Chapter 40: Tower
Once everyone had returned from the Abyss of Time, the team spread out over the Dorm to rest up. Since they were in a time loop, they had plenty of time to rest, even if they wanted to get out of the Abyss right now. But as Aigis walked through the lounge, contemplating on her thoughts, she noticed Koromaru lying on the floor letting out a whine as he gazed at Mona's mask.
"You miss him, don't you?" Aigis asks, kneeling to pet him. Koromaru nods his head, his eyes not leaving the mask as Aigis sighs. "I'm sorry, Koromaru-san. But we will meet them again. Have faith." Koromaru looks at her, nodding in acceptance even if his smile doesn't reach his eyes. It was then that Aigis remembered she had found something on their way back to the Dorm. Something that she thinks Koromaru would greatly enjoy. "By the way, I found this on the way back. Would you like it?"
She pulls out a large bone from her back with Koromaru's eyes widening at the surprise. He barks at her affectionately as Aigis hands him the bone with Koromaru instantly upon it. Gnawing away with content as Aigis watches with a smile. Only for him to stop as he stood up, growling angrily before rushing off. Now that Aigis wasn't distracted by him, she could hear Akihiko and Metis arguing nearby as she wanders off to find them. Near the front entrance, Akihiko and Metis were once more shouting at each other while Junpei stood to the side with a very concerned look on his face.
"…Then let me make this perfectly clear: you may be our ally for now, but I don't have a single ounce of trust in you!" Akihiko shouts at Metis who growls at him in reply.
"Oh trust me, you were already perfectly clear! You made it clear by how you treat me!" Metis retorts, throwing an arm out and almost hitting Junpei in the nose as he backs away.
"C'mon guys, lets all just take a deep breath…" Junpei tries to reason with them, but they ignore him as he lets out a large sigh. Seeing him being practically brushed off, he looks over at Aigis with a worried look in his eyes. "Um, Aigis, I still exist right? I'm not transparent or anything, right?"
"Now. You are still here, Junpei." Aigis replies with Junpei sighing in relief. "But still, I don't think anything can get my sister and Akihiko to stop fighting. I fear a fight is near."
"I don't know what got them started, but they have been at that ever since I tried to talk to them." Junpei shakes his head despondent while Koromaru narrows his eyes at the both of them. Without a word, he walks forward towards them, despite Aigis and Junpei looking at him in concern as Koromaru lets out an ear-splitting bark at the two of them. Akihiko and Metis, shocked and surprised at Koromaru's bark, both turn to look at him as Koromaru gives them both what could be called a disappointed dad stare in dog form.
"What!? I'm not being childish at all! I'm just as grown-up as everyone else!" Metis talks back as Junpei struggles to stop himself laughing at the two of them. As for Aigis, she couldn't help but feel sad that she no longer could translate Koromaru. A penalty of being a Wild Card, she could only guess.
"…I can't believe a dog had to point out I'm getting too worked up about this…" Akihiko groans, putting a hand on his head. "But he's right. All right, enough is enough. I admit that I am at fault here too. Let's just leave it at that."
"Fine." Metis replies as the tension around them petters out. Akihiko heads for the stairs to calm himself down while Metis head for the door and goes to the Mall. Leaving Aigis, Junpei, and Koromaru alone.
"Damn… One bark and that settled it." Junpei remarks in amazement. "You're freaking amazing, Koromaru!" Koromaru happily pants at Junpei, rubbing himself along his legs as Aigis pats him on the head.
"That was amazing, Koromaru-san. Such a commanding presence. I bet even Morgana would have praised you as well!" Koromaru lets out a happy bark as Aigis's vision slightly dimmed. She couldn't help but be surprised at how fast she was acquiring these Tarot cards as the Strength card flew by her, with Lavenza's voice echoing in her mind once again.
I am thou… thou art I…
Thou hadst acquired a new bond.
It shall be the guiding light along your winding path,
to lead you to the answer you desperately seek.
With the birth of the Strength Arcana,
I have been granted hope and resolution for a bright future.
While Aigis stayed silent as the Tarot card hovered before her with five stars, she decided to sit down on the couch to give her legs some rest while Junpei and Koromaru went off to look at the films they had lying around. She just couldn't understand why she was obtaining all these Social Links if all she would do is die at the end. Nothing made any sense to her at all.
"Aigis? You doing okay?" Yukari asks, sitting next to her. "You've seemed… distant ever since you became a Wild Card."
