Chapter 15: Downfall of the Dragon Overlord!

"So, getting ourselves all on the same page here…" Ohya quips as the team hang around outside th motorhome. Sophia had entered sleep mode on Ren's phone as Makoto carried her out of the Trauma Cell, leaving the team alone as they stewed on what they had found. "Natsume found out that the award he was given wasn't one he got on his own skills. Instead, the editors gave it to him so they could keep him under their thumb and fleece off money from him? That sound about right?"

"Yeah." Ren replies, nodding his head. "And from the sounds of it, he entered it several times to try and win but failed every time. When you put it like that, he was just another person who became a fallen hero due to those around him. Like with Alice."

"To work your entire life to achieve something, only for hear a small thing to tear it all down… I know how that feels…" Yoshida remarks, looking away with a guilty look. Thinking back on his Three Strikes.

"Those editors are horrible…" Haru adds, casting a glance at Yusuke who stared at the ground with a gaze of both understanding and sadness.

"They knew his writing wasn't good enough, but instead of telling him the faults and help him improve, they just used him so they could continue to make money." Hifumi remarks, gripping her arms tightly. "Just like what my mother wanted to do with me…"

"It doesn't justify what he is doing, but just like the woman who continued to torment Alice, they are the ones to blame for all this." Akechi remarks, glancing to Ohya. "You think you can find out their names so I can press charges?"

"I'll do you one better. I'll make them expose themselves on live TV. Then you can arrest them." Ohya replies with narrow eyes. Akechi nods back approvingly as Yusuke lets out a sigh.

"I'm beginning to understand where he is coming from…" He suddenly says, grabbing everyone's attention. "Rising to fame atop stolen ideas, pulling at people's emotions with a fabricated story… Even worse, robbing others of their free will, changing their hearts, and wallowing in his own vanity. These crimes are undeniable. There's no denying he's been a fool. And yet, in spite of all of that, it doesn't change the fact that Natsume had spent years giving it everything he had."

"Just like Alice." Ann comments, glancing away. "Is anyone starting to see a pattern?"

"I am…. And I'm not liking it…" Shiho comments, rubbing her arm. "It's only two people so far, but both Alice and Natsume were giving everything they had for their dreams. Only for them to be snatched away and turned into the very things they hate."

"I wonder if the Mastermind is the same…" Mishima wonders out loud, glancing at the night sky.

"It would not surprise me. Creative work is truly a lonely endeavour, and battling against loneliness is truly a challenge in and of itself." Yusuke admits, placing a hand on Haru's. "And if that wasn't bad enough, if you don't produce results, no one will think twice about you. One might think that dark and unfulfilling times are in store…. Had I taken one step, or if any of us did, we may very well have turned into Alice or Natsume."

"Yusuke…" Haru whispers, leaning into him as the Thieves stand in silence. They couldn't help but agree with Yusuke's words. After all, it was because they all came together that they were who they were now. And none of them wanted to imagine what they could have been like if they were on the opposite side, as a group of Anti-Phantom Thieves of Hearts.

"But, Natsume doesn't have anyone like us." Futaba points out. "He doesn't have a group of friends or family who are there to help guid him. Only those sleazy editors."

"Indeed. And now Natsume has turned his back on everything he should hold dear, what he truly wants to write. All so he can continue to write that infernal novel of lies. It is time someone brought him back to his senses." Yusuke announces, with the Thieves smiling at him.

"Well, you're pretty motivated this time Inari! Not that we can blame you." Isara quips from Futaba's backpack. "So, how are we going to do the calling card? Obviously Inari's going to write it, like how Ann wrote Alice's."

"We should also decided on where to place it. Doing the same in Shibuya wouldn't work out here." Makoto comments as the team begin to think.

"Waaaaaah! Mommyyyyyy!" A child's cry catches the ears of the Thieves as they turn around to see a lone child crying by himself. Before anyone could ask, Kawakami had already separated herself from the team as he moved to comfort the crying child.

"Hey… What's wrong?" Kawakami asks gently, grabbing the boys attention.

