Chapter 31: Last Stand of Salmael!
Countless gears, sprockets, tuners and connecters fill a vast space on orange have. The sound of constant gears turning away as though it was part of one giant machine. Vast platforms of metallic silver stretch through the vast space, enclosed by a veil of darkness. Secluded and unreachable, Legionnaires patrol the grounds, their bodies mat silver. Showing no colour as they march around. One would think of it as a dull experience, yet for these mindless drones, it was all they knew. Until, in a small pocket of this dimension, the ground trembled ever so slightly.
The Legionnaires, confused, glare towards the dark wall that separates them from the Kingdoms, gears blocking their view. Then, suddenly and unexpectedly, the dark wall was punched through by a blast of light. Followed closely by the sound of a train steaming forward at maximum speed. Smashing through the gears that blocked its path, it tears into the silver platform. The Legionnaires in its path were either crushed under its weight or thrown off the platform by its arrival.
Leaving nothing but the Velvet Room Train left on the platform.
"We have arrived. Please watch your step as you leave the train." Lavenza tells the Thieves with a happy expression. As for the Thieves themselves, they were busy picking themselves up from the floor they crashed into from the sudden arrival.
"What a ride…" Chihaya remarks, shaking her head free of stars.
"Is that really what you call safe?" Ann asks, rubbing her arm from where she hit the chair.
"The world did three whole rotations…" Yusuke comments, lying flat on the floor.
"Why is the room spinning…?" Sumire asks herself in the foetal position.
"I'm dizzy…" Futaba remarks, barley keeping herself standing up straight as Isara looks around, puzzled.
"I'm not effected. You guys need to get good."
"Lucky…" Mishima remarks, holding his head in his hands. Haru looks over, herself just as confused alongside Iwai.
"Was it really that bad? I didn't feel a thing." Haru asks Iwai, who only shrugs his shoulders in response. While others were giving bags to those who faired even less well than the others, Toshiro among them, Mona gave his head a brief whack to set himself straight again.
"Anyhow… it looks like we reached the enemy's stronghold." He looks outside the window, seeing the terrain around them. "This is definitely the strangest Kingdom we've seen yet."
"No doubt Salmael is waiting for us up ahead. But I'm assuming it won't be an easy walk to get to him." Makoto remarks, the haze clearing from her head.
"Meaning we should expect nothing but resistance all the way to him. But we already expected that." Ren comments, glancing at Igor and Lavenza. "We're off."
"Good luck, Ren. We shall be here should you need us." Igor tells him, giving him one more nod as the Thieves disembark from the Velvet Room. And step into Salmael's kingdom.
"So this is where he was hiding. But what is with all the clockwork?" Boss asks, glancing around.
"Perhaps these are to represent the machinations of what goes no behind the scenes of the Kingdoms? It is hard to say." Crow comments, folding his arms. "At the very least, it's not a prison like Mementos."
"For real… I've had enough of prison-like dungeons." Skull remarks before something catches his eye. "Heads up, we have company inbound."
"Legionnaires? Wait…there are some Aizen Squad Members as well." Shadow comments, seeing the mixed grouping before them.
"And they are all the same colour as well. Looks like this is where they are made." Athena remarks as the Thieves are ready for battle. "How many are we dealing with?"
"Looks like around fifteen. Seems we caught them by surprise." Oracle replies, a screen flashing before her. "They aren't even bothering to dive into cover."
"That makes this easy then." Isara replies, a red aura emanating from her. "Let's blast through these shmucks and take out the big bad! Twin Cannons!" Holding both arms up, Isara unleashes a massive blast of almighty magic towards the charging foes. Blasting through the Beriths and catching seven in the blast. The remaining Legionnaires scatter, aiming for whatever cover was around as the Thieves opened fire on them, taking out three more while the remaining five duck behind cover.
But what caught the Thieves' eyes were the ones they had taken down. Before, they would vanish into darkness once they were defeated, but here they remained. Unmoving and unresponsive.
"What's going on? These aren't acting like the others." Guernica asks, taking the chance to blast an exposed trooper in the head, sending it to the ground.
"It would appear that since Toshiro has awakened, Salmael can't use the photorealistic projections and colours from the film of his memory." Fox surmises, taking the chance to lay down a stream of rounds at a trooper.
"And in English…?" King asks, Fox's artistic speaks flying over his head.
"It means that the enemies we have been seen all this time have been Salmael's pawns, made up from nothing but this silver matter." Noir translates, letting a grenade fly and sending two Legionnaires flying, with them quickly picked off by Fortune and Medic.
"Which means they can't revive themselves anymore." Mona comments, just as Teach fires a rocket at the remaining troopers. "Meaning we only have to deal with whatever remaining foes are left here to defend Salmael."
"Does that mean these gears represent the 'will of the masses'?" Violet asks as the team presses on, not even giving the fallen Legionnaires a passing look.
"It's possible. And with Toshiro set to become the next prime minister, Salmael must be thinking that quashing Toshiro's will for change would affect the masses as well." Queen comments, tapping her knuckles on her chin. "Which would also explain why he wants us out of the picture as well. Since we are also a force that can bring about change."
"Sheesh, for a God he is so petty." Panther remarks, crossing her arms in annoyance. "And did he really think that forcibly removing our personas with that bitch-to-be was going to work? Honestly that's just sad to think about."
"Do you want to say that again?" A very familiar and unwelcomed voice suddenly echoes across the area as the room around them twists and turns. Platforms raise up and fall, changing the path before them into a large square room. Church seats line the sides with flower pot decorations that were all to familiar to the Thieves, despite all looking the same metallic colour. But it was the person in the car tank at the far end that drew their attention. And unbridled hate.
"What the hell is SHE doing here?!" Oracle shouts as the Thieves fall into defensive stances, as Marie, somehow revived, moves forward towards them. All though, just like everything else around them, there was no colour on Marie. Looking the same silver metallic as all the rest with red eyes.
"I won't let you get away from me this time…Toshiro! And as for your street rats, I WILL make you mine once again!" Marie shouts, a sadistic grin on her face.
