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!

37. Arc 7 Finale: Konoe's Last Stand

A/N: sithlorde1988 here, with another chapter of Phantom Files, Book 2: Rise Of The Monarchs! Despite what I said last chapter, this chapter should (SHOULD being the key word here) be the final chapter of Arc 7! The only reason the last chapter wasn't was because I hit a good stopping point sooner than I thought I would in the last chapter. But, I suppose that's just how it goes from time to time.

That being said, I realize I'm uploading this a day early, but it was necessary since jdimock has a lot of school stuff coming up and he asked for a head start on this week's upload so he could get it done sooner, and I figured I could oblige him since he does so much for this story. So yeah, that's why this week's upload is a day early.

But the way I see it, better a day early than not going up this week at all. At one point, there was discussion of skipping this week's upload, but as you can see, we decided against that. So yeah, that's how that goes. In any case, hopefully people enjoy the finale of this arc. But enough about that for now, let's get the disclaimer out of the way, yeah?

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 and Albus, and the Phantom Thief attire for Draconis, Pendragon, and Seraphim, all of which I do own. I do not, however, own the OC Personas Hester and Houdini, nor the Phantom Thief attire concepts for Shiho/Flare.

The OC Persona Hester and the Phantom Thief attire concepts for Shiho/flare were created by, and thus belong to, thalassatides (at symbol) bsky on X (or Twitter as it used to be called). If you happen to be on X, feel free to look up thelassatides (at symbol) bsky's work, as they do some good work. As for the OC Persona Houdini, that belongs to Flower Boy Jun over on Amino Apps. If you use that site, go look him up, since he has some very interesting OC Persona designs and also does amazing work.

As far as the Phantom Thief attire concept for Akane/Auburn, Atlus technically owns the attire that Akane/Auburn's Phantom Thief attire was based off of, aka her Monarch outfit, but I own the modifications made to the outfit to create her Phantom Thief attire, so I own Akane/Auburn's Phantom Thief attire, but not the outfit it's based on, if that makes sense at all.

Also shout-out to jdimock for giving me the idea to make Akane/Auburn's Phantom Thief attire a color-swap of her Monarch outfit, even if I ended up making her Phantom Thief attire largely different from aforementioned Monarch outfit, it was still jdimock's idea, so shout-out and credit to him for having the idea)) and the actual ownership credit for the Persona series belongs to Atlus and Sega (where it comes to Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5, Persona 3 Portable, Persona 4 Golden, and Persona 5 Royal, as well as Persona 3 FES and Persona 3 Reload), as well as to a point Koei Tecmo (where it pertains to Strikers). The rest of the spinoffs belong to various other companies, all of whom know who they are.

And when it comes to Persona 1, Persona 2-Eternal Punishment, and Persona 2-Innocent Sin? As far as I know, they were made by a different studio, who also knows who they are. Full ownership credit for the Persona spinoffs (Phantom X, Tactica, the 'Arena' games, the 'Dancing' games, and the 'Q' games) belong to the studios that helped make them, as well as Atlus and possibly Sega. And full ownership credits for Persona 1, Persona 2- Eternal Punishment, and Persona 2-Innocent Sin belong to the studios that made those games, so all credit to them.

And with that decent-length disclaimer sorted out, I think I've dragged this start-of-chapter A/N out long enough. So without further ado, let's get into the chapter. Keep reading after the chapter since I'll probably have another A/N where I discuss other stuff. For now, here's chapter 37!

Chapter 37- Preparations, Calling Cards, and Konoe's Last Stand! CEO's Downfall part 5

(Inside the Okinawa Jail, with Joker, Mona, Skull, Panther, Fox, Queen, Oracle, Noir, Crow, Violet, Draconis, Seeker, Pendragon, Flare, Wolf, Seraphim, and Auburn)

As part of the group's preparations for the calling card, Joker led the group into the Okinawa Jail to clear out the Dire Shadow of the Okinawa Jail, who turned out to be a powered up Nebiros that went by the handle of 'Wandering Reviver'.

Once the group managed to defeat it, largely thanks to Panther capitalizing on the 'Wandering Reviver' having a weakness to Fire moves, in addition to weaknesses to Elec and Wind, the ensuing EXP gains lifted Joker, Violet, and Oracle to level 71, Panther to level 66, and Queen, Seeker, Crow, Draconis, Pendragon, Flare, Seraphim, and Auburn to level 65, the level ups giving Seeker, Draconis, Pendragon, Flare, and Auburn new moves in the form of the high-tier healing skill 'Mediarahan?', the rare passive skill 'Almighty Amp', the Severe-tier Physical skill 'Gigantomachia', the heavy-tier Nuclear skill 'Freidyne', and the high-tier healing skill 'Diarahan'. To start out, Seeker spoke up.

"Oh! I got another new move! Who knew I had so much potential inside of me?" Seeker asked as Mona spoke up.

"I believed you had this potential inside of you, Lady Seeker. You might not think so, but you are easily one of the most talented and amazing people I know. You really should give yourself more credit. You might not believe this since you're an AI, but you really are a beautiful person, Lady Seeker. Both on the inside and the outside." Mona said honestly as he gently pulled a blushing Seeker into a hug, causing her to reflexively hide her face in Mona's chest in embarrassment as she spoke up.

"You're giving me way too much praise, Mona. But thank you. It's sweet of you to say such kind things about me." Seeker said as she leaned up to cutely kiss Mona on the cheek before shocking not only Mona, but both Violet and Joker as well, by laying her head gently yet adorably on Mona's shoulder with a content smile, making Mona blush as he spoke up.

"You're welcome. And as nice as this feels to have you in my arms, should we really be doing this around Joker and Violet, in case one of them, if not both of them, suddenly start getting overprotective and attempt to separate us?" Mona said uneasily as Seeker smiled and spoke up.

"I don't think they mind. They might be shocked, but I know they just want me to be happy. And to be honest? I think I'm at my happiest when I'm with you, Mona." Seeker said honestly, making both Joker and Mona's jaws drop while Violet smiled softly at Seeker and spoke up.

"I had a feeling being with Mona would make you happy, sweetie. I guess I'll just have to start getting used to you being so cuddly with Mona now, so that it's not such a shock when the two of you inevitably transition from this shy if adorable dancing around your feelings phase to actually confessing to one another and becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. How that works when you're an AI and Mona is a cat turned human, I have no clue, but we embrace that love comes in many forms in this group." Violet said sagely as Seeker smiled and nodded despite the fact that she made no move to separate herself from Mona as Pithos acquired 'Mediarahan?'. Next, Draconis spoke up with a grin.

"Heh, if nothing else, Seeker and Mona are definitely cute together. Ooh, but more importantly, Malefor just nabbed a new move! And it's a pretty sweet move, too! It appears as though his Almighty fury has gotten a much-needed boost. Now all we need is an upgraded Almighty skill and then we can, so to speak, 'T-Pose to assert our dominance as Almighty users'. Mwehehe." Draconis said as Skull frowned and spoke up.

"Dude, since when do you even know what a T-pose is, much less how to do one?" Skull said as Oracle smirked and spoke up.

"Mwehehe! You'd be surprised what sorts of poses Draconis and I practice behind closed doors. But I don't think I should go into detail, if only because I don't want him grounding me from fun time, and also out of respect for Pendragon's sanity." Oracle said as Pendragon nodded approvingly as Malefor acquired 'Almighty Amp'. Next, Pendragon spoke up.

"Thank you for the consideration, Oracle. That said, behold the increased ferocity of Kohryu as we embrace his newfound power!" Pendragon said as Crow smirked and spoke up.

"Pendragon? That brag was somehow both the coolest thing I've ever heard, and also the most random. And given we have people like Draconis doing brags, that's saying a lot." Crow said sagely as Draconis huffed and spoke up.

"Shuddup! At least I don't get as cocky with my brags as Joker does." Draconis pointed out as Joker smirked and spoke up.

"Excuse me for taking pride in what I do as the leader of this group. Besides, I don't hear Violet complaining, so if nothing else, I take that as her approving." Joker said as Violet blushed and spoke up.

"Yes, well, in my defense? You do look so irresistibly sexy when you do those brags, I kind of have a difficult time not wanting you afterwards, but I'm usually able to refrain from jumping you, even if it's only for Seeker's sake." Violet said as Seeker shyly spoke up from on Mona's shoulder.

"You know I don't mind if you decide to flirt with Dad, right Mom?" Seeker said as Violet smiled and spoke up.

"Yes, I realize that, Seeker. But at the same time, we have to set a good example for you, since you see us as parental figures to you. And I don't think that me constantly pulling Joker into a kiss every time he does a level-up brag, which he hasn't done once since our current tenure as Phantom Thieves started, is setting a good example for you." Violet said as Seeker giggled and spoke up.

"Maybe not in terms of what to do, but it could give me good learning experience for ways to potentially tease and/or embarrass Mona, since his face does get these rather adorable expressions on it whenever someone embarrasses him that I find oh-so irresistibly cute. Also, I find that I never get tired of seeing those expressions on his face." Seeker said as Mona spoke up.

"I didn't realize you were so drawn to me, Lady Seeker? I'm honored that you feel that way about me." Mona said as Seeker blushed but said nothing as Kohryu acquired 'Gigantomachia'. Next, Flare spoke up.

"Oh, nice! Hester's got a new power! And a very explosive one too." Flare said as Panther smirked and spoke up.

"Flare? That's a Nuclear skill, not an explosive one. But that's an easy mistake to make, so I can excuse it. But then again, it looks good on you." Panther said as she coyly leaned in to steal a kiss from a shyly blushing Flare, amid catcalls from Oracle, Seraphim, and Auburn, who found Panther and Flare's banter amusing, as Hester acquired 'Freidyne'. Finally, Auburn spoke up.

"Ooh, is this an upgrade to Houdini's healing powers already? That was fast. But I'll take it!" Auburn said as Seraphim smiled and spoke up.

"Why the tone of surprise? Not only are you beautiful Auburn, but you're seriously talented. So of course you're getting your moves quickly. And I approve." Seraphim said as she boldly pressed her lips to Auburn's, making Auburn blush but smile as she briefly returned the kiss before pulling away from Seraphim and speaking up.

"That was nice, but let's not do that in front of Seeker, if only because I'd rather not have Violet enlisting Joker's assistance to help her punish us for corrupting Seeker." Auburn said as Seraphim pouted but nodded as she relented and stood with Auburn as Houdini acquired 'Diarahan'. While clearing out every Shadow in the Sapporo Jail, Mona, Skull, Fox, Queen, Noir, Crow, Draconis, Pendragon, Flare, Wolf, Seraphim, and Auburn all hit level 66, the level ups giving Crow access to the passive move 'Curse Amp', making Crow grin as he spoke up.

"Well, well. Not bad. It would seem that Hereward's Curse move just got a nice little buff with this new skill." Crow said as Noir smiled and spoke up.

"Very nice, Crow. Now we can make our enemies suffer even more." Noir said as Crow smirked and spoke up.

"We can make them suffer more now, can't we? I do believe I like the way you think, Noir." Crow said as he boldly pulled a blushing Noir into a kiss, amidst catcalls from Oracle, Auburn, Seraphim, Panther, and Flare, and a playful chorus of 'GET A ROOM!' that was heard from Joker, Skull, Draconis, and Mona, none of whom even acknowledged the disapproving looks their respective girlfriends/crushes aimed at them for their immature teasing as Crow chose to give a non-verbal reply as he flipped the guys off while Hereward acquired 'Curse Amp'. After a bit, Joker pulled everyone out to the real world to rest and consider their options...

(In the real world, inside the RV, with Ren, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, Goro, Sumire, Kusa, Sophia, Sojiro, Shiho, Zenkichi, Nanako, and Akane)

After looking everything over, Ren nodded to himself before he cleared his throat to get the group's attention. Once he had everyone's attention, Ren spoke up.

"I might be jumping the gun a bit here, but who's ready to send this calling card?" Ren asked as nearly immediately, he got an enthusiastic chorus of 'HELL YEAH!', 'ME!', or 'FINALLY!' from most every other Thief, aside from Zenkichi, who smirked and spoke up.

"About time we do something about Konoe." Zenkichi said approvingly as Yusuke spoke up with a nod.

"I agree. We must prepare a suitable calling card. Have you thought of what to write, Zenkichi?" Yusuke asked as Zenkichi spoke up.

"I'm working on it, but the wording that I want is somewhat eluding me. And that's what I'm trying to figure out right now. Man, don't blame me if this sounds weird when Konoe reads it. Just remember, you asked for this, okay?" Zenkichi said as Kusa spoke up.

"We did ask for you to write this, Zenkichi. You're not wrong on that. However, I believe I recall telling you that I was willing to help you write it if you wanted my assistance. Furthermore, I also seem to recall that Shiho, Nanako, and Akane wanted to offer their services if needed when you write this card. But I won't pressure you on this further if you want to do it solo." Kusa said as Zenkichi spoke up with a sigh.

"To be honest with you, Kusa? I probably will ask for your help, since I didn't expect this to be so difficult. As for Shiho, Nanako, and Akane? Not sure what they can really offer to the card that you don't already stand to add, but I suppose they can help too, since it is also their first calling card too." Zenkichi said as Kusa spoke up.

"No problem, Zenkichi. Just tell me what you want it to say, and I'll write the card in such a way that it puts the very fear of God into that scumbag Konoe. I don't care how screwed up his past was, there's no excuse for how he's been acting recently, especially towards those of our allies he's wronged. If nothing else, I can have Shiho, Nanako, and Akane proofread it for me before I let you look it over to make sure it'll pass muster." Kusa said as Futaba nodded and spoke up with a smile.

"I agree, Kusa. Make sure you, Shiho, Akane, Nanako, and Zenkichi all work hard on this calling card. After all that crap he put Akane through, we gotta make this count. Put him on blast!" Futaba said as Akane smiled and spoke up.

"I'm flattered that you guys are already so protective of me, but aren't you taking this a tiny bit too far?" Akane asked uncertainly as Nanako scoffed and spoke up.

"After how that asshole made you into a Monarch and even tried to use a cognitive version of that disgusting old creep Owada to murder us all!? Absolutely not! If anything, we're almost not going far enough with this." Nanako said as Ryuji grinned and leaned over to high-five Nanako before he spoke up.

"Hell yeah, Nanako! I completely agree. Konoe has this coming and then some! The sooner we put that bastard in his place, the sooner we can start waiting for his change of heart in order to find out if he was in fact the mastermind we were after the entire time." Ryuji said as Morgana spoke up.

"I agree, Ryuji. But still, remember to keep your ranting PG-13 when we confront Konoe, even if it's only for the sake of Lady Sophia, and possibly also for the sake of Sumire's sanity. That said, delivering the calling card is just the beginning. We're counting on you to help us finish the job, Zenkichi." Morgana said as Zenichi smirked and spoke up while Sumire gave Morgana a disappointed look for dragging her into his rebuke of Ryuji.

"Yeah, I'll bet you're counting on me. You guys are real slave drivers, you know that?" Zenkichi asked as Goro spoke up with a smirk.

"They might drive us hard, but they also care about us, even if they have a funny way of showing it at times." Goro said with a grin as Ren spoke up.

"Shut up, Goro! And Zenkichi? We are not slave drivers! We only ask for help! We don't force you to provide the help! You can totally say no, and we'll respect that." Ren said as Sojiro spoke up.

"As if any of us could really say no and still be able to look at ourselves in the mirror afterwards without feeling like shit if we did refuse." Sojiro said bluntly as Kusa spoke up.

"Well said, Sojiro. You can choose to refuse, but you don't. And why don't you refuse, you might ask? That's because we're all good people in this room." Kusa said with a smirk as the others nodded and most of the group dispersed for the time being on that note, leaving Kusa, Zenkichi, Akane, Nanako, and Shiho in the RV to hammer out the calling card for Konoe and iron out the particulars of how they wanted it to read...

(Later that night, in Dotonbori)

As the bustling crowds in Dotonbori went about their night, oblivious to what was about to happen, a dark-haired man and a blue-haired woman stood together looking out at the bridge and taking in the view as the woman smiled and spoke up.

"Heh, who knew we'd have the chance to take in such a lovely and scenic view, Kanji? Makes me glad we were able to make this trip together. I apologize that we've not been able to spend as much time together as either of us would like recently, but you know how it is when things get busy at Public Security." Naoto said as Kanji nodded and spoke up.

"I understand. You're doing what you believe in, babe. I hold no ill will against you at all for that. If anything, I love that you're so passionate about your work. It makes it that much better when we do get to spend time together and just get close to one another. After all, we swore to be there for one another in both the good times and the bad when we got married, didn't we? So I'm willing to be patient and wait however long I have to for you to find time for us, Naoto." Kanji said as Naoto smiled, leaning in to kiss Kanji, which he gratefully returned, happy to be able to kiss his wife.

However, before he and Naoto could really get into their kissing, they blinked as they heard the sounds of something fluttering down from overhead, prompting Kanji to instinctively reach a hand up to reach for whatever was dropping, only to blink as he felt something hit his hand, grabbing it gently and bringing it down so he and Naoto could see it, before he spoke.

"Yo, what's this? Is this supposed to be some kind of card, Naoto?" Kanji asked as Naoto looked at the back and gasped as she spoke up with widened eyes.

"No, this isn't just a card, Kanji! Look at the back!" Naoto said as Kanji turned the card over and gasped as he saw the familiar logo on the back, having watched the broadcasts of the most recent televised calling card

"Wait, what the hell!? This is the Phantom Thieves' logo, isn't it!?" Kanji asked as Naoto nodded and spoke up.

"That's their logo, all right. Is this really about to be the moment when they choose to send a calling card out to Konoe-san?" Naoto asked as Kanji spoke up.

"If so, good for them! Senpai's gonna be freakin' pissed that he missed the show, though." Kanji said as Naoto smiled and spoke up.

"Yes, well, he only has himself to blame for volunteering to be our representative, along with Rise-san, at this meeting he's apparently having with some representatives from the Kirijo Group." Naoto said as Kanji nodded and spoke up.

"Good point. Yes, I realize that Labrys is also an ally of the Kirijo Group, but she's just as much our friend as she is theirs, y'know." Kanji said as Naoto nodded. Before she could verbally acknowledge Kanji's words, the two then noticed the Regenbogen fly as they noticed that the calling cards seemed to be falling from the blimp. It was then a familiar voice cut through the air, drawing Kanji and Naoto's attention to it as it spoke up.

"Testing, one two, one two. Okay, looks like we're live!" Oracle's voice was heard speaking over an intercom as another voice was heard at that point.

"So let me make sure I have this right, Oracle. I just talk into this?" Wolf's voice was heard as Oracle spoke up with a nod.

"Exactly! You're on, man. Just say it!" Oracle said as Wolf nodded and spoke up.

"Right. Uhh, okay. Are you listening, Konoe? Toying with innocent lives, slandering us with your vile and frankly hurtful lies." Wolf said as Crow's voice cut in at that point.

"Don't forget painting us like the bad guys when he's the one who's been dragging our names through the mud like the no-good scumbag that he is." Crow said as Wolf spoke up.

"I didn't forget that, Crow. But thank you for chiming in. Anyways, you've been busy, Konoe. But so have we. Now, it's payback time!" Wolf said as various screens across Dontonbori suddenly got hijacked and replaced with the familiar Phantom Thieves backdrop with the words 'TAKE YOUR HEART' as Pendragon spoke up.

"Time for you to pay the piper for every foul deed you've committed recently, and for every lie that you've told in the past couple of weeks." Pendragon said as Auburn spoke up.

"Not to mention all the lives that you nearly ruined with your schemes and lies. You have no idea how close you came to turning an innocent young woman into an unwitting murderer, all because she believed in a lie YOU spread about us!" Auburn said as Seraphim spoke up.

"Auburn's right! And not only that, but you also had the audacity to put most of our group in mortal peril recently with your schemes and traps. So you've got a lot to answer for." Seraphim said as Wolf nodded and spoke up.

"Well said, Auburn and Seraphim. I couldn't agree with you two more! Well, Konoe!? Ready or not, here we come!" Wolf said as Panther spoke up.

"To the villain who thinks he's a hero: Akira Konoe!" Panther said as Flare spoke up.

"Or the oh-so-charismatic CEO of Madicce who thinks his power, fame, and even fortune make him untouchable." Flare added helpfully. Noir spoke up.

"Flare is right. But no amount of fame, fortune, or charisma will protect you from the reckoning you've got coming, Konoe-san. You stole the Desires of countless people for your schemes, just to try and use them for your own personal gain." Noir said as Draconis' voice was then heard speaking up, drowning out the protests of Skull, who he'd pushed aside to take the mic so he could speak up.

"And that's not okay! So hear our words, Konoe!" Draconis said as Oracle spoke up.

"Yeah, you tell them, Draconis! You've been waiting long enough to get in on one of these, so make the most of this!" Oracle said as down in the crowd, several people gasped at Oracle referring to Draconis by his code name, realizing this was the same Phantom Thief who helped to ghostwrite several of the calling cards, finally making his voice heard.

"You might have had a very pitiable past growing up, which we won't mention here out of a sense of common courtesy and not wanting to put your private business on blast, but that does NOT excuse the many horrendous and messed-up things you've done recently! Lying, scheming, trying to have us killed and/or turned into killers. You've been busy trying to break us, but as you can see, your plans have failed! And as for those Desires you've illicitly stolen from all those innocent people!? Don't get used to having them around for very long! Once you get our call, we will be there to confront you and make you face up to what you've done! And when we do that, we WILL be taking those Desires back! So you better make peace with your higher power now, Konoe!

Because when you tried to end us and frame us, you made the fatal mistake of messing with the bull that is our team's morale! And when you mess with the bull, you get the horns! So get ready, because you are about to reap it for all you've done, you absolutely despicable scumbag! Also, apologies to Skull for basically lampooning his moment to call out Konoe, but I think we can all agree that he would have managed to bungle his line. Let me see, he'd probably do something like misspeaking and saying 'baking' instead of 'taking', since that seems like a very 'Skull' sort of thing to do." Draconis said as Skull spoke up.

"DUDE! Shuddup! I would not have messed up my line! And I'll prove it. Tonight, we're baking them, uh I mean taking them-" Skull said as Draconis' voice was heard again.

"HA! Called it on the frickin' nose! I so predicted that you'd whiff your line, Skull! It would seem that I was wise to handle that part." Draconis said as an annoyed Oracle spoke up.

"Dammit, Skull! You had ONE LINE!" Oracle said as Violet spoke up with a sigh.

"Well, at least he didn't cuss in his line, so that's something." Violet said as Skull spoke up.

"Gimme a break, Oracle! I-I meant to say that! Because baking, y'know, like a muffin? And when it's done, we'd make him crack like the muffin he is." Skull said as Pendragon spoke up.

"Nice try, Skull. But you definitely fumbled the bag here, big time. Good thing Draconis jumped in and handled your part, or you would've made a joke out of this." Pendragon said as Joker spoke up.

"Anyways, let's get back on task here! You have been warned, Konoe! We will make you answer for your crimes! For now, wait for our calling card, and then prepare for your reckoning!" Joker said as the broadcast ended and Naoto blinked and spoke up.

"Huh. So that was a Phantom Thieves broadcast. Impressive. I thought it'd be more disorganized and haphazard, truth be told." Naoto said as Kanji smirked and spoke up.

"You mean like the time in high school when we dropped the bag, so to speak, while doing that live performance in the Junes food court to help Yosuke save his dad's job close to nine years ago? I have to say, that stage dive us guys did was pretty epic! But the whole landing on my face and being in pain bit? Not so much. That seriously smarted like hell." Kanji said as Naoto smiled and spoke up.

"Yeah, it certainly looked like it hurt, especially if the looks on yours, Yosuke's, and Yu's faces after you landed on the ground were any indication. But you looked super adorable while doing it, so I think it was worth the pain, surely?" Naoto said as Kanji nodded and gently put an arm around his wife's slender waist and pulled her into a kiss as the two spent a while kissing and reaffirming their love for one another...

(A short time later, in Konoe's office in the Madicce company headquarters, with Konoe and EMMA)

As Konoe saw the broadcast on his phone, which had been linked to the frequency of the blimp the Phantom Thieves had hijacked, Konoe frowned and spoke up.

"The Phantom Thieves have found my Jail!? Impossible!" Konoe said as he began to read out what his calling card had to say on his phone.

"This says, 'To the criminal tyrant masquerading as a hero, Sir Akira Konoe, aka the delusional madman who believes himself to be a symbol of justice. Note that all subsequent references will henceforth be shortened to 'Party A'. Party A has wronged multiple innocents by flaunting a false sense of justice and shifting the blame for the murder of one of his employees.

And on top of that, Party A is also guilty of wrongfully imprisoning a group of minors. Therefore, in addition to putting out a formal warrant of arrest for Party A's crimes, we're also sending this as a calling card.' Hm? Oh, this next part seems to have a shift in writing styles. 'Hear this, Konoe! Tonight, the Phantom Thieves will commit some larceny of their own, and take back every Desire you've stolen.

Not only that, but we will personally make it a point to change that warped, twisted heart of yours and help you see the error of your ways. So prepare yourself, because we're coming, and we're not pulling any punches with you!' Is this some kind of joke!?" Konoe said in a mix of rage and shock as he pulled out his phone and spoke into it as he kept speaking.

"EMMA, what the hell is going on!? I thought you said that it was impossible for the Thieves to get into my Jail without my keyword! Care to explain how they somehow were able to figure out that detail, let alone get to the point of sending me a calling card!?" Konoe said as EMMA spoke up.

"Unable to answer. Please ask a different question." EMMA said as Konoe sputtered and spoke up.

"A different question!? Don't give me that, EMMA! I'm your master! Now answer me, dammit!" Konoe said as EMMA spoke up once more.

"Unable to answer. Please ask a different question. Unable to answe-" EMMA said as Konoe threw his phone down angrily and swore as he spoke up.

"Goddammit! I can't believe you not only managed to get around TWO of the traps we set, but you all somehow managed to obtain my keyword! I guess it doesn't matter now, though. Very well, Phantom Thieves. You think you can change MY heart? Then let's see you try it! You wretched little urchins have no clue who you're dealing with! I won't be defeated so easily." Konoe said as the view shifted to a darkened room with the only thing visible being a suit of armor with a dull red neon glow illuminating it as the person inside spoke up.

"Taking back the Desires? You think you can steal from me? Fools! You have no idea who you are dealing with! I am the very hero these people have been praying for. The Phantom Thieves are the evil that stands in the way of that. Come, then! Let's see who changes who!" The suit of armor said ominously...

(Meanwhile, back outside the RV, with Zenkichi, Futaba, Kusa, Ren, Sumire, Ryuji, Goro, Morgana, Haru, Sojiro, Yusuke, Makoto, Shiho, Ann, Sophia, Nanako, and Akane)

"Mweheheh, Konoe's prolly losing it right about now." Futaba said as Kusa spoke up.

"Hmph. He deserves to be sweating a bit, if you ask me." Kusa said as Yusuke spoke up with a closed eye smile.

"Agreed, Kusa. That said, dispensing the calling cards from the enemy's own airship while hijacking said blimp for our grand broadcast? What a truly impeccable strategy." Yusuke said as Goro smirked and spoke up.

"What do you expect? We had our three strongest tactical minds working together for that little scheme, between Kusa, Makoto, and myself." Goro said as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"Hell yeah, Goro! Also, how much you guys wanna bet that the police are already all over that thing?" Ryuji asked as Futaba smirked and spoke up.

"Aww, won't it be said when they find out that we were broadcasting from a remote location? Nice job on tag-teaming that, Morgana and Zenkichi! And of course, top-tier job on jumping in to stick it to Konoe, Kusa! You definitely proved that you're not just good at writing calling cards." Futaba said as Kusa smirked and spoke up.

"It was nothin', Taba. I just did what any self-respecting man would do when put in the position that Konoe had us in, that's all." Kusa said as Zenkichi frowned and spoke up.

"Perhaps that's true, Kusa. But even so, sheesh, that was crazy. Not to mention, that was some contraption you put together, Futaba." Zenkichi said as Futaba smirked and spoke up.

"Mwheheh! You did good too, Sophia." Futaba said as Morgana smirked and spoke up.

