Vangran: Huh, weird, it didn't happen? I watched a whole bunch of game play videos to help with this story. It's just that I kinda figured Mishima apologizing to Shiho was a given and that I just missed the video.
Now that you mention it, the girl in P5R DOES look like Minako Arisato. I started looking up P4G after finding some fanfiction that included the material and it was interesting so I really want to see what P5R is going to be like.
As they agreed, the Phantom Thieves headed to the Sakura residence...
''Okay, so we're set?'' Morgana clarified.
''Looks that way. Boss knows you go there every now and then, right Namine?'' Ann wanted to know.
She nodded ''Ever since I've been trying to talk to Futaba. He told me where he hides a spare key to the house.''
''That's good...''
''How will we convince her to let us in though? She's just beginning to respond to you and even Boss is forbidden territory.'' Yusuke reminded.
Namine had one answer ''We'll just have to talk her into giving us a chance. That's the only way I can see.''
''Yup, let's try being honest and telling her everything.'' Morgana added.
''If what we saw in the Palace is anything to go by, Namine did impact Futaba's real self as well. I wouldn't be surprised if your presence would be at least a little comforting to her.'' Makoto offered.
''I hope you're right...'' Namine trailed off.
''Futaba doesn't know what we're doing in the Palace, correct? Hence, if we tell her we've come to steal her heart, she'll surely open the door and let us inside.'' The brunette finished.
Ann blinked, wondering if it could be so simple ''Wait, that's it?''
''Futaba wants to have a change of heart.'' Makoto stated. ''After all, she contacted us for that reason. That desire should lead her to open the door for us as well.''
''...You're right. Our feelings should get through if we just try and talk to her.''
''All right, I believe in Futaba! C'mon, lets get this done!'' Ryuji exclaimed.
Yusuke raised an eye as they arrived outside Futaba's room ''It does look just like the door in the Palace...''
''Hello, Futaba? You're there, aren't you? Please answer us.'' Makoto requested, knocking the door.
''I doubt she'd answer...'' Morgana frowned. ''...Namine, why don't you try?''
Nodding, the girl looked at the door ''Futaba, please, we need to talk. It has to do with the Palace. Remember what I said the other day? You need to let us help you, we can't get any farther as things stand now. You can go ahead and text us if it makes you feel any better, we've got to do something.''
Her phone buzzed moments later...
Futaba: You should have told me you were going to come here.
''It wasn't like we had any way...'' Morgana muttered.
''Yeah, how exactly were we supposed to do that?'' Ann added.
Futaba: Oh...good point. Moving on, what did that mean, letting you guys in?
''Namine means literally, you need to open the door so we can advance in your Palace.'' Makoto offered. ''We can't change your heart otherwise.''
Futaba: I'm not mentally prepared!
''We'll wait then, but we're this close, we're not backing out now. You have to do your part.'' Namine put in.
Futaba: That's easy for you to say...
''You asked for our help but you also have to make the steps to do it. Because if you don't, nothing will change.''
''Right. The other you within your heart told us to have you open it.'' Makoto added.
''Deep down, you want to open this door, right?'' Ann demanded.
Futaba: The other me?
''Isshiki-san researched cognitive psience, right? We met your other self in that world.'' Namine explained. ''You know something's wrong, things can't stay like this, that's why you asked for help. We're almost there.''
''Right. We're trying to uphold our promise but you're the one resisting us.'' Makoto put in
Futaba: Give me some time.
''Ten seconds.'' Makoto decided.
''Makoto, hold on, we shouldn't push her so much...'' Namine started.
Futaba: Yeah, that's too short! At least a few minutes, please!
''Fine. But if Boss comes home, we'll kick the door down and enter if we must.''
And so they waited, finding ways to kill time while the minutes passed. Finally, after fifteen minutes, Makoto decided enough was enough.
''Time's up, Alibaba.''
Futaba: All right, I'll open it now.
''We need to change her cogniton. Better to be completely safe than sorry.'' Makoto reminded the rest.
''So she has to be the one to invite us...'' Yusuke trailed off.
''Futaba, can you open up?'' Ryuji inquired.
It opened after almost a minute...
''All right, let's go in...'' Ann started.
