Chapter 14: The One-Eyed Dragon.
"So the Fearsome Four were defeated…?" Shadow Natsume asks, disappointment written on his face as he is informed of their defeat. Standing tall in his red robe of darkness and armoured in his abyssal armour with golden décor, a pair of deep purple horns a tone darker than his skin piercing out from his golden hair. He was the Overlord.
"Yes… seems they were felled by a new group of Heroes who call themselves, 'The Phantom Thieves of Hearts'. My Lord, are they not…?"
"The same one who brought Alice down low? So it would seem." Shadow Natsume remarks, remembering the broadcast he saw from his other self's eyes. "So…they did come here after all… But why? Surly they would have gone for Yokohama? Or are they on their way to Sapporo?"
"We do not know. Only that they have obtained the three 'proofs' needed to enter the Castle. My Lord, we fear for you…"
"Do not worry about me. My guardian will keep them at bay. And if he fails…" The grin on his face turns dark as he lets out a chuckle. "Then my 'other' guardian will take care of them. Even if he has been more of a nuisance there days. It matters not if they had changed hearts before, they will fall for foolishly deciding to face the Overlord! Like all the others who came before them! If not by my hand, then by the One-Eyed Dragon himself! This world is under my absolute control! No one is going to take it from me!" He glances out the stain windows around him, his smile never leaving his face.
"No matter who it is who tries… they will all bow down before me."
July 28th, 2017
"Where did Ren go?" Futaba asks as the guys hang around the Motorhome. It was decided last night that Ann and Ryuji would take the bed while Shiho and Mishima were on the couch with Futaba and Hifumi joining the others in the tent. As for tonight, the blonds were back in the tent, Shiho and Mishima were on the bed, and Yusuke and Haru were on the couch.
"He said he had to pop round the Velvet Room for a second. Something about swapping out two of his Personas for different ones." Makoto replies, pushing some hair back. "Now that I think about it, he's been using the same team from when we beat Maruki."
"If I recall, it was Ongyo-Ki, Futsunushi, Lucifer, Mother Harlet, Odin, Chi You, Ishtar, Sandalphon, Cybele, Artemis and Alice. I wonder what Ren is swapping out." Yusuke comments, rubbing his chin.
"We could ask him when he comes back, but something tells me he wants to surprise us in the Jail." Akechi remarks, as Ren soon rejoined them with a smile on his face. "Finished swapping your team around?"
"I have." Ren replies, glancing at the team. "Everyone ready to head in?"
"Just waiting for Yoshida and Ohya to join us." Ann replies, munching on some sweats that Ryuji had managed to find. "How did you even find this parfait Ryuji?"
"I just followed the rumours." He replies with a grin while Shiho and Mishima chuckle at them with their own parfaits. As the three ate their food, Yoshida and Ohya soon joined up with the Thieves as they all made their way to Sendai Station.
Without a word, they activate the EMMA app, diving once more back into the Sendai Jail and teleporting their way to Natsume's Castle. Yet, with every step they took, they felt as though they were being watched. But every time they glanced above or behind them, they saw nothing. It was enough to get under their skin, yet they pressed on until arriving at the Gate of Trials.
"All right. We've got our three proofs, so go ahead and open for us you dumb gate." Devil remarks at the door as though it was a living being. Whether it was due to her words or the three proofs they held, the door suddenly glowed in a bright golden light before vanishing. Leaving the path before them open.
"And we're in!" Panther cheers as the team head on inside.
"Be wary. The Overlord's retainer is no doubt waiting for us. Along with our mysterious stalker." Fox cautions as they enter, finding a wide open space with ice crystals.
"Stay sharp, guys. We could get ambushed at any point. He probably has traps lying in wait for us even now." Joker cautions the group as they move forward, eyes pealed for any movement. And as if right on cue, an army of shadow cops appears before them. Hell-bent on stopping the Chosen Heroes from reaching their Lord. With a mixture of High Pixies, Beriths and Orthrus mixed within their ranks.
Only there was one problem they failed to take into account. The ice crystals scattered around the area, which the Thieves used to their advantage. Freezing the ground and foes within their range, Queen blasted the area around them with a Mafreidyne. Wiping out the ones who were frozen.
More Beriths spawn in, charging down in a cavalry charge towards the Thieves, charging through the Garudyne and Ziodyne blasted at them by Mona and Skull. Charing through the Thieves and scattering them as axe-wielding cops appear on the scene.
"We don't have time to deal with this!" Fox shouts, going back to back with Outlaw. "Let us thin them out!"
"With pleasure!" Outlaw remarks as the star in Joker's pocket glows once more.
"It's Showtime!"
With the oh-so-familiar red curtains making their appearance once again, the scene changes to a feudal showdown with Fox and Outlaw facing each other off. The horde of cop shadows and free persona are standing behind Fox as he lays a hand on his katana.
