Chapter 6: Inspector Hasegawa and the Daredevil Manoeuvre.
"What's with the commotion out there!? It better be good!" Shadow Alice demands, lounging in her chair as two cops stand before her.
"Well…the group we dumped in the underground have returned…" One of the cops informs, earning a scoff from Shadow Alice.
"Those boys again? Come to get back at me, have they? I can't seize their Desires, so they are useless to me. But really, couldn't you handle something so simple as that?"
"Our deepest apologies, but there are more than just them… another boy, an older man and a woman, along with several girls, are with them." The other guard exclaims, but Shadow Alice waves him off.
"I don't care. You are aaaaaaall USELESS. Get it done, or I am getting rid of you." She stands up to full height, walking towards the guards with a sultry walk while her face holds anger. "Well? Anything else to say?"
"We'll take care of it…" The two guards respond, bowing to Alice as they turn to leave.
"Great! I can't wait!" She tells them, watching them go as she sits back in her chair. Leg over leg and cane between her hands. "You boys are a real surprise…and there is now one more among your group? I don't care about the old man, the girls or that cat, but I'm starting to want all of you. So hurry up. Come to me. I'll be waiting…" She lets out a deranged giggle, letting her fantasies play in her mind as merry-go-round horse dance in changes behind her.
She was in control here. And they would soon learn why.
Back down in Shibuya, the Thieves were making their way towards Alice's castle. But it was too quiet for their liking. No cops patrolled the streets, or drones flew overhead. It was almost as if Alice was daring them to enter her castle. Which is why they were moving via the buses and streetlamps. Avoiding movement over the open ground. And it was working so far.
Until they were all suddenly illuminated by searchlights from above, revealing where they were.
"What the!?" Panther eloquently shouts as her hiding spot on top of a bus is ruined. As an alarm blares from Alice's castle, red lights flare up along the walls outside. Two red searchlights switch on, combing the area as a giant metal door seals off the entrance leading to the castle. While a venerable army appears outside the walls.
"Alice must have now we were coming!" Shadow calls out, watching as the army seemingly grows in number.
"There's too many of them. We can't take them all out at once!" Violet shouts, watching as their numbers start to flood the way to Maruku City and Central Street.
"Let's pull back for now! Alice is on high alert, and we risk capture the longer we stay here." Joker calls out to the team, glancing towards their exit point.
"I'm not seeing any alternate paths, so I agree with Joker!" Oracle chimes in quickly, swinging her arms about in a panic.
"We're also exhausted after that fight with the Mokoi. A tactical retreat is the only call we have right now!" Queen advises, glancing around. "Shadow! Smoke bomb!" Reacting quickly, Shadow fishes one out from her kimono and throws it to the ground, engulfing the Thieves in a cloud of red and black. Masking their movements as they return to the portal and back to real life.
Where they soon found it was night time as they made their way back to Leblanc for dinner. Their thoughts swirling on the heightened alert the Jail was now in. Even as they walked trough the streets of Yongen-Jaya.
"Man, what are we going to do now? That wall ain't going down any time soon." Ryuji asks, scratching the back of his head.
"I could blast it open. But there's also that large army to think about…" Isara comments from Futaba arms.
"I believe there is a more pressing issue at hand." Yusuke interjects before all of their stomachs growl at once. "I think we are all quiet famished…"
"Yeah…not going to deny that." Mishima remarks, rubbing his neck.
"Then it's a good thing I made sure to have curry ready for us back at Leblanc." Sojiro tells them with a grin. "And don't worry. It's on the house after the money we made in that place. Seriously, it's crazy how much they were dropping."
"Yeah, it is stupid. Still, you are the best, Sojiro." Shiho remarks with a smile.
"Ehhh, I don' even CARE!" A drunken voice interrupts the peaceful atmosphere around them. All eyes turn down the street to see a drunken office worker alongside a very sober man walking towards them. Or stumbling, in the drunk's case. "All thoooose stupid bastards…*hic* Makin' ME look like CRAP!"
"Hey, It's okay, sir!" The sober man remarks before seeing the group in front of him. "Hey, kids! Gets out of the way!"
