Having heard of the Phantom Thieves before, Yusuke's skepticism remained firm. As it were now, he could only listen in wonder as the group told him everything, the reasons behind their group's formation and the current situation. Just to be safe, they headed far away from the shack and settled a cafe before they began to talk.
''I never would have thought any of this to be possible...''
Ann leaned back in her seat ''Yeah, that's pretty much how we felt.''
''And Morgana's in this form due to irregularities in the metaverse?'' He clarified.
''Yup, I'm looking into getting my real form back.'' The cat met his gaze. ''Since we're all for exchanging info, I want to ask- you did know the truth about Madarame, right?''
''Yes...'' The artist closed his eyes for a moment. ''...I've lived at the shack for so long, it would be impossible not to notice the little hints that crept up. I simply didn't want to face reality. I refused to believe that my teacher, the man I came to regard as my father was so depraved. And to think Natsu-san was the one who asked you to stop him...I truly thought he forgot about me.''
''So you're friends with the guy, huh?'' Ryuji cocked his head.
''I suppose...He was the last pupil aside from me. I came to believe he wouldn't want a thing to do with the art world after all that happened.'' Yusuke returned. ''So you plan to change Madarame-sensei's...Madarame's heart like you did with that P.E teacher.''
''Yeah, like we all know, Madarame's so renowned in the art world, speaking up just won't do any good. We can't get proof, and I highly doubt Nakanohara-san's the only one who...wait,'' Namine raised an eye. ''So you know what Madarame said about our plan?''
''As a matter of fact yes, I got in touch with him just before we arrived.'' Yusuke informed. ''He's under the impression that I went to chase you two, he was complaining about the security company's failure. Though now that you mention a plan, that does explain the odd things I noticed earlier...'' He glanced at Ann. ''...that was quite the trick.''
The girl frowned ''This wasn't our idea, isn't that right, Ryuji?''
''Hey, what could we have done?!'' The boy shot back defensively. ''He's the one who was making things hard!''
Ann wasn't prepared to let him off so easily ''You sure looked like you were having fun before. I guess you were just hoping to ogle the paintings, huh?''
''What?!''
Morgana rolled his eyes, deciding to tune them out ''So you really knew something was off.''
''Yes, I suppose in my excitement I simply looked past the oddity.'' Yusuke admitted. ''Though I haven't given up on the paintings yet.''
''Not happening.'' Namine droned.
''What she said, forget it.'' Ann agreed, to his dismay.
Morgana cast the artist an unimpressed look ''Let it go.''
''Moving on, now that you do know, what're you going to do?'' Ryuji demanded.
The artist had his answer ready ''Please let me help you. My eyes have been opened and I feel I have to do something. I want to stop him, for all those he hurt and...it's the best I can do.''
''Welcome to the Phantom Thieves!'' Ann smiled.
''You better not slow us down,'' Ryuji added teasingly.
''I'll do my best not to. Thank you.''
The next day...
Madarame was still determined to do something about the break in. It would seem that he was planning to do take legal action after the exhibit at the risk of the word getting out. It only went to show how much he wished to keep hidden. The Phantom Thieves agreed to change Madarame's heart two days before the exhibit ended...
''We better be careful.'' Morgana cautioned. ''I saw that class president talking to some of Ryuji's classmates. It sounds like she's still investigating us.''
''I say let her, what do we care? She's not going to find a thing.'' Ann huffed. ''Anyway, we're going to the Palace tomorrow, right?''
''Y-yeah...'' The feline gave her an odd look. ''...are you okay, Lady Ann?''
''Fine, she just pisses me off.'' The girl ground out. ''Nice of her to act now. It's not like we're the bad guys, if the school had stopped Kamoshida, we wouldn't have had to do a thing.''
''True...''
''Well, there's no poing worrying about it.'' Namine still wasn't sure what to make of Makoto. Blaming her for the situation with Kamoshida seemed a bit too much. ''It'll just look more suspicious if we are. Let's focus on the Palace now.'' Ann and Morgana nodded back. ''So, first-Ryuji?'' She tilted her head a bit, picking up on how the boy appeared distracted. ''Ryuji?''