"What the hell are you doing here again Marie!? Shouldn't you be dead!?" Outlaw shouts, rifle already aimed at her as Rebel looks at Marie with an annoyed look.
"No. This is not her." Rebel remarks. "This is just some illusion Salmael created to rattle me. Just like what the fake me did with that giant fake Eri."
"Toshiro… Toshiro! TOSHIRO!" Marie screams, seeing how she was being completely ignored. "You're a piece of trash who can't do anything on your own! You think rebelling now will do you any good!? You're nothing but a wind-up doll! Give it up already, there is no point!"
"This was the fiancé your father picked out for you? I always told him he had a terrible taste…" Yuki remarks while shaking her head as Tsu grins.
"Yeah. He already had someone WAY better than her." She remarks, sending Rebel as red as a tomato while Erina chuckles in amusement.
"Can you please not tease me here?" Rebel asks, hanging his head in embarrassment before turning to Marie. "And as for you, you can say all you want but you are wasting your breath. I can walk fine on my own legs. So I'm taking this will of mine…and ending my relationship with you. Not that there ever was one to start with."
"AHHH! SHUT UP, SHUT UP, SHUT UP!" Marie screams, her tank roaring to life as it moves forward. "YOU THINK YOU CAN STILL DEFY ME AND GET AWAY WITH IT!? YOU PIECE OF CRAP! TRASH! SCUM! YOU'RE MY MARIONETTE! RIGHT!? YES YOU ARE! YOU HAVE TO BE!"
"I don't have time to deal with this…" Rebel remarks, turning his back on her. "Do any of you want to deal with her?"
"Allow me." Boss offers, walking forward. "I still have a few things left to teach her."
"As well as me." Teach remarks, stepping forward. "I need to pay her back when she tried to shoot me in the face. And what she did to those I see as my own kids."
"When did our family become so complicated?" Shadow asks Joker, who shrugs his shoulder in response.
"I lost track ages ago." Joker replies with a smile.
"I'M RICH AND FAMOUS! I'M A MASTER, NOT A SLAVE! LOWLY PESENTS GROVEL BEFORE ME!" Marie screams, forcing her tank to charge at the two Thieves. Boss shakes his head impassively as Teach aims at one of the treads, firing a rocket and destroying the track in a single blast.
"Huh. Looks like she's weaker than before." Teach remarks, loading another missile as Boss opens his book. Merlin forming behind him once more.
"So it would appear." He lets out a grin before turning to look at her. "Shall we hit her at the same time?"
"It would be my pleasure." Teach replies back as Charon forms behind her, before returning back to face Marie as she stumbles to her feet. "We have been wanting to do this for a while, and now it is time for you to learn a parents wrath! Infernal Charge!"
"Supernova!" Boss cries out beside teach, as the two send their most powerful magic towards Maire. Consuming her in a blast of severe almighty and fire. Marie could only scream in pain before her cries were silenced as she vanished into white motes of light. "Hmph. That was less of a hassle that I thought it would be."
"Maybe since we see what they really are, they aren't as strong as they were originally. Either that or we have just gotten stronger." Oracle suggests, before shrugging her shoulders. A sigh from Rebel grabs her attention, as she leans over to poke his arm. "Oracle to Rebel. You still with us?"
"Sorry. I was just remembering something about Marie." Rebel admits, giving his head a shake. "It is nothing important. Anyway, should we press on? If Marie was an obstacle to us once again, it would be save to assume that the other Kingdom Rulers will be there to stop us."
"So a rematch against Yoshiki, Ichiro/Shido and Fake Toshiro, right?" Skull surmises, before giving his shoulder a stretch. "Man, why couldn't it be a straight shot to the end?"
"Beggar's can't be chooses Skull." Joker replies, looking over a bridge made entirely out of gears. "Let's keep moving. Salmael isn't getting any closer." Nodding as one, the Thieves proceed onto the gear bridge, seeing nothing but a deep chasm bellow as the gears slowly click and spin. Isara herself was staying particularly glued to the centre, not wanting a repeat of last time. Even if she could fly temporarily now.
"So, just that we are all on the same page, do we HAVE to fight all our past foes? Including the six generals under Ichiro and Shido again?" Oracle asks, kicking a stray gear off the edge. "Because I've already had enough of the Marie Drama Revival."
"Even if they are trying to toy with us, its gotten old very quick." Devil remarks, idly spinning the barrels on her gun. "Still, surprising at how it didn't even phase you Rebel."
"It will take more than that to shake my conviction." Rebel remarks, folding his arms. "Although, now that I have all of my memories back, I have been thinking over some things about Marie. There's no denying that Marie is guilty of plotting to overthrow the government with my father and brother, the laws she's broke are numerous. However, I am also at fault. I failed to reel her in before her ambitions got so high."
"So, how did things go with the real Marie?" Spring asks, tilting her upper body forward to get a better look at him.
"Well, thinking back on it, all I did was silently listen as she flew into one of her hysterics and acted on her childish whims. I was like a robot. Simply nodding and following along with everything she said as I watched with lifeless eyes. All I wanted was to appease her, so I turned off my brain. But in the end, I was a coward who looked the other way."
"Not anymore, judging by how you are speaking." Crow comments with a grin. "You are resolved to face the future no matter what comes."
"Yes. And I already know what I will do next once I return." Rebel remark. "After I have dealt with my father and brother, I will publicly annul our marriage. She won't have any chance to force me into being her puppet." Everyone nods at Rebel's conviction as they continue on down the gear path. Finding themselves quickly become bored of the environment around them.
"How long are we going to continue walking down this path? It's nothing but gears, gears and more gears." King remarks, kicking a stray cog off the side.
"Perhaps it represents the world that Salmael wants to create. Silent stasis where nothing changes, nothing advances. Where everything is the same." Athena remarks, flicking her hair back. "A world that is frozen in time, more or less."
"Oh! Back in Leblanc before we were brought here, weren't some of the cups frozen in mid-air?" Noir suddenly asks. "And the door had that gear symbol on it as well. Do you think Salmael has the ability to control time?"
