Chapter 1: Welcome to Wonderland?

July 19th, 2017

"Hey, were you having trouble sleeping last night? You were tossing and turning like crazy." Morgana asks as he and Ren make their way to the Buchiko Statue.

"Not really. I'll tell you guys when we meet up. It's something you all need to hear." Ren deflects, looking forward and missing Morgana's widening eyes.

"You mean Master Igor and Lady Lavenza told you something?" He asks with surprise. "In that case, it can wait if everyone needs to hear this." Ren nods his head as Morgana retreats back into the bag as the two exit the station and back out into the sunlight.

"Glad I brought my sunglasses…" Ren comments before heading for the statue, finding both Mishima and Ryuji waiting for them next to the train car where Yoshida gave his speeches. And now he was the Prime Minister of Japan with Toshiro working under him.

Japan's future looked bright.

"Yo, Renren!" Ryuji calls as the two share a brofist. "You ready to get some camping gear?"

"That's our line." Ren replies back as Morgana pokes his head out. "You got the list, Yuuki?" Mishima nods, bringing up his phone.

"Yep. Got it listed on EMMA for extra measure." He shows the list on his phone, Ren nodding in approval.

"Nice work." He comments before tugging at his collar. "Let's get out of this heat. I'm starting to sweat."

"Same… it is already WAY too hot out here." Ryuji comments as the trio and cat head for the 705 building. "So, does anyone know which shop it is?"

"Did you forget already?" Morgana asks, shaking his head before suddenly becoming thoughtful. "Well, I suppose it did only say the 705 building. It didn't really tell which store it is."

"Let me ask." Mishima replies, bringing his phone up. "Hey, EMMA, can you show us the store you were talking about yesterday?"

Displaying the optimal route to your destination.

"That was quick." Ren comments. "And it even remembered what we were talking about even though it originally showed it on Futaba's phone? That's crazy."

"Aliiiiiiice!"

"Alice, I love youuu!"

"What's all that racket?" Morgana asks as the cheers draw the attention of the four. Before a blip from Mishima's phone rang out.

I have a suggested event for you. A promotional store opening is currently underway at the Shibuya 705 building storefront with Alice Hiiragi.

"Huh? What the hell is a 'suggested event'? And Alice Hiiragi? Ann has been talking about her quite a bit." Ryuji comments.

"Alice?" Ren asks, with EMMA answering for him.

Alice Hiiragi is a Japanese fashion model and performing artist. She has gained attention with her 'adorable look' and 'unique sense of style'. She is active in a variety of media and genres. She has become a pop culture taskmaster and continues to amass a devoted young fanbase.

"But we already know that." Mishima remarks, putting the phone away. "Everyone at school talks about her in class. Right, Ren?"

"Yeah. Honestly, it's kind of annoying." Ren comments, looking at Ryuji. "Is she really that popular?"

"Well, by what Ann tells me, yeah. That and the giant crowd over there. Surprised she hasn't told you guys." Ryuji replies before tapping his foot. "Y'know, I think I'll head over. See if I can find somethin' to get for Ann. Sure, I don't get the appeal, but Ann does. And what sort of boyfriend would I be if I didn't surprise her?"

"A bad one." Morgana quips with a grin. "But I'll admit I'm also curious. Let go and see, Ren." Ren looks at the cat before turning his gaze back to the crowd.

"Well, it is on our way to the 705… Why not." He relents as the four head on over. Finding themselves at the back of the crowd, they spy a woman standing on the stage with a puffy blue and white striped dress and green hair tied into a bow designed the same way as her dress. The random assortment of cards, teapots, vials with liquids and cups with saucers are scattered over her in a way that doesn't distract but somehow adds to the outfit.

It was honestly a puzzling look for Ren and the others.

"Hi, folks! And thanks for coming!" Alice shouts to the crowd with a beaming smile. "A shop that carries one of my very own brands is opening here today! Have you ever dreamed that you could be somebody else, even if for a little while?" That question sent bad memories into the four, flashing back to Maruki's Reality Bending World and Sumire's situation back then. And if he was here, he would have winced right now, along with Rumi and Sumire.

"Well, I know a place where that dream comes to life! A Wonderland where you become whatever you want to be! Now I've got one question: does anyone wanna visit this Wonderland with me?" The crowd cry out with yesses and agreement while the four Thieves shake their heads. "Aw, thanks! Then I have a surprise for you… I'm giving away 100 invitation cards as a special present! They're magical cards that will make you have an even better time in Wonderland! Enjoyyy…"

With that, she hops off the stage and starts handing out cards to a very lucky few. Each person gives thanks as they receive a card before Alice finds she only has one left. And spots Ren standing near the back.