Everyone stopped in their tracks at the sight of the room. It was mostly dark because of Futaba's blackout curtains and there were some figurines here and there. A few bags of trash were on one side, all in all the place was a mess. But what really caught their attention were all the books scattered on the ground.
''Medical science, information technology, biology, psychology...these are all technical books.'' Makoto noted.
''She keeps herself cooped up in a room like this all the time...?'' The place felt like a prison to Ann.
''Where is Futaba though?'' Namine arched an eye.
They looked around for a bit, before picking up on some odd movement near...
''The closet?!'' Ryuji exclaimed.
''She'll shut herself in to the bitter end, huh?'' Yusuke frowned.
Morgana held back a groan ''Even if that door's open, we'll get stopped again inside. I bet a fence or something formed before the treasure now.''
''Th-this makes no sense! Explain yourselves!'' Futaba's voice called.
Ann blinked ''Whoa, she talked...''
''We needed to change your cognition. Unless we do so, we can't steal your heart.'' Makoto stated.
''Right, we got locked out because of the way you see this home now.'' Namine added.
''I highly doubt she would understand it even if we explained it ot her...'' Yusuke remarked.
Futaba's next words proved that assumption wrong ''So basically, my cognition is being a hindrance, keeping you away from the core of my cognitive world?''
''Huh, she understood it?'' Ann blinked.
''Guess she really is as smart as Mona said.'' Ryuji mused.
''That's...actually a pretty good way to phrase it.'' Namine offered.
''It is but...why do you know about that?'' Makoto inquired only to receive no answer.
''Remember, it's like what Namine was saying. She told us how her mother was researching cognitive psience...it seems to tie to the Metaverse and she obviously knows quite a bit about it.'' Morgana offered.
Ryuji decided to bring up one thing he never understood about this ordeal ''Why'd you call yourself Alibaba and make things more complicated? If you wanted help, you could've just asked for it.''
''...She was asking for help the only way she felt she could.'' Namine guessed when the girl remained silent. ''You said you could see no way out, we're the last resort.''
''...She's right. I was too embarrassed.
''I think I get it. Asking someone for help isn't that easy...'' Ann frowned, after all it wasn't the first time they faced such an issue.
''Futaba, can you tell us more? How do you know about the cognitive world?'' Makoto wondered.
''...Cause I knew about it...It's like what you think, Mom...found about that world. She's been looking into it ever since.''
''That proves it...'' Ryuji trailed off.
Yusuke's brow furrowed ''If it does tie to the Metaverse...since Nijima-san is investigating the mental shutdowns, she must be...''
Makoto held back a grimace ''...Yeah, she's after the research then.''
Ann scowled ''You mean that's why she's threatening Boss? It's lousy!''
''No kidding.'' Ryuji looked at their leader. ''Hey, Namine we mostly have guesses so far-did she tell you what that cognitive science is about?"
Futaba spoke then ''Cognitive psience with a PSI in front! Less science, more supernatural. That's important.''
''Well, that certainly got her attention...it seems we're on the right track.'' Yusuke noted. ''We still don't know much about it though, Futaba, what was your mother working on?''
But once again, there was no response so Namine tried next.
''...Does this have to do with what you told me? The notes you want to find? Because the other you mentioned your mother too. Futaba, I'm sorry, I know this is hard but we need to understand this. It sounds like your mom figured out a lot of what we're doing now as Phantom Thieves.''
''Whoa, really?'' Wonder was evident in the girl's tone.
''I think it's working, Namine's actually getting a response...'' Morgana mused.
''Makoto was right, it looks like Futaba-chan's more likely to open up to her.'' Ann remarked.
''I get that a big part of the problem is what those people said but they're wrong. You didn't kill Isshiki-san, it's sick that they blamed you for it but you shouldn't let them control your life.'' Namine went on. ''You were asking for help and we answered, we're this close, Futaba don't back out now.''
''We saw what your heart is like, but we still can't figure a bunch of stuff out.'' Ann added. ''The stuff we do know is thanks to Namine's visits. The mother that Boss told us about is completely different from your cognition. We want to hear the truth from your mouth.''
''M-my mom...was...The one...who killed her...Nnngh...''
''It's possible that she can't remembered because her heart has become distorted.'' Makoto looked down.