"It makes you wonder if time has passed at all outside if that's the case." Devil remarks. "Or if it is still going, is it slower or faster than in here?"
"Unfortunately for you, you will never find out." Another familiar voice echoes around them as the whole area shakes. The gear bridge before them seemingly collapses as another rectangular arena appears before them. With another foe revealing themselves, once more perched on their tower. "Ho, ho! So we meet again, you disgraceful miscreant of a son. And you brough along your distasteful sister and unfaithful mother as well? Such a reunion we are having."
"Yoshiki…" Yuki growls, glaring at the silver construct of Buddha Yoshiki.
"Ooohohoho! Do you still intent to defy me, Toshiro? Struggle all you like—a louse like you isn't capable of changing a thing." Yoshiki gloats, still in his serene form.
"Urgh… Why did HE have to show up?" Tsuchiya asks, shaking her head. The Thieves shake their head, not feeling any threat from Yoshiki.
"You squandered your father's love, and murdered your mother with the help of your sister. A disgraceful son, the embodiment of shamelessness… You're not saving anyone. You're not accomplishing anything. Accept this, and bow down to me. Lucky for you, I am tolerant. Repent now, and I will still forgive you." Yoshiki glances at Rebel, noticing that he hadn't even made a move, let along look at him. In fact, Rebel was instead looking around the area around them and not even giving him any attention at all. The sight of which caused Yoshiki to reveal his inner head. Which was just as silver as the rest of him, despite the glowing red eyes. "I said start rubbing that forehead against the floor, you bastard! Now! Immediately! Hurry it up, dammit!"
"Are you done?" Rebel asks, finally looking at him with an uncaring expression, shocking Yoshiki into silence. "I may have followed you without question, but that is in the past. I made the decision to change, to show my weakness and follow my own path. Not the one laid out before me. And now, I am going to prove this to you!" Yoshiki blinks at Toshiro, unable to comprehend what he was hearing before retracting his head back into him.
"Hohoho! An idiot through and through, eh? Very well. I gave you the chance to surrender, but so be it. Now, for the second time, I will engulf you in my warmth and… Beat you to a bloody pulp! I'll crush you… And grind you to bits!"
"Looks like someone has glitched one too many times…" Oracle remarks as everyone watches Yoshiki constantly flipping between his two personalities at an amusingly fast rate.
"Rebel won't lose to a jerk like you, and neither will I." Tsuchiya remarks, stepping up to stand next to her brother. "You want to face him? You'll face the both of us!"
"And me." Yuki adds, calmly walking up and taking out a spare pistol from Gecko. "It is time I ended our marriage, and I will betaking my children with me in this divorce!"
"There is a new wind blowing, Yoshiki." Sensei remarks, walking up to join the four. "And you are not a part of the wave. It is time for a new future to grace the halls of the Diet Building!"
"Is that so?" Yoshiki asks, seemingly managing to calm down. "In this mad comedy wrought by fate's fancy, curtains shall fall with this final confrontation… MY LOVE GROWS WINGS!" At that, the area before them changes to once again reflect the obstacles they had to break through the first time they fought him. Something that none of the Thieves wanted to see again.
"Is this going to be the running theme of this place?" Outlaw asks as they watch Rebel and the others charge forward. Gunning for the platforms leading up the blockade.
"Looks like it…" Spring says with a disappointed sigh. "Do we want to speed things up with Isara?"
"Nah." Isara replies, shaking her head. "This is their fight."
"ARGH! Sneaky brats!" Yoshiki screams as Rebel and Tsuchiya land shots on him from the same platform. It was really pathetic that everything was the same as last time.
"Is that all you have dad? Aren't you supposed to be a mighty strategist? All I'm seeing is a old man using the same tricks." Rebel remarks with a smirk as Tsu lets out a chuckle at him. Inflaming Yoshiki's anger.
"Wha—Who—Just who do you think you are calling a one trick Buddha!?" Yoshiki screams as the two leap off the platform just as he sends a blast of wind at them. Just missing them as his anger grows. "MY LOVE GROWS WIIINGS!" Just as before, the terrain around him changes, removing any said path that was taken to him before. Only, just like last time, there were two of them already waiting next to the lift as the area changed. So it was with palpable surprise that Sensei suddenly appeared before Yoshiki, unloading an entire clip into the shocked Buddha. "HOW DID YOU—!?"
"You never learn Yoshiki." Sensei remarks, hopping down just as Yoshiki blasts air at him. With one final roar, Yoshiki changes the area to its final incarnations. Security cameras crossing every platform, along with a line of shielders blocking the road leading to him. And he had not even had the chance to attack any of them yet!
"You feeble insects are barely a tickle on my back. Oh, how pitiful and adorable you are… Time to crush you insolent peeeeeests! You will neeever break through my blockade! TAKE! MY! LOVE! I banish you for a million incarnations! Bow to me! Beg for forgiveness! Accept my looove!"
"Has our dad always been a one trick pony?" Tsu asks, tuning out Yoshiki's rants. Rebel begrudgingly nods his head as Yoshiki manifests a finger above them.
"This is the end of you!" Yoshiki shouts gleefully, anticipating his victory. Until the lift before him activates, bringing Yuki up to face him. His gleeful smirk vanishes as he watches Yuki point a gun right at him with a look of resolution on her face, sealing his fate.
"Leave my children alone." She tells him simply, before firing a single round into his head. Straight through his third eye. The very same eye he used to try and kill her before. Leaving him in a state of shock and rage as his body slowly vanishes into motes of light. Followed closely by the area reverting back to normal, with the pathway behind them stretching on into Salmael's domain. "Farewell, Yoshiki. May we never meet again."
"Nice one mom!" Tsu comments as the team regroup with her. Yuki smiles at her daughter, handing back the gun to Gecko as she brushes her hands off her Yukata. "That must have felt good, right?"
"It did." Yuki admits, turning her gaze to Rebel. "I hope you understand, just how wrong your father is."