"I…lost my mom… I don't know where she is…" The boy replies between sniffles as Kawakami give him a gentle smile.

"It's going to be okay. Try to calm down. Did you and your mom agree on where to meet up in case you got separated?" She asks, not knowing that she was being watched. The boy wipes his eyes for a moment, trying to calm himself down as he glances around.

"We…said to meet near the statue of Masamune… But I don't know where it is." The boy replies with Kawakami nodding along.

"Don't worry. It's close by." She points over to the well lit path leading to where Masamune's statue was. "It's down that path. I'm sure your mother is waiting for you there. Will you be brave for her?" The boy nods as a small bit of courage appears in his eyes, although he was still scared. Seeing this, Kawakami takes out a small portable light and gives it to him. "Here. This will keep the darkness away. You can keep it as well."

"Th—Thank you miss." The boy replies, turning the light on and heading for the path. Where a woman was quickly rushing down before spotting the young boy. With it soon becoming apparent that she was his mother as she soon scooper him up with boy throwing his arms around her heck. Leaving Kawakami with a smile as they leave back to the city with smiles.

"That was impressive." Zenkichi suddenly says, appearing behind her and shocking her. He quickly holds his hands up in response. "Whoa! Sorry about that. Didn't mean to scare you."

"Oh… Inspector Zenkichi." Kawakami replies neutrally. "I didn't see you there."

"Yeah, I have a habit of moving about quietly. You did a good job helping that kid. Stepped in before I could do anything." He gives her a nod as Kawakami lets out a nervous chuckle. "Anyway, I was stopping by to see how you guys were doing with Natsume."

"Then you came at the right time." Kawakami tells him before turning around. "We have something to tell you." Zenkichi raises an eyebrow at that as he follows her back to the group who had seen everything play out in silence.

"Okay. What have you got to tell me?"

"For starters, what his trauma was. Did you know that his editors had been fleecing him of money his entire life? And giving him awards he did not win all so they could line their own pockets? And took the time to badmouth and trash his work behind his back?" Ohya dumps on Zenkichi, who stares at her with a blank look before blinking.

"No… we did not. But if that's the case, then it follows with what happened to Alice. Another victim turned into a villain." Zenkichi mumbles, hand over his face. "They might be a bit more difficult to bring down, but they may have left something behind…."

"Also, we're all set to go into his Jail. We just need to give him the Calling Card." Ryuji adds, folding his arms. "And it's not going to be the flashy one we did in Shibuya. It will be the other way."

"The solid cards right? Like with Madarame?" Zenkichi comments, nodding along. "Well, they were your more common way of doing things. But I'm guessing there is a problem?"

"We're struggling to figure to where to put them so it works." Futaba adds. "It needs to be someplace where he see it without question, but not so out of the way that we're breaking countless laws while doing it. Beside the broadcast hijacking anyway. Even we aren't that stupid."

"Well, at least you kids have your heads on right." Zenkichi admits, before starching his beard. "If I remember right, Natsume is also doing another book signing tomorrow. At the same place."

"Can confirm. It starts at in the morning when the shop opens." Sophia suddenly chimes in as Ren brings his phone out.

"When did you wake up Sophia?" Morgana asks, jumping onto Ren's shoulder.

"Since we got back to the Motorhome."

"Either way, that would be the best place for our Calling Card." Ren remarks. "The only problem is getting inside…" He slowly turns his head to Zenkichi as the rest of the Thieves do the same. Each of them with a star like glint in their eyes as Zenkichi felt a chill go down his spine.

"Hehehe… You're not going to ask me to do anything illegal are you?" He asks nervously, fixing his tie.

"No, we're not." Sumire says with a large grin. "Only a small favour…"

July 29th, 2017

"What is going on?" Natsume asks, seeing the commotion around the book store as people gaze around in stunned silence. No one was gushing about him, or his book, but instead had the look of fear in their eyes. Fear and amazement. But why?

"M—Mr. Natsume!" He editor cries, rushing up to him as he approaches his signing booth.