"I have?" Aigis asks, blinking her eyes as she shook her head. "I'm sorry if I am coming across like that, Yukari. I… have a lot on my mind these past few days."
"I see…" Yukari replies, bringing a leg up. "Now that I think about it, aren't Minako and Minato also a bit distant as well? Ever since we beat Nyx, you guys have been a little strange. Is it because Ren and the others went back to their time?" Aigis pauses, thinking about what to say. If she was being honest, she COULD tell her the truth right here and now. Yet… something inside her forced her to remain silent. No matter how much she wanted to yell it right then and there, something was forcing her not too. And it was the same with Minato and Minako.
"Yes. Their absence is… hard to accept." Aigis replies, telling her a half-truth. "Even if we will see them again, knowing that we have to wait for six or seven years to see them once more is… difficult. And there is a chance they might not even remember us."
"Yeah… you have a point." Yukari admits, nodding her head. "But that's why we have to have faith, right? That we will see them again, and we'll all be reunited once again." Aigis nods back at her, thankful for her words, but she couldn't help but feel regret. They would meet again, but they would be completely different to them. And even if they did remember, there was a high chance they only remembered their original journey and not the time they spent with them. It was a hard pill to swallow, not matter what.
"Yo! Just the two I was looking for!" Junpei suddenly calls out as he walks over with a DVD set. "You guys want to check out this foreign action DVD with me?"
"A foreign action DVD? There was still something like that lying around the Dorm?" Yukari asks, blinking her eyes. "I thought we recovered everything."
"Looks like we missed it." Junpei replies. "Then again, it could have been made by the Abyss of Time from our minds, so it could be amazing!"
"He makes a valid point." Aigis comments, bobbing her head up and down. Yukari hums to herself, tapping a finger on her chin before she shakes her head in resignation.
"Oh all right. But only one episode okay? We might be heading back down into the Abyss soon." While probably not as much as they would have liked, Junpei inserts the DVD into the TV. The episode they picked out turned out to be more dramatic than they imagined, holding them by the edge of their seats until it reaches the end… and leaves them all on a cliffhanger.
"Wait, THAT'S where it ends!? They didn't resolve anything! What ended up happening to the daughter!?" Yukari complains as she shakes her head. "Damn it… I want to watch more, but we might be heading out soon… I wonder how Ann would have reacted to this."
"She probably would have enjoyed it as well." Aigis replies, resting a hand on her chest. "Especially the production."
"Yeah, these foreign shows do that a lot. They have so many plots going at once to keep you invested until the end." Junpei remarks, leaning on his couch. "Still, you look a little less stressed out now, huh?"
"You think so?" Yukari asks, tilting her head. "I mean, I do feel less stressed and all, but I still can't help but worry about Minako and Minato. Why are they being distant from us?" Yukari shakes her head as she lets out a sigh while leaning forward. "What happened back then that put up this wall around us?"
"I'm sure that wall will come down soon, Yukari." Aigis tells her gently, resting a hand on her shoulder. "Just give them time, okay? They will tell us what is bothering them when they are ready." Yukari looks at Aigis, giving her a thankful nod as the Lovers Tarot card appears before Aigis, who mentally sighs to herself. This must be the record for 'how many Social Links can one make in a single day?' for his case.
I am thou… thou art I…
Thou hadst acquired a new bond.
It shall be the guiding light along your winding path,
to lead you to the answer you desperately seek.
With the birth of the Lovers Arcana,
I have been granted hope and resolution for a bright future.
Yet, there is no hope for me, Lavenza. I know what my fate will be. Aigis sighs to herself, standing up to head to the Mall while Yukari and Junpei talked more about the film and what Ryuji and Ann would have thought about it. It hurt her that she couldn't tell anyone that they were dead and that they didn't go back to their time, and yet she still stood in silence about it. Maybe a trip around the Mall would cool her mind.
"Oh, Aigis-san. Do you have some time right now?" Ken's voice echoes from behind Aigis who turns around to see him. "Fuuka-san and I have been using the Budget Tracker we found in the command room to keep track of our supplies. And I was wondering if you would like to lend a hand? If you're okay with that, of course." Aigis sighs to herself before putting on a smile. Maybe a little shopping trip will help put her mind at ease with everything that's happening around them.
"Of course." Aigis replies, following Ken out through the door to the Mall. Meanwhile, up in their room, Minato and Minako were by themselves. Looking at Joker and Skull's masks they had obtained from the Abyss of Time. And feeling nothing but hurt at seeing them.