''I'm so sorry, Futaba-chan. I...um, a lot's happened...so I'm sorry.'' Ann exhaled, looking down. They didn't need to pressure her.
''...We're not giving up, you know.'' Namine declared. ''You deserve a lot better than this and it's high time someone helped you.''
Then, to their surprise, Futaba came out.
''T-there! Now steal it!''
Ryuji could only stare ''...What's gotten into you all of a sudden?''
''C-c'mon, hurry it up!'' She cried out.
''We did come to steal your heart but it's not really done right at this moment...'' Makoto informed. ''...all you really had to do was open that closet door. I'm sorry we made you jump to conclusions. You don't have to be like that...''
Futaba seemed dumbfounded for a moment, her mauve eyes widening at this ''I-I see...''
Then...
''She went back in!'' Morgana exclaimed as the closet door closed again.
''W-what's the meaning of this?! Did you guys trick me?''
''There's this door we found in the Metaverse, it locked us out.'' Namine explained. ''It's basically representing this room, so since it was always locked to everyone, we couldn't open it. You had to be the one to let us in. You were right about the hindrance part, this was the way to get rid of it.''
''O-oh...so it IS just like you were saying...''
''She's aware of the cognitive world, but it seems she doesn't understand how a change of heart occurs.'' Yusuke frowned.
''So hey, you know about your mom's research, do you know about that other world?'' Ryuji wanted to know.
''Y-yeah, the papers mentioned a world based on cognition. When I heard about what you guys did-things started adding up. I figured maybe you found a way to reach it.''
''We did.'' Makoto affirmed.
''How do you do it?''
''We use a smartphone app.'' Ann answered.
''An app?'' Futaba echoed, puzzled.
Makoto confirmed ''Yes, by entering the required information, we can go to the cognitive world.''
''It's why we were askin' all that stuff, y'know? We need the person's name, the Palace's location and distortion.'' Ryuji offered.
''Oh, okay now it makes sense...'' The girl trailed off, to his surprise. The nav was as strange as it could get. And it somehow made sense to her?
''Futaba, you don't happen to have this app, do you?'' Makoto wondered.
''...I don't.''
''Thank goodness...OK then.''
''Can you take me with you too?'' Futaba inquired.
''It's too dangerous. We have means to defend ourselves there.'' Namine paused. ''...Actually, can a person even go in their own palace?''
''...Good question.'' Yusuke remarked, having never considered that too.
Futaba spoke before they could think on this further ''I'll leave it to you then.''
''Good and you better not forget about our promise, all right?'' Ryuji stopped. ''Oh yeah!'' He slipped the Calling Card in the closet.
''Hm? A Calling Card?''
''It's the one you prepared. Read it.'' The boy returned.
''...I can't read it. It's too dark.''
''You could just come out.'' He pointed out.
''...It's embarrassing.'' She admitted, uncomfortable.
Ryuji blinked ''What?''
''I'll make sure she reads it, so you guys go on ahead.'' Morgana assured.
''Futaba, make sure you read it, OK?'' Makoto requested
''...OK.''
As Namine made to follow the others, she heard Futaba speak. ''...H-hey...Namine, right?...Are you still there?'' The girl confirmed. ''...Did you really mean that stuff you said?''
''Yeah, I did and nothing's changing my mind. We're going to help you okay? Just hang in there.''
''...Right.''
As they quickly found out, the plan worked as the door was open. It lead to the top of the tomb, revealing an open space with hardly a thing in sight besides a box at the far end of the area.
''Shouldn't the treasure be here?'' Skull wondered.
''Mona?'' Fox wondered why the feline had yet to show much if a reaction.
The cat frowned, looking pensive ''I'm not sure...maybe it's in the box?''
Just as the two made to head over, they were surprised by a loud shriek that had everyone looking around in alarm.
''It's that voice again...'' Mona recalled hearing it in back in the lower levels. ''...but where...?'' His eyes widened as the source made itself known.
It was a huge sphynx like monster. Though oddly enough, its face was that of a human woman with dark hair and matching eyes with glasses.
''What is that thing?!'' Skull cried.
''Since when do shadows look like that?!'' Panther exclaimed.
''That face looks like...Futaba's mother?'' Queen wondered, remembering the murals.
