Chapter 15: A War-Torn Kingdom
"Isara!" Oracle shouts, rushing to the shrinking tank as she turns back into a model. "Are you okay!?"
"I've got a mean headache…" Isara remarks as Oracle picks her up. Seeing the smoking mark on the side of her turret, shaped like an impact from a meteor. "How bad is it?"
"Doesn't look too bad… Hopefully, Inari can patch it up." Oracle tells her before glancing at Toshiro and Yuki. "Sorry about skipping past you. Are you okay?"
"We're fine." Toshiro remarks, standing up shakily while glancing at the model. "You saved us, Isara. Thank you." He tells her before nervously looking at Yuki. Now with Yoshiki finally dealt with, it was time to finally ask. "I'm glad you are safe as well… Mother." With Yuki giving him a warm smile in return.
"I had a feeling. You are my son." She says gently, even as Toshiro looks away guilty.
"Please forgive me. If it wasn't for my sister and me, you…" Before he could continue, Yuki placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, guiding his eyes to hers.
"Oh, Toshiro, that was never you nor your sisters' fault. Please try to remember. Then you'll know why I loved you both so much." At that, everyone's vision was covered in white before they could see Yuki wearing a blue dress, walking hand in hand with two children. A boy with black hair holding her right hand, and a girl with brown hair holding her left. All the while laughing with such joy in their hearts, even though the image itself was frozen in time.
"C'mon, Mom, this way! Let's ride that one next!"
"No fair Toshi! Let me choose!"
"Hehehe… Children, please, let's all choose the next one together. All right?"
"All right!"
"Haha… You two are quite energetic today."
"Yeah, Mom!"
"Please promise you won't let go of our hands, okay?"
"You always need to stay by our side so we can protect you!"
"Thank you, my children. For being my trusted little knights. But I haven't been outside for a while, so let's take it slow and easy for now, okay?"
"Oh, sorry."
"Hey, Mom? Are you not mad that we brought you out here?"
"Hehehe. Of course not, silly. Nothing makes me happier than to spend time with the two of you. Operation Super Sneaky Escape was a big success, wasn't it?"
"Heheh! Did you have to give it a weird name?"
"You know, it was thanks to the courage of you two that I was able to come out today."
"What do you mean?"
"Yeah… All we did was ask."
"But it is because you both worked up the courage to take me here I was able to spend such a pleasant day with the two of you. If only your brother would have joined us."
"Ah, that's ******'s own fault. He's missing out."
"Hehe… Toshiro, ********, can you two promise me something? From now on, never be afraid of doing what you think is right. Having the courage to stand up for someone is something you should always cherish. Please, never forget that."
"We promise!"
"That's right… we promised…" Toshiro whispers as the vision comes to an end.
"Because you gathered the courage to do something, this country was able to change." Yuki tells him gently, taking a few steps back. "And… we are able to speak again because you let me fight by your side. So… don't ever regret taking a stand. Be proud." Toshiro stares at her for a few moments before letting out a soft chuckle.
"You've only come back into my life, yet I feel like I am a child once again." He replies with a soft shake of the head, with Yuki chuckling at him.
"Isn't that what all mothers do?" She replies before looking to Erina. "It is time to raise the Flag, Erina."
"Of course." Erina replies with a smile, shifting her spear into a flag and stepping outside with the Thieves behind her. Letting the flag wave in the air over the town, now sporting the emblem of the Thieves and two guns on either side on top of the old design. The cameras that once plagued the skies were no more as a new dawn crests over the horizon. Clearing away the dreary sky.
"Listen up, everyone! Yoshiki has been defeated! The one who plunged this country into darkness is no more! Hold your heads up high! The time has come to step into a brighter future! It's because all of you took a stand that we stand victorious today!"
At Erina's words, a resounding cheer echoed throughout the city, cheers and jubilations at their victory over the tyrant.
"That was a great speech, Erina." Joker compliments as everyone heads back inside. "You can hear how happy they are from all the way here."
"Although, it would seem the town's been damaged." Athena remarks, noting the fires coming from the city.
"Looks like the Aizen Squad resorted to terror tactics in an attempt to subjugate them. Despicable." Crow comments, shaking his head.
"Such are the bread and butter for tyrants." Sensei remarks, shaking his head. "Some thing will never…change…" He feels his legs give out for a moment as Gecko and Boss quickly support him. "And now… I feel very tired."
"Even if it was just you getting the post-awakening hit, I think we all are." Mona remarks, plopping down on the ground. Shadow glances through her scope to see the damage done to the town, noting the amount of injured citizens.