"Why? Why are we finding their masks down there?" Minako asks her brother with sadness in her voice. "Wasn't seeing them sacrifice themselves to save us punishment enough? Now we have to see their memories as well? Just… what is going on?"
"I don't know… I honestly don't know." Minato replies, shaking his head. "I even went and visited Igor in the Velvet Room, hoping we could get some answers. But he didn't tell me anything. Other than this journey would lead us to the answers we all seek."
"What answer? What is it we are searching for?" Minako asks again, shaking her head irritably. "Why is this happening? Just… why?" Minato couldn't answer his sister as he himself was struggling with that very question. Why were they being haunted by these shadows of the Thieves? What are they trying to tell them? Sometimes, Minato found himself wishing they were the ones who sacrificed themselves before shaking that traitorous thought away. He didn't want to imagine what sort of pain that would inflict on everyone else. Especially Fuuka and Yukari. Who knows what would happen to them if they died instead. But seeing them act like they only went back to their time was… too much.
For the first time ever, all of this was proving too much for him to handle.
"Thank you both so much for coming! You were a great help!" Fuuka tells Ken and Aigis as she rests on the bench in the Mall next to the fountain. "I would have asked Minato to help, but he's been distant lately."
"Yukari said the same about Minako. I am sure they will come around again soon." Aigis tells her gently. Fuuka appreciates the reassurance while Ken lets out an awkward cough, grabbing Aigis's attention.
"Um… sorry for making you come with us, Aigis-san." Ken remarks, rubbing the back of his head. "I guess, in the end, just the two of us could have handled it, so…"
"It is no problem, Ken." Aigis replies reassuringly. "I wanted to get out of the Dorm for a while, so I welcomed the distraction."
"But we have to conserve our energy, don't we?" Ken asks back, tilting his head. "We don't know how long we'll be stuck here, after all. But I guess I might be too anxious about everything… I wonder what Yusuke would say if he saw me panicking like this? Maybe talk poetically to calm me down."
"I can easily see him do that, Ken." Fuuka comments with a smile. "And I also understand how you feel. I agree that we should try to conserve our strength and resources. But at the same time… it was really fun doing this with both of you! I think things like this are important as well."
"Huh…" Ken remarks, crossing his legs. Before letting a smile form on his face. "Yeah… You're right. I feel the same way. I had fun shopping with the both of you too!"
"In that case, let us go shopping again sometime in the future. When all of this is behind us." Aigis offers with a smile, one that Ken eagerly agreed to just as her vision goes dark. Aigis mentally sighs as another Tarot card forms before her as Lavenza's voice echoes in her mind. And if she was trying to be reassuring, it was not working.
I am thou… thou art I…
Thou hadst acquired a new bond.
It shall be the guiding light along your winding path,
to lead you to the answer you desperately seek.
With the birth of the Justice Arcana,
I have been granted hope and resolution for a bright future.
And yet, there will be no justice for me. Aigis mentally replies, ignoring the five started Justice card as they return to the Dorm. Finding everyone was ready to dive into the next area of the Abyss. As they walked down, they found another shadowy figure was waiting for them as they entered the next door. A figure that was unmistakably Panther.
"Panther as well? Are we going in the order of them joining?" Akihiko asks curiously as they approached the door.
"Looks like it… and I think we already know what awaits us at the end of this path. The Tower." Minato remarks, hands in his pockets.
"Hopefully, it will get us closer to the source of the Abyss." Metis remarks as Aigis opens the door. Revealing the way to Caina. A path that felt like they were walking inside a giant purple mountain, with all the rock tunnels they had to traverse. And just like the last two paths, the Shadows here all bore the same mask with the number XVI written on them. As if they needed any more confirmation of what to expect as they descended down the path. Eventually, they found the last portal leading to the final room, which was the same as all the others, along with the predictable foe.
A towering tower of stone that had a large base with a creator in its side. Long poles reaching up along it as the tower wobbled to and frow while small people were crammed inside. Armed with bows while canons emerged from all angles. The stone tower was coloured a deep black mixed with grey and brown, while the top half had looked to off broken off yet was stubbornly clinging to the remainder of the tower via blanks and boards. Refusing to let itself fall even as it continued to sway. At the top was a crown like finish made from black metal, giving it a spiked crown like appearance that reminded them of a certain famous tower from a western book, with fires lighting it up while between the spokes at the top was another mask that any of them could recognise.