"I shall prove the sword is mightier than the rifle." He tells Outlaw, who aims at him with his gun, glowing with a golden light.
"Shall we test that claim?" He asks, just as Fox's katana glows an icy blue. Pulling down the trigger, Outlaw unleashes a stream of rounds towards Fox. Too many for him to dodge. But he doesn't, as he draws his katana and dashes through the rounds, multiplying them as they speed forward like a shotgun blast. Missing him and slamming into the horde behind Fox as he turns around and slams his katana into the ground. Sending a blast of ice towards the horde and freezing them in place.
Outlaw fires one more shot that detonates the rounds embedded in the horde before them. Shattering the ice and eliminating a large portion of their foes.
"Guess sword and rifle are equal, huh?" Outlaw asks, slinging his gun onto his shoulder as the two walk away.
"So it would seem." Fox replies as the scene returns to normal. Some of the Beriths remain, alongside a few Orthruses, but they were soon quickly dealt with. With the team still at full strength, even though they brought extra provisions for the climb. With the initial force sent to stop them dealt with, the Thieves rush into the next area, and are met by a giant shadow cop. Dressed in riot gear and holding a gun.
"Gogogogogogo. Who goes there? Who dares disturb my slumber?" The cop asks, slowly turning his head at the Thieves.
"Did…did he just make a freaking JoJo reference?" Oracle asks, dumb struck at the shadow.
"Silence, whelps! I am his lord excellency's loyal retainer to the Overlord, Doramu! My liege's castle lies just beyond. Lowly humans like yourselves have no place in its hallowed halls! Your end is at hand! Prepare yourselves, you foolish, repulsive-looking creatures!" With that, the cop tears off its disguise and reveals its true form. A Picasa.
"Get ready guys! We take him down, and we can get inside the Castle!" Joker shouts, flipping his knife into a reverse grip as the Thieves get ready for battle. But just as the Picasa takes its first step, six flashes of light cross it at the same time. Freezing it in place as the sound of metal slashing through the air echoes around the courtyard.
"Wh-What?" Skull asks, seeing the Picasa stand there, frozen in place, as it tries to turn its head around.
"Why… did you… betray…?" The Picasa asks before falling forward and dissolving into darkness. Revealing the one who had just done the kill and sending dark shivers down Oracle, Spring and Mishima's spines.
"Who… is that?" Panther asks uneasily at the kneeling person as they slowly stand up. With jet black armour over a dark blue weaved suit. Black sandals over his blue-covered feet. Black chain mail protecting his arms under the armour, while a Dark blue sleeveless jacket like Fox's, with the neck guard flaring out around his eye level. Around his hip, connected by dark blue webbing to look like a wing, were six katana sheathes. Three katanas are held in each hand before slowly sheathing five of them as a horse appears next to him.
The horse had a motorbike handle and an exhaust tail pipe as the man saddles up with a katana in hand. Before looking at the Thieves with a cocky yet determined look. With his left eye hidden behind a black eyepatch under the jet-black Kabuto helmet. With a large golden upturned crescent moon as its head piece.
"Oh crap… it really is him…" Outlaw comments, changing the grip on his swords.
"Natsume really plagiarized HIM of all people!?" Spring asks in shock, spear grasped in both hands.
"Do you mind sharing with the class?" Mona asks, seeing the unease in the two's eyes.
"Guys… have none of you ever watched Sengoku Basara?" Oracle asks nervously as their new foe approaches them calmly. "Because THAT is that show's Date Masamune!"
"WHAT!?" The Thieves shout, now understanding who their stalker is. While for Fox, that sent a fire building in his eyes.
"So… he would also plagiarise another person's vision of Lord Masamune? Such disrespect shall not go unanswered!" Fox shouts, falling into his stance.
"Don't do anything stupid, Inari! Masamune is not taking us as a threat!" Oracle suddenly shouts, locking eyes with the silent cognition. "For one, he's riding on horseback, and two, he's using one katana and not all six!"
"Why does that sound like he will have three phases then?" Edelweiss asks, shaking her head as C-Masamune's horse hits the ground with its hoof several times.
"Here he comes!" Devil shouts as C-Masamune charges at them, scattering them as he tries to hit them with his sword. Fox manages to deflect his blade, but C-Masamune charges out of the way before he can land a hit. Outlaw and Sensei fire at him with their guns, only to watch as C-Masamune either didges or deflects the round from him and the horse.
"Wild Thunder!" Joker shouts, blasting C-Masamune with lightning, only for his attack to be negated. "What!?"
"I just did a scan! He's immune to thunder attacks! He also blocks ice and gun, and resists everything else but physical! But he's weak to fire and curse!" Oracle informs the team from Al Azif, keeping out of the way as C-Masamune continues to ride around the area. Striking out with his lone katana.
