Phantom Files Book 2: Rise Of The Monarchs

by sithlorde1988

The sequel to Persona 5-The Phantom Files. A few years after Ren returns home, the Phantom Thieves find themselves drawn back into the Metaverse once again out of nowhere after a mysterious app surfaces with the powers to access the Metaverse. Can the Phantom Thieves stop a mysterious new group of individuals called Monarchs? Better summary in chapter 1! BOTH STORY AND EDITS DONE!

21. Jail 4 Appears! Kukojima Mystery part 3

A/N: sithlorde1988 here, with another chapter of Phantom Files, Book 2: Rise Of The Monarchs! I don't really have a lot else to say here, so let's get to the disclaimer for now and get that out of the way first.

Disclaimer: I, sithlorde1988, do not own the Persona series in any way, shape, or form (excluding the OCs Kusa/Draconis, Taichi, Momoe, the OC Personas Malefor, Albus, and any other OC Personas that might pop up, all of which are made by, and thus belong to, me unless otherwise stated), and the actual ownership credit for the Persona series belongs to Atlus and Sega, and to a smaller degree Koei Tecmo (mainly where the spinoffs are concerned, such as Strikers, Phantom X, Tactica, the 'Arena' games, the 'Q' games, and the 'Dancing' games), so all ownership credit belongs to them!

With that disclaimer out of the way, let's get on with the chapter! The fourth Jail should be starting in this chapter. And if I happen to fit it in, there may or may not be an awakening in this chapter too. But we'll see what happens there. Also, keep reading after the chapter, at which point I'll likely have a longer A/N typed out with more stuff in it! But for now, let's get this chapter going, yeah? Here's Chapter 21!

Chapter 21- Parties, Mystery, and Sleeping Jails? Mystery of Kukojima part 3

(On the beach of Kukojima, with Ren and Sumire)

After looking around for Morgana a bit, Ren and Sumire found him near a sign that was attached to a set of iron chains blocking off a path forward. As they got closer, Ren and Sumire heard Morgana speaking to himself.

"Hm? What the heck? What's that sign doing here?" Morgana said to himself as Ren and Sumire walked up and saw the sign, Ren turning to Sumire and speaking up.

"A blocked-off path on the edge of the beach? Is it just me, or does that scream odd to you?" Ren asked Sumire, who nodded her agreement as Ren moved to examine the signpost, catching Morgana's attention as he spoke up.

"Hm? 'No entry beyond this point'? Well, if that's not suspicious, I don't know what is, Ren. But, do you think it has anything to do with the research lab?" Morgana asked as a 'BIP' from Sumire's phone, which Ren had accidentally tucked into his pocket, leaving his own phone back at the party, preceded Sophia speaking up with a slight frown on her face.

"I see. However, with the sun setting soon, going alone would be overly risky." Sophia pointed out as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"That's very true, Lady Sophia. Hm, what do you think, Ren? Sumire? Should we call everyone over, then?" Morgana said as Sumire spoke up.

"Maybe not everyone, but like the rest of the team, yeah. We should have Zenkichi stay back with our guests so they don't get caught up in this if it can be avoided. After all, I'm sure Ren would rather not get his and Kusa's mom and his dad mixed up in our Metaverse shenanigans." Sumire pointed out wisely as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"I agree with Sumire. So sure, let's do that. But rather than you calling everyone over Sophia, I think we'll have Sumire message the group chat to call the rest of the team over." Ren said decisively. Sophia then spoke up.

"Okay, leave it to me! I'll contact everyone." Sophia said, seemingly ignoring both Ren and Sumire's suggestions and summoning everyone else over to inspect the sign...

(A short time later, in front of the blocked-off path on the beach, with Yusuke, Kusa, Futaba, Morgana, Makoto, Ren, Sumire, Sophia, Ann, Haru, Goro, Sojiro, and Ryuji)

"Hm? 'No entry beyond this point'? I wonder what for?" Ann mused after reading the sign. Makoto spoke up with a pensive look on her face.

"I admit, it only contributes to the mysterious vibe here that they have a sign like that posted. Also, that was some quick thinking on your part to have Zenkichi-san keep our guests company, Kusa-kun. I still can't believe you smuggled you and Ren's mom and Ren's dad out here to see Ren, nor that Ann's girlfriend and her roommate would also show up. That's one wild set of coincidences there." Makoto said as Kusa spoke up.

"Yes, well, Shiho aside, I don't think any of the others could handle the Metaverse if it ends up involving that. Plus, I get the sense that both Ren and Ann might just have conniptions if most of our guests got caught up in what we do as you-know-whats." Kusa said, keeping most of his response vague to cover the off-chance they were being eavesdropped on. Ryuji grinned and spoke up at that point.

"True. Ooh, but this sign looks like a dare to me! C'mon, who's willing to go the farthest past it?" Ryuji said as Goro scoffed and spoke up.

"Really? What are you, five? You saw what that sign said, Ryuji." Goro said dryly as Zenkichi walked up to the group at that moment and spoke up.

"Nope, this is the end of the line. There's an utaki down that way. See there, on the sign?" Zenkichi said, making Kusa and Sumire exchange confused looks, both not being aware of what an utaki is. Surprisingly, Morgana spoke up at that point to voice their thoughts for them, a wide-eyed look of confusion on his face.

"What's an utaki?" Morgana asked as Ren spoke up.

"And more to the point, I thought you were keeping our guests occupied, Zenkichi?" Ren said as Zenkichi spoke up.

"They're keeping themselves busy. Your parents are preparing the barbecue while Dojima-san and Suzui-san are helping them." Zenkichi said before turning to Morgana as he kept speaking.

"Oh, and to answer your question, Morgana? Basically, an utaki is land that's been considered holy since the Ryukyu era. People used to believe the gods lived there, or at least came to Earth there. Locals still revere the places, even today. Going down there for a laugh could get you in real trouble." Zenkichi said as Ryuji spoke up.

"Ohhh, I never heard of that stuff here, Zenkichi. And judging by their reactions when you brought up utakis, I'm guessing that Kusa and Sumire have never heard of it either." Ryuji said as Sumire spoke up with an embarrassed look on her face.

"You got us, Ryuji. Utaki is one term that both Kusa and I never looked up. I'm surprised Ren knew about it, though." Sumire said as Ren spoke up.

"Eh, what can I say? Mom used to go on at length about utakis when I was younger. I think the reason Kusa was unaware was because it was during his shut-in phase when he'd keep himself confined to his room." Ren said as Zenkichi spoke up.

"Oh, really? Amamiya the youngest used to be a shut-in? Interesting." Zenkichi said as Kusa sighed but nodded before speaking up.

"Yes, it's true. But Ren left out the part where I did it after having to uproot my life out of nowhere. You'd probably react similarly too if you'd been the one uprooting your life, Zenkichi." Kusa said bluntly. Zenkichi smirked and spoke up with a smug grin on his face, his tone conveying how much he was enjoying the praise.

"Well, Investigation 101 says to know your territory. Feel free to keep buttering me up, though." Zenkichi said as Goro frowned and spoke up.

"Uh-huh, sure. And you're not totally preening your ego or anything, Zenkichi-san. Sheesh, I wonder if you or Morgana preens their ego more?" Goro mused as Ren and Kusa spoke up at the same time.

"Definitely Morgana." Ren said as Kusa spoke up.

"With apologies to Morgana, I agree with Ren. This is only once, maybe twice, Zenkichi's stroked his ego. Whereas Morgana's easily in the double, if not triple, digits on times he's stroked his own ego." Kusa pointed out, ignoring the mock-betrayed look on Morgana's face as he spoke up.

"HEY! Don't call me out like that, Kusa! And you have no room to talk about egos, when yours got pulverized that time that Goro absolutely humbled you in single combat, not to mention the time you got bested by Ren in Mementos." Morgana said as Kusa frowned at the cat and spoke up.

"Thanks ever so much for putting me on blast like that, Morgana-sensei. I totally wanted to be reminded of one of my biggest failings right now." Kusa said through gritted teeth. Thankfully for Kusa, Haru picked up on his unease and changed the subject.

"Anyways, does that mean there are Ryukyu-era customs still being practiced today?" Haru asked as Zenkichi nodded and spoke up with a smirk.

"Yep. Reverence of the incomprehensible is ingrained deep in human consciousness. Well, I'm sure you have no interest in pissing off a god today. Let's all listen to the sign and get outta here." Zenkichi said as Ren spoke up.

"Heh, like it's the first time we've pissed off a god. But that said, is this similar to that gate, do you think?" Ren asked as Zenkichi frowned and spoke up.

"You mean the festoon from before? No, those festoons work differently. Oh, but now that you mention it, it is kinda strange for a sign to be out here like this." Zenkichi said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone, which Ren pulled out of his pocket, preceded Sophia speaking up.

"I checked online for any relevant information, but this place does not appear to have any real significance. The other subjects here are far more interesting, such as the shape of the coastline, the sounds of the waves crashing, and the oceanic lifeforms." Sophia said as Zenkichi nodded and spoke up.

"True, but don't forget this important detail, Sophia. A person's values can affect what makes an impact on them. That said, it might be insignificant to you, but to others? This place may be very sacred." Zenkichi said as Kusa smirked and spoke up.

"Ah, so kinda like how Sumire considers a gymnastics meet to be sacred, or how most of us view Leblanc as sacred because Sojiro runs it?" Kusa said sagely, getting approving nods from both Sumire and Sojiro for his question as Sophia spoke up in confusion.

"It depends on my values, then?" Sophia said with a frown, but before anyone could say anything to cheer her up, twin growls could be heard at that point, making both Yusuke and Sumire blush in embarrassment as they spoke up.

"Oh. Um, my apologies." Yusuke said as Sumire spoke up.

"I guess our stomachs wanted to make their opinions heard?" Sumire said sheepishly as Futaba spoke up in a deadpan tone.

"And cue Inari and Sumire's stomachs, right on time as always. I don't envy Ren when he and Sumire move in together, since their food bills will probably be pretty high." Futaba said as Kusa spoke up with a frown.

"Behave, Taba! Besides, you say that like they don't have people who're willing to help them out if they need it." Kusa said, crossing his arms disapprovingly, amid approving nods from Goro and Sojiro. Ren spoke up.

"And don't tease Sumire, little sis. You know she's sensitive about her stomach at times. Besides, I think it's cute that her stomach is so vocal at times. Sumire knows that I don't mind that about her at all." Ren said, smirking as he wrapped an arm around a smiling Sumire, who laid her head gently on Ren's shoulder in response to his words as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"Anyways! Well, I'm starvin', too. I'd bet we all worked up an appetite out there, to be fair!" Ryuji said as Ann spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Oh! Should we finally kick off our long-awaited barbecue?" Ann asked as Ren spoke up with a nod.

"Yeah, let's do it. Besides, I'm sure our guests are probably eager to get their meal on too." Ren said sagely as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"Uh, hell yeah! Time for an Okinawan meat festival!" Ryuji said as Sojiro sighed and spoke up.

"Somehow, I'm not surprised that's what your mind goes to, Ryuji." Sojiro said as Futaba spoke up.

"Meat's good and all, but don't forget the curry! WE gotta make some Tropical Edition Leblanc Curry!" Futaba said as Makoto winced and spoke up.

"Umm, that's not exactly barbecue food, Futaba-chan. Also, didn't you already have curry on the ferry?" Makoto said as Kusa spoke up.

"She did, but you know how much Taba loves her some curry. I usually just try to humor her when she gets like this." Kusa said sagely. Futaba smiled at Kusa's words, but Yusuke spoke up before she could do so.

"Hmph, I accept your challenge, Futaba. Curry will be a perfect complement to the searing white sands of this tropical paradise!" Yusuke said as Ryuji hung his head and spoke up.

"That makes no sense at all! Seriously, what is it with you two and curry?" Ryuji asked as Ren spoke up.

"I've just learned to accept it as part of their quirks, Ryuji. Besides, if anyone's got room to complain here, it's Sojiro. But I don't hear any complaints from him, so I think we're good." Ren said as Sojiro spoke up.

"I try to go with the flow for the most part. After all, this makes good practice to keep my curry and coffee skills honed for when I re-open Leblanc down the road a bit." Sojiro said wisely as the group headed off to prepare for the barbecue, though as they went to follow, Ren and Sumire were stopped by the sound of a 'BIP!' coming from the latter's phone as Sophia spoke up.

"Hey, Ren and Sumire." Sophia said as Ren spoke up.

"What's up, sweetie?" Ren asked Sophia as Sumire spoke up.

"Is something on your mind?" Sumire added as Sophia spoke up with a smile.

"Thank you both for earlier. You know, when you gave me the underwater tour. It was a fascinating experience to be sure. And moreover, it was something no AI could do on their own. I guess you could say it made my heart feel full. Although, I don't have a heart to speak of, I don't think?" Sophia said as Sumire frowned and spoke up.

"I disagree with that very strongly, sweetheart. You do too have a heart." Sumire said as Ren spoke up.

"What Sumire said. Your last remark about not having a heart? As far as Sumire and I are concerned, that's not true at all, Sophia." Ren said firmly. Sophia smiled and spoke up.

"Thank you both for the kind words, but it is a simple fact. There is no need to attempt to spare the feelings I lack." Sophia said as Sumire frowned and spoke up.

"Feelings you lack!? If that's true, why did I see you have a hurt look on your face more than once while watching Morgana simp for Ann before, and again when he indirectly suggested you didn't have a brilliant, pretty smile like Ann's?" Sumire asked as Sophia spoke up.

"That was different. I lack feelings, but I think I have an interest in Morgana. However, recent events have had me questioning if that interest is moreso a romantic one, or possibly even just a familial one. That said, I am still going to try and understand what feelings are, though. I came to that realization when I first stared out at the sea. For example being with the two of you and the other Phantom Thieves? It's quite, how do I put it? Let's go with...fun? Yes, fun. Did I get that right?" Sophia asked as Ren spoke up.

"That's right, Sophia. Well done." Ren said as Sumire smiled and spoke up.

"I'm so proud of how bright and adorable you are, Sophia." Sumire said proudly. Sophia smiled and spoke up.

"Okay, I've got it! I understand another emotion. Okay. I've memorized what 'fun' is." Sophia said as she hummed a slightly different tune than normal, making Sumire frown and speak surprise.

"Wow, how many tunes do you know, Sophia?" Sumire asked as Sophia spoke up with a smile.

"A few. But I figure that keeps it interesting when I hum, rather than it being stale." Sophia said as Sumire blinked but nodded. However, before she could verbally reply, Ryuji spoke up.

"Heeeey! RenRen! Sumire! Pick up the pace! We've got a whole lotta cookin' ahead of us!" Ryuji said as Ren and Sumire nodded before catching up to the others as the group started preparing their feast on the beach that apparently now also doubled as a birthday party for Shiho...

(A short time later, at a pair of tables laid out on the beach, with Futaba, Yusuke, Ryuji, Ren, Zenkichi, Makoto, Ann, Haru, Taichi, Nanako, Shiho, Sumire, Sophia, Sojiro, Kusa, Goro, and Momoe)

As the group sat around at the two tables that had been set for the meal, Ryuji spoke up eagerly from the table on the right, where Ryuji was sharing a table with himself, Ren, Zenkichi, Makoto, Ann, Haru, Futaba, and Yusuke, while Morgana was sitting nearby on a stack of boxes watching.

At the other table, Sojiro and Taichi were sat at either end of the table with the side to Sojiro's right seating Kusa, Goro, and Momoe, and the side to his left seating Nanako, Shiho, and Sumire, who had reluctantly agreed to fill the last spot at the second table, despite wanting to sit with Ren. But at least she took comfort that Kusa also wasn't able to sit with his girlfriend, along with Shiho.

"Oh man, thish meat ish so good!" Ryuji said eagerly as Ann spoke up with a frown.

"HEY! You saw me about to grab that piece!" Ann yelled at Ryuji as Yusuke spoke up.

"The curry is divine as always, to be sure. And with these leftovers, we're sure to dine on curry udon tomorrow!" Yusuke said as Ren spoke up.

"Leftovers!? Uh, Yusuke? You do realize that we have like five extra people we're feeding here, so that's gonna cut significantly into the odds of there being leftovers to begin with." Ren said as Kusa spoke up from nearby, an agreeable smile on his face as he spoke.

"Agreed! Not to mention, between Sumire, Futaba, and Ryuji, we have three people with massive appetites, so that's also going to reduce the odds of there being leftovers. And the rest of this table aren't slouches either from what I can see. That said, let's also be sure to appreciate our guests, or Shiho, Mom, Dad, and Dojima-san, and technically Zenkichi, for joining us for this amazing meal. And happy birthday, Shiho!" Kusa said sagely, amid many approving nods and a grateful smile from Shiho, who spoke up.

"Thank you for inviting me and Dojima-san to join you guys for this meal, Kusa. That was generous of you." Shiho said as Momoe smiled and spoke up.

"That's my son for you, Suzui-san. He's always thinking of others, even if he can be a bit prickly and gruff at times when he's in a temper. But we can ask Futaba-chan, and I'm sure she'll agree that it doesn't take much to coax him out of his temper nowadays, especially if it's Futaba doing the coaxing." Momoe said with a sly giggle as Kusa blushed in embarrassment and spoke up.

"MOM! Did you really have to bring that up to an entire crowd!? Yes, having Taba around is usually a pretty easy mood booster, but I'm at least considerate enough to only let her be a mood booster when it's just the two of us." Kusa said as both Sumire and Futaba giggled at the mortified look on Kusa's face, the latter speaking up with a smirk.

"Mwehehe, what can I say? When it comes to Kusa, I have the magic touch. But enough about our love life." Futaba said as she turned to Yusuke and kept speaking.

"And Inari? Let's ignore the fact that you're already planning tomorrow's dinner for the moment. Since you suggested curry udon, why not add deep-fried tofu for Inari Curry Udon?" Futaba asked as Sumire cocked her head to the side and spoke up.

"Um, Futaba? Wouldn't that be cannibalism if Yusuke ate Inari curry udon?" Sumire asked, making Goro, Kusa, and Ren all exchanged surprised looks at the question before all three burst out laughing. Goro eventually spoke up.

"Nah. If we're talking about cannibalism, I'd be more apt to say Kusa and Ren are cannibals, the way they get with their girlfriends." Goro said as Kusa and Ren's eyes widened and the latter spoke up.

"Shut up, Goro! And don't be making such comments around our younger guests! Not to mention how inappropriate that is for you to be saying around Sophia!" Ren gently but firmly rebuked Goro as Haru giggled and spoke up.

"Good point, Ren. But I think Goro was teasing. But let's change the subject, shall we? I have to say, since we left Leblanc for our road trip? We've been eating nothing but the most delicious food since this trip began." Haru said as Makoto winced and spoke up with a frown.

"I didn't think about that, Haru. But you're right. Traveling makes it a lot easier to lose track of one's diet without meaning to. I should be more careful." Makoto said as Ann spoke up, not seeing Sumire's eyes widen at the next table over when she heard Ann drag Ren into what she said next.

"Huh? But you're so toned, Makoto! Right, Ren?" Ann said as Ren smirked and spoke up.

"With all apologies to both Ann and Sumire, since this is in no way meant to offend either of them, but it's the truth. With the way you work out, Makoto? You look like a model. Like, you could easily rival Ann if you put in the work for it. No offense, Ann." Ren said kindly. Makoto and Ryuji's eyes widened and the latter spoke up.

"Wait, for real!? Are you hitting on Makoto, RenRen? RUDE!" Ryuji said as Makoto smiled after gasping in shock at Ren's words and spoke up.