''Whoa, you're right!'' The blonde caught on. ''What's going on?''
'I believe answers can be found later. Brace yourselves.' Johanna warned as the monster closed in, almost pushing them back with the strong winds it created.
Fox's eyes narrowed ''It's best we prepare, how about buffing ourselves and trying to weaken that thing for a start?''
''Good thinking, let's begin.'' Joker returned and the girls summoned their personas. Carmen and Arsene slowed and weakened the beast down with their respective magic while Johanna's support magic powered up the group's defense. While the monster attacked again, Fox and Skull did their best to keep it away from the three while Mona helped heal them. Joker kept the progress going by summoning her recently fused Mithras persona and having it use the Matarukaja gotten from the skill card they found in their last visit.
Skull called on Seiten Taisei, who rammed the monster. But it let out another shriek and summoned a wind blast that pushed them back. Seeing it about to do this again, Joker thought fast and summoned Isis to have her magic defend them. The monster flew up and came to attack again.
Trouble was, this just kept happening. Their best way to hit the monster was magic and guns, and even those didn't work for long as it kept getting out of their range. And it could attack them and get away easily.
The situation was certainly looking bleak. The question remained, what could they do?
Futaba bit her lip as she glanced at the Calling Card nearby. So all she could do was wait and hope for the best...
'Do you really think so?'
Her eyes widened and she whirled around in a start to find her shadow staring her down. ''W-who are...?!''
'They're fighting for you now.' The Shadow cut her off. 'As they promised, didn't that girl make it clear that she wanted to help you? Hasn't she been trying to reach out for this long? Well, what're you going to do?'
''I...well, I...'' Futaba trailed off. It was all true. Namine had truly taken her by surprise with all the trouble she had gone through recently for her. Even when she didn't respond much, the girl kept trying and often checked up on her. She hadn't seen anyone so...kind in so long.
What could she do though? There wasn't anyway someone like her could help...right?
'...Very well, I'll finish them.'
Futaba's eyes widened as the Shadow began to fade ''Wait...!''
What did this all mean? From her knowledge of the Cognitive World, Futaba had a sinking suspicion that this was the other self the Phantom Thieves told her about. How could she even see her here?
No, Futaba shook her head, that didn't matter now. Was the Shadow planning to kill the Phantom Thieves? She didn't want that to happen! They were going through all this for her, even after she threatened them...she'd thought they were evil at first but they really were good people.
''You asked for our help but you also have to make the steps to do it. Because if you don't, nothing will change.''
Futaba's eyes narrowed a little as she recalled the words. Right, she really did want their help, that was how all this started. It was just as they said, deep down, she knew she needed to change but she was afraid. But maybe that could change too...the problem was that she needed to take the steps to help make it happen.
Her phone flashed then, displaying an odd sight. Futaba blinked twice ''Wait, that's like...''
It was just the app they told her about, on her phone! But how?
Futaba frowned as she thought back and began to enter the key words ''Wait...the name, the place and the distortion...''
In moments, she felt the air change around her and before she quite knew it, she was in the Palace.
Futaba looked around in awe, so this was the Cognitive World? And her inner world was a tomb? After thinking it over, the girl wasn't too surprised. It fit far too well...
The Shadow appeared again once she reached a mural. 'So you've come. It's time you see the truth.'
''The truth...?''
'You know the answer deep in your heart. What really happened to your mother?''
Futaba internally cringed ''I...the truth...I'm the one who...''
The Shadow exhaled '...Go and see for yourself. Perhaps you may find the answers.'
''The hell? We ain't doin' shit to it!'' Skull grunted. No matter what they did, the Sphynx kept coming for them again and again. How could they stop it?!
''Huh? Futaba?!'' Everyone turned at Queen's voice, staring in surpise at the new arrival. ''You came into your cognitive world?!''
''The person themselves coming into their own Palaces...? If that happens...'' Mona started.
''That's...'' Futaba froze when ethereal people began materializing before her.
'You killed her!'
'Why don't you say something?!'
Ethereal images of people, almost ghost-like surrounded the girl, who eyed them fearfully.
''No...'' The girl tried to say.
'It's your fault!'
''It's my fault...'' Futaba fell to knees and Queen went to check on her. ''...it's my fault that my Mom...''