"She really did do good, though. That was some exemplary work, Lady Sophia." Morgana said, taking a chance to praise Sophia, prompting a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone, which was in a stand on the table between Kusa, Zenkichi, and Ann, which preceded a blushing yet shyly smiling Sophia speaking up.

"Aww, it was nothing that important, Morgana. All I did was search the web for a blueprint we could use. You're gonna make me blush if you keep lavishing praise on me like that." Sophia said with a cute smile on her face. Nanako giggled and spoke up.

"Hee hee, how cute. Sophia's totally blushing. I think she was happy to hear her potential boyfriend praise her like he did." Nanako said as Sophia and Morgana both spoke up with red faces.

"NANAKO!" Morgana and Sophia both said in embarrassment as Akane frowned and spoke up, lightly poking Nanako on the nose as she spoke.

"Behave, Nanako! We don't need to tease Sophia and Morgana about their potentially blooming romance. We can leave that to Ren and Sumire, since they're the ones Sophia sees as parents." Akane said wisely as Haru nodded and spoke up.

"Well said, Akane-chan. Still, was it okay for us to leave it on the airship, though? Won't the police be able to trace it back to us?" Haru asked as Futaba spoke up with a smirk.

"Nah, I built it using a buncha junk parts you can find just about anywhere. We're in the clear!" Futaba said as Yusuke spoke up with a serious look on his face.

"True. Word has certainly reached Konoe by now." Yusuke said as Nanako spoke up.

"And if I'm right, no doubt my Big Bro and his friends would end up seeing/hearing about the broadcast since I know they keep an eye on the news for stuff like this. So I'm pretty sure they've heard about what we did by now." Nanako said as Sumire spoke up.

"Good point. I'm not sure how they'll react to it, though." Sumire said as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"That's true. If I had to guess, I'd say Yu's group would be torn between pride in us for standing up to Konoe and worry for Nanako's safety, probably even opting for both. That being said, let's do our best to finish this strong so Nanako has good news to give to her Big Bro later." Ren said as Ryuji frowned at Zenkichi and spoke up.

"Truth, RenRen! Also, yeah, we did good. But that calling card didn't really meet up to our usual standards at first, at least until we got to the part Kusa added. Seriously, you couldn't have added a little more spice there, Zenkichi?" Ryuji said as Makoto spoke up while reading off the calling card.

"I thought it was pretty professional, Ryuji. Ahem. 'To the criminal tyrant masquerading as a hero, Sir Akira Konoe, aka the delusional madman who believes himself to be a symbol of justice. Note that all subsequent references shall be shortened to "Party A". Party A has wronged multiple innocents by flaunting a false sense of justice and shifting the blame for the murder of one of his employees.' Uhh, well, that part was certainly...something?" Makoto said as Ann sweatdropped and spoke up.

"Party A?" Ann asked as Zenkichi smirked and spoke up.

"It's an arrest warrant. Is there a problem?" Zenkichi asked as a frowning Ryuji spoke up.

"Dude! It's supposed to be a calling card! What the hell's this Party A crap!?" Ryuji asked irately as Zenkichi frowned and spoke up.

"Oh, shut up! Real big talk coming from the guy who managed to screw up his line, despite Kusa giving you an easy way out to not have to say said line." Zenkichi said as Kusa spoke up.

"To be fair, I didn't realize that we were writing this calling card in the style of an arrest warrant at first. However, once I realized what Zenkichi was going for, I thought it made for a neat change of pace. However, the fact that we were going for an arrest warrant-themed calling card kinda kept me from getting too explicit in how I described Konoe, which sucks, since I really wanted to add in a line or two about how Konoe is full of shit and also a dirty effin' hypocrite.

But maybe it was for the best that I didn't put any of that in there, since the calling card might have gotten a bit long if I had. After all, I've been known to go on lengthy tangents if I get a head of steam going, so I think you did me a favor by having the card be short and to-the-point. But you do have a point about Ryuji screwing up his line, Zenkichi. He didn't have to try to prove me wrong, only to instead prove me right." Kusa said with a grin as Ryuji sputtered and spoke up.

"Wha-!? Look, I told you guys, I didn't screw up!" Ryuji said as Haru, Akane, and Nanako giggled, the latter speaking up with a smile.

"Uh-huh. Sure you didn't, Ryuji." Nanako said as Akane smiled and spoke up.

"Still, I do have to say your version was pretty creative. What was it again? 'We're staking them?' Hee hee." Akane said as Haru giggled and spoke up.

"Good one, Akane-chan. But no. he said, and I quote, 'We're baking them.' Hee hee!" Haru said with a giggle as Ren smirked and spoke up.

"It was very interesting, to say the least. But I think the fact that Kusa managed to call Konoe out in the way he did makes up for Ryuji's slight faux pas, as well as Zenkichi's unique way of writing this calling card." Ren said fairly. Haru nodded her agreement and spoke up.

"You're right, Ren-kun. It was very much Zenkichi-san's style! I thought it was different!" Haru said as Zenkichi spoke up with a frown.

"Fine, whatever. If things go well, hopefully this'll be the last one." Zenkichi said as Goro spoke up.

"That's assuming that we bring this to a close when we change Konoe's heart. As I recall, Kusa seemed to have his doubts about it being that simple, though." Goro said as Kusa spoke up.

"That's because I feel like it won't be so easy as changing Konoe's heart and making the change of heart epidemic magically go away. Something tells me this goes farther than Konoe. Not only that, but I seem to recall that you have misgivings about a certain eccentric AI researcher with whom we all have a tentative alliance at this moment. I believe you called her 'Miss Monologues'?" Kusa said as Goro nodded and spoke up.

"Yes, well, in my defense, anytime that we spoke to her, she gave off some major 'I am evil, don't trust me!' vibes most of the time. Now I could be wrong about that, and if so, I'll be the first to apologize to her once the truth is known. That being said, I have a funny feeling that this is going to come back to her somehow." Goro said as Sumire frowned and spoke up.

"That is true. Not to mention, it would be rather ironic if this was the last calling card. Since that would mean Zenkichi-san, Akane-chan, Shiho-senpai, and Nanako-chan's first calling card would also be their last. What are the chances of that?" Sumire said as Shiho smiled and spoke up.

"Even though it might be the only calling card that the four of us will ever do, I can say that it was worth it. Plus, we got to be a part of one of those big calling card broadcasts, and I'm not complaining about that." Shiho said as Sojiro chuckled and spoke up.

"You make a good point, Shiho. Furthermore, I only just realized that this is not only Kusa's first time being in a calling card broadcast, but it is also the first time for myself and Goro as well." Sojiro said as Ryuji smirked and spoke up.

"Hell yeah, Sojiro. This fight's just getting started." Ryuji said as Morgana spoke up with a nod.

"Ryuji's right! All right, here we go, everyone! Time for the big finish! Let's get in there and change Konoe's heart for good! Then we can worry about the question of whether he is the mastermind or not afterwards." Morgana said as the others nodded and Ren brought everyone into the Metaverse to go after Konoe...

(Meanwhile, at the same time, in an expensive hotel in Kyoto with Mitsuru, Akihiko, Koromaru, Ken, Labrys, and 4 others)

"So, we all just saw that broadcast on the news just now, right?" A man with short black hair that he kept under a backwards light blue baseball cap, which he paired with a button-up light blue T-shirt that he wore open over a dark grey muscle shirt, light blue sports pants, red and black socks, and black cleats said, his brown eyes showing his uncertainty of what the group had just seen. At that point, the brown-haired woman sitting next to him, who wore mostly pink, aside from the white shoes and dark grey socks she had on, as well as her white gloves, huffed and spoke up as she set the helmet that she had tucked under her arm on the couch next to her.

"Yes, Junpei. I do believe we all just saw that broadcast the Phantom Thieves put out. Rather bold of them to announce that they're coming for Konoe-san, if you ask me, but I suppose they have their reasons for going after him." The woman said to the dark-haired man, or 'Junpei' as she'd called him, as the next person to speak was a woman with green-blue hair, teal eyes, and a very kind, yet firm, expression on her face, her arms crossed over her petite chest and slender frame, being careful not to wrinkle or ruffle the white dress that she wore.

"Cut Junpei-kun a break, Yukari. He's just trying to make sense of what we saw." The blue-green haired woman said to the brown-haired woman, or 'Yukari' as she'd identified her, as a blonde-haired woman smiled and spoke up, drawing the eyes of everyone else to the fact that she had a distinctly metallic frame, given the clearly metallic shoulders she had and the fact that most of her appearance was clearly robotic in nature, despite her chest appearing to have a striped white shirt on it with a red tie done up to give her a more professional appearance, despite just drawing attention to her almost exaggeratedly disproportionate to the rest of her body bustline as she spoke.

"You have a point, Fuuka-san. But so does Yukari-san. The Phantom Thieves can be quite unpredictable in how they do things. But I do believe that's what Akihiko and Mitsuru are currently looking into." The blonde-haired woman said as next to her, a blue-haired female, her hair a different shade of hair than that of the blue-green haired female, who the blonde woman had identified as 'Fuuka', smiled and spoke up.

"I'm sure Akihiko and Mitsuru will find what we're looking for, Aigis. Relax, sister. They've yet to steer us wrong, don'tcha think?" The light blue-haired woman said to the blonde-haired woman, or 'Aigis' as she'd called her, absently running a mechanical hand gently through the fur of the white-furred Shiba Inu who was only wearing a white and orange hooded sweater with little wings attached to the shoulders while currently relaxing next to her, his head gently resting in her lap.

But judging from the smile on her face as she petted the Shiba Inu, the light blue-haired woman didn't seem to mind him resting his head in her lap at all. In a nearby recliner, a brown haired young man with brown eyes sighed as he shook his head fondly, his arms crossed over his chest as he spoke up, being careful not to wrinkle his mostly black attire, with the exception of a white belt around his trenchcoat that he wore closed over what would have revealed a dark grey muscle shirt, which would be the only other article of his clothing that wasn't black, since he even had black boots on.

"That's true, Labrys-san. But we can't afford to get complacent, either. After all, most of us saw what happened when we made that mistake close to eleven years ago. One of us literally paid the ultimate price for that mistake. And to make matters worse, he paid that price to protect me, despite the fact I tried to kill him right before that. Heh, but at least Koromaru seems to be enjoying himself in your lap, the silly lapdog that he's become nowadays." The brown-haired young man said to the light-blue haired girl, or 'Labrys' as he'd called her, who smiled and kept petting the head of the Shiba Inu in her lap, or 'Koromaru' as the brown-haired young man had addressed him while she spoke up, her free hand subconsciously smoothing down the front of the white schoolgirl's shirt she wore with a yellow kerchief around the neck and a grey skirt, smiling at the brown-haired young man as she spoke.

"Good point, Ken-kun. But you can't blame yourself for Shinjiro-san's sacrifice. He knew his days were numbered, so he chose to go out in the most heroic way possible, not unlike how Chidori-san gave her own life to save Junpei-kun's. If you ask me, the fact they were so willing to sacrifice themselves for others would hafta go a long way in showing how sincere they were in doing the right thing in the end." Labrys said to the brown-haired young man, or 'Ken' as she'd called him, as Junpei winced and spoke up.

"That's true, Labrys. But at the same time, unlike Aragaki-senpai, Chidori was able to miraculously come back to life later, even if it seemingly came at the cost of her no longer having the same potential that she once did. I'm just as happy that she's alive. I don't care if I have to do all the fighting for the both of us. It's just sad that even though she survived, she chose to take a journey on her own and leave me behind. But I understand she needed a chance to think things through. So I choose to believe she'll return someday so I can tell her how I feel about her. Because as a wise person once said, 'If you truly love something, let it go. If it's meant to be, that something will find its way back to you.' As such, I choose to believe Chidori will find her way back to me someday." Junpei said as Yukari smiled and spoke up.

"That's actually really beautiful and sweet, Junpei. Who knew you had a mature, caring side to you? I'm actually impressed." Yukari said as the door opened up and a familiar voice spoke up with a nod.

"I agree, Takeba. Iori has gotten rather mature over the past few years, if we're being honest. But then again, we've all grown a lot over the years. Some of us more than others." Mitsuru said as she and Akihiko walked into the room and took seats in the open spots on the round sofa the group occupied, Akihiko sitting in the open spot on Ken's left, and Mitsuru taking the open seat between Labrys and Aigis, being careful not to sit on Koromaru, who'd laid out next to Labrys, part of his body stretched out across the couch behind him, making it so that his hind legs rested near Mitsuru's left leg, making her smile as she gently patted Koromaru on the head and kept speaking.

"Heh, are you sprawled out on the couch like this because you're trying to get attention from Labrys again, Koromaru? You are such a silly boy. You're lucky you're also such a good boy, or I'd have to make you lay on the floor." Mitsuru said as Akihiko smiled and spoke up.

"Yes, well, Koromaru is still one of our most efficient fighters against Shadows. I still remember the time he killed a lot of Shadows, I think it was two dozen Shadows, with one attack during an operation. I believe Koromaru to be a truly formidable and talented fighter, despite him getting up there a bit in years." Akihiko said as Koromaru lifted his head to wag his tongue a bit and bark happily at Akihiko before laying his head back on the lap of an amused Labrys, who smiled in amusement at the antics of the dog in her lap as she spoke up while lightly patting Koromaru on the head.

"Yes, Koromaru. You heard your name. You're just turning into a big ol' adorable lapdog these days, aintcha? Not that I mind, since you are such a good boy." Labrys said happily as she kept gently scratching behind Koromaru's ears, getting a content-sounding yet soft 'woof' from him in response, making Fuuka giggle as she spoke up.

"Heh, the dynamic you and Aigis have with Koro-chan is so adorable, Labrys. All that's missing are Aragaki and Min-err, I mean our senpai, and the whole crew would be here." Fuuka said as Akihiko smiled and spoke up.

"True, they should both be here right now. But both of them knew what they were doing and chose to go out like heroes and men instead of being cowards. So we should be respecting their heroic sacrifices. Especially Minato. If not for him being willing to lay down his very life to seal Nyx away, who knows where any of us would be right now?" Akihiko said as the others nodded and Mitsuru spoke up.

"Well said, Akihiko. But anyways, let me take this chance to fill the rest of you in on what we've discovered recently. You see, Akihiko and I have evidence that suggests the Phantom Thieves are making headway towards going after Akira Konoe. Though whether or not it's a revenge play, or if they've decided to make him their next target, remains unclear. But either way, if they can defeat Akira Konoe and change his heart, we might be at a point where we have to accept Narukami's proposal of joining forces for the purpose of putting the Phantom Thieves to the ultimate test.

It would seem that when Narukami's group confronted part of the Phantom Thieves, his group was actually bested in a series of one-on-one bouts. Apparently, he made the mistake of underestimating the one called Draconis, who managed to effortlessly lead half of the Phantom Thieves to victory over Narukami's group while the other half rested. So if they can change Konoe's heart, they could make formidable foes for us to test our strength against." Mitsuru said as Akihiko smirked and spoke up, punching his fist into his open palm in excitement as he spoke.

"Heh, I look forward to it if that happens. I've been meaning to test my skills against Draconis. Speaking of which, his voice on that broadcast earlier reminded me a lot of a certain other young man that Ken, Koromaru, and I ran into during a run we did through a park in Kyoto last week while training." Akihiko said as Ken spoke up.

"Ahh, you mean Amamiya-san the youngest, correct? I still can't believe he was alone on his own birthday. I'm sure the other members of his group were either asleep or possibly busy, but how often does that happen? And on one's 20th birthday, no less? At least Koromaru took a pretty instantaneous liking to him." Ken said as Koromaru lightly gave off a 'Woof!' of agreement while relaxing on the lap of an amused Labrys. Akihiko then spoke up.

"Good point. Amamiya the youngest was being pretty nice to Koromaru. I think he might be a dog and/or cat person, but I can't prove that just now." Akihiko said as Labrys spoke up.

"So, are we agreed that if it comes to it, we'll help Yu-kun and the others test the Phantom Thieves' mettle, then? Because I believe Yu-kun said that the Phantom Thieves outnumber his group roughly 2 to 1. And with our groups put together, we have a total of 16 battlers with myself included, as well as excluding Fuuka-san, due to her only being a navigator, rather than a fighter-navigator hybrid like both Rise-san and the Phantom Thief called Oracle, who are both navigators and fighters." Labrys said as Mitsuru nodded and spoke up.

"Exactly, Labrys. I'm curious to see what these Phantom Thieves can do. Also, I heard from Narukami that the Phantom Thieves have a member of their ranks called Violet who can use a rapier. And from the description that Narukami gave me of each of the Thieves, I have a feeling I've seen 'Violet', as she calls herself, before. But I can't quite put my finger on where I could've seen her." Mitsuru said as Aigis spoke up.

"Does it really matter? I believe we will find out who they really are ourselves once we meet them, Mitsuru-san. So I say we help Narukami's group out. Sure, we're also helping my sister out by doing so, but I don't think that's a big deal." Aigis said as Junpei spoke up.

"Heh, a chance to fight other Persona-users? Sounds fun! Count me in. Hopefully, these Phantom Thieves won't end up like those Strega pricks. Those two were bad news. I almost said those three, but then I remembered Chidori was one of them, and stopped myself." Junpei said as the others nodded their agreement, deciding to help Yu's group out if it came to it, letting their conversation devolve to more light-hearted topics while both Aigis and Labrys both gave Koromaru a lot of affection and head pats/tummy rubs, making Koromaru a very happy and very content doggo as he let his tongue loll out to the side of his mouth, looking dreamily content at the attention that the two robot girls were giving him as the group kept planning out their next move...

(At the same time, in the Osaka Jail with Joker, Mona, Skull, Panther, Fox, Queen, Oracle, Noir, Crow, Violet, Draconis, Seeker, Pendragon, Flare, Wolf, Seraphim, and Auburn)

After safely landing in the Osaka Jail, Mona spoke up with a determined look on his face.

"All right, is everybody ready?" Mona asked as Queen spoke up with a frown.

"Yep. So this is the final battle. Let's change Konoe's heart and put an end to this." Queen said as Crow spoke up.

"Bold of you to assume that this will be the final battle, Queen. After all, we still have to confirm that Konoe-san is in fact the mastermind. The only thing we know for sure is that he was the one who framed us for murder. That doesn't necessarily prove that he's been behind everything, though." Crow said as Draconis spoke up.

"Perhaps, but at the same time, it doesn't change the fact that Konoe is a very messed up piece of work that needs a change of heart badly. I think he did have good intentions at first, but simultaneously, he lost sight of himself somewhere along the way and got consumed with his desire for his 'justice' and started confusing revenge with it. I think we need to get through to him if we can and show him the difference between those two things." Draconis said as Seraphim nodded and spoke up.

"Yeah, I agree with Draconis. We should try to help Konoe see the error of his ways if we can. I know that both Wolf and Auburn have their reasons for wanting him to pay, but surely they're not out for blood over it?" Seraphim said as Panther spoke up.

"Seraphim's right! We can change Konoe's heart! With that being said, let's give it everything we've got!" Panther said as Joker spoke up.

"If that's the case, then let's assemble the groups for this fight. In Group A, which I will lead, will be myself, Violet, Wolf, and Auburn. In Group B, which Draconis will lead, will be Draconis, Seeker, Mona, and Pendragon. In Group C, which Queen will lead, will be Queen, Fox, Skull, and Seraphim. Finally, in Group D, which Crow will lead, will be Crow, Noir, Panther, and Flare. As usual, Oracle will act as our navigator and be the go-between for our groups. Any questions?" Ren asked as Oracle spoke up.

"There may be a chance that I want to take a shot at Konoe. Just to give everyone a heads up." Oracle said as Joker smirked and spoke up.

"That's fine, Oracle. Assuming there are no other objections, let's get to the top of that castle and change Konoe's heart." Joker said and with no one voicing any other objections, the group fast-traveled to Abeno Haretas to start rushing towards the castle. Once inside, the group saw the chain that led down from the birdcage, making Oracle smirk and speak up.

"Okay, the lock opened just like we thought! Now let's make our way up those chains and confront Konoe!" Oracle said as the group ran up the chain to get into the birdcage, where they found the Shadow of Akira Konoe, who was in his normal clothes from when the group last saw him in Sendai waiting for them in the center of the room. Skull spoke up as soon as the group saw Konoe's Shadow waiting for them.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, ya goateed prick!" Skull said as Panther spoke up.

"We're here to straighten out that crooked heart of yours!" Panther said as Joker spoke up.

"I hope you're prepared, Konoe." Joker said as Draconis spoke up.

"Because it's time to show you the error of your ways. And hopefully we can change your heart with only minimal struggle involved, but I'm fully expecting this to be a battle." Draconis said as Konoe's Shadow slowly turned to face the group, a sinister smirk on his face as he spoke up.

"Well, well, if it isn't the infamous Phantom Thieves of Hearts! So you've come. I must say, it is an honor to welcome the terrorists who toy with others' hearts in the name of their self-righteous justice." Konoe's Shadow said as Crow spoke up with a frown.

"Terrorists!? You've got some nerve calling us that, Konoe! If anyone's a terrorist here, it's you!" Crow said as Fox spoke up with a nod.

"Crow's right! As if you've any right to talk, Konoe! You, who repeatedly takes control of whomever you please!" Fox said as Oracle stamped her foot and spoke up.

"And what's even worse is that you tried to pass us off as a buncha killers. You're the real bad guy here!" Oracle said in annoyance as Konoe's Shadow chuckled and spoke up.

"Hmph. So you say. However, it seems that none of you have realized just how similar we are." Konoe's Shadow said as Mona spoke up in confusion.

"What did you say!?" Mona said as Draconis spoke up with a frown, his eyes narrowing under his helmet while he spoke.

"He called us similar, Mona. But never mind that. How dare you try to say we're the same as you, Konoe!? Yes, it is true that you had similar circumstances to some of us growing up, but in no way does that justify ANY of what you've done recently! We might have made our share of mistakes, but at least none of us have EVER taken control of people, much less tried to pass other people off as murderers or spew lies about others." Draconis said dryly, his eyes narrowed in annoyance. Konoe's Shadow spoke up with a smirk.

"So you say, Phantom Thief. We're one and the same, though. We both detest this rotten society, and struggle day after day to change it. With our power to change hearts, we strive to incite change among the masses." Konoe's Shadow said as Queen spoke up with a frown on her face.

"What!? Don't kid yourself. There's no way you're the same as us." Queen said as Pendragon frowned and spoke up.

"What Queen said! If anything, you're just a power-hungry scumbag on the same level as the likes of Masayoshi Shido! You both viewed yourselves as heroes who would guide the population into the future with your vision, yet all you did was try to use the Phantom Thieves as scapegoats to engineer your rise to fame and glory! But in the end, all you really accomplished was ensuring that both of you would have your hearts personally changed by us! So quit trying to say that you're the same as us!" Pendragon said as Noir frowned and spoke up.

"Pendragon's right! Also, we know all about your past. It must have been terrible for you, but still! What you're doing now makes you no better than a common criminal!" Noir said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"I change hearts in order to exterminate the evils of this world. Are we not essentially the same?" Konoe's Shadow said as Draconis spoke up.

"Maybe in that we both have similar aims, we're alike. But when it comes down to it, I think we have a vastly different idea of what we consider the 'evils of this world', as you put it. Sure, your intentions are admirable, but at the end of the day, all you're doing is making yourself no better than the evils you strive to eliminate! I can empathize with your desire to make this world a better place, but are you really going about it the right way, Konoe-san!?" Draconis said firmly but gently. Konoe's Shadow spoke up with a frown.

"Perhaps, but unlike you, my way of changing hearts is no different than your own. I'm simply introducing a system to keep things in order. And by creating Monarchs, I'm ensuring that everything plays out according to plan." Konoe's Shadow said as Crow frowned and spoke up.

"What? Creating Monarchs was part of your plan?" Crow asked as a confused Mona spoke up.

"What are you talking about, Konoe? You're not making any sense right now!" Mona said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up with a smirk.

"Of course you're confused. Allow me to explain. When the cognitive world revealed itself to me, I took it as an act of divine revelation. It was my birthright to change this godforsaken planet." Konoe's Shadow said as Violet and Joker spoke up.

"WHAT!?" Violet and Joker said as Crow spoke up.

"Your birthright!? Are you out of your mind?" Crow asked as Flare spoke up.

"I agree with Crow! Changing this planet isn't a birthright! It's something that all people have the power to do if they care enough to put in the effort for it." Flare said as Violet nodded and spoke up.

"Exactly! I get that you think you have to take it upon yourself to find the strength to change the planet, but that's not true! One man cannot change the planet on their own, no matter how strong they are!" Violet said as Konoe's Shadow chuckled and spoke up.

"Precisely. I cannot change this planet on my own. However, with the cognitive world in my grasp to augment my power, I could wipe all evil from the face of the earth. And unlike you, I would not waste such an incredible gift. But in order to see that dream realized, I needed a world that could be controlled." Konoe's Shadow said as a surprised and confused Oracle spoke up.

"Controlled? What do you mean?" Oracle asked as Konoe's Shadow smiled at the question before he spoke up with a smirk.

"Simple, really. I needed a world that would allow me to erase even the slightest traces of evil from people's subconscious minds. To that end, I required something that could reach everyone and bring them to submission. Yes, it seems that AI was the solution to that problem." Konoe's Shadow said as the group gave him shocked looks as Violet and Seeker both spoke up at the same time.

"AI!?" Violet and Seeker asked as Konoe's Shadow nodded and spoke up.

"Exactly! Thus, the next step was to acquire EMMA, and have it learn more about cognitive psience at the research lab in Okinawa. The end results were the Jails created by EMMA, unique cognitive worlds in which no heart, no matter how cold, could resist being changed." Konoe's Shadow said as a wide-eyed Skull spoke up.

"FOR REAL!? You're sayin' EMMA made the Jails!?" Skull asked as Mona spoke up in realization.

"Aha! So that's why the Jails were left standing even after we defeated the Monarchs." Mona said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up with a smirk.

"Basically. The Jails aren't perfect, mind you. A Jail's area of effect only covers roughly one city. Peculiar how such phenomenal power has such limited range. In order to change the hearts of all of humanity, I needed nothing short of an army of Monarchs. So I began gathering pawns. Powerless, lamenting puppets who felt as hopeless on this earth as I once did." Konoe's Shadow said as Auburn and Seraphim both spoke up in horror.

"PAWNS!?" Seraphim and Auburn said as the latter kept speaking.

"Is that all you see the Monarchs as, Konoe? You think of them as mere pawns!? How sick are you!? Those Monarchs are people too, you know! And some of them even have families that might have been suffering because of your decision to turn those people into Monarchs! Did you ever stop to consider that when making this plan of yours!?" Auburn said as Seraphim spoke up.

"That's right. You're saying that you want to make the world a better place, but the way you're going about this is all wrong. You're using other people's pain as stepping stones for you to rise to the top. Have you not even thought once about the consequences of your actions!?" Seraphim said Konoe's Shadow spoke up with a scoff.

"Does it really matter? I found the pawns I needed and gave them Monarch powers. And do you know what happens when you grant people like that the power to change hearts? They welcome their newfound power with open arms. And by using EMMA to guide them, keeping them under control was a menial task. With the Monarchs I'd personally selected, I could change the hearts of the festering rabble that calls this rotten place home. With the Monarchs at my command, I could change the heart of anyone who dares step out of line. That was the endgame, Operation Oraculi." Konoe's Shadow said as Draconis spoke up with wide eyes.

"WHAT!? That's the project that Shuzo Ubukata gave his life to try and stop!? Do you have any idea how many people were torn up and devastated by his passing once the news of it broke? Practically the whole of Kukojima's population was devastated that he died! And as if that wasn't bad enough, your experiments caused an entire village's population to change their hearts, which almost ended in the deaths of four innocent people who happened to be vacationing there at the time. Luckily for them, and for us, we were able to save them from being caught in a catastrophe, or who knows what could've happened?" Draconis said as Konoe's Shadow sneered and spoke up.

"SO WHAT!? I was on the verge of achieving my ambitions and making this godforsaken planet into a utopia! But then you Phantom Thieves had to show up and ruin everything." Konoe's Shadow said as Mona frowned and spoke up.