"Thank you for sticking up for me Ryuji, but I think he was just being nice. And Ren? Stop! I know you're just trying to make me feel better, but there's an actual model here, and at least two others who could also be models if they so chose between Futaba-chan and Sumire! Don't embarrass me like that!" Makoto said as Taichi laughed and spoke up.

"Heh, don't mind Ren, Niijima-san! He's just doing what I taught him, which is to respect women! Also, I'm sure Sumire knows he means that compliment in the most familial and platonic way possible. Right, Sumire?" Taichi said as Sumire blinked then nodded as she spoke up.

"Huh? O-Oh, right! Yeah, I know Ren meant that in a platonic way! But I dunno if I agree with Makoto saying I could be a model. Would that really mesh well with my gymnastic aspirations?" Sumire asked as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"Not really. I'm sure you could easily do both and Ren would totally be there for it! We all know he already can't get enough of your figure anyways! Also, Makoto, you look incredible! I mean, who cares if you've packed on a few extra pounds? It probably gives your punches some extra oomph!" Ryuji said, not seeing the many sets of widened eyes from every female in the room other than Sophia, who was inside Sumire's phone, as he spoke. Makoto, for her part, felt her eyes narrowing as she glared at Ryuji and spoke up.

"Sweetie? I know you meant that to make me feel better, but did you really have to add the bit about me gaining weight there at the end? Also, when it comes to the extra pounds giving my punches extra oomph, do you wanna test your theory?" Makoto asked as Goro and Kusa both had to hide the amused grins on their faces at the horrified look on Ryuji's face as he spoke up with widened eyes.

"No, please! I don't! I'm sorry, babe! I was trying to cheer you up! Forgive your foolish fool of a boyfriend who doesn't think before he speaks!" Ryuji said as Ren smirked and spoke up, turning to look at Sumire as he spoke, since they happened to be sitting in adjacent corners.

"Dang, beautiful. Is it me, or has Ryuji really gotten good at channeling myself and Kusa lately?" Ren asked as Sumire giggled and spoke up.

"I dunno. But that was a pretty nice save he did at the end. And I understand you were just trying to cheer Makoto up with what you said before, so I'm not bothered that you were basically flirting with her." Sumire said as Ren winced and spoke up.

"Yeeeah, sorry about that. I didn't even think about the fact that my attempt at trying to cheer Makoto up would come off as flirting. I see her as a big sister, after all." Ren said as Sumire nodded wisely before going back to her food as Nanako spoke up, reminding everyone of her presence at that point.

"Heh, you guys are funny. You know you guys remind me of some of my Big Bro's friends back from my hometown of Inaba. For example, Sakamoto-san reminds me of these two guys named Yosuke Hanamura and Kanji Tatsumi. Basically, he has the 'foot-in-mouth' capabilities of Yosuke and the tough-guy naivete that Kanji has. Also, I didn't realize you guys had such an adorable kitty as part of your group until Amamiya the middle brought him back with him earlier." Nanako said, smiling as she leaned down to give Morgana some head pats, smiling at the purrs she got for her efforts from Morgana, since he'd padded over towards her as she spoke. Zenkichi frowned as he spoke up while giving Nanako an appraising look.

"Hanamura and Tatsumi, eh? Tell me, Dojima-san. Does the name Naoto Shirogane ring a bell to you?" Zenkichi asked as Nanako's eyes widened before she spoke up.

"Wait, what? You know Naoto-kun?" Nanako asked Zenkichi, who spoke up.

"Yes, I do. Once, several years ago, she helped me out with an undercover investigation, back when I worked for Public Safety, prior to it rebranding into PubSec, which it is nowadays." Zenkichi said as Nanako smiled and spoke up.

"I see. Well, I can't tell you a lot, since I'm not privy to most of the details, but I do know Big Bro and his friends once helped solve a weird serial murder case that plagued Inaba for a time around eight to nine years ago." Nanako said as Zenkichi spoke up with wide eyes.

"You mean the one where the guilty party turned out to be a member of the Inaba Police Department?" Zenkichi asked as Nanako nodded and spoke up.

"Correct. It's a long story, but for now, I can tell you the suspect used to be my father's partner on the Inaba police force." Nanako said as Zenkichi nodded before Kusa smirked and spoke up.

"Yeah, Morgana's cool like that. Mind, he's still a bit touchy about being called a cat, but he's gotten a lot better at accepting it when people do call him one. Morgana really is a good guy deep down, though, even if he is an unapologetic and unrepentant ladies' man simp." Kusa said with a smirk, ignoring the annoyed glare Morgana shot him as he dug into his food while the group feasted on the food that had been prepared. While they ate, Zenkichi frowned as he noticed a gaggle of locals seemingly congregated next to the RV. Morgana looked up and saw the frown on Zenkichi's face before speaking up.

"What's up, Zenkichi? Upset stomach?" Morgana asked as Zenkichi blinked and spoke up.

"Hmm? Oh, nah, I'm fine." Zenkichi said as Makoto spoke up with a worried look on her face.

"Is something bothering you?" Makoto asked as Sojiro spoke up, surprising Zenkichi with what he said next.

"Probably he's just on guard, since he likely is more observant than we figure he is." Sojiro said sagely as Zenkichi frowned and spoke up.

"Thanks, Sakura the elder. Pretty sure you meant that as a compliment? And to your question, Niijima? It's, err, probably nothing. Let's wrap up here, since we oughta wake up early tomorrow." Zenkichi said as Sojiro spoke up.

"It was a compliment. You have good instincts." Sojiro said, getting an approving nod from Zenkichi before Kusa blinked and spoke up.

"Already? Don't we still have to sort out what to do with our guests? I know that Shiho and Dojima-san have a hotel room to get back to." Kusa said before looking out at the setting sun and having his eyes widen at a thought that'd occurred to him, which he kept speaking to voice.

"Crap! Speaking of, when's the last bus back to the hotel?" Kusa asked as Shiho looked at the clock, winced, and spoke up with a frown.

"Unfortunately? We just missed the last one about 20 minutes ago. So unless Dojima-san and I walk back or get a ride from one of you, we might have to let the hotel know we'll be back tomorrow and then stay with you guys tonight, if you've got room for us both. I dunno about what Taichi-san and Momoe-san will do, however." Shiho said as Taichi spoke up.

"We can probably hang with you all overnight, unless one of you wants to give us a lift home." Taichi said as Kusa spoke up.

"We might have to rearrange a few things, but I think we can accommodate all four of you overnight if needed. Might be a bit of a tight squeeze for the guys on the roof, since there's only six sleeping bags up there, and with you joining us, we'd have seven of us all together. Luckily, we can have Shiho and Dojima-san probably share with Ann and either Futaba or Sumire respectively, while Mom probably shares with either Makoto or Haru, if we don't just put you and Mom in the back of the Ferrari and have the two of you sleep there together, Dad." Kusa said as Shiho giggled and spoke up.

"I think Ann and I could make it work together overnight. But it'd be up to Futaba and Sumire to decide if either of them wants to share with Dojima-san." Shiho said as Nanako spoke up.

"If she doesn't mind, I think I'd prefer to share with Yoshizawa-san. No disrespect to you Sakura-san the younger, but I feel like Yoshizawa-san is less likely to try anything with me than you are. Unless Suzui-san was lying when she mentioned your bi-curious streak before, which I doubt. As for me? I myself am straight, or at least I believe I'm straight to the best of my knowledge." Nanako said as Shiho spoke up.

"I was definitely not lying. I saw Futaba trying to cuddle up to Sumire a few years ago when we all played the King's Game together for Ann's birthday. But, I think that's all I'm gonna say on that since both you and Sophia might be too young for the rest of the details." Shiho said as a red-faced Sumire spoke up.

"Y-Yeah, please do. I don't think we need Dojima-san hearing about how wild and crazy most of us were back then." Sumire said as Ann blinked at Zenkichi's words and spoke up.

"Huh? Uh, okay, if you say so?" Ann said as the party slowly broke down, amidst various stories swapped back and forth within the group. After the leftovers were put away, and the tables put back, Kusa led the guests to the RV and told them to wait the rest of the group inside the RV for the time being while the rest of the group had a quick discussion with Zenkichi, getting understanding nods from everyone in the RV as he walked out to the others, catching up to them in time for Zenkichi to speak up.

"Ah, good, we're all here. Hey, guys. Something's up." Zenkichi said as Ryuji spoke up with a frown.

"Yeah? What's that?" Ryuji asked as Zenkichi spoke up in a strangled whisper so only the group gathered around him could hear.

"Keep it down! And listen. I think some of the locals might have been scouting us out." Zenkichi said as the others all were shocked, but nodded as they made a plan to fool the locals by hiding in a bush. Afterwards, Kusa headed back to the trailer to quietly explain the situation to the guests currently waiting for the group in the trailer...

(A couple of hours later, after night had broken, with the RV)

As the light of the moon in the night sky shone down on the RV, a grey-haired Okinawan local popped up in front of the trailer, peering through the window to see if anyone was inside. After not seeing anyone, the local crept around and slowly turned the handle of the trailer door. Once the door swung open, the local strode into the trailer, his steps seeming like stomps with the force behind them.

Once inside, the local produced a flashlight and started shining it around the trailer, seeing if anyone was asleep in the trailer, or if it was empty. While looking around, the local's brown eyes landed on the swell visible in the bottom bunk, moving towards it as he approached the bed, the local smirked as he went to pull back the blanket, only to frown as all he saw was a rolled up pink sleeping bag under the blanket. The local then frowned and spoke up.

"What!?" The local exclaimed in a mix of frustration and disbelief before shaking his fist angrily and growling as he turned towards the way he came and stuck his head out the trailer door and spoke up.

"Hey! It's empty!" The local said, as the camera panned to show a swarm of other locals moving around, several casing the Ferrari parked behind the trailer, several wielding torches and giving off the impression of these locals being something of an angry mob. As the locals swarmed, a brown-haired male local spoke up while swinging a torch.

"They can't be far! Find them!" The brown-haired local as another local with black hair, dark skin and glasses spoke up.

"We have to punish them for defiling hallowed ground!" The dark-skinned local said as another local spoke up.

"FIND THEM! We'll make an offering out of them!" The other local said as the rest of the locals all chanted 'Find them! They couldn't have gotten far!' while searching the area. As they moved past, the camera zoomed into the inside of a nearby bush where Yusuke, Kusa, Futaba, Ren, Sumire, Sophia, Morgana, Goro, Haru, Makoto, a partially-concealed Ryuji, Sojiro, Zenkichi, Nanako, Shiho, Taichi, and Momoe were all hiding, Futaba shuddering in fear, not even reacting to the gentle head-pats Kusa was giving her while Sumire stayed close to Ren. Once the locals were all gone, Ryuji huffed and spoke up while splitting the leaves he was hiding his face behind, making Goro and Kusa both quietly snicker at how childish Ryuji looked using leaves to hide his face.

"Dude, what the hell is goin' on!? Those guys are effin' nuts!" Ryuji said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"No kidding. If Zenkichi hadn't picked up on what was about to happen and pulled us to the side to warn us about it in advance, who knows how that could've played out?" Morgana said as Makoto frowned and spoke up.

"He said something about 'defiling hallowed ground' when he was talking about punishing us all before. What's that supposed to mean?" Makoto asked as Kusa slowly turned to face Taichi and spoke up to voice the realization that he'd reached after Makoto's previous remark.

"Was that what you meant by the locals acting like their personalities were reprogrammed, Dad?" Kusa asked as Taichi nodded and spoke up.

"Precisely, Kusa. This is exactly what I meant. These locals only started acting like this in the past few years." Taichi said as Ren spoke up.

"I see. I think when he said 'defiling hallowed ground' before, he likely meant the lab. We saw the path to the utaki, but Zenkichi stopped us before we could go to it. So I'm guessing the lab?" Ren said uncertainly. Zenkichi nodded and spoke up.

"I see. Good thing I stopped you all when I did. And Amamiya the middle? That could be it. Remember that straw festoon we saw on the entrance of the lab?" Zenkichi asked as a wide-eyed Yusuke spoke up.

"Yes, that's right. We saw it, then proceeded further anyway. Well, most of us did. Shiho, Dojima-san, and Ren and Kusa's parents weren't with us then, so they should be exempt, at least in theory." Yusuke said as Ryuji frowned and spoke up.

"Hang on, hang on, I don't get it. What's so friggin' hollow about some lab?" Ryuji said as Nanako frowned and spoke up.

"Hollow? I think you meant to say 'hallowed', Sakamoto-san? And to answer your question, probably a lot, if the locals are going to all this trouble to find you guys." Nanako said wisely as Kusa spoke up.

"You're probably not wrong, Dojima-san. And that's what worries me. This all seems crazy." Kusa said as Ann frowned and spoke up.

"Right!? And even if it IS 'hallowed', that doesn't explain how they're acting at all! They look like they wanna kill us!" Ann said as Momoe spoke up slowly.

"They wanted to make us sacrifices, not kill us." Momoe said as Ren blinked and spoke up.

"What was that, Mom?" Ren asked as Momoe spoke up.

"You heard me. I heard one local say, 'We'll make sacrifices out of them all!' That suggests to me that they want to offer us up to appease their gods and probably avoid retribution for what you lot might have done by ignoring the festoon at the entrance to the lab you mentioned before. So this might be a case where we all have to stick together if we don't want to have any of us end up in a rather grisly predicament." Momoe said sagely. Ann nodded and spoke up.

"Good point, Miss Amamiya! It doesn't matter how we look at it, these people have lost their minds!" Ann said as Haru spoke up with a gasp.

"Hm? Oh, no! Wait, could this be what I think it is!?" Haru asked as Ren frowned but nodded as he spoke up.

"I think you might be right, big sis. These locals' attitudes could well be considered some 'changes of heart'. In which case, there's only one thing to be done for it." Ren said wisely. A wide-eyed Ryuji spoke up.

"Try and track down the Jail, since there has to be one here if there's hearts bein' changed! And that would mean there's a Monarch somewhere around here, yeah? But Sophia said she can't smell a Jail here." Ryuji said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone, which she pulled from the pocket of her shorts, preceded Sophia speaking up.

"Correct, I cannot smell any Jails here." Sophia said as Yusuke spoke up with a frown.

"That's true. However, you did also say you got a bad feeling from this place. And given our current situation I can only assume it's due to a changing of their hearts." Yusuke said as Goro spoke up.

"That makes almost too much sense, Yusuke. But you're probably right." Goro said wisely as a wide-eyed Shiho spoke up in surprise.

"Changing of their-? Are you trying to say this could be related to what the Phantom Thieves were doing all over Tokyo about three to four years ago, Yusuke?" Shiho asked warily, not seeing the shocked looks that Nanako, Taichi, and Momoe all exchanged at Shiho's question. Ann then spoke up.

"Let's table that for now, yeah? We have more important concerns for the moment. Like how we almost had a close call earlier. But nobody tried to attack us until just now that I can think of." Ann said as Makoto frowned and spoke up.

"Good point, Ann. Perhaps there really is something on this island-something even Sophia can't detect." Makoto said as Morgana frowned before speaking up.

"What do we do now? They'll catch us if we just stay here. And we have the safety of Lady Shiho, Lady Dojima, and the parents of Ren and Kusa to consider as well." Morgana said as Nanako spoke up.

"I must say, despite our current situation, I am impressed. After all, it seems to me like your cat really is taking this matter seriously, Ren-kun." Nanako said as Ren frowned, only just now remembering that Nanako, Shiho, and his and Kusa's parents still couldn't understand Morgana as he spoke up.

"Let's just say that Morgana here is not unlike any other cats that you probably encounter Dojima-san. He can be able to follow along with the situation and as such we can understand what he's trying to tell us. As for your statement Morgana. Given the circumstances other than the fact that you called Shiho-san and Nanako-chan 'Lady', I think there's only one thing we can do.

Let's go to the lab. If necessary, we can hide from the locals in the Okinawa Jail, since I have a feeling it'll be near the lab if it's here at all. Granted, that likely means bringing our guests with us into the Metaverse, but I don't think it can be helped at this point. And I think I can trust all of them to keep what they see to themselves at this point." Ren said wisely as a wide-eyed Ryuji spoke up.

"Uh, is that a good idea? Won't there already be brainwashed locals there?" Ryuji said as Zenkichi frowned before nodding as he spoke up.

"Actually, it might be smarter than it seems." Zenkichi said as Ryuji spoke up.

"Whaddya mean, Zenkichi?" Ryuji asked Zenkichi, who spoke up.

"Think about it! It's pretty obvious, based on how they treat that place, there's something fishy there. No matter where we'd go on this island, they'd catch us eventually. Why not strike at the heart of the matter right away?" Zenkichi said as Makoto frowned and spoke up.

"And by 'heart of the matter', do you mean a Jail?" Makoto asked as Sophia spoke up with a frown.

"He might. However, there is no Jail-" Sophia said as Zenkichi cut her off by speaking up with a frown.

"Sure. There's no Jail, but I'd bet we'll at least find something in their holy land. And it sure sounds like a better plan than waiting in the bushes until they find us, right?" Zenkichi said as Ren spoke up.

"You're right. It is a good plan." Ren said as Sojiro spoke up at that point, reminding the group of his presence.

"True, minus the part where we put our guests in danger just to keep them safe. Seems kinda like an oxymoron if you think about it." Sojiro said. Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"Good point, Sojiro. I've got to agree with Zenkichi on this, though. Okay, let's head for the lab!" Morgana said as Kusa turned to Shiho, Nanako, Momoe, and Taichi before speaking up.

"The four of you follow us, since I don't think you know where it is. And don't worry, just stick close to us and you'll be fine." Kusa said reassuringly to Shiho, Nanako, Momoe, and Taichi, getting approving nods from them as Ryuji spoke up with a frown.

"Wait, how're we getting there? WITHOUT being spotted, might I add?" Ryuji asked, making Zenkichi frown and speak up, not seeing Kusa and Ren's eyes widen at what he said next.

"What're you askin' me for? Aren't you guys the Phantom Thieves?" Zenkichi asked as Ren, Kusa, and even Goro groaned at what Zenkichi had just asked, but the damage was already done as Nanako, who was the only one that is completely unaware, let out a gasp as she spoke up. Nanako's involuntary gasp of surprise also had the extra result of unintentionally covering up Goro muttering what sounded suspiciously like 'kill me' under his breath while she spoke.

"Wait, WHAT!? Is Hasegawa-san saying what I think he's saying!? Are you guys those Phantom Thieves that were on the news a few years ago?" Nanako asked as Goro spoke up.

"Nice going Zenkichi, now another person is aware of who we are." Goro groaned as Ren spoke up.

"To be frank Goro, we're bringing everyone into the Metaverse with us, so they're bound to find out eventually. Although unlike mine and Kusa's parents who are aware of us, I'm surprised that Shiho didn't react like Dojima-san did when Zenkichi blurted his words out." Ren stated as Shiho spoke up.

"Actually Ren, I was already aware of who you guys are years ago, although I only just told Ann not too long ago before you guys left for your trip. Don't worry your secret is safe with me." Shiho stated and as Ren smiled and nodded his hand as a way of showing thanks, Kusa turned towards Nanako, who was also still in shock, and spoke up.

"What Zenkichi says is true, Dojima-san. Sorry you had to find out this way, but we're in a possible life-and-death situation here. But for now, all you need to know is that you can trust us to keep you safe. Let's get to the lab. Once the coast is clear, we can explain the rest to you then, but for now, just keep your questions to yourself, yeah?" Kusa said as Nanako nodded her understanding before Sumire spoke up.