''That's right! You killed me!'' The beast cried.
''Wait, that's why the thing looks like that? It's the representation of her mom here?!'' Horror was clear in Panther's tone.
''Futaba's desires and guilt must've distorted her cognition of her.'' Mona reasoned. ''The wish that her mother was alive again is mixed in there too, along with those eerie jeers.''
''You're nothing but a demon that stood in my way! I wish you had never been born! That way I could have annoucned my results without having to waste my time on you! I poured my heart and soul into that research, it would've been the discovery of the century!'' The Sphinx snarled.
''What does that mean...? The cognitive psience?'' Mona wondered.
The beast growled ''You're going to die! There's no meaning to your life! No one needs you!''
''So because she thinks she killed her mother...and because she thinks she deserves to die...'' Queen managed, the realization making her heart sink. ''...Futaba gave birth to a Palace where her mother wants her dead...?''
''Nobody cares about me...'' Futaba started, remembering the suicide note.
''That's not true.'' Joker cut her off as she walked over. ''Futaba, you've got to listen, this isn't right. Would the mother you look back on so kindly, the one you and Boss care so much for, the one you both told me about be like this? This is your own guilt talking, guilt you never should have had in the first place. Those people were wrong. That thing is not your mother. What do you mean nobody cares? There's no way that's true! We do. Boss and your mother definitely do as well! He still wants to look out for you, he just doesn't know how to help.''
''B-but...!''
''Yeah, she never abused did she?!'' Queen demanded. ''We know she raised you with the best of her ability.''
''Isn't this a false memory that's been implanted upon you?'' Fox reminded.
''A false memory...?''
''He's right, Futaba, you made it pretty clear that there's stuff you can't remember.'' Mona pointed out. ''That's the truth.''
''The truth...'' Futaba cringed as she began to remember. It was just like the Shadow mentioned. Could it be...? Was she forgetting something after all?
'You made our mother destroy all her research, Futaba-chan...She had worked so hard on it as well...She lost her mind, all beecause of you...'
''Mom...I-I...'' Futaba stiffened at the sight of her Shadow appearing before her eyes.
''It's her Shadow!'' Mona exclaimed.
'Sakura Futaba, it's time that you remember! You're the reason she committed sucide. You were just getting in the way of her research. Why did you think it was suicide?'
The girl knew why ''..Because of the note.''
'Exactly. The men in black suits read her suicide note you and what was written on it?'
''All of her complaints about me...''
The Shadow pressed on 'Yes, the shock and the pain led you to avert your eyes. But they kept reading it aloud in front of your relatives. Think hard, was the note real? Would the mother you loved so much write that? Did she ever say such horrible things to you?'
''No...'' Futaba spoke before she knew it, but she also realized it was the right answer. After all, that was why this whole thing hurt all the more. The two of them had loved each other and the thought that Wakaba said or believed those terrible things just left her gutted.
Her fists clenched ''...She scolded me when I had tantrums but she cared for me!''
'And the suicide note?'
''A total lie!''
'You were used. They forged her suicide note and laid the blame of her death upon you! They trampled all over your young heart! Get mad! Don't forgive those rotten adults!' The Shadow cried.
''It's because I couldn't face myself...or mom's death...even then why did they have to yell at me like that?!'' She stood.
''Futaba-chan?!'' Panther stepped closer.
She cringed, holding the side of her head as a voice resounded to her very soul.
'What denies you is an illusion. A curse put upon you by the heartless. You knew from the very beginning and yet you cowered in fear...'
''That's right, I knew but I...'' Futaba cringed.
''It's all your fault...! This time, you'll be the one to die!'' The monster cried.
'Will you die as you were told? Who will you obey? Cursed words spat out by a seething illusion? Or the truth within your own soul?'
The girl had her answer ready, speaking with confidence she had no idea she could have ''I won't let those distorted lies deceive me anymore...And I won't be led astray by others' voices either...I'm going to trust my own eyes and my own heart to distuinguish the truth from the lies. I'm going to take the first step forward to getting my life back!'' Futaba glared at the monster. ''There's no way you're my mom! You're just a fake created by those horrid adults! I'll...I'll never forgive them!''
Her Shadow appeared behind her and in a flash, it transformed into a green and black UFO, which shed some light on her.