"Oh, those are some quality specs." She comments, walking up to them with a disarming smile. While at the back of Ren's head warning alarms were blaring like crazy.

"I'm sorry?" Ren says neutrally, prompting Alice to put a hand in front of her mouth as she gasps.

"Sorry, that was weird. Hope you like the store!" Alice replies, giving Ren her last card before returning to the stage. "Let the white rabbit guide you to Wonderland. Have fun there, everybody!" With a cheer, the crowd applauds her as the four make their way back to the train cards to regain their bearings.

"That was strange." Mishima remarks as Ren pulls out the card. "Why did she comment on your glasses?"

"I'm more worried about how she was wearing a disarming smile. It felt like she was trying to lower my guard." Ren comments, shaking his head. "Too bad for her. We're already spoken for." Mishima and Ryuji nod in agreement at the comment as Ren looks at the card in his hand, pondering what to do with it. Until a familiar voice calls out to them.

"Well, I never expected to see you here today." The three turn around, grinning as Akechi walks to join them. Wearing a simple white T-shirt and blue trousers. "Summer break doesn't start for a few more days. Don't tell me you are skipping school?"

"Nope. Kawakami let us start early after we all came in the top ten. Sumire included." Ren replies with a grin as Akechi chuckles.

"Why am I not surprised." He replies. "Sumi told me she was taking the summer off from gymnastics. I don't suppose you already have plans?"

"We're going on a camping trip around Kanto." Morgana replies from Ren's bag. "We're just going to get the barbeque items before we were distracted by Alice."

"Alice, you say?" Akechi replies, hand on chin. "What a coincidence. I was actually here to investigate her." That caught the four by surprise.

"Investigate her? Why?" Mishima asks, confused. Akechi looks around, gauging the crowds before leaning in slightly to whisper.

"What I'm about to tell you is not to leave either of our groups, okay?" The four nod in silence, understanding the seriousness in his eyes. "I'm not sure if you heard, but there have been multiple 'Changes of Heart' happening around the country." Akechi reveals to them, much to their shock.

"Wait, for real?" Ryuji asks in a surprisingly subdued tone.

"But how can that be!? We've been here in Tokyo!" Morgana shouts, not caring since no one else could understand him anyway. "And even then, who is causing all this?"

"That's what I'm here to find out. And if this is any more of Shido's or Yoshiki's goons taking revenge…" Akechi reveals before noticing the card in Ren's hand. "What is that, Ren?" Ren glances at his hand, seeing the card, before shaking his head.

"It's nothing special. Just a card Alice gave to me as she continued to talk about 'Wonderland'." He glances at it before noticing some fine print. "Hm? 'Here's my EMMA Keyword. Please become my friend.' What's a Keyword?"

"Isn't that what you use to become friends on EMMA?" Mishima asks, tilting his head. "Although, Futaba didn't call it Keyword…"

"Well, I suppose there is no hurt in trying." Akechi remarks, looking at Ren. "Go ahead, Ren. It might help give a few clues into my own investigation as well. After all, there is much that can be learned from how one lays things out." Ren shrugs his shoulders before taking his phone out and inputting the Keyword. But what followed next… sent shivers down all of their spines.

Keyword successfully entered. Beginning navigation.

"Beginning navigation!?" Ryuji blurts out just as their vision is enveloped by red and black waves. The feeling of crossing over rushing over them like passing through a waterfall as the bright blue sky is replaced by a starry night. And their summer clothes were replaced by…

"Our Thief attire?!" Outlaw yells, looking himself over as Crow groans in irritation.

"The Metaverse?! Again!? Which God do we need to beat up this time?!" He asks with clear irritation in his voice as Mona looks at Joker.

"This is what you wanted to talk to us about when we met up later, right?"

"Yeah." Joker admits before looking around. "Although, I was hoping that we wouldn't get dragged into here against our will again BEFORE I told all of you."

"What's up with the 705 building!?" Skull shouts, pointing right at it. Following his gaze, the group was shocked to see what looked to be a giant cage with a heart on top, crowning the 705 building. Long chains ran up to it while a castle rose up around it. Along with a castle gate and wall blocking the way in. "It's like Kamoshida's Palace all over again!"

"Don't remind us of that place, Skull. Dealing with it twice was bad enough!" Joker comments, rubbing his head. While Mona, Crow and Outlaw give out long sighs, a group of people to their right catches Outlaw's eyes.