"Let's be fair here, Kusa. Of course our guests have questions. They've likely never dealt with some of what we have before. So we should try to be patient with them." Sumire said as Kusa nodded his acknowledgement of Sumire's rebuke before Yusuke spoke up.

"Well, you're not wrong, Zenkichi. However, I feel I would be remiss for not pointing out that those abilities are only relevant in the cognitive world." Yusuke said as Shiho spoke up.

"Cognitive world? As in cognitive psience?" Shiho asked as Ann slowly nodded before Zenkichi spoke up.

"Exactly. But for now, we gotta move, so you gotta just go with the flow and follow my lead! And whatever you do? Make sure you keep your voices down." Zenkichi said decisively, getting nods of agreement as the group made their way to the lab at a sprint...

(A short time later, at the gate to the lab, with Ryuji, Ren, Futaba, Ann, Morgana, Makoto, Goro, Haru, Sojiro, Yusuke, Kusa, Zenkichi, Shiho, Nanako, Momoe, and Taichi)

While panting and catching their breath after sprinting all the way to the lab, Ann spoke up as the rest of the group also caught their breath.

"We lost them back there, right?" Ann asked as Zenkichi nodded and spoke up.

"Yeah, looks like the coast is clear for now, you guys." Zenkichi said as Yusuke spoke up with a huff.

"Whew. That's surprising, to be honest. I expected guards to be posted here moreso than anywhere else." Yusuke said as Kusa spoke up with a frown.

"Don't look a gift horse in the mouth, Yusuke. The fact there seems to be no guards means we have time to try and suss out if there's a Jail here or not." Kusa said wisely. Zenkichi spoke up.

"Amamiya the youngest has a point." Zenkichi said before frowning as he heard noise from nearby and kept speaking.

"Wait, Listen, I hear something. Shh!" Zenkichi said. Futaba spoke up involuntarily.

"Eek!" Futaba said as Zenkichi growled and spoke up.

"Shit, that sounds like footsteps! Hide!" Zenkichi said as the group hid behind the wall on the side of the fence as a grey-haired, dark-skinned male local walked over to a nearby poster and started messing with it, making Haru blink and speak up.

"Uhh, what's he doing?" Haru asked as Makoto spoke up in a whisper.

"I can't exactly tell from over here, Haru." Makoto said as Nanako frowned and spoke up.

"It is tricky to tell from here, but it looks vaguely like that man's altering the poster?" Nanako said uncertainly. Kusa blinked at that and spoke up.

"Hold up. You can see all the way over there, Dojima-san? That's pretty impressive, if so." Kusa said as Nanako smiled and spoke up, her cheeks pinking slightly in embarrassment from Kusa's praise of her while she spoke.

"It's just a guess, though. But thank you." Nanako said as Zenkichi spoke up.

"If that is the case, this could actually be good for us. There's only the one guy. If we capture him, we might be able to question him." Zenkichi said as Sojiro spoke up.

"Yeah, IF we capture him. I don't think he'll go down without a fight, though." Sojiro said as Ren spoke up.

"Sojiro has a point. It's pretty risky. But that aside, it sounds like a great idea." Ren said. Zenkichi chuckled and spoke up.

"Heh, don't worry. But I appreciate the concern. Just leave it to the professional." Zenkichi said as Ryuji spoke up with wide eyes.

"You're doin' it by yourself, Zenkichi!?" Ryuji asked as Zenkichi spoke up with a smirk.

"Eh, I've been through enough training by now that I can handle this. It'll be fine." Zenkichi said as Goro spoke up.

"You? Through training? Forgive me if I take you saying that with just a grain of salt, Zenkichi." Goro said dryly as Taichi spoke up.

"Sounds like Kusa gets his dry wit from his dad's side of the family." Taichi said as Kusa spoke up.

"Basically. But that's not important now. What's important is making sure Zenkichi's not about to put his neck out there and try to play the hero and get in trouble for it." Kusa said as Zenkichi smirked and spoke up.

"Thanks for your concern, Amamiya the youngest. But I'll be fine. You guys just stay here and keep an eye out for any of his buddies." Zenkichi said as Futaba spoke up in a mix of impressed awe and disbelief.

"Holy crap, Zenkichi just got way cooler!" Futaba said as Sumire spoke up with a frown.

"Did he, though? Or is he just trying to impress us with a tough-guy act?" Sumire asked skeptically as Sojiro spoke up.

"Maybe both? Let's give him the benefit of the doubt, Sumire-chan." Sojiro said as Sumire nodded before Zenkichi walked over to the silver-haired local and spoke up.

"Hello, excuse me?" Zenkichi asked as the furious local spoke up.

"Scoundrel! You dare defile our Lord's hallowed ground!?" The angry local said before rearing back to throw a superman punch at Zenkichi, who merely sidestepped out of the way as the force of the punch lifted the local off his feet to faceplant to the ground where he hit with a groan of pain as Zenkichi winced and spoke up.

"Oh wow, that looks like it hurt. Watch your step there. Are you all right?" Zenkichi asked as Ryuji spoke up with wide eyes.

"Dude, not again!? You totally threw him on his ass, Zenkichi!" Ryuji said as Goro and Kusa exchanged shocked looks with Sojiro, all three mouthing 'again!?' under their breath as Zenkichi spoke up, not seeing Kusa stifle a laugh at what Zenkichi said next.

"Eh, it was clearly self-defense." Zenkichi said as a shocked Yusuke spoke up.

"Wow. He truly is a member of Public Security." Yusuke said as Goro scoffed and spoke up.

"Hardly. More like he got lucky and sidestepped a badly-thrown punch and let the idiot's momentum do Zenkichi's job for him." Goro said as Kusa chuckled and spoke up.

"Good point. Regardless, I have to give Zenkichi props for that remark he made. It sounds a lot like something I'd say in that situation." Kusa said as Ren spoke up with a grin.

"YES! I knew that sounded like a remark you'd make, Kusa!" Ren said as Kusa high-fived Ren and spoke up.

"That's because you know me too well, Ren." Kusa said as Zenkichi looked at the poster and spoke up with a frown.

"Hey! Take a look at that." Zenkichi said, pointing at the poster, which had been slightly changed. Haru spoke up.

"Isn't that the sign we saw this morning, you guys?" Haru asked warily. Zenkichi spoke up.

"Yes, but look again. The 18th was changed to the 19th." Zenkichi said as Kusa blinked and spoke up.

"Seriously!? Are you suggesting what I think you are, Zenkichi?" Kusa asked as Zenkichi nodded and spoke up.

"I am. Apparently the facility's staff is on a permanent vacation, one step at a time." Zenkichi asked as a wide-eyed Makoto spoke up.

"Why would they do this?" Makoto asked as Shiho spoke up, reminding the group of their guests' presence.

"Maybe they're hiding something in that lab they don't want anyone knowing about, like one of those Jails you guys mentioned before?" Shiho suggested. Zenkichi nodded and spoke up.

"Good point, Suzui. But most likely? Not only is it what you said, but it's probably also to string along anyone who came to the island for the lab. And when someone thinks the staff's out for the day, like we did earlier, they probably stick around the island. Come night time, the locals descend on whoever got too curious about things, presumably to protect whatever's in there." Zenkichi said as Yusuke frowned and spoke up.

"Oh, my. What horrid tactics they resort to for something like this." Yusuke said as Zenkichi spoke up with a nod.

"I agree. Well, since he's been dealt with for now, let's investigate for a bit. If his heart's been changed, he should have a smartphone with EMMA installed." Zenkichi said as Shiho and Nanako both gasped, the former speaking up.

"EMMA!?" Shiho asked as Nanako spoke up with a frown.

"Isn't that the name of that new AI app that was being pushed out all over town? I recall that Big Bro and Big Sis were both asked to install it, but refused out of not trusting it. Something about it being too suspicious to them? I'm not sure of the specifics since they kept their voices down so I couldn't hear a lot of what they said." Nanako said as Kusa turned to Ren and spoke up so only Ren could hear.

"Hmm. You know the more that I hear about Nanako's Big Bro and his friends from her hometown, the more that I'm beginning to wonder if they are also Persona-users. What do you think?" Kusa asked as Ren spoke up.

"Who knows? For all we know they could just be suspicious of EMMA as you are before the start of this trip. But it wouldn't surprise me if they were. A part of me does have a thought that our team is not the only group of Persona-users that exists out there in the world. Although maybe that's something we can ask Nanako later." Ren said sagely as Zenkichi and Futaba worked together to search the unconscious local, the latter speaking up after pulling a phone from the man's pocket.

"Hup, found it." Futaba said as she searched the man's smartphone for EMMA, frowning as she kept speaking.

"Yep, there's EMMA all right. Aaaand, wait what? He only has one Friend?" Futaba said as Kusa spoke up.

"Just one? That's a bit suspect. Is there a name?" Kusa asked as Futaba nodded and spoke up.

"Yep. Says here that our local is friends with a 'Shuzo Ubukata'?" Futaba said as Morgana frowned and spoke up.

"Hm. If that's the case, there's a chance this Ubukata is the Monarch of Okinawa." Morgana said as Shiho spoke up.

"Monarch? As in a ruler? What does that have to do with-?" Shiho asked as Kusa spoke up.

"Not here! It's too risky! Wait until we're someplace a bit more secure, yeah?" Kusa said as Shiho nodded, not amused by being brushed off for the moment. Morgana spoke up.

"Now that Kusa's sorted that out, anyone got a keyword?" Morgana asked as Nanako spoke up.

"A keyword?" Nanako asked as Momoe spoke up with a frown.

"Isn't that what people use to friend one another through EMMA?" Momoe asked as Taichi spoke up.

"I think so. I recall Sumire trying to explain it to us once when she was up here visiting Ren a couple years ago." Taichi said as Sumire spoke up.

"Exactly. Very perceptive, Mister Amamiya." Sumire said as Taichi smirked and nodded while Futaba spoke up.

"Hmm, a keyword, you say? That one's a lot tougher to come by." Futaba said, before her eyes widened on finding a suspicious email as she kept speaking.

"Oh, hang on! There's an email here! It says 'Cordial invitation to serve as a tester of the...EMMA system!?" Futaba said as a wide-eyed Ann spoke up.

"An EMMA tester?" Ann said as Shiho spoke up.

"Could this be a place where a beta test of EMMA was conducted, perhaps?" Shiho guessed. Futaba spoke up.

"Good question. No way to know that for sure, though. Oh! Whoa, this even has a keyword in it! Uhh, it says the keyword is 'Operation Oraculi'?" Futaba said as Kusa turned to Goro and spoke up.

"Is it just me, or does that sound like a horribly cooked up scheme from one of those cheesy Saturday morning cartoons that were on when we were kids?" Kusa asked Goro, who shrugged as Zenkichi spoke up.

"Good job, Sakura the younger. Who sent him the email?" Zenkichi asked as Futaba frowned and spoke up.

"I don't recognize the address of the sender. Maybe it's from the lab?" Futaba guessed as Zenkichi frowned and spoke up.

"The lab asked all of these guys to be EMMA testers, then? Seems kinda fishy." Zenkichi said as Kusa's eyes widened in realization before he spoke up.

"True. But, and bear in mind this is all just speculation on my part, could this lab have been a testing ground of sorts for an early Jail? Perhaps even the beta test for the Jail system?" Kusa guessed, making Ren, Goro, and Sojiro exchange shocked looks with Zenkichi, not having thought of that themselves. Futaba spoke up.

"Good question, Kusa. Unfortunately, I doubt we'll find anyone that can answer that for us. So, what now? Thanks to the email, we know the keyword is 'Operation Oraculi'." Futaba said as Makoto frowned and spoke up.

"If the people who call this place 'hallowed' had their hearts changed, then it's going to be Jail-related, without a doubt." Makoto said as Ryuji spoke up with a frown.

"But, like, we can't find a Jail here. Right, Sophia?" Ryuji asked as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone, which she pulled out of her pocket, preceded Sophia speaking up with a sad look on her face.

"I'm not sure, Ryuji. At the very least, I do not smell one." Sophia said as Kusa spoke up with a frown.

"Hmm. Could there be a Jail here that has no scent? Or perhaps, there's a safeguard on it that inhibits the senses of whoever is searching for it?" Kusa mused as Ren spoke up.

"Good thinking, Kusa. Only one way to know for sure, though." Ren said as Morgana nodded and spoke up for the first time in a while.

"Ren's right. If we can't get in, that'll settle it. Buuut, if there IS a Jail here, testing the keyword should send us right in." Morgana said as Sumire spoke up with a frown.

"Hmm. If that is the case, should we get Dojima-san, Shiho, and Ren and Kusa's parents to a safe distance before trying the keyword, just to lessen the chance of them being dragged into the Jail with us?" Sumire asked as Kusa shook his head and spoke up.

"Nah. If I'm right, they'll just find a way to follow us in regardless, most likely without our knowledge. Better to just let them come with us, if they want to, rather than have them follow us in and possibly end up in a sticky situation if they end up separated from us when going into the Jail." Kusa said wisely as Taichi spoke up.

"I can't speak for Suzui-san or Dojima-san, but your mom and I are willing to follow you guys into this Jail if necessary." Taichi said as Momoe nodded her agreement before Shiho spoke up.

"You tell us all this, and try to say we can stay out of it? Not gonna happen, Kusa! If you guys, especially Ann, are headed into one of these Jails, we're all going together! So you can abandon trying to ditch us right now." Shiho said firmly, crossing her arms defiantly as Nanako nodded her agreement and spoke up.

"What Suzui-san said! Besides, it's bad enough my big bro and his friends kept me out of their adventures when I was a kid. I'm the same age now that they were when they were on their adventures. So I think I'm old enough to have my own adventures." Nanako said as Kusa sighed and spoke up.

"I'm not thrilled with this, but if that's how you all feel, then very well. But stay close to us, no matter what. Got it? That's non-negotiable." Kusa said, getting four nods of agreement from Nanako, Shiho, Taichi, and Momoe as Morgana spoke up.

"Now that that's settled, are we all ready?" Morgana said as Yusuke nodded before speaking up.

"Indeed. We have no choice but to try. Our pursuers have decided our path for us. And with apologies to our guests, they'll have to come with us for their safety." Yusuke said as Momoe spoke up.

"No need to apologize, Kitagawa-kun. We asked to come along, after all." Momoe said kindly as Ann nodded and spoke up.

"That you did. Although I'm not thrilled about bringing as many as five unarmed people into a place like that, especially since one of them is my girlfriend. But if I had to make a choice, then I will reluctantly concede that the Metaverse feels safer to me than this place does now." Ann said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"Okay, let's do it." Morgana said as Futaba nodded and spoke up.

"Got it. EMMA, add Shuzo Ubukata to my Friend Registry. The keyword? 'Operation Oraculi'!" Futaba said as nothing seemed to happen, making her frown as she kept speaking.

"Argh, guess it doesn't work?" Futaba said as a 'BIP' from Sumire's phone preceded a wide-eyed Sophia speaking up in shock.

"Wait! I can actually smell a Jail now. The scent is already all around us!" Sophia said as Nanako, Shiho, Taichi, and Momoe exchanged confused glances before another 'BIP!' preceded a different voice speaking up.

"Keyword successfully entered. Beginning navigation." The group heard, making a confused Shiho spoke up.

"Keyword successfully entered?" Shiho said as Nanako spoke up with wide eyes.

"Never mind that. Beginning navigation!? What does that-?" Nanako started to ask, but was cut off mid-sentence as the area around Nanako, Shiho, Momoe and Taichi swirled red as the group was transported to the Okinawa Jail...

(A short time later, inside the Okinawa Jail's entrance, with Joker, Mona, Skull, Panther, Fox, Queen, Oracle, Noir, Crow, Violet, Draconis, Seeker, Pendragon, Zenkichi, Taichi, Momoe, Shiho, and Nanako)

As the group looked around the area they'd entered into, everyone's eyes widened slightly at the sight of the dismal-looking wreckage surrounding the area they'd entered into. As the group looked around, Zenkichi frowned and spoke up.

"Huh. Is this the lab? It's kind of eerie looking for a lab, if you ask me." Zenkichi said as Crow shook his head and spoke up.

"No, this is no mere lab, Zenkichi." Crow said as Draconis spoke up.

"Crow is right. We've entered into the Metaverse at this point. Ladies, gentlemen, and Morgana, welcome to what I presume is the entryway of the Okinawa Jail." Draconis said sagely as Oracle spoke up warily.

"Is this the Jail then, Draconis? If so, I'm getting a lot of bad vibes here, guys, so be careful. This place looks straight-up haunted if you ask me." Oracle said as Draconis spoke up.

"Haunted, my ass. If anything, it's probably desolate and barren like a wasteland, which is really not that much better." Draconis said as Noir spoke up, seeing the nervous look on Queen's face as she looked towards her.

"Queen? Are you all right?" Noir asked as Queen nervously chuckled and spoke up.

"Uh, yeeeah! Yep! A-All fine here!" Queen said as Skull frowned, pointing a finger towards Queen as he spoke up.

"You sure about that? You sure don't sound fine to me, babe. You know you can stick close to me if you need to, right?" Skull said reassuringly to Queen, who nodded, before jumping slightly with the others as Skull heard something behind him, making his head whip around as he kept speaking.

"Whoa!" Skull said as the camera panned to reveal the source of the noise was a rolling can, making most of the group blink while Queen screamed as Skull huffed at the can and spoke up.

"Yeah? Screw you too, can! Huh?" Skull said as he and the others turned around and the camera panned to show a trembling Queen clutching onto a perplexed and uneasy Joker's leg for dear life, whimpering to herself as she spoke.

"ImsosorryI'msosorryI'msosorry! Where are you, Sis!? I'msosorryI'msosorryI'msosorry!" Queen said, not seeing the confused expressions that Joker, Skull, and Seeker were all aiming at her, none of them seeing Crow and Draconis both hiding amused smirks at the look on Joker's face as he looked down at the currently whimpering Queen clinging to his leg. Zenkichi blinked at the display and spoke up in confusion.

"Uh, wait, hold on. What!? I didn't know you two were together? I thought Niijima was with Sakamoto, while Amamiya the middle was with Yoshizawa?" Zenkichi said as Skull and Violet both spoke up with frowns on their faces.

"THEY ARE WITH US!" Skull and Violet both snapped simultaneously to correct Zenkichi, making them blink at their rare synchronicity. Pendragon turned to Zenkichi and spoke up.

"You have it right. Queen is Skull's girlfriend, and Joker is Violet's boyfriend. So I have no idea why Queen is clinging to Joker's leg for dear life like this. But now that I think about it more, I think this is the same as that time about four years ago, when I found most of these guys in my house, trying to see Oracle. Oddly enough, Queen was clinging to Joker's leg for dear life that time as well." Pendragon said as Violet frowned and spoke up.

"WHAT!? You're telling me this isn't the first time Queen's done this to Joker!?" Violet said in shock and annoyance. Skull spoke up with a frown.

"Unfortunately, Pendragon is right. This is the second time Queen's done this to Joker." Skull said as Queen seemed to choose that moment to regain her bearings and shoot bolt upright, backing away from Joker as if scalded, waving her hands around pleadingly as she spoke up.

"Uh, this isn't what it looks like! Oh, no no no no! Joker and I are just friends!" Queen said as Shiho spoke up while Queen, Joker, Skull, and Violet all chuckled nervously.