"I see what's going on here. We managed to find a weakness in your plan. And so when we started taking down Jails, you got scared that your plan would fail. And that's why you used the police and turned Auburn into a Monarch. It was all an attempt to stop us." Mona said as Crow spoke up.

"Too bad for him, his plan was doomed to fail from the start. And it's all thanks to Wolf's show of decency, courage, and selflessness when he knowingly marched into mortal peril to not only rescue us, but his own daughter as well from a grisly outcome. The fact that he managed to awaken to the same powers as us is both irrelevant and coincidental to my point." Crow said as Draconis spoke up.

"Right!? Not to mention his failed attempt to slow us down with that phony-ass barrier that needed six Jails to be cleared to get past. Too bad for him, there was a sixth Jail in Yongen that we were able to clear easily. And it's a good thing we did, too! Because if we hadn't, I don't think we would have Seraphim or Auburn with us right now!" Draconis said firmly as Seraphim and Auburn nodded their agreement as Konoe's Shadow spoke up again.

"So be it! Even if my plans have suffered multiple setbacks at this point, it's not too late. I can still overcome these obstacles and begin anew." Konoe's Shadow said as Pendragon spoke up with a disapproving expression on his face.

"Is that a fact? I think that's a bullshit plan." Pendragon said as Joker nodded and spoke up.

"I agree with Pendragon! But also, I highly doubt a plan like that is gonna save anyone." Joker said gently but firmly. Konoe's Shadow smirked and spoke up.

"Heh, is that right? You're still so naive. But, eventually, even the likes of you will come to understand. Fight all you want, but the most you can do is change the hearts of a scant few. Don't you see that my way is far more efficient?" Konoe's Shadow said as Queen frowned and spoke up.

"Oh, so everything will be fine as long as you're the one making all the decisions? Who do you think you are, some kind of god?" Queen said as Skull frowned and spoke up in annoyance.

"Queen's right! You're just forcin' your ideas on everyone else!" Skull said as Konoe's Shadow frowned and spoke up.

"Bah! What foolish logic. So when you change people's hearts, it's right, but when someone else does it, it's wrong? I've built an entire infrastructure for changing hearts. What was impossible for you, I have made a reality. As a hero, I will reign over the whole world with infallible justice." Konoe's Shadow said as Crow spoke up.

"Infallible justice? You? Don't make me laugh. You are far from being an infallible person, Akira Konoe." Crow said as Wolf spoke up with a nod.

"Crow's right! But more to the point, you used my daughter for this ridiculous idea of yours!? Auburn was just an innocent young woman! Everyone you'd made a Monarch had some form of trauma, but you treated them like tools, and even toyed with their lives. You don't know the first thing about justice!" Wolf said as Konoe's Shadow frowned and spoke up.

"Is that so? Then, do you believe you could've saved me?" Konoe's Shadow said as Panther spoke up in confusion.

"HUH?" Panther asked as Konoe's Shadow kept speaking, seemingly unfazed by the rebukes that Crow and Wolf had thrown at him.

"Let's say you had been around back then. Could you have saved me from my father? I had nowhere to run. I was just a scared, helpless child left to suffer by himself. Well? Could you really have saved me? Even now, there are surely others being brought up in the same hell that I was. And yet you've done nothing to help them." Konoe's Shadow said as Queen sputtered and spoke up.

"Well, that's different!" Queen said as Draconis spoke up in a hardened tone of voice.

"That's unfair to throw that sort of 'what-if' hypothetical horse shit at us, Konoe! Sure, if we were around then and heard that you were suffering, we could've at least given it a fighting chance to save you from your father. But at the end of the day, all we can do is give it our best shot. Can we guarantee that we would have saved you? No. But would we try our best to do so? Absolutely!

However, what you seem to fail to realize is that even though you undoubtedly had it extremely bad growing up, you could've chosen to use that experience to try to make the lives of others better. Instead, what you did was use your trauma as a crutch to justify you behaving like an out-and-out douchebag! Sure, I'll agree that your father was human scum as well, but is that really reason enough for you to decide to stoop to his level, Konoe-san?" Draconis said bluntly to Konoe's Shadow, who scoffed and spoke up with a frown on his face, the expression on his face as he spoke indicating that Draconis had struck a nerve with his comparing Konoe's Shadow to his father.

"So you say, but that sounds like an excuse to me! You only destroy the evils you happen to come across, but you'll never save everyone. Me, however? I have the power to change the entire world. No one will ever have to suffer as I did ever again. And to do that, you need something beyond what the Phantom Thieves can offer. You need more than just some childish heroic fantasy." Konoe's Shadow said as Oracle sputtered and spoke up.

"But that's not justice! All you're doing is brainwashing everyone! You're taking away their freedom, who they are!" Oracle said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up angrily.

"And what's the difference!? Both of us change the hearts of others against their will, so how am I any different from you!?" Konoe's Shadow asked as Crow spoke up.

"Unlike you Konoe, we only change the hearts of those who actually NEED to be changed! Also, we don't force a change of heart onto others unless the target is a truly corrupt and rotten individual who would only suffer and/or cause suffering to others if their heart was left unchanged. But other than such extreme examples, we try to leave it up to the people to change their own hearts when possible. And unlike you, we don't use our suffering and pain as a crutch to justify criminal behavior!" Crow said as Seeker got a confused look on her face and spoke up.

"Uhh, are we really that different from Konoe, you guys?" Seeker asked as Mona turned to her and spoke up.

"Of course we are, Lady Seeker! We fight for what's right, and we don't force a change of heart onto others! Also, unlike Konoe, we don't use innocents as pawns to further our agenda!" Mona said as Seeker nodded and spoke up.

"Never mind what I just said. You're absolutely right, Mona. Still, don't you understand, Konoe?" Seeker asked as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"What are you talking about, you little red-headed brat? And why the hell are you dressed like a walking marshmallow?" Konoe's Shadow asked and just as Violet was about to angrily speak up regarding the comment that Konoe just made, Seeker spoke up with a frown.

"Never mind why I dress the way I do! We're talking about you! And for you, changing someone's heart means imprisoning them. But for the Phantom Thieves, it means setting them free. You may steal Desires like them, but the Phantom Thieves give people hope. Maybe you don't realize it. But I think, deep down, you know you're nothing like them at all." Seeker said as Violet smiled and spoke up.

"You tell him, sweetie! I'm so proud of you, Seeker." Violet said as Konoe's Shadow growled and spoke up.

"I see. It seems there's little point in discussing this further. If we can't reach an understanding, then only one side can remain. It's time to decide which of us truly walks the path of justice!" Konoe's Shadow said as the doors behind him opened up at that moment, slowly revealing a giant mech behind the doors, which Konoe's Shadow marched towards as he kept speaking, ignoring the shocked gasps of the Phantom Thieves behind him as he spoke.

"There aren't any real heroes left in this world. So, if that's the case, then why not make our own?" Konoe's Shadow said as a flight of energy steps appeared in front of him leading up to the cockpit of the giant mech, causing the sounds of epic rock music to start playing in the background as he started ascending towards the mech, continuing to speak as he did so. *1*

"The world needs someone willing to fight for its people's justice." Konoe's Shadow said wisely as flashes of energy started preceding his body gradually being replaced with a suit of metallic armor with black undersides as he kept speaking.

"A hero to unify them and to lead them. A HERO LIKE ME!" Konoe's Shadow said, as his entire body was covered in black and silver armor, complete with a silver helmet with a Roman-looking crown on top of the helmet as he stretched his arms out imposingly. Draconis frowned and spoke up.

"A hero like you, you say!? I have to respectfully call bullshit on that! If you were truly a hero as you say you are, you wouldn't have let your past corrupt your heart and make you consumed by anger, jealousy, and all other manner of negative emotions. Right now, all you are is a warped, pathetic man who needs a wake-up call! Luckily for you, waking up sad-sacks like you is the specialty of the Phantom Thieves! And as for that giant walking tin-can of yours? So friggin' what? We'll take that thing out too while we're at it!" Draconis snapped as Crow spoke up.

"Uhh, Draconis? You do realize that's a giant freaking MECH, right!? Even with all of us together, that's not gonna be an easy foe to topple." Crow said as Skull spoke up.

"Perhaps, but even so, if Joker could defeat a friggin' god by shooting it in the damn face, we can take this guy down if we work together." Skull said as Auburn spoke up.

"You said it. I don't care if I have to trash his machine first, he's going to fall just the same." Auburn said as Wolf smirked and spoke up

"So what if you have a giant mech, Konoe!? We've got justice on our side! And more importantly, we have an unbreakable resolve!" Wolf said as the group formed up on Wolf as Pendragon spoke up

"Wolf's right! We're not scared of your giant tin can! You say you're a hero, but so what? All I see is a scared little man hiding behind an overgrown toy to try and overpower us!" Pendragon said as Joker spoke up.

"If changing your heart means we have to take on the role of hero slayers in this instance, then so be it! Prepare yourself, Konoe! We're going to save you from yourself, even if we have to destroy your mech to do it!" Joker said as Konoe's Shadow smirked and spoke up from the cockpit of the mech.

"Heh, show me what you've got, Phantom Thieves! And you say you're hero slayers? Well, if I'm the hero, then I would say that makes ALL OF YOU the villains here!" Konoe's Shadow said as he prepared to face the group as Draconis scoffed and spoke up.

"So what!? If you insist on being the hero, we'll have to snap you out of your delusion! Now bring it on and face us already!" Draconis said as a fight started! As the fight started, Konoe's Shadow spoke up from the cockpit of his mech.

"I am the enforcer of righteousness! The hero who will purge the wicked from every corner of the globe! Prepare yourselves, Phantom Thieves, and watch as I shatter your illusory sense of justice with my own two hands!" Konoe's Shadow said as Skull groaned and spoke up.

"Oh, come on! Why do the main villains always have some sort of gimmick, like a giant mech!?" Skull said as Oracle nodded and spoke up as Joker and the others had to dodge as Konoe's Shadow fired a barrage of bullets from the chest of the mech.

"Careful, guys! I'm getting major energy spikes from that thing!" Oracle said as Draconis muttered what sounded like 'that's rather bold of Skull to assume we're dealing with the main villain here' under his breath while Panther spoke up.

"Wow, that thing even looks super-powered!" Panther said as Wolf scoffed and spoke up.

"It looks like a giant kid's toy to me. I can't say I'm big on doing this, but we have to do what we have to do. If we're gonna do this, then let's give it everything we've got!" Wolf said as Draconis spoke up.

"Right behind ya! Let's show this jerk that his giant mech won't change anything!" Draconis said as the fight kept going! As the group moved around, Konoe's Shadow spoke up from the cockpit of what Oracle had identified as the 'Zephyrus Mech'.

"Let the hammer of justice fall on you villains!" Konoe's Shadow said as he primed a fist that fired a rocket punch, making a wide-eyed Skull speak up.

"Shiiiit, he's got a rocket pun-" Skull said as Queen tackled him out of the way of the incoming attack as she spoke up.

"Skull, look out! Get out of the way!" Queen said as the rocket punch flew past where Skull had been standing. As Queen helped Skull up, Konoe spoke up.

"All guns, open fire! Leave nothing left!" Konoe's Shadow said as the guns on the 'Zephyrus Mech' fired and forced the group to scatter as Panther spoke up.

"Whoa, they're following us!?" Panther asked as Oracle spoke up with wide eyes.

"Those are homing missiles! Think you guys can shake em!?" Oracle asked as Draconis spoke up.

"No problem, Oracle! Leave it to us!" Draconis said as he, Crow, Wolf, and Pendragon nimbly raced around the arena, leading the missiles around until they all backflipped out of the way and caused the missiles to crash into each other, making them blow up harmlessly behind the group as Konoe's Shadow frowned and spoke up from the cockpit of his mech.

"All weapons at maximum firepower, dammit! After all, justice will always prevail against evil!" Konoe's Shadow said as Crow sneered and spoke up.

"Very funny. I believe that's OUR line, Konoe!" Crow said as Oracle spoke up.

"Steer clear, everyone! You don't want to get hit by that!" Oracle said as Mona spoke up from where he and Seeker were trying to keep the 'Zephyrus Mech' busy.

"There's gotta be an opening somewhere! Just focus on avoiding him for now." Mona said as Skull ended up noticing a few familiar guns around the arena as he spoke up with a smirk.

"Hey, those guns look familiar, yeah? How 'bout we use them and give that asswipe a little shock?" Skull said as Wolf spoke up.

"That could work, but be careful! Those things are lethal, but it takes a minute for them to fire. You're gonna have to time this carefully." Wolf said bluntly as Crow and Draconis exchanged a look before both nodded and Draconis spoke up.

"Joker! You keep the others down here and keep that mech busy on the ground level! Crow and I will take this to the upper level and try to use the guns against him! We're our best marksmen, so that means that the two of us are the best shot we have at pulling this off!" Draconis said decisively as Crow nodded and spoke up.

"Draconis is right. And those guns might be our best bet at overpowering that oversized hunk of junk!" Crow said as Joker nodded and spoke up.

"Go! But be careful, both of you!" Joker said firmly as Crow and Draconis nodded before leaping up to man the guns. While they darted from gun to gun, each darting a different way, the 'Zephyrus Mech' eventually froze in place as Oracle spoke up.

"Guys! The enemy's stopped moving! It's overheated!" Oracle said as Fox spoke up with a frown while looking towards the closest rail gun, which happened to be manned by Draconis.

"Now's our chance! Shoot him down!" Fox said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"You got it, Fox! OI, KONOE! EAT THIS!" Draconis said as he took aim at the glowing circle in the torso of the 'Zephyrus Mech' and fired the gun, scoring a direct hit to the core of the mech, which hit the ground and took a bit to get up as Skull grunted and spoke up.

"Damn, he's tough! There's gotta be a rule about bringing a giant robot to a fight, right?" Skull said as Draconis smirked and spoke up.

"Yep. They're right there next to the rule about using power to make one's enemies psychotic." Draconis said teasingly as Crow huffed and spoke up.

"Oh, shut up and bite me! At least I don't use that power anymore, Draconis." Crow said, but before Draconis could fire back a playful retort, Konoe's Shadow spoke up from the cockpit of the 'Zephyrus Mech'.

"Surrender, Phantom Thieves! Submit to my justice or die! I am the hero in this story. I will create a world without evil!" Konoe's Shadow said as Panther spoke up.

"Yeah? Well, you'll be creating one without hopes or dreams, too! It's not right!" Panther said as Oracle spoke up.

"Panther's right! No way am I gonna let you use Mom's research for that!" Oracle said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up from the cockpit of his mech.

"SHUT UP! I will purge all traces of evil from this world! None will be left standing!" Konoe's Shadow said as he used his mech to fire all of his weapons at maximum power again just as Seraphim spoke up.

"That's big talk coming from someone who also has evil intentions. How will you be able to tell who is good or bad?" Seraphim said as she fired multiple arrows from her bow at the 'Zephyrus Mech' all while Auburn did the same with her Arcane Guns as she spoke up.

"Everyone's bound by their own choices. It is up to each of them to decide what's good and what's bad. You are too blind to realize that, Konoe!" Auburn said as Flare spoke up.

"We will open your eyes to the truth of the matter, and make you see the error of your ways." Flare said as she used Hester to launch a Nuclear spell at the 'Zephyrus Mech', which ended up dealing serious damage just as Konoe's Shadow grunted as he spoke up.

"Ngh, you are doing a lot of damage! You pests! Move, my vessel of justice!" Konoe's Shadow said as Oracle spoke up.

"He's down again, guys! It's go time!" Oracle said as Crow nodded and spoke up.

"My turn. TIME TO KNOCK YOU DOWN A PEG, KONOE-SAN!" Crow said as he fired the gun he was manning, scoring another direct hit to the torso of the mech. Konoe's Shadow then snarled and spoke up inside the mech.

"Give it up! Your little group could never hope to accomplish what I could. This is a necessity. The world needs a new system to enact justice! It's the only way." Konoe's Shadow said as Queen spoke up.

"You'd be forcing that system on the rest of us, Konoe! You're no better than a dictator!" Queen said as Violet winced and spoke up.

"No, Queen, he's worse than a dictator! I hate to say it, but Konoe-san's almost as warped as Doctor Maruki was before we changed his heart!" Violet said as Pendragon spoke up.

"Maruki was that doctor who came to the cafe once, right? Even so, I'm not sure that I agree with you saying that he and Konoe are the same sort of person, Violet?" Pendragon said as Joker ignored Pendragon's question to frown at Violet as he spoke up.

"That's kind of an insult to Doctor Maruki though, don't you think, beautiful?" Joker said as Violet spoke up.

"Not really, Joker. And Pendragon, to acknowledge what you said, it's more of him having similar goals to Doctor Maruki, to be fair." Violet said as Pendragon nodded his understanding before Noir frowned and spoke up.

"Violet-chan's not wrong, Joker! If Konoe's plans succeed, we'd all just be told how to live without making any decisions for ourselves, similar to how the actualizations that Doctor Maruki offered us worked. I won't go back to that!" Noir said as Skull gasped and spoke up as the 'Zephyrus Mech' revealed it had rocket boosters under its feet that it used to lift itself up into the air.

"Oh, yo, holy shit! Is this thing for real!?" Skull said as Queen spoke up before Violet could reprimand him for cussing around Seeker.

"Seems like it. Maybe we could use the rails on the upper platforms to dodge the enemy's attacks?" Queen said as most of the group took to the upper rails, at which point the 'Zephyrus Mech' overheated again, allowing both Crow and Draconis to score a double shot to the mech's torso, knocking it to the ground as Noir spoke up after the group returned to the lower level minus Crow and Draconis.

"Nice, we shot him down!" Noir said as Seeker smiled and spoke up.

"Is this where we beat him up, then?" Seeker asked as Mona spoke up.

"Yes, that's right, Lady Seeker!" Mona said as the group started ganging up on the 'Zephyrus Mech' to rack up lots of damage, at which point the 'Zephyrus Mech' started sparking slightly as Konoe's Shadow spoke up from the cockpit.

"Ngh, this cannot be! No, not yet! I will not bend to evil villains like you, Phantom Thieves! I refuse!" Konoe's Shadow said as Fox spoke up.

"How unfortunate. Such an indomitable will, yet you've strayed so far from your path, Konoe-san." Fox said as Wolf snarled and spoke up.

"Still, no matter your reasons, you used an innocent young woman as a means to an end. I'll make you pay for that!" Wolf said as he swung his greatsword at the 'Zephyrus Mech', shocking Konoe's Shadow as cracks started appearing on the surface of the mech, making a shocked Konoe's Shadow speak up from in the cockpit.

"No, this is impossible! My armor!" Konoe's Shadow said as Draconis spoke up from behind the cockpit of one of the guns.

"Aww, what's the matter? Is your big bad mech about to fold under our teamwork, Konoe? Maybe you're starting to realize the truth? One can only hope so. But no matter, maybe this will show you the truth?" Draconis said as he hopped off the gun, primed his throwing knives, and spoke up.

"Everyone, get down! If I hit this shot, this should finish off his mech thanks to the ensuing chain reaction, but the backlash will be explosive, so I'd hit the deck now if you don't want to get caught in the blast." Draconis said as Auburn nodded and spoke up.

"I get what you're going for, Draconis. Go for it!" Auburn said as Flare spoke up.

"Just don't get yourself killed trying to play the hero, dammit!" Flare said as Seraphim spoke up.

"I think that Oracle will agree with me when I say that all of us can trust Draconis to not be that stupid." Seraphim said as the others nodded and dropped to the floor as Draconis leapt down, expertly tossing his throwing knives as he did so, and smirking as they landed in a perfect circle inside the core of the 'Zephyrus Mech', causing a chain reaction as the stabilizers gave out. As the mech started rumbling, a voice from the cockpit spoke up.

"DANGER! DAMAGE LEVEL CRITICAL! INITIATING SELF-DESTRUCT! PLEASE EVACUATE THE ZEPHYRUS MECH NOW!" Konoe's Shadow and the group heard as the latter spoke up with a frown on his face.

"NO! This cannot be happening! The hero can't lose, dammit! He must be victorious!" Konoe's Shadow said as the battle paused and he kept speaking while hitting buttons on the consoles in front of him.

"Work, dammit! WORK!" Konoe's Shadow said, feverishly trying to get the mech back on its feet, but to no avail as the auto-eject kicked in and ejected him from the cockpit of the 'Zephyrus Mech' right as it started glowing and eventually self-destructed in a giant burst of explosive force, causing the area to be bathed in a red glow as the group shielded their eyes. Eventually, the flash receded and everyone could see again, at which point Panther spoke up.

"Is that it?" Panther asked as the group looked around uncertainly, not sure of the answer. Eventually, a figure was seen walking out of the flaming wreckage of the Zephyrus Mech, right as the music changed. Draconis' eyes widened behind his helmet as he spoke up.

"That should be-No. NO EFFIN' WAY! DID HE SURVIVE THAT EXPLOSION!? WHAAAAT!?" Draconis said in shock as Konoe's Shadow walked out of the wreckage, completely unscathed, to the group's shock. Joker then spoke up.

"Yeah, sorry brother. I had a feeling that like with Shido, Konoe wouldn't be going down that easily." Joker said as Crow took a glance at Panther as he spoke up.

"Guess we're not through with him just yet, Panther." Crow said sagely as Pendragon spoke up.

"No matter. This is just Phase 2 of the fight, if anything." Pendragon said wisely as Skull nodded and spoke up.

"Right. So we gotta put him down one last time, then!" Skull said as Konoe's Shadow sneered at them under his helmet and brandished a giant energy sword just as Draconis' eyes went huge as he spoke up.

"Son of a-! Is that a friggin' energy sword!? Is this man trying to go all-out over here?" Draconis said as Oracle shrugged and spoke up before hitting a button to put the 'Al Azif' on auto-pilot for navigation as she brandished the hilt of her beam staff, hitting the button on the hilt to extend the energy beams to make the staff while she spoke.

"Dunno. But he's not the only one with an energy weapon around here!" Oracle said as Draconis nodded, brandishing his staff and standing with Oracle as Konoe's Shadow spoke up resolutely.

"COME ON, PHANTOM THIEVES! LET'S END THIS!" Konoe's Shadow said as the fight entered its next phase! As the next phase started, Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"A hero must stand his ground. He must not let evil overcome him!" Konoe's Shadow said as Mona frowned and spoke up.

"He may be our enemy, but you've gotta admire his determination." Mona said as Crow scoffed and spoke up.

"His determination, maybe. But we do not have to admire his mindset, that's for sure." Crow said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"Exactly! This man seriously thinks he's a friggin' hero! We need to make him open his eyes and see the truth of what his actions are doing! Regardless of what he's done to us, he's still also a victim of his own actions to a point at the end of the day. So it's the Phantom Thief way that we try to change his heart if possible. But if it's not possible, we save more extreme solutions for a last resort. Either way, let's finish this." Draconis said as Joker nodded his agreement as he and Wolf joined Crow, Draconis, and Oracle in the front of the group as the rest of the group formed up for the second phase, at which point Oracle spoke up.

"Yeah, well, mech or not? He's really taking it up a notch here! I've got the Al Azif on autopilot to provide me key information that I can relay as needed. Even so, watch your backs, guys!" Oracle said as Joker nodded and spoke up authoritatively.

"Got it. Everyone who's in a couple, watch your girlfriend's back! Mona, you watch Seeker's back! Pendragon, you stick close to Wolf and Fox! I agree with Draconis, we need to end this! Let's get him!" Joker said as the group charged in to start the second phase of the fight against Konoe's Shadow. As the fight started, the group noticed a lot of metallic debris littering the ground, making Skull frown as he spoke up.

"The hell is all this? This stuff drop from the robot?" Skull asked as Crow spoke up with a nod.

"That seems to be an apt observation to me, Skull. So I'd agree with that." Crow said as Seeker spoke up.

"Careful! Hitting those with enough force will cause them to explode." Seeker said as Mona smirked and spoke up.

"Oh? Those explode, do they? Good find, Lady Seeker! Let's see if we can use that to our advantage!" Mona said as the group nodded and kept a note of where the debris was located. As they did that, Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"You think you can keep up with me, huh? Let's see if you can keep up with this!" Konoe's Shadow said as Panther spoke up.

"Oracle, has your Persona gotten the analysis on Konoe yet?" Panther asked as Oracle spoke up, having now gotten an update from her Al Azif.

"I just got it, Panther. Ooh, interesting. Guys, listen up. Apparently, this guy is weak to Elec and Nuke, resists Psy, and nullifies Bless. Those latter two things are bad news for Noir, Pendragon, Violet, and Seeker! Luckily, all of them have other types of moves they can use, so that doesn't completely leave them incapable of fighting back. However, they can also be of use with support skills as well." Oracle said as Draconis dashed over to the downed arm after seeing Konoe's Shadow dart towards it, using his throwing knives to safely detonate the limb after backflipping away to land next to Oracle as the explosion tossed Konoe's Shadow backwards to the ground from the super-effective Nuclear strike. At that point, Oracle kept speaking.

"Ugh, that's some speed he has on him. Since when could he move like that!? That's gotta be cheating!" Oracle said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"Enough, dammit! Quit struggling! In the name of justice, I will vanquish all the evils of this world!" Konoe's Shadow said as Crow spoke up.

"Really? Are you still spewing those pointless platitudes, Konoe-san?" Crow asked as Pendragon spoke up.

"Of course he is, Crow. This man is 'committed to the bit', as they say nowadays." Pendragon said as Seraphim spoke up.

"I think you mean to say that he has some real 'commitment to the bit', which is how that saying actually goes. Otherwise, I agree wholeheartedly." Seraphim said as Auburn spoke up.

"Pretty sure both of those sayings work. But this isn't the time for arguing over the semantics of grammar! We need to finish this guy off!" Auburn said as Wolf nodded approvingly and spoke up.

"Well said, Auburn. Let's put an end to this!" Wolf said as the fight kept going. After a bit, Fox winced and spoke up while parrying more of Konoe's Shadow' sword strikes.

"Ngh, what terrifying swordsmanship!" Fox said as Violet nodded and spoke up, having ended up back-to-back with Fox while using her rapier to try and hold off Konoe's Shadow with Joker fighting close by, having his 'Seth' Persona fling Nuclear skills for all he was worth to try and whittle down Konoe's Shadow more.

"I agree wholeheartedly, Fox-senpai! This guy is tough! But then again, so are we!" Violet said as Mona shook his head and spoke up.

"That might be true, but don't just swing away at him, you guys! Pay careful attention to his movements!" Mona said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"It doesn't matter how much of a fight you put up! You will fall by my blade!" Konoe's Shadow said, slashing at the group, only for Oracle to use her beam staff to block the attack and push Konoe's Shadow back as a wide-eyed Skull spoke up.

"Holy shit, dude! Take it out on the wall or somethin'! Also, nice save, Oracle!" Skull said as Seeker spoke up.

"That may be possible, Skull. What if we lured Konoe's Shadow into the wreckage of his mech?" Seeker said as Mona smiled and spoke up.

"Ahh, I get it. You want us to try and use the wreckage of the Zephyrus Mech against Konoe's Shadow? Very clever, Lady Seeker." Mona said as Wolf spoke up.

"We get it. You're impressed with her, Mona. But is now REALLY the time to be simping!?" Wolf said as Crow spoke up.

"For Mona? I think there's no such thing as 'not the time for simping'." Crow said dryly as Mona blushed and spoke up.

"Shuddup! I was just complimenting Lady Seeker, that's all!" Mona said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"Urrgh! This won't be enough to stop me, you fools!" Konoe's Shadow said as Wolf spoke up.

"Oh, yeah? Is that a fact, Konoe? Maybe we should up the ante a bit, then, so to speak?" Wolf said as Pendragon spoke up.

"Upped the ante? What are you talking about, Wolf?" Pendragon said as Wolf spoke up.

"Yep, you heard me right, Pendragon. You see, while Draconis and I were writing Konoe's calling card, I was also thinking about the fight to come, and I had an idea come to me for a possible Triad Special. However, with some of the more slightly nuanced bits of this move, it would require very specific people helping me to pull it off." Wolf said as Auburn spoke up.

"Oh? And just who did you have in mind, Wolf?" Auburn asked as Wolf smirked and spoke up.