''Hey!'' Ann snapped her fingers in front of the boy, making him look up at her with a start.
''What?''
''Jeez, what're you spacing out for?'' Morgana demanded.
''O-oh, sorry...what were you talking about?'' He returned.
''Our plans for dealing with Madarame! What's the matter with you?''
''Nothing, nothing, never mind...''
Ann raised an eye ''You sure?''
''Yeah! So we're goin' soon?''
Namine looked back at the corner he had been staring at before, blinking in surprise when she saw two of the former track team members leaving the lunch hall. Now having a suspicion of what was wrong the ex-athlete, she decided to check later and moved things along.
''Tomorrow, actually. Are you still up for taking Yusuke to Untouchable like you said this morning?''
''Hey, Namine...'' The girl looked at Morgana. ''...look at that.'' He gestured at a street nearby on their way back, where an officer seemed to be arguing with a man. ''Isn't that the same officer who came when we were at Takemi's before? They were louder before, I know I heard her name.''
''Yeah, it's him...'' Namine frowned a bit. After a moment of thought, she headed up the street to Takemi's clinic.
''Sheesh, this is all just a joke!'' They heard someone cry out as Namine began opening the door. ''Why is someone like you even keeping this up? You have some nerve, after making that mistake!''
Takemi frowned ''...Is that all you're here to say? I don't owe you any explanation.''
''What was that?'' The man paused as he happened to notice the newly arrived Namine then. ''Oh...you fit that description I was told. You must be the girl the officer was talking about. Are you really going to ask this no good hack for help again?''
The girl frowned ''Takemi-sensei's a good doctor. Who are you anyway?''
The man chuckled, sneering as he continued ''I'm Oyamada, the director of the hospital where she used to work. Of course, that's before she made that blunder.'' He didn't miss the girl's expression changing. ''Oh, I guess you do know something about that. Did she ever tell you the full story? We fired her because the patient almost died thanks to her decisions.'' Namine's eyes widened and she looked at Takemi, who remained silent. ''I had a feeling you didn't know. Well, it would make sense for her to clam up now. She should be ashamed after all and yet instead of giving up like she should have, she's here trying to succeed.''
''What's wrong with that?'' Namine demanded, she didn't doubt for a second that the man was a big part of the harrassment Takemi mentioned before. ''If anything, your actions are the questionable bit here. Do you get a kick out of putting her down like this or something? This isn't right!''
''Oh? Then why isn't she saying a thing?'' Oyamada returned. ''She and I both know otherwise.''
''You think this justifies what you're doing now? If she keeps going, she'll make progress and help ensure nothing like that disaster of a trial happens again.'' The statement made Takemi look at her in surprise.
Oyamada scoffed ''That's highly optimistic, seeing as it assumes Takemi can pull it off. She'll always be a failure.'' With his piece said, the man left.
''Good riddance...'' Morgana muttered.
Takemi exhaled ''He was right, you know...'' The two turned to her as she continued. ''...it's true that I did think that medicine was a good idea. I helped create it. So if it hadn't been for me...''
''Don't listen to him, we know there's more to this thing.'' Namine cut in. ''He's the one in the wrong here. There's nothing wrong with you wanting to remain a doctor.''
''I think it's just partly me being stubborn...'' Takemi confessed . ''...I don't want to leave things like this. I don't care what they think of me but...if I can perfect that medicine...''
Namine crossed her arms ''You should just keep trying, it's obvious you really want this. Why not just go for it?''
The doctor smiled after a moment ''...Thanks, kid.''
''So you remember our lesson from the other day, right?'' Sojiro received a nod. ''Okay then let's see it.''
He had started teaching her about making coffee and his work around Leblanc a couple of days but there hadn't been much time to go further.
As Namine set about following his instructions from memory, she was startled by the sound of a phone going off.