"Queen? Crow, Pendragon, Skull, Joker, Violet, Oracle, and Draconis? Why are you all using code names?" Shiho said as Nanako heard this, looked across the group's changed outfits, and then gasped in realization before she spoke up.

"Code names? And different outfits!? Why does that-? Oh! Wait, don't tell me! Are you guys-!?" Nanako asked as Violet winced and spoke up.

"Are you about to ask if most of us are the Phantom Thieves, Dojima-san? If so, you're right. We are the Phantom Thieves." Violet said honestly as Taichi and Momoe gasped, the latter speaking up.

"So it's true?" Momoe asked as Taichi spoke up in shock.

"You guys really are the Phantom Thieves!? We already knew that Ren and Kusa were the leaders and that Futaba, Goro, Sumire, and even Morgana were also part of the group, but we didn't know the rest of you were also Phantom Thieves. I should've suspected as much, though." Taichi said in a largely unconcerned manner. Draconis blinked and spoke up in surprise.

"Wait, you're not bothered by it? I'm both shocked and impressed, Dad." Draconis said as Momoe spoke up.

"Precisely. If anything, we're proud of how much good you guys are doing in the world, Kusa." Momoe said as Shiho spoke up.

"Indeed. It's one thing to hear about the Thieves via the news let alone see their silhouettes sometimes, but it's another to see them in person." Shiho said before taking a good look at Panther as she continued to speak.

"And I must say Ann, you looked rather stunning in that outfit of yours." Shiho said with a big smile as Panther blushed at her girlfriend's comment.

"Oh...uh, thanks Shiho, although I go by Panther when I'm in this form." Panther stated as Shiho spoke with confusion on her face.

"Panther?" Shiho asked as Kusa spoke up.

"Right, Panther raises a good point. And before anything else? I should probably mention the fact that we usually go by code names while inside of the Metaverse, mostly as a safeguard. As Mona-sensei once pointed out, only an idiot goes around using their real name in the Metaverse all the time. And as you all know we're the Phantom Thieves, you might as well know our code names as well since we did promise you an explanation when it was safe.

That being said, the guy to the left in the trenchcoat and the flashy mask is our leader, Joker. Going around the rest of the group from left to right, we have Fox, Skull, Violet, Seeker, Panther, Noir, Crow, Oracle, Queen, Pendragon, Mona, and finally me. As for my code name? It's Draconis." Draconis explained to Momoe, Shiho, Nanako, and Taichi, most of whom gaped at this in surprise. Taichi, for his part, smirked and spoke up.

"I'm not surprised you'd go by code names like this, Draconis. I'm guessing that said code names are only applied to those who've actually become full-fledged Phantom Thieves, rather than just being allies of the group?" Taichi said as Pendragon nodded and spoke up.

"Correct. Believe it or not? I was myself an ally of the group for years. It was only fairly recently that I was dragged into the Metaverse and ended up lucking into my powers, earning me my own code name and a spot in the group. If not for Draconis showing up when he did, who knows what might have become of me." Pendragon said as Crow spoke up.

"I think you'd have been fine, Pendragon. But I won't deny that having Draconis on hand for your awakening only helped you in the long run." Crow said as Mona spoke up.

"True. In any case, looks like we were right. So, there really IS a Jail here, then." Mona said as Panther spoke up with a frown.

"And that means that Ubukata person is its Monarch, right?" Panther said as Crow spoke up with a shake of his head while Draconis was patiently explaining the mechanics of the Metaverse to Shiho, Nanako, Momoe, and Taichi to the best of his ability.

"Not necessarily, Panther. Just because that's the case doesn't instantly mean Ubukata is the Monarch we're after. After all, we didn't know right away that it was for sure that Hyodo was the Monarch of the Sapporo Jail. So nothing's confirmed regarding the Monarch's identity as yet." Crow said as Noir spoke up with a nod.

"Right. But, why wasn't Seeker able to detect it until just now?" Noir asked as Seeker frowned and spoke up.

"To be honest? There is a possibility that it was sleeping." Seeker said with a frown. Fox's eyes widened at this as he spoke up.

"Wait, truly? Jails can sleep?" Fox asked in surprise as Seeker nodded and spoke up with an unreadable expression on her face.

"Correct. Once the keyword was entered, it almost felt as if this place woke up." Seeker said as Oracle spoke up in understanding.

"Huh, I see. So you mean Jails have a sleep mode then, Seeker?" Oracle asked as Mona frowned and spoke up.

"Now this is a new wrinkle that we've run into." Mona said as Nanako blinked and spoke up.

"Uhh, did Morgana just talk? And is that what he really looks like?" Nanako asked in surprise as Mona blinked, forgetting about the fact that Nanako, Shiho, Taichi, and Momoe hadn't heard him speak in the Metaverse, let alone see what he looked like before then. Zenkichi smirked and spoke up with a nod.

"Correct, Dojima-san. Once you hear him speak in the Metaverse like this, you should become cognizant of him being able to speak in the real world as well. And yes, that is what Morgana, or rather Mona looks like while in the Jail. Also to the rest of you, please refrain from calling him a monster cat as I learned that he hates being called that the hard way." Zenkichi said as Shiho blinked and spoke up in surprise.

"Wait, so if we've heard him speak here, we can understand Morgana in the real world too? That's neat." Shiho said as Taichi and Momoe nodded their agreement. Joker then frowned in confusion as he got a feeling like someone is calling his name, noticing a familiar blue door nearby and walking into it...

(In the Velvet Room, with Lavenza and Ren)

As Ren woke up inside the Velvet Room, he found himself in his familiar prisoner's attire as he walked up to the door, where Lavenza spoke up.

"You appear to have entered quite the conundrum. Ugh. What awaits you in these lands is an inhuman being, flashes of your past, and the advent of 'Hope' achieving her Awakening in the near future. But more importantly, this is where 'she' will-" Lavenza said as Ren spoke up in surprise.

"Did you say 'she'? Is our Monarch this time another female?" Ren asked in confusion. Lavenza spoke up.

"No, don't ask anything further, Trickster. I oughtn't speak any further. My duty is to witness your path laid before you by your decisions. You must witness for yourself the being I have mentioned." Lavenza said as Ren spoke up.

"I see? I guess if you say so, I trust you, Lady Lavenza." Ren said as Lavenza smiled and spoke up.

"And this is why you are my Trickster. As for why I have called you here at this time? Be aware that a new form of Persona execution is at your disposal. You may now perform the 'Triad Fusion', a group execution harnessing special power. That said, Triad Fusions allow you to generate even more powerful Personas. Please make wise use of it in preparation for the trials ahead. Farewell for now, Trickster." Lavenza said as Ren nodded. After doing some quick Persona management and checking out the new fusion method, Ren returned to the Jail...

(Back in the Okinawa Jail, with Joker, Fox, Skull, Violet, Seeker, Panther, Noir, Crow, Draconis, Oracle, Queen, Pendragon, Zenkichi, Mona, Shiho, Nanako, Momoe, and Taichi)

"Hm? What's up, Joker?" Skull said as Joker spoke up.

"Don't worry about it. I was summoned to you-know-where by you-know-who, Skull. I'll explain later when our guests aren't around." Joker said as Skull nodded and kept speaking.

"Got it. Anyways, back onto more important matters. So if all the people on this island got their hearts changed, doesn't that mean their Desires were taken?" Skull asked as Shiho frowned and spoke up.

"And by 'Desires', you mean those heart-shaped jewels that Draconis said come out of people's chests when they're seized from them?" Shiho asked as Mona and Draconis nodded approvingly as Skull spoke up.

"Exactly! Anyways, we've gotta get 'em those Desires back, fast. We're all in real danger until we do." Skull said as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"Good point, Skull. First, we need to figure out where they're being held." Mona said as Zenkichi spoke up with a wince.

"This really is real, isn't it? I just keep feeling like I'm totally losin' it here. OW!" Zenkichi said, the 'OW!' being in response to Nanako lightly pinching the back of Zenkichi's hand, smirking at the mildly irritated look he aimed at her while she spoke up.

"Did that hurt, Hasegawa-san? If so, then this is real. Otherwise, that pinch wouldn't have hurt." Nanako said wisely as Zenkichi winced and spoke up.

"Ah, good point, Dojima-san. Thank you for helping me confirm this is real. As for the rest of you, other than the Amamiya parents and Suzui-san? Sorry, but I'm gonna stick around the entrance area while you guys do your thing." Zenkichi said as Draconis spoke up with a nod.

"That's probably for the best, Zenkichi. Anyone without a Persona would be defenseless if they came with us, anyways. And for that reason, I'm going to have to insist that Mom, Dad, Dojima-san, and Shiho stay here with you where it's safe. And, in the interest of your protection? If he has no objections, I'd like for Crow to remain behind with Pendragon and watch over you guys so that if any Shadows try to sneak up on you, you're not defenseless. The rest of us, meanwhile, will explore this Jail and try to find the Desires." Draconis said, taking charge for the moment. Oracle nodded her agreement and spoke up.

"Yeah, what Draconis said! Leave it to us, everyone! This is where WE take down whoever's in our way!" Oracle said as Draconis spoke up.

"Oh, that reminds me. Oracle, think fast!" Draconis said as he pulled out a small golden object from his pocket and tossed it to Oracle, who smiled as she caught it.

"Ohh, is this-?" Oracle asked as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"Yep, that's your beam staff. I'm sorry it took so long to get it back to you. I kept forgetting to give it back. Luckily for us both, Crow happened to go with me the last time I went to the Ferrari and reminded me to grab it from the trunk. Now you can actually fight again." Draconis said as Oracle nodded, hitting the button on the side and making Zenkichi, Momoe, Taichi, Shiho, and Nanako all gasp as two beams of jade green light extended from either end of the golden object, revealed to be a hilt. Joker turned to Zenkichi and spoke up.

"Thank you for volunteering to remain behind, Zenkichi. I know I can trust you to keep our guests safe and out of harm's way, especially with Crow and Pendragon staying behind to help you. That said, as long as you remain in this spot, you'll be safe here, since Shadows usually don't come to the entrance of Jails, from our experience." Joker said as Zenkichi smirked and spoke up.

"Yessir, I've got the others' backs. Myself, Crow, and Pendragon will all keep lookout here." Zenkichi said as Seeker blinked and looked around in confusion before speaking up.

"Hm? Just a moment, I think I hear something." Seeker said as Noir looked at Seeker in confusion and spoke up.

"Seeker?" Noir said as Seeker spoke up with a frown.

"There's no mistaking it. I hear a voice from deeper inside." Seeker said as Queen spoke up warily.

"Uhh, what do you mean by that?" Queen asked as Seeker spoke up.

"Just as I said. I can hear someone calling for me. I'm going to check it out!" Seeker said as she dashed off at a brisk pace, rounding the corner before either Skull or Violet could do more than call her name out in shock. Violet turned to Joker and spoke up.

"Oh no! I'm not letting Seeker go off on her own. Sorry Joker, but I'm going after her!" Violet said as she sprinted off in pursuit of Seeker, leaving Joker to gape and call after her.

"Wait, wha-!? VIOLET! It's not safe on your own! Wait for-!" Joker said, only to be cut off mid-sentence by a hand on his shoulder, making him turn and see Crow patting him lightly on the shoulder, making Joker give Crow a confused look as he kept speaking.

"Why'd you stop me, Crow?" Joker asked as Crow spoke up.

"Simple. If you ran after them, what would the rest of us do? With apologies to Draconis, you're our leader. We'd be lost if you ran off on us. We can trust Violet and Seeker to look out for themselves. But you're needed here to lead us in the pursuit of them. After all, if we're exploring this Jail, odds are better than fair we'll run across them soon enough. So let's get after them, shall we?" Crow said as Draconis spoke up.

"I agree with Crow. And in light of Violet running off like she did, I'm going to pull rank here a bit and swap Crow with Oracle, meaning Oracle and Pendragon will remain behind with Zenkichi and the guests while the rest of us go after Violet and Seeker. Any objections?" Draconis said, as Oracle pouted and spoke up.

"Aw, come on! I just got my staff back, Draconis! Why am I being benched!?" Oracle said as Draconis spoke up with a sad smile.

"Because you're still inexperienced as a combatant, and we need seasoned battlers for this Jail, hence why I'm making you stay here with Pendragon and bringing Crow along. But it's not because I don't trust you, because I do. I'm doing this because I know you'll be able to handle anything that comes up here with Pendragon at your side. Also, I don't know about the others, but I'm curious to find out if the story Joker told me once about Crow taking a turn as the group's navigator is true. And if it is, I'm curious to see how good he is at navigation." Draconis said as Crow smirked and spoke up.

"Ah, so you want me to take another go at guiding us as we make our way through this Jail? Very well, I accept the challenge. Sorry to take your job from you temporarily, Oracle-san." Crow said as Oracle shrugged and spoke up.

"Eh, it's no biggie. I trust you to handle things in my stead. Good luck, you guys!" Oracle said as Joker spoke up.

"Very well. In that case, I propose that the groups for this mission will be as follows. In Group C, which will be a group of four, will be Fox, Draconis, Crow, and Noir. In Group B, which will be a group of three, will be Panther, Queen, and Skull. And in Group A, which for now will be a group of two, is myself and Mona. Once we find them, I'll probably put Seeker and Violet in Group A with me. Any objections?" Joker said as Skull spoke up with wide eyes.

"None. But seriously, Violet and Seeker shouldn't have run off on their own like that. I should've stopped them" Skull said as Draconis sighed and spoke up.

"It's a bit late for that, don't you think Skull? But I admire the hustle." Draconis said as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"Agreed." Mona said before turning to Joker as he spoke up.

"Let's go, Joker!" Mona said as Joker nodded his agreement as the team split into the indicated groups before Momoe and Taichi looked over and Taichi spoke up.

"So you guys are headed out, then?" Taichi asked, and when both Draconis and Joker nodded, Momoe spoke up with a smile.

"Good luck, you two! Do your best out there! Your father and I will be rooting for you from here. Be safe and come back swiftly, ideally with Violet and Seeker in tow." Momoe said as Joker and Draconis nodded before the group prepared to give chase to Seeker and Violet. As the group started giving chase, Skull spoke up.

"Dude, what's gotten into Seeker?" Skull asked as Fox spoke up with a frown.

"She said it was a voice. Yet none of us could hear it. Fortunately, Violet is chasing after her, so she won't be on her own until we catch up to the two of them." Fox said as Mona spoke up with a firm nod.

"Right. Let's hurry up and go!" Mona said, the tone of his voice making it obvious he was concerned for Seeker. The group nodded and kept moving. After going down the hall, the group found a room with more wreckage in it as Panther shuddered and spoke up.

"Ugh, is it just me, or is this place legit creepy? Like, it's so creepy, it's not funny." Panther said as Draconis spoke up.

"Nah, I feel that, Panther. This place does give off a lot of shady/sus energy for sure. But all we can do is keep moving forward." Draconis said as Noir spoke up with a nod.

"I agree." Noir said as she turned to Queen and kept speaking.

"Queen, are you holding up okay?" Noir asked as Queen nervously nodded from where she was sticking close to Skull's side.

"Y-Yes, I'm fine! We need to hurry up and find Violet and Seeker!" Queen said as Joker turned to Skull and spoke up with a grin.

"Well, well. If I didn't know better, I'd say you're super in there with Queen, Skull. Nice one, man." Joker said as Skull high-fived Joker and spoke up.

"Truth, Joker! Let's keep goin'!" Skull said as the group kept moving ahead, eventually reaching what appeared to be a tape recorder. Once the group saw the recorder, Queen spoke up with a worried look.

"Hang on, there's something here." Queen said as Panther spoke up with a frown.

"Is that a tape recorder?" Panther said as the others slowly nodded. Crow spoke up.

"Well, it appears to be a recorder. But the only way to know if it is for sure is to try it out. Hopefully it still works." Crow said as Draconis slowly nodded before his eyes widened and he spoke up.

"Crow, wait! Don't do it! It might be a-!" Draconis said, but before he could finish his sentence, Crow had touched the tape recorder, setting off a blinding flash of light that obscured the group's vision. When the group could see again, they were confused to see that the room they'd previously been in had turned into what appeared to be a replica of the birdcage area of the Shibuya Jail, making Joker and Mona exchange wary looks as the latter spoke up.

"Umm, guys? Is it me, or are we not in the Okinawa Jail anymore?" Mona said as Panther gasped, noticing what, or rather who, was in front of them.

"Uh, guys? I think we're back in Shibuya's Jail. Otherwise, how do we explain HER?" Panther asked, pointing at a figure ahead of the group, making Crow and Draconis, who hadn't been there the first time through this Jail, shudder at the sight of the skimpily-dressed bunny girl on the stage in front of them. Crow spoke up while looking at Joker and Mona.

"I know you guys said your first Jail was in many ways nightmare fuel, but you didn't mention that the Monarch was a slutty rabbit! That could've been a nice detail to know." Crow said dryly as Draconis spoke up.

"Agreed, Crow! Not to mention the fact her outfit is seriously straining the limits of decent exposure. And she's ugly, besides." Draconis said with a horrified shudder. At that point, the figure, or the Shadow of Alice Hiiragi, scoffed and spoke up.

"How rude! And you have no room to talk, given you and your friend are literally wearing animal-print helmets. As for the rest of you, are you surprised to see me!? Well, the boss is fed up with your interfering in things, so they've dispatched several of us to slow your progress down and prevent you taking the Desires of this Jail! If you want them, you'll have to get past me!" Alice's Shadow said as she lunged forward to start the fight! As the fight started, Alice's Shadow spoke up.

"Let's see how much stronger you've gotten, Phantom Thieves! And let's see what your new allies can do!" Alice's Shadow said as she started darting around the arena, trying to hit the group with her cane, which was largely unsuccessful, in part due to the group constantly scattering when she tried to swing her cane at them. After a few swings of her cane, Alice's Shadow glared and spoke up.

"Hold still, damn you! I know you weren't this hard to hit before! Sure, I can see that two of you aren't here, but that's besides the point. The important people are here, anyways. Isn't that right, Joker? Nice of you to not bring that red-headed wallflower you're dating along, by the way. Makes my job easier." Alice's Shadow said as she leered at Joker, ignoring the revolted/disgusted looks that Crow and Draconis were exchanging nearby as Joker spoke up.

"Sorry to break it to you, Alice, but Violet and I are still going strong. And I'll thank you NOT to call her a wallflower around me! She's still my girlfriend, you know." Joker pointed out bluntly, amid approving nods from Crow, Draconis, and Skull. Alice's Shadow frowned at this and spoke up.

"So!? What's she got that I don't!?" Alice's Shadow asked as Draconis spoke up before he could stop himself.

"Besides self-respect, more friends than you, and even true friends? Quite a bit, in fact. But I'll let Joker be the one to go into detail on that if he so chooses." Draconis said as Alice's Shadow growled at Draconis and spoke up.

"Shut your mouth, you blowhard! And no one asked your opinion!" Alice's Shadow snapped, swinging her cane at Draconis, who barely leapt out of the way in time to avoid the attack as Crow glared at Alice's Shadow and spoke up.

"Why are you so insistent on trying to beat us, anyways? I get you're just desperate because you know no one wants a girl who looks like a slutty cartoon character, but still! Surely you have better ways to find someone for you?" Crow asked dryly as Alice's Shadow growled and spoke up, snapping her cane over her leg as she spoke.

"SHUT UP! And how DARE you call me slutty, you jerk!? Have some of this!" Alice's Shadow said, tossing the pieces of her cane right at Crow, who would've been pelted head-on with the pieces had Noir not tackled him out of the way in time to avoid the improvised projectiles. After the two got back to their feet, Crow smiled at Noir and spoke up.