"Then let's burn him up! Agidyne!" Panther shouts, blasting C-Masamune with fire, only to gasp as C-Masamune's horse leaps over the fire ball and turns towards her. Blade ready to slice her in two before having to dodge a blast of curse energy from Joker.
"Damn it! That horse of his is too mobile! It's like fighting a bike!" Skull shouts in irritation as C-Masamune charges at him once again. Forcing him to duck under his sword swing. Spring tries to trip the horse up, only for C-Masamune to jump over her before slashing out against Sensei, who barely manages to deflect the attack from his blade. Skidding him back into an ice crystal deposit that detonated, sending ice flying that bounced harmlessly off C-Masamune.
"A bike, huh?" Queen asks, a smirk forming on her face. "Well, two can play at that game. Agnes!" At her call, Queen's persona forms under her as she revs the throttle. Catching the attention of C-Masamune who stares her down. A tense silence falls over the area as Queen continues to rev the engine on Agnes, with C-Masamune's horse slamming a hoof onto the ground in response to the challenge. Before the two suddenly shoot towards each other in a joust. C-Masamune's sword aimed for her neck, while Queen had her sights aimed at a different target.
Just before they collided, Queen spun Agnes into a slide, ducking under the sword while slamming Agnes into C-Masamune's horse. Sending him flying from the saddle while his horse collided hard with the ground. The horse skids over to C-Masamune as he stands up before the horse slowly dissipates into black smoke. C-Masamune, in a sombre moment, places a hand on the vanishing horse, looking at it as it vanishes before standing back up to full height.
Looking back at the Thieves with his lone eye, he grasps his blade with both hands, holding it horizontally over his head in a combat pose.
"Oh boy… here comes phase two! Nothing has changed yet!" Oracle shouts as C-Masamune charges at them. Slicing quickly and forcing them back, he unleashes a long combo before quickly grabbing two more katanas with his right hand. Making a claw like patter with the three as he slices in a wide arc in front of him.
Shadow throws her Kunai at him, aiming to smirk his face, but C-Masamune ducks under the strike before rushing forward at Outlaw, pulling off the same combo before unleashing a large attack with the three Katanas. Spinning them around like a corkscrew and slashing as though it were a claw before sheathing two of them.
Mona tries to jump onto him, only to receive a kick to the face and fly into a nearby wall. Landing hard and dropping to the floor in a daze as Skull and Noir charge in next. Forcing C-Masamune to duck and dodge before he blasts forward with a burst of blue Ziodyne. While Skull through he could block it, he was surprised to find the attack managed to damage him while freezing him up while Noir was forced back and struck with paralysis.
"What the hell was that!?" Panther shouts, leaping back as C-Masamune tries to blast her with the same spell.
"That was Ziodyne combined with Bufudyne! Watch out!" Oracle warns as C-Masamune suddenly charges for Sophie with Queen and Joker moving quickly to block him. But even though they blocked the strike, C-Masamune was quick to change tacks as he kicks the both of them into the wall before striking at Sophie. Who was quickly dragged away by Edelweiss, herself barley missing the blade as it cuts off a single lock of her hair.
Devil and Violet charge in after them, distracting C-Masamune as Joker and Queen check up on the two A.I.s, only to suddenly find themselves thrown into the air with C-Masamune unleashing an air combo on them. Forcing them to block as much as they could as he suddenly combined four of his blade into dual swords like Outlaws. Spinning them around like propeller blades before kicking the two of them into the ground. Landing on the ground, he rushes forward at Spring and Crow, his blades still locked in their dual sword configuration as he locked blades with them.
With C-Masamune unleashing a full-on assault, the Thieves found themselves pushed onto the defence just as shadow cops swarmed into the area to stop them. But soon it became apparent that they were targets for C-Masamune as well as he started attacking them with wanton abandon, giving the Thieves a chance to rest even as shadow cops and free Personas entered the area.
"Just what's going on!? Masamune is attacking everything!" Edelweiss shouts over the battle, slicing a shadow cop in half.
"Do you think its because his statue was desecrated in real life?" Noir asks, blasting a group of shadows with Psiodyne.
"Agidyne!" Teach shouts, blasting C-Masamune with fire only to see a shield form around him. Just like all the other bosses, they had fasted until now. "Even him!?" She shouts in alarm before dodging a Picasa, striking at her as it was struck down by a Kougaon from Spring.
"This is getting out of hand! We need to beat Masamune and get inside the castle!" Mona shouts, slicing the head off a shadow cop. "We're wasting energy fighting out here!"
"Then let us end this farce! Sensei!" Fox calls, leaping to his side.
"Very well!" Sensei replies as the stone in Joker's pocket begins to glow.
"It's Showtime!"