Sojiro held his head up and answered ''Hello...?'' He frowned moments later. ''You again?...'' His expression darkened. ''...Fine.''
Namine blinked as she saw the man picking up his coat ''Sakura-san?''
''Ah, sorry.'' The man paused as if remembering she was there. ''The lesson's off, I've gotta see to something.''
''Okay but...is there some kind of problem?''
''Nothing to worry about, this isn't the first time. I'll sort this out quick.''
''If you say so...'' Namine trailed off.
''This little setback aside, just make sure you don't forget what I showed you.'' Sojiro cautioned.
''Yes, sir.'' Namine gave a mock salute, eliciting a smirk. ''I'll work on making the coffee tomorrow night to prove it.''
''Heh, deal. Just close up when you're done here, nice to have a hard worker around. I'll leave things to you.''
''Right!''
The next day...
Yusuke glanced at the museum with obvious distaste ''To think this was the truth about Madarame...He views the shack as that garish place? He is quite the actor indeed.''
''Right? He's just a money grubbing asshole.'' Skull remarked.
''That's going to end once we're through with him.'' Mona promised as they began to walk. ''By the way, we need to choose Yusuke's codename.''
Skull looked exasperated ''I tried telling him yesterday! He's being ridiculous about it.''
The cat blinked ''What do you mean?''
''Yes, what's so ridiculous about wanting my codename to be Da Vinci?'' Yusuke added.
''Da Vinci?'' Panther repeated. ''...I think that's what he's talking about. Why don't you try something a little...simpler?''
''He said something similar but I'm not convinced...Skull's favorite suggestion was Aburage.''
The blonde stared incredulously ''That's even worse!''
''Hey, he's got a fox tail so why not?'' Skull remarked.
''Your taste sucks, I mean come on, you want to name him after food?'' The model demanded.
''So you picked names that relate to you, in a sense?'' Yusuke clarified.
''Yeah, it more or less depends on the situation.'' Joker replied.
Mona sighed ''Guys, if we do it that way, how about Fox?''
''Oh, that's good!'' Panther stated. ''What do you think, Yusuke?''
''Hm, I suppose that's all right. Fox it is then.'' He nodded.
The entrance hall seemed empty at first but the patrolling shadows soon made their presence known. Deciding to minimize the opposition they would face, Mona distracted one of the Shadows by hitting its head with a pellet making it turn. This gave Joker enough window to sneak behind it and rip its mask off. The Shadow convulsed and shook, soon revealing a Jack Frost and a pair of Makami.
The first tried to hit Fox with ice magic, only to be surprised when that had little effect, but this gave the latter enough room to slash it.
Joker dodged the oncoming Makami's attack ''Persona!'' Nue appeared before her in a flash and rammed the shadow on command.
''Wasn't it a different one before?'' Fox wondered.
''We'll explain later, come, Zorro! Garu!'' Mona called.
The winds sent the Jack Frost flying, letting Panther whip it as it fell down, fading away. Fox and Skull stopped to summon their Personas.
''I am thou.''
''Captain Kidd!''
Goemon used Vicious Strike while the pirate nailed the remaining Shadow with a Zio, leaving it stunned. Mona ran and cut it down.
They battled a few more guards as they kept going through the halls of the museum, during which the team took the moment to teach their new member some more...
''Ah, so that's why she is Joker. What a useful ability.'' Fox mused.
Mona grinned ''I know, right?''
''The lessons can wait, right? We should just focus on getting through here.'' Skull stated.
''True. I'm sorry for the distraction.''
''There's nothing wrong with wanting to know more. That's partly how we learned too.'' Panther reminded.
''Exactly. Don't mind him, Fox.'' Mona waved it off. ''At least you're actually trying to understand and not taking everything at face value. You're picking things up a lot faster too, he could learn a thing from you.''
''Oh, lay off!'' Skull retorted. ''I just don't want to make things more complicated!''
''Guys, can you not do this now?'' Panther deadpanned while Joker sighed, seeing how Mona seemed ready to fireback. ''If anything, your little spats are definitely just going to get us in trouble.''