"It looks like a lot of the people were injured as well." She tells the others with a frown. "We knew it would happen, but…"
"It would seem destroying the screens in here prevented us from seeing what was happening outside, and thus preventing Yoshiki from hitting us with a psychological attack." Fox comments, hand on his face. "Frankly, I'm at a loss of words now that we see it. Even without Yoshiki here to gloat at us."
"At least we won." Guernica remarks, looking over the town. "Rebuilding will be easy. Especially since they won't have a tyrant breathing down their necks."
"We sure will, ma'am!" One of the rebel citizens shouts, rushing into the room with several others. "Yes, there were casualties… we knew that would happen. But still! Taking a stand was definitely not a mistake!"
"Well, that makes us happy to hear…" Noir comments before a very familiar sound starts to echo through the castle. "Uh oh…"
"Here we go again…" King remarks as, rather predictably, a horde of citizens rush into the room to show just how thankful they were to the Thieves for opening their eyes and freeing them despite the damage done to the town. And before they knew it, it was a repeat of the victory over Marie with them being tossed into the air. And just as quickly as they came, they left with eager anticipation to start rebuilding the town.
Thankfully, without throwing Mona to the ceiling like last time.
"Aren't they little busy bees?" Boss remarks with a grin as everyone picks themselves up. "Anyway, it's time we left as well."
"Agreed." Queen remarks, dusting her arms. "But first, we have a door to find."
"You mean this one?" Medic calls out, standing next to said door with Teach. "And it's the same as last time." With grins, the team approaches the door with Yuki walking with them, eager to see them off, before Toshiro calls out to them.
"Everyone, wait a moment. There is something I need to say." All eyes turn to him as Toshiro takes a deep breath. "My father, my mother, I was only able to face them because you guys gave me a push. So, I should thank all of you for that."
"No need for thanks, Toshiro. It's what we do. Helping those who need help." Joker replies with a grin.
"Still, I felt the need to voice my appreciation is all. It's a little embarrassing, but please accept it. And I'd like to express my thanks to Futaba and Isara as well. Both of your words resonated with me especially. And thank you especially for saving our lives, Isara."
"Hey. You're more than welcome, Tosh."
"Yeah! And I would gladly do the same in any situation!" Toshiro nods at the two before turning to look at Yuki.
"Facing my mother had always been painful, but I am glad to finally see you again and remember the real you. And it is time I faced history head-on. The truth may be different than what I saw here…"
"But you will face it regardless and never run from your memories again. That's my boy…" Yuki replies with a warm smile, while in Joker's eye, he can see the third star form on Toshiro's card.
"All right, it's time to head out! Want to do the honours Joker?" Skull asks with a grin. Instead of answering him, Joker walks up to the door and opens it. Filling the room with a warm light as they feel themselves moving once more. Hoping that they were heading home.
But what they found instead was anything BUT home…
"What the hell!?" Panther shouts as the entire group finds themselves in what looks to be a city that is in the middle of a war. Buildings lay in ruin, rubble filled the streets and the sky was a deep black while tracer rounds lit up the sky. The sounds of gunfire and explosions echo around them while fires roared in abandoned buildings.
"Okay… Is this another kingdom?" Outlaw asks hesitantly.
"I take it this is not your homeland…again?" Erina asks hesitantly, already bringing her gun out.
"Nope…" Spring replies with her bow in her hands, getting a look at one of the buildings. "You know, these remind me of buildings from Europe again. Only a little more modern."
"But if this is another Kingdom, then…" Athena turns to Toshiro, who is looking around in horror. "Does this mean more of your past awaits us?"
"That may be the case…" Toshiro remarks, shaking his head. "I will admit, there are still gaps in my memory that I can't remember about."
"Then let's not waste time and stay here. Who knows what's going on here." Joker replies, checking his gun. "Yuki-san, stay in the middle of… wait…" Joker looks up, not believing his eyes, as, to his surprise, Yuki is indeed with them. She was still in her kimono and looking around, very concerned at what was happening.
"Yuki-san!? You came with us!?" Queen asks in shock as everyone turns to her.
"So it would seem…" Yuki replies hesitantly, looking around. "I had intended to help out with the rebuilding once I saw you off. But it looks like I was brought alongside you."
"Just like what happened to me." Erina remarks before an explosion echoes nearby, along with the roar of gunfire. "What's going on?"
"Sounds like a battle nearby." Gecko remarks, reloading his gun. "Let's go check it out. If this is anything like the last two kingdoms, we should see who we need to help."
