[Flashback.]
Ann knocked on the door to Hifumi's house. She was told to meet her there. After a moment or two passed, the door opened, and it was Mitsuyo Togo. Ann flashed a slightly nervous smile. Hifumi's mother still scared her. "H-Hi, Togo-san!"
"Hello, Takamaki." Mitsuyo didn't greet Ann with a smile, but she didn't meet her with a glare or anything either. It was a neutral expression. "Hifumi is getting her things; she'll be out in a moment. You can come in if you want."
"T-Thank you." Ann gave an appreciative bow before stepping inside. After a few minutes, Ann and Hifumi met up, and proceeded to head out together.
"It's quite hot..." Hifumi said while fanning herself. Even though summer was over, the heat still persisted. She was in Shibuya with Ann on a weekend, the two of them meeting up for a quick date.
Ann grabbed some crepes for the both of them. They took inside the nearby cafe where it was cool with air conditioner. "This is my thanks for helping me study!"
"It's no problem, Ann." Hifumi smiled in response. "You know I'm always happy to help."
"I owe you." Ann said with a relived smile. "Makoto and Haru are off at college now, so I don't want to bother them for help. Futaba and Sumire are second years now, so what we're doing doesn't really apply to them. And Ryuji...isn't much better than I am. I can't confidently say we'd get much done." Ryuji needed someone better than her to study.
"I understand." Hifumi replied with a small giggle. She was happy that Ann was taking studying somewhat seriously. "Studying doesn't have to be an excuse either, you know. My mother is okay with us."
"I know..." Ann shifted about in her seat, almost shyly. "But still, I don't want her to think that I'm just wasting your time or anything. I want to be at least somewhat smart so she doesn't give me that passing glance every time we see each other! You know the one."
"I know." Hifumi nods. "Whatever it is you need, I'm here. It's been that way for a while, has it not?"
"Mhm." Ann nodded excitedly in turn. Plus, she was going to town on that crepe. She made sure to get as many toppings as possible. A little treat. "And I know I sometimes don't bring much to the table, but you can rely on me too."
Hifumi shook her head to that. "Nonsense. You do more than enough for me. I wouldn't be right here if it wasn't for you." A gentle smile then crossed her lips.
"Even if we aren't fighting anymore, I'll do all I can to help and protect you." Ann said with a serious expression. But it was warm, for this came from both her kindness and her love for Hifumi. "I promise, Fumi. With all my heart."
"I know." Hifumi replied a slow nod. "And whenever you're in trouble, I'll do all I can to help you out of it."
[End Flashback]
.
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Now, Panther stood across from Dragon, unable to control her own actions. Violet and Oracle were ready to fight as well, in the name of Lady Marie. "..." Dragon tightened her grip around her staff. "You saved me from getting controlled by that witch, so I'll free you from her control...!"
"Dragon-chan, I know it's going to be hard for you to hurt her. You're not that kind of person." Viper said seriously, before a grin crossed her lips. "But you don't have to worry. I have no problems roughing her up a little bit."
"That actually makes me worry!" Dragon quickly said.
"Joker!" Erina looked to Joker. "What's the plan? You're your comrades, but I don't know how they fight...!"
"Dragon, Viper, and Mona, take Panther! Wolf, Sophie, take Violet! Crow, Erina, on me, we're going for Oracle!" Joker exclaimed. They had the numbers to divide and conquer, so he was taking a page out of Dragon's book.
"Uh, what about the VERY REASONABLE idea of running away!?" Toshiro shouted from behind a few barrels.
"This is above your paygrade, stay quiet!" Crow barked, causing Toshiro to groan sadly.
"Let's have some fun!" Panther, Violet, and Oracle all exclaimed at once, ready to take on the impudent thieves who dared to defy Lady Marie!
Erina darted forward towards Oracle. Since Oracle wasn't a combatant, she made the reasonable assumption that taking her out first would be wise. Erina twirled her spear around, thrusting it towards Oracle. "I apologize for this, but it's for your friends!" But imagine Erina's surprise when her spear struck a green barrier, stopping before it could even reach Oracle. "Huh!?"
"Ahahahaha!" Oracle's voice did not suit the haughty laugh of Marie that came out of it. But soon, Oracle entered Al Azif and floated into the sky. "Did you really think I'd let some vermin like you touch me? These toys are an extention of myself, and you will not lay your filthy hands on them so easily!"
"She already took to the sky. What's your move, Joker?" Crow asked.
"This!" Joker was expecting this outcome, so he leapt onto a box, spun around, and took to the sky himself with a mighty leap. His grappling hook latched onto Al Azif, which immediately attempted to shake him off. "Gah...!" But Joker held on, using his free hand to pull out his gun, taking a few shots at the Persona. "Sorry about this Oracle, but it has to be done!"