"Good morning. I see there is quite the crowd today as well. But what is wrong with them?" Natsume asks, put off by the silence and quiet whispers around him.

"About that…" His editor replies, before motioning to the table. Where a giant card lay on top, surrounded by smaller ones with an emblem no one had seen outside of Tokyo. One that sent a knife into Natsume's heart.

"What…what is this?" Natsume asks in shock, walking up to the table as he looks at the words before him.

"When the staff came to open the store this morning, it was already like this. And these cards, it can only be the work of the Phantom Thieves!" His editor comments with fear in his eyes. "The shop called the police, but where told to leave it as it is…to preserve the crime scene." Natsume remains silent, as his eyes wonder over the Calling Card one final time.

To the ostentatious swindler, Mr. Ango Natsume... You are a depraved miscreant who holds others in contempt and steals their work, lining your own pockets all the while. We refuse to overlook the crimes you commit as you wear a false crown.

Tonight, we take back the Desires you've stolen.

From, the Phantom Thieves of Hearts.

Natsume stands in silence, letting the words ring out in his mind as a cold sweat building up along his brow. It was all he could do to laugh. Laugh at how the Thieves hard targeted him. How they had truck out from tier home turf of Tokyo. Laugh at the possibility of him losing the Desires he had obtained. The Desires… the Desires!

"I am the Monarch! My followers are loyal to me!" Shadow Natsume screams, stilling holding the same pose. "No…holding those Desires is proof of my claim to power! Proof of my sovereignty! I won't hand them over! I won't give up on them! You foolish Heroes are all talk! Come then! I'll crush all of you that Alice failed to do!"

"His cognition should have changed by now. It's been an hour since the store opened." Ren comments as the team hang around nearby. Seeing the local police close off the store as the crowds gather.

"We appreciate your help, Inspector Zenkichi. I'll be sure to pass my praise to PubSec when I return to the Diet Building." Yoshida adds with a beaming smile while Zenkichi lets out a groan.

"And with that, I am officially an accomplish of the Phantom Thieves. Even if all I did was unlock the door."

"What are you complaining about. You were the one who wanted to work with us." Morgana quips from Ren's bag, earning another sigh from the Inspector.

"Yeah… Yeah I did." Zenkichi admits, shaking his head.

"As a reward, I'll start calling you Zenkichi instead of Gramps from now on, okay?" Futaba adds with a grin.

"I think we all will." Makoto comments with a grin as everyone lets out small smiles. "Either way, it's time for us to go."

"You better stand back, Zenkichi. We don't want to drag you in by mistake." Akechi tells the inspector as he wisely takes several steps back.

"I'll be waiting out here, so do your best kids." Zenkichi tells them as he watches Yusuke says some words into his phone. Before all of them vanish in the blink of an eye. Not even a hint of them being there was left. "Damn… That's how it looks like, huh? They really are modern Ninjas, Akane…"

Meanwhile, inside the Jail Natsume's forces were panicking. Without the Fearsome Four, Doramu or Date as their guardians, the shadow cops and free Persona's held themselves up inside the Castle to slow the Thieves down the moment they entered the main hall. But unfortunately for them, the Thieves weren't taking the obvious way in.

Instead, using the same trick from before, they climbed up the side via one of the giant chains that wrapped around the Birdcage. Leading them straight up to the cage and outside what they believed was the throne room with the giant dink diamond above them fully materialised.

"Huh. So that's what it looks like huh? Certainly looks valuable." Devil remarks as the team approach the doors. "Everyone ready to be the Heroes of this tail?"

"When are we never? It's Showtime!" Joker calls back as he and Queen kick the doors down, with the Thieves charging in right after. Finding Natsume waiting for them before his throne, with bookshelves stacked on both side of the stain glass behind him. While party banner fluttered down from above.

"Hmph… You certainly took your time, Chosen Heroes. Or should I say, Phantom Thieves?" Natsume greets them, not once dropping his pose. "I must say, I was surprises when I heard you came here. Wasn't defeating Alice good enough for you?"