"How rude." Haru comments as Sojiro and Kawakami give the man the stink eye.
"It doesn't surprise me there's someone wandering around at night drunk." Hifumi remarks, shaking her head. The drunk man looks at them, his eyes glossy from the alcohol.
"Huh? Whadder these lil' shits doin' out…" His eyes soon fall on Ann and Shiho, a lustful glint taking over his eyes. "Hey…you're a real looker, you two! Howzabout you'n'I go back to my place'n…Eheheheh! Your other girl friends can join as well… they guys…can go sleep ina ditch…"
"HELL NO!" Shiho and Ann shout as Mishima and Ryuji step in front of their girlfriends. Ren, Akechi and Yusuke do the same with Makoto, Sumire and Haru as Sojiro and Kawakami step in front of them all. Futaba and Hifumi glare at the man, standing side by side with Ren.
"I suggest you head back home and go to sleep. You are not thinking straight, goo sir." Sojiro tells him in a calm a voice as ever.
"Yes. Sleep is the best medicine for you. Not some drunken fantasy you have." Kawakami tells him, arms crossed with a hard glare.
"Eh? You wanna fight!?" The man replies, his hands going into a very drunken pose as the man behind him tries to stop him. "Aw, thassit! I'm gonna—I'm gonna tech y'all…some manners…!"
"All right, break it up. That's enough there." A voice cuts through the darkness as a bearded man approaches the drunken man. Sojiro and Ren recognise him as the man from yesterday as he walks up to the drunken man.
"What is he doing here?" Akechi whispers under his breath as he watches the seen unfold.
"The hell is this?" The drunk man asks his focus all over the place.
"Hmmm, how should I put this… I'm just a knight in shining armour." The bearded man replies, folding his arms. His response made the Thieves tilt their heads in confusion. None more than the drunken man.
"Knight'n shinin' armour, my ass! I'm gonna… punch yer lights out!" He takes a swing at the man, but he effortlessly dodges the swing. Letting the drunk man overextend while sticking a leg out. Letting him trip over and fall to the ground. Knocking himself out in the process. All the while never dropping the smug grin on his face.
"Careful now… You really ate it there right now, huh?" He asks the unconscious man while his sober companion looks between the two with a shocked look. "Well, that was still legitimate self-defence anyway."
"Hey! That was assault! You want me to call the police! I'll sue!" The sober man shouts, giving Ren a mini flash back as Makoto grabs his hand. Hifumi and Futaba both place comforting hands on his arms, steadying him as he takes a moment to breath.
"Funny you should say that." The man replies, all sense of seriousness gone from his voice as he takes a badge out of his pocket. "I AM the police. Now scram."
"P-P-PubSec!?" The sober man stutters before quickly hightailing it out of the area. "I'm so sorry!"
"Wow…leaving you boss here in the middle of the road. What a great subordinate…" The man remarks, glancing at the sleeping man. "I guess he'll come to eventually. Anyway, you folks doing okay?" He asks, turning around to the Thieves.
"Yeah. We are doing fine." Sojiro remarks, folding his arms. "Not that I was going to stand around while he leeched at my kids."
"Protecting your family. I can respect that. And don't worry about it. It's my job to protect civilians." The man remarks before noticing Kawakami looking at him. "Is something wrong, ma'am? You're staring…"
"No…nothing is wrong." She replies, glancing away with a faint blush.
"May I ask what brings a member of Public Security to Yongen-Jaya? I was unaware that there was something here that warranted your attention." Akechi asks the cop, folding his arms.
"Ah, Detective Goro Akechi. I forgot you ere here looking up leads." The cop replies, nodding to him. "But, I'm surprised you haven't noticed that there are others in Tokyo. Like the one tailing you at the moment?" Everyone jumped at that, spinning on their heels as they saw another man hiding behind a lamp post behind them. With a frustrated look on his face as his cover is blown.
"Dumbass! What are you DOING!?" He shouts in annoyance, peeling himself from the wall with anger on his face.
"Heh, sorry about that. But could you do me a favour and get this guy locked up? At least until he sobers up at least." The lurking cop, frustrated at the request, begrudgingly complies as he takes the drunk away to the clink. Leaving the bearded cop alone with the Thieves.