"Right. Let's go!" Joker shouts, leading the group down the ruined path towards the gunfire. Jumping over potholes and rushing past destroyed modern-day tanks. Eventually, they find the source of the conflict, but what they saw as not what they were expecting.
On the one hand, they saw the familiar outlines of the hat people along with the lanky forms of this Kingdom's Aizen Squad or Legionnaires. But it was what they were wearing that had their attention.
The hat people were all decked out in worker's clothes while wearing armbands that had the emblem of the Phantom Thieves, wielding bolt action rifles as they hid behind cover. While the foes they were firing at were wearing a mixture of WWII and modern-day Japanese army gear.
But it was the woman leading the hat people who caught the team's eyes. With brown hair tied into a pigtail behind her head and black eyes, wearing a worker's outfit with metal plates on her shoulders, arms and legs. Wielding a Sten SMG as she led the defence from the front.
"Hold! Don't let these monsters through!" She shouts to the hat people, laying down covering fire and forcing the foes to duck.
"Damn rebel scum! You dare stand against the Lord Commander!" One of the troopers shouts, firing back with a bolt action rifle while a brute lumbers forward. Two drummers and a ninja join the attack, alongside two umbrella-wielding foes as they march forwards. Providing cover for the brute. Until the brute steps on an out-of-place brick, triggering a land mine and consuming them all in an explosion.
"So long as we stand, we will never surrender!" The rebel leader shouts back as the ninja appears next to her. Only for her to whip out a sword and slice it in two. Earning an impressive hum from Erina.
"She's good." Erina remarks, seeing how she was holding out against their foes. "But I don't think they can hold for long."
"We should help them." Noir comments, spinning the barrel on her grenade launcher. "She looks to be the leader of the resistance here like Erina. She might be able to help us."
"Normally, I would advise that we hide, but after the last two Kingdoms, I know such a mentality won't work." Toshiro remarks, glancing at the firefight. "Especially since this reminds me of the situation with Marie."
"In that case, lets move through the building and—" Queen starts to plan before a rumble echoes through the area. The foes that were firing on the rebels pull back to allow an opening, just as a modern-day tank rolls onto the battlefield, its gun aimed at the rebels.
"This is the end for you! Surrender now, or die like the dogs you are!" The lead trooper shouts as the tank rolls forward. The woman leading the defence grimaces, seeing that none of them had any heavy weapons to take it out.
But just as its turret takes aim at her, a rocket zips out from the rubble to the side, landing right into the rotation ring of the tank. Detonating and sending the turret flying into the air as the enemy freezes in shock. Before they were fired upon from the side.
"Ambush!" One of the troopers shouts before being hit in the head by an arrow, just as fire, wind, thunder, light and darkness magic is thrown towards them. Ice erupted from the ground just as others went into hypnotic walks or were forced together by a vortex. There were even some that fell asleep randomly after being shot by a sniper. Before long, the entire attacking force had been wiped out as the leader of the defence looked out in shock.
"Did we survive?" One of the rebels asks her, stunned at the sudden turnaround. She nods her head slowly before movement from the rubble catches their eyes. Twenty-six individuals emerge from the rubble, guns in hand. Some of them where even wearing strange clothes and masks, and was that a kid and a cat? There were two of them wearing a kimono and suit! But there was one thing for certain that the leader could tell.
"They're not our enemies." She tells the hat people, who stand down as the group walks up to them. Not realising what they were walking into. "Wait! You're walking into a minefield!"
"For real?!" The one with the skull mask shouts as the group suddenly freezes in place. The rebel leader nods before glancing at the row of buildings next to her.
"Move through those buildings. You'll be safe." She tells them. The group do as she instructs, making their way through as she goes around to meet them. "I'm glad I managed to stop you. That would not have been pretty."
"I thought I saw my life flash before my eyes there for a second…" The man in the business suit remarks, looking noticeably pale.
"You certainly don't look like you belong in a war zone." The Rebel leader remarks with a cheeky grin. "Anyway, thank you for the help. We would have been goners if not for you."
"It's what we do." Joker replies before glancing around. "I know you have a lot of questions for us. We have a lot ourselves. But is there anywhere we can talk that's safe?" The leader looks at him, judging him and his group, before giving out a sigh.
"Normally, I would be on guard. But you all saved me and my team. That goes a long way to build up trust with me." She replies, glancing at the barricade. "Hold the line here. I'm taking them back to the hideout."