"Hey, aren't they the guys we saw at 705?" He asks, getting the team's attention. True to his word, it was a group of three who were there when Alice gave out her cards. All looking up at one of the screens above them. Before the screen activates, showing an image of… Alice? With a predator-like grin and glowing yellow eyes.

"Hey, everyone. You love me, don't you?" Alice asks the boys below her, with them responding with an enthusiastic yes. Which only made her grin even more predator. "Oh, yeeeah? Then you can give me all of your Desires!" At that moment, a swarm of police officers, each wearing a mask and long spindly arms with giant hands, emerge from the sides, surrounding the three boys.

They try to run but are quickly detained as the 'police' drive their hands into their chests before removing a pink diamond jewel. Dropping the boys to the ground. Before turning their attention to the Thieves standing in the middle of Shibuya, while what could be called an army emerged from the shadows to surround them.

"What is going on here!?" Skull asks, swinging his Imprisoned Mjolnir at his side.

"We can worry about that later!" Mona shouts, drawing Claiomh Solais R.

"Right! For now, focus on fighting out of here!" Joker commands, Paradise Lost R in hand.

"Fight where?! We have a literal army around us!" Outlaw comments, Dues Xiphos in both hands.

"All that means is we have to change our fighting style!" Crow comments, Hinokagutsuchi II in hand. "Like so! Hereward! Megidolaon!" Coming to his side once more, Hereward unleashes a powerful Megidolaon on the approaching shadows, blasting a good portion away while Joker starts attacking with his dagger. Only to find that his strikes were attacking in an AOE style as every blow collided with multiple shadows. Something that Outlaw quickly realised.

"Are our attacks like a Dynasty Warriors game now?" He asks with a smile as he launches his own attack, seeing the same effect happen. "Nice! Blondie! One-Shot Kill!" Summoning his other self, Outlaw unleashes the gun attack, mowing down waves of shadows as Skull and Mona join the fray.

"Heh! You and your shield can go bye-bye!" Skull shouts, swinging his mace into a shield-bearing officer and sending it and a few others into a nearby bus before tearing his mask off. "Agneyastra!" He shouts, bringing William to the field and lashing out in an AOE around him.

While Mona found himself facing off against a few drone type shadows, beaming down searchlights on them as more police shadows spawn. "Not on my watch! Deigo! Magarudyne!" With a call, Mona blasts the drones away with a powerful gust of wind before dodging away from a police baton. "These guys are weak! But they have numbers! At least we are at full strength this time!"

"We have Pixies mixed in with them!" Joker suddenly shouts as numerous Pixies appear before them, alongside Jack-o-Lanterns. "Let's see how you guys can deal with this! Raoul! Abyssal Wing!" Summoning his other self, Joker unleashed a swarm of feathers on the new foes, shredding them with the powerful spell. Surprisingly, the Pixies managed to weather the storm of feathers, although they were clearly wounded from being stuck by their weakness. But as Joker readied himself to finish them off, more appeared beside them.

Unfortunately for them, one of the Pixies who survived the attack was knocked to the ground in a daze. Letting the Thieves use one of their favourite moves. "All-Out Attack!" Joker calls with all five of them jumping into the air and unleashing a shadowy assault on a large group of shadows. Wiping them all out in one strike.

As they land, Crow lands next to a lamp post, finding himself surrounded on all sides, with him hatching an idea. Kicking off the ground, Crow grabs onto the pole and starts to spin, sucking in the nearby foes while also kicking them in the face before leaping off. Sending out a shockwave that knocks all the shadows caught away into the air as Crow lands next to Joker and Mona,

"While this is fun, there are too many of them to continue." Crow tells the two, with Joker nodding in reply as he takes out his Tyrant Pistol Ex before jumping into the air and shooting out several shots of curse energy into the shadows. They both glance at his gun in surprise at the manoeuvre before shrugging at each other and putting it at the back of their minds for now.

"I'm getting a feeling... is this?" Mona asks himself, not seeing a shadow sneak up on him before Outlaw blasts it with his Dawnbringer rifle.

"Mona! Focus up!" Outlaw comments, jumping away from a Jack-o-Lantern and landing next to them, Skull right behind him.

"The hell!? They just keep coming!"

"We're getting surrounded. We have to get out of here." Crow quips, bringing his Ancient Day ray gun out and letting several silver bolts fly in a similar acrobatic manner as Joker. Joker nods, glancing around before his eyes land on a nearby alleyway not far from them, with a very weak defensive line.