"What is this guy's deal?" Ryuji whispers to Ren, who shrugs his shoulders.
"His suspicion level sis off the charts." Futaba whispers to Hifumi, who nods silently.
"What dose someone from PubSec want with us? More to the point, why are we being followed?" Makoto asks, folding her arms.
"Well, I could tell you out here. But I think this is better explained indoors." The man nods his head down the street towards the closed Leblanc. "In fact, I know a quiet little café here that serves good coffee and curry. Sound good?" All the Thieves could tell something was sketchy with this man, but they agreed to allow him into the café. But with some precaution measures.
Sitting at the booth with the man on one side. While Ren sat on the other with Makoto and Hifumi on both sides. Morgana was on his lap while Futaba sat on the seats behind him. The rest of the Thieves filled the empty bar space between them while Kawakami and Sojiro stood behind the bar. All of them looked at the man with looks of suspicion.
"You certainly now how to make a guy feel welcomed." The cop remarks, feeling the cold air around him.
"We apologise for that, but we just despise the police, is all. Well, a large part of them, anyway." Haru tells him with a smile, sending chills down the man's back.
"You could say that without smiling, you know." He remarks, rubbing the back of his head.
"Perhaps we can get to the point." Akechi interjects, folding his arms. "Why are you here, and why did you 'rescue' us?"
"Straight to the point, huh? Well, I suppose there's no point in staying quiet." The man straightens up, fixing his tie as he looks at Ren. "I'm Zenkichi Hasegawa. And investigator on loan to Tokyo's Police Security Branch. I'm officially an inspector. Not something to sneeze at either."
"Inspectors at not to be sneezed at. Got it."
"Sophia, stay quiet!"
"Huh? Did you say something?" Zenkichi asks Ren, who shakes his head. "Well, anyway, there is something I need to ask you, Amamiya. Did you all hear that chat on the show yesterday? The one with Alice Hiiragi."
"Yes. We saw it on live TV." Ren half-lies, Ann silently nodding her head.
"I see. Well, no surprise there. It was a huge disaster. Two co-hosts who were engaged suddenly declared their love to Alice on live? That ain't natural. Even their families are calling it strange. There's already been an investigation into the incident. I'm surprised you haven't been informed, Akechi."
"I've been focused on finding the last of Shido and Yoshiki's cronies. It has eaten quite a bit into my time, combined with the Alice investigation. There is only so much I can do by myself." Akechi tells Zenkichi, who nods along.
"Well, that's valid. As for the two co-hosts, their friends and family say they didn't even know Alice. There is not a whiff of motive to be found. So, the police have concluded, 'Doesn't this sound like the work of the Phantom Thieves?'"
"Are you for real!?" Ryuji asks, jumping back in shock.
"The Phantom Thieves? But they have been silent for over half a year. Why would they come back now?" Kawakami asks, folding her arms at the inspector.
"You're not the only one who asked that. Plenty of officers have asked that, too, including me. But the cases we're looking at are a whooole lot similar to the cases last year, no? Sudden personality shifts, abnormal behaviours, psychotic breakdowns… granted, there have been no Calling Cards at any of these, so pining it on the Thieves is a sketchy longshot at best. Or completely wrong at worst. Honesty, it sounds like the higher-ups just want an easy scapegoat to pin it on."
"But even if it was the Phantom Thieves, do you even have any clue to their identity?" Makoto asks, brushing her hair back. "I heard from my sister when she was investigating the Thieves herself that the entire SIU had been hacked, and all data on them was wiped."
"And that is true, Nijima-san." Zenkichi remarks, nodding his head and surprising her by saying her last name. "But, there was one thing that survived." He reaches into his coat and gently tosses a picture onto the table. A picture of the eleven of them and Morgana having a picnic at the park. "And this is the evidence that survived."
"And how does that relate to us?" Ren asks calmly, but on the inside, he feels himself starting to panic a little. "That could have been from Sae-san's computer."