As one, the two leap into the air as the red curtains fall once more. Changing the field of battle to a scene straight out of the Sengoku Era. With Masamune and the horse of shadows stuck in the middle as Fox and Sensei stand on either end. A tense silence fills the air as Fox slowly rests a hand on his katana, with Sensei mimicking his stance as he grasps the odachi over his shoulder.
The two stare at each other from across the field, Masamune and the foes caught in the middle before one of the shadow cops steps on a twig. The snap echoes across the area as Fox and Sensei dash straight across the field. Ice follows behind Fox while wind roars behind Sensei, slashing through the centre, targeting Masamune directly. In quick succession, the two repeated the process three more times before standing next to a cherry blossom tree as Fox snapped his fingers.
Causing a giant tree of ice to sprout from the centre while a gust of wind drags the foes up into the air. Impaling them on the branches of the tree of ice before it shatters. Sending them falling to the ground as the wind carries the ice particles away into the wind, with Fox and Sensei no where to be seen as the area returns to normal.
"Did that do it!?" Edelweiss shouts, seeing a large portion of their foes were taken out. Yet as the smoke cleared, C-Masamune was still standing. His armour was scared by the blades rushing over him, yet the smirk on his face did not waver. "You gotta be kidding me!?"
"Just how strong is this cognition!?" Crow shouts in alarm as C-Masamune sheaths his katana. Before grabbing and drawing all six of them at once. Forming two claws in his hands as he glows with a light blue aura.
"Let me guess… phase 3?" Panther asks with a nervous look as Oracle lets out a gulp.
"Y-Yeah… and guys… he only weak to Physical…he blocks everything now…"
"Only Physical? So what, that won't stop us! Right!?" Skull asks, turning to Outlaw and Spring, who have nervous looks on their faces.
"Um… no…" Spring replies, shaking her head.
"You see… if he ever draws all six blades…he's not holding back anymore…" Outlaw adds with a quiet voice. At that point, some of them were begging to wish they were fighting the Reaper instead of C-Masamune as they watched him slowly approach. Before rushing forward and slamming all six blades into the ground, sending a stream of blue Ziodyne towards the Thieves before quickly following up and unleashing a whirlwind of strikes from his six blades.
Blue Ziodyne races over his blades as he unleashes attack after attack, spinning around like a corkscrew and sending some of the Thieves flying into the air before blasting the ground with a blue Maziodyne. Throwing the Thieves everywhere as they struggle to put up a defence against the onslaught of attacks.
Slamming onto the ground, C-Masamune spots Joker off to the side, hand on his head. Seeing an opportunity, C-Masamune charges forward, blades ready to slice Joker to ribbons. But as he got close, he spotted a smirk on Joker's face as he turned to face him.
"Yoshitsune." Just as C-Masamune's strike was about to hit, a reflective wall forced him back, sending cracks over his shield as a samurai in red armour forms behind Joker. Joker's smirk never left his face as he stared down C-Masamune. Part of him wondered why he didn't start off with Yoshitsune, seeing how he could negate all of C-Masamune's attacks. Well, part of them, anyway. He had to be careful of that blue Ziodyne he was so fond of throwing out. While part of him felt like drawing this out for payback, Joker knew they couldn't waste time fighting against this cognition.
"Time to finish this. Hissou Tobi!" Joker calls, with Yoshitsune grabbing both of his blades and unleashing the devastating attacks. Slashing eight times into C-Masamune at once and shattering his shield as he falls to his knees in a daze. "Now! All-Out Attack!" Joker calls as the Thieves unleash their own assault on C-Masamune. Striking from every angel they could, stripping him of his sword with each attack until leaping away and consuming him in a giant explosion.
The Thieves stand, breathing heavily as the smoke clears, showing C-Masamune still standing katana-less. Still smiling at the Thieves before he vanishes away into the wind. Letting the Thieves breathe easily as some of them sit down to rest.
"That… was a hard-fought battle." Sensei remarks, stretching his back out.
"To face against Masamune himself… even in a fantasised form… I feel blessed." Fox comments, looking up at the sky with closed eyes.
"You guys think that was tough? That wasn't him at his full strength." Outlaw suddenly tells him, causing the team to look at him, Spring and Oracle.
"Yeah… If that was the actual Masamune from Sengoku Basara, we would have had a much harder fight on our hands." Spring adds, grasping her hands behind her back.
"Can confirm… he was missing his ally as well. If Yukimura was here as well… we would have been in real trouble." Oracle finishes as the team's sweat drops at the remark.
"Well…I guess we should be glad Natsume didn't plagiarize him as well then." Queen remarks, stretching her back out before looking at Joker. "And was that one of the Persona you switched out?"
"Yeah." Joker replies, rolling his arms. "I had planned to show both of them off against Natsume. But I guess Yoshitsune got an early appearance."
"Still, what was up with that cognition? He was attacking everything." Shadow asks as the group break out some of the food and drinks that they had brought with them. That battle had drained them more than they could admit.