"Is this a trap? Oh, what the hell. Guys! Follow me!" Joker calls, rushing for the weakened area with the others following after him. With Skull launching a Ziodyne and Crow an Eigaon on their flanks. Allowing the team to easily retreat and lose their pursuers, giving them a chance to rest from the nonstop battle.

"Everyone alright?" Joker asks, taking a moment to breathe.

"I'll live." Crow comments as he stretches his back.

"Same here." Mona agrees, jumping onto Joker's shoulder.

"Never thought I'd have to fight like a Dynasty Warrior character…" Outlaw comments, shaking his head. "All that time playing as Cao Pi is going to pay off…"

"What the hell is up with this place?" Skull asks, rolling his shoulder. "I mean, OBVIOUSLY, it is the Metaverse, but what was that fight?! It's nothing like the Palaces or the Kingdoms!"

"Obviously, we are dealing with new rules. At the very least, we should be thankful were are not depowered like in the Kingdoms and have our best weapons with us. Or facing against someone who can brainwash us." Crow comments with a frown, all of them shivering at that reminder before he glances at Mona. "Back then, you sensed something, didn't you, Mona?"

"I did." The cat replies. "I felt something that was like a Treasure. But at the same time… it didn't. But if I could sense a Treasure, then that means…"

"This is Alice's Palace?" Outlaw asks, tilting his head.

"I suppose that would be the only way to describe this." Crow comments with a frown. "And the Alice we saw on screen, she had the eyes of a Shadow. A Personal Shadow."

"And we entered after I typed Alice's Keyword into EMMA," Joker comments with narrow eyes. "Something tells me we've found the cause of these 'Changes of Heart', Crow."

"So it would appear…" Crow agrees with a shake of his head. "This is like Shido all over again."

"Dammit. Even if it is, it doesn't change the fact we are in some deep shit." Skull comments, kicking the ground. "And we can't stay here forever. The girls and Fox will probably wonder where we are, and they might get sucked in here too."

"But we can't leave without finding out more about this place, right? Shouldn't we do some recon first?" Outlaw suggests.

"Good idea," Joker replies. "We'll scope the place out and then head back once we have a better understanding of the area…. and when we find a way out as well." With that, the team moves out, hoping over a wall and into another alleyway as they begin their search. But they didn't get far before searchlights were on them. Blinding them before nets with weights were tossed onto them. And because of the power of cognition, the nets easily managed to entwine and pin the five to the ground as they were quickly surrounded by police shadows.

Before long, the group of five were being marched down a red velvet hallway. Hands bound behind their backs and surrounded by guards, they were led to a red and golden door with a pink heart on it. And waiting inside on a throne, wearing a stripperific dress and giant eyes on her head with a crown, was Shadow Alice. Holding a cane in her hand. It was like looking at a female Kaneshiro.

"Who are these lil' guys?" She asks as the five Thieves are forced to their knees.

"Your Majesty. We captured these thieves, but we couldn't steal their Desires. We have instead brought them to you." One of the shadow police reports, earning a hum from Shadow Alice.

"Couldn't steal their Desires? How is that possible? Explain yourselves." She asks, standing up before walking sultry towards Joker. "Hmph… You look pretty cool… So what's your name?" Raising her cain next to Joker's face. Joker remains silent, glaring at Shadow Alice. Not amused, Shadow Alice smashes her cane across Joker's face, sending him to the ground.

"Joker!" Mona shouts in alarm, grabbing Shadow Alice's attention.

"Joker? So that's your name?" She comments before stepping on his face with some force. "Come now, Joker… You need to answer properly when your Queen asks a question." That turned out to be the wrong word to say as Joker growls back at her with anger.

"Sorry, but I already have a Queen. And you are not her, nor will you EVER be her, bitch." Joker shoots back with a glare, earning a scoff from Shadow Alice.

"Whoever she is, she must pale in comparison to me. What about you four?" She looks at the others with a predatory grin. "Don't you wish for a Queen?"

"I already have a Panther! This Skull ain't interested, so quit it, asshole!" Skull defiantly shouts with Outlaw nodding his head.

"That's right! So forget about flirting with this Outlaw! I belong to the Spring!"

"While I won't be as dramatic as my two friends here…" Crow says while shaking his head. "I can say this. You are not my Violet. And you never will be."

"You tell her, Crow! And if Fox was here, he would say the same thing with Noir!" Mona shouts, bobbing his head up and down, with all of them completely losing Shadow Alice's interest.