"Stop that!" Oracle demanded, only to feel another shot from below. Crow summoned Hereward, firing a few curse arrows in the process. They struck Al Azif, much to the discomfort of Oracle. So, she spun around, whipping Joker off of her Persona and flung him directly into Crow. The two of them crashed into one another and a few boxes were destroyed in the process.
"Haaaah!" Erina took a leap into the air, stabbing Al Azif, planting herself firmly on the Persona's front. Sparks flew from the impact, and she wasn't sure if damage was being dealt or not. But she refused to give in, until Al Azif threw her off. She hit the ground with a thud, but quickly got back up despite the injury. "You said this one wasn't a fighter, but she sure knows how to hold her own...!"
"This one's pretty interesting!" Marie spoke through Oracle. Oracle then pressed a few buttons and flew forward. She selfishly cast Tarukaja on herself, boosting her Attack power for whatever it was she was about to do! Everyone assumed she was going to ram into them, so they braced for impact. Instead, Oracle spun around at the last second, leaving a gift in front of the three of them: a bomb.
"I forgot she could do that!" Joker's eyes were wide as he crossed his arms. He, Erina, and Crow had no choice but to defend themselves from the ensuring explosion, and it was a strong one. They nearly lost their footing, but instead slid across the stone floor, wincing from the impact. Curiously enough, that blast wasn't as impact as they expected, despite the boost in power.
"Does it normally hurt that much...?" Erina winced. She was still able to keep fighting, but she'd be lying if she said that one didn't hurt.
"This is going to be more troublesome than expected..." Crow hissed. Oracle was always a useful support. That's why, when he fought the Phantom Thieves in Shido's ship, he made it a point to take her out first. This situation was no different, but it felt even worse somehow due to her wider range of abilities.
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Violet leapt around Wolf and Sophie. With her acrobatic skills, she had an edge when it came to the nimbleness of a Phantom Thief. Wolf swung his greatsword at her, but every single time he did, he whiffed. It was starting to get on his nerves. "Damn, did she get even better over the last few months?! I mean, good for her, but I can't hit her for shit...!" Violet was dancing around him, even going so far as to flip behind him, and press her boots into his back to push off and force him to stumble forward. "Guh!"
"I'm sorry, Violet! But I have to do this!" Sophie whipped her yo-yos forward, attempting to strike or coil around Violet's body. Violet was able to use her rapier to deflect the yoyos before they got too close to her. Sophie moved in for swift kick, but Violet flipped around her, instead returning the favor by kicking Sophie! She tumbled back from the impact, but managed to catch herself. "She's fast..."
"In the name of Lady Marie, you will fall to your knees!" Violet landed on a box and spun around, summoning Ella in the process. Ella matched Violet's movements and twirled around, beams of light shooting in every which direction, without a care as to who they hit.
"Gah!" Wolf had to duck for cover. "There's a way to slow her down..."
"I have an idea!" Sophie nodded before pointing her fingers towards Violet. Due to them both sharing the element of light, Sophie could withstand the barrage of light beams without any issues. Sophie used this chance to take aim and... "Firing!" A bullet flew towards Violet. She saw this coming and leapt to dodge once it got close, however...the bullet expanded into a large void. This void acted as a vacuum, drawing in the light, and Violet in the process.
"W-What!?" Violet yelped, attempting to free herself. But she was stuck in midair, unable to freely move herself. "Release me this INSTANT!"
"Nice work. Sophie!" Wolf said while lunging forward. "Sorry, kid! But this is about to hurt you a lot more than it does me!" He flipped his sword to the blunt side of it and leap into the air, slashing Violent with enough force to send her crashing the ground. As soon as this was done, Wolf summoned Valjean. "Valjean! Let's make this quick!" A triangle of red, purple, and green exploded around Wolf as he cast Heat Riser on himself, increasing his offensive and defensive potential twofold. Valjean then raised an arm, and swung it down, causing one of his large chains to slam down on Violet, aiming specifically for the crown of her head to knock her out as swiftly as possible. The prison rumbled lowly from the impact.
"That was a direct hit!" Sophie confirmed it.
Wolf landed on the ground and nodded. "Yeah. Hopefully that will keep her down for a while..." As the smoke from the impact cleared, Violet was on the ground, covered in bruises and unconscious. But the two of them didn't have a chance to react, as Violet's eyes shot open, and she stood back up. "W-What!?" Wolf gasped.
"She recovered!? But how!?" Even Sophie was at a loss. "A strike like that should have rendered her unconscious!"