"Perhaps it is due to the disfiguration of his statue?" Fox suggests. "Judging by how he was fighting us, it is clear he was meant to be a form of guardian for the Castle. But since we told Natsume that his statue had been disfigured by his fans, it had the unforeseen effect of driving Masamune furious. Thus, him attacking everything in sight, intruders of minions of Natsume both."
"In that case, does that mean we have to face him inside the castle somewhere?" Sophie asks, siting between Joker and Queen.
"No, sweetie. Once we beat a cognition, they don't come back." Queen gently tells Sophie, hand on her shoulder, as Joker hands out coffee from a flask. "It's a small miracle we can count on."
"Either way, we have our way in now." Mona quips, taking a small sip of coffee. "Let's take a moment to rest up, then dive into the castle and head to the roof. We need to find out where his trauma is, after all." The Thieves nod in agreement as they take a small rest while Devil and Sensei glance at each other in concern.
"Trauma?"
When they entered the Castle, they didn't know what to expect. Cliché theming of draconic architecture, demon statues, red or purple carpets with the lighting around being very dim? Those were their first thoughts. But entering through the small wooden door, they soon found themselves in the one place they all forgot about.
"A dungeon… Of COURSE, there would be a dungeon!" Skull calls out as they walk through the halls of a mediaeval dungeon. Complete with iron bars, wooden barrels, chains hanging from the ceiling and pools of blood along the floor.
"Urgh… I am reminded of Kusumoto's Palace from last year. And what he imagined doing to all of you as well." Violet remarks, remembering her first Palace.
"Yeah… Let's not remember about that." Joker replies, shaking his head while Crow looks around in concern.
"Dare I ask what?" He asks, only to be met by a stern glare from the Thieves, barring Edelweiss, Sophie, Devil and Sensei. From that, he wisely decided to stay quiet as they continued on. Only to find their only two routs as dead ends.
"What now?" Sophie asks, looking around. "I don't see any way forward."
"Not on the ground." Fox comments before pointing up. "But there is a way up." He leaps into the small alcove, finding a vent waiting for them. "There is a vent up here. We can continue this way."
"Sounds good, but…" Devil trails off, glancing over to Sensei with a shaky expression. "…will Sensei be able to fit?" An awkward silence fell over the area as the team glanced between Sensei and Devil. Sensei, feeling very unamused, leaps up to the nook and walks to the vent.
"Let's find out, shall we?" He remarks, entering the vent and, surprising Fox, moves forward without incident. "Would you look at that? I fit fine." Sensei calls back, a grin hearable on his face as the Thieves shake their heads at Devil, who lets out an awkward chuckle.
Following Sensei, with the boys going first, followed by the girls, the Thieves move through the prison area. Finding no shadows baring their way as they soon reach the main entrance hall. Which screamed at them as a classical demon castle hall with purple lightning and statues. Even had a dark purple carpet with gold trimming. But no sooner do they reach the centre than an army of shadow cops appears to stop them.
"How did you get in here!? Where is Doramu!?" One of the guards shouts as it changes into a Picasa, along with others. Some Beriths spawn as well as the Thieves stare them down.
"You can thank Masamune for dealing with him." Sensei tells them with a grin as the guards gasp.
"The One-Eyed Dragon betrayed us!? He will pay for his insolence! But first, you shall die here! Chosen Heroes!" More shadow cops appear in the corners of the hall as they swarm around the Thieves. But two of their number, Panther and Skull, had leapt up onto the chandeliers hanging from above. Just as the shadows started to swarm, they cut the ropes. Sending the chandeliers down to the ground and crushing a great many of them. Including some of the Beriths and Picasas. Leaving only Slimes as the main worry for the Thieves while Sensei and Mona blasted them away with Magarudyne. Splattering them all over the walls while Fox froze the remaining Beriths, and Teach burned the last few Picasas.
Compared to their fight outside, this felt like a cakewalk.
"Is this all he has to stop us?" Edelweiss asks as they rush up the stairs. "No elite mobs or anything? What a downer."
"Perhaps they are waiting at the top?" Shadow suggests as they pass through a small room. "Make us drop our guard and take us by surprise?"
"Urgh… that would be cliché…" Oracle remarks just as Joker is about to open the doors.
"Hold it right there!" A shadows voice cries out behind them as six shadow cops appear. Before each on turned into one of the free personas, they had been fighting throughout the Jail. "You will go no further, Chosen Heroes! Prepare to meet your end!"
"Sorry, but we don't have time to mess with you! Raoul! Megidolaon!"
"Hereward! Laevatienn!" Crow and Joker's Almighty spells slam into the opposing six, wiping out the High Pixie, Lamia and Orthrus instantly while leaving the Slime, Berith and Picasa barely hanging on. Unfortunately for them, the shield surrounding the slime had been broken, leaving the trio open to an All-Out Attack by the Thieves, quickly wiping out the ambushing party, although it left them feeling underwhelmed.