"Urgh, what a bore… You boys could have so much more with me. But if you won't listen, then I'll just stop caring. Get rid of 'em however you like." She tells the guards who grab the Thieves by the shoulders and drag them away. "I don't want toys that won't do as they're told. Bye-bye!" She chirps just as the doors slam shut. As for their fate, well….

They found out how much 'fun' a dive through a garbage chute really was.


"Ow, ow, ow, ow…." Skull groans as he stands up, looking at the others. "You guys okay?"

"I've had worse days than this." Crow comments, standing up, followed by Outlaw, Mona and Joker.

"Damn that Alice! She's acting just like Kamoshida's Shadow!" Outlaw shouts, kicking a can.

"For real. Man, Panther is going to be upset when she hears about this…" Skull remarks with a frown while Crow looks at Joker, who is rubbing his face.

"How are you doing, Joker? That couldn't have been pleasant."

"I'll admit, I did have some flashes back to that interrogation…" Joker comments, letting his hand fall. "But I'm doing a lot better than initially. No shaking arm or cold sweat. And I'll get her back for doing that."

"That's good to hear." Mona quips, jumping onto his shoulder. "But where are we?"

"A garbage room, considering how we arrived here." Crow points out while shaking his head.

"Please tell me the walls won't close in on us." Outlaw comments with a worried look.

"Somehow, I don't think that will happen. Either way, we need to get out of here and tell the others." Joker informs, looking around at the massive piles of trash. "There has to be a way out of here. Let's split up and look for an exit." With nothing else to do, the team split up to find an exit. While moving through the piles of trash, Joker noticed a lot of stuff from Shujin Academy was down there as well. But why was that? And why Shujin in particular? Not that he could answer that while trapped down here.

But as he walked through the room, he found something that was not like the rest. A giant cube with silver lines running all around it that looked like lines on a motherboard blocking his path.

"What is this? A container?" He asks, walking up and placing his hand on it. Before, the lines suddenly all glowed as one, blinding him temporarily as the box began to fold on itself as tiny cubes before condensing into a small form about half his height as the light blinded his eyes.


REBOOTING

SOPHIA Ver1.37

STARTING NERUAL NETWORK…

LANGUAGE… OK

MOTOR… OK

SENSORY… OK

VISUAL… OK

MEMORY… NONE

MEMORY SYSTEM INITIALISING…

ALL SYSTEMS… OK

What would you like me to become?


As the glow subsided, Joker opened his eyes to find a young girl with red hair, a puffy white blouse and short black shorts standing before him with red hearts trailing down her sides like pigtails. And shin-high black boots. Her eyes then open, revealing them to be a gentle blue with two black rings circling her pupils.

She glances around, taking in her surroundings before looking at Joker with eyes filled with curiosity.

"What is this place?" She asks quietly. "Who are you?" Joker blinks his eyes for a moment before putting his hands into his pockets. Confused about what has happened, but introductions take place before questions.

"My name is Joker." He replies calmly. The girl tilted her whole upper body to the side with childlike wonder.

"You are…'Joker'? I am Sophia. Humanities Companion." Sophia introduces herself with a smile, leaving Joker with several questions for later.

"Well then, nice to meet you, Sophia," Joker replies, holding a hand out, with Sophia grasping it with both hands and shaking it enthusiastically.

"Nice to meet you as well. Joker, do you know this place—"

"Hey Joker! Did you find anything!?" Outlaw asks as he, Skull, Crow and Mona rush around a garbage pile towards him. Before seeing Sophia beside him. "Oh. I guess you did." Before anyone could ask who she was, Sophia locked eyes with Mona, startling the cat.

"Erm… Can I help you?" Mona asks, slightly intimidated, with Sophia tilting herself to the side in response.

"…A racoon?" She asks with childlike wonder.

"Try a cat!" Mona replies in a grumpy tone, with Skull and Outlaw shaking their heads at him while Crow walks up to Joker.

"So… When did you get a daughter?" He asks with a snide remark with Joker elbowing him in the side.

"Knock it off, Crow." Joker replies as Sophia turns to Crow.

"Hello. I am Sophia. Humanities Companion." She tells him, drawing his attention. Something he couldn't help but smile at her childlike aura.

"Well, hello to you too. I am Crow." He replies, patting her on the head before looking to Joker. "If you don't mind, Sophia, but we are going to have a little chat."

"Okay. I will be here if you need me." She replies before turning around and looking over a giant pile of trash. While Sophia was distracted the group huddled up to ask a few questions to Joker.

"Who is that, Joker?" Outlaw asks, watching the young girl look around the trash.