''If you have this much energy, put it into what we're doing here.'' Joker suggested, eliciting nods from the two in return.
The next room they arrived lead towards three adjacent paths. Mona frowned a bit ''We should be careful, I hear some guards but I can't tell where they are...''
''Something's off-oh!'' Panther noticed the vent. ''Mona, you think you can check that?''
''Sure. Just a second though, Joker?'' Mona looked at their leader.
The girl seemed to be thinking ahead as she was already using her third eye. ''This is odd. It's pointing towards the vent but something doesn't seem right...it's kind of hazy, I can barely see one room and there's a bunch of Shadows there. They're gathered around something I can't really make out.''
''Then I'll go see.'' The cat stated, jumping up and pulling the vent's cover before climbing in.
He was beginning to get an idea about just what was wrong here when he reached the other end of the vent, which lead to the room Joker mentioned. As she said, there were give guards here, all standing near a glowing cube that seemed to be letting off some haze.
'The distortions are stronger here...' Mona noted. '...it feels like that cube's related. Well, let's see...'
The feline took out a smoke bomb he made the other day and discreetly moved the vent's cover, just enough to let it fall. Soon, the room was covered with the substance, leaving the shadows disoriented. Mona made full use of the chance by pushing the vent's cover away to let him aim his slingshot and fired a few pellets which destroyed the cube.
The cat went right back, though he couldn't help but notice that something seemed to shift.
''Hey, what did you do?'' Skull asked. ''The place just got all weird and then there was only this one hall now!''
''I made sure we avoided a trap.'' Mona returned proudly. ''Joker's third eye was vague because there was an illusion around here. I bet we would've triggered the set up if we had walked in.''
''Nice going.'' Joker smiled.
''Yeah, good job, Mona!'' Panther added, making the feline beam.
''Maragi!''
The High Pixie shadow was sent reeling by the fire spell, giving Joker time to shoot it down. Mona and Fox slashed an Onmoraki shadow before the latter proceeded summon Goemon to hit it with ice magic. Captain Kidd slammed the last Shadow into a wall to end the battle. In the same time, Joker convinced the High Pixie to join them.
''Fox?'' Panther tilted her head a bit, noticing how the teen was silent. ''You okay? Should we get some rest?''
''No, I'm fine. Thank you.'' He assured. ''I suppose it's just a bit...much, seeing all this.''
''Oh...'' They had passed the hall which had the statue and so it was easy to imagine how this was hitting him.
''It's a real eye opener, I bet.'' Skull said after a moment.
''Indeed.'' Fox agreed. ''I never thought I'd come across such a repulsive museum. To think he truly saw art as something so fake and tasteless for so long...''
''You really do think about art all the time, huh? That's kind of impressive.'' Skull half-smiled.
''Well, look at it this way, you'll be helping open Madarame's eyes and hopefully the students he hurt soon.'' Joker remarked. Remembering something Nakanohara said before made her add. ''Maybe we can even try to make sure they get their paintings back once this is all over.''
The thought hadn't crossed Fox's mind but he liked it. ''That would be quite nice. I realize we can't hope to fix all the damage he caused but whatever little we can do would certainly help.''
The others nodded back and Panther smiled ''Then we'll look into that once we're done with the Palace. You're right even if we can't make up for all he did, we can still make a difference to any of the victims we can reach. That definitely matters.''
''I thank you all. By the way...'' He walked closer to a painting. ''...there was something I meant to ask before those Shadows found us.''
''What is it?''
He touched a painting, leaving them surprised to see how it seemed to go right into it. ''What do you make of this?''
''The hell?'' Skull uttered.
Panther slowly poked her hand at it before taking a closer look ''Guys, I think we can really go in this thing...''
''That's nuts...''
''Well, let's just try. We might find something useful.'' Mona prompted.
The painting lead the five thieves into a big hall that seemed just as golden as the museum's entrance.
''Just when I think it couldn't get more garish...'' Panther muttered in distaste.