"I agree. The evidence is very flimsy at best." Zenkichi remarks, nodding his head. "However… the higher-ups are doubling down on it like hawks. They have told us to find the cause behind all of these as quickly as possible. Even threatening to use false evidence and forced confessions to get what they want. If they wanted too, they would cuff you all right now and throw you in jail."
"WHAT!?" The Thieves shout as one, almost deafening Zenkichi.
"This is outrageous! Even if we ARE the Thieves, who proof do you have to arrest us!?" Yusuke asks, although a tiny bead of sweat is dripping down his neck.
"Well, that's why I'm here." Zenkichi replies, folding his arms. "To find the proof we need. The higher-ups might be inclined to falsify evidence, but I'm not. I'm not like that prosecutor over in the states. What was his name again? Von something? It doesn't matter. But just because I want to do things by the books doesn't mean others are willing to do so."
"So even though we are innocent, your bosses are more than ready to throw us to the wolves just to cover up all this?" Makoto asks, her face filed with anger.
"That's right. But that's not all. If you guys are arrested, I'll be up a river creak too, and this case will never get solved." He throws his arms up into the air, letting out a loud sigh. "You know, you kids are lucky I'm the only one from PubSec who is in Yongen-Jaya." The Thieves raises eyebrows as he pulls out a tape recorder. "You guys are smart to have insulated walls and windows, but that doesn't work when you open them, Phantom Thieves."
"Oh crap… he overheard us, didn't he…?" Morgana quips as the team collectively pale.
"And that's why I want to make a deal." Zenkichi remarks, putting away the tape recorder. "I can tell from this that you guys are innocent, yet the higher-ups will never believe it. So, here's the deal. I want to solve the case. But to do that, I need the information you have gathered. At this point, I don't have anything that resembles a lead. I'm at a total loss. But if you guys can help me with that, then I can help you avoid getting arrested. How about it?"
Ren glances around the café, seeing the conflicted looks on everyone's faces as he lets out a sigh of resignation. "Can you give us a few days to think about it? If there is one thing we do, it is deciding on things unanimously."
"Sure, I can do that." Zenkichi remarks, standing up and heading for the door. "I'm sure you'll see things my way. Phantom Thieves." And with that, he leaves. Leaving the Thieves alone in the walls of Café Leblanc.
Chatroom: Shadow Operations.
Ren: Guys. We have a problem.
Yu: I think I know what the problem is.
Minako: Are you talking about what Igor told us?
Minako: Because we are staying alert in our spots.
Makoto: I'm afraid it's bigger than that.
Minato: How so?
Ren: Short answer: PubSec is closing in on us.
Ren: And believe we are behind the Change of Heart epidemic around the country.
Junpei: For real!? You guys are still in Tokyo!
Junpei: That's just messed up!
Naoto: Isn't Goro investigation Tokyo though?
Naoto: Wasn't he informed?
Goro: Apparently they decided to not inform me about this.
Goro: I think it's prudent that I am also a suspect in this.
Yosuke: This is stupid!
Yosuke: You guys haven't done anything!
Teddie: This is berry bad.
Teddie: Aren't we under Mitsuru-senpai's protection?
Mitsuru: You all are. For them to still go ahead with this….
Mitsuru: It is concerning.
Futaba: It's not just us, though! They may also be after our confidants as well!
Fuuka: This isn't good. What should we all do?
Akihiko: For one thing: we all calm down.
Akihiko: They haven't made a move on you guys yet, right?
Haru: No. We are still walking free.
Haru: But I fear we will be watching over our shoulders now.
Yusuke: The one who informed us of this, Zenkichi Hasegawa.
Yusuke: Pointed out one following us as we returned to Leblanc from Alice's Jail.
Chie: Jail!?
Chie: The hell do you mean Jail?!
Ann: I suppose you could say it's a new version of the Palaces we did last year.
Ann: Only this one is the whole of Shibuya.
Ann: And it's being run by Alice Hiiragi.
Yukari: Alice? The fashion model?
Yukari: Why does she have one?
Shiho: That's what were trying to find out.
Shiho: We're getting close. But we ran into a problem.
Shinjiro: So, how did you guys figure this out?
Shinjiro: Did this 'Meta-Nave' return again?
Isara: In a way.
Isara: It takes the form of EMMA.