''Huh? What?'' Before she knew it, Futaba was picked up by the metallic tentacles from the UFO.
''Wait, does that mean...?'' Fox started.
''Yeah! The Shadow was actually Futaba's Persona...I never thought this was possible...'' Mona trailed off.
'Contract...I am thou, thou art I...The forbidden wisdom has been revealed. No mysteries...no illusions shall deveice you any longer.'
''Futaba?!'' Queen called.
She wasn't quite sure what was going on but she felt like she really found the way ''I'm OK! Please help me! That's gotta go!''
Skull smirked ''You bet!"
''Okay, let's do this!'' Joker called.
The phantom thieves responded at once to their leader's command ''Right!''
The Sphinx flew up, Panther watched with a scowl ''It's out of our range again...''
Futaba smirked ''That's not a problem!''
In seconds, a ballista appeared near the group, who then heard her explain ''This is my world so making this is a cinch! Use that to shoot it down and let 'em have it!''
''Sounds good.'' Panther returned. ''Joker, I want to handle this.''
The girl nodded back ''Then we'll try giving you the best chance to shoot. How about we try making it come closer with magic?''
''Let's give it a shot.'' Skull agreed. ''Seiten Taisei, Zionga!''
The Sphinx flew up to dodge the lightning, only to be struck by Goemon's ice magic. It growled and tried to attack with another blast of wind, only to be forced to stop and fly away to avoid Arsene's Mistral Soul.
Smirking, Mona had Zorro cast wind magic that forced the Sphinx to dive lower. It tried to swipe at him with its paws but the feline was too fast and thus easily able to get away. Queen seized the chance to shoot at it from one side before summoning Johanna and using Flash Bomb.
In all its distraction, the Sphinx was almost blinded due to receiving the worst of it, leaving it to shriek as it was momentarily blinded.
Queen knew that this was their chance ''Panther!''
The red clad thief nodded back, aiming the ballista carefully before firing the missile. It hit the mark and the Sphinx almost crashed down, just barely getting to cling to the side of the pyramid. Panther struck its face with her whip before having Carmen blast the monster with Maragion. Fox and Mona slashed from left and right with their blades, leaving the monster to growl and try to attack them. Skull shot at its paws to distract it while Joker cut one of its legs deeply and called out Arsene to blast with Midnight Salvo.
Futaba grinned to herself, not only were they strong, the Phantom Thieves made a pretty good team from the looks of it. They could definitely win this!
As her friends attacked again and the Sphinx's retaliating strike forced them away, Queen charged and summoned her Persona, concentrating the power she could muster to activate the Overdrive Skill.
''Let's see how you like this...'' She uttered, her eyes narrowing as Johanna glowed, bathing her in a similar aura. The girl raised an arm and the enemy was blasted with a pillar of energy that erupted from underneath it. Queen rode on Johanna, tackling the monster's face with great speed. She spun around then, creating a sphere of power which Queen grabbed and lobbed at the shadow. While it seemed small at first, the sphere expanded as it came close, creating a big explosion that almost obscured the Sphinx . ''Zero Dissolver!''
''Way to go, Queen!'' Panther cheered.
The Sphinx, which would have crashed down hard had it not been able to regain its balance barely in time, flew up and let out a terrible cry that caused waves of power. Those who were able to move in time dodged it but Queen, Panther and Skull couldn't and they fell to their knees, expressions of dread settling on their faces.
''We...we can't keep going...'' Queen managed.
''It's still fighting even after all this...what's the point?'' Skull wondered.
''What're you talking about?'' Fox demanded.
Mona's eyes narrowed ''It's because of that attack. This thing's made out of cognition so it might be even better at manipulating thoughts than most of our enemies, it'd be really effective here. That monster's just trying to make them think this is all hopeless.''
''In that case...'' Joker gave them some of the medicine they brought and luckily it seemed to do the trick.
Panther blinked ''What just...?''
''Whatever we do, we have to make sure we can stay away from that scream.'' Mona informed, both started at the Sphynx' shriek making them turn to see it flying up high.
''I can't even see it anymore...'' Skull grimaced.
''Futaba?'' Queen looked at the UFO.
''I can sense it. I think it's bracing for a big attack, you guys have to get ready!''