''What do you expect from that fraud?'' Mona frowned. ''Careful, the distortion's even stronger here...''
''Is this why this area seems so odd?'' Fox gestured at the stairs, which were rather blurred out, the feline nodded in return.
''You know, it doesn't look like this place is on the map. Maybe we found a shortcut.'' Skull suggested.
''It'll only count if we can make use of it...'' Mona pointed out as they approached a gate. What was odd was that the gate simply warped them to another part of the same area. ''...what the...?''
''You're kidding me...'' Skull decided to try the door behind them, only to be sent right back to the spot where they stood before. ''...what gives?!''
''There must be another set up...'' Fox mused.
Joker decided to try using the third eye ''This way.'' She pointed to the stairs on their far left, which led to a higher platform. Since they knew just how she figured it out, they quickly followed her.
Panther looked around, there was nothing here except three paintings and a gate similar to the ones below. ''So what now?''
Joker was confused, since the third eye had actually been pointing her towards the paintings. She went to examine them, quickly finding a surprise. ''Hey, those are Sayuri paintings...''
''More copies?'' Panther wondered as the rest joined her.
''Just another product of Madarame's cognition. Though it isn't too surprising, he was awfully careful with the real replicas...'' Mona remarked. ''...Joker, is this what the third eye pointed out?'' The girl nodded. ''Then it might be a way to help us move on.''
''Easy to say, but how?'' Skull inquired. ''They all look the same to me...''
''Then you should look closer.'' Fox advised. ''There are differences, subtle as they may be. Why don't we try finding the closest one to the original and see what happens?''
''Good enough.'' Mona nodded.
They paused to get a closer look and Joker spoke after a bit ''Isn't it this one?'' She pointed at the middle painting. ''I think that tree actually had branches in the picture Fox showed.''
''Correct. Good eye, Joker.'' Fox praised, impressed that she remembered the details from that brief view. He picked up the painting which suddenly lit up and floated into the gate nearby, making it glow.
This lead to another hall and a couple of similar puzzles but they were able to find the paintings that resembled the original the most. Thus they were able to find their way out. The painting took them to the treasure hall lounge.
''Mona, you know if we're closer to the treasure?'' Panther wanted to know.
The cat made to respond but then he was distracted when a sudden light came their way. The source turned out to be a flash light held by a patrolling guard. ''Stop, intruders!''
Soon the group of five was surrounded by an Onmoraki, two Apsaras, a Makami and an Inugami.
The Inugami lunged at Panther and one of the Apsaras charged while the Makami began casting...
Skull called out to his persona, having the pirate rampage to stop the oncoming assault. Panther flogged one of the Apsaras with her whip while and the Onmoraki lunged, the remaining shadows attacked as well. The Makami's spell almost blinded Fox and Mona, while Joker defended herself against the Onmoraki and Panther barely dodged the charging Apsaras while the other almost knocked Skull down.
As they began to attack again, Joker and Fox ran to attack with their blades, cutting the Onmoraki twice before the two Apsaras made to attack.
''Persona!''
Arsene and Goemon appeared, the latter using Bufu to freeze the shadows before Fox attacked attacked again and Joker shot the Apsaras down. Likewise on the other side, Panther blasted the Inugami with her gun and Skull made use of this to bash it. Mona summoned Zoro, catching the remaining shadow off guard with a Lucky Punch before charging in to cut it down and end the battle.
It was then that he spotted a couple of treasure chests and went to open them. He found a new dagger and a Wind Ring.
''Well, this is lucky. Here you go, Joker.''
''Thanks.'' The girl replaced her weapon with the new find before they left.
The first room they arrived it was lined up with laser beams. Mona grimaced ''I bet it's like that first trap we came across...''
''You mean it'll get more Shadows on our backs if we set those off? But how do we get through here?'' Panther wondered.
''Let's just go, we can take them down.'' Skull said after almost a minute.
''Would you take this seriously? The problem is that all the chaos that would cause is definitely going to bring about more enemies. We can't fight every single Shadow in our way, we'd just wind up exhausted.'' Mona pointed out.