"Thank you, Noir. You saved me. Now, what do you say we put this adult-level eyesore out of her misery?" Crow said as Noir smiled and nodded.

"Couldn't agree more, Crow. Panther, would you lend us a hand?" Noir asked as Panther nodded and ran over while speaking up.

"Sure thing, Noir! Let's end this!" Panther said as Crow, Noir, and Panther spoke up as one.

"GO, TRIAD SPECIAL!" Crow, Noir and Panther said as Crow kept speaking.

"Hereward, ready your arrow!" Crow said as Hereward nodded, nocking an arrow from his quiver as Noir spoke up.

"Lucy! Coat that arrow in Psy power!" Noir said as she summoned Lucy, who nodded and waved a hand, coating the arrow in purple energy as Panther spoke up.

"Hecate! Light that arrow!" Panther said as she summoned Hecate, who snapped a finger before the arrow was coated in Fire energy. Crow then spoke up.

"Now, Hereward! Put the finishing touches on our attack and take aim at that who-err, inappropriately dressed rabbit!" Crow said, getting approving nods from Queen and Noir after he corrected himself mid-sentence, deciding against what was clearly him calling Alice's Shadow a whore. As Hereward coated the arrow in Curse energy, making it flicker with an ominous crackling effect, at which point Noir spoke up.

"Ready?" Noir said as Panther spoke up.

"Aim!" Panther said as Crow, Panther and Noir all spoke up together.

"FIRE! GO, PURGATORY ARROW!" Crow, Noir, and Panther said as one, launching the charged arrow from Hereward's bow, which flew forward and embedded itself into Alice's Shadow, burying itself in her stomach, making her screech in agony as she was coated in ominous flames, eventually falling backwards and dissolving to ashes, which then dissolved into black mist, ending the battle. After the battle, there was then another bright flash of light and when everyone could see again, they were back in the Okinawa Jail with the tape recorder as Draconis spoke up with a huff.

"Good riddance to trashy effing concubines!" Draconis said bluntly, getting amused grins from Joker and Skull, and frowns from most every girl present, as Crow nodded approvingly before speaking up.

"I agree, Draconis. Now to see what's on this recording." Crow said as he turned on the recorder, making an unfamiliar voice speak up.

"This plan brings to fruition a dream long-cherished by the research team-no, by all mankind!" The group heard, making Joker, Crow, and Draconis exchange satisfied nods, agreeing that the tape recorder was still presumably functional. At that point, the recording kept playing.

"-Every last subject, a successful change of heart! When the Penitentiary System is complete, the concept of suffering will be dead to all mankind! Now, let us rejoice and welcome the new age of humanity! EMMA shall be our guide into this promised land!" The voice on the recording said, making Joker's eyes widen as he spoke up.

"Wait, did that guy just say EMMA!?" Joker said as Crow spoke up.

"I do believe so. More importantly, was I the only one who heard that guy say the words 'Penitentiary System'? Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Draconis guess this could be a testing ground for the Jail system before we came in here?" Crow said as Draconis winced and spoke up.

"Yeeeah, I did. I hate that I was right, but I did guess that." Draconis said as Panther spoke up.

"You usually are right in your guesses, Draconis. But never mind that, did he also say 'changes of heart'!?" Panther said as Fox's eyes widened slightly before he spoke up.

"Just as Ichinose said, there was indeed some form of experimentation on EMMA here." Fox said as Noir spoke up.

"True. And if I'm not wrong, the voice said something about a 'Penitentiary System' too. But Crow already mentioned that, didn't he?" Noir said as Crow nodded before Mona spoke up.

"Ah, I think I understand what they were researching here now." Mona said as Joker spoke up.

"Changes of heart." Joker said as Draconis spoke up with a nod.

"That, and Jails." Draconis said sagely. Queen nodded and spoke up.

"Yes, I agree. That would be a logical conclusion." Queen said as Joker acquired a 'Tape Record 1' key item before Mona spoke up with a frown.

"That was enlightening, but we don't have time to discuss it now. Anyway, we'll talk more about it later. We need to track down Seeker and Violet first before anything else." Mona said as Panther nodded and spoke up with a pumped fist.

"Right. We have to catch up with them!" Panther said as Skull sighed and spoke up.

"Ugh. Dammit, Shorty! Why'd she have to go and run off like that and make Violet chase after her!?" Skull asked as Joker frowned and spoke up.

"Skull? Can you not refer to Seeker as 'Shorty' around me, please? You know she's a member of this team, and should be respected as such. Also, Violet went after her because she cares about her. So I'm both proud of her and worried for them both." Joker said firmly as Skull winced but nodded his understanding while the group kept moving...

(Back at the entrance of the Okinawa Jail, with Zenkichi, Oracle, Pendragon, Shiho, Nanako, Taichi, and Momoe)

As the people who stayed behind gathered around to wait for news of the rest of the group, Shiho frowned and spoke up.

"I know that Joker and the others can handle themselves, but they've been in there for a bit, haven't they?" Shiho said, getting nods of agreement from both Taichi and Momoe as Zenkichi spoke up with a smirk.

"From my experience with them? Their excursions take quite a while, often being split up over multiple days. So we could be waiting here for a while, Suzui. But the way I figure it? It's better to be stuck here waiting for the others where it's at least somewhat safe than being at the mercy of the brainwashed Okinawan locals." Zenkichi said as Nanako nodded her agreement and spoke up.

"Good point, Hasegawa-san. I think we just have to have faith in the others to get their infiltration done and come back safely." Nanako said as Pendragon spoke up approvingly.

"Well said, Dojima-san. You're pretty intelligent for your age, you know." Pendragon said as Oracle frowned and spoke up.

"Is she, though? She's really not that much older than I was when I first got involved with all this. Also, now that I think about it, much like Dojima-san here, my first real involvement with the Phantom Thieves was during their fourth Palace. And unless the count I've kept is incorrect, I believe we're on our fourth Jail right now. So that's ironic." Oracle said as Taichi and Momoe exchanged a shocked look as the former spoke up.

"You joined during their fourth Palace, and that wasn't the last one? Exactly how many Palaces did they go through?" Taichi asked as Momoe spoke up.

"And were you really the same age as Dojima-san when you first became part of the Phantom Thieves?" Momoe asked as Pendragon spoke up.

"To answer Amamiya-san's question? I want to say Joker told me before going home that they hit a total of nine Palaces, or did he say it was eight? I think he said something about one of them being not entirely counted as a Palace, but don't quote me on that?" Pendragon said as Oracle spoke up.

"It was nine, but one of the Palaces was short enough it almost didn't count as a Palace. And to answer your question, Miss Amamiya? Yes. I was just about fifteen and a half when I first got involved with the Phantom Thieves. And I think Pendragon will agree when I say I'm pretty smart, so I was smart for my age. No offense, Dojima-san." Oracle said, getting an understanding from Nanako, who affirmed she took no offense from Oracle's words while Shiho frowned and spoke up.

"True, but at the same time? I feel like people are underestimating that one of those Phantom Thieves is my girlfriend. I don't know about the rest of you, but I don't feel like sitting around and waiting for them to get back. I might not be able to do much, but I want to at least help out if I can. I'm going after them." Shiho said as Nanako spoke up with wide eyes.

"W-Wait, what!? Are you serious, Suzui-san? You heard what Draconis said about it being too dangerous for us to go after them without a means of self-defense!" Nanako pointed out as Shiho spoke up.

"True, but that's only if we aggro the Shadows. If we keep to the shadows and don't draw the Shadows' attention to ourselves, we should be able to follow them safely from a distance. If you're worried, you can stay here with Hasegawa-san and Mister and Miss Amamiya, but I'm going after them." Shiho said before standing up and darting out of the room, oblivious to the sputtered words Zenkichi yelled out at her retreating back.

"Wh-What!? Suzui, get back here! It's too dangerous!" Zenkichi said as Pendragon spoke up with a frown.

"Hold on! Joker and the others asked Oracle and I to look after everyone here! It's too dangerous to go out there without a means of self-defense!" Pendragon said as Oracle spoke up.

"Pendragon's right! Besides, how will you even figure out which way they went? They could be really far into the Jail by now." Oracle said as Shiho hesitated, but kept running anyways, oblivious to the annoyed groans her actions drew from Oracle and Pendragon, who were both annoyed at their failure to stop Shiho from racing off, and Zenkichi was annoyed too, especially with the frown on his face as both he and Nanako, along with Oracle and Pendragon, yelled their next words together.

"SUZUI-SAN! COME BACK!" Oracle, Pendragon, Nanako and Zenkichi yelled after Shiho, but their protests fell on deaf ears as Shiho had darted off after the group...

(At the same time, further into the Okinawa Jail, with Seeker and Violet)

As Seeker darted through the Okinawa Jail on her own to try and track the voice she'd heard, she blinked in shock as she heard her name called.

"Seeker! Slow down, sweetheart! You can't run off on your own like that!" Violet said, rushing into view and hunching over to catch her breath as she panted a bit, having sprinted all the way to catch up to Seeker. Seeker looked at Violet and spoke up.

"Violet!? You came after me without the others!? Is that safe? I'm sorry for scaring you, but shouldn't you have stuck with Joker and the others?" Seeker asked as Violet spoke up.

"Maybe, but I wasn't going to let you go wandering through this Jail on your own. I know you don't think you matter, but you really do. We might not have known you for long, but most of us already consider you to be a precious and irreplaceable friend of ours. And as for Joker and I? Well, we're still not sure exactly how we view you. But I do know you're precious to both of us as well. So don't keep putting such low value on your worth, Seeker." Violet said as she walked forward to pull a blinking Seeker into a hug, making Seeker blush slightly in embarrassment as she felt her face pressed against the bottom of Violet's upper chest while being hugged by Violet. Seeker eventually smiled and spoke up.

"Violet? Thank you. I appreciate you coming after me. I'm sorry for scaring you." Seeker said as Violet smiled and lightly patted Seeker on the head comfortingly while she spoke up.

"It's all right, sweetie. I'm just glad you're okay. I suppose for right now, our best move is to stick together and try to hope the others catch up to us quickly." Violet said as Seeker nodded her agreement before the two proceeded forward cautiously...

(Back with Joker, Mona, Skull, Panther, Fox, Queen, Noir, Crow, and Draconis)

As the group proceeded to the next area, they blinked as the lighting dimmed considerably, making Queen shudder as she spoke up.

"H-Hey, why's the lighting gotta get so dark like that?" Queen asked as Fox spoke up.

"Indeed, the ambiance in this section has grown quite eerie." Fox said as Mona spoke up with a frown.

"I agree. But more to the point, I'm worried about both Violet and Seeker. Let's proceed with caution while we look for them." Mona said as the group kept moving. After moving down a hallway through the dim lighting, the group found a door, which Joker pushed open, breathing a sigh of relief as he saw the pair of familiar looking redheads in the room ahead. Draconis sighed in relief and spoke up.

"Oh, good. They're safe. Looks like we found Seeker!" Draconis said as Mona spoke up.

"Not just her, but Violet too." Mona said, making Violet turn around and smile in relief as she saw most of the others behind her and Seeker, who stared at the door in front of her, clearly musing on something. As Violet gently nudged her, Seeker blinked before slowly turning as she heard Noir speak up.

"Whew, thank goodness you're safe, Seeker!" Noir said as Joker spoke up.

"You too, Violet. I'm happy you're both okay." Joker said happily. He then turned to Seeker as he spoke up.

"Don't just run off on your own like that, Seeker! You had us all worried sick when you took off like that. But at least you and Violet are okay, and that's what matters." Joker said, surprising Seeker by lightly pulling her into a hug as he finished speaking. Seeker gasped quietly at Joker hugging her, before surprising both Mona and Violet as she blinked back some tears and spoke up, her words being partially muffled due to Joker hugging Seeker close to him as she spoke up, making her be planted face-first into Joker's jacket, partly muffling her next words as a result.

"Joker? I'm sorry. Thank you for coming after me." Seeker said as she returned Joker's hug, not seeing the smile on Violet's face at the sight of Joker and Seeker somewhat bonding. Skull then looked at Seeker and spoke up.

"You said you heard a voice, yeah? Figure out who it is yet, Seeker?" Skull asked as Seeker sighed and spoke up with a frown.

"No, I didn't. It disappeared once I arrived here. Not long after that, Violet caught up to me and proceeded to scold me for running off on my own. But I'm glad she cared enough to chase after me." Seeker said, smiling slightly as she slowly stepped away from Joker. Fox spoke up with wide eyes.

"I see. Truth be told, we never heard anything of the sort." Fox said as Panther spoke up in concern.

"So, only Seeker could hear it?" Panther said as Seeker cutely cocked her head to the side a bit and spoke up.

"So it would seem. It was very strange, though. The voice sounded similar to my own, somehow. And it was calling my name. Maybe the owner of the voice knows me?" Seeker mused as Noir spoke up warily.

"How's that, Seeker?" Noir asked as Seeker spoke up.

"I'm not sure. The only memory I have before meeting Violet and Joker is the directive to become humanity's companion. I've traveled so far with you all and learned many things, but I still know nothing about myself." Seeker said with a frown. Before anyone could say a word, Seeker kept speaking.

"And that's why, when I heard the voice, I thought I had found my chance to learn about myself." Seeker said before bowing to the others as she kept speaking, a look of remorse on her face.

"I'm sorry for worrying you." Seeker said as Violet smiled and spoke up.

"It's all right, Seeker. Just don't run off on your own anymore, okay?" Violet said as Joker nodded his agreement and spoke up.

"Violet's right. Besides, you don't have to search for the voice on your own. Odds are we'll run into it eventually while we're searching this place for Desires, so what say we look for it together?" Joker suggested. Seeker turned to give Joker a grateful smile as she spoke up.

"Thanks, Joker." Seeker said as Mona spoke up with a frown.

"As long as you learned your lesson, we're good. That said, I've got a feeling we can learn more about you right here, Lady Seeker." Mona said as Seeker blinked at Mona and spoke up.

"Huh?" Seeker asked in confusion. Fox turned to Mona with his own look of confusion and beat Seeker to voicing her thoughts.

"What makes you say that?" Fox asked as Mona spoke up.

"I've been thinking for a while now about this. Jails, EMMA, Seeker. I keep looking for some kind of connection between those three things. After all, we found Seeker in a Jail, right? EMMA was linked to that Jail. And more importantly, Seeker is an AI like EMMA. There's no way these are all coincidences. Something has to link all three." Mona said as Draconis spoke up with a frown.

"Something? Or perhaps someone? After all, we still haven't found the mastermind behind the Monarchs, so it could be that the mastermind we're after could be the link between those three things you listed, Mona." Draconis mused as Crow spoke up with a nod.

"Agreed. If not for the fact that I believe it'd be giving her way too much credit to think this of her, I'd wonder if Ichinose-san is that mastermind?" Crow suggested warily as Mona spoke up.

"Good point, you two. Anyways, I had hoped we'd eventually come across the answer if we investigated the Jails we found." Mona said as Fox nodded and spoke up.

"I see. You believe these things have a uniting factor." Fox said as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"Correct. And not only that, but I, at the very least, know what Seeker's going through. Not knowing your identity, or your past, has to hurt a lot. Moreover, it's rough. So as such, let's join Seeker in hunting down this mystery voice." Mona said as Joker spoke up with a nod.

"Right there with you, Mona. After all, Seeker's one of us. And we stick together on things. So let's find that voice." Joker said with a sage nod. Violet spoke up with a smile.

"I agree with Joker-senpai. We need to find this voice, for Seeker's sake!" Violet said firmly as Queen nodded and spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Agreed. For Seeker!" Queen said as Seeker gave the group a shocked look, a smile slowly spreading over her face before she could stop herself as she spoke up.

"Really?" Seeker asked as she smiled and spoke up while pulling a shocked Mona into a hug.

"Thank you all." Seeker said as she hugged Mona gently to her, not seeing the blush on Mona's face as he found his face pressed into Seeker's chest while being hugged by her. Draconis smirked and spoke up.

"You're welcome, Seeker. But, uh, maybe you could try not suffocating Mona while hugging him?" Draconis joked, making Seeker look down and blush as she realized how tightly she'd been hugging Mona, causing her to drop the still blushing cat in shock as she looked down at him and spoke up.

"Oops! Sorry about that, Mona. I didn't mean to hug you that tightly. Are you okay?" Seeker asked as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"Y-Yeah, I'm fine. For someone as petite as you are, you have a deceptively strong hug, Lady Seeker." Mona said as most of the others laughed while Skull spoke up with a grin.

"Welp, now we got two missions! One, take back all the locals' Desires so they stop tryin' to kill us and the others. And two, figure out who the hell keeps yellin' at Seeker!" Skull said as Joker spoke up with a smirk.

"Good point. But let's just do both at once. After all, if I'm right, they might end up being linked anyways." Joker said wisely as Crow spoke up.

"I agree. But we should stay on guard while we do so. After all, if the one recording we've found so far is any indication, we might have a lot more booby-traps to get through before we're done here." Crow said wisely as Panther gave Joker a closed-eye smile and spoke up.

"Yeah, good idea, Joker!" Panther said as Fox nodded and spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"I have no objections. It's only natural for us to assist both the public and our own teammates." Fox said as Seeker then spoke up in confusion.

"Speaking of teammates, where are Oracle and Pendragon? Shouldn't they be with us?" Seeker said as Draconis spoke up.

"Both Oracle and Pendragon are back at the entrance so that they can keep the others safe. Thus, Crow here is acting as navigator for now." Draconis stated as Crow spoke up.

"Also since you and Violet ended up running off, you missed the part where we had to fight Alice's Shadow in order to listen to a recording from a tape recorder." Crow said as both Seeker and Violet gasped when they heard Alice's name as the latter spoke up.

"You fought Alice's Shadow? How was that possible? Didn't her Shadow go back to her original self?' Violet said as Joker spoke up.

"We don't know what's going on, but this might be related to whatever voice Seeker had just heard. Prior to us fighting her again, Alice's Shadow mentioned that she was sent by her 'boss' to stop us from interfering meaning that someone is indeed pulling the strings. In addition, she also meant that this 'boss' has dispatched several others to stop our progress so we might end up fighting some familiar foes if we find more tape recorders." Joker said as Violet spoke up.

"I see, I understand then. However, a part of me is worried since we don't have our full team if I assume we're fighting the previous Monarchs again, but I'm confident we can beat them just like before." Violet said with determination as Seeker spoke up.

"Agreed. With that, let's get moving. With Oracle not being here at this moment, this makes me curious as to how Crow acts as a navigator." Seeker said as Crow gave a small chuckle and spoke up.

"Well, I think you'll find my way of navigating a bit more unique than Oracle's." Crow said as Mona hopped up and down excitedly while speaking up.

"All right! Phantom Thieves, let's get to it!" Mona said as Joker spoke up.

"But first, let's get Violet and Seeker sorted in Group A with the two of us, Mona." Joker pointed out as Mona nodded his agreement and both Violet and Seeker joined Joker and Mona in group A. As the group moved forward, Panther frowned as she swore that she heard what sounded like footsteps in the hallway behind the group, making her turn in time to see what looked like a blur of black dart around the corner and out of sight. Draconis saw Panther turn around and spoke up.

"You see something, Panther?" Draconis asked as Panther spoke up.

"I thought I heard footsteps behind us, but I didn't see anything when I turned to look, other than some dark-colored blur darting off. Are we being followed?" Panther said as Crow spoke up.