"That's the beautiful thing about these toys! They don't feel anything!" Violet exclaimed, her hand moving beside her mouth to let out another mocking laugh. "Ahahahahahaha! Not only are they durable, but I know they won't break for a while!"
This made Wolf's hand clench in anger. "They don't even feel the pain? You bastard. They're just kids, let 'em go!" Who cared if they could take these hits. While Wolf knew the Phantom Thieves were made of sterner stuff, this went beyond insanity and just into cruelty.
"Who are you to order ME around!?" Violet sneered before Ella appeared, first boosting Violet's attack power with her signature Brave Step...and then Ella herself flew forward.
"Incoming!" Sophie warned. Ella flew past her and Wolf, multiple slashes occurring in that single instant from Vorpal Blade.
"GAAAH!" Sophie and Wolf were thrown back. Wolf was able to sponge the hit better because of Heat Riser, but Ella still slashed into him pretty good.
"Dammit..." Wolf growled. Those under Marie's control couldn't feel pain. If they kept fighting like this... "They gotta snap out of it, or we gotta make them somehow! At this rate..."
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Mona tumbled along the ground after Panther threw him. He found it hard to fight Panther, but he had to try! "Whooooa!"
"Ann, you have to snap out of this!" Dragon said while summoning Bella. Bella flew forward with her sword, only to clash against Celestine. The two of them pushed back against each other, while Dragon looked Panther straight in the eyes. "This isn't like you!"
"Just who do you think you're talking too!?" Panther's whip ignited in flames and she cracked it towards Dragon. She braced for the impact, and it hit hard. She was still weak to fire, so it hurt... "You're better of kneeling in front of me, you worm!"
"Ngh...!" Dragon closed one eye. She really found it hard to fight Panther, but she was trying her best to at least endure it. She knew Ann would never willingly hurt her!
"Nua!" Viper moved into action, taking advantage of this opening. Nua slithered forward and slammed into Panther, causing her to slide backwards.
"You rat!" Panther hissed as Celestine returned to her side. She threw a fireball towards Nua, who countered with a bolt of lightning. The two attacks exploded against each other in the air. "You're the one who broke free of my control. I'm going to make sure that doesn't happen a second time!"
"I already told you, bitch, my ego is too big for someone else to usurp it!" Viper spoke with her claws out. "I gotta say though, COUGAR! I thought you were better than that, too! Look at yourself, letting some crusty, ugly old hag take control of you like that!"
"WHAT DID YOU CALL ME!?" Panther's eyes widened with the borrowed anger of Marie. Panther's whip struck the ground, causing numerous pillars of flame to rise up and travel towards the opposing trio. They all had to split in separate directions to avoid being torched. "I already told you! I dominate every aspect of their minds! There is nothing you can do to break them free now! You'll join them soon enough as well!"
"This is bad." Mona told Viper and Dragon. "Even if we fight her, it doesn't feel like we're making any progress..."
"Wait!" Dragon looked behind Panther, noticing an explosive barrel. "...I hate doing this, but if we cause that barrel to explode, it would be more than enough to knock her out. I'll distract her."
"I know what you're doing!" Viper narrowed her eyes at Dragon. "You can't keep putting yourself in harm's way thinking it'll snap her out of it!"
"I have to try!" Dragon shot back. "I know they're all in there somewhere. Ann wouldn't hurt me. Futaba and Sumire wouldn't hurt us willingly. If their minds are too deep, we have to pull them out somehow!"
"...I agree with her." Mona nodded. "Even if the direct confrontation is unavoidable, we have to save our friends!"
"If it were me over there, wouldn't you go that far?" Dragon asked. Viper's eyes widened for a moment, and she sucked her teeth.
"...I hate when you do that." Viper mumbled, because the answer was yes.
With a nod, Dragon leapt from behind cover. She swung her staff at Panther, who...just took the hit, much to her surprise. "Ah!? You didn't dodge!?"
"I don't need to!" Panther said while whipping Dragon. Dragon used her staff to block the hits. "These toys are mine to use, and I will use them how I see fit!"
"Diego!" Mona called forth Diego, who created a gust of wind to lift the explosive barrel into the air. Right after that, Viper leapt into the air and kicked the barrel down, right on top of Panther.
"Heads up, bitch!" Viper exclaimed.
"Huh?" Panther looked up and Dragon leapt away. The last thing Panther saw was the barrel coming at her before it exploded on top of her.
"I'm sorry!" Dragon winced. But her apologetic expression was quickly replaced with one of shock, as a damaged Panther emerged from the smoke. "W-What...!?"
"N-No way! That should've taken her out!" Mona gasped.