"If you know us, then you should know we would be coming for you, Mr. Overlord." Skull snarks, rolling his right shoulder.

"You're going to give back all those Desires you've stolen, whether you like it or not!" Outlaw shouts, spinning both blades around him before joining them together.

"Heheh… Hahahaha! Such foolishness! You haven't the slightest idea of what you've just walked into." Shadow Natsume remarks, his grin never leaving his face.

"Gotta say, he's got the appearance of an evil Overlord. Even if he looks a little wooden. But why only him?" Spring comments.

"Indeed. The Fearsome Four were dressed as normal people, Doramu was a shadow cop and Date was lifted from a show." Noir agrees, resting her axe on her shoulder.

"Just show how much love he game them. Zero." Oracle replies, shrugging her shoulders.

"Heh. You've come all this way only to fall right into my trap. This world belongs to me along. It takes shape solely according to my design. Here, the Overlord rains justice down upon the holier-than-thou Heroes who would dare brand him as evil. Here, you are nothing but flies to be swatted. I'll enjoy hearing those screams as you pay for your filthy transgressions!"

"That's bold from someone who stole others Desires just to satisfy their own interests." Queen rebukes, slamming her fists together..

"And if you really are playing the part of an Overlord, then you should know this is where they get their asses kicked." Joker adds, flicking his knife in the air.

"Hmph. Tell me, how many of my demon brethren have you slaughtered while spouting such despicable hypocrisies?"

"Is he really playing that card?" Edelweiss asks with a groan.

"He's reading right from the handbook…" Oracle agree with an unenthusiastic tone.

"Enough of this. It's time we fought." Fox suddenly cuts in, swiping a hand in front of him. "No matter how brave a façade you put on, it's clear you're just as afraid of losing that hollow throne you're so proud of.

"What was that?" Shadow Natsume asks, completely cut off guard by Fox's proclamation.

"Your reign is naught but an illusion… Allow us to show you the truth!" Shadow Natsume growls as he eyes scan the Thieves. Seeing nothing but determined looks, ready to bring him down as anger builds within him.

"I'm sick and tired of everyone looking down on me… My editor, the people who read me, everyone! Yes… The time has come to show my true power. You wretches shall witness…my final form!" With that, he explodes into red and black particles, surprising the Thieves as they soon hear the wingbeats of a creature outside. Until the room vibrated, as the creature outside pummelled the roof until it gave in, allowing them to fly in from behind the Thieves. Sending them into cover as the wind draft sends everything flying.

As the Thieves recover, they find flying above them as a purple dragon covered in golden armour. Sporting Natsume's golden hair and horns as he roars at them. The red crystal on its chest glowing. Before he suddenly stops and places a hand on his face. Creating a golden aura behind him that momentarily dazzled the Thieves. Well, all but one of them anyway.

"ANOTHER JOJO REFERENCE!?" Oracle shouts in anger as Natsume lands before them with a smirk over his face. "And Final Form my ass! You're just an edgy grown up version of Spyro wearing a Gold Cloth from Seint Seya! You DO NOT touch those two!"

"You ignorant whelps dare to challenge the great Overlord!? You dare insult me with that puny knock off!? Imbeciles! I will feat upon your bones!" Almost instantly, Dragon Natsume unleashes a fireball towards the Thieves, forcing them to scatter as they dodged what they presumed to be an Agidyne. Only for Dragon Natsume to laugh at them. "You fools think that was Agidyne? That was Agi!"

"He did NOT just say that!" Outlaw shouts in anger as Natsume suddenly stands up and stars writing with his tail. Creating words in a golden aura in front of him before he was suddenly encased in a golden aura himself.

"I was born of nightmares blacker and darker than darkness itself! Watch as I unleash hell!" Dragon Natsume yells, leaping into the air and landing, spinning around with his tail and scattering the Thieves around the room before flying into the air and charging up something in his mouth. Spring shook her head, finding herself next to a pile of discarded swords before remembering the last pile they saw.