"Glad you asked, Auburn. If you're willing, I was hoping to enlist your help for this, in addition to the services of Queen, if she's willing." Wolf said honestly as Queen spoke up.

"If you need my help, you've got it, Wolf! Are you agreeable to this too, Auburn?" Queen asked as Auburn smiled and spoke up.

"Absolutely, Queen! Let's do this!" Auburn said as Wolf nodded while he spoke up in unison with Queen and Auburn.

"GO, TRIAD SPECIAL!" Wolf, Auburn, and Queen said as their Triad Special started! To start off the Triad Special, Wolf spoke up.

"COME, VALJEAN! LET'S RAISE THE ROOF!" Wolf said as Valjean whipped his chains, hoisting Konoe's Shadow into the air and summoning an array of weapons that were coated in Almighty energy as Auburn spoke up.

"OOH, THOSE LOOK NEAT! HOUDINI, LET'S GIVE THOSE WEAPONS OUR PERSONAL TOUCH!" Auburn said as Houdini nodded, waving his hand as both flames and darkness ran over each of the weapons, coating them in a mixture of Fire and Curse energy as Queen spoke up.

"AGNES! LET'S TEMPER THE INSTRUMENTS OF OUR WRATH!" Queen said as Agnes nodded while her eyes gave a flash of light blue, thereby causing Nuclear energy to surround the weapons, honing them and sharpening them as they formed into a trio of weapons, one being a greatsword, one being a pair of bladed fans, and the last being a pair of spiked knuckles. After the three equipped their respective weapons, Auburn spoke up.

"ARE YOU PREPARED, KONOE!? TIME TO PUNISH YOU FOR EVERYTHING YOU DONE!" Auburn said as Queen spoke up.

"YOU'VE BEEN WRONGING INNOCENTS FOR LONG ENOUGH! TIME TO GIVE YOU A TASTE OF THE PAIN YOU PUT OTHERS THROUGH!" Queen said as Wolf spoke up.

"IT'S TIME TO BRING YOU TO JUSTICE! READY, QUEEN? READY, AUBURN?" Wolf said as Queen and Auburn nodded as they spoke up together.

"READY!" Queen and Auburn said as all three spoke up as one.

"NOW! HAVE A TASTE OF OUR ATOMIC ONSLAUGHT!" Wolf, Auburn, and Queen said as they ran forward, swinging their respective weapons at Konoe's Shadow, pelting him with non-stop attacks and causing plenty of damage to his armor as Konoe's Shadow reeled from the attack as the Triad Special ended with an explosion of a mixture of Fire, Curse, Nuclear, and Almighty power where Wolf, Auburn, and Queen's weapons touched together. Once the Triad Special ended, Konoe's Shadow struggled to his feet and spoke up.

"Urgh! That was brutal! But don't think that's going to stop me! Now enlighten me, Phantom Thieves! What's the difference between me and those you saved? Why couldn't I be saved, too?" Konoe's Shadow asked as Draconis spoke up.

"Besides the fact that most of us weren't alive back then? We had no way to know you were suffering, Konoe! Despite what most might think, we Phantom Thieves are not perfect, nor are we mind readers! As for the difference between you and the others we've saved? Most of the others we've saved were people who had at least some humanity still in them! With you, it's hard to say if you still have that same humanity! But I can sense that you have at least a bit of decency left in you! However, in the end, only you can find the strength to change your ways and do what's right!" Draconis said as Flare spoke up with a nod.

"Draconis is right! You have to open your eyes, Konoe! Surely you must realize that your way of doing things is not the right way!" Flare said pleadingly as Konoe's Shadow spoke up with a derisive scoff.

"SO WHAT!? Regardless of whether my way is right or wrong, I will bring the world to a new era of righteousness! One that refuses to tolerate evil of any kind!" Konoe's Shadow said as Seeker winced and spoke up.

"This feeling I'm getting from Konoe's Shadow is so unsettling. This must be sadness." Seeker said as Mona spoke up.

"If I had to guess, you're probably picking up on Konoe's sadness, Lady Seeker. But that just makes you even more amazing, since you can empathize with others." Mona said as Noir smiled at Seeker and spoke up.

"Yes, this is sad, Seeker-chan. But that's exactly why we have to stop him. Before he makes any more mistakes." Noir said as the group exchanged attacks with Konoe's Shadow for a while, eventually leading to Konoe's Shadow being pushed back after a particularly solid counter attack from Oracle pushed him backwards as he spoke up.

"Why!? Why can't you share my vision!? I'm ridding the world of evil, just the same as you are! When you think about it, we're doing the same thing, Phantom Thieves!" Konoe's Shadow said as Mona frowned and spoke up with a shake of his head.

"You're wrong, Konoe. The Phantom Thieves would NEVER steal someone else's freedom." Mona said as Violet spoke up.

"And to answer your earlier question of why we can't share your vision, Konoe-san? We agree with your vision of making the world a better place. However, the difference is that unlike you, we can take that hard look inside of us and acknowledge our own failings and flaws. Simply put, we can stop those evils that we see, and those that are lying dormant inside of us. But it's not too late for you to open your eyes and accept your flaws and try to extinguish your own evil, Konoe!" Violet said as Joker spoke up.

"Violet's right. We don't want to fight you like this, but your actions leave us with no choice. We would gladly have saved you if we'd been around back then when you were being mistreated. But other than maybe Wolf and Pendragon, none of us were even alive back then. And even if we were, we would be far too young to be able to do anything to help you, since if any of us were alive, we would be only a year or two old at most." Joker said as Queen spoke up with a nod.

"Mona, Violet, and Joker are right, Konoe! You would sacrifice whoever it took to achieve your goal, much like a villain would do. In truth, I believe your father would've done the exact same." Queen said as Wolf spoke up while Konoe's Shadow gaped at Queen's words.

"Take a good look at all these guys have done, Konoe! Maybe then you'll see where you went wrong." Wolf said as Flare spoke up.

"Wolf's right! You need to look inside of yourself and accept the truth! Only then can you see what you need to do to become the hero you want to be!" Flare said gently but firmly as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"ENOUGH! How dare you compare me to my father!? If you won't listen to reason, then I'll have to put you down myself!" Konoe's Shadow said as he started darting around the wreckage, making a wide-eyed Queen speak up in horror.

"He's jumping at us from the wreckage! Watch out, here he comes!" Queen said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up while diving right at Queen to tackle her to the ground.

"Even if I lose my wings, the fire of justice will never fade!" Konoe's Shadow said as Draconis darted forward and pushed him away from Queen as he and Oracle raised their weapons in time to block the sword strikes he attempted to aim at them, Oracle using her beam staff to hold up Konoe's sword as Draconis hooked his staff around to try and pry the hilt of Konoe's beam sword from his hands, eventually managing to pop it free as Oracle's beam staff knocked it far away from Konoe's Shadow, making him gape as he spoke up.

"NO! My weapon!" Konoe's Shadow said as Oracle raced over to retrieve the weapon as Draconis spoke up, setting down his staff and assuming a ready stance as he heard Konoe's Shadow speak up.

"Ngh, this cannot be! I will not accept defeat, Phantom Thieves! I will go down giving this fight all I've got!" Konoe's Shadow said as Draconis spoke up.

"I couldn't agree more! If you're so confident in yourself, then let's see how you do in a hand-to-hand fight, Konoe!" Draconis said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"If you insist on making this a hand-to-hand brawl, then bring it on, dammit! The hero has to win, Phantom Thieves! Justice has to win!" Konoe's Shadow said as Draconis raised his hand towards Joker and the others to stand down, The others nodded in approval of relying on Draconis to finish this fight as the 'Kung Fu Dragon' spoke up.

"Justice will win! But not necessarily YOUR justice! You see, you think you're fighting for justice! But the truth is that you've lost your way, and as such, you need to be shown the error of your ways!" Draconis said as he threw a left hook at Konoe's Shadow, staggering him. Konoe's Shadow responded with a right hook that staggered Draconis, who responded with a leg sweep that knocked Konoe's Shadow off of his feet. Konoe's Shadow then spoke up.

"I will NOT lose here! You will fall to my justice!" Konoe's Shadow said as he got to his feet and attempted to replicate Draconis' leg sweep, only for Draconis to effortlessly dodge the said leg sweep as Skull spoke up.

"I disagree with falling to your justice! But not losing here? That part I couldn't have said better myself! That's why we're gonna bring you down, here and now!" Skull said as Oracle spoke up.

"Go on, Draconis! Finish him off!" Oracle said as Draconis nodded and spoke up.

"Got it! Let's end this, Konoe!" Draconis said as he and Konoe's Shadow leapt at each other, fists extended. Both of them landed solid haymakers to each other's helmets that staggered them and sent both reeling, after which Konoe's Shadow angrily charged at Draconis, who effortlessly snatched Konoe's Shadow up by the arm and flipped him over his shoulders, slamming him into the ground as he stared down at him and spoke up.

"Yield, Konoe! You've lost! The sooner you accept this fact, the better off all of us will be! Don't make me have to push this any further! Believe me when I say that there is no honor in fighting a defenseless opponent!" Draconis said as Konoe's Shadow glared and managed to muster a burst of strength to blast Draconis off of his feet while getting up at the same time as he spoke up after Draconis slammed into the ground with an audible 'thud', making him grimace as he struggled to his feet, clearly having felt the impact with the ground, but not appearing to be damaged from said impact overmuch.

"You think you've won!? Not by a long shot! Behold my power! THIS is the power to annihilate the wicked! Haaaaah!" Konoe's Shadow said as he began charging up a massive burst of energy in his fists, much to the surprise of the Phantom Thieves. Joker took note of it as he spoke up with his eyes widened.

"Wait, that power. IT CAN'T BE!" Joker said as Draconis looked at the familiar energy that was coming from Konoe's Shadow's fists as he spoke up in both shock and rage.

"OH, YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! HE, OF ALL PEOPLE, CAN USE ALMIGHTY MOVES!?" Draconis said as a wide-eyed Oracle spoke up.

"Uh oh, this looks bad! Draconis, get away from him! Hurry!" Oracle said as Draconis spoke up.

"Right! Time to finish this fight!" Draconis said, managing to backflip out of harm's way, just in time for the super-charged 'Megidolaon' that Konoe's Shadow had unleashed to pass over where Draconis had just been standing, only for Draconis to land on his feet in time to do another leg sweep to knock Konoe's Shadow off of his feet, following up with an uppercut that launched Konoe's Shadow into the air, causing him to eventually crash to the ground with a groan, where he struggled to a knee and groaned in pain, seemingly looking as if he was ready to concede defeat as Seraphim and Auburn cheered and spoke up.

"WHOO! GET HIM, DRACONIS!" Seraphim said as Auburn spoke up.

"PUT THAT MAN IN HIS PLACE! SHOW HIM WHY HIS WAY IS WRONG!" Auburn said as Panther smirked and spoke up.

"That's Draconis for you. Very rarely does anyone best him in a fist fight. Off the top of my head, I think Crow and possibly Joker were the only ones to even come close to it. So of course Konoe didn't stand a chance." Panther said proudly as Draconis smirked at Panther's praise before he spoke up.

"While you're not entirely wrong, I do need to point out that Crow did in fact beat me in a fist-fight on two separate occasions, and in a weapons fight once. So he has bested me before. Joker, on the other hand, only bested me once. But your essential remark, which is that they're the only two who can say they've beaten me, is correct." Draconis pointed out sagely while Konoe's Shadow snarled as he spoke up after dropping to a knee while Oracle tossed him back his energy sword.

"Urrrgh, no! Dammit! This cannot be! No way is this happening! I can't lose! Not now!" Konoe's Shadow said as the fight ended. The ensuing EXP gains brought Joker, Oracle, and Violet to level 72 and brought Panther, Fox, and Wolf to level 67. The level-ups gave both Oracle and Panther new moves in the form of the passive skill 'Invigorate 3' for Oracle's 'Albus' Persona and the passive skill 'Fire Amp' for Panther and Celestine. Panther then spoke up.

"Ooh, I got a new skill!" Panther said as Flare spoke up with a sly smirk.

"Very nice. Now your Fire skills are even hotter! Like you needed help with being hotter." Flare said coyly as Panther blushed and spoke up.

"FLARE! Now is not the time for flirting! Save it for later, please. But I appreciate the compliment." Panther said as Celestine acquired 'Fire Amp'. Oracle then spoke up.

"Mwehehe! Behold my power!" Oracle said as Crow spoke up with his arms crossed.

"Eh, it's better than your last brag, but it still has room for improvement, I think." Crow said as Draconis spoke up.

"You're not wrong. But this is Oracle we're talking about, so of course her brags are as quirky as she is. And that quirkiness is what makes Oracle who she is. Good job on the new skill, by the way. Very useful." Draconis said as Oracle nodded happily as Albus acquired 'Invigorate 3'. After the fight, Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"Ggh! Is this it? No, this can't be the end! Not yet, dammit! The hero can't be defeated like this. I am the enforcer of justice! I cannot be defeated by villains like you!" Konoe's Shadow said as Joker shook his head and spoke up.

"You still think we're evil!? Dammit, Konoe! You've lost! You need to snap out of it and face the truth of your so-called 'justice'!" Joker said as Konoe's Shadow went wide-eyed at Joker's words and spoke up.

"You would deny me, Joker!? Our definitions of the word 'justice' are one and the same!" Konoe's Shadow said as Crow spoke up.

"Don't be absurd, Konoe-san! Your definition of the word 'justice' is very different from ours!" Crow said as Skull nodded and spoke up.

"Crow's right! Dude, even we don't know what justice really is. And we don't mean to say that what we're doin' is always right, either." Skull said as Panther spoke up.

"But we're definitely not just gonna sit back while you tell everyone what to do!" Panther said as Fox spoke up.

"It's true there are days when I wish to immerse myself in my work, and days when I'd rather be wandering around town alone. But there are also days when I simply wish to spend time with those close to me. To throw all of that away and do only what the person in front of you says seems like such a waste. Why, at that point, you're nothing but a slave to fate's will." Fox said as Noir spoke up.

"All you're doing is taking away people's rights to choose for themselves and denying them their freedom." Noir said as Flare spoke up.

"And that sort of behavior is far more that of a dictator or villain than that of a hero!" Flare said as Queen spoke up.

"When it comes down to it, it's no different from what your father did to you, Konoe. Trampling upon the one thing that makes us human beings? That's the very evil you claim to hate!" Queen said as Konoe's Shadow scoffed and spoke up.

"Are you saying that you're the ones in the right here? And that I'm the evil one?" Konoe's Shadow said as Crow spoke up.

"That's EXACTLY what we're saying! You have good intentions, but in the end, the way you choose to go about executing said intentions is no better than that of your father's! For all that you're trying to tread a different path than that of your father, you're just doing an incredibly good job of following in his footsteps instead!" Crow said as Mona spoke up with a nod.

"Crow's right. We choose the roads we take. We don't let anyone tie us down. And we do so because we want to walk our own paths our own way." Mona said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"But, if that is true, and if I fall here at your hand? Then what will become of the world? There are no heroes in this world! I'm the only one who can save it." Konoe's Shadow said as Draconis spoke up at that point.

"Is that really what you think, Konoe!? If so, you're wrong! There are heroes in this world! However, those heroes are only heroes because they choose to make the right choices and follow the path of justice and integrity. However, even then, most heroes are human beings who make mistakes, just like anyone else. Look at us for instance. Despite acting as Phantom Thieves, we have become heroes in the eyes of the population throughout the past few years. However, we have also made our fair share of mistakes.

For instance, some of us are prone to being hot-headed idiots who lash out at each other and storm off like immature children, such as myself. But at the end of the day, we can look at ourselves, accept those flaws, and strive to do our best to change them. For you see, it is only by accepting our shortcomings and striving to improve them that we can truly begin to walk the path of a hero. And even then, it's not a guarantee that we'll stay on that path." Draconis said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"So you say. But what's to say that you can't be corrupted, the same as any other people? Who's going to be there to put you back on the right path? I doubt very much that anyone will." Konoe's Shadow said as Seeker frowned at that and spoke up.

"Are you sure? I've seen the Monarchs and the people whose hearts you've changed. They didn't look happy at all. I don't think you saved anyone doing what you did." Seeker said honestly as Konoe's Shadow spoke up with widened eyes.

"Oh!" Konoe's Shadow said as Wolf spoke up with a frown.

"You know, Konoe, to be honest with you? You are right about one thing. The world is full of evil. And there's plenty of scum out there who seem well beyond redemption. But there are some, like the Phantom Thieves, who refuse to give up. And there are people out there who, thanks to these guys, finally got the courage to crawl their way out of the darkest depths of hell. People who managed to awaken the hero inside themselves. And isn't that how we'll make this world a better place?" Wolf said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"Ahh..." Konoe's Shadow said, seemingly pondering Wolf's words as Wolf kept speaking.

"What you're trying to do will just erase those heroes, some before they even get their chance. Can anybody really know peace if they're forced to be stuck that way all the time?" Wolf said as Auburn spoke up.

"Wolf's right. And to further prove his statement, you almost did the same thing to the Phantom Thieves by making me into a Monarch and trapping them in my Jail. Essentially, you would've ended up wiping them from the face of the earth had they not been able to change my heart." Auburn said as Konoe's Shadow gasped and spoke up.

"So, I'd really be the one erasing the heroes?" Konoe's Shadow asked as Seraphim nodded and spoke up.

"Yup. That's exactly what you would've ended up doing if you had kept going on your current path. You essentially would end up erasing all the people who contribute good things to society." Seraphim said as Pendragon nodded and spoke up.

"You may think that the world is full of evil, but you forgot that there are still good people out there as well. Ones that are able to put themselves forward to help others." Pendragon said as Wolf spoke up.

"And Konoe, regarding your situation, it's not the people who need saving. If anyone needs it, it's you." Wolf said as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"Oh!" Konoe's Shadow said as Wolf spoke up with an understanding nod.

"Ever since you've killed your father all those years ago, all you've done is run away. Rotten as he was, having to live with the pain of killing your own flesh and blood, knowing that you could be caught at any moment? Despite what you say, you were alone. And getting stronger was the only way you could protect yourself." Wolf said as Draconis smiled and spoke up.

"Wolf's right, Konoe. And before you say that none of us can understand what you went through, don't bother! Both myself and Crow can understand that pain a lot more than you might think. Sure, Crow has more experience with the 'being treated like shit by Dad' side of it, but I have experience with the 'feeling hopeless and not knowing what to do about it' side of it. And the way you chose to go about it is all wrong! Sure, you had the best of intentions, but they say that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. So for all that you meant well, you ultimately lost your way in the end.

Does it hurt to have your own father basically not acknowledge you as his son, and instead think of you as a means to an end while not wanting to really be part of your life? Yes, it does! But does that mean you can use that as carte blanche to commit all these atrocities you've committed lately? Absolutely not! As Crow will attest, that sort of pain and struggle is something that doesn't have to define who you are. Sure, like you, Crow briefly lost his way and chose to walk a path of darkness.

But in the end, he was shown the light and encouraged to change his ways. And if he can be redeemed and helped to change his ways, then you can be saved as well, Konoe! But you have to want to be redeemed and walk the right path! So tell me! Can you give up these foolish notions of being the only one to save the world and accept the consequences of your actions? Or are you going to hide behind your pain and misery for the rest of your life and let it actually drive you past a point of no return?" Draconis asked as Violet spoke up.

"Draconis is right, Konoe-san! You don't have to let your past define who you are forever! You can choose to break free of it and start living a better life!" Violet said as Crow spoke up.

"But only after you accept responsibility for your actions and repay your debt to society. Once that's over, you will then be free to start changing your ways and try to become the hero that you are meant to be." Crow said as Joker spoke up.

"But before that, you have a lot to atone for. So what's it going to be Konoe? Can you summon the courage and resolve to face up to your crimes, or will you continue to walk down the dark path to your obliteration?" Joker asked just as Konoe's Shadow spoke up in shock.

"I don't know what to say. No, that's not true. Joker, Draconis, Crow, and Violet? All four of you are right, as is Wolf. I need to stop using my past as an excuse to do bad things. I killed my father all those years ago, and then I lied about it to escape the punishment. I called it justice, hoping that there'd never come a day when I had to face the truth of my actions. But what I did back then was wrong. No, it was just immoral and evil." Konoe's Shadow said as Draconis spoke up.

"Yes, it was. But the fact that you're acknowledging it now means that despite all you've done so far, you have not gone past the point of no return. You still have hope to change your ways and walk the path of justice. And I would know better than most how hard it is to make that sort of change.

More than once, I've had to uproot everything I had and move away elsewhere in order to start anew with only Joker by my side. Sure, I blamed Joker for it at first and was resentful of him for what I viewed as him uprooting my life and seemingly taking everything from me. But in the end, I accepted that I was the one being a selfish fool and stopped blaming Joker.

Furthermore, not only was I able to overcome my resentment and disdain for Joker to some extent, I was even able to confront and make peace with my father, along with my past. As you might expect, it was by no means an easy thing to do. There will probably be many days where I find myself battling feelings of bitterness, regret, and even self-guilt for how I handled things. However, I know in my heart that my friends...no, not my friends. I know that my family, which is what the rest of the Phantom Thieves are to me, forgave me for my mistakes.

And as such, if they can forgive me, then surely I can forgive myself. But in the end, I was able to put what my father did behind me and resolve to not let it consume me anymore! And if I can move on from what my father did to do what is right, then so can you, Konoe!" Draconis said, shocking most of the group with the sight of a few tears hitting the ground from under Draconis' helmet as Wolf spoke up while giving Draconis an impressed nod.

"Draconis is right. If you're serious about this, then you know what you need to do, Konoe. The hero you keep inside needs to save you from your own evil and give you the courage to own up to what you've done and start making amends, while you still can." Wolf said as Konoe's Shadow looked at Wolf and Draconis in shock as he spoke up.

"The hero I keep inside of myself, you say? So you're saying that I have to save myself, then. Heh, would you look at that? Haha, we're not so different after all, it seems. I see now. It's been right there with me all along, but I never realized it until now." Konoe's Shadow said as Crow spoke up with a nod.

"Very good. You seem to finally be getting it, Konoe-san. Now, show us that you have the courage to truly do the right thing." Crow said as Konoe's Shadow nodded, removing his helmet as he spoke up.

"Very well, as you wish, Phantom Thieves. I admit defeat. I'll confess my crimes and accept my punishment, whatever it may be. I'll destroy EMMA as well. You have my word. Phantom Thieves, thank you for saving me from myself. Now, if it's possible, I only ask that you please prove to the world the truth of your justice. More than that, prove that I was defeated by the real heroes of this story of sorts. Ones with a true sense of justice, unlike my own flawed and corrupt sense of that word." Konoe's Shadow said as Joker spoke up.

"We can do that, Konoe. But we're Phantom Thieves, though. So going public isn't really in the Phantom Thief code." Joker said as Draconis spoke up.

"Perhaps, but we still owe it to him to see this through to the end. Don't worry, Konoe-san. We'll take care of it." Draconis said with a firm nod as Konoe's Shadow spoke up.

"Thank you, Draconis. And Joker, you do make a good point. Hah, Phantom Thieves indeed. I suppose you're right. Very well then, this is my farewell to you, Phantom Thieves. Thank you again for making me see the light regarding the concept of justice." Konoe's Shadow said as he vanished in a flash of white light to return to his real self as the arena started rumbling and Auburn spoke up.

"Uh, guys, what's happening? I thought I heard Mona say something earlier that the Jails will still be here once the Monarch is gone?" Auburn said as Mona spoke up.

"That's still true Auburn. However, the main fortress of this Jail will still collapse even after the Monarch is defeated. This will be the instance where all the Desires that Konoe stole will return to their owners. And with that being said, that's our cue! Let's get outta here, guys!" Mona said as the group nodded and fled back to the real world...

(Back in the real world, in Tenboto, with Ren, Sumire, Sophia, Morgana, Futaba, Kusa, Ryuji, Nanako, Shiho, Ann, Makoto, Goro, Haru, Akane, Yusuke, Sojiro, and Zenkichi)

After the group gathered in the real world, Ryuji spoke up with a sigh.

"Phew, that was a close one." Ryuji said as Morgana nodded and spoke up.

"Indeed it was. But we did it. Now we just have to wait and see what happens." Morgana said as Haru smiled and spoke up.

"True. But we certainly learned a lot while we were in there. EMMA, Konoe's big plan, how warped his heart was, and so on." Haru said as Morgana spoke up with a nod.

"Good point. Konoe said he taught cognitive psience to EMMA in order to create Jails. Shutting down EMMA should mean that the Jails will finally disappear." Morgana said as Goro spoke up with a frown.

"True, but that assumes that EMMA actually gets shut down. Somehow, I doubt it'll be as easy as Konoe snapping his fingers and EMMA shutting down just like that." Goro said as Ryuji spoke up.

"Good point. So, by defeating Konoe, our names are probably in the clear too, right?" Ryuji asked as Sojiro spoke up.

"They should be, though I question if we'll have to track down and defeat the real Owada too before our names will truly be in the clear. But with any luck, the hope is that we can hang up our masks once Konoe's heart changes." Sojiro said as Zenkichi smirked and spoke up.

"That would be the best-case scenario, Sojiro. However, that will depend on Konoe's confession. But with any luck, I'm thinkin' it'll probably work out that way." Zenkichi said as Akane spoke up.

"I agree with you, Dad. Hopefully you're correct, and Konoe will take himself down once he confesses. And with Konoe down, that still only leaves one person left to take care of." Akane said as Nanako nodded and spoke up.

"Right. We still have Owada to deal with potentially." Nanako said as Sumire spoke up.

"And we also need to be wary of Ichinose-san. Depending on how things play out, we could be in for a struggle of massive proportions. After all, it's not often that Goro gets such strong gut instincts, so I feel like we shouldn't discount those." Sumire said as Kusa spoke up with a nod.

"I agree. Goro's instincts are arguably just as strong as my own, if not stronger. So we shouldn't discount them." Kusa said as Makoto chuckled, making Zenkichi blink and spoke up.

"Hm? What's so funny, Makoto?" Zenkichi asked as Makoto spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Nothing. It's just those things you said back there. It was nice to hear you talk about us that way, Zenkichi." Makoto said as Shiho spoke up.

"True. Zenkichi was pretty great back there. But to be fair, so were Ren, Sumire, Kusa, and Goro. They did a good job standing up to Konoe as well." Shiho said as Yusuke spoke up with a frown while nodding.

"Agreed. Though, in all honesty, I can't say I thought all of what Konoe said was wrong, if you think about it. However, your words reminded me of precisely why we do this, Zenkichi." Yusuke said as Ann nodded and spoke up with a pumped fist and a closed-eye smile.

"Good point, Yusuke. That's one of the big reasons why we started the Phantom Thieves in the first place. To give courage to people!" Ann said as Futaba spoke up.

"Yeah, Ann's right. That speech was tops, Zenkichi. Gotta give you props for that one. And Kusa gets props as well for the heartfelt speech he gave to Konoe to make him see the truth of his actions. Even though you could tell by the tears he shed that it was by no means an easy or pleasant time for him while making that speech. But I believe that we're all glad that he did." Futaba said as Zenkichi grinned and spoke up while Kusa merely nodded approvingly, not trusting himself to verbally answer Futaba at that point.

"Heh, any more of this, and I'd say you were proud of me, you guys." Zenkichi said as Akane spoke up.

"Hey, careful! You don't need to be getting too much of an ego, Dad." Akane pointed out as Zenkichi nodded and spoke up.

"True. Anyway, we've done what we set out to do. So in the meantime..." Zenkichi said as Ren spoke up.

"We've got a good-sized chunk of free time on our hands while we potentially wait on Konoe's change of heart and confession. So with that being said, what do you guys want to do with that time?" Ren asked. Ann spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Good question, Ren! Since we're still here in Osaka, maybe we should get something to eat?" Ann suggested as Ryuji grinned and spoke up with a pumped fist.

"Hell yeah! Osaka Feast, Round 2 comin' at ya!" Ryuji spoke up as Futaba spoke up excitedly, not seeing Kusa chuckle fondly at how eager her tone was as she spoke.

"Then, let's get our butts in gear! I'm talkin' deep-fried skewers, pork buns, okonomiyaki, oh man, what else do we want?" Futaba said as Makoto sweatdropped and spoke up.