"Yes, mam!" One of the citizens replies, turning their attention back over the barrier as the leader leads Joker and the others down the ruined path. Everywhere they looked, all they saw were ruined buildings, destroyed parks and leafless trees. Not a hint of colour remains to be seen. Before the team eventually reaches the only building they have seen so far that has survived this raging battle. And it was one they had already expected to see.
"Leblanc. Again." Oracle comments, drawing the leader's eyes.
"You know this?" She asks, surprised.
"Yeah. I run a similar shop with my kids. This is the third time I've seen a similar shop to my own." Boss remarks, shaking his head in dismay. The leader tilts her head at him before shrugging her shoulders.
"Well, as much as I would love to hear it, it's not safe outside." She glances up to the sky, frowning in anger. "You never know when it will arrive."
"It?" Devil asks as the rebel leader opens the café door. Revealing once more the same old interior of Leblanc. It wouldn't surprise them if it had the same amenities upstairs, either.
"I'll explain, but first…" the leader remarks, watching as everyone suddenly changes clothes as they enter the café. "…I think we should start with you."
"Right. That's only fair." Ren comments, pushing his glasses up. "So…
"That's… certainly a tale." The leader remarks, glancing at everyone while Sojiro once more made himself at home in the kitchen. "A group of rebels who engage in espionage to force criminals into the light who hail from a different world. And that this is the third 'Kingdom' you've encountered after dealing with two different tyrants who were based on people that you know." She casts a look at Toshiro, tilting her head at him while also glancing at Yuki. A distant look in her eyes. "Honestly, that is hard to believe. But none of you look to be from here. Not only that, you have those strange powers as well. So… I am willing to believe you."
"Thank you for believing us…erm…" Yoshida falters, not knowing her name. Something she seemed to pick up on.
"Oh. I forgot to tell you my name. Sorry about that." She remarks with an easy-going smile. "My name is Tsuchiya. And as you can guess, I am the leader of the Resistance. Or what is left of it anyway."
"So, you're like me. Leading a group of rebels against a tyrant." Erina remarks with a grin. "But it looks like you are having better luck than I did. Marie's troops just never seemed to die, and Marie herself brainwashed anyone she captured. If it wasn't for the Phantom Thieves, I would be a mindless slave by now."
"Don't sell yourself short. From what you've told, it sounds like you were leading a good guerrilla war on her." Tsuchiya remarks before glancing at the others. "Still, can't believe that your team shares almost the same name with my Phantom Resistance. Or that you have the same emblem!"
"I admit, it is a rather unique coincidence." Makoto remarks while Yusuke is busy fixing the damage to Isara. By her request, he was painting the mark so that it retained the damage like a scar. Something she was proud to have.
"If you don't mind me asking, now that we have told you our story, what is happening here? Obviously, a war is happening outside, but who is leading it?" Sae asks calmly. Tsuchiya folds her arms in a huff as she leans back on her chair, glancing at the ceiling.
"Someone I hoped to never see again. The attack dog of the Crimson Tyrant, Ichiro." Tsuchiya explains. "Ichiro is the Lord Commander of the Crimson Tyrant's army. Leading his forces to battle against any nation he sees fit. And now he has his eyes set on us. With his six generals under him, he has crushed almost all opposition within our city."
"An oppressive conqueror and his attack hounds. It's not too dissimilar to the last two tyrants. Do you know who this 'Crimson Tyrant' is?" Akechi asks, curious at the name.
"No one does." Tsuchiya remarks. "He is only ever seen in a bulky red power suit when he takes the field, hence his name. But we never have time to figure out who he is…" With a sigh, she pulls out a map and places it on the table. The city holds a large harbour in the middle, while three small blue boxes and two large boxes are placed around the map. There was also a large blue box in one corner of the city, while the harbour was surrounded by a red circle while an image of a battle ship was drawn inside. And along the edge was a drawing of a crimson airship.
"Is this a map of the city?" Hifumi asks cautiously.
"Yes, it is. Or at least what remains of it" Tsuchiya reveals, pointing at the blue boxes. "These places are prison camps. Where they send everyone they capture. Doesn't matter if they are a rebel or a citizen. Once you're caught, you're thrown in there."
"And these red boxes are bases?" Sumire asks.
"Yes. And we can confirm that one of Ichiro's generals is located at these locations. While at the central base, his battleship is currently moored there, holding Ichiro himself. As for the blimp, it is said to be the personal ship of the Tyrant himself. The one responsible for the majority of the damage you see around you. Raining death from above."
