
"Let's mop up this trash before they realize what's going on." Crow said, not wanting to waste any time going forward. They still had a prison to break into!
.
.
With their skill level, it didn't take them long to mop up the enemies outside. Now they successfully broke into the prison, which had a dreary atmosphere compared to the colorfulness of the outside world. "We made it? That went surprisingly well." Erina commented. If she tried this on her own, she was certain she'd never make it!
"Let's stay on our toes." Joker said.
"And keep our voices down." Crow said with a narrowed gaze at Erina. Wolf, Dragon, Sophie, and Viper all looked to her as well.
"Huh? Oh, uh, yeah. Sorry, hehe." Erina rubbed the back of her neck bashfully. Making a scene while sneaking around with thieves? No wonder she was getting a look of scrutiny from all of them.
"Wait, sssh!" Mona hushed everyone. "Someone's coming, hide!" Everyone took positions behind a few nearby barrels, keeping them hidden from side. They could spot numerous Legionnaires patrolling the area. They did wander off after finding nothing. "Whew...looks like we're in the clear. Security's a lot tighter around here."
"You Phantom Thieves are in a whole different league..." Erina said with an amazed expression. "I could learn a lot from you guys."
"Never take your opponents head on if you have to. Phantom Thieves always find a way." Mona said smugly. "Consider that your first lesson in thievery, right guys?"
"She could definitely fit as a Phantom Thief with the right training." Joker nodded in agreement.
"Oh, I'm flattered...but I'm already struggling to keep up." Erina did enjoy that they thought so well of her, but she knew she wasn't suited for Phantom Thievery.
"Can we keep it moving?" Crow didn't like the small talk, especially not when they had a mission to do. They could also hear the sounds of patrolmen nearby. "Looks like we've no choice but to fight out way through."
"I wonder where the others could be...possibly deeper inside." Dragon said while scooping out the area ahead. A few guards were present, but she noticed something interesting. A yellow barrel with a skull and crossbones on it. "What is that...?"
"Oh, those barrels are explosives!" Erina whispered. "If you shoot at them, it'll end with a pretty sizable explosion."
"...I don't want to know how you figured that out." Wolf wasn't going to ask. He's only been with Erina for a short time, and yet he feels like he knows the answer. The look Erina had on her face told the story.
"I see a few guards as well." Viper was scoping out the area along with Dragon. "Oooh, Dragon-chan! Do you think if we can lure the patrolmen there, we can make the barrel explode near them?"
"That's a great idea." Dragon grinned at Viper's plan.
"Smart, strong, beautiful, there's really nothing I'm not capable of." Viper flipped her hair.
"I can distract them!" Sophie said and just ran off. Some things didn't change.
"Sophie-! And she's gone." Mona sighed. He wasn't worried about Sophie, but she was still like this. It was endearing at least.
Sophie appeared in front of the the Legionnaires, giving them a shock. "What the!? How did you get in here?!" One of the patrolmen asked.
"Get her!" Another shouted.
Sophie didn't say anything. Instead, she gave the patrolmen a run for their money. She circled around them as they tried to chase her down. Eventually, she had them right where she wanted them. They didn't realize that the explosive barrel was right behind them; they were just focused on Sophie. "Got you." Sophie said before leaping into the air. Before the guards had a chance to realize what happened, Dragon shot the barrel with her sniper rifle. It did indeed explode. It was a stronger explosion than she was anticipating, but it did wipe out the enemy.
"Oh...!" Dragon's eyes were wide. "I...I hope that wasn't too loud."
"That was extremely loud." Crow tensed, waiting for reinforcements. But there was nothing. Despite the size of the prison, it was eerily quiet. "...But not loud enough, I suppose." They continued on, carefully. The prison was large and they got fairly deep into it. But it was still quiet the whole way through...
"Weird." Wolf couldn't help but notice something. "I'd think at this point, some alarms would be going off, or something. Nobody would make it this far without hearing some kinda noise."
"You're right. I've kind of been expecting some more pushback..." Joker was keeping a close eye out, but nothing attacked them so far.