"Does anyone else feel like he's got nothing else protecting this place?" Skull asks as they continue on, ducking through a corridor as spike walls block off their escape. "Because I feel like entering Alice's Castle was a lot harder than this."
"Probably due to the cognition, we fought." Crow remarks, rubbing his chin. "If he was stalking us this entire time, then its probably that he was also behind the lack of shadow we have encountered in this place. That, or Natsume, is that confidant that he can defeat us. Having said that, it is possible that the reason why that cognition of Masamune was weaker than you three believed was because he was stalking us and attacking everything he saw. It led to him trying himself out before we faced him."
"Could be. If that's the case, then I'm glad he did." Spring remarks, shaking her head. "I do not want to face him at full strength. You guys need to see the show to get an understanding of him at some point."
"Either way, we are almost at the top floor! Keep moving guys!" Oracle cheers on as they duck through two more empty rooms. It was clear that shadow cops WERE on patrol here at some point, but judging by the sword marks along the floor, they had long been dealt with. It was honestly making their job all too easy for their tastes. A fact proved true when they reached the final room, which had been so trashed as through someone had taken their anger out on everything.
The only thing that could be made out was the remains of a podium that was similar to the one holding Masamune's statue outside, with pieces of bronze scattered around its base. It didn't take much for them to put two and two together.
"This was where we would have had to face him originally. As the last guardian before reaching the Birdcage." Fox comments, looking around the area before scrolling through his book. "Indeed, it is written that they would have had to face the 'Dragon Guardian' as their final trial before facing off with the Overlord himself."
"Good thing we fought him outside then and not in here." Outlaw remarks, looking around at the mess. "I don't want to imagine what he would have been like when he woke up."
"Not a morning person, that's for sure." Mona remarks, kicking one of the random pieces of bronze on the floor. "Anyway, where do we go from here?"
"There's a shattered window up there/" Oracle point out above the main door. "Looks like that is where Masamune broke out when he woke up. I'm also picking up the Birdcage just beyond it."
"Then let's head on out. We're almost there, guys!" Joker calls to the others, leaping up to the window and rushing out. Finding himself on a long, narrow roof leading to the Birdcage, where he could see the unformed mass of Desires held within. Along with a large circular building directly under it.
"So this is our end goal." Sensei remarks as he and the others join Joker.
"That's right. The Birdcage. Just like the one in Shibuya." Queen confirms as they leap onto the platform. Just outside the cage. "And like before, the Desires are not formed."
"Is Natsume hiding inside that building?" Devil asks, motioning at the octagonal building with her head. "Then why are we standing around here for?"
"The cage is still locked." Sophie tells her, pointing at the chains around the cage and the giant padlock. Unlike the one in Alice's Jail, this one, while made of gold, had a golden dragon emblem on top of a black background with two small horns coming from the top. "We need to unlock it first before we can enter."
"And how do we do that?" Sensei asks, folding his arms.
"We need to touch it so we can hear the voices in his heart. That tells us where the key is located." Violet tells them, with Devil nodding along eustatically.
"Simple as that, huh? Okay. Let's go then, Sensei." Devil marches forward with Sensei right behind her, neither noticing the Thieves staring at them with wide eyes.
"Wait! The cage will—!" Joker tries to warn them, but is too late as Devil and Sensei reach out to touch it. And are both given the shock of their lifetimes as Joker slowly facepalms. "…shock you…"
"You tried to tell them Joker…" Noir comments as the team winces at the two. Before their vision was engulfed in white.
Sheesh. You'd think someone his age would have at least SOME talent…
Like it matters, that kid is going to make us a fortune…
Sir, try to keep your voice down. He'll be back any minute.
Oh come off it, can you really blame me for complaining? I'm the one who has to read and edit his crap every day.
The kid's got motivation, but that's about all he's got. Seems any talent for writing in that family died with his grandfather. Oh, 'scuse me, can I have another Gatorre Coffee?
Yes, sir, just a moment.
Well, he's still our little money tree. No way in hell we're letting him go.
You're terrible, sir…
….What's…What's going on here?
Natsume's voice echoes in their minds as the voices come to an end with Devil and Sensei stumbling back from the Jail as they shake their hands.
"OW! What the hell was that!? You didn't say it would hurt!" Devil shouts, giving her arm a good shake as Joker shakes his head.
"I did try to warn you, but you were too quick." He replies, hands in pockets. "Next time, wait until we can explain before rushing in."
"For real." Sensei remarks as he shakes his head, Skull's jaw dropping at seeing his line get stolen yet again. "Now then, regarding that vision…"
"That was the clue we needed to learn where Natsume's trauma is." Queen explain, glancing at the Jail. "We had been meaning to tell you, but it appears that the Monarchs are being held inside a cage, with a trauma from their past keeping them locked in. And in order to unlock it, we need to find its location in the real world."