"We've done nothing but eat since we came to Osaka, though." Makoto pointed out as Sumire spoke up with a smile.

"Not quite true, Makoto-senpai! We've eaten a lot, sure, but we've also burnt off most of those calories with all the running around we did to stop Konoe!" Sumire said as Zenkichi nodded and spoke up.

"Yeah, Sumire has a point. Besides, you're young. Don't worry about it. Today's feast is on me. Get whatever you want." Zenkichi said as a wide-eyed Kusa spoke up.

"Whatever they want!? Uhh, you do realize just how big of an appetite some of these guys have, right Zenkichi? I hope you have a pretty deep wallet, for your sake." Kusa said warily as Ryuji cheered and spoke up.

"WOOHOO! Zenkichi's got a heart of gold!" Ryuji said as Sojiro frowned and spoke up.

"That may be true, but he's not made of money either. So we can't go too crazy, despite Zenkichi saying to get whatever we want." Sojiro said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded Sophia speaking up as Sumire held her phone up.

"Leave the search to me. I'll find us whatever you guys want." Sophia said as Kusa winced and spoke up.

"I do hope that the 'within reason' in those words was meant to be unsaid, Sophia." Kusa said as Sumire spoke up with a nod.

"Agreed. Otherwise, who knows how far some of these guys would take such an invitation?" Sumire said as Ren chuckled and spoke up.

"Relax, beautiful. I don't think any of us would take it too far." Ren said reassuringly as Sumire blushed and nodded as she felt Ren gently wrap an arm around her waist comfortingly while Futaba spoke up.

"Mwehehe! Not only do we have the obligatory Ren/Sumire fluff, but we also have our tour guide comin' in clutch!" Futaba said as Morgana sighed and spoke up.

"Sheesh. I get that this is cause for celebration, but don't get too carried away, you guys. We've got big changes on the horizon, you know?" Morgana said as Sophia slyly smiled and spoke up.

"Perhaps, but I didn't forget what you said before, Morgana. And from what I've seen online, Osaka has a lot of top-tier sushi vendors, too. And I seem to recall you have a fondness for that dish." Sophia said as Morgana's eyes widened and got glinty as he spoke up.

"SUSHI!? What are we waiting for!?" Morgana said as Nanako giggled at how adorable Morgana looked smiling at Sophia while Kusa turned to Goro and spoke up so only the two of them could hear.

"You find Morgana's tendency to be easily played by a cute girl as pathetic as I do, right Goro?" Kusa asked as Goro nodded and spoke up so only he and Kusa could hear.

"Extremely. But I suppose whatever gets him lucky, right? Besides, most of us know that he has a crush on Sophia, even if he won't admit it to her. So let's cut him a bit of slack." Goro said as Kusa nodded his agreement before Yusuke threw an arm out and spoke up.

"Sushi, you say!? Not so fast! Let us not forget the blowfish and crab hot pots!" Yusuke said as Ryuji spoke up with a grin.

"Hot pot again!? Ehh, whatever, still down!" Ryuji said as Nanako and Akane exchanged a shocked look at Ryuji's remark but said nothing as Zenkichi winced and spoke up.

"Wha!? Okay, maybe you were right, Kusa. H-Hey, take it easy, you guys. Like Sojiro said, I'm not made out of money here." Zenkichi said as Ren smirked, feeling as if he could feel a strong bond with his friends in that moment as the group headed out to have a feast and enjoy the rest of their night...

(The next day, at the press conference venue in Osaka, with Konoe)

As he gathered a large group together for a press conference, Konoe spoke up.

"I am Akira Konoe, founder and CEO of Madicce. On behalf of the company, I have an announcement of grave importance. Recently I stated my company had been targeted by the Phantom Thieves in an attempt to discredit our company. I now admit that this was a total fabrication, with no truth to it whatsoever." Konoe said, bowing as cameras flashed and he kept speaking.

"The truth is that despite what I said before, I, Akira Konoe, am the true culprit. I devised a plan to accuse the Phantom Thieves of a terrorist plot so I could conceal my own heinous crimes from the public eye. Specifically, so I could abuse EMMA and gain control of people's hearts. I publicly admit that the virtual assistant app, EMMA, contains a function that allows me to manipulate other people. Using specific language, I could change their hearts and make them do as I wished without question. Yes, this process is essentially brainwashing, and I have scores of evidence proving that it works.

The Change of Heart epidemic that has plagued this nation is entirely my own doing. By controlling people's hearts, I was able to make them do my bidding across the entire country, including horrific crimes. This includes the death of Shuzo Ubukata, the head researcher of our Okinawa research facility. Instead of taking responsibility for my actions, I shifted the blame onto the Phantom Thieves. I must also confess that these are not my only crimes. Over twenty years ago, when I was just a small boy, I claimed that my father was killed during a home invasion robbery. I claimed that he was the victim of burglars, when the one who really killed him was me.

I took my father's life, then attempted to frame others for my crime so I could avoid any repercussions. These are the crimes I confess to you all here today. And as of today, I will be stepping down as CEO of Madicce and turning myself in to the police! EMMA will be shut down immediately. The AI will be wiped from the servers as soon as possible. All these terrible things were done for nothing but my own selfish desires. So now, I must do the right thing, no matter how painful and hard it might be, and bring myself to justice." Konoe said as he bowed his head in regret as the cameras flashed, while near the back, a certain red-headed young head of a powerful group smirked as she watched Konoe basically take himself down with his own mouth, mentally making a note to speak to Yu about his request at the first opportunity...

(Meanwhile, back in Dotonbori, at the bridge, with Ren, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, Goro, Sumire, Kusa, Sophia, Sojiro, Shiho, Zenkichi, Nanako, and Akane)

As the group gathered in Dotonbori to watch the press conference, Sumire turning her phone towards the nearest TV so Sophia could also listen in, the group heard a nearby man speaking up after Konoe had finished his confession.

"Controllin' people's hearts, did he say? Izzat real?" A panicking man in the crowd asked as a surprised woman near him spoke up.

Wait, EMMA? Like, the app, EMMA!?" The surprised woman said as a hateful woman spoke up near the surprised woman.

"Oh, shit! Better delete that ASAP then if it's full of such bad stuff." The hateful woman said as a sad man spoke up from near the hateful woman.

"Konoe-san, how could you do all this? I thought you were a hero to this country!" The sad man said as a chatty man spoke up at that point near the sad man.

"I knew it! I KNEW the Phantom Thieves were really the good guys! Heh, nice try there!" The chatty man said as Ryuji grinned and pumped a fist with the group as he spoke up, none of the Phantom Thieves noticing the brown-haired young man and Shiba Inu in the crowd listening in on the press conference as Ryuji spoke.

"Oh yeaaah!" Ryuji said as Ann did a closed-eye smile and giggled as she spoke up.

"Hee hee! Yes, it really worked!" Ann said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded a cutely smiling Sophia speaking up.

"A comeback win for the Phantom Thieves." Sophia said as Morgana did his own closed-eye smile and spoke up.

"Heh, well said, Lady Sophia! We've brought down the mastermind! Looks like the case is finally closed." Morgana said as Goro frowned and spoke up.

"We brought down Konoe, yes. But I seem to recall that there's still at least one more potential mastermind out there. Not to mention EMMA's not shut down yet." Goro said as Kusa nodded and spoke up.

"Goro's right. The case isn't truly closed until all the loose ends are tied up." Kusa said with a frown as Makoto nodded and spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"I agree, Kusa-kun. Once we confirm EMMA's no longer running, and ensure all loose ends are dealt with, our work will be done." Makoto said as Zenkichi nodded and spoke up.

"Yep, and once that's done, everything's up to the police and the courts. In fact, I'll head over and pick Konoe up now. Sorry, but I'm going to have to leave Akane, as well as Nanako by extension, with you guys while I do that. Think you can handle keeping them company for a little while?" Zenkichi said as Sojiro smirked and spoke up.

"Heh, I think we can handle that, Zenkichi. After all, both Akane-chan and Nanako-chan are well-behaved young ladies for the most part, even if they do drive Sumire up the wall at times with how hormonal and wild they can get." Sojiro said as Akane and Nanako blushed at being called out by Sojiro on their more wild tendencies, while Sumire sighed and spoke up.

"That's one way to put it, Sojiro. But I moreso hate that they occasionally manage to unintentionally expose Sophia to their behavior. I don't mind that they like to tackle each other to the bed and go wild on each others' bodies, but they should at least avoid doing it around impressionable young kids like Sophia." Sumire said dryly as both Nanako and Akane sheepishly apologized and were forgiven as Ann spoke up with a pumped fist as she looked at Zenkichi.

"Well if there's nothing else. Good luck with arresting Konoe, Zenkichi!" Ann said as Haru smiled and spoke up.

"I hope it goes well for you." Haru said as Zenkichi smiled and spoke up.

"Yup, I hope so too." Zenkichi said as Akane spoke up.

"Go get 'em, Dad! Make sure you bring that man to justice, and make us proud!" Akane said as Zenkichi nodded before hugging his daughter and speaking up.

"Can do, Akane. And I promise you, once Konoe's in custody, Owada's next on my list." Zenkichi said honestly as Akane smiled and spoke up.

"Good. I'm holding you to that, Dad." Akane said as Nanako smirked and spoke up.

"Have some faith in your dad, Akane. I'm sure Zenkichi will do his best to get Konoe brought in quickly so he can focus on Owada. But in all seriousness, do your best out there, Zenkichi." Nanako said kindly as Zenkichi nodded and spoke up.

"Got it. Welp, off I go." Zenkichi said as he turned and walked off. After Zenkichi was out of earshot, Ann spoke up.

"Now, what should the rest of us do?" Ann asked as Makoto spoke up.

"Well, to be honest? If Zenkichi manages to bring Konoe into custody, we'll probably hear all about it tomorrow. And at that point, I supposed we should get back to Tokyo." Makoto said as Nanako spoke up with a frown.

"I guess that will also apply to me as well since I need to get back to Inaba. Although, maybe I can try to convince my Dad or my Big Bro to let me hang with you guys for a little longer." Nanako said as Yusuke spoke up, almost sounding disappointed as he spoke.

"So, we're finally nearing the end of our journey, are we?" Yusuke said as Haru smiled and spoke up.

"Seems like it. What say we wrap it up with a round of sightseeing? It looks like Osaka has plenty to check out." Haru said as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"Ooh, sounds good here!" Ryuji said as the group dispersed in different directions, leaving just Ren, Morgana, and Sumire standing on the bridge, at which point a 'BIP' from Sumire's phone, which was still in Sumire's hand, preceded a frowning Sophia speaking up.

"So, once the Jails disappear, the trip will be over, as will our time as Phantom Thieves? Is that about correct?" Sophia asked as Sumire smiled and spoke up.

"Only this tenure. If we've learned anything from this, it's that you never know when we could end up being called back into action. So if we do end up hanging up our masks again, it'll only be until we're needed once more. After all, when you're in our line of work, you need to remember something." Sumire said as Sophia spoke up.

"Yeah? What is it?" Sophia asked as Sumire spoke up.

"This. 'Once a Phantom Thief, always a Phantom Thief'. What I mean is that even if we have to hang up our masks, we'll still be a team, even if we end up taking different paths for a time." Sumire said as Ren smiled and spoke up.

"True. However, what you fail to mention is that even if our paths diverge, they'll eventually link up again. As a wise man once told me, 'Goodbyes don't necessarily have to be forever. You can choose to seek that person out again someday.' So even if our work ends, we'll all still be a close-knit family, as well as friends. That said, it felt like most of this trip went by in a flash." Ren said as Sophia spoke up with an unreadable look on her face.

"You're right, Dad. It went by in a flash. A real flash. Hey, Dad? Do you remember the deal we made? I join the Phantom Thieves, and in return, I learn about the heart? I've experienced so much on this journey, and learned all sorts of feelings from you, Mom, the others, and even from Morgana. But, despite that, I still don't truly understand the 'heart'. All this time, I've had this same query: 'What is the difference between you all and Konoe?' He was trying to help people, wasn't he? And the Phantom Thieves do the same thing. However, everyone instead argues that Konoe was wrong. What exactly was wrong?" Sophia asked as Ren spoke up.

"While it is true that he was all alone for the most part growing up, and one could question how strong his heart was if it ultimately gave in to darkness for a time, but I think the most problematic part of Konoe was his upbringing. As your Uncle Kusa and Uncle Goro said when we all fought him, they had similar backstories to Konoe's. However, unlike them, Konoe chose to let his past turn him into a bad person who used his gifts and power for the wrong reasons. With that being said, though, I also believe that your Uncle Kusa in particular got through to Konoe after the fight when he mentioned all that stuff about Konoe needing to find the strength to do the right thing. So I say his upbringing was wrong." Ren said as Sophia frowned and spoke up.

"Hmm, that is true. The trauma he endured was truly awful. Even Uncle Goro was appalled by it, and he's usually one of the most level-headed people in our group. But there's something else to consider, I think. The Phantom Thieves live their lives following their beliefs and living by their convictions. But Konoe, and his Monarchs? They couldn't do that. The Phantom Thieves must have strong hearts to live as they do. However, when our journey ends, I won't be able to help you anymore, and our deal will be finished. If the Jails disappear, I won't be able to learn about myself anymore. What should I do? If I had a strong heart like the Phantom Thieves, maybe then I could choose my own path in life?" Sophia said as Morgana frowned and spoke up.

"What? H-Hang on there, Lady Sophia! I think you got the wrong idea. Just because we're going back to Tokyo, that doesn't mean your deal's up? Right, Ren?" Morgana said as Ren smiled and spoke up.

"Of course. Our time together may have started off with a deal we made, but since then, it's turned into quite a bit more than just a deal. After all, we got to watch you learn so much with us, and you even were able to change most of our opinions of you, not least of which being how much you changed Kusa's opinions of AIs. And that's not even mentioning how much you managed to worm your way into both mine and Sumire's hearts. That wasn't just rhetoric before when we said we think of you as a daughter, you know. Also, no one said our deal would be over once we get to Tokyo. As far as I'm concerned, that deal never has to end. Sumire can correct me if I'm wrong on this, but you're one of us for life if you want to be." Ren said honestly as Morgana spoke up.

"Ren's right, Lady Sophia. Besides, I'm pretty sure most of us would be sad if you left us. So as far as I'm concerned? Ren's not allowed to end his deal with you!" Morgana said as Sophia blinked in surprise and spoke up, a note of mixed hope and amazement in her voice as she spoke.

"Really?" Sophia said as Morgana frowned and spoke up.

"You think I'm kidding, Lady Sophia? I might find some of your quirks annoying, such as you calling me 'Meowgana', just to name an example, but that doesn't mean I want you to stop hanging around all of us. By no means do I want that! You might be quirky, but you're also open-minded, kind, and most importantly, you're a truly amazing person, Lady Sophia. So what if you're an AI? That doesn't matter to me. As far as I'm concerned, you're as good as one of us." Morgana said as his expression softened and he kept speaking.

"Besides, the Jails may go away once EMMA's dealt with, but we've still learned a whole lot on this trip. And, there's gotta be some evidence about your past here in the real world! So, how's about we all go looking for it together, Ren and Sumire?" Morgana asked as Sumire smiled and spoke up.

"Sounds good to me." Sumire said as Ren smiled and spoke up.

"I agree with Sumire. You can count on us to do all we can to find any clues about your past, Sophia. Also, don't feel like you have to go anywhere. Your mom and I would be too sad to see you go." Ren said as Sumire nodded her agreement and a smiling, if slightly red-faced, Sophia spoke up.

"Oh, you three are so kind!" Sophia said as Morgana blushed and spoke up, hoping to not have Ren and Sumire notice his blush while he spoke.

"Come on now, don't get me going too, Lady Sophia! We're all friends here. Feel free to live in your mother's phone as long as you like, provided she has no objections to it." Morgana said as Sumire smiled and spoke up.

"Well for the record, I have no objections to you living in my phone, Sophia. I've quite gotten used to having you around, sweetie." Sumire said gently and kindly. Ren nodded and spoke up.

"Your mother is right, Sophia. You don't have to go anywhere unless you want to. In fact, you're more than welcome to remain with us forever if you like." Ren said as Morgana nodded and spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Ren's right. In fact, we'd welcome the company!" Morgana said as Ren spoke up.

"We sure would, sweetheart. But I think Morgana's trying to play it off since he thinks your mom and I aren't wise to his crush on you. But we both know better. In all seriousness though, please, feel free to come along with us as long as you like." Ren said as Sophia blushed, though Ren was unsure if it was from what he'd said, or if her blush was from his mention of Morgana having a crush on her. Either way, Sophia spoke up.

"Dad, Mom, Morgana. Thank you all so much." Sophia said as Ryuji's voice reached the quartet's ears, making it clear that the rest of the group hadn't completely left earshot and had probably heard the entire conversation.

"Yooo, what's the hold up, guys?" Ryuji asked as four different spoke up to rebuke him.

"RYUJI!" Makoto, Kusa, Goro, and Sojiro all rebuked Ryuji as Kusa kept speaking.

"Seriously, man. That's the second time now you've interrupted their private moment. Please try be more considerate next time." Kusa said as Morgana winced and spoke up.

"Whoops! Looks like we're being slowpokes, Ren. Let's get going!" Morgana said, pointedly not acknowledging Ren's accusations of him having a crush on Sophia. Ren then moved to catch up to the rest of the group with Sophia, Morgana, and Sumire in tow...

(Meanwhile, at Madicce company headquarters, with Konoe)

As the majority of Madicce's workforce gathered in the lobby, a frightened employee spoke up.

"Mister Konoe! What is going on!?" The frightened employee asked as an accusatory employee spoke up.

"Everything you said in that press conference earlier is worrying. Was that true?" The accusatory employee asked as Konoe's secretary spoke up to try and calm things.

"Please, settle down! I'm sure Mister Konoe had his reasons for calling that conference and saying what he did." Konoe's secretary said as Konoe sighed and spoke up.

"It's fine. I admit I've made so much trouble for you. I'm entirely to blame. I'm on my way to turn myself into the police now. I'm sorry for leaving the company in such a state." Konoe said as his secretary spoke up.

"Mister Konoe, what are you saying?" Konoe's secretary asked as another voice spoke up to interrupt before Konoe could answer.

"Allow us to spare you the drive." The Madicce workforce heard as a swarm of cops in suits filed into the room with Kaburagi and Zenkichi leading the charge, the former having been the one to speak up. Konoe's secretary blinked at the new arrivals and spoke up.

"Excuse me, who are-" Konoe's secretary asked as she was cut off by Kaburagi flashing a badge and speaking up.

"We're the police. Akira Konoe, you are under arrest. I will spare you the list of charges." Kaburagi said as a smirking Zenkichi spoke up, his face making his amusement of Konoe's situation clear to see as he spoke.

"How great it is to return a favor, Akira Konoe." Zenkichi said as Konoe gave Zenkichi a confused look and spoke up.

"And you are?" Konoe asked as Zenkichi smirked at the look of confusion on Konoe's face as he spoke up.

"For starters, I'm the cop whose appointment you ducked out on about a week and a half ago. But never mind that. More importantly, the last Monarch you installed was my only daughter." Zenkichi said as Konoe gave Zenkichi a shocked look and spoke up.

"Oh! You're-!" Konoe said as Zenkichi smirked and spoke up.

"Right. You toyed with and ruined countless lives, and now it'll be for nothing. You even used an innocent, grieving young woman for your own benefit. You're taking responsibility for what you've done." Zenkichi said as Konoe fell to his knees and spoke up in a genuinely remorseful tone.

"I'm so sorry! I was so desperate that I disregarded something so important. Free will, of all things. I was on the verge of stamping out what makes us truly human. I haven't turned out any different from my own father." Konoe said as Kaburagi spoke up with a frown.

"On your feet. We'll hear it all at the station, Konoe-san. All about the connection between Owada and the top brass on our force." Kaburagi said as Zenkichi scowled at Konoe and spoke up.

"There's nothing you can do to earn my forgiveness, Konoe, much less my daughter's. But, that's not to say it's all bad. After all, your confession can save the lives of a whole bunch of people. That's what you wanted, right? Now's your time to be the hero." Zenkichi said as Konoe gasped at Zenkichi's mention of being the hero, having it remind him of something. But before he could voice his realization, Zenkichi kept speaking.

"It's all up to you." Zenkichi said as he and Kaburagi led Konoe from Madicce headquarters in handcuffs...

(Meanwhile, in the office of the Commissioner General, with Owada and the Commissioner General)

As he stormed into the Commissioner General's office, an irate Owada spoke up.

"What the hell is going on!? That press conference of Konoe's earlier could be a big problem. Don't tell me the Phantom Thieves got to him. I assume you understand what this means? If he confesses everything, we're both finished. You need to pin everything on him. Make sure this can't be traced back to me in any way. No wait, I have a better idea. We could go the secretary route again, since it worked so well the last time." Owada said, frowning when the Commissioner General didn't reply as he kept speaking.

"Hey! Are you listening to me!?" Owada said as the Commissioner General turned around and spoke up.

"Legislator Owada? What are you doing here?" The Commissioner General asked in a confused voice. Before Owada could answer, the Commissioner General shook his head as he kept speaking.

"Wait, hold on. Wha-What the heck? What have I been doing this whole time?" The Commissioner General asked as Owada's eyes widened before he spoke up.

"What!? No, this can't be! His heart is back to normal!" Owada said in horror as the reality of the situation hit him...

(That evening, on the bridge in Dotonbori, with Ren, Sophia, and Morgana)

As Ren, Morgana, and Sophia were looked around Dotonbori, Morgana spoke up.

"It's gotten pretty late, Ren. I wonder if everyone else is still out having fun in the city?" Morgana asked as Ren smirked and spoke up.

"Most of them are. Though I'm pretty sure I saw Akane dragging Nanako by the hand towards the RV earlier on my way to meet up with you. Therefore, if I had to guess, those two are probably planning on having their own private victory party inside the trailer right now." Ren said sagely as his phone went off to signify a group chat with Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Haru, Futaba, Goro, Sumire, Kusa, Sophia, Sojiro, Shiho, Zenkichi, Nanako, and Akane, which Ren opened up in time for Ann to send the first response.

"Are you guys enjoying Osaka? We're having a celebration of our victory over Konoe here in a little bit, so don't eat too much! Let's meet up in an hour!" Ann sent as Ren put the phone away and Morgana spoke up, having read the chat over Ren's shoulder.

"We're having a celebration!? Ooh, leave it to Lady Ann! That was really thoughtful of her to invite everyone! But she did say that the meetup isn't for another hour, so we still have a bit of time until then, it seems. What should we do?" Morgana asked as a 'BIP' from Sumire's phone, which she'd left with Ren after wanting to explore the area, preceded Sophia frowning slightly at Morgana as she spoke up, pointedly ignoring Morgana once again simping for Ann in front of her while she spoke.

"Hm? We've got some time, you say? In that case, how about visiting Tenboto? I'd enjoy seeing the city from up high." Sophia said as Morgana spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Ooh, now that you mention it, Lady Sophia, that's not a bad idea. After all, we haven't gone up there yet, have we? Let's invite someone to go with us!" Morgana said as Ren spoke up.

"I'll think about it, Morgana. Why don't you go look around for the others in the city while I mull over who to take for a bit with Sophia, unless she'd rather go with you?" Ren said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded a smiling Sophia spoke up.

"I don't mind hanging with you for a bit, Dad." Sophia said happily as Ren nodded before Morgana headed off to find the others, leaving Ren alone with Sophia as the former contemplated his options with whom he should invite to Tenboto.

After a bit, Ren pulled out his map to look at who was available, and he saw that on one side of the city was Makoto, Haru, Futaba, Sumire, and Ann, while Goro, Morgana, Yusuke, and Ryuji were on the other, making Ren blink at the lack of Sojiro or Kusa's dots on the map. He didn't make much of Zenkichi's absence, knowing that Zenkichi was off helping bring Konoe into custody, nor did he blink at the absence of Nanako and Akane's dots, guessing that the two girls in mention were probably having their own sort of private 'celebration' inside of the RV.

However, Ren was quite confused by Kusa and Sojiro's absence. After mulling his options over, Ren decided to go with the girls to Tenboto, figuring that the guys could get by without him in this instance. After making up his mind, he went to speak to the guys first, to get it out of the way. Once Ren got to the guys, he spoke up.

"Yo, what's bonkin', guys? Gotta be honest, I was half-expecting Sojiro and Kusa to be with you as well." Ren said as Goro spoke up at that point.

"Oh, those two? I think they said something about having to run an errand elsewhere in town. However, Sojiro wanted me to tell you that it shouldn't take too long and that they'll meet up with the rest of us later on when the time comes for the celebration. They wouldn't go into details about the nature of their errand, though." Goro said as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"That's fair. But to be honest, I'm pretty sure I might have an idea of what they're doing, given the serious look Kusa was giving Sojiro before that. Pretty sure that's the look a man only gets before he's about to make a decision he's unsure of." Ryuji said as a shocked-looking Morgana spoke up with widened eyes.

"Oh? OH! You think he's going to-?" Morgana asked as Goro spoke up with a frown on his face, unimpressed by the speculations that Ryuji and Morgana were making about Kusa and Sojiro's errand.

"If he is, that's not for us to speculate on. That's Kusa's business if he's about to do what I think he's going to do. That being said, if I'm right, Futaba might just be in for a rather pleasant surprise at some point in the near future." Goro said as Ryuji spoke up.

"Oh? Well, I guess that's Kusa's choice. Anyways, man, that's a load off my shoulders. Feels like now I can give 110% to just kickin' back and havin' a good time." Ryuji said as a shocked Yusuke spoke up.

"Really? You mean to say you weren't already doing that, Ryuji? I would have guessed you were in this solely for the fun of it." Yusuke asked as Goro had to stifle a laugh at the shocked look on Ryuji's face before Morgana spoke up.

"Hey, be nice, Yusuke! I might give Ryuji crap a lot, but he really is a good guy when you get down to it. He just has a lot of things to work on, that's all. But then again, I feel like it's not an inaccurate observation to say that we could all say the same thing, I think." Morgana said as Ryuji grinned and high-fived Morgana as he spoke up.

"Truth, Morgana! And Yusuke? Gimme a break, man, I just enjoy having fun a lot! Look, I just like goin' all out, okay?" Ryuji said as Yusuke spoke up.

"Regardless, we still have some time left until the celebration. Should we head somewhere for the time being?" Yusuke asked as Morgana spoke up.

"Well, Ren? You wanna go to Tenboto with the guys?" Morgana asked as Ren spoke up.

"As tempting as it would be to have a guys' hangout at Tenboto, I already promised Sophia I'd go with her and the girls. But I'm sure you guys can find some way to keep yourselves occupied in the meantime, right? And Morgana? You have to stay with the guys. I'd invite you to tag along, but Sumire would probably spend most of the time glaring at you for tagging along. And she would probably never let me hear the end of it if I left her phone with you just so you can spend time with Sophia. So you'll have to wait until later for that, okay?" Ren said as Morgana sighed but nodded his understanding as Ren headed over to speak to the girls, who were oddly missing both Nanako and Akane. Ren then walked over to the girls and spoke up.

"What's up, ladies? I didn't think you'd all be hanging out together, but maybe I was being naive in thinking that." Ren said as Ann spoke up.

"Oh, Ren. You busy?" Ann asked as Haru spoke up with a smile.

"We were thinking of just getting some tea and chatting to pass the time until the celebration starts." Haru said as Ren spoke up.

"Nah, not really. I was just thinking of hanging out with you, as it happens. Besides, I may or may not have promised Sophia I'd spend time with all of you. Not that I hear Sumire complaining about that. Yet, I can't help but notice that you're missing a couple of girls." Ren asked as Shiho giggled and spoke up.

"You guess right, Ren. Earlier, I saw Akane dragging Nanako by the hand towards the RV. If I were to venture a guess, I'd bet good money they're probably making out in there right now, if not rolling around together on the bed in just their-" Shiho said as Sumire cut in, a pointed look on her face.