"I don't know. All I know is that she appeared from a giant box with circuit lines all over it." Joker replies, surprising the grip.

"A giant box?" Mona asks, tilting his head.

"What is up with that? I know we have seen some crazy things in our time as Phantom Thieves, but…" Skull comments, shaking his head.

"Well, she's not a shadow. Her eyes tell all. In truth, they remind me of Isara's." Crow comments, glancing back. "And she certainly doesn't act hostile. Either way, we need to get out of here."

"But how do we even get back? Without Oracle, we're blind." Outlaw comments while kicking the ground.

"In trouble?" Sophia asks, now suddenly standing next to Joker and startling the group. "If you are in trouble, I can help. I am Humanities Companion. My purpose is to be helpful to humans."

"Humanities Companion?" Outlaw asks, tilting his head alongside Mona. What a strange title.

"Sooo, you wanna help out?" Skull asks hesitantly with Sophia bobbing her head up and down.

"Correct. What is your problem?"

"We are lost and are currently attempting to find our way back to the surface." Crow tells her gently and clearly. Sophia nods her head before smiling.

"Okay. I've got it. I'm searching for 'a way to the surface'." She tells them before spinning around and running off with her arms stretched out behind her.

"Hey, wait!" Mona cries as the group chases after her. And a good thing, too, as a shadow appears before Sophia, before dissolving into a large crowd of police officers and free Persona. Sophia jumps back, shocked at the sudden appearance, as Joker and the others rush in front.

"Stay behind us! Raoul! Abyssal Wing!"

"Hereward! Laevatienn!"

"William! Ziodyne"

"Diego! Garudyne!"

"Blondie! One-Shot Kill!"

The group of shadows didn't stand a chance when confronted by the blast of combined magic from the five Thieves. Even if they were stronger than the shadows found in Kamoshida's Palace for some reason. While Sophia looked on in awe at the Persona as they returned to their other-half hearts.

"Are you okay, Sophia? Nothing hurt?" Mona asks, running up to her.

"I'm fine. No injuries here." She replies before giving a puzzled look. "But why was I attacked? Assaulting others without reason is not proper behaviour."

"They aren't people." Outlaw says gently. "We call them shadows. Foes of us, the Phantom Thieves. We're considered dangerous rebels of the ruler of this place. All because we wouldn't let her seduce us."

"Seriously… crazy bitch…" Skull grumbles to himself.

"The Phantom Thieves…" Sophia says in awe, looking at each of them before jumping in place happily. "That's really cool."

"Umm, yeah… I guess we are…" Joker replies, not sure how to take the response. Nothing seemed to phase this young girl. Or was she even human in the first place? "Anyway, there are a lot of shadows around here. If you want to help us escape, then stay close to us, okay?" Sophia nods her head with a happy smile at Joker's question.

"That is fine with me, Joker. Along with Crow, the cowboy, cat and…skeleton."

"I'm not a skeleton!" Skull says in dismay before shaking his head. "The hell? I can't shout at a kid… My name is Skull, okay, Sophia?"

"Call me Outlaw."

"And I'm Mona."

Sophia looks at each of them, saying their names back at them as though she was confiding them to memory. With names exchanged, the team head up a nearby staircase as they follow after Sophia, rushing through the underground waterway before finding a Shadow blocking their way.

"Looks like we have a guard. Figueres." Outlaw comments, pulling his hat down.

"Doesn't look like it is moving anytime soon." Skull remarks with an annoyed tone.

"And we have Sophia with us. We can ill afford a battle with a non-combatant." Crow comments. "Any chance of an ambush spot?"

"Doesn't look like it." Joker comments with a frown. "The only way is down the hall."

"Are you saying it is in your way?" Sophia asks, with the group looking at her before Mona nods. "Okay. I've got it." She replies before rushing right into the hallway before anyone can ask her what she has got. The guard notices her coming and turns to face her.

"Who are you? Intruders?!" It shouts before morphing into three Jack-O-Lanterns and launching a triple Agilao blast at Sophia. Colliding with her before Skull or Joker could leap in and tank the blow. For a moment, they feared Sophia was lost, but as the fires cleared, Sophia was still standing tall. With four rectangular black boxes that grow thinner towards one side with silver decals blocking the fire in front of her. Before flying away and hovering behind her as Sophia looks up. Her head was now encased in a white hood, leaving only a gap where her face would be that was covered by a black screen and two large blue circles indicating her eyes. The two red ponytails were now a singular ponytail at the back of her head. Black gloves covered her hands, and her shoes were now thigh high, while two yo-yos were held in her hands.