Jumping onto them, Spring grabs one of the sword and throws it at Natsume, breaking through his aura and sending him crashing to the ground in pain. "Ugh! These swords were once wielded by past heroes! Even in death, they continue to defy me!"

"Did he just give those swords a backstory?" Violet asks, shaking her head before grabbing another one. "Oh well, another win for us!" She shouts, throwing it and hitting Natsume's tail. Making a sizable dent in the armour as Natsume jumps back before he is blasted by Ice from Fox.

"Nice one, Fox! He's weak to Ice…and Bless? Hold up, is he a Dragon-Type from Pokémon!? Come on, man!" Oracle roans from inside Al Azif as Sensei blasts Natsume's wing with Bufudyne.

"Hahahah! Pathetic humans! Gaze upon my magnificence! I, the Prince of Darkness, carries the blood of dragons in my veins! No mere humans can stop me! Lay down your weapons and submit! Do so, and your lives will be spared!"

"Then it's a good thing we aren't normal!" Joker shouts, hand on his mask. "And you call yourself a dragon? How about you meant a real one! Kohryu! Kougaon!" At his call, a golden dragon with four orbs in each of his hands appears behind Joker before letting out a blast of light from his mouth at Natsume. Washing over him and causing him to scream in pain as he takes flight once more. His golden armour now losing its lust as cracks form along his tail armour. Sensei and Joker take advantage of this, blasting Natsume with Ice and Bless and forcing him to remain locked onto the ground.

"You stubborn mortals!"

"We won't ever join you! We are our own people!" Panther shouts as she and Shadow whip at Natsume, causing him to dodge while Devil and Noir fire at him with Psiodyne.

"Besides, the evil Overlord is always destined to lose! That's fantasy rules 101!" Skull shouts, blasting Ziodyne at Natsume and clipping his wing.

"But if our words do nothing to change your ways, then we shall inform you the hard way! Devil! It is time!" Sensei calls out as Devil leaps to his side. The star in Joker's pocket glows once more.

"Time to clip his wings!"

"It's Showtime!"

The two leap into the air as the red curtains come down, changing the scenery to that of a Diet Hall with Sensei standing on the podium while Devil mans a camera. Sensei starts giving out a long speech, detailing many changes he plans to make as laws are passed into motion and fall to the ground. But suddenly, Natsume barges in, sending door fragments over the place with one almost hitting Sensei as the two turn to face Natsume.

"You…my friend. Have broken the law!" He shouts as they both draw their guns, filling Natsume with led made of wind, ice and psionic energies before Devil smacks a leaver next to her. Dropping a very large certification, passing a new law that lands and crushes Natsume. With the two turning back to his address as the room returns to normal. But as it does, Dragon Natsume was noticeably different after the attack. The golden armour that covered his tail was now gone. Leaving his purple dragon tail exposed. Although, it's point was still in the shape of a fountain pen.

"Foolish humans!" Natsume shouts, once again using his tail to write and buff himself once more with the aura. "The least I can do is grant you a peaceful death!"

"Not again!" Joker and Queen shout, both of them throwing swords at Natsume and shattering his aura before it has a chance to form. Sophie glances at the two, hearing the anger in their voice but also confused by what they said.

"Again?" She asks with a quiet whisper before turning her attention back to Natsume as he staggers back. "What do they mean by again?" Sophie asks Edelweiss, who freezes for a moment before unleashing a Missile Strom at Natsume.

"We'll… let Joker and Queen tell you about that later…" She replies before grabbing Sophie and leaping out of the path of another Supercharged Agi blast.

"Gah! Why you little… Why would the gods favour you over me!?" Natsume shouts, blasting his supercharged Agi at the Thieves.

"After what we have done? We'd be lucky to even BE on their good list!" Crow shouts back, firing his gun at Natsume before jumping away. His shots did the last damage they needed to shatter the shield protecting him. Sending him stumbling to the ground as the Thieves unleashed an All-Out Attack on him. Scarring his armour and removing even more of its lustre. Although Teach caught a glimpse of something under said armour for just a moment.