"SHIHO! Not in front of Sophia! Though I won't deny that you're probably right about Akane having her way with Nanako right now. However, I think we should leave it at that for now. After all, Zenkichi-san asked us to watch them for him. But Akane-chan is practically a grown woman, so she can make her own choices. Even if said choices include spending her time being naughty with Nanako-chan behind closed doors." Sumire said wisely as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded a slyly smiling Sophia speaking up.

"You say that Mom, but Dad and I were on the bridge in Dotonbori mulling over who we should invite to Tenboto, so we were nowhere near the RV at the time. If he and I were closer, we probably would have heard both Akane and Nanako getting naughty in there." Sophia said as Makoto spoke up.

"R-Right. Either way, we only have time to make maybe one more stop before the celebration." Makoto said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded a smiling Sophia appearing, who spoke up at that point.

"So, what'll it be, Dad? Are you gonna keep your word by inviting us girls to Tenboto with you?" Sophia asked as Ren smiled and spoke up.

"I promised you, didn't I? Of course I'll invite all of you to Tenboto. Err, assuming you ladies are okay with that." Ren said as Sumire smiled and spoke up.

"I think that sounds wonderful. Granted, it might be a bit awkward for Haru-senpai and Makoto-senpai since they are the only ones whose boyfriends aren't going to Tenboto." Sumire said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded a smiling Sophia speaking up.

"Not quite true, Mom. Unless I'm wrong, Futaba also has a boyfriend who will not be going to Tenboto with us. Granted, I have no idea where Uncle Kusa ended up going with Sojiro, since he wasn't with the guys when we checked on them just now." Sophia said as Sumire and Ann exchanged shocked looks before the former spoke up.

"Is that so? I'm sure they have their reasons for being missing. In any case, Futaba can go and fetch Akane and Nanako from the RV so we can get going." Sumire said as Futaba sputtered and spoke up.

"WHAT!? Why me?" Futaba asked as Haru giggled and spoke up.

"Because you're the youngest, and because I think you'd be the one they'd be least embarrassed to be caught in the act by. Also, we all know how bi-curious you are, so I'm sure you would secretly relish the chance to potentially see them both in their birthday suits. But I won't go into more detail than that, out of respect for Sumire-chan and Sophia-chan." Haru said as Sumire spoke up.

"Thank you, Haru. At least one of you have some common sense." Sumire said as Futaba sighed and spoke up.

"Fiiine, I'll go fetch them. I'll be back shortly." Futaba said, leaving Ren and the girls to chat among themselves while they waited for Futaba to return...

(Shortly before all the conversations, in the RV with Akane and Nanako)

After dragging a giggling Nanako back to the RV with her, Akane closed and locked the door before wasting little time in pushing a confused Nanako against the door and eagerly claiming Nanako's lips in her own, making Nanako blush but smile as she returned the kiss. After a bit, Nanako spoke up.

"Not that I'm complaining, but since when are you in such a frisky mood, Akane? I didn't think bringing down Konoe was that much of a cause for celebration?" Nanako asked as Akane gave Nanako a sly look as she spoke up in a mixed sultry/coy tone.

**M-RATED CONTENT STARTS HERE. ANYONE WHO IS UNCOMFORTABLE READING SMUT AND/OR YURI SCENES, SKIP DOWN TO THE SECTION MARKED *END OF M-RATED CONTENT* TO KEEP READING, OTHERWISE YOU READ ON AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! M-RATED CONTENT STARTS NOW!**

"Do I really need a reason to want to celebrate with my lovely girlfriend, Nanako?" Akane asked sexily as she gently took Nanako by the hand, pulled her in close and looked into her eyes as she kissed her again, this time with a lot more passion, even going so far as to nip Nanako's lower lip to get access to shove her tongue into Nanako's mouth, making Nanako give off a surprised gasp before moaning lowly at how assertive Akane was being. Nanako then spoke up in what sounded suspiciously like an aroused tone of voice as she wrapped her tongue around Akane's while speaking into an intense kiss.

"So you're just in a very naughty mood, then? I mean, I don't mind, but don't we only have around an hour at most of free time left before we have to meet the others for the celebration?" Nanako asked as Akane giggled and spoke up after the two broke apart from their kiss.

"True, but who says we'll take that entire time to get each other off a couple times each, Nanako? You forget, we've managed to make each other orgasm like three times in a 30-minute period before. So I think we have enough time to fool around a bit." Akane said as she impishly reached a hand around to boldly cup Nanako's skirt-clad butt, making her blush and shudder in a mix of pleasure and arousal before moaning as she spoke up.

"Fair enough. But must you be so sexy about it? At least wait until we're naked before you do that, so we don't ruin our clothes." Nanako said as Akane giggled and spoke up.

"In that case, what're we waitin' for?" Akane said as she quickly hooked her arms around the waistband of her shirt, swiftly yanking it up and over her head in one motion before tossing it to the ground, exposing her bra-clad chest to Nanako, who blushed and subconsciously licked her lips at how much Akane's breasts seemed to be straining against the fabric of the bra, almost as if she'd picked a too-small bra to wear on purpose. Akane then smirked at the look on Nanako's face as she spoke up.

"Like what you see, sexy? Feel free to have at me." Akane said as Nanako nodded, taking the invitation to lean in and sexily trail kisses down Akane's neckline to her collarbone, making Akane moan as she felt Nanako's nose gently rubbing against her cleavage as she trailed kisses towards Akane's upper chest. Akane smiled as she playfully shoved Nanako's face into her cleavage.

This bold decision by Akane would have the result of making Nanako sputter slightly but quickly recover as she looped her hands around Akane's back to unclasp and remove Akane's bra, tossing it to the ground and exposing Akane's bare breasts to Nanako, who licked her lips as she kissed the closest breast, taking her time in tracing circles around the super-smooth mound in her mouth, enjoying how almost silky Akane's nipple and areola felt in her mouth, making Akane shudder and moan as she spoke up.

"Ohh god, that feels so friggin' amazing! Keep going, Nanako! Punish me for being such a naughty tease!" Akane said as Nanako nodded, sliding a hand into Akane's skirt and panties to rub between Akane's legs, making her whimper eagerly in a mix of anticipation, arousal, and excitement as she quickly removed her skirt and panties, exposing her naked body to Nanako, who giggled as she used her free hand to caress Akane's other breast.

Nanako's gentle yet bold decision would end up making Akane moan in a mix of arousal, excitement, and pleasure as Nanako spent a while lavishing attention on her breasts before trailing kisses along her chest and stomach towards her glistening thighs, seeing the signs of Akane's arousal in the form of her already-damp folds, eventually sliding her tongue into Akane's entrance and sliding her tongue around, earning a series of contented moans from Akane, who giggled and spoke up while feeling a shudder of mixed anticipation, desire, and arousal go through her body from Nanako's actions.

"Mmm, why are you so good to me, Nanako? But you know, it's almost unfair that I'm the only one who's totally naked in this room." Akane said as Nanako blushed but smirked as she spoke up.

"And whose fault is that? I'm not stopping you from stripping me naked, you know." Nanako said as Akane smirked and wasted little time in yanking off Nanako's skirt, panties, bra, and shirt, sliding the latter two down Nanako's front so as not to disturb her from eating Akane out. Once she had Nanako completely naked, Akane gestured for Nanako to sit on her face, which she eagerly complied with. After that, the only sound heard for a while was the sounds of two very naughty girls moaning as they ate each other out eagerly. After a few minutes, Akane shuddered and spoke up.

"Ooh, I like the feeling of that talented fucking tongue of yours licking my moist womanhood, Nanako! Keep goin'! At this rate, you're gonna make me-OOH! F-FUCK, I THINK I SPOKE TOO SOON! I THINK I'M CLOSE!" Akane said as Nanako giggled, gently nibbling Akane's prominently visible clit sexily and making Akane moan louder as kept speaking.

"HOLY CRAP, NANAKO! YOU ARE A NAUGHTY BITCH, AREN'T YOU!? BUT I LOVE IT SOO MUCH! HOLY SHIT, THAT'S AMAZING! OOF, YESSSS! I THINK I'M-! YES, YES I AM! I'M COMIN', NANAKO!" Akane said as she felt herself clench before eagerly moaning out Nanako's name euphorically as she felt herself release in Nanako's mouth, and also a bit on Nanako's face, quickly pulling Nanako into a kiss to lick the excess off of her face before giggling as she looked at Nanako with a lustful look in her eyes before gesturing for Nanako to lay on the bed, which she did with only slight confusion.

After Nanako complied, giving Akane a confused look when she unlocked the RV door, her confusion turned to excitement as she saw Akane straddle her sexily before seeming to position herself before lifting her breast and rubbing it against Nanako's clit sensually, making Nanako gasp and moan as she spoke up.

"DAMN, AKANE! I HAVE NO IDEA WHERE YOU LEARNED HOW TO DO THAT, BUT PLEASE DON'T STOP! I LOVE HOW FUCKING GOOD YOU'RE MAKING ME FEEL RIGHT NOW!" Nanako said huskily as Akane nodded and kept going, smirking as she watched Nanako blush and moan from Akane's touch. After a bit, Akane moved her breast off of Nanako's pussy and looked into Nanako's eyes and spoke up.

"That was nice, I'm sure. But I think we should try something even better." Akane said as Nanako gave her a confused look and spoke up.

"W-What do you mean by that, Akane?" Nanako asked as Akane spoke up.

"Let me show you." Akane said as Nanako nodded before Akane gently lifted up one of Nanako's legs before sliding her leg under it, slowly lining up so that her clit was touching Nanako's. After that, she started rubbing against Nanako, making her blush and moan as she spoke up.

"Ooh, I like that. What was that?" Nanako asked as Akane giggled and spoke up.

"It's a little something I read about once on Futaba-chan's laptop called 'scissoring'. Apparently, it only works for girl/girl couples. So it's a good thing that we became girlfriends, since I get to try it out with you. Ready to have your mind blown?" Akane asked as Nanako could only nod at first before speaking up.

"Y-Yes, please. Just keep doing that. That felt good, having you rubbing your clit against mine. I kinda wanna rub your clit too, and see if it feels better with us grinding on each other." Nanako said as Akane giggled and spoke up.

"Please do, Nanako." Akane said as she leaned into Nanako as Nanako nodded and started bucking against Akane, making both girls moan eagerly as they started grinding their clits together sexily, and for several long minutes, the only sound to be heard was that of Akane and Nanako moaning sexily from the feelings going thorugh them both while their clits were rubbing against one another erotically. After a bit, Nanako shuddered and spoke up.

"F-Fuck, that feels soo good! Keep going, Akane! I want to feel your damp pussy rubbing on mine like that for a while longer." Nanako said as Akane nodded and kept going. After a few more minutes, Nanako shuddered as she felt herself start to arc backwards a bit, making her speak up.

"Oh, shit! I think I'm getting close, Akane!" Nanako said as Akane smirked and spoke up.

"Me too, Nanako! Wanna see if we can climax at the same time as one another while getting our releases in and/or on each other?" Akane asked as Nanako nodded eagerly and the two kept rubbing their clits together to stimulate each other. About five minutes later, Nanako and Akane looked into each others eyes before simultaneously screaming out each others' names as they hit the edge at the same time.

After both girls started moaning even louder as they felt themselves reaching a simultaneous finale, the two girls looked into each others' eyes before kissing passionately to stifle the cries of ecstasy coming from the both of them, followed by both Akane and Nanako riding a mutual climax into a slightly messy orgasm that got in and on each of them as they both shuddered and laid in place for a few minutes.

Once enough time had passed for the high of their synchronized orgasms to subside, Nanako smiled at Akane, who smiled back while exchanging a look with Nanako, who nodded before both girls proceeded to lay together, smiling at each other as they cuddled against one another after changing the soiled bed sheets out for clean ones and putting the soiled ones in a laundry bag, which Akane tossed into a corner of the RV next to the bunk bed.

As they went to lay together, Nanako frowned and spoke up as she heard what sounded like partially-muffled moaning coming from outside of the RV, making her look at Akane in confusion, which Akane also felt if the look on her face was any indication.

"Wait, hold on. Is that another girl moaning that I hear?" Nanako asked as Akane blinked before she spoke up with a nod.

"I think it is, Nanako. It sounds like it's coming from outside." Akane said as she got up, completely unconcerned with her nakedness, and looked outside, gasping as she caught a mostly-naked Futaba leaned against the trailer, her skirt and panties around her ankles with her shirt and bra discarded on the ground, and an almost orgasmic look of bliss on her face as she was fingering herself, making Akane blush as she realized that Futaba had come to get her and Nanako and most likely caught the two of them going at it in the RV.

Akane then cleared her throat and spoke up, making a mortified Futaba jump in shock as she spoke up, hurriedly trying to fix her clothes as Akane spoke up, giggling at the mixed shocked and/or intrigued look on Futaba's face as she brazenly ogled Akane's naked body while Akane spoke.

"Why were you spying on us, Futaba? You didn't have to hide it. We don't mind if you were getting yourself off to us. After all, we're the ones who didn't lock the RV while we fooled around. Also, might I point out that you have a wonderfully sexy figure. Kusa is a very lucky man indeed to have landed you as his girlfriend." Akane said slyly as she led a blushing Futaba into the RV, where Nanako had already gotten dressed, tossing Akane her clothes so she could also get dressed. After both girls were decent, and Futaba had fixed her clothes, Nanako spoke up with a look of confusion on her face.

**END OF M-RATED CONTENT. STORY RESUMES AT THIS POINT IF YOU SKIPPED THE PRECEDING M-RATED CONTENT. KEEP READING FROM THIS POINT IF YOU SKIPPED THE PRECEDING GIRL/GIRL LEMON**

"Why were you watching us, Futaba? Clearly, that's why you were fingering yourself out there. Akane told me what she found you doing. Not that we have room to judge, but really? Why not just let us know that you were here?" Nanako asked as Futaba blushed and spoke up.

"To be honest? I was asked to come fetch you two so you could accompany the rest of us girls, plus Ren and Sophia, to go hang out in Tenboto before the celebration. But as soon as I arrived, I saw you two going at it on the bed. From there, I found myself inexplicably aroused by the sight of you two grinding on each other like that. I'm happy with Kusa, but I think I also like women too.

So, naturally, I found myself wanting to get myself off after seeing that, hence Akane finding me practically naked and leaning up against the RV. I didn't want to disturb you two while you were having fun. Sorry if I scared you when I started moaning. I didn't think I'd get that into it." Futaba said as Akane spoke up.

"We don't mind. Just, y'know, don't tell anyone you caught us having sex in here, yeah? You keep our secret, and in return, Nanako and I won't tell anyone about you masturbating to us. Deal?" Akane said as an embarrassed Futaba nodded and shook Akane's hand to seal the deal. Nanako giggled and spoke up.

"You know, you're a pretty sexy woman in your own right, Futaba. If not for the fact that you're already dating Kusa, I'd be tempted to invite you to have a threesome with us sometime." Nanako said as both Akane and Futaba gave her shocked looks, the former speaking up.

"Seriously!? Am I not enough for you, Nanako?" Akane asked as Nanako spoke up.

"Of course you are, Akane. I'm just saying that it could be fun to see if we enjoy having threesomes or not, that's all." Nanako said as Akane spoke up.

"Fair point. I do seem to recall Kusa-kun once saying that he didn't mind if Futaba fooled around with girls on a casual basis, provided he didn't have to worry about her leaving him for said girls. So maybe we can arrange a time to try that out, provided Futaba consents to that?" Akane said as a blushing Futaba spoke up.

"Y-You want me to have a threesome with you two sometime? I'd be open to that, provided that Kusa gave the okay for it beforehand. I'm not trying to have him think I'm trying to cheat on him or anything, after all. And for the record? Kusa's the man I love and the one I want to be with. You know how it is." Futaba said as Akane nodded and spoke up.

"I completely understand. Well, now that Nanako and I are done, why don't we go meet up with the others? We can discuss this further later." Akane said as Nanako and Futaba nodded and the three met up with Ren and the other girls in time to hear Ren speak up.

"Oh, there you guys are. I assume everyone's ready to go to Tenboto?" Ren said as all the ladies nodded as Futaba spoke up.

"Yup, we are! This was a great idea, Ren! Come on, come on! Let's go!" Futaba said impatiently as Makoto spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"All right, let's go together, then." Makoto said as the group headed to Tenboto, a skeptical Sumire giving Futaba, Nanako, and Akane a searching look as the group went...

(A short time later, in Tenboto with Ren, Sophia, Sumire, Makoto, Haru, Ann, Shiho, Futaba, Nanako, and Akane)

As the girls and Ren took in the view of Tenboto, Haru giggled and spoke up.

"Wow, this view is breathtaking!" Haru said as Futaba spoke up with wide eyes.

"Whoa, we're, uh, really high up off the ground right now." Futaba said as Akane giggled and spoke up.

"What's wrong? Not good with heights, Futaba?" Akane asked coyly as Nanako smirked and spoke up.

"I doubt that, given she flies around in a UFO most of the time in the Metaverse, not to mention all the times that Kusa gives her a ride on his dragon." Nanako said slyly as Futaba blushed before a frowning Sumire spoke up.

"HEY! Was that supposed to be a double entendre, Nanako!? If so, please don't say such things around Sophia!" Sumire rebuked a giggling Nanako as Akane spoke up with a sly smirk on her face.

"No, Sumire. I know what it sounded like, but I can assure you that what Nanako said just now wasn't supposed to be a double entendre. She meant the times Kusa would carry Futaba around on Malefor's back, that's all. Is your mind seriously in the gutter right now, Sumire? I mean, I can't blame you, given the fact that you landed Ren as your boyfriend and all." Akane said slyly as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded a slyly smirking Sophia speaking up.

"To be fair, I'm pretty sure Dad rocks Mom's world pretty well, Akane. Mom is probably just due for some prolonged alone time with him." Sophia said with a giggle as Sumire blushed in embarrassment and spoke up.

"SOPHIA! I can't believe you just said that about your father and myself! Never mind if it's true or not, you don't have the right to put our intimate life on blast like that!" Sumire rebuked Sophia, her face almost as red as her hair from blushing in embarrassment as Ann giggled and spoke up.

"Wow, who knew it was so easy to get Sumire hot under the collar like this? Are you taking notes right now, Ren? Anyways, look at all those lights out there, you guys. This is pretty exciting." Ann said as Shiho smirked and spoke up with a sly grin.

"Maybe you're right, Ann. But it's not as exciting as all the times I've managed to pull you into an intense kiss under the stars, I'm sure." Shiho said as Sumire frowned and made to rebuke Shiho, only for Makoto to cut her off by speaking up before she could do so.

"You're right, Ann. You can see all of Osaka from up here. Strange to think we were fighting out there just recently, isn't it?" Makoto asked as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded a smiling Sophia speaking up.

"Mm-hm! I'll bet seeing all of this means a lot more to you guys now that we've taken down Konoe." Sophia said happily before she kept speaking.

"Now if only Owada went down with him as well, then our problems would all be solved. Oh well, we can leave that to Zenkichi-san and the police. In the meantime, we should just enjoy the view." Sophia said as Sumire spoke up.

"Good point, Sophia. And speaking of enjoying views, was that why you were so late bringing back Akane and Nanako, Futaba-chan? Were you enjoying the view of Akane and Nanako in their birthday suits, by chance?" Sumire asked as Futaba blushed and spoke up.

"W-What? N-No, not at all! I wasn't held up waiting for them to be decent so I could bring them back, not at all." Futaba said as Nanako spoke up with a sly smirk.

"Calm down, Futaba. Sumire was just teasing you. Besides, she knows full well that you're loyal to Kusa, and Kusa alone. You'd never even think about looking at anyone else naked, no matter if they're male or female." Nanako said, giving Futaba a sly wink that had Futaba fighting back embarrassment at the undertone of Nanako's words. Before Futaba could answer, Ann noticed something nearby and spoke up.

"Hey uhh, guys, what's that thing over there?" Ann asked as Futaba smirked and spoke up.

"Hm? The shape looks kinda familiar. Like maybe it's got some mystery pockets or something." Futaba said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone, which Ren still had on him, preceded Sophia speaking up.

"Mmhm, good guess, Futaba. That is the mascot of Tenboto, and its name is 'Benzaimaru.' Praying to it is said to bring one good luck with money." Sophia said as Futaba smirked and spoke up.

"Welp, we know one statue that Kusa won't be praying to, then. He's already a legit wizard with cash as it is." Futaba said as Makoto nodded her agreement and spoke up.

"Yeah, that makes sense. Both that Kusa-kun has a good head for finances, and that they'd have such a fitting god for a city of commerce." Makoto said as Futaba spoke up.

"Aww, how sweet, Makoto. On the other hand, Inari'd be crying tears of joy if he were here. He was all bummed about his prize money running out." Futaba said as Sumire giggled and spoke up.

"Yep, that sounds like Yusuke-senpai, all right. Then again, this assumes that Goro wouldn't just get impatient and decide to toss him off the tower in irritation if he started crying. We all know how little patience Goro has for things like sentimentality, after all." Sumire said teasingly as Haru huffed and spoke up, the look on her face as she spoke making it clear that despite Goro not being there to defend herself, she was plenty offended on her boyfriend's behalf by Sumire's cheap shot at Goro.

"Wha-? HEY! How dare you slander Goro in such a way, Sumire-chan!? I'll have you know that he would, in fact, not even so much as lift a finger to hurt Yusuke-kun. He might grumble about him being a sentimental fool, but he'd never hurt him! That being said, I think I'll go and pray to this 'Benzaimaru' myself. Anything to bring the company success." Haru said as Ann spoke up with an agreeable nod.

"Good point. I'll go ahead and wish for more modeling gigs, and probably also for nothing but the best for mine and Shiho's eventual wedding and marriage." Ann said as Shiho spoke up.

"Good thinking, Ann. I think I'll wish for our happiness, too." Shiho said as Akane spoke up.

"Ooh, maybe I should pray to this Benzaimaru for a long and happy future with Nanako, along with wishing for Dad to have a lot of success with his job." Akane said as Nanako spoke up.

"Good plan. I might also pray for that, along with my father's continued success as a detective with the Inaba Police Department." Nanako said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded Sophia speaking up.

"So, what's the plan? Are you gonna wish for anything, Dad?" Sophia asked as Ren spoke up.

"Yep. Since no one else seems to be thinking of it, I think I'll pray for the happiness of all of us Phantom Thieves. And of course, I'll also pray for Sumire to have success in her gymnastics aspirations." Ren said as Sumire blushed and spoke up.

"T-Thank you, Ren. To be honest, I think I'll wish for our group's happiness, too. And of course, for success in my gymnastics aspirations." Sumire said before blushing as she muttered what sounded suspiciously like 'and to start a family with you someday' under her breath, making Ren blink and speak up.

"What was that last part, Sumire?" Ren asked as Sumire spoke up.

"N-Nothing! You didn't hear that, Ren." Sumire said, her face bright red in embarrassment. Before Ren could press the issue further, a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded a smiling Sophia speaking up.

"Oh, good idea, Dad! I think I'll wish for that too. And maybe I'll also wish for someone to look at me in the same way that you look at Mom, or that Uncle Kusa, Uncle Goro, and Ryuji all look at their girlfriends." Sophia said as Sumire smiled and spoke up, seeing an ideal chance to get back at Sophia for embarrassing her recently, and taking it.

"Oh? I bet a certain talking cat-turned-human might be all too willing to take care of that for you if you asked him. But that's up to you if you want to bring that up with him." Sumire said kindly, giggling at how red Sophia's face got as she spoke up, her shy smile seeming to turn to a frown mid-way through her response.

"MOOOOM! Stop teasing me! Morgana and I are just friends. Besides, I've seen the way he often looks at Ann, and even Nanako on occasion. I'm well aware that his heart probably still belongs to Ann, even though she's dating Shiho. Also, you know how touchy he gets about being called a cat." Sophia said bluntly as Ann and Shiho exchanged shocked looks with Sumire at Sophia's outburst before Makoto spoke up in order to prevent an awkward silence from falling over the group after Sophia's outburst.

"Aaaanyways, we've come so far. Let's all pray to it together." Makoto said as the others nodded and walked over to the 'Benzaimaru' as Ann spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Hee hee, I wish that I'll get to walk on a big stage with the very best of them along with wishing for me and Shiho to have a happy married life! And that I'll maybe get some sweets along the way!" Ann said as Haru spoke up.

"I wish for all of my employees and customers to always have smiles on their faces all the time." Haru said as Futaba spoke up.

"Mmhm, mmhm! I wish for Leblanc to be successful and prosperous for a long time to come. Just not too busy, since that's usually when Sojiro needs Kusa to work double shifts helping him out." Futaba said, grumbling what sounded suspiciously like 'stupid Sojiro and Leblanc cutting into my fun time with Kusa' under her breath. Makoto giggled and spoke up, cutting off Sumire before she could ask Futaba to repeat the last bit she said.

"Not to copy Haru, Ren, and Sumire, but I wish for Sis and the Phantom Thieves to always be happy, even in the hardest of times, no matter what." Makoto said as Shiho spoke up.

"Well, since everyone else is making wishes, I suppose I should do the same. I wish for Ann to have a lot of happiness and success in her modeling goals. And of course, for us to have a long and happy marriage once we finally tie the knot." Shiho said as Sumire smiled and looked into Ren's eyes as she spoke up.

"C'mon, Ren. We should make our wish too." Sumire said as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"Very well. I wish for my friends and family in the Phantom Thieves to always be happy and successful. And I also wish for Sumire to have success in her dreams going forward." Ren said as Sumire blushed and spoke up.

"R-Right. I wish for everyone to be happy and prosperous as well. I, err, I also wish, IwishtohaveahappylifeandtoeventuallyhavekidswithRen." Sumire said, blushing as she got the last of her wishes out, making Futaba, Akane, and Nanako giggle as they smirked at the red-faced Sumire, clearly amused by her wish. At that point, Ren smirked and spoke up.

"My my, I wonder if you realize how cute you sounded just now, Sumire. I'm not sure what that last bit was you rushed out in one long breath, but whatever it was, you know I love you too." Ren said, leaning in to boldly steal a kiss from a red-faced Sumire, amid giggles from Haru, Makoto, and Futaba, prompting Ann and Akane to boldly kiss their respective girlfriends as well, ignoring the odd stares they got from various onlookers who weren't expecting a pair of lesbian couples to openly embrace their sexuality in public. At that point, Akane, Nanako, and a red-faced Sophia all made their wishes, the latter ignoring the smirks on most of the girls' faces at her mention of wishing for a special someone to like her romantically. After everyone made their wishes, Makoto spoke up.

"Hmm, okay. It's almost time for the celebration. We should get going." Makoto said as Ann spoke up with a closed-eye smile and a pumped fist.

"Yeah, it's party time! I found us a good place, so I hope you guys are looking forward to it!" Ann said before the group's attention was grabbed by the sights of couples all over the area as Futaba spoke up.

"Oh, right. Man, there's a couple everywhere you look. Guess that makes sense, since it's summer vacation and all." Futaba said as Haru spoke up.

"Good point. The night view and the mood are really nice, too, so I'm sure it makes for a perfect date spot." Haru said as Sophia spoke up.

"Hmm, a date spot, you say? Hey, Dad? If you were to come here on a date with someone, who would it be?" Sophia asked as Sumire winced and spoke up.

"Really? Wow, Sophia. Way to toss your poor father a bomb like that." Sumire said as Ren smiled and spoke up.

"That's okay, I don't mind her asking that, Sumire." Ren said as Ann spoke up with a smirk on her face.

"I-I'm actually kinda curious to hear the answer to that, even though I have a suspicion that I already know who it is." Ann said as Futaba spoke up.

"Y'know, even though I have my own inklings about it, I wanna know too. Who? Who is it?" Futaba asked as Ren slyly spoke up.

"Obviously, it'd be the woman I love with all my heart, of course." Ren said honestly. Haru blinked and spoke up in shock.

"HUH!? But we want to know who that is!" Haru said as Sumire spoke up with a frown.

"Really? You can't figure it out already, Haru-senpai?" Sumire asked, looking mildly offended. Ann frowned and spoke up.

"Are you saying it's none of us, Ren!? Come on bro, give us some details!" Ann said as Makoto frowned and spoke up.

"I agree with Ann! This is a good opportunity, so I think you could at least give us a proper answer." Makoto said bluntly as Ren smirked and spoke up.