Ken: EMMA? The new App?
Sumire: Yes.
Sumire: And it was Ren-senpai, Yuuki-senpai, Ryuji-senpai and Goro who stumbled into it.
Ren: And Morgana, who was in my bag.
Ren: (Morgana) None of us were expecting it at all.
Mishima: And the way we fight in there is like Hack & Slash this time around.
Kanji: Like Samurai Warriors?
Kanji: That sounds cool, not gonna lie.
Rise: I think we should be more concerned about the criminal charges, Kanji!
Rise: Are you guys close to changing Alice's heart, though?
Ryuji: Think so.
Ryuji: We took down three Prison Keeps powering her defensives and were about to enter her castle.
Ryuji: But now we have a gate and an army of shadows to deal with.
Yukiko: Prison Keeps? What are those? And a whole army of shadows?
Sumire: Yeah. A whole army of them.
Hifumi: The Prison Keeps are holding personal shadows captive.
Hifumi: After they had their Desire's stolen.
Yu: Their Desires were stolen?
Yu: Like how you guys changed hearts?
Ren: Sort of.
Ren: But these people turn into fanatics for Alice.
Ren: Like the two co-hosts earlier.
Makoto: It wouldn't surprise us if it's the same for the other 'Changes of Hearts'.
Minato: I see. I thought what happened was strange.
Minako: This is not good.
Minako: Do you guys need help?
Makoto: We appreciate the offer, but I think its best if you guys don't get involved.
Makoto: PubSec is after us. We don't want you caught in the crossfire.
Yu: We understand. Even if we hate it.
Yu: But please understand that we are here if you ever need us.
Teddie: We'll be over berry fast!
Sophia: Question: Why do you speak in bear puns?
Teddie: WHO ARE YOU!?
Sophia: I am Sophia. Humanities Companion.
Ren: Futaba, did you add Sophia to the chat?
Futaba: NOT ME!
Mitsuru: Ren, is this a new member of the Phantom Thieves?
Ren: Yes. We haven't introduced her to our confidants yet, but this is Sophia.
Ren: She is an A.I. like Isara.
Aegis: Another one? How curious.
Labrys: And our numbers continue to grow!
Sophia: Are you A.I. as well?
Aegis: Correct. It is a pleasure to meet you, Sophia.
Labrys: Same here!
Yukari: Oh boy…. The androids continue to grow.
Mitsuru: Regardless, thank you for informing us of these changes.
Mitsuru: We will keep an eye on things in our respective areas as well.
Ren: We appreciate it, Mitsuru-san.
Ren: We'll head back into Alice's Jail tomorrow.
Ren: Hopefully, we can get past that army.
Yu: We believe in you.
Minako: Good luck guys!
"I can't believe that we are being treated as suspects!" Isara groans from the bar as the Thieves put away their phones.
"Seriously, what the HELL is with that guy! This is absolutely ridiculous!" Ann comments, slamming her hand onto the couch.
"He appears to have a great many bats in the belfry…" Yusuke remarks with poetic.
"Zenkichi Hasegawa. What a cool name for such a dweeb." Futaba remarks, glancing at Kawakami. "Right, Kawakami-sensei?" When she didn't respond, Futaba leaned over to tap her shoulder. "Um, Kawakami?"
"Huh? What?" Kawakami asks, snapping from her daze. "Sorry. What where we talking about?"
"Kawakami-sensei…do you have a crush on him?" Sumire asks as a drop of sweat goes down her head.
"Of course not!" Kawakami denies it, shaking her head. "Why would I have one? Anyway, if he was telling the truth about his superiors…"
"Then, they are going to arrest all of us on false charges?" Haru asks, grasping her hands together.
"Even though we managed to avoid that fate last year, it seems like it's trying its hand again." Makoto comments, shaking her head. "This is ridiculous."
"This is so much bull!" Ryuji shouts, slamming a hand on the couch.
"Then you all know what to do." Sojiro announces, drawing all eyes to him. "Prove that it is bull. Reassert your innocence. Sure, they may have a picture of you guys as proof, but what else does that have? Nothing. Bring this to an end, and you'll be home free."