"For example, Alice's trauma was from Shujin academy, and all of the bullying she received from someone who had it out for her." Panther tells them, looking away with a frown. "And it wasn't the normal kind either. What we heard, made it sound like she mad it her mission to ruin her life all the time."
"Leading her to become a Monarch." Sensei remarks, glancing at the cage. "And the same thing happened with Natsume?"
"With the cage all chained up, yeah." Outlaw comments, tiling his hat. "But, where was that conversation from?"
"I think I know." Devil interjects, folding her arms and leaning on one foot. "There is only one café in Sendai that sells Gatorre Coffee. And it's one I frequent a lot when in Sendai. I can lead us there right now."
"Well, that saves us some time." Crow remarks. "Let's head back to reality and find the café. That's the only way to enter the Trauma Cell, after all."
"Trauma Cell…" Sensei echoes with a grim expression. "Such a foreboding name for such a place. Lead us there, Devil."
Returning back to reality, the Thieves follow after Ohya as she lead them to a small out of the way café. One that you took stairs up to reach it, rather than being on the ground floor. And with how quiet it was, it would be easy for them to slip in without being spotted.
"Okay, we're here. Now what?" Ohya asks the team as Yusuke takes his phone out.
"Now we say the Keyword and enter the room." Morgana replies, giving Yusuke a nod. "Go ahead."
"Thank you. Now then, if everyone is ready…" Yusuke glances around, seeing the looks of determination on the faces as he brings the phone to his face. "Prince of Nightmares."
Keyword successfully entered. Beginning navigation.
And like that, the Thieves find themselves in the café, the blood-red glow of the cells outside glaring through the windows.
"So, this is the trauma that sent him on this path." Sensei comments, glancing around at the décor, seeing some small bits of corrupting along the walls like moss. "I wonder what it is."
"We're about to find out." Shadow replies, nodding her head at the bar where two men are sitting.
"Are you sure about this? Awarding him the grand prize for THAT?" Natsume's editor asks the man next to him, who is looking back with an evil smile. "Ango Natsume… The kid's entered every contest, but he never made it past the first stage. He's as stubborn as he is incompetent. What's more, his writing is so painfully generic. It only becomes more obvious when you compare it to the other candidates."
"W—What?" Natsume's voice echoes around them, clearly hurt and saddened at hearing these words from his editor. "They can't be… They acknowledged my work…"
"Is that Natsume's voice?" Devil asks, looking around. "You can hear the hurt…"
"It's fine. He's the Great Sogo Natsume's grandson, remember? As Chief Editor, I say we lean in heavily to that." The other man comments, completely ignorant of the world around him. "Brand recognition is a huge part of marketability. Nobody gives a rat's ass about what is beyond the cover. Though a certain someone seems to think he's actually worth a damn."
"Poor kid can't even see just how hopeless he really is. Seriously, it's pathetic. Haha."
"No…I'm trying the hardest that I can!" The Thieves could feel the hurt in his voice, the desperation and conflict as the Chief Editor stood up. Turning to face the Thieves with cold, dead eyes as they ready for battle.
"Get ready… here comes the Lock Keeper…" Teach tells Sensei and Devil as they draw their weapons. Just as the Chief editor comes to a stop not far from them.
"No skin off my nose so long as he keeps raking it in. We hit the jackpot with that one, and I plan on riding him straight to the top! And if he does, by some miracle, make something decent of himself, well, everybody wins, right?! Ahahahahaha!" At that, he sheds his human form and becomes a Lock Keeper, the room around them collapsing as hit waves around four swords in its hands.
"So he had a money-grubbing editor force him down this path? I know how that feels to have an uncaring editor." Devil remarks coldly, spinning her shotel in her hand. "Let's see how he fairs when the shoe is on the other foot!"
"Write all you want! A talentless hack like yourself is hopeless, hopeless, HOPELESS!" The Lock Keeper screams, jumping into the air and slamming all four swords into the ground. Forcing the Thieves back as the predictable wave of reinforcements joins the party.
"Okay, guys! The Lock Keeper is weak to bless and curse like the last one but is also weak to Ice! Natsume might also be weak to ice when we reach him as well!"
"In that case, Fox, Sensei, you're with me, Crow, Violet, Spring and Sophie! Everyone else, focus on keeping the minions at bay!" Joker shouts, blasting the face of the Lock Keeper with curse magic, forcing it back while Sophie throws her Yo-Yos at it. Wrapping around one of its swords, while Sensei freezes it with a Bufudyne.