''Then let's take some time to heal and defend ourselves.'' They all nodded to Mona. Thus, he and Joker worked to heal everyone while Queen buffed up their defense.
And not a moment too soon, for Futaba called out a warning soon and just in time as the Sphynx dove at the group, gaining a lot of momentum through the dive for more power. It was only their earlier preparations that helped them endure it but even then, the force of the strike made everyone hit the ground hard.
They pushed themselves to keep going, knowing this was far from over, leaving the Sphinx cursing in anger.
''Damn you brats...why would you defend her?! After what she did to me, her own monther?'' The monster demanded. ''This is all so futile, that worthless brat ruined everything. No one would care about her, she'll be tormented by her past forever.''
''Don't you talk about her like that!'' Panther snapped while Queen glared at the beast.
''Stuff it, you freak! You ain't her mom!'' Skull retorted.
''You heard Futaba, she has seen the truth. She will keep growing and you can't change that.'' Fox added.
''Exactly and we're going to make sure of it. Everything is going to change, for the better.'' Joker declared.
''And we'll start things off by getting rid of you!'' Mona finished.
He was able to summon Zorro and start healing himself, Panther and Joker, who had been the closest. This worked out well in that it helped their leader summon Principality to assist with its own healing magic.
Skull swallowed up medicine after giving Queen a bottle of the stuff, which was when he noticed a problem. ''Guys, the ballista's totaled!''
''Oh, great...'' Mona grimaced, seeing the Sphinx flying up again.
''It's okay!'' In seconds, Futaba created another ballista. ''I can help with this too.''
Suddenly, the thieves felt themselves getting stronger. Skull grinned ''Nice going, Futaba! Okay, let's try Swift Strike!''
At that, he called Seiten Taisei again, leaving the enemy forced to fly back in an attempt to avoid the speeding persona. It only worked a little, with the Sphinx getting weaker and worn down due to the battle. Seiten Taisei fired a blast of lightning but the Sphinx flew lower to avoid it and attack again. Those who were in its paws' way quickly got out of there and Fox had Goemon stop it from going any further by raising a large wall of ice that made it back away in surprise. Just as it growled and tried to attack again, Goemon snapped his fingers causing the wall of ice to transform into icy spears that rained down on the monster.
''Die!'' It shrieked again, though since they were prepared, they were quickly able to deal with the despair causing attack. Getting more and more angry, the Sphinx made to hit them with wing blasts, leaving them having to defend. When it was eventually forced to stop, the thieves struck back, weapons hit and magic flew out before the Sphinx almost crashed again.
Seeing this, Skull decided to try the ballista ''Time to go!''
''No, wait!'' Fox called, thinking this was too rash.
Unfortunately, it turned out that his suspicion was true as the Sphinx managed to regain its balance and began to fly again so the missile only hit one of the wings.
Skull cursed ''What's it gonna take to keep this thing down?!''
''This is just fine!'' Mona ran over and jumped off the ballista before calling on his Persona. It just so happened that his Overdrive skill could be perfect here.
Together, he and Zorro thrust their swords forwards, conjuring a fast gale that almost made the Sphinx spin out of balance. Zorro then created sharp winds to cause more damage before manipulating his magic to give Mona a boost before proceeding to trap the Sphynx in spiraling winds. Mona held up his sword and struck once he reached the enemy. ''Hurricane Blade!''
''That was just what we need.'' Queen noted with approval as the Sphynx was once again forced to cling and avoid falling.
''Nice one!'' Skull called.
''Yeah, good going, Mona.'' Joker added.
The cat beamed ''It was nothing. Come on, let's keep going!''
They needed no further prompting and seized the opportunity to strike back with all they had. The Sphinx was left reeling ''D-damn you...die!'' It tried to pull itself up and attack but it was clearly too weak to do much damage.
''Futaba...!'' It growled. ''...If it wasn't for you...you never should've been born!''
''I don't care what you say!'' The girl retorted. ''I'm going to keep living and no one's going to stop me!''
Joker began to smile, feeling relieved to hear those words ''And don't you forget it.'' She attacked next with Arsene, landing the final blow with their own overdrive, Chaotic Deluge. With a last cry, the Sphinx fell and soon disappeared.
''All right!''