"Somehow, I think we won't be cleared until we find the cause of the entire epidemic." Akechi comments, rubbing his chin. "But, dealing with Alice would be the best place to start. Take some heat off our back."
"Right. If we have Alice publicly admit what she's doing, it should take some of the heat off us." Morgana agrees, licking his paw and washing his face.
"But we still need to find a way into her castle." Mishima points out. "So long as that army is outside along with that wall, we are stuck."
"In trouble? I can help." Sophia quips from Ren's phone, prompting him to take it out.
"Oh? What have you got for us, Sophia?" Ren asks, placing his phone on the table.
"I detected a control terminal on the other side of that wall. If Futaba can hack it, she should be able to bring it down."
"Really?" Futaba asks with slight amazement. "But there's still the giant army outside."
"How about a decoy?" Shiho suggests. "Have someone or a small group distract Alice's forces outside while the rest of us take out the searchlights and hack the door."
"But, who will be the decoy?" Sumire asks. Before all heads slowly turn to Ren. As though a spotlight was suddenly shining down on him on stage.
"Really, guys?" He asks, shaking his head. "All right, I'll do it. But I'm taking Hifumi, Dad and Isara with me."
"Us?" Hifumi asks with slight surprise. "Why us?" Ren smirks at her, as he leans forward with a grin.
"I've got an idea how to bring it down. I call it… the Daredevil Manoeuvre."
July 22nd, 2017.
The night sky glitters over Alice's Jail. Police cars fill Shibuya square while the red searchlight scans the area. The steel door blocked all access beyond it. But if one were to look to the sky, one would see four figures leaping between the skyscrapers above Shibuya plaza. Almost taunting the police cars down below.
"Almost time." Outlaw comments over the headset. As Joker, Boss, Shadow and Edelweiss move into position.
"Yeah, let's do this." Skull adds, the anticipation seeping into his voice.
"Don't do anything stupid, you hear?" Teach chimes over the headset just as Joker's group reaches the edge of the building overlooking Shibuya. The light below illuminated them.
"Careful guys, we've got one coming up!" Oracle warns them, just as a new drone variant appears before them. A giant version, wielding a minigun.
"That's new." Boss comments, just as the barrel spins up and spews lead at the four, forcing them to move.
"It's starting!" Fox comments as the team starts sliding down the side of the building, the giant drone chasing after them.
"Then we're on." Queen acknowledges as Edelweiss shoots forward towards the drone. Landing right behind its mask.
"Right, let's go!" Noir chimes in just as Edelweiss grabs the mask with her hand.
"That's enough out of you!" She shouts, ripping the mask off and sending the drone into an out-of-control spiral towards the ground. While Joker's group continue to slide down the side of the building.
"I'm with you!" Sophie calls as Joker leaps off the building side, jumping over the smouldering wreck and landing next to Edelweiss, followed closely by Shadow and Boss.
"That was showing off." Shadow tells Edelweiss with a grin as the police cars open their doors. Revealing a veritable army of shadow cops standing between them and Alice's Castle.
"Don't be careless, guys!" Spring calls out to them as the four ready themselves for battle.
"Same to you." Mona calls back, just as Joker fixes the approaching cops with a glare.
"That's… certainly an army." Boss remarks, opening his book as he glances around. "Looks like we are in for a long fight ahead of us."
"All the more reason not to hold back!" Edelweiss quips, slamming her hands together.
"Just don't do anything reckless, okay?" Shadow tells her, spinning her kunai around as Joker flips his dagger into a reverse grip. "Shall we?"
"Let's. It's Showtime!" Joker shouts, leaping into the fray as he tares his mask off. "Raoul! Megidolaon!" Starting off with Raoul, Joker unleashes the powerful Almighty attack right into the heart of the opposing army, scattering them and dealing a sizable dent as Shadow and Edelweiss charge in from below. Boss stays behind, peppering the army with blasts of bless magic, before switching up and cursing the ground as they get too close.
Jack-o-Lanterns and Pixies appear amongst a fresh wave of reinforcement, aiming to attack Boss only to be cut off by Shadow, who blasts them back with a Brain Buster before zipping to a streetlamp and spinning around, whipping up a typhoon and dragging in any unfortunate foes nearby.