"Hold up… is that armour fake as well?" She asks quietly as Fox joins her, tilting his head at the remark. Before both duck under a tail swing that manages to hit Panther, Skull and Crow. Sending them crashing into the wall as Violet rushes to check up on them.

"Blasted rats! Those with talent are always being dragged down by those without! How can you be so ignorant!?" Natsume roars, slashing with a clawed hand and hitting Edelweiss, Outlaw and Spring with one attack. Sending them into the walls and knocking them out momentarily.

"Villain! You have no right to say such a thing!" Fox shouts, dashing forward and slicing the red orb off Natsume's chest while Mona rushes over to the knocked-out trio.

"W-What? Are you saying I have no talent!? Natsume stutters, grabbing his fallen orb and attempting to put it back. "You're just like them! You're the just like those bastards who denied me! You think you're better than me!? I'll show you how wrong you are!"

"And what talent do you have to possess? Stealing other's work for your own selfish interests? You've cast away your soul and pride…you have no right to call yourself a writer! Bufudyne!" With a shout, Fox slams the ice magic into Natsume as the other dodges out of the way. Shattering his armour and removing the remainder of his lustre. Leaving only the wings and the heart-printed white boxers left on his person.

"Ahhh! My armour!" Natsume screams, patting himself down in shock and fear. His golden wings revealed to be nothing but carboard and wood like from a fan outfit. "You'll pay—Gah!" He was interrupted by Kohryu suddenly wrapping itself around Natsume, forcing him to the floor as he struggled to escape his grasp. "Get off of me! Let me go! I am the Overlord, ruler of dragons! You should obey me dragon!"

"So even that golden coat of yours was a shame. You're a fraud to the very core… How pitiful." Fox tells him, shaking his head as he struggles to escape Kohryu's grasp. "Now that the truth has been revealed, it is time we finished this off! Noir!"

"Yes!" Noir shouts, rushing to his side with a grin. "I'm ready when you're ready." She tells him, with the star in Joker's pocket gleaming once more.

"It's Showtime!"

The red curtains fall before retracting back, revealing Fox standing alone in a serene forest, beams of light streaming through the trees with flowers at his feet. Picture framing with his fingers. "Such stunning beauty." He whispers, showing it was Noir he was framing as the sunlight gently falls on her through the trees before she brings up her axe and, enchanting it with psionic energy swings it into Natsume, leaping around him while humming a cheerful song. Rocks and branches are flung into Natsume, drawn by the psionic energy of Noir's axe.

Before she leaps onto a tree branch and fires her grenade launcher at Natsume. "Do pardon me." She says sweetly as the grenade explodes with psionic energy, startling any nearby birds while dragging more rocks onto Natsume, almost burying him. All the while, Fox drops his hands and rushes forward, quickly drawing his ice infused blade as he dashes through the smoke before silently sheathing it as Noir jumps to his side.

Just as the forest is encased in ice and shatters, sending shards into Natsume, while large pieces of tears crush him under the frozen wood and stone wood. As the area changes back to normal, Natsume's shield once again shatters, with the Thieves launching one more All-Out Attack.

Natsume screams in anger as the Thieves lash out from all sides, clipping him off his wings and damaging the fountain tip pen in his tail. Even managing to slice off one of his horns as Natsume falls to the ground in pain. With a roar, he forces himself up to take one more swipe at the Thieves but is blocked by Shadow and Panther wrapping their weapons around his arm and pulling him back.

"Fox! Now!" Shadow shouts as they struggle to hold him back. With one solum nod, Fox falls into his quickdraw slash and dashes past Natsume. He freezes for a moment as Fox slowly stands, spinning his katana in his hands before sheathing it. Leaving a long gash that ran from head to tail.

"This can't be… The great Overlord…Defeated?" Dragon Natsume asks as he vanishes before reappearing back at his throne. He is still standing in his pose for some reason.