"If we are, it's by someone who is doing so at their own risk. But I think I know who it is, and if I'm right? Let them keep up if they can. They have their reasons for following us. Let's keep moving." Crow said as the group kept moving at that point, unaware of the fact they were being followed at a distance. Draconis then swore as he spoke up.

"Are you serious? This door is jammed! Crap. Looks like we'll have to find another way around." Draconis said as Joker spoke up.

"I'll get right on that, but first, is this a note?" Joker said as Violet scanned the note Joker indicated before speaking up.

"Hm. Looks like some notes on an experiment of sorts. This says 'Determining the Effects of a Change of Heart. We ordered the island locals to eliminate anyone who comes near the laboratory without clearance. This shall test the change of heart's ability to facilitate complex commands successfully, as well as any remaining latent consciousness. More specifically, it will serve to determine whether or not their morals remain after the change.' Wow, this sounds like an early test of the Jail system for sure." Violet said as Joker spoke up.

"Fair enough. And as far as another way around, what about those breakable windows over there?" Joker said, pointing to a trio of cracked windows near Fox and Panther who leapt aside as Joker and Draconis exchanged nods before dashing through the windows, managing to ambush and eliminate a Shadow on the other side easily. After clearing the area out, the others followed, seemingly finding another empty room until Joker spotted a vent, which the group entered into single-file after Joker broke the cover off with his boot. Once out on the other side, the group wound up in another room, where Skull spoke up.

"Oh? I wanna check this place out while we keep going." Skull said as the group kept moving. After dashing through another set of windows and eliminating more Shadows, Crow spoke up.

"Heh, seems like the coast is clear. I'm not picking up any enemies on my radar, so I think we're safe to proceed." Crow said as the group kept moving. After dashing through a couple more windows and reaching a locked chest, Joker opened it to find a 'Kris Dagger' weapon, at which point Crow spoke up.

"A dagger, hm? If I had to guess, I'd say this is a weapon for you, Joker. Why not try it out?" Crow suggested as Joker nodded and tried equipping the 'Kris Dagger', and sure enough it fit him perfectly. Joker smirked and spoke up.

"Yep, definitely an upgrade for me. Good call, Crow. Now let's keep moving." Joker said as the group kept moving. After jumping some Shadows, Crow smirked and spoke up.

"See that chandelier dangling above the enemy? Why not drop it on them and make their day a bit more miserable?" Crow said with a smirk as Draconis jumped up and dropped the chandelier on the Shadows, stunning them and letting the group mop up the remnants with one large-area All-Out Attack. After the fight, the group dashed into a vent as Panther spoke up.

"Soo, this place is some kinda lab for computer stuff, then?" Panther said as Fox nodded and spoke up.

"Indeed, despite this place giving off more of a 'human experimentation' sort of ambiance." Fox said as a wide-eyed Noir spoke up in horror.

"Human experimentation!?" Noir said in horror as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"Yep. And if that's the case, then the Monarch must see the real-world facility in the same way somehow." Mona said as Draconis spoke up.

"Eww! If that's the case, this Monarch sounds like a total dirtbag." Draconis said as Crow nodded and spoke up.

"Agreed. And if we're right about this Monarch being a total dirtbag, then that seems like the perfect sort of worm for me to sharpen my blades on." Crow said as Violet winced and turned to Joker before speaking up.

"Uh, Joker? Is Crow losing it again?" Violet asked Joker, who shook his head and spoke up.

"Nah. He's just expressing his outrage at this Monarch's mindset and how they view this place." Joker said as Skull spoke up with a nod.

"Truth, Joker! What a disgustin' way for them to see shit, am I right?" Skull said as the group kept moving without a further word. After emerging from the vent and going through the open doors, the group looked around at the room they'd entered, gaping at the sight of the conveyors and supply hooks on the ceiling and the rafters over their heads along with the many stacked crates of varying colors. Noir spoke up in surprise.

"So many containers are stacked up over there. What do you think is inside?" Noir asked as Fox frowned and spoke up.

"Good question, Noir. Judging from a glance, they appear to be roughly person-sized." Fox said as Draconis shuddered and spoke up.

"No! Are you suggesting that those crates could be full of-?" Draconis said, but he was cut off mid-sentence by the arrival of a ton of Shadows and an armored sentry, who then spoke up as he looked at the group.

"There they are!" The sentry said as a fight began! As the fight proceeded, the group slowly fought through the many waves of summoned Shadows and kept going. After leaping up to grab onto some nearby supply hooks on a conveyor belt and riding it across the gaps to advance whilst fighting through a few more rooms, the group eventually found another recorder in another room stacked with crates. Mona frowned at it and spoke up.

"Another tape recorder, eh? We should be careful, in case this one is a trap like the first one was." Mona said as Queen spoke up.

"Trap or not, we should listen to the contents of it. Maybe it will provide us with some clues about the lab." Queen said as Mona went to touch the recorder, only for Crow to gasp and speak up.

"Wait, stop! We should really pla-!" Crow said, but his warning came too late as Mona tapped the recorder with his paw, making the room vanish in a flash of light before the group found themselves in another room, this one more castle-like and ominous-looking. As the group looked around, Crow groaned as he spoke up.

"Ugh, dammit! If you knew that the last tape recorder was a trap, you shouldn't have touched it until we were at least prepared! With that being said, now where are we?" Crow asked as the group looked around at their surroundings as Fox spoke up.

"Hmm, judging from the previous encounter with Alice's Shadow, I assume we'll be facing Natsume's Shadow next?" Fox asked as Queen spoke up with confusion.

"Hold on, something's not right, this place doesn't look like where we fought Natsume's Shadow. The area looks different?" Queen said as Seeker spoke up.

"Queen's correct, this throne room looks different than the area where we originally fought Natsume's Shadow in the Sendai Jail. For example, I don't remember there being a second floor, let alone the throne being in the middle of the area." Seeker said as Noir spoke up.

"Then if we're not in the Sendai Jail, then where are we? Since there's no way we are back in Mari-san's Jail given this place's design." Noir said as Violet turned to Draconis and spoke up.

"Draconis, didn't you, Crow, and Pendragon find another Jail before you met up with us? The one where you guys fought that doppelganger of Crow. Is this the place?" Violet asked as Draconis, who found himself having an uneasy feeling about this place, shook his head and spoke up warily.

"No, the Jail we found in Yongen-Jaya was much different than this place. Although something about this place feels familiar." Draconis said with worry as Panther spoke up.

"I feel the same way, it almost feels like I've been here before?" Panther said a chill crept down her as Crow spoke up while facing Violet.

"To further answer your question Violet, the Jail that Draconis, Pendragon, and I were in was more or less a fortress rather than a castle." Crow said as Skull spoke up.

"So if it's not any of the Jails that we fought up to this point, then where did we just get teleported to?" Skull said as Mona spoke up.

"Hmm...Joker, what are your thoughts." Mona asked as Joker took one last look as even he felt a familiar feeling of this place.

"I'm not sure. Based on what happened when we encountered Alice's Shadow again, I assume we are fighting some of our previous foes up until this point to access what's on the tape recorder. But none of our past Monarchs don't even fit the area we are in. I mean, the only other person that I can think of that fits with a more medieval castle setting is..." Joker said before his eyes widened as realization dawned on his face as he spoke.

"No...it can't be...it cannot be!" Joker said as he ran towards a nearby big window and took a glance out to confirm. To his shock, his realization proved to be correct the moment he saw the familiarity of the place they were in and shouted out, biting back a number of swear words as he spoke.

"SKULL, PANTHER, DRACONIS, MONA, TAKE A LOOK OUT THIS WINDOW!" Joker shouted, and although they were incredibly confused by Joker's outburst, the aforementioned Thieves ran towards the big window as they gazed out towards what appeared to be a much more heavily fortified castle. Not surprisingly, it was at that moment that realization dawned on the Thieves after combining the aesthetic of the castle's exterior with the room that they are in as Skull spoke up.

"No way...is this a joke...you've got to be kidding me?" Skull said as Mona spoke up.

"I don't think it is Skull, I never thought I would be back here again?" Mona said as Draconis spoke up while biting back a small torrent of curse words.

"Now I know why I felt such a familiar feeling. Out of all places I never thought I see again, IT HAD TO BE HERE, OF ALL PLACES!" Draconis mused as Panther spoke up with horror on her face.

"This can't be right, can it? I mean, we changed that bastard's heart and everything. So if that's the case, then this place should no longer exist." Panther said and as she breathed heavily, the other Thieves ran up to the group as Queen spoke up.

"Guys, what's wrong, do you know where we are?" Queen asks with concern as Crow spoke up.

"All five of you look like you saw a ghost, what's going on here?" Crow asked, getting a chorus of traumatized looks from the five Thieves who'd been there for the place in question. However, each of the five Thieves in question exchanged a look before nodding, and after taking some deep breaths, Draconis answered Crow's question with a frown on his face at having to remember the place in question.

"This place is something that all of us have been to before but the rest of you have not." Draconis said as Violet spoke up.

"What are you saying? What do you mean the rest of us have not been here before but you guys had?" Violet said as she looked towards Joker and continued to speak.

"Joker, can you please tell us where we are? You seem to know this place given your initial reaction." Violet asked in worry and Joker gave himself a few seconds of breathing to calm down, after which he looked at Violet and answered her question.

"We are not in any of the Jails, Violet. Moreover, this place isn't a Jail at all, but rather a Palace instead. And worst of all? It's not just any Palace, but the Palace of Kamoshida." Joker answered as Violet, Queen, Fox, Noir, and even Crow gasped while Seeker remained confused. Noir turned to face Joker in horror as she spoke up.

"Kamoshida's Palace?" Noir said as Fox spoke up, his eyes widening in realization as he spoke.

"You mean the Palace where you did your first job as Phantom Thieves." Fox said as Panther spoke up with an affirmative nod.

"The same, this is where it all began for the five of us." Panther stated as Seeker spoke up.

"Kamoshida? Wasn't he one of your previous targets from almost four years ago, according to what I heard from Joker and Draconis?" Seeker asked as Skull spoke up.

"That's him! Apologies for using crass language around you, but it's necessary in this case. Hopefully Violet won't be too mad at me for it. That being said, that bastard Kamoshida did all of us dirty, he beat up all his students as well as broke my leg." Skull snarled as Draconis continued from where Skull left off.

"Almost caused myself, Joker, Skull, and our friend Mishima to be expelled." Draconis seethed as Mona followed.

"Locked me up in a dungeon-type cell." Mona growled as Joker followed.

"Leaked my criminal record to the entirety of Shujin Academy." Joker sneered as Panther finished.

"And to top it off...he made sexual advances on me in an attempt to get me in bed with him...and worst of all his actions caused Shiho..." Panther said before stopping herself unable to finish her sentence of her girlfriend's previous attempt at suicide. It was not long before Queen approached Panther and hugged her to comfort her, giving her a kindly smile as she spoke up.

"It's all right, Panther. You are not alone in this, and if he's really here, we're not going to let Kamoshida have his way." Queen said as guilt plagued her face for not doing anything to stop Kamoshida's abuse during his time at Shujin Academy. It was only after Panther calmed down that she gave a small smile and spoke up.

"Thank you...I'm sorry, to think I would be back here after all this time." Panther said as Crow spoke up.

"It's understandable, Panther. After all, I'm sure that this place, let alone that bastard, must have made a huge impact on your lives. So it's understandable that you guys feel this way." Crow stated as Seeker spoke up.

"I should express my apologies as well. This Kamoshida seems to be different, unlike the Monarchs we fought." Seeker said as Violet spoke up.

"Although I wasn't around, from what I was told, unlike the Monarchs such as Alice and Natsume, Kamoshida never had a tragic past. Hence why he was able to do what he did without some form of conscience. Still, all of us have got your back guys. Also, just this once Skull, I'm willing to let the language that you spoke in front of Seeker slide, given what you and the others went through." Violet said and after a few seconds, Draconis gave a smile and spoke up.

"Thank you guys, we appreciate the support." Draconis said as the rest of the Thieves that were part of the first heist nodded and smiled as they felt better as Joker spoke up.

"With that being said, I believe that the only way to get out of here is to find Kamoshida's Shadow and defeat him." Joker said as all the Thieves, even Panther despite her breakdown nodded in agreement as Skull spoke up with determination.

"Well, that should be no problem. We beat that bas-err, I mean that scumbag of a king and toppled his castle once, so I have every confidence that we can do it again. But the issue is that this Palace is huge, and it will take us forever just to find that bas-" Skull said before he was cut off by a familiar voice, as an equally familiar cackling was heard before the familiar voice spoke up.

"What's this? You say you've toppled MY castle? Outrageous! I am the king here, and I'm quite sure that I'd remember ordering my own castle to be demolished!" The group heard, slowly turning as one to see a familiar dark-haired figure with a small gold crown on his head, all while wearing a red heart-printed cape and pink underwear that leaves his torso and hairy legs exposed. Panther shuddered and spoke up.

"Kamoshida!" Panther snarled as she glared at him with Joker, Draconis, Skull, and Mona as Queen, Fox, Noir, Crow, Seeker, and Violet all exchanged looks of horror, with Violet eventually speaking up in revulsion.

"Gross! That's what Kamoshida's Shadow looks like? No wonder he had a change of heart! He looks ridiculous in that outfit!" Violet said as Kamoshida cackled and spoke up.

"Heh, you're too kind, young lady! Say, do I know you from somewhere? I feel like I've seen that hairstyle before someplace. Same for the girl in a musketeer suit and the biker chick." Kamoshida's Shadow said as Skull, Joker, and Crow instinctively put themselves between Kamoshida's Shadow and their respective girlfriends. Crow then spoke up.

"If you lay one finger on her or the others, you will feel pain like you never imagined." Crow growled as Skull spoke up.

"We're not going to let you use our girlfriends for your selfish gains." Skull said as Joker spoke up.

"What Skull and Crow said. But let me add one thing. You want to try and get at any of these women, and you'll have to go through every single one of us guys. And I'm sure that nearly every one of us is as eager as I am to put you in your place once and for all, Kamoshida!" Joker snapped as Kamoshida's Shadow laughed and spoke up.

"My my, I didn't expect this, heh. Not only has the delinquent gone and grown himself a backbone, but he and Sakamoto now have their own girlfriends. That's quite impressive, but it won't matter once I'm through with you." Kamoshida's Shadow said as Mona spoke up.

"How are you back, Kamoshida!? I thought we'd beaten you and changed your heart?" Mona demanded angrily of Kamoshida's Shadow, to which the Shadow PE teacher answered with a shrug.

"To be honest, I'm not sure myself. All I knew was that I was told by some mystery voice that as long as I could keep anyone from further investigating some lab, I can be able to do whatever I want. So in return for my assistance, this voice managed to bring back my humble abode and thus I'm able to become the king that I once was prior to my original downfall at the hands of you miscreants. And since you Thieves have brought in more ladies this time, it gives me more opportunities for new playthings." Kamoshida's Shadow exclaimed as Noir spoke up.

"I can't believe that this is what the Shadow of Mister Kamoshida is really like!?" Noir said as Queen spoke up in disbelief.

"Wow, no wonder Skull and Draconis were so vehement in denouncing him when I asked about his actions later. Sorry for being so insensitive back then, you guys." Queen said as Kamoshida's Shadow cackled and spoke up.

"Ah, now I know why you three sound familiar. Beneath those masks, you're Yoshizawa-san, Okumura-san, and Niijima-san, aren't you!? It's my lucky day! Three of Shujin's most desirable females in one place! Now, which of you sexy ladies will I go after first? Oh, and I see you have Takamaki with you too as well as one other young lady. Good, more slaves to enjoy myself with. As for the guys and the cat, I'll have to break you all first, so you can't get in the way of my fun." Kamoshida's Shadow said as Draconis huffed and spoke up.

"Ugh. You would resort to eliminating us, wouldn't you, you sick piece of crap? But you're not getting rid of us without a fight, Kamoshida!" Draconis said as Fox spoke up with a nod.

"Yes. If you think you can take on all of us then I would say you are in over your head, especially since there are more of us compared to the last time you fought The Phantom Thieves." Fox said as Seeker spoke up.

"I agree, I may not know you in comparison to the rest of my friends Kamoshida, but I can tell that you are nothing more than someone whose actions shall not go unpunished. Especially for your actions against Panther." Seeker said as Violet looked at her with a proud smile as Joker spoke.

"We took you down once before Kamoshida, and if we can take you down once? Well, then we can definitely take ya down again, you disgusting son of a bitch! Do your worst." Joker said as Skull nodded his agreement. Kamoshida's Shadow gave a big smile and spoke up.

"Very well, but I'd rather not get my hands dirty at first, instead why not we just have a little bit of fun, shall we." Kamoshida's Shadow said and with that, he snapped his fingers as a bunch of Shadows in the form of knights appeared around the group. Kamoshida's Shadow smirked and spoke up.

"Shadows! Subdue those peasants and restrain them!" Kamoshida's Shadow commanded as the several dozen Shadows proceeded to fight the group, who tried to fight back, and somewhat succeeded, only to make the mistake of underestimating how many Shadows Kamoshida's Shadow had command of, as it seemed like every time the group managed to beat a couple Shadows, another half-dozen spawned in their place. Eventually, the group found themselves overwhelmed by the sheer volume of Shadows. First, the Shadows managed to knock down Mona and pin his arms behind his back as Mona grunted and spoke up.

"URGH! You disgusting piece of-GAH!" Mona said as Joker and Draconis' eyes widened as they spoke up with Violet and Seeker.

"MONA!" Joker, Draconis, Seeker, and Violet said as the Shadows capitalized on their distraction to trip all four of them and force their hands behind their backs, eventually doing the same for Fox, Crow, Noir, Queen, Skull, and Panther, all of whom quickly found themselves restrained and then forced to their knees, eventually having all the guys be pushed against the wall while the girls were forced into a kneeling position, their hands tied behind their backs. After the 'battle' ended, Kamoshida's Shadow cackled and spoke up.

"That's more like it! Finally, you peasants are at my mercy, where you belong!" Kamoshida's Shadow said as the Shadows finished subduing the Thieves.

Once the Shadows had subdued the Thieves, they were all on their knees with the guard Shadows maintaining a hold on their shoulders to prevent them from escaping as Crow spoke up, his eyes narrowed in a mix of fury and disgust as he glared at Kamoshida's Shadow.

"You bastard!" Crow snarled as Queen spoke up

"You won't get away with this!" Queen said as Kamoshida's Shadow laughed and spoke up.

"Oh, I think I will. Now that I have five girls all lined up in front of me, I'd say that I have plenty of opportunities. Now which one should I go for first? Maybe the one in the white dress?" Komoshida's Shadow said as Seeker's eyes widened in horror as Joker and Violet growled as Draconis spoke up, his eyes narrowed dangerously behind his mask as he spoke up, the angry look on what was visible of his face mirrored by Joker and Violet.

"Now that is just sick and twisted. She is just a child, you dirty rotten creep!" Draconis exclaimed as Violet spoke up.

"What Draconis said! And so help me, if you touch one hair on her head, you will not EVER see the light of day again, you disgusting son of a-!" Violet yelled as Joker spoke up, unintentionally cutting Violet off mid-sentence and preventing her from swearing around Seeker as he spoke.

"This is low, even for you Kamoshida. She's only around 10 to 13 years old. Even you wouldn't bring yourself on someone so young." Joker snarled and after a few seconds Kamoshida's Shadow spoke.