Seeing the confused look on the Jack-o-Lanterns, Sophia attacks with her yo-yos, charged with what looked to be bless magic as the four floating items around her fire beams of light at the Jack-o-Lanterns. Taking them all out in a single attack.

"We are the Phantom Thieves." Sophia says as the yo-yos return to her hands while Joker and the others look on with wide eyes.

"Holy shit, she just beat them!" Skull exclaims as Sophia runs back up to them.

"Does she have funnels as her weapons?" Outlaw asks, feeling very jealous all of a sudden.

"Is that a Persona she's using?" Mona questions, just as Sophia stops right in front of Joker.

"Path is clear." She says with a chirp, the black visor retracting and revealing her smiling face. Joker couldn't help but smile as he patted Sophia on the head.

"Well done." He tells her before looking back up. "I didn't know you were that strong, Sophia."

"I copied what you did and ended up like this." Sophia replies, bobbing her head up and down.

"That looked more than copying us, Sophia. Are you a Persona user?" Crow asks, but the confused look he gets from her. "Those flying boxes that you summoned when you fought."

"That was a weapon. I needed it to fight." Sophia responds, not understanding what a Persona is. They just had way too many questions now, but this was neither the time nor the place to ask them.

"Sophia… just what in the world are you?" Mona asks with an exasperated tone, causing the young girl to look at him.

"I am Sophia. Humanities Companion."

"This is going to be a running gag, isn't it?" Outlaw quietly asks Crow, who nods his head.

"Agreed. But there is still too much that we don't know, though. However, discussing them here will not be productive. We need to get out and warn the others. We can't afford to gather more attention to us from Alice's guards."

"Hey, why don't we let her help out." Skull suddenly suggests, motioning to Sophie. "You guys saw how she handled those Jack-o-Lanterns. She can take care of herself and kick ass to boot. We could use the extra firepower in getting out of here until we regroup with the others."

"Agreed…" Joker replies, laying a hand on his mask. "Especially since I can't feel the rest of my roster. I never went back to the Velvet Room to get them back after the fiasco in Salmael's Kingdoms."

"And we don't have access to Sub-Personas either…" Outlaw mumbles, glancing at his rifle. The golden cog that had been there in the Kingdom is gone. "So, think you can lend us a hand, Sophia?"

"Okay, I got it." Sophia replies, bouncing on her heels. "You'll be counting on me! Follow me. I know the path we need to take." Running on ahead with her arms stretched behind her, Sophia leads the Thieves through a small tunnel past giant vents and into another spacious room filled with pipes. Rushing through the area, Sophie leads the team up a flight of stairs and down a large pipe before arriving at another room. Where several guards patrolled the area.

"We've got shadows up ahead. And a lot of them as well." Joker tells the others, glancing around the edge.

"Shall we attack them?" Sophia asks, the visor slipping over her face.

"Not yet, Sophia." Mona tells her, patting her leg. "Here's a tip that we Thieves live by. Never charge head-first into your enemy. Always ambush them from the sides or above."

"And I see a very convenient place for us to attack from." Crow comments, pointing to the towering structure ahead of them. With a set of stairs leading to the top, hidden from the guards.

"Good eyes." Joker tells him before glancing at Sophia. "Follow us." Moving on silent feet, Joker rushes for the stairs, with the rest following after him. Quiet as mice, they traverse up the stairs, finding themselves on a platform overlooking the guards while a hanging piece of scaffolding dangles above one of the guards.

"And we have found our ambush point." Outlaw remarks, getting his gun out and aiming at the ropes. "At your call, Joker." With a flick of his hand, Joker signals Outlaw to take the shot. With a single squeeze of the trigger, Outlaw sends the scaffolding tumbling towards the guard. Rushing him and sending the multiple shadows and free Persona that made him up scattering. The other two guards quickly melt, changing into the giant squads that they actually were just as the Thieves leap down to attack.

Unfortunately for the guards, one of the Jack-o-Lanterns was stuck in a daze. Allowing the Thieves to unleash and All-Out Attack before they had a chance to do anything.

"Yay! We won!" Sophia celebrates, hugging Crow as he pats her on the head.

"We may have won this time, but we are still in danger." Crow tells her, glancing around the area. "And I don't see any way forward."

"I can." Joker replies, his eyes glowing a faint blue. Directly looking at a pole sticking out from the top of a platform. "Follow me." He tells the team, leaping onto the rod and propelling himself onto the platform.