It was Panther's mask, held in flames that made it look like it was the centre of an eye. Marked with burn marks and blood while the number XVI was engraved between the eyes.
"Man! It looks like this thing will fall at any second!" Junpei calls out as everyone readies for battle. "And it's got Panther's mask as well!" Just then, the people trapped inside the Tower Arcana Shadow unleash a storm of arrows at them, forcing them back as the canons open fire. The Tower Arcana tilts backwards, almost falling from the cannonade yet manages to right itself just as Akihiko, Junpei, Shinjiro, and Metis all charge at it as Aigis opens fires with her finger guns.
Yet, Aigis's bullets deal no damage to the Tower as Akihiko, Junpei, Shinjiro, and Metis all bounce back from the Tower. Their weapons bouncing off the stone like it was steal. "What the hell!?" Shinjiro shouts as the group move to avoid the incoming Maeigaon attack from the Tower, followed up by a barrage of arrows and cannonballs. "Our attacks did nothing?!"
"The Tower is immune to all physical attacks!" Fuuka cries out in warning, just as the Tower unleashed a Maziodyne on the team. "We can't bring it down with brute force! But it is weak to Elect and Psy!"
"Well that makes this easier then! Caesar! Ziodyne!" Akihiko calls, summoning his other half and blasting the tower with Elect magic. It did it's job as the Tower began to sway around dangerously as those trapped inside held on for dear life. The metallic sticks holding the tower up began to fall away as the Tower started to crumble, but before anyone could celebrate, the soldiers stuck inside the Tower started to repair the damage. Summoning a new metallic stick to replace the one that was lost while the Tower started to stabilise as the canons fire at Akihiko in revenge.
"This is not good! The ones inside the Tower can repair any damage we deal to it!" Fuuka warns as the Tower unleashes a beam of fire from its flaming eye. Managing to hit Yukari and Koromaru before dragging it across the ground towards Minato and Mitsuru. Enveloping them in the flames before ending its attack. Only to be blasted from the side by Minako, using her Elect specialist to send it swaying once more. But just like before, the Tower's minions get to work repairing the damage, restoring it with stubborn determination. But Aigis was not going to let them do so without a fight.
"Milady! Psiodyne!" Aigis cries, summoning Milady to the field. The mask she held over her missing face looking like Haru's eyes as she hopes her skirt and unleashes a barrage of Psionic rounds at the tower. The impact rattles the defenders inside the tower, limiting its ability to heal itself as it grows desperate. Lashing out with Mamudoon and Maziodyne, trying desperately to kill them as more arrows and cannons are unleashed by its trapped occupants. Finally, it casts Desperation on itself, followed up by letting out a piercing screech that caused everyone to pause in their attacks, just as it fires its beam of fire once again. This time managing to hit Ken, Minako, and Akihiko.
"All right! I've had it!" Minako shouts, pulling her Evoker out as she glares at the Tower. "Let's see you stop this! Dreamfest!" With that, she fires her Evoker, summoning two very unlikely Personas to the field. Succubus and Incubus. The two demonic Personas fly around each other towards the sky, trailing behind dark energy as they suddenly turn towards the Tower. Before they both smile and unleash a pink heart at the Tower. Slamming it with Dark magic while also managing to charm several of the countless warriors inside the Tower. Forcing those not charmed by the attack to focus on them instead of the S.E.E.S team as the Tower retaliates with Ziodyne.
"It's on it's last ropes! Hit it hard and bring it down!" Metis shouts, firing a Garudyne at the Tower as it fights to stay upright, despite the civil war now raging inside it as half of its warriors were now trying to escape it. Refusing to allow itself to fall down as several metal plates materialise around it. Holding the broken spire in place as it sends out a stream of black cloud to blind them. Aigis grunts as she ducks away from another cannonball as arrows rain around her. She could already see that some of the defenders inside the tower were beginning to repair it once again. Undoing all the work they had done to get this far. And it was driving her insane!
Huh, so that's how they want to play? The turtle style defence? We know how to crack it!
Leave this to us, Aigis! We'll bring that tower down!
"I know you will…" Aigis replies quietly, once more feeling a familiar feeling building inside her as she glows a scarlet red. "Let's end this! Wind of Light!" At her call, Zoro and Necronomicon appear on the field before her. Necronomicon hovers above Zoro, firing a beam of light into his rapier as he glares at the tower. Summoning the wind to his side, he dashes forward, carving a giant 'Z' of light into the Tower before leaping back as Necronomicon infuses his wind with light. As Zoro lands before Aigis once again, he thrusts his hand forward, sending the wind flying directly at the tower and enveloping it in a tornado of light and wind. Kicking up dust and the metal spikes that had been discarded throughout the fight and sending them flying into the Tower.