''He just doesn't have a way to help.'' Panther remarked.
Skull gave her a look ''Fine, then you figure this out!''
''Well, I-I didn't say I had one either!''
''Hmm...'' Fox's eyes narrowed. ''...those lasers may be crossing the room's perimeter but they're not as accurate as they seem. Look.''
As they followed his line of sight, it became clear that this was true. For the area around the opposite entrance was almost untouched and they seemed to stop at a certain point. They barely touched the walls.
''Oh, good call! Let's go about this carefully.'' Joker advised.
With that, the five thieves stuck to the walls as much as they could and slowly but surely advanced through the area, safely bypassing the trap and heading into another room.
''Now that I think about it, infiltrating and robbing a museum...that's practically a phantom thief staple, huh?'' Panther mused.
''I know, right? That's just all the more reason to get fired up and do this!'' Skull exclaimed.
They stopped near a large painting in the center of the room. ''You think...'' Panther touched the painting, only for her hand to go right in. ''...so it really is like that one.''
''Then let's see what we find this time.'' Mona said and they jumped in.
The five soon found themselves in a long, dark and seemingly plain hall. Unlike the other one, this didn't even have any gates. Something that made them rethink their decision and agree that it was best to head back, but just then...
''So you're the intruders who were troubling our Master.''
A tall figure appeared before them, its eyes narrowed as it went on. ''Lowly thieves, I'll dispose of you for Madarame-sama!''
''You can try, but you'll fail!'' Mona retorted, brandishing his scimitar.
The shadow, Bringer of Misfortune quickly swiped at them, leaving them to defend. It then proceeded to cast magic, which Panther tried to stop but her weapon seemed to have no effect as it ignored the attacks and continued.
''What the-?''
''I'll try!'' Skull clubbed the shadow's leg, but again, it didn't so much as flinch before it hit him back. The teen reacted fast and held up his club to defend but the shadow kept going and forced him back.
The Bringer of Misfortune went back on the offensive, trying to punch and kick the five thieves, who were forced to guard or get out of the way when possible. The moves were erratic but with the Shadow's size, its reach made the whole thing all the more dangerous.
Once it stopped to cast, Joker called Arsene to slow it down with Sukunda and Fox followed up with his own Persona to cast ice magic. The Shadow held up its arms as it tried to defend.
''I see, it practically negates physical attacks but magic works just fine.'' Mona concluded.
''In that case, Captain Kidd!''
''Carmen!''
''Zorro!''
In a minute, the shadow was assaulted by a lightning, fire and wind magic which almost made it hit the wall. It pulled itself up and made a slashing motion with its hand, releasting blasts of power that rained upon the group a second later.
''Damn, that came out of nowhere...'' Skull grunted.
Another surprise came a moment later, once Joker had Arsene hit the Shadow with a Frei spell, sending it reeling.
Fox started ''Does that mean...?''
''Yeah, we nailed a weakness. Let's keep it up!'' Panther exclaimed.
The shadow held up its arms, and glowed red before going to attack Joker, who dodged in time but was unable to avoid the followup.
''You all right?'' Mona went to help her.
''Y-yeah, I think it buffed itself up...'' She steadied herself, wincing before he started healing her.
The Bringer of Misfortune summoned another round of blasts, hitting the area in front of it with such force that it created a dustcloud. It took a step forward, waiting to see what it would find. Then...
''Arsene!''
The gentleman thief flew closer to the shadow and blasted it with two consecutive Frei spells, throwing it back.
Skull decided to follow up ''Blast away, Captain!''
The pirate persona summoned lightning that fell on the shadow's head, leaving it stunned. Taking the opportunity, Fox, Panther and Mona all followed along and it was soon slammed by ice shards, fire waves and a strong gale. They attacked together once again, taking the enemy down.
The group of five was able to find a path out of the painting after that, taking them into the main treasure hall. Luckily, Mona spotted a Safe Room, which they proceeded to use for a little rest and planning.