"Game over, Natsume." Sensei tells him, resting his odachi on his shoulder. "It is time to surrender."

"W-Wait! We can rule the world together! You can have half…"

"Really?" Everyone asks in a deadpan tone. Even Sophie. It was at that point that the illusion was shattered, with Shadow Natsume falling down the stairs. Or rather, a giant painting of his armour on a stand with a hole for a head. While the real Shadow Natsume chased after it. Dressed in nothing but his underwear, with Joker and Queen covering Sophie's eyes in instinct. Even if he just ducked under them to see.

"M-My mantel! My magic armour!" Shadow Natsume screams, trying to pick the board up. But it refused to budge. "D-Don't look at me! Don't look at me!"

"Is that…his true form?" Violet asks, tilting her head as the team gathers around him.

"Looks like it. So, in the end, even his Shadow was a cheap imitation. Just like Madarame." Mona quips, bobbing his head up and down. Fox, his eyes locked on Natsume's fallen form, walks up to him before kneeling down.

"It's over, Ango Natsume." He says gently.

"You're a bunch of stupid kids! You don't even know what I've suffered! It's not too late for me. I still have my reputation as a writer! I've won an award! I've sold books! It's not too late… It's never too late!"

"…And that's good enough for you?" Fox asks, removing his mask. Natsume's jaw drops, unable to believe that Yusuke is standing before him. The same one who confronted him back at that party. "This fame you've acquired through the deception and brainwashing of others… Is that truly what you want? If it is… then it is far too late for you. Do you still remember the reason why you started writing novels to begin with? The real reason."

"I… I mean… I…. Damnit!" Shadow Natsume slams his hand onto the ground, agony clear on his face. "I tried… I tried really hard! Just like everyone else! I read and read all through the night! I wrote for hours on end, like my life depended on it! And for what!? Nothing I ever wrote was 'mine'! It was just another work from the 'great Sogo Natsume's grandson'! No one! No one ever acknowledged my effort! Not my effort! Not my work! Not even me!"

Fox remains quiet, his gaze not leaving Natsume as the Thieves watch on.

"No matter where I looked, all I ever see is a bunch of thoughtless idiots! Slaves to appearance and nothing more… Acknowledge me, dammit! Acknowledge Ango Natsume's efforts for once! I just want someone to see that I really try!"

"I do." Fox tells him, grabbing Natsume's attention as the Thieves glance at Fox. "It's very clear how much work you've put into writing your novels. A life lead by creativity is almost always a lonely one, no matter your profession. You were battling that loneliness. You braced yourself, pouring your very soul into writing your work, bringing yourself to your publisher time and time again. And I will gladly acknowledge such effort and determination." Natsume looks at him in shock while the Thieves smile proudly at Fox.

"There are many out there who give up that battle, even those of exceptional skill and creativity. To be able to continuously bring life to new works without giving up, however… That is perhaps the most exceptional talent of them all. There was once a time when you kept fighting. That is one part of your career that could never be labelled a fabrication. So start over, Ango Natsume. Claw your way back up from nothing and move forward. After all, there are some things that can't be painted with a blank canvas."

"Yusuke…"

"It is because everyone here believed in me that I was able to choose the path I walk today. I stopped lying to myself and continued to walk forward and begin anew. And so it is now my turn to pave the way forward… Even if I'm the only one in the world who chooses to do so, I will believe in you."

"Heh…stupid kid…talking my damn ears off…" Shadow Natsume comments, slowly reaching up for the horns on his head. "But…you're right. This identity of mine was built on nothing but lies… I don't need it anymore!" With that, he rips his horns in half, showing that they were actually a part of his body and not fake like everything else, as he tosses the pieces onto the ground while Fox picks them up. "I'll do it! I'll climb my way back up! And I'll do it on my own strength! I'll write a novel that'll capture the hearts of countless readers, just like my grandfather before me. I'll write something I can be proud of to everyone… I swear it!"

"Good… and we will be looking forward to the day you write it. No matter how long it will take." Shadow Natsume lets out a laugh just as he starts to glow.