"Show off." Skull remarks in good nature as the others follow him. Sophia watches them in wonder, tilting her head to the side as she attempts to copy them. Only to mistime her leap and land halfway up the wall.

"You okay, Sophia?" Mona asks with a wince, seeing her failed attempt.

"I am fine. I only messed up. Let me try again." Sophia replies, giving herself a wider space to work with before doing a running start. This time, she was successful, landing next to Mona as she gave out a beaming smile. "I did it."

"You did. Good work." Mona praises her as the two rush to join the others near a giant sewage pipe. But as they ran up it towards freedom, they came across a lone security guard. Larger than the others and glowing with a red aura. "A savage shadow?" Mona whispers with worry as the guard stomps forward.

"This is as far as you rats will go!" The guard shouts before dissolving itself into a large Bicorn. Rearing its hooves up, the Bicorn charges at the Thieves, scattering them as Skull rips his mask off.

"William! Ziodyne!" With his true self behind him, Skull sends the powerful lightning spell at the Bicorn. Exploiting its weakness. Only to drop his jaw as a protective shield activates around the Bicorn. "Oh, come one! What the hell is that!?"

"Queen Alice's protection is upon me! I will not fall to you rats so easily!" The Bicorn roars, charging towards Skull as he dodges out of the way.

"Blondie! Megaton Raid!" Outlaw shouts, sending his attack at the Bicorn, only for it too to be negated by the Bicorn's shield. But it was showing noticeable cracks along its surface.

"Don't stop attacking! That shield of his can only last for so long!" Mona shouts, taking a swing at the Bicorn only to miss just as a large group of Pixies and Jack-o-Lanterns arrive to assist the Bicorn. Joker glances around, grimacing at the foes around them before feeling a strange presence within him. It reminded him of the power of the Kingdom, yet felt different all the same. It wasn't a Showtime attack either, but more of a…

Call upon me, Ren. And let us show them the power of two who work as one!

"Showtime!" Joker shouts as he leaps into the air, ripping his mask off. "To me, Raoul!" With his flair for the dynamic, Raoul makes his appearance as he conjures forth an orb of curse magic before throwing it to the ground. It lands, digging itself into the ground as Joker dives towards it, driving his dagger into it before leaping off just as it explodes. Engulfing all of the enemies around it, including the Bicorn, as the others look on in amazement.

The Bicorn staggers, its shield destroyed as Joker rushes towards it. Unleashing a five-hit combo before jumping away and blasting the Bicorn with Eiagon. Drowning the shadow in curse magic as it finally falls to his might.

"Who knew… that Bicrons could be so tough?" Joker asks, wiping his head as the others rush up to him.

"What the hell was that man!? That as nothin' any of us had seen before!" Skull asks, shaking Joker by the shoulder.

"I don't know. I just felt a power build up in me, and Raoul called for me to unleash it. It felt nothing like what we used before."

"I wonder… Could it have been a special attack like in the Dynasty games?" Outlaw wonders out loud before shaking his head. "Argh… Now is not the time to think about it!"

"Outlaw is right. We are almost out of this place." Crow pointed out, motioning his head to a nearby door. "I believe it is time we quit this place."

"No arguments from me. I feel exhausted." Joker admits, shaking his head as the team moves for the door. Moving through, the team head up a set of stairs, finding themselves back on one of Shibuya's many side streets.

"Back outside. Finally. That sewer was starting to stink." Outlaw comments as Skull takes in a deep breath of air.

"Don't let your guards down, guys. We're still in the Metaverse, and it's clear these shadows are no joke." Mona warns the two as Joker and Crow scan the area. No foes waited for them to arrive, so they were in the clear for now. All they needed to find now was their way out of here.

"I have found it." Sophia suddenly says, pointing in one direction. "A way out of here. One is located nearby."

"For real?" Skull asks, surprised at Sophia's declaration, before she runs off in the pointed direction. "Hey! Wait up!" The Thieves chase after her. They soon find themselves standing on a scaffold overlooking Shibuya Square with the 705 building directly before them. But had their eyes more was the strange glowing portal that was in the wall in front of them.

"Is this the way out, Sophia?" Joker asks, looking over the glowing portal.

"Yes. This is the 'way out' that I detected earlier." Sophia replies, nodding her head. Joker looks between her and the strange portal before letting out a sigh.

"Well, fortune favours the bold." Joker comments, marching to the portal. The others glance at each other warily before following after him alongside Sophia. And the moment they touched the portal, they were gone.


Humanities Companion has arrived!