"I do." Rebel remarks. "In fact, nothing he said really bothers me anymore. I believe I've grown an immunity with my time in this place. Although…" He turns his gaze to the empty podium that Yoshiki once stood at. "He did a real bad job of looking after his promise to you."
"Promise?" Erina asks as she and the other Thieves look at Rebel with confusion.
"Yes. When our mother was ill, I heard her tell our father to look after us. Not once, but several times. Over and over again. And her words were…"
"Please raise them to be strong, even after I am gone." Yuki finishes with a sad smile. "I did tell him that."
"So, you believe that, in some way, all the actions he has taken was in a warped view of fulfilling his promise to your mother?" Fox asks, striking his chin. "If that is the case, then it is possible he holds some fatherly love for you. Albeit in an extremely distorted way."
"I never had the chance to ask him. But that will change when we get out of here." Rebel remarks, glancing to Tsu. "And I'll ask for you to be there, Tsu. It is something that the two of us need to know."
"And what makes you think you will be leaving this place alive?" With a jolt, the Thieves spin on their heels as the area behind them morphs into another arena. Where, standing at the far end, was Ichiro. Gleaming in silver and protected by his barrier. "Toshiro, Tsuchiya, my foolish siblings. Do you really think you can escape so easily?"
"Not even given a moment to breath…" Noir comments as she shakes her head, before a sudden thud of metal slams behind them. Turning around, the Thieves were shocked to see Shiho had once more appeared before them, clad in his armour. Around them, the six Generals of Ichiro also arrived, each one ready for battle in area's fitting their final engagements, yet not saying a single word.
"Sheesh, what is this?! A boss rush!?" Oracle shouts, her screens spinning around her.
"What are they doing here?! I thought you said they were backup for Shido!" Outlaw shouts, hand reaching for his rifle.
"They were! These are just hollow puppets! No sense of self at all! Even Ichiro!" Oracle shouts back, her screens giving her the read out on all of their foes.
"End this silly rebellion. You have no hope of victory. All will bow down to me!" Ichiro shouts, aiming his gun at the Thieves as they spread out, avoiding fire from the other Generals as Oracle transforms Isara into her tank form. Leaving Edelweiss to tango with Marika and her tank, Medic charges towards Reika with Fortune and King by her side. Gecko barrels towards Kaneshiro alongside Queen and Shadow while Panther, Skull, Mishima, Spring and Teach charge towards Kamoshida once again. Kobayakawa squares off against Noir with Devil and Fox, while Katsumoto had to contend with Athena, Sensei and Boss.
As Joker, Mona, Guernica, Crow and Violet charge in against the silent Shido who approaches them with heavy footsteps, Rebel, Tsuchiya, Erina turn to face Ichiro as Yuki stands close to Oracle. Erina and Tsu open fire at Ichiro, but their shots only bounce of his protective shield just like the last time. But just as last time, he still had the same weakness. And unlike when they fought him in his battleship, he only had two towers that were powering his shield.
While a large explosion from Marika's tank signalled Edelweiss's victory over her, Rebel focused his eyes on one of the towers before placing a hand on his mask. "Liberator!" He cries, turning Erina back into Ernesto as she fires a blast of almighty magic at said tower. Brining it down and wakening Ichiro's shield.
A similar explosion echoed from Kamoshida's area, as his shield was brought down with extreme ease before Panther's group unleashed an All-Out assault on the pervert. It was honestly laughable at how easy it was to take down these fakes compared to when they first fought them. Even Shido was brought down relatively quickly by Joker's group, forcing him into his second phase as the other Generals were brought down without issue.
"You can not stop what has already begun Toshiro! The Empire WILL return!" Ichiro spits, blasting his cannon at Rebel only to growl as he watches him dodge the blast. Until an explosion on his second tower alerted him to Tsuchiya detonating an explosive charge. Watching in fury as his shield vanishes, before brining up his physical shield to block Erina's spear.
"It's over, Ichiro!" Rebel shouts as he and Tsu flank Ichiro on both sides before firing their guns simultaneously. Ichiro recoils from the hits, dropping his shield as Erina lands on her feet. Before she spins her spear around and plunges it into Ichiro's chest. And in no time at all, Ichiro, Shido and the six Generals vanish into the winds.
"This is starting to get ridiculous." Teach remarks as everyone regroups. "Just how desperate is Salmael getting if he's throwing everything at us. Including the kitchen sink?" She throws her hand at Marika's smouldering tank were, much to their puzzlement, had a smouldering kitchen sink next to it.
"I'm honestly surprised we haven't seen any of the hat people here." Queen remarks, shifting her weight onto one foot. "After all, the last time we faced them, they were antagonistic against us."
"Now that you mentioned it, what do you think happened to them"? Guernica asks, casting a glance at Mona. "You got any ideas?"
"Yeah. I think they attacked us because they represent Rebel's mentality. Since he was goaded into hating himself, they turned hostile against us. I'd wager they will have calmed down by now." Joker hums to himself before turning to look at Toshiro, who stood looking out at the are beyond Ichiro's platform.
"You doing okay, Toshiro?" Joker asks, catching his attention. Rebel turns to look at him, giving Joker a nod before turning his gaze back out to the darkness.
"I know you are out there. So stop hiding yourself and come out." Toshiro announces to the darkness.
"Heh…hehehe…" A deranged chuckle escapes the blackness, followed closely by the fake Toshiro revealing himself in the light. Glowing silver like everything else with red eyes. "So, you still intend to continue that callow charade you call a revolution? How pathetic…"
"Whine all you like, it's not going to get you anywhere." Erina talks back, standing next to Rebel. "Your words won't reach him anymore. Not like a puppet such as yourself would ever understand."
"Me!? A puppet!? Shut your mouth, you parasitic vermin of Toshiro's heart! If anything, HE is the puppet!"
"Oh? That is an apt description of yourself, is it not?" Rebel remarks, folding his arms with a smirk as the Thieves chuckle in response.
"HA! Got your hands on some power and suddenly you are talking like big shot!" Fake Toshiro tries to counter, yet the footing he had was already swept away from under him.