"Wow, either the battle with Konoe messed up your brains or it could be the fact that you ladies want to figure out who I should bring as a date besides the one that I love. And since it's apparently not clear to you all, I'm of course speaking of my oh-so-amazing and beautiful girlfriend, Miss Sumire Yoshizawa! Of course, she would be the one I ask here on a date. Not to say you're not all amazing too, but I'm pretty sure all of you have boyfriends and/or girlfriends already." Ren said wisely before he kept speaking.

"Well, all of you except for Sophia. But I have faith that she'll find someone for her as well eventually. So don't feel bad for being single for now, Sophia." Ren said as Sumire giggled and spoke up.

"Good answer, Senpai. I love you too." Sumire said as she kissed Ren all while Makoto, Futaba, and Haru glared at Sumire with envy all while a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone preceded a wide-eyed Sophia speaking up while gasping.

"OH, MY! How come everyone's getting so heated all of a sudden?" Sophia asked as Sumire smiled and spoke up.

"I think it's because a certain someone managed to unintentionally throw their unsuspecting father a bomb by asking about his love life, Sophia. But your father and I forgive you, since it was just an innocent question, with no harm meant." Sumire said as Nanako turned to Akane and spoke up.

"Good grief. With the way the others are all looking ready to maim poor Ren, this might take a while, I think." Nanako said as Shiho giggled and spoke up.

"I doubt that, Nanako-chan. Ren might get slapped around a bit, but I don't think the other girls will kill him." Shiho said as Akane smirked and spoke up.

"At least not without going through Sumire-san first, anyways." Akane said as Sumire winced and spoke up.

"Gee, thanks for that oh-so-potentially cursed mental image, Akane-chan. But you're not wrong to say that I'll fight to protect Ren with all I've got." Sumire said as Ren spent the rest of the time having an exciting chat with the girls. In what seemed like no time, it was time for the celebration, so the group left to meet up with the others for the celebration...

(At the same time, back in Dotonbori, with Ryuji, Yusuke, Goro, and Morgana)

After Ren left with Sophia and the girls, Goro spoke up with a frown on his face.

"Wait, so if Ren and Sophia are hanging out with the girls, and Kusa is off who-knows where with Sojiro, does that mean that I'm stuck hanging out with you three?" Goro asked as Yusuke spoke up with a nod.

"Yep, I'm afraid so, Goro. But if you'd really rather hang out alone, we understand." Yusuke said as Morgana spoke up.

"Speak for yourself, Yusuke! I think Goro's pretty funny most of the time, so I don't think he should be keeping to himself." Morgana said as Goro grinned and spoke up.

"Really? That's rich coming from the guy who not only used to be a cat, but who actually threw a tantrum and stormed off like a spoiled brat after Ryuji called you out on your immaturity and selfishness? Granted, he was over the line when he wished that you would disappear, but otherwise, I feel as if he wasn't wrong to call you out like he did. Sure, you're a lot more mature and respectable these days, but back then you were nothing more than an ego-centric and childish crybaby four-legged bus." Goro said as Morgana frowned and spoke up.

"HEY! I'm not a cat anymore, Goro! But you're not wrong that I was immature and childish back then. I know that now. Speaking of which, I'm sorry for being so rude to you that day, Ryuji. You didn't deserve that. You were just trying to be a good friend to Kusa and Futaba. Especially after I, in all my foolish wisdom, almost caused problems for them by misinterpreting a conversation between Ren and Futaba. So you were right to take me to task for what I said." Morgana said as Ryuji smirked and spoke up after giving Morgana a one-armed manly hug, to the shock of Goro and Yusuke, as well as the surprise of Morgana himself.

"No worries, man. I forgive you. After all, I was also a pretty big dick to you that day, so I suppose we're even in that respect. Also, I feel like I got what I deserved after Kusa laid me out flat on my ass with one punch. Still can't believe that, but whatever. Speaking of Kusa, what is he doing with Sojiro right now, I wonder?" Ryuji said as Goro spoke up with a smirk on his face.

"To be honest, I think I heard them saying something about keeping a promise they made to a departed loved one? Not really sure what they meant by that, but who cares? Why don't we all go and drown our sorrows in some ramen? I know for a fact that at the very least, Ryuji enjoys that stuff. I'll pay, since I'm probably the only one here who actually makes a steady income, aside from maybe Ryuji." Goro said as Ryuji high-fived Goro and spoke up.

"Yo, having some ramen!? Hell yeah, man! I'm in." Ryuji said as Morgana and Yusuke shrugged, the former speaking up.

"Eh, why not? Sounds like fun. I'm in." Morgana said as Yusuke smirked and spoke up.

"Well, if Goro is paying, I see no reason to turn away his generosity. Very well, I, too, am in." Yusuke said as the guys all nodded and headed to find a ramen place that was open, wondering as they did so what Sojiro and Kusa were up to...

(At the same time, over in Shinsekai, with Kusa and Sojiro)

As he and Sojiro both stood in a back alley together in Shinsekai, Kusa spoke up after looking Sojiro in the eyes.

"Thank you for meeting me here, Sojiro. I'm sure you're confused about why I asked for this meeting, so if you want, I don't mind explaining it to you." Kusa said as Sojiro spoke up with a smirk.

"Please do. I have a vague idea, but I want to hear it from your mouth." Sojiro said as Kusa spoke up with a nod.

"Fair enough. To be honest, it's about Futaba. After all that has happened recently, I've been doing a lot of thinking, and it has made me realize that maybe I need to quit making up excuses and finally think about settling down. And by that, I mean I'm considering asking Futaba to marry me. Of course, I felt it was only fair that I should get your permission to do so first since you're her father, and I wouldn't dream of popping the question without getting your blessings first, Sojiro. Besides, we were both there when Wakaba-san mentioned that you were holding a certain ring in safekeeping for Taba. Apparently, she said I'd need that to propose to her or something?

Either way, I figured I'd run it by you first, and see how you feel about it. If you think it's too soon for that, or you don't think this is the right time, feel free to say so, and I'll completely understand. I just feel like Futaba deserves to have a sense of consistency and solidarity from those who are closest to her. You, as her father, and me, as her boyfriend. So what do you think, Sojiro? Should I wait a while longer to ask her, or do you agree the time is right for it?" Kusa asked as Sojiro managed to pick his jaw up off the floor in time to speak up after getting over his shock at Kusa's admission.

"Honestly? I'm just shocked, as well as impressed, that you had the common courtesy and respect to ask for my blessing first. To be honest with you, I already know I can trust you with my daughter, and that you would never break her heart. So if you seek my blessings for your plans to propose to Futaba, then consider them freely given to you, Kusa. All I ask in return is that you make sure you try to stay on the same page with her, and that you do things as equals. Otherwise, I think I can trust you not to hurt her. As for the ring you mentioned? Here it is." Sojiro said, pulling a small purple box from his pocket and handing it to Kusa, who opened it to see a rather simple if elegant gold ring with a sparkling purple gemstone in it. Kusa blinked at this and spoke up.

"Is that an amethyst?" Kusa asked as Sojiro nodded and spoke up with an amused smirk.

"Yes, it is an amethyst, Kusa. As it turns out, Wakaba and Futaba have the same birthstone, so this is the same ring I used to propose to Wakaba so long ago. And Wakaba and I both agree that it only seems right that the same ring I used to propose to Wakaba so long ago would be used again all these years later to propose to Wakaba's daughter. So don't lose it." Sojiro said as Kusa nodded, tucking the ring into one of the cargo pockets on the front of his jeans as he spoke up.

"I can't express how grateful I am, Sojiro. I really appreciate you trusting me to take care of Futaba, as well as giving your blessings for my proposal to her. I promise you won't regret it. Thanks, Dad." Kusa said, shocking Sojiro by pulling him into a brief hug as Sojiro blinked before smiling as he patted Kusa on the shoulder gently and spoke up.

"You're welcome, son. Heh, I suppose I should get used to hearing you occasionally refer to me as 'Dad' now, shouldn't I? After all, if Futaba accepts your proposal, you'll eventually be my son-in-law." Sojiro said as Kusa smirked and spoke up.

"Yep. And to be honest, I can't think of a man whom I'm more proud to call 'Dad' than you, Sojiro. Well, other than Ren's dad, since he was basically my default father figure for most of my life. But after him, you're definitely my main male role model." Kusa said honestly as Sojiro smirked and spoke up.

"I'm glad to hear it. But that's enough of this sappy shit, don't you think? Maybe we should start heading back, so we're not running late to meet up with the others for that celebration." Sojiro said as Kusa thought about it and nodded as he spoke up.

"Good call, Sojiro. Let's go. Oh, and not a word about you-know-what to Futaba until I'm ready to pop the question. Same with the others, too. I don't trust some of them not to spill the beans early and spoil the surprise. So for now, this stays between us, got it?" Kusa said as Sojiro nodded and spoke up.

"Understood. My lips are sealed, Kusa." Sojiro said as he and Kusa shook hands before heading off to meet up with the others...

(A short time later, in Universaland, with Yusuke, Ann, Makoto, Futaba, Shiho, Akane, Nanako, Morgana, Kusa, Sojiro, Goro, Haru, Ryuji, Sumire, Sophia, and Ren)

After everyone was gathered in Universaland, Ann spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Thank you all for coming. I want to say that we all did a great job in putting an end to the change of heart epidemic as well as stopping Konoe. So with that being said, let us toast to this totally closed case!" Ann said as Haru spoke up.

"Cheers!" Haru said as Goro frowned and spoke up.

"Bold of all of you to assume that this case is closed before we have confirmation of EMMA's deactivation and Owada's arrest." Goro said as Akane spoke up.

"True, but I trust my dad to wrap things up on that end, so let's have some faith in him, okay Goro?" Akane said as Goro spoke up.

"Fiiine, I'll humor you, Akane-san." Goro said as the group toasted to the case. After everyone had a sip, Ryuji smirked and spoke up.

"Ahhh, that's the stuff. Soda really hits the spot after a job done right!" Ryuji said as Futaba frowned and spoke up.

"Okay then, Gramps, if you say so." Futaba said as Nanako frowned and spoke up.

"HEY! Don't insult Zenkichi-san by comparing Ryuji to him like that when he's not here." Nanako said as Akane smirked and spoke up.

"Calm down, Nanako. Futaba was just teasing. But I love you for coming to my father's defense." Akane said as she kissed Nanako on the cheek. Yusuke spoke up at that point.

"I'm curious Ann, why did you choose Universaland, anyway?" Yusuke asked as Ann spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"You've gotta hit up Universaland when you go to Osaka. Plus, I thought it'd make a fitting atmosphere for our celebration!" Ann said as Kusa's eyes widened while a thought ran through his mind.

"Ann has a point. But still, a little forewarning would've been nice. If I'd have known we were heading here, I could've spoken to Sojiro sooner and been able to have some time to rehearse what I want to say. Eh, no matter, I'm sure an opportune moment for me to surprise Futaba will present itself soon enough." Kusa thought to himself as Morgana spoke up.

"Heh, nice one, Lady Ann! You really know how to pick 'em!" Morgana said as Sophia frowned inside of Sumire's phone on hearing Morgana compliment Ann. Before she could voice her feelings, Ryuji spoke up with a grin on his face.

"Dude, you should try to get a job here. You'd make it huge in your Phantom Thief form." Ryuji said as both Goro and Kusa almost choked on their sodas on hearing that as the latter spoke up.

"Did you really just say that, Ryuji!? You do realize that Morgana's not a mascot let alone a cat anymore, right?" Kusa asked as Morgana spoke up.

"Exactly! Kusa gets it! So don't treat me like some kind of mascot, Ryuji!" Morgana said as Makoto did a closed-eye smile and spoke up.

"This place really brings back memories of celebrating four years ago. We've shared a lot of our lives together, and not just as the Phantom Thieves." Makoto said as both Goro and Kusa winced at the reference to the time when the group had prematurely celebrated a successful mission, only for them to get a harsh reality check when not only did Kunikazu Okumura's change of heart not go as planned, but he met a rather graphic and grisly demise on live TV during a press conference he'd called to announce his crimes, as all of the other Palace Rulers the group had taken down had done, with the exception of Futaba, who had instead joined the group as thanks for the group changing her heart and saving her from her pain and trauma.

For Kusa, this was a reminder of one of his greatest failures, and for Goro, it was a reminder of the single worst thing he'd ever done in his life, that being hurting his girlfriend in such an irrevocable way as taking her father from her. Sure, he spared Haru a loveless marriage by doing so, but he also put her through a lot of pain and grieving as a trade-off. Sojiro frowned and spoke up.

"Was that really a memorable time for those who were involved, Makoto? Because I seem to recall that both Goro and Kusa had some not-so-fond memories of that time." Sojiro said as Makoto winced as she realized her faux pas, but before she could speak up, Yusuke spoke up.

"You have a point, Makoto. But so does Sojiro. However, if I may say something? Although this experience was quite different from our time opposing the Palace Rulers as we did four years ago, we still ran into a number of colorful characters during this process. Alice Hiiragi, Ango Natsume, Mariko Hyodo, Akane Hasegawa, the Black Mask/Loki, and even Akira Konoe. All of them were warped individuals, even though some of them were easily redeemed and saved from themselves.

And let us not forget the late Shuzo Ubukata, who was the only Monarch to have enough conscience to try to stop what he was doing without the need for our intervention. There's no mistake that aside from those such as Akane and Ubukata, the rest of the Monarchs all needed to be stopped, but they each had very complex circumstances. This isn't to negate the crimes that most of them committed, but it's impossible to simply write them off as evil." Yusuke said as Akane winced at the reference to her short-lived stint as a Monarch. Seeing this, Nanako gently took Akane's hand in her own and gave it a comforting squeeze as she leaned in to whisper into Akane's ear.

"It's okay, Akane. None of us blame you for that period of your life. You stopped before you did anything wrong, after all. So don't be sad about Yusuke bringing it up." Nanako said as Akane nodded, leaning in to kiss Nanako on the cheek gratefully. At that point, Haru spoke up with a frown.

"You're right, Yusuke-kun. They had all suffered so much during their lives." Haru said as Makoto spoke up.

"Well, it's true that everyone loses their way or faces hardship at some point, and it always has the potential to make a permanent impact on someone, as both Kusa-kun and Sumire-chan can attest. But as Kusa-kun himself said to Konoe-san's Shadow when we fought him, the biggest testament to a person's character is what they do after their hardship." Makoto said as Morgana frowned and spoke up.

"Good point, Makoto. As for the Monarchs, they were all taken advantage of while they were lost. They changed the hearts of those around them to fit their ideals, and refused to accept their true selves, aside from Akane, who was just suffering and in turmoil." Morgana said as Haru frowned and spoke up.

"That's true. Still, such a fate could easily befall any one of us at any time. Both Kusa-kun and Goro can vouch for this, as they both had close calls with losing their way and almost falling into darkness." Haru said as Goro spoke up.

"Way to put it into perspective, Haru." Goro said as Haru winced and kept speaking.

"Sorry to use you and Kusa-kun as an example, Goro. But as I said, something like what happened with the Monarchs could also happen to any one of us. If someone came to me, claiming to hold the means to solve all my problems when I was at my most hurt and desperate? I can't say I wouldn't have wound up in the same conundrum that the Monarchs were in." Haru said as Ren smiled and spoke up.

"You're not wrong, Haru. It is possible that could happen to any of us. But we have each other, so as long as we stand by one another, I think we'll be fine." Ren said wisely as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"Yeah, I think we'll make it just fine." Ryuji said as Ann spoke up with a frown.

"Heh, there ya go tryin' to sound cool again, Ryuji." Ann said as Shiho giggled and spoke up.

"That's Ryuji for you, Ann. He always tries to act cool, but when it comes to it, Ryuji's usually a pretty stand-up guy." Shiho said as Ryuji smirked and high-fived Shiho before speaking up.

"Truth, Shiho! But for real, if any of us were in trouble, none of the rest would leave 'em behind like that. I'd be totally screwed without you guys, but when I'm with you, I feel like I can take on the world." Ryuji said as Ann gasped and spoke up.

"Oh. Ryuji, that's surprisingly wise for you." Ann said as Makoto giggled and spoke up with a closed-eye smile.

"Heh, that's true. We should especially keep a close eye on Ryuji." Makoto said as Futaba smirked and spoke up from next to Makoto and Shiho.

"Ooh, the fist of justice may rise again yet!" Futaba said as Sumire sighed and spoke up.

"Really, Futaba? That's what your mind went to?" Sumire asked dryly as Ryuji spoke up.

"I agree with Sumire! Why's that gotta be the first thing you jump to, Futaba!?" Ryuji said as Kusa spoke up from between Sojiro and Morgana.

"That's Taba for you, Ryuji. She's a random little weeb most of the time, but when it matters most, she's a pretty amazing person. And she's someone whom I'm proud to call my girlfriend. Oh, and to contribute to the earlier discussion, I agree with Ren. If we stick close to one another, we shouldn't have to fear losing our way." Kusa said as Yusuke nodded and spoke up.

"Kusa has a point. So long as we have each other, we will never stray from our path, no matter how painful." Yusuke said as at that point, a familiar voice reached the group's ears, though this voice would have both Goro and Kusa on guard once they registered what the voice had said.

"Well, as I live and breathe. I guess what Ren told me earlier officially proves my assumption from three and a half years ago to be wrong. That is, if that's really you, Akechi-kun?" Kusa and Goro both heard, making them wince as the latter muttered what sounded suspiciously like 'someone shoot me' before he swore a blue streak under his breath, looking around to see how many others had heard that, but luckily for Goro, the Phantom Thieves were the only ones still in the park at that point. As for Kusa, his eyes narrowed as he realized why he recognized that voice. Goro spoke up first, though.

"Are you freaking kidding me!? Is that who I think it is?" Goro asked as Kusa spoke up with a groan and a nod.

"I do believe so, Goro. I think Doctor Maruki and his group actually found us." Kusa said as right at that moment, Maruki came walking up to the group, three others in tow. Sumire smiled as she recognized one of the others with Maruki. While Sumire made to speak up, everyone else aside from Kusa, Ren, and Sophia, who'd each run into at least one of Maruki's traveling companions, were shocked to see Maruki and his group standing there. While Ryuji, Morgana, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Sojiro, Shiho, Nanako, and Akane were stunned by the new arrivals, Ryuji was the first to find his voice and speak up before Sumire could speak.

"No freakin' way! Is that you, Doc!?" Ryuji said as Haru spoke up.

"Oh, wow! Since when was Doctor Maruki here in Osaka, much less travelling in a group? That's a surprise to me." Haru asked as Sumire spoke up.

"It was a shock to Kusa and I as well when the two of us found out that he was here after we ran into Coach Hiraguchi earlier, Haru." Sumire said before turning to face Kusa as she kept speaking.

"And speaking of whom, it looks like it was Doctor Maruki whom Coach Hiraguchi was traveling with, Kusa." Sumire said as Kusa nodded just as Shibusawa frowned and spoke up after doing a quick head-count, making sure to include Sophia, whom he saw smiling inside of Sumire's phone.

"Uh, Takuto? I thought you said there were only 11 people in their group? If that's the case, then why do I count sixteen people?" Shibusawa asked as Maruki spoke up.

"Judging from the fact that they're some new faces here, I'm guessing that Ren and the others have made quite a few friends since I last saw him." Maruki said as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"You would be correct Doc. We've added a few new faces to our group over the past summer. In addition to myself, Kusa, Goro, Haru, Morgana, Yusuke, Ryuji, Ann, Makoto, Sumire, and Futaba whom you all know, we've also added Ann's girlfriend Shiho and Futaba's adoptive father Sojiro. Furthermore, we also have some new additions in the form of an inspector from PubSec who goes by the name of Zenkichi Hasegawa, who is currently not present due to business reasons, his daughter Akane, and her girlfriend, Nanako Dojima. Finally, to save the best for last, Sumire and I may or may not have unofficially adopted an AI by the name of Sophia into our group as well.

For those of you who haven't met these four, the one with the one with the glasses is Takuto Maruki, the therapist who served a tenure at Shujin while I was staying in Yongen with Kusa. After him, there's Relena Hiraguchi, who is Sumire's gymnastics coach, Shibusawa, who is an old friend of Maruki's, and the woman with Shibusawa is his wife." Ren said as he made the introductions for his group and Maruki's and as everyone waved hello, Sumire turned her phone to face Maruki and the others as a 'BIP!' from her phone preceded a smiling Sophia speaking up.

"Wow. So two of you are the therapist and gymnastics coach that Mom and Dad told me about. Although, despite what I've heard recently about the former, its still nice to meet you all. I am Sophia, humanity's companion." Sophia said cheerfully as Maruki, Hiraguchi, Shibusawa, and Shibusawa's wife's jaws all dropped at seeing the young girl inside of Sumire's phone. It was at this moment that Maruki spoke up.

"Incredible!? An actual living human AI! Just when I thought I have seen the impossible in my life, it always seems to throw something new at me. Still, its nice to meet you Sophia, and the same goes for the rest of you who I have not met up until now." Maruki said as as Hiraguchi smirked and spoke up while looking at Sophia.

"Well, well. I must admit, I never thought I see the day where one of my students and her boyfriend would have a child. Granted, I didn't think you'd be an AI, but that's not necessarily a bad thing since from the looks of it, Sumire seems to be quite fond of you." Hiraguchi said wisely as Sumire blushed in embarrassment and spoke up.

"Gee, way to make me sound like I was doting on her, Coach. But you're not wrong that Sophia's basically become my pride and joy these days. Granted, she's nowhere near being on Ren's level, but I still care for her a lot." Sumire said as Sophia blushed in embarrassment from inside Sumire's phone at Sumire's praise. At that point, Kusa turned to Ren and spoke up in a voice that was a mix of deadpan and unimpressed.

"Did you really not warn Doc that Goro is alive, but prefers not to be addressed by his former last name? Way to nearly give myself, Goro, and Doc a heart attack, Ren." Kusa gently but firmly rebuked Ren before turning to face Maruki as he kept speaking, his voice becoming notably drier as he spoke.

"As for you, it's been a while, Doc. I see that you patched things up with Shibusawa-san. I didn't think you knew Sumire's coach, however." Kusa said conversationally, though you could hear his struggle not to yell at Maruki in his voice. Maruki smirked and spoke up.

"That was more of a recent development, Amamiya the youngest. But you seem well enough, all things considered." Maruki said as Goro spoke up bluntly.

"That's because he's trying to move on from his past, which includes trying to come to terms with the veritable hell that you put both Kusa and Sumire through, to say nothing of the psychological damage you nearly caused for both myself and Ren. So I don't think it's that surprising that along with both Ren and Sumire, myself and Kusa are still just a bit perturbed with you, Maruki-san." Goro said as Maruki winced at this but nodded as he spoke up.

"I understand. And I respect that you and Yoshizawa-san are well within your rights to be upset with me for what I've done, Amamiya the youngest. Whether or not I had good intentions, I shouldn't have done what I did. It was unacceptable, and I apologize for it. I don't expect it to change anything, but I feel like I need to try to make things right with you. While I expect that Yoshizawa-san would forgive me potentially along with Amamiya the middle, I fully expect it to be a harder struggle for you and Amamiya the eldest to do the same, Amamiya the youngest. That is, assuming I'm right about Goro-kun being the newfound adopted older brother that Amamiya the middle mentioned before." Maruki said as Kusa glared at Ren and spoke up.

"DUDE! You told him about Goro becoming our brother, but you couldn't have warned him not to address him by his former last name!? What the hell, Ren?" Kusa said as a 'BIP! from Sumire's phone preceded Sophia speaking up.

"To be fair here, Dad meant well when he mentioned Uncle Goro. However, we were in a hurry at the time, so there was no time to warn Maruki-san against calling Goro by his last name. So cut him a break, Uncle Kusa." Sophia said as Kusa sighed and spoke up.

"Fiiiine, I'll let Ren have some slack this time. He should consider himself very lucky that he has such a kindhearted and caring daughter like you who's willing to come to his defense, Sophia." Kusa said as Shibusawa spoke up for the first time in a bit.

"Wait, so Sophia sees Amamiya the middle and Yoshizawa as parents, and Amamiya the eldest and Amamiya the youngest both as uncles? Interesting." Shibusawa said as Hiraguchi spoke up for the first time in a bit.

"Agreed. Not only is this Sophia cute, but she seems to be very sentient for an AI." Hiraguchi said as Maruki nodded his agreement and spoke up.

"Indeed. Still, it's nice to see Amamiya the middle and Yoshizawa-san acting like parents. Truth be told, I half expected Amamiya the youngest and Sakura the younger to be parents before them, but I guess these things happen." Maruki said as Kusa frowned and spoke up.

"I can see why you'd think that, but let me make one thing clear right now. Taba and I will become parents when we're good and ready, Doc. And no sooner. Besides, wouldn't it be smarter to wait until she and I are married to talk about such things as having kids together?" Kusa said wisely, not seeing Futaba blush profusely at Kusa mentioning both marriage and potentially having children with her. Maruki winced and spoke up.

"I see. My apologies for overstepping my boundaries, Amamiya the youngest. That being said, I can't help but notice that Morgana seems to have a human form, despite the fact that my actualizations were undone. How is that possible?" Maruki said as Morgana spoke up.

"It's a long story, Maruki. Suffice it to say, I took an attack for a friend and found myself transformed into a human after the others gave their energy to save me." Morgana said as Shibusawa spoke up with a smirk.

"How heroic of you, Morgana. That being said, I can't help but notice that you seem to overstep your boundaries a lot without meaning to, Takuto." Shibusawa said as Hiraguchi spoke up.

"Hmm. Is this related to that 'Metaverse' stuff you told me about before, Maruki-san?" Hiraguchi asked, not seeing half the group's jaws drop at her mention of the Metaverse.

"WHAAAAAAT!?/WHAT THE HELL!?" Ren, Goro, Morgana, Sojiro, Ryuji, Sophia, and Yusuke all said in shock as Makoto turned to Sumire and spoke up.

"Sumire, since when does your coach know about the Metaverse?" Makoto asked as Sumire spoke up.

"Not sure. I mean, Kusa and I ran into her on our way to meet up with everyone in Tenboto, and she said Doctor Maruki had been telling her about it, but who knows when he did that?" Sumire said as Ren and Goro both turned to give Kusa inquiring looks as Kusa spoke up.

"Yeah, Sumire's right. When we encountered her coach on our way to Tenboto, that's when we first heard about it. In addition, Ren has no room to talk about being surprised, since from what he told me after we all met up that day, he apparently ran into Doc with Sophia around that same time." Kusa pointed out as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"That's true. I did run into Doctor Maruki, as well as Shibusawa-san, with Sophia before meeting up with everyone in Tenboto." Ren said as Maruki spoke up.

"Yes, well, I'm aware that I've wronged a lot of you in the past, but I'm hoping to be able to make amends for that somehow." Maruki said as Kusa spoke up.

"Well, at least you're willing to apologize and try to make things right, so I guess that counts for something. Still, what you did to me in particular was pretty serious, Doc. Not only did you keep me captive for the best part of a month and a half, but you also took my blood and energy, all to create a psychotic clone of me in an attempt to eliminate the others. Thankfully I was able to contain and subdue that clone, or who knows what might have happened?

Not to mention the mental trauma that you put poor Sumire through with that actualization of making her believe that she was her sister Kasumi for several months. Luckily for her, Ren was patient enough to stick it out with her while she came to terms with her reality after she was snapped out of that actualization. Otherwise, your actions could have irrevocably changed not only Sumire's life, but that of her parents as well as Ren's life.

And that's not even talking about how you nearly wiped everyone's memories of me while I was your captive! You have a LOT to answer for, Doc. To be honest with you, I think it's going to take a lot more than just a simple 'sorry' to make things right. Goro and Sumire can disagree with me if they think I'm wrong, but I think they'll agree that it's going to be quite a while, if ever, before you earn any of our forgiveness. Whether Ren and the others forgive you is their call to make, though." Kusa said as Sumire spoke up.