"Hmmm, good point. Loathe though I might be to say this, I do believe that for once, you may actually be right about something, peasant. I always did prefer young women to mere children. With that being said, I believe I should get reacquainted with someone familiar." Kamoshida's Shadow said and with a dark smirk looked towards where Panther was being held and spoke up again.

"Bring Takamaki-san to me. I think it's time for a long-awaited reunion." Kamoshida's Shadow ordered as Panther's eyes, as well as the rest of the Thieves' eyes, widened in horror as the guard Shadows brought Panther closer as she struggled to escape their grip. It wasn't long until the guards threw Panther to where Kamoshida's Shadow was, after which she landed on the floor right in front of him in pain as the Thieves yelled out.

"PANTHER/LADY PANTHER!" The rest of the Thieves shouted as Kamoshida's Shadow laughed and while now on top of Panther spoke up all while taking a good look at her with a crazy grin on his face.

"Well, well. I see you're still as much of a looker as ever, eh Takamaki? Now this is just like how it was back in the old days. You know, if you hadn't played hard to get, I wouldn't have had to substitute your friend for you." Kamoshida's Shadow said tauntingly as a familiar gasp was heard from nearby but due to the intensity of the situation, no one heard it as Panther spoke up with anger on her face.

"Leave Shiho, OUT OF THIS! You forced yourself on her, the same as you did with me. It was your sick, perverted actions that caused her to do the unthinkable." Panther exclaimed as Kamoshida's Shadow spoke up.

"My actions? Oh, I think you are mistaken, Takamaki. It was Suzui-san's decision that drove her to jump, not mine. I guess she couldn't take it anymore? But that was so long ago, now things are different. Your friends are helpless and you are at my mercy once again. Now, I believe it's time to get reacquainted shall we." Kamoshida's Shadow said as he started to move closer to Panther along with the rest of the Thieves who were still trying to free themselves but to no avail.

However, just as Kamoshida's Shadow got too close to Panther something unexpected happened that caught everyone off guard.

"LET HER GO!" a familiar voice rained out that shocked not just Panther, Joker, and the rest of the Thieves, but Kamoshida's Shadow as well.

Just then, a familiar black-haired figure darted into the room and stood between both the bounded Thieves and where Kamoshida's Shadow and Panther, all while looking at the man who made her life a nightmare as all the Thieves spoke out.

"SHIHO!/SUZUI-SAN!/LADY SHIHO!" The Thieves shouted out as Panther spoke with shock and panic on her face.

"What're you doing here!? It's too dangerous for you! You need to run and get back to the entrance." Panther said as Shiho spoke up.

"No! I'm not leaving you guys here. Especially not with him." Shiho said as she glared at Kamoshida's Shadow as it spoke up.

"My my. Now this day keeps on getting better. Long time no see, Suzui-san. You have changed since I last saw you." Kamoshida's Shadow said with a grin as Shiho glared at Kamoshida and spoke up.

"You're not wrong that I've changed. As for whether or not you've changed in the past few years? I'd say not so much, if you changed at all! Kamoshida, heed my words! I don't know how you are here and not in prison. But I won't allow you to hurt my friends, OR my girlfriend!" Shiho said as she pointed at Panther and after a few seconds Kamoshida's Shadow burst out laughing and spoke up.

"Oh this is just cute, so you and Takamaki are an item now? I certainly didn't expect this at all. Well, I can always have room for one more. Maybe us two and Takamaki can do a threesome. I've been meaning to try something like that out, anyways." Kamoshida's Shadow said as the Thieves aside from Panther felt sick upon hearing that as Skull spoke up, a look of mixed revulsion, disgust, and horror on his face as he spoke.

"Oh, jeez, that's just revolting! I think I'm going to be sick after hearing that." Skull said as he felt sick to his stomach as Noir spoke up.

"Agreed, Skull. Kamoshida trying to force himself onto both Panther and Suzui-san!? Now that's disgusting." Noir remarked as Fox spoke up.

"Indeed. I knew you said Kamoshida was bad, but this is definitely pushing things too far." Fox noted as Draconis spoke up with a frustrated sigh.

"Exactly! Now you know how we felt when we were dealing with this guy." Draconis said as he looked towards the confrontation that was happening as Kamoshida's Shadow spoke up.

"So what's it going to be, Suzui? Are you willing to join us in a threesome? Or are you going to do something similar to last time when you took Takamaki's place?" Kamoshida's Shadow said as Shiho spoke up.

"Neither! You're going to release Ann and my friends!" Shiho seethed which caused Kamoshida's Shadow to grin and speak again.

"Do you really think you can stop me? Even though you have grown you are still the same weak girl that I have always known you were, Suzui. You are nothing." Kamoshida's Shadow said but then something unexpected happened, Shiho started to laugh as she spoke.

"Maybe you are right, maybe I am weak. And to be honest? If this was four years ago, then I would comply with what you said." Shiho said as she smiled then turned to an angry frown as she spoke again.

"But not this time. I realized now that my actions when I did that fateful jump all those years ago signified that I was running from my problems. I thought I didn't have any hope. But then..." Shiho stated as she looked at Panther while also taking a glance at the other Thieves and then back at Kamoshida's Shadow as she spoke once more.

"Ann and the others were able to give me hope with them changing your wicked heart and making you confess to everything you have done. That's where it all began for me, a chance to try to become stronger so that myself, Ann, or anyone else won't fall victim to someone like you again. But there was only one thing left remaining that was always out of reach throughout the years and now I finally get the chance to do it." Shiho said as Kamoshida's Shadow snarled as he spoke up.

"And what might that be?" Kamoshida's Shadow said in disgust as Shiho with determination let everything out.

"Facing my past. With you in prison, I would never have been able to move on from the things that you did to me, you disgusting son of a bitch! But now, I have been given this chance to finally put the ghost that has been haunting me for so long away for good. If you think I'm just going to give in to you again Kamoshida, then you're dead wrong. This time, it's my turn to save my friends and stand against you! EVEN IF I HAVE TO LAY DOWN MY LIFE FOR IT, YOU DISGUSTING PIECE OF GARBAGE!" Shiho declared in rage against Kamoshida's Shadow and as soon as she finished her sentence she winced on feeling a dull ache in her head moments before a voice echoed in her mind.

(Awakening Start-Shiho)

"At long last, we've finally reached this point. You've been avoiding this for far too long, my dear fated counterpart." Shiho heard in her head before wincing as pain shot through her head as she spoke up.

"Wh-What? Who are you?" Shiho asked as she tried to fight through the pain in her head as the voice spoke up once more.

"Do not fear. I am the other you who has, for a long time, existed deep inside of you. It was I who drew you up to the Shujin rooftop the day you left town to transfer schools, all so you could have a chance to say goodbye to your friend, who is now your girlfriend. At last, you have embraced the truth of your past. But before we can proceed, I must ask you something, my fated counterpart.

You say that you've embraced the truth of your past, but have you truly embraced it? Or was that just an empty claim to impress your girlfriend? And more importantly, can you say that you've truly found the resolve to stand tall and face down the demons of your past? If so, I'm here to lend you my power in that endeavor." Shiho heard the voice say as she then let out a scream due to the head pain, but after collecting herself she shot a look at Kamoshida's Shadow, who was now shaking in fear as Panther and the rest of the Thieves watched on in shock, Shiho spoke up with a determined look.

"You say you're me, so you should know better than anyone how resolved I am to do this." Shiho said firmly as the voice spoke up approvingly.

"Yes, I can feel your resolve! Good, you're determined to do this! Now, vow to me! I am thou...Thou art I...Though thou was once shackled by this man's chains of fear, now you stand proudly before him without fear, determined to confront your failings. Use my strength and cleanse yourself of your regrets and demons here and now! As you awaken to your power, you need only call my name to receive my power to use as your own in whatever manner you see fit!" Shiho heard as she spoke up with a nod.

"I understand. Very well, then. Let us forge our contract. If you're being sincere, then once I call your name, you should then lend me your power. If that's true, then let's do this!" Shiho called out, feeling the outlines of the spot where a white mask appeared over her face, one that struck the gathered Thieves as eerily similar to Joker's mask. As Shiho felt the mask on her face, she reached for it, tugging at it as she tried to get it off her face and it wasn't long until she spoke once more.

"Come, HESTER!" Shiho yelled out while at the same time succeeding at yanking her mask free of her face in a small shower of blood, leaving a bloodstain over her face where the mask had been which then summoned a blue flame to wash over Shiho, causing her outfit to be replaced with new attire.

Where once she'd been clad in a simple strapless cream-colored sundress and grey leggings, Shiho now was clad in a body-length black buttoned-up overcoat that was not dissimilar to Joker's or Violet's, even though the shoulder pads on the coat were eerily similar to the ones on Crow's Detective Prince attire he'd had when he first awakened to Robin Hood's power some years ago. From there, Panther noticed that Shiho's outfit had cream-white colored slacks going down her legs, ending with white lace-up high-top shoes.

From there, Panther noticed that Shiho's hands were clad in black fingerless gloves that were similar to the dark green ones Draconis once wore. Finally, in a flash of blue flame, the mask from before re-materialized over Shiho's face as a new being materialized behind her.

Once the being behind Shiho was visible, both Noir and Violet noticed with identical looks of surprise that the being that had appeared behind Shiho was mainly red, black, and yellow. Noir noticed with intrigue that the being reminded her of a cross of Milady and of Violet's Tier 2 Persona, Vanadis, since it was wearing a very similar sort of dress to those two. The being had a red hat on her head, along with black hair and black mask, to Crow's amusement.

But the most interesting feature is the two long swords that seem to be tied by a yellow rope that was also wrapped around the being's waist. As the being loomed large behind Shiho, she waved her hand to command her new partner as the being then used her swords to unleash an ice wave that not only knocked Kamoshida's Shadow back but also killed the Guard shadows, thus freeing the rest of the Thieves. Shiho smirked and spoke up.

(Awakening End-Shiho)

"Ahh, there we are. Finally, I have awakened my true self! Now to put this power to use against you, Kamoshida! Prepare for your reckoning!" Shiho said as Kamoshida's Shadow who groaned as he got up from being knocked back and spoke up.

"So I see that another peasant has decided to stand against me? What a pity. I had such high hopes for you, Suzui." Kamoshida said as all the Thieves ran over to where Shiho was standing as Skull scoffed and spoke up.

"Take your 'high hopes' and shove 'em where the sun doesn't shine, Kamoshida! Like Shiho'd want anything to do with a piece of shit like you!" Skull snapped. Panther nodded and spoke up.

"Skull's right! Shiho is far better than you could ever hope to be, you bastard! So keep your sweet talk to yourself!" Panther said as she brandished her whip while Skull brandished his mace, Joker brandished his dagger, Draconis brandished his staff, Mona brandished his scimitar, Queen brandished her fists, Crow brandished his sawblade, Fox brandished his katana, Queen brandished her fists, Seeker brandished her yo-yos, and Violet brandished her rapier. As Shiho saw all the weapons, she reached behind her, and smiled as she felt a pair of weighted elbow blades on her arms, and realized what her weapon was.

"Ooh, did I get a tonfa as my weapon!? Neat. I've always wanted to try these out." Shiho said as she brandished her tonfa. Kamoshida's Shadow then cackled and spoke up.

"Very well. I think it's time I get my hands dirty. I will remind you all that I'M THE KING OF THIS WORLD!" Kamoshida's Shadow said and in a bust of black and red energy, Kamoshida's Shadow transformed.

Once the black and energy dissipated standing before the Thieves was Kamoshida's Shadow's true form as a large naked pink demon with multiple arms and legs as well as a thick purple tongue about as long as he is, all while sitting on a monstrous throne with live eyes, and at the sides of said throne, lie gigantic golden balls with chained student slaves. He wears a good-sized red and gold crown on his head, along with a red cape on his back, with multiple medals hidden within it. He carries golden eating utensils. His upper arms carry a riding crop, and a wine glass containing wine that seems to have a Cognitive Ann that he that is floating inside. As Kamoshida's Shadow roars out Joker and Panther step to where Shiho is and speaks up.

"You ready for this?" Joker asked as Shiho spoke up with a determined reply to his question.

"I was born ready. This thing doesn't scare me, in fact, it kinda suits him as the monster he is. It's time to finally put my past to rest. Once and for all." Shiho declared resolutely, and with that, she, Joker, Panther, and the rest of the Thieves charge towards Kamoshida's Shadow as the real fight now has officially begun. As the fight began, Kamoshida's Shadow cackled and spoke up.

"Well, well. So you think you can stop me again? We'll see about that! SLAVE! Bring in my balls! It's time to give these peasants my killshot!" Kamoshida's Shadow said as a very familiar blue-haired cognitive being appeared in the room, carrying a volleyball in his hands that he presented to Kamoshida's Shadow, who smirked and spoke up.

"Good job. Now get off my court, shit-for-brains!" Kamoshida's Shadow said before a wide-eyed Fox spoke up after seeing Mishima flee the court.

"Was that Mishima!? I thought he was back in the real world?" Fox asked as Mona shook his head and spoke up.

"Not true. When myself, Joker, Draconis, Panther, and Skull fought this bastard the last time, he summoned out cognitive look-alikes of Mishima, and, err, one other. But I'm not going to say who the other was, out of respect for Panther, and to a point Lady Shiho. But the others who were with me for that fight know who I'm referring to." Mona said to Fox, who nodded his understanding as Panther winced, remembering who else Kamoshida had brought out as a cognitive slave. But before she or Shiho could correct Mona, much less acknowledge his explanation, Kamoshida's Shadow smirked and spoke up.

"Here's my killshot! Killshot, as in I'LL MAKE THE KILL!" Kamoshida said as he shot the volleyball straight down at the group, who mostly had to scatter to avoid the attack, though the shockwaves from the attack managed to hit Seeker and Mona, knocking them off their feet and making the latter crash down on top of the former, both of them collapsing to the ground unconscious. Violet gasped and spoke up as she saw the two hit the ground.

"Oh, no! MONA! SEEKER! MEDIC!" Violet said as Joker darted over and used Raoul to revive the two downed allies while Queen and Panther worked together to patch up their wounds as best they can while Shiho and the others charged at Kamoshida's Shadow, battering him with various melee strikes that clocked pretty good damage on Kamoshida's Shadow. After being pushed back by the attacks, Kamoshida's Shadow scoffed and spoke up, glaring at the Thieves as he spoke up.

"I see. So one kill shot wasn't enough? So be it! NEXT SLAVE! BRING ME ANOTHER BALL!" Kamoshida's Shadow snapped as at that point, the next cognitive being ran in, carrying a volleyball in her hands. If the cognitive echo of Mishima was bad, this being was worse, since it was a cognitive clone of Shiho, clad in a very demeaning and slutty white bunny-girl outfit that was rather close to a bikini in appearance, making Violet, Seeker, Queen, and Noir all gasp in a mix of horror and shock, and making Shiho shudder in a mix of disgust, revulsion, and horror as she spoke up.

"Eww! Is that REALLY how that son of a bitch thinks of me!? I mean, I had a feeling that was the case, considering what he has his cognitive Ann wearing in that cup, but still!" Shiho said as Panther frowned and spoke up.

"Unfortunately, he sees most of the female students as his slaves/playthings. I think the fact he never summoned a cognitive version of Noir, Violet, or Queen is both a blessing and very surprising." Panther said as Shiho spoke up while reaching behind her back to produce a long cylindrical tube, which she loaded five darts into, taking aim at the cup before shooting all five darts into the cup, shattering it and destroying the cognitive Panther that was inside the cup. While Kamoshida's Shadow gasped in horror at the destruction of his lucky cup, Joker spoke up with a surprisingly dark sneer on his face.

"Is your ranged weapon a Fukiya, Shiho? Draconis told me about those once. Apparently they're an improvised blowgun that ninjas typically favor? Given the rest of your attire thus far, I feel like you rocking a ninja-esque theme makes sense. That said, the fact he never summoned cognitive versions of Seeker, Noir, Violet, Queen, and Oracle is also quite lucky for Kamoshida, too.

Because, I won't lie? If I'd seen him break out a cognitive Violet and/or Seeker, I can't guarantee I wouldn't have lost it back then. Because I probably would've done. Even back then, I was pretty head-over-heels for Violet, even if it would take me quite some time after Kamoshida's downfall to finally work up the nerve to confess my feelings to Violet." Joker said honestly as Draconis spoke up with a nod.

"Understandable. I guarantee you that Crow and Skull would be right there next to you lining up to get a piece of Kamoshida's carcass after you got done with him if he'd done anything like what he did to both Panther and Shiho to Violet, Queen, Seeker, or Noir. Never mind what I'd have done to him if he'd managed to drag Oracle into his web of debauche filth and atrocity." Draconis said as Skull and Crow nodded their agreement as the cognitive Shiho giggled and spoke up.

"Here you go, Mister Kamoshida! Sorry I'm late!" The cognitive Shiho said as Kamoshida's Shadow smiled and spoke up.

"There's a good girl. I'll have to remember to 'reward' you properly once I finish dealing with these peasants." Kamoshida's Shadow said as Seeker's eyes widened in horror at how the cognitive Shiho was dressed, making Mona and Violet wince at the look of horror on her face as Violet spoke up.

"SHUT YOUR DISGUSTING MOUTH, KAMOSHIDA! Can't you see there are impressionable kids watching this!?" Violet snapped as Kamoshida's Shadow spoke up with a sneer.

"So what!? If there's kids here, that's on you peasants for bringing them. You should have sent them away if you didn't want them exposed to this. As it is, you're lucky I have enough restraint to at least keep my conquests limited to young adult females." Kamoshida's Shadow said as Draconis spoke up dryly.

"Riiight, because preying on 15 and 16, maybe 17, year old students is sooo much better than preying on a 10 to 13 year old girl. Spare us the self-righteous drivel!" Draconis said as Kamoshida's Shadow snarled and spoke up.

"SILENCE! Maybe this will teach you some respect!" Kamoshida's Shadow said as he launched a second killshot, which Shiho scoffed at as she waved a hand and Hester raised her blades to block the attack, at which point Shiho spoke up while Hester used her blades to hold back the oncoming attack, which was crashing towards the group as Shiho spoke.

"You know what!? If you want my love so badly Kamoshida, then YOU CAN HAVE IT! Hester, send that attack back at Kamoshida!" Shiho said as Hester nodded, swinging the blades to send the attack crashing back towards Kamoshida's Shadow, who winced as the attack threw him backwards, jostling the crown on his head a bit.

As the group saw Kamoshida's Shadow wince from the deflected kill shot, Draconis turned to Shiho and spoke up after noticing a familiar flash of light around Shiho.

"Suzui, listen to me, carefully. I know this is your first battle, but I see that you have what we in the Phantom Thieves business refer to as a 'Showtime' ready to go. Care to show us what you can do with it?" Draconis asked as Shiho nodded and spoke up.

"Gladly. SHOWTIME!" Shiho said as her Showtime started! Shiho then turned to Hester and spoke up.

"Shall we, Hester?" Shiho said as Hester nodded, waving her arm to create a pool of Shadow, which Shiho vanished into. Seemingly as fast as she'd vanished, Shiho reappeared, slashing her tonfa furiously at Kamoshida's Shadow, speaking up as she did so.

"Confused!? Don't blink, or you'll miss me!" Shiho said as she rapidly sprinted back and forth while slashing at Kamoshida's Shadow. After Kamoshida's Shadow got dizzy from trying to keep up, Shiho giggled and spoke up.