"You know…I really am stupid. How the hell did I forget myself? I know now what I really wanted…" And with that, he vanishes. As Shadow Natsume returns to his other self, a deep rumbles echoes through the castle. For above them, the giant jewel of Desires is shattered, returning to their rightful owners as the Personal Shadows are freed with the Thieves making their leave as the Jewels continue to fall from the sky like rain.

Night had fallen by the time the Thieves returned, the citizens of Sapporo heading to either their night lives or home. The police were still outside the shop, though fewer in number, as the Thieves watched from the shadows. Zenkichi was nowhere to be seen, but it was possible he was following up on some other leads.

"And with that, we are done." Mishima remarks, stretching his arms.

"Mission complete!" Isara comments from Futaba's bag.

"That certainly was an interesting finale, but have those Desires gone back to where they should go?" Ohya asks, stretching her leg.

"How about we go looking in town and see their reactions?" Ann asks.

"Maybe tomorrow. "The police are still around the store. It's best if we avoid them." Hifumi cautions, nodding her head at the police tape.

"I agree." Akechi adds before going contemplative. "Having said that, the Jail here did not vanish either. Just like Shibuya. What is it that we are missing?"

"Hopefully, we can find out in Sapporo, but there's another thing that worried me." Sumire comments, grasping her hands behind her back. "Natsume's Shadow… it sounded like he was in contact with Alice's Shadow."

"You think they have the same type of communication going on between them? Like what Shido did?" Futaba asks with narrow eyes. "That could explain why I found traces of someone snooping on Alice's phone… But where would that communication room be if that's the case?"

"It'd have to be inside the castle where the Birdcage is." Shiho suggests, rubbing her arm. "But then again, it could be separate like the Trauma Cells."

"Things just seem to be gettin' deeper and deeper." Ryuji remarks, rubbing the back of his head. "And I don't know about you guys, but I'm too tired to think about it."

"And with that, I'm off to my hotel." Ohya remarks, heading into Sendai. "I need my sleep if I want to catch Natsume's editors tomorrow." The Thieves shake their heads at Ohya as they two break and head for sleep. Yusuke and Haru are on the bed, and Akechi and Sumire are on the couches with everyone else in the tent.

"Hey, Daden, Momkoto?" Sophia quietly asks, grabbing the two attention as they slow down.

"What's wrong?" Ren asks gently, seeing the distress in Sophia's eyes.

"I feel as though I'm restless right now. Do you know why that is?"

"Restless? Is something bothering you?" Makoto asks with slight concern on her face.

"I'm not sure what's wrong. Natsume tried his hardest, but somewhere along the way, he lost sight of what mattered to him. He is a strange person, Natsume."

"True, he may have been strange, but this is a chance for him to start again." Ren replies with a smile. "Do you remember what I said back in Leblanc?"

"I do… And Natsume did say he would climb back up. Yusuke said Natsume lost his way because he was alone. Whenever I think of that, I feel restless inside. Even though Natsume hurt a lot of people and was, for some time, one of our enemies… What is this feeling?"

"Sophia… what you're feeling is sadness." Makoto tells her gently. "The same feeling that Yusuke felt."

"The same as Yusuke… I see… That's why he saved Natsume… It was because Natsume doing all of those things was really sad… Like how Alice made Ann angry… I think I understand a bit better now. Sadness can hurt, but it can also save. It gives humans another way to support each other. "

"Couldn't have said it better myself, Sophia." Ren applauds her with a smile. "Did that help you feel better?"

"It did. Thank you." Sophia beams at them before tilting her head. "Actually, I do have another question, but I don't feel like asking it at the moment."

"That's fine. Take as long as you need." Makoto tells her, with Sophia nodding her head. With that, the two race to catch up with the others while Sophia lets the information complied within her memory banks. Yet…one thought stayed in her mind like a fog.

Why did they say not again? Did they die? But if they did, how are they alive? Should I ask them… or not?

When Yusuke want's to make a speech, he can make a speech.