"No point looking a gift horse in the mouth!" Mona said. "Let's keep going. I'm sure we'll find something soon." Everyone could agree to that. The only thing they could do right now was head to the holding cells. It felt like they were in the depths of the prison at this point.
"It can't be much further." Erina told the others while leading the way.
"It's so quiet in here..." Dragon was not a fan of it.
Erina looked around, noticing the key to the cells on the wall. She quickly grabbed it, and then noticed someone sitting in one of the cells nearby. "In there!" She had to fumble with the keys a bit to find the right one, but once she did, she quickly threw the cell door open. "We've come to rescue you!"
Inside the cell was a middle aged man in a suit. He heard the unfamiliar voices and looked towards them. "You've come to what...?" He stood up and dusted himself off, the glove on his hand flicking away some dirt on his pant leg.
"Wait..." Crow realized this wasn't someone they knew.
"Who are you...?" The man questioned with a tilt of his head.
"That's what I was gonna ask..." Viper said while giving the man a strange look of disappointment and disgust.
Based on the reactions, Erina's expression turned into a deadpan. "So you're telling me, this man...isn't a phantom thief?" She looked back to Joker. "Joker, do yo even recognize him?"
"..." There was a few moments of silence before Joker shook his head. "I've never seen this man before in my life."
"I was afraid you'd say that..." Erina sighed. "So in that case...who did we free?"
"Have I see this guy before...?" Mona felt like he could...
"Toshiro Kasukabe?" Wolf recognized him immediately. The others turned to him.
"Indeed. This is Toshiro Kasukabe." Sophie confirmed. She remembered his image from the internet.
"So this is him..." Crow mumbled.
"Um, yes. I am Toshiro Kasukabe..." Toshiro said hesitantly. "Who are all of you?"
"Wow. This is the most spineless man I've ever laid eyes on." Viper said flatly. Dragon nudged her harshly with her elbow in response. "What?! I said I'd say if if I ever saw him!"
"Er..." Toshiro grimaced from Viper's comment. Much like the mask she wore, she had sharp fangs...
"I'm an officer of Public Security. I've been looking for you." Wolf said. Toshiro just gave Wolf a strange stare.
"...And why is an officer of Public Security dressed like that?" Toshiro asked an extremely valid question, one that Wolf could only grunt at in response.
"Look, it's a long story." Wolf would answer that question later. But he was at least able to flash his badge and showcase the truth of his statement. This made Toshiro breathe something of a sigh of relief.
"Oh, thank goodness. Someone who can actually help.." Toshiro felt a small weight lift off his shoulders. But only a small one.
"Pardon my asking, but what are you doing in this place?" Dragon questioned. This was the Metaverse, so how did Toshiro wind up in here...
"I'd like for someone to tell me that as well." Toshiro responded, his expression showing irritation and confusion. "Just what is happening in this place? Finding myself in some bizzare world with all those terrible monsters. Then I get rescued by a group of magician looking teenagers, a white marshmellow girl, a grown man joining them, all coupled with a bizarre cat monster...is something wrong with me/ When did I even get here?!"
"...Can we throw him back in the cell?" Viper suggested.
"He appears to be very distressed. He is mumbling to himself as well." Sophie noted. "However, it doesn't appear that he is brainwashed like the others."
That was a positive for Erina! "Then let's see if we can help him. Maybe he has some useful intel for us."
"Well, we certainly can't leave him here to rot." Mona said.
"Boo." Viper said.
"It's my job to bring him back home, so leaving him behind is out of the question." Wolf was glad they found him. But there were so many questioning finding Toshiro here of all places...
"I don't know who you people are, but I would definitely like to get out of here." A ticket out of this hellhole? Toshiro couldn't leap at the chance any faster even if he tried. "I suggest we make our way out before those terrible girls come back."
"Terrible girls?" Joker asked.
"Yes," Toshiro said. "They were guarding this place until very recently. I promise you, they are not to be trifled with. I suggest avoiding them at all cost. Especially the girl with the whip and the brazen leather outfit. She's by far the scariest one."
"Ann's down here...?" Dragon said quickly. That question would soon have an answer...
"Oh, my...just where do you all think you're going?" Speak of the devil and she shall appear. Panther was present, her whip at the ready. She had an elated smile on her face. But her red mask was dyed white now. "How many times do I have to remind you? You belong right here." Her gaze went to Toshiro.