"Aww, what's wrong? Dizzy from my speed! TOO BAD! That's just what I was hoping for! AND NOW FOR YOUR PUNISHMENT!" Shiho said as she pushed out her tonfa in front of her while drilling towards Kamoshida at near-invisible speeds, shooting through his chest and coming out of his back, hitting the ground as Kamoshida's Shadow grunted before she spoke up.

"BEGONE! YOU'VE BEEN BAD! AND NOW YOU'VE BEEN PUNISHED!" Shiho said, smacking her tonfa together to create a shockwave that hit Kamoshida for good damage, making him hit a knee to end Shiho's Showtime as Joker spoke up with a satisfied smirk as he saw Kamoshida reel backwards after his down gauge broke, knocking the crown off of his head, hitting the ground, where it shattered and dissolved into black mist as Joker spoke.

"Good, that broke the last of Kamoshida's Shadow's down gauge, along with that gaudy crown of his. Care to take this chance to do the honors of finishing this sick son of a bitch off with your All-Out Attack as well?" Joker said as Shiho nodded and spoke up.

"Got it. HERE GOES!" Shiho said as her All-Out Attack began! Shiho flexed a bit while tensing back to build up power as she spoke up.

"Scared? You should be! Time to put you down personally and put you out of our misery, once and for all! You know what they say, Kamoshida! What goes around comes around!" Shiho said as she lunged forward, slashing at Kamoshida's torso, clocking a lot of damage before pulling her arms back and speaking up.

"AND NOW FOR YOUR DEMISE! GO, KISHIDO STRIKE!" Shiho said as she thrusted her arms forward, loosing a large sphere of Nuclear energy at Kamoshida's Shadow, making him gape in disbelief as the attack tore through his torso, going out through his back and leaving a see-through gaping hole in his chest where the attack had connected as Shiho dropped to a knee, panting from the energy exerted for unleashing both her Showtime and her All-Out Attack in the same battle, as the latter ended, with the camera panning to Kamoshida's Shadow, who groaned and spoke up as he fell to a knee and spoke up.

"N-No! IMPOSSIBLE! I'm the king of this castle! I can't lose now, especially to the likes of you! No! NOOOOO! DAMN YOUUUU!" Kamoshida's Shadow said as he groaned, slumped forward, and promptly dissolved into a giant explosion of black mist, ending the battle. As soon as there was nothing left of the former PE teacher's shadow, there was then another bright flash of light that engulfed the area and when everyone could see again, they were once again back in the Okinawa Jail with the second tape recorder. Shiho then panted as she felt the drain of the battle that she just endured as Panther walked over and helped Shiho up, smiling at her as she spoke up.

"Easy, Shiho. You used a lot of energy in that fight. But I have to say, that was rather impressive! Somehow, I'm not surprised you had the potential within you. Now you're as good as one of us. Congrats, Shiho!" Panther said as Shiho weakly nodded, before seemingly keeling over into Panther's arms, much to Panther's alarm and shock.

"SHIHO!? Are you all right?" Panther asked as Draconis spoke up, having a good idea of what was going on.

"She's fine, Panther. If I had to guess, she's suffering from the energy crash that comes from most everyone's first Awakening. I say most, since from what I can recall, neither Crow nor Mona had any such energy drain their first time using their Personas that I know of." Draconis pointed out as Mona spoke up while nodding his agreement of Draconis' observation after seeing that the room was back to normal.

"You're not wrong, Draconis. However, I don't think most of us were there for Crow's actual first Awakening, so for all we know? He could have actually had the drain and gone through it on his own. As for me, I was created with my Peresona pre-awakened, so I got to skip the energy drain, as far as I'm aware. But anyways, you're right about Lady Shiho being drained from all the effort she's exerted. That being said, she'll be fine after some rest." Mona said before turning to Panther as he kept speaking, gesturing towards a nearby set of containers as he spoke.

"Panther, put Lady Shiho over there so she can regain her strength somewhat while we listen to this recording. After that, we can go back to the entrance and let her get more substantial amounts of rest." Mona said kindly as Panther nodded, helping Shiho over to the nearest set of containers, gently setting Shiho on it so she was leaning against the crates, smiling at her as she spoke up.

"Here, Shiho. Rest for a bit while we finish up here, then we'll get you back to the entrance so you can get your strength back a bit." Panther said as Shiho nodded before Mona hit the button to start the recording, as a panicked voice, presumably that of a researcher, was heard.

"Please, Director Ubukata! We must immediately abort the experiment! It's too dangerous!" The researcher's voice was heard saying as another voice, presumably that of Ubukata, spoke up.

"No can do. These are the orders I was given. If the system isn't tested on real humans, it won't ever be completed." Ubukata said as the researcher from before spoke up.

"But, sir! Tricking the islanders into participating!?" The group heard as Mona paused the recording so Skull could speak up after everyone's eyes widened with the exception of Shiho, who was resting.

"I knew it! So these guys ARE the ones who effed up the island!" Skull said as Fox frowned and spoke up.

"Indeed. Moreover, I heard a 'Director Ubukata'. I believe that means one of the speakers is Shuzo Ubukata." Fox said as Mona frowned and spoke up.

"True. But what did he mean by 'the orders I was given', I wonder?" Mona asked as he restarted the recording and the group heard the researcher from before speak up.

"You know what happens to a person when their Desire is taken, Director!" The researcher said as Ubukata spoke up, shocking the group with what was said next.

"We've learned of another party manipulating the cognitive world for their own purposes in the real one. We cannot allow these individuals to progress beyond us! So long as we follow the divine revelation, we will attain the ideal society. I have absolute faith in this system as it was prophesied to me." Ubukata could be heard saying as Draconis frowned, but his eyes widened behind his mask as he heard what the researcher said next.

"What ideal society turns its entire population into slaves!? This isn't any 'divine revelation', sir! It's a curse! It can only lead to our destruction!" The researcher said as the recording abruptly ended at that point. Joker seized it, getting a 'Tape Record 2' key item while Fox spoke up.

"While still rather fuzzy, we are beginning to see the big picture." Fox said as Mona nodded and spoke up.

"Yeah, this lab was researching Jails and changing people's hearts." Mona said as Noir winced and spoke up.

"And even worse, they used the island's residents as their test subjects in the process." Noir said as Crow spoke up.

"True. If I recall correctly, we saw that email earlier about joining the EMMA test." Crow said as Noir spoke up with a nod.

"Good point. And come to think of it, they both mentioned a 'divine revelation', too, didn't they? Could that have something to do with Operation Oraculi?" Noir asked as Queen spoke up.

"Maybe, but how would that involve EMMA?" Queen asked as Draconis spoke up with a shrug.

"That's the million-dollar question, isn't it Queen? What is EMMA's role in all this!? Also, who was that researcher we heard trying to stop Ubukata near the end of that recording we just heard? I kinda want to meet him if possible so I can shake his hand for having the balls to stand up to that Ubukata guy near the end of that last recording. He literally took the words I was about to say right out of my mouth, too." Draconis said. Panther frowned and spoke up.

"Good point, Draconis. But not just that. I'm curious who was pulling this director's strings, too." Panther said as Violet spoke up.

"I doubt it, but is it possible EMMA itself was pulling the strings? Or possibly Ichinose-san? We do know that the latter was very involved in EMMA's creation, so it would stand to reason she'd be included in any tests run on EMMA, at least in theory." Violet said as Fox spoke up.

"Good point, Violet. Perhaps one of them, or even both, are the mastermind behind this case?" Fox asked as Skull cricked his shoulder and spoke up while rotating it.

"Could we finally be getting close to the guy?" Skull asked as Mona spoke up.

"Perhaps. We have to find the Desires first, regardless, and also track down that voice for Lady Seeker. Once we double back to let Shiho rest, let's press on." Mona said as Joker spoke up.

"Then if that's the case then let us get back to the entrance. Panther, Draconis, you two help support Shiho on our way back while the rest of us will be on guard for any other Shadows." Joker said as the group nodded, and then once Panther and Draconis got a hold of Shiho in a two-man carry, the Thieves then slowly made their way back to the entrance of the Jail, where Oracle, Pendragon, Nanako, and Zenkichi all got shocked looks on their faces at the sight of Shiho being supported by Panther and Draconis, the latter speaking up in confusion.

"What happened!? Why are you two holding up Suzui like that?" Zenkichi asked as Panther spoke up.

"Because Shiho had a big battle after catching up to us further inside this Jail recently. To make a long story short, she's now the newest Persona-user in this group. But for now, we're giving her time to rest a bit after draining herself so much. After all, we all know, other than maybe Crow and Mona, that a Persona-user's initial Awakening is quite the draining experience. So we're going to take a bit of a break to let Shiho get her energy back for the most part. I think we've got time for that." Panther said as the others nodded their agreement before Pendragon smirked and spoke up.

"I see. And the fact she's got new duds tells me that we likely have a new member of the group." Pendragon observed as Oracle spoke up.

"Seems like it. And I bet Panther's just tickled pink that her girlfriend is one of the gang now. Not that you'll hear me complaining about it, but am I the only one to realize that so far, other than Pendragon, every new recruit we've gotten since starting this second run as the Phantom Thieves has been a female?" Oracle asked as Pendragon grinned and spoke up.

"I wasn't going to mention it, but since you brought it up? I noticed that too." Pendragon said as Violet smiled and spoke up.

"Probably someone's way of evening out for the slightly skewed gender ratio from before. After all, if we include Morgana, there were six guys and only five girls by the time we finished our first stint as the Phantom Thieves. Or at least that'd be my guess?" Violet said as Joker shrugged, not sure about that, as Nanako spoke up anxiously.

"Is Suzui-san gonna be fine? Hasegawa-san and I both told her it was a bad idea, but it seems like it might have worked out for the best?" Nanako said, a clear look of concern and anxiety plain to see on her face as Draconis patted her gently on the head reassuringly before lifting his mask to look Nanako in the eyes while he spoke up.

"Look at me in my eyes, Dojima-san. I swear to you, Shiho will be fine. She just needs to rest a bit and recover her strength and she'll be okay. I'm sorry she caused you and Zenkichi to worry, but it was something she felt she had to do, so try not to be too mad at her, yeah?" Draconis said as Nanako smiled and spoke up with a nod.

"Okay, Draconis-san. I trust you to know what you're talking about, so I believe you." Nanako said as Draconis spoke up after briefly hugging her comfortingly, giving Nanako an approving nod as he spoke.

"Good girl. If you want to, and if he doesn't object, would you like to spend a bit of time holding Mona and petting him? I hear that petting the fur of an animal can sometimes be quite the cathartic experience, and I know for a fact Mona enjoys being petted gently." Draconis said as Mona spoke up.

"Hey, what are you talking about, calling me an animal!? I'm not a cat, Draconis!" Mona said before blinking as he felt Nanako gently hug him close to her and give him head pets, making him blush slightly as he purred involuntarily from how gentle Nanako's touch was. Much to the group's surprise, Seeker giggled as she watched Nanako pet Mona and spoke up.

"Hee hee, Mona's so cute when he does that." Seeker said as Nanako saw Seeker and spoke up, her eyes slightly wide as she took in Seeker's appearance, not recognizing Seeker.

"Wait, hold on. Since when do you guys have a member of your group who looks like she could be Violet's little sister? I'm sorry, but I don't remember seeing you before, whoever you are?" Nanako said as Violet winced at Nanako calling Seeker her little sister before speaking up.

"Uhh, about that? I don't know that I'd call Seeker my little sister, Dojima-san. My daughter, perhaps, but I'm not sure how comfortable I am calling her my little sister, considering what happened to the last sister I had." Violet said, hiding a wince at having to think about her deceased twin sister. Fortunately for Violet, only Joker noticed the slight discomfort on Violet's face. Seeker, for her part, seemed to ignore what Violet said about her as she smiled at Nanako and spoke up.

"That's because I usually live in Violet's phone. Hello, Dojima-san. I am Seeker, humanity's companion." Seeker said as Taichi and Momoe's eyes widened at this while they spoke up.

"WHAT!?" Taichi and Momoe said in unison as Nanako spoke up.

"Whoa! Are you really a sentient AI that has a physical form!? Amazing! Big Bro and his friends are gonna be sooo jealous when I tell them about this. Nice to meet you, Seeker-san. My name is Nanako Dojima, and the two who both gasped just now are Taichi and Momoe Amamiya, the parents of Joker, Crow, and Draconis." Nanako said as she smiled cutely at Seeker, who nodded and spoke up while matching Nanako's smile with a cute smile of her own.

"I see. Nice to finally get to meet you face-to-face, Mister and Miss Amamiya." Seeker said as Momoe spoke up, being the first to find her voice.

"N-No way! You're way cuter than I thought you'd be! But do your shorts really have to be THAT short, Seeker? That seems a bit inappropriate to me." Momoe said as Taichi spoke up.

"Be nice, Momoe! I think she looks great. Besides, I think Violet worries about that plenty as is." Taichi said as Violet nodded approvingly. At that point, the group got comfortable while taking a break so Shiho could regain her energy and the group could discuss what to do about her surprise Awakening...

END OF CHAPTER

A/N: And boom, another chapter done and dusted! Yeah, Shiho awakened to her Persona here. This was largely done on the suggestion of jdimock, so credit to him for being the brains behind Shiho's Awakening, as well as the 'safeguards' on each recorder, as those were his idea that he suggested to me. That said, before anything else, let me take this chance to give a shout out to thalassatides (at symbol) bsky on Twitter (or X as it's called nowadays), as they were the one to make the design I used for inspiration for Shiho's Phantom Thief attire, and her Persona Hester. So the ownership credit for both of those belongs to thelassatides (at symbol) bsky. For those interested, here's a direct link to the design in mention:

https (colon) (slash) (slash) X (dooot) com (slash) thalassatides (slash) status (slash) 1422764942403391491

Replace the X with Twitter, (colon) with a (:), the mentions of (slash) with a (/), and the mentions of (dooot) with a (period), and you should be able to see the design for yourself. I want it known that I do not own this design in any way, shape, or form, and that I am only borrowing the idea for it to use for this story. Just figured I'd cover my bases on that in the interest of doing all due diligence in the way of respecting the person who created the design as well as obeying the rules of the site this story is up on.

That said, we're not even halfway through the Okinawa Jail! Next chapter, the Okinawa Jail run continues! And with any luck, we'll get to the Lock Keeper fight at the end of the Jail, and potentially the reveal of as many as TWO new Triad Specials! So there's your bit of previewing to look forward to in the next chapter!

Thanks as always to everyone who supports this story, whether it be with a follow, favorite, or possibly even a review and/or PM with your thoughts/feedback/suggestions/constructive criticism on the story so far, as I enjoy hearing from my readers. And I usually make it a point to reply to all reviews as I get them.

So don't be shy about making your voice heard in the reviews, or in PMs if you prefer that option. For those interested, I also have a Discord I use for my fanfiction stories. If you're interested feel free to let me know either in the reviews or via PM and I'll do what I can to get you set up with an invite link to join that discord so you can help contribute to my stories. But I enjoy hearing from you regardless! Until next chapter, sithlorde1988 out!

PHANTOM THIEF LEVELS AND ALLY LISTINGS AS OF THE END OF CHAPTER 21

JOKER (Ren) - Level: 48 Current Personas: Raoul (Level 30), Orthrus (Level 43), Jack-O'-Lantern (Level 29), Jack Frost (Level 31), Mitra (Level 35), Okuninushi (Level 47), Queen Mab (Level 48), Sarasvati (Level 48), Mithras (Level 46), Valkyrie (Level 48) Equipped Persona: Okuninushi Persona Moveset: Psiodyne (Psy), Tempest Slash (Physical), Matarukaja (Support/Buff), Concentrate (Support/Buff), Dodge Nuke (Passive), Dodge Wind (Passive), Makouga (Bless), Psy Boost (Passive)

SKULL (Ryuji) - Level: 44 Current/Partner Persona: Seiten Taisei Persona Moveset: Zionga (Elec), Headbutt (Physical), Tarukaja (Support/Buff), Attack Master (Passive), Mazionga (Elec), Rebel Soul (Passive), Swift Strike (Physical), Shock Boost (Passive)

MONA (Morgana) - Level: 43 Current/Partner Persona: Diego Persona Moveset: Garula (Wind), Diarama (Healing), Mediarama (Healing), Magarula (Wind), Wind Boost (Passive), Recarm (Healing), Masukunda (Support/Debuff), Dodge Elec (Passive)

PANTHER (Ann) - Level: 43 Current/Partner Persona: Hecate Persona Moveset: Agilao (Fire), Dodge Ice (Passive), Fire Boost (Passive), Soul Thief (Passive), Maragion (Fire), Matarunda (Support/Debuff), Marin Karin (Ailment), Diarama (Healing)

FOX (Yusuke) - Level: 43 Current/Partner Persona: Kamu Susano-o Persona Moveset: Bufula (Ice), Speed Master (Passive), Taunt (Ailment), Knockdown Style (Passive), Vicious Strike (Physical), Tempest Slash (Physical), Mabufula (Ice), Dodge Fire (Passive)

QUEEN (Makoto) - Level: 44 Current/Partner Persona: Anat Persona Moveset: Freila (Nuclear), Defense Master (Passive), Marakukaja (Support/Buff), Mafreila (Nuclear), Diarama (Healing), Flash Bomb (Physical), Mediarama (Healing), Sledgehammer (Physical)

NOIR (Haru) - Level: 44 Current/Partner Persona: Lucy Persona Moveset: Psio (Psy), Psy Boost (Passive), Evil Smile (Ailment), Triple Down (Gun), Technical Adept (Passive), Amrita Shower (Healing), Mapsio (Psy), Gun Boost (Passive)

ORACLE (Futaba) - Level: 48 Current Personas: Al Azif and Albus Equipped Persona: Al Azif Persona Moveset: Analysis (Passive), Moral Support (Passive), Active Support (Passive), Moral Boost (Passive), Active Boost (Passive), Moral Boost EX (Passive)

SEEKER (Sophia) - Level: 43 Current/Partner 'Persona': Pithos Persona Moveset: Kouga? (Bless), Marakunda? (Support/Debuff), Diarama? (Healing), Makouga? (Bless), Mediarama? (Healing), Bless Boost? (Passive), Divine Grace? (Passive), Recarm? (Healing)

VIOLET (Sumire) - Level: 44 Current/Partner Persona: Ella Persona Moveset: Kouga (Bless), Dodge Curse (Passive), Diarama (Healing), Bless Boost (Passive), Heat Wave (Physical), Makouga (Bless), Tempest Slash (Physical), Recarm (Healing)

DRACONIS (Kusa) - Level: 43 Current/Partner Persona: Malefor Persona Moveset: Agilao (Fire), Garula (Wind), Mediarama (Healing), Rising Slash (Physical), Sukunda (Support/Debuff), Vicious Strike (Physical), Megido (Almighty), Almighty Boost (Passive)

CROW (Goro) - Level: 43 Current/Partner Persona: Hereward Persona Moveset: Eiga (Curse), One-Shot Kill (Gun), Maeiga (Curse), Deathbound (Physical), Rakunda (Support/Debuff), Mudo (Curse/insta-kill), Megidola (Almighty), Curse Boost (Passive)

PENDRAGON (Sojiro) - Level: 43 Current/Partner Persona: Kohryu Persona Moveset: Psio (Psy), Assault Dive (Physical), Concentrate (Support/Buff), Mediarama (Healing), Mapsio (Psy), Evade Nuke (Passive), Spell Master (Passive), Psy Boost (Passive)

ALLIES: Zenkichi, Shiho, Ichinose, Akane, TBA, TBA, TBA