''We did it!''
Panther and Skull cheered, sharing a high five as the UFO let Futaba down. ''Nice job back there!'' The latter added.
''Oh...'' Futaba looked away as if embarrassed. She was currently clad in goggles that obscured part of her face, along with a green and black jumpsuit with matching shoes. ''...w-well, I just did what I had to...''
She happened to meet Joker's gaze then and the older girl smiled. ''You were great. See, you had the strength you were looking for all along.''
Futaba gave a sheepish laugh ''T-thanks...'' She paused. ''...wait, what am I wearing?''
''That's your Soul Armor. It's the mark of a Persona-user.'' Fox informed. ''In a way, you can consider it a symbol of the strength Joker mentioned.''
''Oh...that's what you call the UFO, huh? A Persona...'' Futaba somehow got a lot of information about it just as she was onboard and so she knew its name was Necronomicon.
Another figure appeared before them, leaving them surprised. Futaba froze...it was her...
''What gives?'' Panther wondered.
Mona blinked ''Hey, she looks like...''
''...Mom?'' Futaba would recognize her anywhere.
''Futaba. Thank you for choosing to remember the real me.'' Wakaba returned.
The girl's heart clenched at hearing her voice again with that caring tone. It was something she had wanted for so long...''I'm sorry for being so selfish. Mom...''
Wakaba spoke as Futaba stepped closer ''Don't come over here, this isn't where you're supposed to be, is it?''
''But I finally got to see you again!'' This was her real mother, nothing like that awful creature. She didn't want to leave her.
''Are you being selfish again?''
''Um, I...'' She knew what she had to do. Hard as it were, she couldn't stay. ''...I love you Mom...''
''I love you too, Futaba. I'm so happy you've found your strength to keep living again.'' She returned earnestly, glancing at the Phantom thieves then. ''It looks like you'll have quite the excellent support. You'll be all right. Now you should get going.''
Silence settled in afterwards, only for Futaba to suddenly start walking on her own. Queen blinked ''Futaba? Where are you going?''
''Home. I know how to use the Nav now.'' She said simply.
The girl looked a bit taken aback at the abrupt response ''Oh, I see...''
''She left...'' Panther blinked.
''That girl marches to the beat of her own drum, doesn't she?'' Fox cocked his head.
''This, coming from you?'' Mona asked incredulously.
''You took the words outta my mouth.'' Skull shook his head. ''Anyway, guys, what about the treasure?''
''I almost forgot...'' Joker went to open the box. ''...wait, it's empty!''
''What?'' Mona and Skull stared.
''But this doesn't make sense, shouldn't it be here?'' Fox wondered.
Mona held back a groan as the realization struck ''Why didn't I think of that before? Guys, Futaba herself was the treasure! Which means we need to go, now! Not only was the treasure taken, Futaba came here. This place could fall apart any minute.''
''We've accomplished our mission. If her Palace is crumbling. We should hurry back to reality!'' Queen said and they nodded back, with everyone accessing the Nav to send them back to the base of the Palace. Mona quickly transformed and they were able to escape just in time.
Whew! Done and done!
Welp, that's Futaba's palace wrapped up. I had fun writing this so I hope you enjoyed it. Next chapter kicks off the aftermath of these events and you'll see what else I have in store eventually.
For now it's back to the drawing board for little old me. Thanks for reading so far and I hope you all keep it up, till next time!
Confidants:
Sakamoto Ryuji (Chariot Rank Max)
Morgana (Magician Rank 5)
Takamaki Ann (Lovers Rank 8)
Takemi Tae (Death Rank 6)
Okumura Haru (Empress Rank 4)
Igor (Aeon Rank 4)
Sakura Sojiro (Hierophant Rank 4)
Mishima Yuuki (Moon Rank 5)
Suzui Shiho (Temperance Rank 7)
Yoshida Toranosuke (Sun Rank 5)
Caroline and Justine (Strength Rank 3)
The Phantom Thieves (Fool Rank 3)
Kitagawa Yusuke (Emperor Rank 5)
Akechi Goro (Justice Rank 3)
Ohya Ichiko (Devil Rank 3)
Nijima Makoto (Priestess Rank 3)
Mifune Chihaya (Wheel of Fortune Rank 2)