"That's funny. Didn't you act the same way when Jerri was by your side? Or are you actually a big old cowered who can do anything by himself?" Tsu asks with a grin. "This is just a classic case of the bully finding out he was only strong because others feared him. How the tables have turned."
"As if you are any better! You are all puppets, dancing to the tune of Eri Natsuhara's absurd dream!" A shot rings out as fake Toshiro staggers back, a bullet hole in his right hand as he glares at Rebel's smoking gun.
"Leave. Her. Out of this." Rebel growls, his eyes narrowing in rage. "I have put up with you insulting Eri for as long as I can. But no longer. If I hear you try and insulter her again, I will make your life a living hell. Not that it was not going to be one already." Fake Toshiro snarls as he steps back towards the darkness behind him. "It's high time I let go of my failings of the past. Here and now, I will prove my…no. Our vow! I will fulfil the promise I made to Eri, and we will meet again!" Erina glances at Toshiro, giving him a warm smile at his declaration as she turns her gaze back to the fake Toshiro. Who continued to back away to the darkness behind them.
"Then it would seem I have my own case to make… I'll prove to you just how meaningless your filthy ideals truly are!" With that, fake Toshiro leaps back into the darkness as a rumble shakes the platform. Followed closely by the giant metallic silver hands of the fake Eri who staggers up to the platform.
"Toshirooo… Where are youuu…? My feet…they hurt… My eyes… I can't see… I can't see…! And I'll do the same to you… You… You…! YOU!" Fake Eri raises her hand, slamming it down on the platform and sending out a shockwave to the Thieve, who dodge it with relative ease. Isara, back in humanoid form, unleashes a Missile Storm on fake Eri, landing several missiles on her exposed eye socket while Shadow fires a round at her left hand.
"You are not the real Eri." Rebel comments, watching as the Thieves send out their powerful attacks at the illusion. "You are just a fake, created from my painful memories to shatter my resolve. The real Eri lives not only inside me, but in reality as well. And I WILL reunite with her! Bayway Mrk II!" The attack lands on fake Eri's left eyes, disorienting here as Ernesto reverts back to Erina. Landing on fake Eri's right hand and slamming her spear into the back of her hand.
Fake Eri summons a squad of Legionnaires to support her but the moment they entered a certain area they were ambushed by copies of the Phantom Thieves. Taking them out in a surprise ambush as Crow grins at the location. "It would seem your reinforcements fell for my trap." He gloats jumping away from one of fake Eri's hands as Devil drives her shotel into one of her fingers. Fake Eri screams, pulling her hand back as a barrage of magic slams into her chest and face, damaging her severely. It was quickly becoming apparent that, despite being as durable as last time, fake Eri was nowhere near the level as before. A fact proven true as Rebel unleashed one more Liberator to fake Eri's face, the almighty attack sending cracks up and down her metallic frame before falling apart into motes of light.
Leaving before them a single path leading to the one behind everything.
"We should be in the clear now." Joker tells Rebel. "Salmael should be out of obstacles to throw at us."
"And even if he has some remaining, we will overcome them. Nothing will stop this revolution." Rebel replies, his gaze not wavering from the path. "It's finally time to take down Salmael." Erina looks at Rebel, sharing a glance with both Yuki and Tsu before letting out a breath.
"Before we go, there is something I want to say to everyone." All eyes turn to her, surprised at the sudden seriousness in her stance. "It is nothing major. I just… want to say thank you to everyone. While I still have the chance."
"Thanks for what?" Fortune asks, tilting her head. Erina lets out a sigh, glancing around as she finds the words to say.
"Ever since I met all of you, and to a certain extent Yuki-san and Tsu, I haven't been able to stop thinking about what I really am. I have no 'recollection' of the real world like Yuki-san or Tsu, and even my life up until now has been just a blur. The only thing I knew was that… I was different from all of you." Erina lets out a sigh, sitting on a secluded gear and brining a leg up to grasp. "I thought that maybe I was some kind of strange monster… Or maybe opposite of that, and just some empty illusion like our foes. Either way, I was worried that when we found out, I would lose my place in fighting alongside all of you. Thinking of that made me really nervous, and I was afraid of finding the truth."
"Seems like that worry was for nothing, huh?" Mona quips atop Joker's shoulders. "Whatever you turned out to be, none of us would ever reject you."
"Exactly. And that's why I wanted to thank you." Erina reaffirms, giving the Thieves a beaming smile. Yuki glances at Erina, seeing her smile as she lets out a breath.
"I would thank you all as well." Yuki suddenly says, grabbing their attention. "It is thanks to all of you, that I managed to reconnect with my son and daughter. Even if it's for this briefest of moments, to have the chance to talk with them, to laugh with them, it is more precious then you could ever imagine. So thank you, Phantom Thieves. And thank you especially, Isara. For saving me back in Yoshiki's kingdom." Isara lets out an embarrassed chuckle as Oracle gives her a side bumb.
"Not to beat a dead horse, but I need to thank all of you as well." Tsu chimes in, leaning on a foot. "I'm not sure if my real self will remember everything that happened here, so that's why I need to say it. You helped me and Tosh reconnect, and gave me the courage to apologise about what I did in Yokohama. And helped Tosh remember who he really is. So thank you. Thank you so much!"
"If there is anyone who should be giving out thanks, it would be us." Joker replies with a smile. "You helped us plenty of times Tsu in your Kingdom, more so than you could imagine. And Yuki-san helped us the same amount in her Kingdom as well. But…" He turns to look at Erina as the rest of the Thieves smile at her gratefully. "You have our biggest thanks Erina. It is thanks to you and your flag that we were freed from Marie's domination. And saved the others from suffering the same fate. So that's why, in return, we thank the three of you as well. We are proud to have you as one of our allies, no matter what comes next."
While the rest of the Thieves give their thanks to Erina, Yuki and Tsu, Rebel remained quiet. Silently watching as everyone gave out thanks. Silently watching with a calm smile on his face. Even if this was the last moment they would be together, he would savour it for the remainder of his life. No matter what his future ended up being. And in Joker's eyes, he could see the final two stars form on the Eclipse card, with Lavenza once more speaking within his 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 eclipse, granting thee infinite power...