Edelweiss was charging through the main lines, arm blades spinning in a deadly whirled as she let off streams of missiles from her back launchers. Another wave appears to stop her, mixing Bicrons and small drones in with the charging cops as she backs away. Firing her arm-mounted cannons in a tactical retreat before bumping into Ren.
"What to mix things up?" She asks as the star in Joker's pocket glows.
"Why not?"
"It's Showtime!"
The red curtain falls as a large group of foes are dragged into a new city scape with the moon above them. Suddenly, Edelweiss shoots down the street on her thrusters, grabbing the largest of the lot, a Bicorn, before dragging it into the air.
"Have a nice trip." She quips, dropping the Bicorn as Joker, standing on a nearby building, blasts it with curse magic. Turning the Bicorn into a falling bomb of curse energy as Edelweiss launches a missile barrage at the Bicorn. The missiles latch onto it, sending the Bicorn shooting down to the ground, exploding in the centre of the captured foes with a wave of curse energy. Wiping them out as Joker and Edelweiss watch on from on top of the roof top, with the area returning to normal soon after with a sizable hole in the army they were facing.
Until another wave of fresh foes arrive to fill the gap as the two return to the fight.
"They're stubborn, and they have numbers." Shadow remarks, leaping away as she fires her sniper rifle, Black Hole. Taking out a line of shadow cops as she lands next to Boss. "How about we even those numbers?"
"It would be my pleasure." Boss remarks, with the star in Joker's coat continuing to shine.
"It's Showtime!"
Once again, the red curtain falls, turning the city into a grassy field with another sizable contingent of cops and free persona dragged in. Atop a hill, Boss opens his book as he chants a spell, summoning an army of horsemen as Shadow takes the lead atop a black horse.
"Forward!" Shadow cries, leading the Phantom Cavalry into a charge as they slam into the frozen army. Trampling them underfoot as Boos conjures up a sphere of Almighty energy in his book. Before launching it into the air towards the centre of the captured foes.
Just as Shadow leads her forces away, the sphere crashes into the ground. Engulfing the staggered and crumpled army in one large blast of magic as Boss and Hifumi watch on from atop the grassy hill.
"You guys are blasting out all the Showtimes!" Oracle shouts over the headset as they return to the battle.
"I bet Skull couldn't pull off THAT many Showtimes!" Mona quips over the headset with the distant sound of his sword clashing against something.
"What the hell's with this Deja-vu?" Skull comments, the sound of a pipe echoing over the headset before, followed by a rocket explosion.
"Keep your eyes focused, Skull!" Teach admonishes as the roar of fire echoes alongside her.
"You as well, Teach!" Panther quips, the sound of her whip cracking over the headset.
"Spring behind you!" Outlaw shouts, followed by the sound of his rifle firing.
"Thanks, Outlaw! Sophie, you've got two behind you!"
"Not anymore!" Violet shouts with the blast of magic over the comms.
"Thank you, Violet!" Sophie chimes in as gunfire echoes behind her.
"Oracle, how are things on your end?" Crow asks, the sound of his gun echoing over the comms.
"We're behind the wall now. Hacking in now." Oracle reports, just as Joker deflects another baton from his face. Going back to back with Boss, they found themselves quickly surrounded.
"Hey Boss? Fancy a coffee break?" Joker asks, the star in his pocket glowing once more.
"As long as you are making it." Boss remarks with a grin before the two leap into the air.
"It's Showtime!"
Once again, the red curtain descends, trapping a vast number of cops and free persona in a larger version of Café Leblanc. With Joker and Boss at the bar, glancing over their 'customers'.
"Let's begin!" Boss remarks, grabbing a large container of Almighty Coffee Beans and dumping them into a large kettle. Joker cooks the beans and water, getting it to the right temperature as Boss speeds cooks a large pot of Bless Curry and Curse Rice. In a quick flash, both were ready to be served, yet the contents holding them were fit to burst. Father and son glance at each other before looking at the 'starving' customers before Joker flicks a switch under the bar. Catapulting the two giant containers into the crowd.