''Well, one thing's for sure. We're really a lot closer to the treasure.'' The feline thief stated.
''Seriously? Great!'' Skull grinned.
''Is everyone okay?'' Joker inquired, looking at them all.
''Yup, I'm good to go some more.'' Panther assured. ''Fox?''
''I'll be fine as well. Thank you.'' He returned.
''You're doing really well.'' Joker remarked.
''I'll say. You're handling your first heist well, having you around helps for sure.'' Mona added.
''I'll be glad to. I'd like to thank you...for helping me deal with Madarame as well.'' He returned. ''Also, late as this may be, I apologize for giving you all a hard time earlier.''
''Don't worry about it, you've more than made up for that now.'' Mona returned.
''Yeah, corrupt or not, Madarame's like family to you. No one would ever want to believe something was wrong with their family. So it's all right.'' Joker stated kindly, Panther nodded.
Skull cocked his head ''Yeah, so save the thanks for when we teach that geezer a lesson.''
Nodding, the teen looked around at the four ''So what's our next step?''
''It's best if we stop soon.'' Joker stated. ''But we'll just take one last look before leaving. The more we know about the treasure, the better.''
''That makes sense. All more preparation to steal it then.''
''Yeah, but there's a little more to it.'' Panther informed. ''We'll be getting ready to for the Calling Card too.''
''Ah, yes you mentioned those before...'' Fox recalled. ''...then may I write it when the time comes?''
''Hey, it's only fitting so go right aheard.'' Skull returned. ''So what do you say we get a move on?''
The hall lead into another area that had a couple of guards roaming about. Though it didn't take them long to note how they seemed to be coming and going from a certain area.
Following one of the guards took them to the security room, which had three more guards in. They seemed to be switching routinely, all watching something.
The window nearby displayed the lower floor, which had an item that was hidden from view by the guards and a cloth, surrounded by a fence on a small pedestal. Surrounding it were more guards and none other than Madarame's shadow himself.
Skull smirked ''Looks like we found it.''
Mona confirmed ''And we'll be there to take it soon.''
Panther nodded ''Then we'll stop Madarame for good.''
''For now, let's pull back. We've done plenty today.'' Joker stated. The rest agreed and they began to leave, though she paused upon seeing Fox's pensive look.
''Are you going to be all right?''
He started, looking at her in surprise for a moment ''Yes...it's just quite a day, I suppose.''
''That's putting it nicely.'' The girl stated as they began to follow the others. ''You are handling all this well though.''
He gave her a grateful look ''Thanks to you all...''
''We're still figuring things out so don't mind...that's not what the point though. You didn't say much about it before but how are you coping with Madarame considering the situation?''
''I'm doing what I can...not that it's much at this point.'' He stated. ''Perhaps...if I had acted when I learned the truth in the first place, none of this would've happened.''
''Hey, I get that it's hard but there's no point debating the 'what if's in life. The point is, you're working for the right thing now.'' Joker assured. She knew their plans were seriously going to impact him in the long run, more than they did already. After all, Madarame was his guardian...
The thought prompted her to continue ''So, ah...I don't know what's going to happen once this is all over but if there's some way I can help, just ask and I'll do my best.''
He began to smile ''...You are a truly kind person, Joker. I appreciate that.''
Well, I think it's best to let it end here.
So how was it? All right, I hope? I've been watching videos to learn more about the game and what I might be missing. So I'm hoping to make the most use of it.
Confidants:
Sakamoto Ryuji (Chariot Rank 3)
Morgana (Magician Rank 2)
Takamaki Ann (Lovers Rank 2)
Takemi Tae (Death Rank 2)
Okumura Haru (Empress Rank 1)
Igor (Aeon Rank 1)
Sakura Sojiro (Hierophant Rank 2)
Mishima Yuuki (Moon Rank 1)
Caroline and Justine (Strength Rank 1)
Suzui Shiho (Temperance Rank 1)
The Phantom Thieves (Fool Rank 1)