"And with that, we are ready for the final battle." Rebel says softly, grabbing everyone's attention he looks at Joker. "Give us the call, Joker."
"In that case, it's showtime!" With one final cheer, the Thieves charge down the only path lay out before them. Ducking through the dark corridor, until they came across the final area of Salmael's domain. All around them, countless gears and clockwork chimed away, with a giant golden gear emblazed atop a wall of gears in front of the Thieves. The circular area that stepped onto was made up of twelve individual square platforms, while green fire roared beneath. All the while, the air was think with anticipation.
"Dose anyone else feel that?" Queen asks, giving one of her arms a shake.
"Indeed. It reminds me of the aura we felt when we face Jerri, only more pronounced." Fox replies, glancing around wearily.
"Which means we may have to contend with a certain gimmick like with her." Crow comments, himself glancing the area like a hawk.
"So, this is the where Salmael resides? A fitting place." Sensei remarks, racing the bolt on his Tommy Gun.
"Man…standing here is giving me the shivers." King admits, his hole body shaking. "Is this how you guys felt when you faced Yaldabaoth?"
"Ain't going to lie King. We were." Skull admits, glancing around. "And I'm feeling that same fear creep up on me. Not as much as last time, but its' still there." Rebel glances around, seeing the Thieves spread themselves out as they give themselves one last look over. He lets out a sigh, turning to them with his face set for battle.
"No matter what happens next, know that I am truly grateful for all of you fighting beside me all this way. So let's win this and head on home." At that point, the room shakes as all eyes turn to the sky, the same phenomenon from before heralding Salmael's arrival. "And here he comes."
With an elegant flair and thirst for the dramatic, Salmael makes his presence know as his wings sweep over the platforms, sending lose feathers flying about the place. All the while, his face is locked at the Thieves, a sense of eagerness donning his features. Yet there was one noticeable thing missing.
Jerri was nowhere to be seen.
"So you have finally come, my lost little sheep." Salmael greets with faux kindness in his voice.
"Where is Jerri? Isn't she your pet?" Guernica asks, annoyed that the bird was not with him.
"Her location is lost to me. She has vanished before I could deliver her punishment. But I will find her in time. But enough about here, I take it your journey has given you ample enough time to reflect on your sins? Now then, let me hear it. All of it. Confess unto me."
"How about this? Return us to the real world." Joker suggests, hand reaching for his gun. "If not, then we're going to shoot our way out."
"Our wills are firm, Salmael! Nothing you do will shake our resolve!" Rebel shouts back, hand resting on his flintlock. "We have no interest in your so-called protection."
"Ahh, what folly." Salmael laments, with what sounded like grief lacing his words. "To think you would reject the path of solace and prosperity of your own volition…"
"After everything you put us through, you still have the never to talk about peace?" Violet asks, shaking her head in annoyance.
"My pitiable children… Do you not understand I offer mankind salvation?"
"You might see it as salvation, but we call it sticking your big fat noes into other people's business." Skull refutes, pumping his shotgun.
"Couldn't have said it any better myself Skull. We'll take our own path." Panther remarks, pointing her SMG at Salmael.
"You understand nothing. That very mode of thought exemplifies vanity, irreverence and foolishness. I will acknowledge you are the 'strong' among mankind. But you are the exception, not the norm. Most humans are frail in mind, and weak of will. You propagate your ideology among the weak, fanning the flames of conflict while hiding behind the shields of righteousness. Look at the result: conflicts which embroil a myriad of people, bleeding casualties until eventually all meet their demise. And all the while, these sacrifices are glorified in the name of distorted words. Conviction, honour, ideals."
The Thieves remain quiet, their gaze never faltering from Salmael even as his words resound across the area.
"A pathogenic bacterium spreading the contagion of war… Left alone, you will bring about the end of human civilization. This world was created to eradicate such a serious disease. Furthermore, my will is the consensus of humanity. Like Nyx and Yaldabaoth before me. I urge you to submit to their wishes."
"A disease huh? I suppose people like us are that to those who want things to be stagnant." Medic remarks, giving her scythe a spin around her.
"We understand the point you are trying to make." Rebel tells Salmael, his face never faltering. "However, if we did nothing but run away from our problem, our pain and suffering, can that truly be called living? What you offer is nothing but a false promise while turning a blind eye to reality. Even in the most averse circumstances, there will ALWAYS be people who desire change. They are the ones who are willing to fight, just like us, even if it means to suffer. Perhaps their motivations are led by their own ego, leading them astray of the human consensus. But I want to extend my hand to them all the same." He raises his arm, flintlock armed and loaded, right at Salmael's face. "I want to be the kind of person who will fight alongside them. That is what I learned from the Phantom Thieves, from my mother, from my sister, and from Erina. This is my will!"
Salmael was silent at Rebel's proclamation, even as the gears around him continued to work away. A silence that the Thieves took as a sign that they were winning the vocal duel.
"Well, there you have it, Ol' Salmy. We're gonna do things our own way from now on!" Skull shouts, pumping his shotgun with a grin. "So, what 'cha gonna do about it now, huh?"
"How lamentable…" Salmael responds, but not in an enraged tone as they were expecting. Instead, he still sounded hurt and saddened by the Thieves' decision. "Oh, how I hear your screams, how I see your suffering…" At that moment, the atmosphere changed. As though a malicious aura swept through the area like a thick fog, entrapping all within its embrace. An aura that sent everyone on high alert.
"It would seem negotiations have broken down." Crow remarks, readying his gun.
"Twist your words however you want them. You will not break our resolve." Erina tells Salmael, spinning her spear around her head before slamming it to the ground. Igniting the Flag of Rebellion and encasing the Thieves within its protective aura. "As the protector of his soul and as a warrior who fought alongside all of you, I will defeat you and reform this world!"