"So, that was the 'it' that you mentioned outside." Chihaya asks, with Tsuchiya nodding at her before giving out a sigh.
"Honestly, I've been wanting to go after these prisons for a long time. So many of my people are being held in there, being put through who knows what. But we never have the numbers or the time. Whenever we get ready for an attack, Ichiro launches an assault at just that moment."
"Sounds like you might have a spy among your ranks." Ohya remarks, earning a long, resigned sigh from Tsuchiya.
"Honestly, that's what I'm starting to believe as well. It's why I've been coming here by myself recently." She looks at the blue base nearest to them, resting a hand on it. "But even so, at the very least, I want to take that prison out. Even if it's just one, taking out one of his generals will help us survive the Anti-Social Force."
"Anti-Social Force?" Morgana asks, suddenly feeling very alarmed at the name. And he was not alone as the rest of the Thieves looked at Tsuchiya with worry.
"Yes. That is the name of the Army the Crimson Tyrant commands. A merciless force that lets nothing stand in its way." Tsuchiya reveals, shaking her head. She looks up, ready to continue, before noting the fatigue eating away at them from the look in their eyes. "Let's wrap it up for now. You all need sleep. We have beds upstairs for all of you."
"I think we'll take you up on that." Tae remarks, stretching her back. "We've just come from a hard fight, so we're all rather exhausted."
"I agree." Ren adds, standing up. "Let's talk more about what to do tomorrow."
"Wait. You going to help us?" Tsuchiya asks, surprised at Ren's response.
"We've already taken down two tyrants. What's the harm in adding a third to our list?" Ryuji asks, rolling his arm. Toshiro shakes his head at how eager they are to help. But then again, so was he.
"As Ryuji has stated, even though we did not mean to come here, we intend to see this tyranny end." Toshiro tells her before realising the look he is getting from her. "Is something the matter?" Tsuchiya continues to look at him, before shaking her head with a sigh.
"No… It's nothing." She remarks, indicating to the stairs. "Still, even if you want to help, you better get some rest. We're going to be busy tomorrow no matter what." Slightly confused at her response, Toshiro heads up the stairs after everyone else, Yuki right behind him. While Tsuchiya continues to watch as they leave, humming to herself as she turns back to the map. Her eyes narrow in anger as she slams her fist on the giant battleship in the middle of the map.
"You won't win this…Ichiro. I will stop you no matter what."
Meanwhile, inside the floating battleship, a man decked out in a military suit from a sci-fi movie stands before his six generals with a stern look. With black hair covering half his face, his skin a deep blue.
"Status report." He asks, looking over the six generals. Four males and two females.
"Sir, we have almost complete control of the city. Only the small pocket held by her stands against us." One of his generals with short brown hair reports, earning a scoff out of him.
"What do I care. Tsuchiya will soon fall to our might. And what of the citizens?" He asks, turning to one of the others.
"We have managed to subjugate 80% of the city into the prisons. The remaining 20% are held up with the Resistance." Another general replies, with raven black hair. The Lord Commander hums to himself, locking eyes with each of them before tisking in annoyance.
"I see. Return to your posts. We will deal with the Resistance later." At his command, the six generals leave as he turns around to his command console, activating a video link. When the screen activates, it reveals a man wearing a bulky red power armour with large red shoulders and what looks to be red wings extending from his back, holding thrusters. His chest was covered in black armour with gold decals forming the Imperial Japanese Emblem mixed with an open eye. While his head was encased in a face coverage red helm with a narrow horizontal slit and a silver helmet with several spikes.
"What is it, Ichiro?"
"My lord, I have come to inform you that we have almost secured the city. Only a small pocket of resistance remains." Ichiro revealed, earning a satisfactory hum from him.
"Good. Everything is proceeding according to plan. Tell me, have you found them yet?"
"Not yet." Ichiro replies with a frown. "But I assure you, the moment I do, I will bring it to your attention. Our mole has been of great assistance. The Phantom Resistance will crumble before you might."
"See that it does. I have had enough of Phantoms stalking me." The man remarks, glancing at him as two green eyes glow from the horizontal face slit. "Soon, our empire will spawn across the world. You have not failed me yet, my boy. Prove to me that you were not a mistake."
"Of course. I will bring you them in chains no matter what…
…Lord Shido."
Time for a new Kingdom before the school. But first, how many times do the Thieves need to teach the bald man the same lesson?
Toshiro/Erina : Eclipse (Rank 3)
Tao : Art (Rank 10/ Max)
Isara : Aeon (Rank 6)