"Order up!" He shouts as the containers fly into the sky before crashing back down to the ground. Exploding in waves of curse, bless and almighty waves. Two cups of coffee and plates of curry land next to Boss and Joker. Who take the opportunity to have a small break as the magic washed over the 'patriots'.
"A good brew." Boss remarks with a grin as the magic evaporates, with the area returning to normal soon after and leaving just a few remaining pockets of foes left to defeat.
"Show-offs!" Oracle quips, yet a grin can be easily heard in her voice.
"Sit reps, everyone!" Queen follows up, with the sound of her fist hitting metal.
"Searchlights in our spot are ready to come down!" Skull informs before grunting with a swing.
"Same with us!" Violet follows up before firing her gun.
"All those shadows swarming Shibuya streets… I had a nightmare like that one time. Dark creatures with yellow eyes…" Fox comments over the comms.
"That is a scary thought… Imagine if that really happened?" Noir admits with slight worry in her voice.
"Let's hope that never comes to pass." Crow counters over the headset, yet his own voice is filled with similar worry.
"In other news, enjoy your Oracle Virus Parfait cops!" Oracle's joking adds to lighten the mood. Before she suddenly gasps in alarm. "Joker! You've got incoming! To the south!"
Swerving on his feet, Joker glares down the road to see a veritable army of police cars screaming towards him. More suddenly came in from behind and the side, surrounding him and the others in a circle as more shadow cops and free personas emerged around them.
"Huh, looks like we have Alice's whole army here." Edelweiss quips, reloading her missile launchers.
"This is a bit too much. Even for us." Shadow admits, spinning her kunai around. Joker nods, griping his knife as Boss spins his book around him.
"Then it's a good thing we made it! Let's rock, guys!" At Mona's call, the searchlights above them suddenly lose their support, tumbling down to the ground and smashing into the police cars blocking the gate. Engulfing the area around them and the cops and persona in a large fire ball as Skull, Panther, Mona, Outlaw, Panther, Violet, Teach, Crow and Sophie leap out from the flames. Joining Joker's team as more reinforcements swarm in from behind.
"We late to the party?" Skull asks with a grin, patting his mace on his shoulders.
"Nope. Just in time for the main event." Joker remarks with a grin.
"Nice moves, guys! But how about this!?" Oracle chimes in, pressing several buttons on her side. "Gate coming down, make way for the Queen!" The moment she said that, the gate blocking their way forward dropped down. Revealing Queen on top of Agnes, revving the engine with Noir on her back before shooting forward and blasting through the remaining foes guarding the gate. Joining Joker and the others before Fox Iaai slashes his way to them. Taking out the flying stragglers between them and the gate. "Go nuts, guys!"
"It's time for the finishing moves. Shall we, Noir?" Shadow asks, with the star in Joker's pocket glowing once more.
"We shall."
"It's Showtime!"
Without missing a beat, the red curtain descends, trapping the remaining foes on a chessboard as Shadow and Noir look on from above. Their own mini chessboard before them.
"You can have the first move." Shadow offers Noir, who graciously accepts. Moving a knight forward while a larger one appears on the board below them. Shadow moves a pawn, and the move is copied as well before the two quickly play through a round of speed chess. Trapping the shadows in the centre of the giant board while a queen piece coloured red and black hovers above them.
"Game." Shadow comments, holding her queen piece.
"Set." Noir adds, holding her own.
"And match!" They shout in unison, slamming their pieces on the board and crushing the last of the shadow cops. Leaving only a few remaining stragglers left, an easy amount for the Thieves to handle.
"I'm glad we made it in time!" Panther shouts, blasting several cops with Agidyne.
"That couldn't have gone any better! Where did you come up with those showtime attacks anyway, Joker?" Outlaw asks, letting loose with a Megaton Raid.
"We came up with them last night!" Joker shouts back, switching to Odin and unleashing a Thunder Rain upon several Bicorns.
"We have a clear shot to the castle! Take out the stranglers, and let's rush it!" Oracle informs the group from up high just as the last remaining foes are quickly dispatched. And with the barrier down, there was nothing between them and Alice's castle.
Now, the true battle would begin.