"Such drivel, truly a cry of lunacy…" Salmael denounces, even as his wings spread wide behind him. "It pains me to use forceful means. But you leave me no choice. This is for the salvation all of humanity yearns for. For the prosperity of mankind, I will now erase you into nonexistence." At that, Salmael's visor glows blue before unleashing a swarm of blue bullets towards the Thieves. Forcing everyone to duck behind cover just as gears from the sides fly towards them from the flanks. Gecko, standing on one side, bats the gears away with his immunity to physical while Sensei slices away others with his odachi.
Leaving the rest of the Thieves to open fire at Salmael, only for the platform they were one to move to the side, forcing them out of range. While the platform behind them descends into the green fires under them. The intent is clear as day.
"We've got to move now!" Athena shouts, just as an Aizen Squad brute and ASF shielder appear on the same platform as them. Blocking what looked to be a teleporter pad. Gecko, distract the brute!"
"At the end of your path lies only ruin. Allow me to carry out your purification." Salmael beckons, the platforms glowing a soft blue as a clock ticks down. Gecko rushes forward, punching the brute in the jaw and sending it flying of the platform and into the green fires. Watching as the brute was instantly evaporated by the flames. With a gap opened up, the Thieves sprint past the shielder, jumping on the platform before reappearing on the next. Just as the platforms move, the one they were just on descending into the fires and eviscerating the shielder.
"Don't let up, guys! One wrong move, and it's toast for us!" Oracle shouts from inside Al Azif, watching from above as Salmael sends out more cogs and bullets of light at the Thieves. Some cogs scream towards Oracle, only for Isara and Joker to shoot them down with missiles and curse magic. As for the others, they managed to get closer to Salmael to start unloading more rounds into him, cracking his pure white skin and sending a split down his visor. Earning a growl of anger from Salmael for the first time.
"Is this all he has? Even Maruki was more of a challenge than this. Heck, even Jerri put up more of a fight, and that's saying something!" Joker mocks, firing his gun at Salmael, earning more bullet holes along his porcelain skin.
"Joker, please don't jinx us." King remarks with a worried look as a rumble escapes from Salmael's body.
"How could this body of mine be marred… at the hands of those it was supposed to protect…? To think you would go so far… No… No…No, no! Serenity… in all the world, let there be serenity… I will not become like Yaldabaoth or Nyx!"
"I think I just did…" Joker remarks back to King as every ducks behind cover. "Why is there always a second phase to these fights?" Suddenly, Salmael unleashes a giant roar as a blinding light escapes from his body. Engulfing the Thieves in its light and blinding them to whatever transformation Salmael was undergoing.
"Foo…lish. Foo…lish. Foolish, foolish, foolish!" Salmael's voice booms through the blinding light. "What revolution? What reform?" He asks as the light retracts, revealing his new… or rather… true form. "How many tragedies do you think will be born of your banal egotism? Your annihilation is the wish of all humanity. Your extermination is my duty. In the name of eternal peace, begone! Begone with your despicable flames of conflict!"
What was once a deity of pure white and shining gold was now showing its true colours. The white procyclin skin was now marred by suit and grim, with parts broken off to reveal the metallic frame worn underneath. His wings were covered in the same suit and grime, while two large guns now rested on his shoulders. Belts of bullets fed into them as they replaced two of his wings. And his face was now missing half his crown while the mask was destroyed. Revealing his metallic face and glowing red eyes, brimming with pure hatred for the Thieves.
"Be careful, everyone! He's just leveed up!" Oracle announces from above as everyone grits their teeth.
"You think that is supposed to scare us? We've seen worse!" Queen shouts, spinning the chamber of her revolver.
"So all that talk of peace was a lie while you hide your true nature. How am I not surprised!" Devil remarks, shaking her head. "You are the eternal enemy of us journalists!"
"Ridiculous is will…ridiculous is spirit…unneeded…UNNEEDED! You wretched miscreants have no place in my world! NOW RECEIVE DIVINE JUDGMENT AND BE ANNIHALATED!" At his roar, the guns on his shoulders unleash a swarm of rounds on the Thieves. Thanks to the cover, they took minuscule damage, yet with the platform moving once again, they were forced to move. Just as more Legionnaires and Aizen Squad members appear on the other platforms, ready to impede their progress.
"Purge… I will purge you! Divine punishment to all those who defy the decree of stagnancy!"
"Um, guys, I'm picking up a large energy reading on the platform you're on! Get out of there now!"
"You heard Oracle! Move!" Joker shouts, firing his gun at a Legionnaire as the Thieves rush for the teleporter. One by one, the Thieves jump into it, moving away from the danger zone. But just as Noir was about to jump into it, a brute and two shielders appeared to block her path. Leaving her, Joker, Queen, Mona, Skull, Panther and Fox stranded on the platform.
"This is the end of you! I shall finish what Nyx apparently failed to do!" Salmael booms, his two guns turning to aim at the stranded Thieves as they power up. Oracle, seeing the incoming attack, races down to the others and activates her final guard. Bringing her shield up just as Salmael unleashes his attack. The blast washes over Oracle's shield, while the foes outside were instantly evaporated by the blast. But as Oracle struggled to hold it back, cracks began to emerge over her shield.
"This is bad! This is how they died the first time!" Isara shouts to the others in a panic.
"What do we do!?" Spring asks, watching as more cracks form around the shield while Joker and the others stand helplessly inside.
"His guns! Fire on his guns!" Shadow shouts, bringing her rifle up and firing at Salmael's left gun. Only to see her round bounce off harmlessly, earning a growl of anger from her. As everyone scrambled to find a way to stop Salmael's attack, Fortune grabbed one of her cards for guidance. And the one she grabbed was The World.
"Focus all your energy on one attack!" Fortune suddenly shouts, grabbing everyone's attention. "Our guns may not be able to damage his, but we have other means to do so! We have Persona's, do we not?! Then let's show why we have them! Arcane Blessing!" Throwing her Tarot Card into the air, Fortune grants everyone a party-wide Heat Riser, strengthening their power as they all turn their eyes to the guns. Just as more cracks form around Oracle's barrier.