"Kusa's right. I understand why you did what you did, but it still hurt me a lot to realize that I'd spent so long thinking I was my dead sister, and likely had caused a lot of people misery and grief from having to play along with that delusion. But as Kusa said, Ren was more than willing to stay by my side and support me through it until I finally came to terms with what you put me through, and managed to make some form of peace with it. Sure, I don't think Goro or Kusa have really fully made peace with what you put the two of them through, but I have a feeling they're working on it." Sumire said as Goro spoke up.

"You're not wrong, Sumire-san. But at the same time, even if we do make peace with what Maruki-san did to us, that doesn't mean we'll immediately be ready to reconcile with him. That will take some time, I think. Not to mention how much what Maruki did ended up hurting Kusa both physically and mentally. He might not say so, but I got the sense that he felt rather betrayed by what Maruki did to him, and understandably so. I think the only reason he didn't lash out over it is out of respect for Maruki's friendship with Ren, and not wanting to scare Futaba by seeing him black out again." Goro said as Kusa nodded his approval of Goro's assessment before he spoke up.

"You're correct, Goro. I actually thought of Doc as a close friend near the end of his tenure at Shujin all those years ago. And what did he do the first time when we saw each other again!? He chained me to a friggin' wall, took my blood, and tried to use me to further his crazy plans to change the entire world's reality to his liking. I realize that he thought he was trying to help by doing what he did. But even so, that's not something that you can choose for others without their consent, Doc!

So of course I felt betrayed that you could do something like that. Still, I do owe you a lot, if only because of how much you helped me realize my shortcomings so that I could slowly work to correct them, even if I have yet to fully do so. But despite that, what you did hurt me a great deal. So even if you are sorry, it might take me a while to start to forgive you." Kusa said as Hiraguchi spoke up in confusion.

"Wait, so let me get this straight, Maruki-san. If what Amamiya the youngest says is true, you tried to make a psychotic clone of him, made Sumire-san think she was Kasumi for however long after her death, AND you tried to rewrite reality in your own image? Is all of that true!?" Hiraguchi asked as Maruki winced but nodded as he spoke up.

"That's right, Hiraguchi-san. I made a lot of mistakes at that point in my life. Fortunately, Amamiya the middle and Amamiya the youngest worked together to open my eyes to the error of my ways before it was too late. I'll probably have to spend the rest of my days regretting that, along with the guilt I carry for missing my chance with Rumi. But I suppose that can, at least in part, be my punishment for what I did." Maruki said as Hiraguchi frowned and spoke up.

"I see. Well, at least you own up to what you did, so I guess I can forgive you. Still, would your actions have anything to do with the rumors that were going around four years ago about Sumire and Ren being seen dressed as Phantom Thieves?" Hiraguchi asked as Shiho frowned and spoke up.

"Wait, what rumors? That's the first I'm hearing about any rumors surrounding Ren and Sumire?" Shiho asked as Ann spoke up.

"To make a long story short, a certain someone said they had pictures of Ren and Sumire dressed up as Phantom Thieves. Of course, we found out later that the rumors were just someone's attempt to get attention by claiming they'd seen the Phantom Thieves, but it still had the gossip chain running overtime to paint Ren and Sumire as undesirables." Ann said as Akane frowned and spoke up.

"Ugh, I hate gossip chains. So nosy, and almost always wrong. Not something that interests me in the slightest, truth be told." Akane said as Nanako giggled and spoke up.

"Well, I think gossip is stupid and irrelevant. Then again, I was never really one for socializing at school." Nanako said as Ryuji spoke up with a smirk after high-fiving Nanako.

"Truth! Who needs gossip, anyways? All they do is spread rumors and lies." Ryuji said as Yusuke spoke up.

"Indeed. Gossip just gets in the way of one's artistic muse most of the time." Yusuke said as Futaba sweatdropped and spoke up.

"Pretty sure that's just you, Inari. Also, if I recall correctly, those rumors were partially Goro's fault, since he left those pictures of us behind after we cornered him during the panel before the school dance four years ago." Futaba pointed out as Sumire was in complete shock at what her coach mentioned earlier and spoke up.

"I think we are diverging from the main subject here, Futaba. So, getting back on topic. I take what you said before to mean that you knew about the rumors this whole time, Coach?" Sumire asked as Hiraguchi smiled and spoke up.

"Yes, I have, Sumire. Also, on the night before last, myself along with Maruki, Shibusawa, and his wife saw the broadcast that the Phantom Thieves did with them calling out Konoe-san. And I have to say, Violet's voice sounded rather familiar to me. But then again, so did Joker's and Draconis' voices as well." Hiraguchi said as both Kusa and Ren swore profusely under their breath while Goro groaned and spoke up.

"Oh, great. I have a feeling I know where this is going. Are you about to say that you think Ren, Kusa, and Sumire are Phantom Thieves, Hiraguchi-san?" Goro asked as Hiraguchi smirked and spoke up.

"No, I wasn't. But since you brought it up, are all of you guys Phantom Thieves?" Hiraguchi said as both Kusa and Ren gave Goro disapproving looks before Sumire spoke up.

"Umm, I'm not sure we can answer that at this time, Coach." Sumire said as Ren spoke up with a frown, surprising Morgana, Kusa, and Goro with what he said next.

"Do you trust your coach's discretion, Sumire?" Ren said as Hiraguchi blinked at the question before Sumire smiled and spoke up.

"Yeah, I think she can be trusted, Ren. She might not get a lot of the more technical terms, but I think she'll keep what we tell her to herself if we ask her to." Sumire said as Ren nodded before speaking up.

"Then tell her. But she needs to understand that what you're about to tell her cannot leave this group. This is just as much a precautionary measure as it is for her own safety." Ren said as Sojiro spoke up.

"I agree that we can bring Sumire's coach into the loop regarding our current status. This reminds me of the time when I was close to all of you, but unaware of the actions you were taking. That is, until that fateful night when I confronted Futaba, Ren, and Kusa shortly after discovering Futaba's calling card, and ultimately found out that they were Phantom Thieves. However, since that night, I have developed a much stronger bond with the three of them as well as the rest of the group. And now years later, through some extreme circumstances, I was then able to become an official member of the team." Sojiro said as Sumire turned towards Kusa as she spoke up.

"Kusa, what do you think? Should I tell Coach about who we are?" Sumire said as Kusa smiled and spoke up.

"Well, since Hiraguchi-san is now aware of what Maruki has done, as well as having some sense of knowledge regarding the Metaverse, I don't see any other reason not to tell her. Therefore, I think I can trust you to tell your Coach of our secret just as long as she doesn't tell anyone else." Kusa said as Sumire nodded and turned to Hiraguchi as she spoke up.

"You're right with your earlier assumption Coach. Both Ren and myself, along with everyone sitting with us, are all Phantom Thieves. But we'd be here for a while if I gave you the full story, so maybe we can wait until a later time to give you the full details?" Sumire said as Hiraguchi nodded and spoke up.

"Fair enough. And don't worry, your secret's safe with me. And I'm sure Shibusawa and his wife will keep this to themselves as well, won't they?" Hiraguchi said as she gave the two individuals in mention a pointed look, getting nods from both as the latter spoke up.

"Of course we will, Hiraguchi-san. If anything, we support what they do." Shibusawa's wife said as Ren nodded approvingly.

"That's fine. Now, was there something you wanted, or were you just here to say 'hi'?" Ren asked as Maruki spoke up.

"The latter, I think. Also, I wanted to make sure I wasn't losing my mind when I saw Goro sitting with you guys. After all, most of the world believes him to be dead." Maruki said as Goro spoke up.

"And they're not wrong. Goro Akechi is dead, as far as we're concerned. I go by the name of 'Goro Amamiya' now. So if you can refrain from addressing me by my former name from now on, that would be appreciated." Goro said as Maruki nodded his understanding before he spoke up again.

"Fair enough. But with that being said, I think we have lingered here long enough so I think we should take our leave now. But it was nice to see you all again. Maybe we can meet up again sometime so you can give us the full story of what you do?" Maruki said as Ren nodded before Maruki left with Hiraguchi, Shibusawa, and Shibusawa's wife in tow. After they were out of earshot, Akane spoke up.

"So, was everything that Maruki said true? Did he create another reality and that you all had to fight him?" Akane asked as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"Unfortunately Akane, that did happen. Maruki was our final target during our original run as Phantom Thieves. However, what he did was not like any of the other targets that we faced in the past. But I think it's for the best that we tell you that story at a later time since it involves a lot of things that you as well as Nanako and Shiho might find hard to believe." Ren said as Nanako spoke up.

"We can probably tell given what we all just heard in the recent conversation. Don't worry, you and the others don't have to explain everything to us right now." Nanako said as Akane and Shiho nodded in agreement as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone, which was set on the table between Ann and Ryuji, preceded Sophia speaking up with a smile.

"Well, now that it's just us again, let's continue our earlier discussion. And I think we were talking about the Phantom Thieves. That being said, I agree with what Yusuke had mentioned earlier. Based on my experiences with being with all of you, I believe that the Phantom Thieves are going to be just fine as long as we have each other. I guarantee it." Sophia said as Ryuji grinned and spoke up.

"Why're you sayin' that as if you're not one of us, Sophia? You're a Phantom Thief too!" Ryuji said as Morgana spoke up.

"Ryuji has a point, Lady Sophia. You are one of us, now and always. Never forget that." Morgana said gently yet kindly. Sophia smiled and spoke up.

"R-Really!? That's nice of you to say, Morgana." Sophia said as Morgana spoke up.

"And it's not just you, Lady Sophia! Zenkichi, Shiho, Sojiro, Akane, Nanako, and the rest of us all make up the Phantom Thieves!" Morgana said as Sumire spoke up.

"They're right, you know. You'll always be one of us, Sophia." Sumire said as a smiling Sophia spoke up.

"Thank you, everyone!" Sophia said as Futaba spoke up.

"All right, everyone! Let's keep the good times rolling and live it up for one last night in Osaka!" Futaba said as the rest of the group cheered enthusiastically while Ren noted that he had lots of fun with everyone in Universaland that night...

(The following afternoon, in a construction area outside of the RV on the outskirts of Dotonbori, with Morgana, Makoto, Futaba, Ryuji, Ann, Shiho, Yusuke, Haru, Goro, Sojiro, Akane, Nanako, Sumire, Ren, Sophia, and Kusa)

As the group gathered outside of the RV to plan their next move the following afternoon, Ryuji groaned and spoke up.

"Urgh, my head's killin' me, you guys. I'm still feelin' all that soda from last night, too." Ryuji said as Yusuke winced and spoke up.

"Ngh, I'm quite nauseous as well, truth be told." Yusuke said queasily as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone, which was in Ren's hand, preceded a smiling Sophia speaking up, ignoring the shocked looks her next remark would get from Ren, Sumire, and Sojiro.

"Symptoms processed. You have what you call 'hangovers', is that right?" Sophia said as Kusa frowned and spoke up.

"For both Ryuji and Yusuke's sakes, I sure hope not, Sophia. Since I have a feeling that Sumire might just pummel both of them for being bad examples for you. In addition, she might also try to strangle Goro for good measure, since he was the one who brought the soda and food last night." Kusa said as Goro winced and spoke up with a shudder, making Ren and Kusa smirk at the look of horror on Goro's face as he spoke.

"You're not wrong, Kusa. Is it bad that I, a once-feared assassin, legitimately fear the wrath of Ren's girlfriend?" Goro asked as Ren laughed and spoke up.

"Nah, that's just good logic, Goro. Sumire's a lovely girl, but even I will admit that her temper can be scary when she goes off. She's quite similar to Kusa in that respect, truth be told." Ren said as Kusa and Sumire both sputtered at that and spoke up.

"H-HEY!" Kusa and Sumire said in unison as the latter smacked Ren on the arm lightly and kept speaking.

"Don't tell such lies about me, Ren! Especially around Sophia! With apologies to Kusa-kun, he has the worst temper out of all of us, other than maybe Goro when he blacks out." Sumire said as Kusa smirked and spoke up.

"You're not wrong, Sumire. I've been told that my temper rivals that of a dragon before, after all. So I'd believe you if you said that I have the worst temper in the entire group ." Kusa said as Ann frowned and spoke up.

"Uhh, going back to what Sophia said before, soda doesn't give people hangovers." Ann said, before frowning as she pointed to Yusuke and Ryuji in turn as she kept speaking to indicate who she meant with each of her next remarks.

"It's more like that one stuffed his face too much and that one whacked his head on the ceiling when he got too rowdy." Ann said as Sophia frowned and spoke up.

"Oh. I understand. My mistake." Sophia said in a disappointed tone as Kusa spoke up.

"It's not your fault, Sophia. That's on Ryuji and Yusuke for being misleading with their explanations, and maybe a bit on me for making the remark about Goro providing the refreshments last night." Kusa said with a wince as Makoto frowned and spoke up.

"Seriously, Kusa-kun, you're right. As for Yusuke and Ryuji, you two idiots need to be smarter. Don't misinform Sophia with such stupidity." Makoto said as another voice spoke up, somehow sounding as if he was in a tunnel as he spoke up.

"Heh, sounds like you damn fools are just as rambunctious as ever." Zenkichi said as he walked over to the group just as Akane smiled and spoke up.

"DAD!" Akane said as she ran to hug her father alongside Nanako, prompting Zenkichi to smile while returning the hugs and getting nods of respect from Goro, Ren, Kusa, and Sojiro, which he returned as Futaba spoke up.

"Zenkichi! You're back!" Futaba said as Morgana smirked and spoke up.

"We saw the news, Zenkichi! Nice work bringing in Konoe." Morgana said as Haru spoke up.

"Thank you for all your efforts." Haru said as Shiho spoke up.

"With Konoe in custody, there will be no more Monarchs or change of heart incidents." Shiho said as Zenkichi smirked and spoke up.

"Yep. But there's still one last perp I've gotta bring into police custody before this is all wrapped up with a bow." Zenkichi said as Ann nodded and spoke up.

"That's right, you're still after Owada." Ann said as Sojiro spoke up.

"So what's been happening with him now that Konoe got arrested?" Sojiro asked as Zenkichi spoke up.

"Well, unfortunately, he flew the coop during all the chaos and confusion that Konoe's confession created, so now we have to track him down again. For now, I'm flying back to Tokyo pretty soon so from the looks of it, we will be going our separate ways for now." Zenkichi said as Nanko frowned and spoke up.

"So then, what about Akane? Are you going to take her with you?" Nanako asked as Zenkichi smiled and spoke up.

"Actually Nanako, I'm going to give my daughter a choice in this matter." Zenkichi said as he turned to face his daughter and he continued speaking.

"Akane, I'll leave it up to you if you want to come home with me or hang out with the others for a while longer. All I ask is that you get back home before the 15th of next month if you do choose to stay with the group, so that you're not absent from school for too long." Zenkichi said as Akane spoke up with a hopeful look on her face.

"Really!? I can stay with Nanako and the rest of the Phantom Thieves, Dad?" Akane asked as Zenkichi nodded and spoke up.

"Of course. You're almost a grown woman, so you can handle yourself. And that means I have to start trusting you more. All I ask is that you keep me in the loop on things so that I can help you out if you ever need it. I know I've not been a great father to you recently, but I want to try and do my best to make up for that. Plus, I don't think you would want to be separated from Nanako given how you two feel about each other." Zenkichi said as Akane smiled and hugged her father again as she spoke up.

"Thank you, Dad. I appreciate you doing this for me. I promise that if I'm in trouble, I will contact you first thing." Akane said as everyone else smiled at this heartwarming moment which was then followed by Nanako hugging Zenkichi again and giving her thanks as well for letting her girlfriend stay as Ren spoke up.

"Well, if you are going home, thanks for everything, Zenkichi." Ren said as Kusa spoke up.

"For real. I'll admit, I had my misgivings about you at first alongside Goro. But you not only proved every one of them wrong, you actually impressed us both with how strong-willed, tenacious, as well as downright badass you proved yourself to be when you saved us from that police ambush in Kyoto and when you fought alongside us in the Jails. You're an all-right guy, Zenkichi ." Kusa said as Zenkichi smirked and spoke up.

"Same to all of you guys. And Kusa, I want to thank you personally for helping me repair my relationship with Akane. I think it's because of you in particular that Akane was so willing to give me another chance as her father. And that is a debt of gratitude that I can never hope to fully repay. Just know that I'm here for you if you ever need anything." Zenkichi said as Kusa spoke up with a nod.

"Thanks, Zenkichi. I'll keep that in mind." Kusa said as Zenkichi smirked and spoke up.

"Well, I do have some time left before I have to go. I suppose I should send my partners off right." Zenkichi said as the others cheered before Zenkichi kept speaking.

"Speaking of which, I have something else to say." Zenkichi said as Goro spoke up.

"Oh? Is that right?" Goro asked as Zenkichi nodded and spoke up.

"Right, so about EMMA, as it turns out? The Metropolitan Police Department's gonna conduct a search of the Tokyo Raido Tower, where EMMA's servers are. I'll contact you guys once I find out when the servers are scheduled to get shut down. So if you have any leftover business to take care of in the Jails, now's the time." Zenkichi said as Morgana frowned and spoke up.

"You know, that's a good point, Zenkichi. Once EMMA is shut down, the Jails will probably disappear. We'd better make sure we didn't forget anything. It might be a good idea to take a quick look around Osaka, too." Morgana said as Zenkichi spoke up.

"Oh? Well, in that case, come talk to me once everything's wrapped up, and I'll give my boss the word." Zenkichi said as Ren nodded and spoke up.

"Fair enough. We'll keep that in mind, Zenkichi." Ren said as the group dispersed at that point, leaving just Ren, Morgana, and Sophia left. Morgana then spoke up.

"Looks like everyone's gone off to do their own thing, Ren. Why don't you see the sights for a bit?" Morgana said as a 'BIP!' from Sumire's phone, which she'd left with Ren, preceded Sophia speaking up.

"You could also address any open Jail requests. If you wish to do so, just pop into the hideout." Sophia said as Morgana spoke up.

"Lady Sophia is right. This could be our last bit of free time on the trip. Make sure you don't leave with any regrets." Morgana said as Ren nodded and decided to ponder his options before deciding on the next course of action for the group...

END OF CHAPTER AND OF ARC 7: CEO'S DOWNFALL

A/N: And boom, that's another chapter done and dusted, as well as another arc! The next chapter will be part 1 of the Arc 7 Interlude, aka the final Interlude for Rise of The Monarchs. I know there's still three arcs left, but there's virtually no gap between Arcs 8 and 9, and there's no reason to have an interlude after the final battle of Strikers that I can think of, which is where Arc 9 would end off. And obviously, Arc 10 is the final arc of the story, so there's not a reason for an interlude following it. So unless someone can give me a good reason to have an interlude between Arcs 8 and 9, then this next Interlude will be the final one of the story.

As for previewing it, let's just say that a lot will probably happen in that chapter, between a certain hyped-up rematch, probably some interesting interactions, and of course the group leaving Osaka for the next area in the story. As for Arc 8, that arc will rather heavily focus on a certain red-headed AI who has yet to find her memories. Whether or not there'll be other surprises during that arc remains to be seen, but it's a safe bet to assume there'll be at least a few surprises in that arc!

Back to the subject of the next chapter, if anyone reading this is a fan of Persona 3, Persona 4, Persona 5, or even all three of those games (and before anyone asks, Portable/FES/Reload/Golden/Royal are counted under the respective games they're remakes of) then those people will love the final Interlude. I think that's all I'll say on that for now, though.

At this point, let me take this chance to thank everyone who's read thus far, not just into this chapter, but the story as a whole. We're hitting the last stretch of the story. Not much left now. So thanks to all who've favorited and followed this story thus far, along with those who've left a review on the story so far, as all of the support is greatly appreciated.

Finally, to those who haven't had the chance to do so yet, feel free to leave a review below sharing your thoughts/feedback/suggestions/constructive criticism on the story thus far. Or for those uncomfortable leaving reviews for whatever reason, I also allow PMs with that sort of thing as well. So don't be shy about hitting me up. I enjoy hearing from my readers. I'm usually pretty good about replying to PMs/reviews in a timely manner, as well. And until next chapter, sithlorde1988 out!

NOTES

*1* - For anyone curious, the music that plays in the 'Zephyrus Mech' phase of the Konoe fight is in fact the Strikers/Scramble remix of 'Rivers In The Desert'. And let me just say, for the fact it only plays during the first half of the boss fight against Konoe, and I think they use an instrumental version of the song in a later fight, this remix kicks serious ass!

EDIT: The Strikers/Scramble remix of 'Rivers In The Desert' also plays during several boss fights during the final Jail, which I'd forgotten about at the time of typing note *1* out, so here I am correcting what was said above for posterity's sake. Now back to the rest of this note.

That said, when you get to the 'Akira the Hero' phase of the fight, the music shifts into an equally badass bit of musical greatness that goes by the name of 'Counter Strike'. Seriously, look it up if you've never heard it. It's a really amazing song! Easily in my top 10 all time favorite Persona tracks! Just thought I'd do a bit of gushing about how great this boss's background music is!

PHANTOM THIEF SKILL LISTINGS, ALLY LIST, AND LIST OF TRIAD SPECIALS AS OF THE END OF CHAPTER 37 AND ARC 7

JOKER (Ren) - Level: 72 Current Personas: Raoul (Level 48), Seth (Level 69), Thor (Level 65), Fortuna (Level 65), Ganesha (Level 64), Kali (Level 69), Forneus (Level 67), Mot (Level 65), Norn (Level 70), Lilith (Level 62) Equipped Persona: Raoul Persona Moveset: Maeiga (Curse), One-Shot Kill (Gun), Rebel Soul (Passive), Dream Needle (Physical), Mediarama (Healing), Curse Boost (Passive), Rakukaja (Support/Buff), Recarm (Healing)

SKULL (Ryuji) - Level: 66 Current/Partner Persona: William Persona Moveset: Ziodyne (Elec), Megaton Raid (Physical), Matarukaja (Support/Buff), Elec Boost (Passive), Maziodyne (Elec), Rebel Soul (Passive), Deathbound (Physical), Technical High (Passive)

MONA (Morgana) - Level: 66 Current/Partner Persona: Diego Persona Moveset: Garudyne (Wind), Diarahan (Healing), Mediarahan (Healing), Magarudyne (Wind), Wind Amp (Passive), Samarecarm (Healing), Masukunda (Support/Debuff), Dodge Elec (Passive)

PANTHER (Ann) - Level: 67 Current/Partner Persona: Celestine Persona Moveset: Agidyne (Fire), Concentrate (Support/Buff), Fire Amp (Passive), Soul Thief (Passive), Maragidyne (Fire), Matarunda (Support/Debuff), Brain Jack (Ailment), Diarahan (Healing)

FOX (Yusuke) - Level: 67 Current/Partner Persona: Gorokichi Persona Moveset: Bufudyne (Ice), Speed Master (Passive), Masukukaja (Support/Buff), Knockdown Style (Passive), Myriad Slashes (Physical), Tempest Slash (Physical), Mabufudyne (Ice), Evade Fire (Passive)

QUEEN (Makoto) - Level: 66 Current/Partner Persona: Agnes Persona Moveset: Freidyne (Nuclear), Dekunda (Support/Buff), Marakukaja (Support/Buff), Mafreidyne (Nuclear), Diarahan (Healing), Flash Bomb (Physical), Mediarahan (Healing), Nuke Boost (Passive)

NOIR (Haru) - Level: 66 Current/Partner Persona: Lucy Persona Moveset: Psiodyne (Psy), Ailment Boost (Passive), Heat Riser (Support/Buff), One-Shot Kill (Gun), Evil Smile (Ailment), Amrita Shower (Healing), Mapsiodyne (Psy), Gun Boost (Passive)

ORACLE (Futaba) - Level: 72 Current Personas: Al Azif and Albus Equipped Persona: Albus Persona Moveset: Ziodyne (Elec), Matarukaja (Support/Buff), Megidola (Almighty), Marakukaja (Support/Buff), Psiodyne (Psy), Masukukaja (Support/Buff), Invigorate 3 (Passive), Spell Master (Passive)

SEEKER (Sophia) - Level: 66 Current/Partner 'Persona': Pithos Persona Moveset: Kougaon? (Bless), Bless Amp? (Passive), Diarahan? (Healing), Makouga? (Bless), Mediarahan? (Healing), Marakunda? (Support/Debuff), Rebel Soul? (Passive), Samarecarm? (Healing)

WOLF (Zenkichi) - Level: 67 Current/Partner Persona: Valjean Persona Moveset: Megidola (Almighty), Gun Boost (Passive), Dekaja (Support/Debuff), Deathbound (Physical), One-Shot Kill (Gun), Heat Riser (Support/Buff), Enduring Soul (Passive), Tetraja (Support/Barrier)

VIOLET (Sumire) - Level: 72 Current/Partner Persona: Ella Persona Moveset: Kougaon (Bless), Dodge Curse (Passive), Diarahan (Healing), Bless Amp (Passive), Vorpal Blade (Physical), Makougaon (Bless), Tempest Slash (Physical), Samarecarm (Healing)

DRACONIS (Kusa) - Level: 66 Current/Partner Persona: Malefor Persona Moveset: Agilao (Fire), Garula (Wind), Mediarahan (Healing), Assault Dive (Physical), Debilitate (Support/Debuff), Vicious Strike (Physical), Megidola (Almighty), Almighty Amp (Passive)

CROW (Goro) - Level: 66 Current Personas: Robin Hood, Loki, and Hereward Equipped Persona: Hereward Persona Moveset: Eigaon (Curse), One-Shot Kill (Gun), Maeiga (Curse), Laevateinn (Physical), Debilitate (Support/Debuff), Mudoon (Curse/insta-kill), Megidola (Almighty), Curse Amp (Passive)

PENDRAGON (Sojiro) - Level: 66 Current/Partner Persona: Kohryu Persona Moveset: Psiodyne (Psy), Gigantomachia (Physical), Concentrate (Support/Buff), Mediarahan (Healing), Mapsiodyne (Psy), Evade Nuke (Passive), Spell Master (Passive), Psy Boost (Passive)

FLARE (Shiho) - Level: 66 Current/Partner Persona: Hester Persona Moveset: Bufudyne (Ice), Brain Buster (Physical), Mediarahan (Healing), Soul Thief (Passive), Samarecarm (Healing), Freidyne (Nuclear), Ice Boost (Passive), Nuke Amp (Passive)

SERAPHIM (Nanako) - Level: 66 Current/Partner Persona: Sraosha Persona Moveset: Ziodyne (Elec), Brave Blade (Physical), Charge (Support/Buff), Maziodyne (Elec), Samarecarm (Healing), Elec Boost (Passive), Hamaon (Bless/insta-kill), Dodge Curse (Passive)

AUBURN (Akane) - Level: 66 Current/Partner Persona: Houdini Persona Moveset: Agidyne (Fire), Diarahan (Healing), One-Shot Kill (Gun), Maeiga (Curse), Regenerate 2 (Passive), Life Drain (Almighty), Evade Ice (Passive), Dodge Bless (Passive)

LIST OF ALLIES: Ichinose, Taichi, Momoe, Sae, Yu, Yosuke, Chie, Yukiko, Kanji, Rise, Teddie, Naoto, Mishima, Minako, Shinichi, Maruki, Hiraguchi, Shibusawa, Shibusawa's Wife, TBA, TBA, TBA, TBA, TBA, TBA, TBA, TBA, TBA, TBA

LIST OF KNOWN TRIAD SPECIALS AS OF THE END OF CHAPTER 37 AND ARC 7

DIVINE BLIZZARD (Draconis, Fox, Violet)

PURGATORY ARROW (Crow, Noir, Panther)

REBELLIOUS VENGEANCE BURST (Joker, Skull, Seeker)

SNOW CAT-JUTSU (Mona, Flare, Wolf)

JUDGEMENT STRIKE (Oracle, Queen, Pendragon)

STORM OF HEAVEN (Violet, Mona, Seeker)

HELLISH ELEMENTAL TRINITY (Skull, Panther, Flare)

MIRROR OF THE ORDAINED (Pendragon, Mona, Draconis)

KARMA STINGERS (Seraphim, Fox, Noir)

WRATH OF THE CHOSEN ONES (Draconis, Crow, Joker)

CHAOTIC PLASMA RAIN (Auburn, Seraphim, Oracle)

ATOMIC ONSLAUGHT (Wolf, Auburn, Queen)