"She's not that durable..." Viper was surprised as well.
"They don't feel pain..." Dragon realized it too late. Marie was going to use them like this until their bodies broke!
"Is that all you can really do?" Panther laughed. Before the group even realized it, some Legionaries began to appear as well. The others were slowly finding themselves surrounded yet again. "These attacks of yours wouldn't hurt a fly! Was all that bravado just for show?!"
"Or maybe you're pulling your punches so you won't hurt your friends?" Oracle asked, leaning forward with a smile. She then spread her arms out. "Look here! I'm wiiiiiiiiide open now! Why not strike me down!"
"Ahahahahahaha!" Violet laughed.
"What's wrong with you!?" Joker growled. "Guys, come on! Look at what you're doing! Are you really gonna let her boss you around like this!? I know you all! You fought tooth and nail for those masks, they're the symbol of your rebellion!"
"How stupid are you?! You're wasting your breath! My domination doesn't break under a few words of encouragement!"
"Damn her, running her mouth like that!" Mona snarled.
"That's enough fun and games." Panther shrugged. "Now, get down on the floor and grovel for me!"
"We're getting nowhere fast." Crow hissed. "Under normal circumstances, they would've fallen already."
"You're the ones who should fall before Lady Marie's flag!" Oracle exclaimed.
"Flag?" Wolf looked over to a higher plane of elevation; this was the first time they noticed the flag in the room. It was oozing with power. "What the hell, how long has that been there!?"
"They must be absorbing power from the flag!" Sophie concluded.
"So if we target it...!" Erina felt the gears turning already.
"Raoul!" Joker took aim at the flag with Raoul, a quick moving blast of curse flying outward to explode against the flag. It looked like it dealt serious damage...but the flag was quick to repair itself. "Shit."
"Nice try!" Violet gave Joker a mocking laugh. "That is a symbol of domination! It will continue to come back no matter what!"
"Uh, hey..." Toshiro was finally speaking up. This situation was getting worse by the second, especially since they were getting outnumbered again. "Are you sure you can go on? There must be some way to escape!"
"Sorry...that's not really on the table right now." Erina shook her head.
Okay, plan B. "We have no choice. Lay down your arms and surrender! We may be confined here, but we'll at least have our lives!" Toshiro suggested. When there was nothing to do, giving up was simply the best option!
"If they take us to Marie, we wouldn't even have that!" Erina exclaimed.
"I am NOT giving my life to her!" Viper hissed.
"Even so, how do you expect this skirmish to play out!?" Toshiro asked. "I don't care if it's brainwashing or domination, it's better than dying!" He exclaimed.
Erina closed her eye. "Hey, it's Toshiro, right? I definitely agree that things are looking bad...but it's not over for us just yet. As long as we have hope, then we fight. Even if we have to crawl our way out, we'll find! When you refuse to stand up to injustice, you become complicit..
"...!" Toshiro's eyes widened at those words. For a split second, Erina looked like...someone else entirely. Brown hair, red eyes...but the exact same face... To him, this resemblance was uncanny. He couldn't put his finger on it, his mind was fuzzy, he barely even remembered...but Erina's words resonated with his heart. "A-Are you...?"
"That's enough talking!" Panther pointed her arm forward, as Celestine gathered immense magic for a large fireball. "Bow down to me this INSTANT!"
Dragon stood in front of everyone, as she tended to. But this was without her Aegis or Bella to help her. She stared Panther down, a determined look in her eyes. A dragon never yielded, and she would never give up in saving the one who saved her. "Ann! I know you're in there. Throw it if you wish, but I will not stop believing in you!"
"Ngh..." Panther's expression soured. "YOU CAN GO FIRST THEN!" And then, she hurled the fireball, never breaking eye contact with Dragon the whole time. But Dragon's gaze didn't waver a single time. She trusted her.
"MOVE!" Wolf exclaimed, worried for Dragon's safety. Everyone could only watch as...the fireball flew far off to the side, exploding in the distance. "Huh...?!"
"She missed..." Toshiro gasped.
"What do you think you're doing!?" Violet and Oracle exclaimed at Panther, who was holding her head in agony.
"I...I won't...let you...hurt her..." Panther said while gripping her own mask. She knew it wasn't going to help anything, but she sure as hell wasn't going to let Marie boss her around like this!
"YOU ARE UNDER MY CONTROL!" Panther screamed at herself. "YOU ARE MY TOY! YOU WILL OBEY!"
At the same time, Erina's spear started to shine brightly. The golden shine caught her attention, as her very own weapon transformed into a flag. "This is...!" A flag of revolution. Her gaze turned to Marie's flag, and she knew exactly what she had to do. The others noticed it as well. This flag...was only just the beginning. "Everyone! I can do this! Let's move!"