"You better cling to that name of yours! The way I see it, that's all you'll ever have!" The Lock Keeper shouts, dragging Sophie towards it and spinning her around. Tossing her at the wall, only for Joker to leap up and grab her. But no sooner did the Lock Keeper get rid of Sophie, Spring leaps down from above and slams her spear into its head before leaping away as it spins around. Before vanishing and sneak attacking Queen and Panther before leaping back to the centre again. Only to suddenly find Crow and Violet waiting for it as they blast it with a join curs and bless spell attack. Sending cracks over its shield as it tries to swipe them in retaliation.
"It's warping around and using sneak attacks… is this what they call 'ninja'?" Sophie asks, her black mask showing two crosshairs on it as she locks onto the Lock Keeper.
"Nope. For one thing, they don't use machetes!" Joker shouts, blasting another Eiagon at the Lock Keeper before switching Alice for Raoul. "Abyssal Wing!" Joker shouts, sending a barrage of feathers at the Lock Keeper, who, surprisingly, starts waving its swords around to cut them in mid-air. Managing to get a quarter of them as the rest detonate on it. Damaging its shield slightly. Just as Fox slashes across its back and blasts him with a Bufudyne before dodging a wild Picasa. Until Teach dealt with it with Agidyne before turning her attention back to the fight at hand.
"I admit, I don't like Natsume." Devil remarks, leaping over Joker and Sophie as she takes a moment to breathe. "But I can tell it was these assholes who sent him on this path, right? I think I'll do a little expose on them and launder out every dirty dead they have done."
"And while you do that." Crow supplies as he joins them. "I'll start pushing for criminal charges of extorsion. They won't escape justice." Joker nods at him as they both blast the Lock Keeper with Megidolaon, the Almighty spells bypassing the shield and striking the Lock Keeper hard.
"Authors are just chips in the bigger game! They exist solely for us to win!" The Lock Keeper shouts, spinning around and vanishing, only to reappear next to Outlaw and Skull who managed to block his attacks. Forcing him to leap back to the centre before Sophie hits him with a Kougaon.
"Natsume… I know this pain far more than he could imagine." Fox quotes, his hand shaking in rage, before unleashing an Iaai strike, wiping out a few shadow cops before clashing blades with the Lock Keeper.
"Hey, cheer up. You might be a shit writer, but at least you've got a knack for stringing yourself along! Hahaha!" With a mighty leap, the Lock Keeper leaps into the air, slamming down on the ground and forcing the team to scatter. "Y'know, I said it was for the money. But holy hell, reading through this stuff is tortuuure! He can't seriously be proud of submitting this trash, is he?" It then lunges forward, all four of its swords pointed forward as it ploughs through the cop shadows around them. Uncaring at who it hits. "Even worthless trash like yours can sell. And as long as there is a buyer, I'll be there to bleed you dry! You're my ticket to the big time, eh 'Mr. Natsume'? Ahahahahahaha!" The Lock Keeper swings its sword down, only to be blocked by Fox and Sensei, who quickly freeze the Lock Keeper in place.
"A sword is nothing if you lack the conviction to swing it! Such a dull blade will never work on us! Devil! It is time!"
"Oh? All right then!" Devil shouts, leaping over to him as the star in Joker's pocket glows.
"It's Showtime!"
As one, the two leap into the air as the red curtains fall over the area. Changing the scenery to that of an art gallery, with Devil holding a camera as Fox was ready to unveil his latest master piece.
"I hope you are all prepared." Fox asks the imaginary crowd as Devil gets a good look with her camera. "My heart and soul, all on this canvas. And now, to show the—" Suddenly, the Lock Keeper breaks through the wall, knocking it over as the picture flies off the stage and is crushed by the rocks. Fox and Devil glare at the Lock Keeper before Devil whips out her minigun while Fox draws his katana.
"No hecklers allowed!" Devil shouts, unleashing rounds of psionic bullets into the Lock Keeper, forcing it back as Fox dashes past it with an ice-infused blade. Freezing it in place while Devil continues to fire. Chipping away at the ice as Fox adds more until they manage to make the emblem of the Phantom Thieves. With the Lock Keeper trapped inside as Devil throws a grenade. Detonating it and blasting apart the Lock Keeper as the two look on with proud smirks.
But as the area returned to normal, a quake ripped through the area along with the distant sound of a chain snapping. But as quickly as the quake came, it passed.
"What was that?" Devil asks the Thieves as they stand around the reformed café.
"That was the chain around the Birdcage breaking. We now have access to the Desires." Oracle tells them before letting out a sigh. "But, can we talk about this back at the Motorhome. I feel pooped."
"Yeah… I feel tired as well." Edelweiss admits, rolling her arms as Sophie knees down.
"I'm tired… I want to sleep…" She remarks as Queen kneels down and picks her up.
"Okay. Let's head back to the Motorhome then." Joker agrees, allowing the team to return to reality soon after. And one step closer to bringing down the Overlord.