"Then let's not waste any more time! Supernova!"
"Rain of Metal!"
"Shadow Blades!"
"Divine Judgment!"
"Light of the Heavens!"
"Worlds End!"
"Maximum Firepower!"
"Mega Particle Cannon!"
"Infernal Charge!"
"Misinformation!"
"Hurricane Blast!"
"Covenant of the Spear!"
As one, the combined ultimate magic of the new Thieves screams across the void, slamming into the twin guns of Salmael. The blasts engulf both of his guns as Salmael screams in pain, his attack on Oracle's shield vanishing seconds later. Revealing a barrier that was almost close to failing. Spring and Medic move fast, quickly crossing the platforms as Gecko unleashes an Untouchable Beatdown on Salmael while Guernica buffs herself with Inspiration, charging in after Gecko.
"Blessing of light!"
"Scientific Prowess!"
The two channel their magic into the ground, engulfing the old Thieves in healing magic while buffing their stats at the same time. Revealing them of any damage they endured from Salmael's ultimate attack.
"Is everyone okay!?" Medic asks, checking up on everyone as they stand up.
"We're good… Thanks for saving us." Joker replies with a relieved smile.
"For real… I thought we were toast again…" Skull admits, giving his head a rub.
"Eradicate… Eradicate… you cannot escape my judgment…" Salmael mumbles as he folds both hands over his head. While a tower emerges from the centre of the arena. Sending out a pulse that envelopes everyone present.
"Now what?!" Panther cries as they duck into cover.
"Everyone, listen up! It seems like Salmael's attacks are being controlled by that tower! Those things will try to follow you no matter where you go. But I have some good news! If we take it down we can redirect Salmael's attacks back at him! The only problem is HOW to destroy it…."
"I have an answer for that." Tsuchiya remarks, bringing out a satchel charge. "One of these should do the trick. Now, if I can just get my aim right…" She pulls her arm back, aiming for the spire before giving the satchel a mighty throw. For a moment, it looked as though it would fall short before Noir managed to grab it with her psio magic and guid it onto the base of the tower. Giving Tsuchiya a thumbs up at the location. With a grin, Tsuchiya takes out her detonator, giving the ower one final look before pressing the trigger. Detonating the charge and sending the tower crumbling down to the ground.
Salmael, unaware of the destruction of his tower, unleashes his Divine Judgment once more. Sending a rain of rounds into the air before falling back to the ground. And directly onto him, exploding in a glorious display of explosion.
"How do you like that!?" Tsuchiya shouts in glee as the smoke clears, revealing more damage done to Salmael with more of his exoskeleton revealed.
"Eternal tranquillity is the secret desire of all mankind…" Salmael booms, raising his right hand as several gears fly into the air around him. "Purge… I will purge you!" Throwing his arm down, he sends the gears directly at the Thieves. Undaunted, the Thieves charge headlong into the fray, leaping into the air and unloading all they have at the attacking gears with their guns. Some even through our blasts of magic, throwing them off course as Erina charges forward along the ground. Spear in hand. Deflecting everything she can before she is suddenly thrown into the air. And encased by numerous gears that slowly begin to crush her to death.
While in her eyes, she finds herself underwater, slowly drifting further down to the abyss below as the sounds of battle fade away. All except a single voice.
Eri…na….Erina…can you hear me?
To…shiro…?
Are you going to give up like this? To let some god crush you into submission? I want to protect everyone's spirit! I want to protect those who need it and be willing to fight their battles with them! But how can I do that without you? So please, lend me your strength! Stand with us one more time, Ernesto!
A surge of power flows through Erina as she grasps her spear one more time while a bright light engulfs her. On the outside, beams of light pierce through the gears surrounding Erina before they are suddenly and violently cast aside as Ernesto floats in their place. Without missing a beat, Ernesto engages the flying gears with her gun's legs, flying around at speeds before regrouping with Rebel. The two of them stared down the encroaching gears with determined smirks.
"Witness our power as one! Light of a Promise!" With almighty magic surging through her legs, Ernesto unleashes Rebel's ultimate attacks, scattering the gears and destroying those caught in the blast. Only for one of Salmael's hands to come crashing down towards them from above.
"Scythes of Eternal Darkness!"
"Atomic Hallow!"
"Wheel of Life!"
"Infernal Hellfire!"
"Almighty Judgment!"
"Crystal Bloom!"
"Psyco Impact!"
The ultimate magic from Joker's team slams into Salmael's hand, nocking it far off course and shattering its connecting with his arm. Seeing the gap, Ernesto's jumps far into the sky, taking Rebel alongside her as Tsuchiya and Yuki ride a gear up towards them. Just as Ernesto transforms back into Eri, all four of them stare down at Salmael's head. Lying flat on the ground and staring up at them with his deranged smile.
"We won't let… the fire in our hearts… be extinguished!" Erina and Toshiro shout as one as Erina's spear transforms back into a flag. The light emanating from it blinds Salmael as he raises his one good arm up at them, while summoning the remaining gears to protect his head.
"Destroy… destroy… DESTROY! TO BRING PEACE…TO HUMANITY…!"
"We won't let you!" The Thieves shout as one, jumping into the air and slamming against it with all of their might, separating his remaining hand from his arm. Oracle sends a beam of energy into Isara, transforming her once more into Edelweiss as she blasts away the protective barrier forming around Salmael.
With the path cleared, Erina, Rebel, Tsuchiya and Yuki all grabbed onto Erina's spear and plunged down straight towards Salmael. Screaming all the way before driving her spear right between Salmael's eyes. A shockwave bellowed out from Salmael, his body convulsing and twitching from the strike. Before going still with his wings drooping to the sides. Accompanied by one final gasp from his decapitated head.
Just as his main body exploded in fires of azure of light. Flying over the platform and enveloping the room as one.
Confidant Ranks, one more time!
Toshiro/Erina : Eclipse (Rank 10/Max)
Tao : Art (Rank 10/Max)
Isara : Aeon (Rank 10/Max)