"Ack! It's her! The leather suit whip girl!" Toshiro exclaimed with a shaky voice. "Listen, you must NOT provoke her! She won't hold back!"
"What did she do you?" Wolf had to ask.
Mona, however, just sighed. "I'll just keep quiet..."
"All three of them are too dangerous to fight!" Toshiro gulped, taking a few steps back already. "Don't speak to them - just figure out how to get out of here and TAKE ME WITH YOU!"
Panther groaned in response. "Oh, quit babbling you pathetic coward! Did you really not get your whining whipped out of you last time?"
"I can't believe I actually agree with the first half of that." Viper said.
"The way she's talking...they must still be brainwashed by Marie!" Erina pointed out.
"No shit." Crow slid into a battle ready stance. He knew they were going to have to confront the rest of the Phantom Thieves at some point.
"Ann, it's me...!" Dragon tried to take a step forward, but Panther cracked her whip at her. It didn't hit, but it was a very strong warning not to approach. "Ah!"
"Hey, get back!" Wolf exclaimed. "I know how you feel, but it's not safe right now!"
"Didn't I just say not to approach!" Toshiro gasped at Dragon's inability to read the situation. He was trying to give them good advice here, but it's like it went in one ear and out the other!
It was then that Oracle and Violet appeared next to Panther. "Brainwashed? How dare equate my handiwork to something so common as cleaning?" This direct line of speaking was Marie herself, speaking through her new toys.
"This is DOMINATION!" Violet added, arms spread apart with a malicious grin on her lips. "They fought hard, much harder than they should have. That's why I had to personally teach them why you don't disobey me. But now, from every corner of their minds, to every sense in their bodies, I am the one in control! They make such great toys, don't you agree!?" And she took such great joy in this accomplishment.
"This is awful. How dare you control my friends like that! They are not your puppets!" Sophie said in a fit of rage. She knew what it was like to have one's autonomy stolen from them. It pained her to see her friends, to see Sumire like this...and that's precisely why she had to help them, because they did the same for her without thinking twice on it.
"Relishing in something like that...you're one rotten lady." Mona hissed.
"Let them go, you freak." Joker said with a narrowed glare. "Last warning."
"Hah!" Panther laughed. "Amusing words coming from lowlife thieves who had to sneak into MY secure facility! But I'm glad you did. Now I can snatch up the rest of you, all in one fell swoop!" Violet and Oracle were getting ready to fight as well.
"Over your dead body." Crow spat. "Which I'm happy to arrange."
"I have some words for you, bitch!" Viper felt herself grinning angrily as Marie prepared to puppeteer Panther, Oracle, and Violet into battle.
"Looks like we're not getting out of this without a fight." Wolf said while grabbing the hilt of his greatsword. While he did want to comment on Marie's voice sounding familiar, this wasn't the time.
"What is GOING ON!?" Toshiro, the one completely out of the loop, demanded to have some answers. Everyone was getting ready for combat, while he thought he presented the most reasonable option: fleeing. "You already know them!? No, don't bother answering that! Let's just get away, FAST!"
"Pipe down. You don't get a say here." Joker was too focused on their controlled friends to deal with Toshiro trying to flee right now. They had to rescue them!
"How do I not get a say here?!" Toshiro gulped. What was wrong with everyone!? Why was he the bad guy for the totally normal response of running away when things looked poor?!
"Get ready! We're going to make them come to their senses!" Erina exclaimed.
"Right!" Mona nodded. As much as he hated the idea of fighting his own friends, he didn't have a choice. If they didn't fight, they would be the ones taken out!
"Ann...you guys..." Dragon grit her teeth, but pointed her staff forward. "I swear it. We'll drag you back kicking and screaming if we must!"
"Ahahahahahaha!" Violet laughed, gloved hand in front of her mouth. She drew her rapier, while Panther cracked her whip on the ground. Oracle took a seat on a nearby box, before; all three of them smiled mockingly towards the Phantom Thieves, only having one thing to say:
"We are the servants of Lady Marie! We shall fulfill Lady Mary's every last wish!"