A chance at victory!? They'd take it! "GO!" Joker commanded. Everyone began to sprint forward, leaving Toshiro in the dust as he could only watch. The Legionnaries charged in turn, along with Oracle and Violet. Violet attempted to slash at Erina, who was prepared to block with her flag. But Crow intercepted this, keeping Violet occupied.
"Don't stop or thank me, just do your damn job!" Crow barked, not wanting Erina to waste even a second. Erina nodded wordlessly and kept moving. A Legionnaire aimed its gun at Erina, but Joker was swift and dispatched it with two swift kicks.
Erina kept running and running. Several large Slammer enemies appeared in front of her to try and halt her progress. She didn't stop running, because she had to trust the Phantom Thieves had her back! And she was right to think so! Wolf leapt into the air, his Fury activating to give his attacks extra oomph! He slammed his sword down on the ground, a large shockwave exploding outward to knock Slammers all down before they could touch Erina. Due to how they fought, they all leapt towards Wolf, while Erina was able to pass under them.
"PANDORA!" Sophie was already expecting this. Pandora appeared in front of Sophie, who extended an arm forward. Multiple beams of light shot forward. blasting the Slammers right out of the sky before they could crash down on Wolf.
Oracle attempted to halt Erina. "I won't let you get any farther!" Although, before she could do anything, Viper slipped behind her, using her size to just grab Oracle and lift her into the air. "What!? Unhand me!?"
"This girl weighs nothing!" Viper couldn't help but laugh. She didn't want to inject her claws into Oracle; that felt a little toooo cruel. This was easier, since Marie was so confident, she didn't have Oracle use her Persona!
More Legionaries appeared behind Erina, while Panther was standing in front of her. With an eye clenched shut. Panther summoned Celestine to throw a fireball at the Rebel Corp Leader! But...it wide wide, instead exploding behind Erina to get rid of those targetting her. It was then that Dragon appeared behind Panther, taking the extra measure to restrain her with her staff. "Erina, now!"
Joker made a move for the flag, slashing at the base with his knife, and holding it in his hand. He saw Erina coming, and tossed the flag to the side. "ERINA!"
"I GOT IT! HAAAAAH!" With the flag in her hands, Erina took a leap of faith forward, placing her Flag of Revolution where Marie's flag was, completely overwriting it. A golden light exploded out from the flag, while Oracle, Violet, and Panther all cried out in agony. The marks on their masks slowly faded away, leaving Marie's control over them...void.
"AAAAAAAH!" The three girls cried out as they began to collapse. They were half conscious now, but Dragon held onto Panther.
Erina looked to Joker in shock...but then she smiled softly. "...Thank you...you all made this possible."
"Don't thank us just yet..." Joker said.
"...I have no idea what's going on..." Toshiro was at a complete loss for what he just witnessed.
Crow grunted. Violet collapsed on him, so he had no choice but to carry her. "...She's back to normal."
"Ugh...my head..." Oracle groaned, freed from Marie's control.
"Fumi...?" Panther weakly looked towards Dragon, who gave her a soft smile.
"It's alright..." Dragon whispered. "You're okay now..."
"Hear me!" Erina spoke out to everyone. "Bear witness! This banner shall drive our rebellion! It's time for action! The revolution is here!"
"Where'd that flag even come from..." Mona was shocked.
"We can ask that later!" Wolf said. "We gotta leave! We got everyone!"
"They are confirmed to be physically okay!" Sophie reported.
"Guess it's time to leave!" Mona said.
"Right. I have no idea what's going on here, but I agree with the catfish thing!" Toshiro quickly said.
"Listen real well. I. Am not. A CATFISH!" Mona exclaimed angrily.
"Ah, right. My apologies...I had no idea..." Toshiro stroked his chin. "An eel...?"
"WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOUR EYES?!" Mona yelled. He couldn't believe this guy!
"That's enough squabbling!" Dragon said sharply. "We must leave, now!"
"Yeah, this place is awful for my skin!" Viper was trying to push Oracle into someone else's arms, but she was just stuck carrying her. How annoying.
"Yes, hurry! Let's get out of here!" Toshiro was the number one advocate for making an escape. It was a little annoying, but...
"Alright, everyone..." Joker looked to the unconscious Panther, Oracle, and Violet, simply glad that they were back with them. "Back to the hideout!"
At long last, the Phantom Thieves were finally making some progress in Marie's Kingdom. They got back two of their friends and teammates...and now, they could finally start the revolution as well.
The flag had been raised.