And it proved more than enough for the tower as the metal sheets covering the giant crack along the top were broken off. The top of the Tower, no longer held in place, finally began to fall as it tumbled to the ground. Craving a gash into it's side and spilling out all of its occupants as the metal spikes holding it all fall to the ground. It crashes to the ground with a might roar, dissolving instantly the moment it landed as the rest of the Tower and its occupants dissolved into shadows. Leaving behind a burned and bloody mask that was once Panthers.
"Man, that Arcana Shadow did not want to fall." Ken remarks as they gather around the mask. The door that was hidden behind the Tower now standing before them in all it's glory. "Do you think… we'll see Ann-san's awakening next?"
"Judging by the other two… it seems likely." Yukari replies, reaching down to grab the mask. And rather predictably, they were engulfed in a flash of light, transporting them to a red and purple room lined with red curtains and candles. But with something rather… unwanted right before their eyes.
"DEAR KAMI! TOPLESS HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS!" Junpei shrieks as Minako covers Ken's eyes. Or tried to as his hands went right through Ken's head. Leaving the poor kid able to see the sight before him. The others couldn't really blame him as, lying before them in nothing but white gym shorts, were high school girls giggle and moaning to themselves in rather… unsettling tones.
"What's all this about!? Seriously, I'm gonna call the cops!" Ann's voice echoes behind them, causing them all to turn around. But they rather wished they didn't as they found Ann tied to an ex shape cross with metal shackles with a portrait of Kamoshida posing with nothing but his robe and crown and surrounded by roses. While two guards stood on either side of Ann as she struggled to get out of her binds.
"I don't think I want to know what is going on here…" Metis remarks with some discomfort in her voice. Something that everyone for the first time since meeting her agreed with.
"So this is the intruder." Shadow Kamoshida remarks as he makes his presence known to all. Especially to Ann, who suddenly had a tone of fear in her voice as he approached. Until a new person walked up to Kamoshida's side. Something that caught everyone off guard. It was Ann, wearing nothing but a pair of cat ears on a tiara, pink stilettos and a very tight purple and black bikini.
"Why do I suddenly feel an unimaginable amount of rage?" Mitsuru asks the girls of the group who all silently nod back at her. As for the boys, they were looking anywhere but the new Ann or the topless girls behind them. This place made them feel sick to their cores, especially poor Ken.
"Who's that…?" Ann suddenly asks as she snaps out of her shock before focusing on the bigger picture. "More importantly, what is this place!? Why's the school turned into something like this!?"
"I can't believe you mistook my Ann for someone like her." Shadow Kamoshida remarks, completely ignoring Ann's questions. "Are you afraid?" He lets out a chuckle at her, before wrapping an arm around the other Ann. Revealing that he was wearing nothing except for a pair of pink pants.
"Gross!" Minako, Yukari, and Fuuka all say at the same time. Looking away from the pervert with disgust.
"I do as I please here. After all, this is my castle… The world of my desire." Shadow Kamoshida remarks, as though he had heard the three girls stating their opinion with an amused smile.
"So… this is the 'Palace' that Morgana was talking about. His distorted desires." Mitsuru remarks as they watch Ann try to break out of the restraints.
"This isn't funny! Enough of the bullshit, Kamoshida!" Ann shouts, trying to pull her hands through the restraints, but she only started to bruise her hands from the attempt. While the S.E.E.S could see the old Ann before them, it still wasn't the Ann that they knew as Shadow Kamoshida lets out an amused huff.
"The girl's decided to tell me off. What do you think of that?" Shadow Kamoshida asks Cognitive Ann, rubbing a finger over her body regardless of where it went. Making everyone in the S. team feel uncomfortable at the sight. This was an adult molesting a teenager for crying out loud!
"Talking back is, like… totally unforgivable…" Cognitive Ann remarks, seemingly aroused by Shadow Kamoshida's touch. Something that got great enjoyment out of Shadow Kamoshida as he turns back to Ann.
"In that case… she should be executed." With that, a golden knight stomps forward towards Ann while the S.E.E.S team could only stand and watch. If this was like the others, they knew how it was going to end. But having to stand and watch it play out… was agonizing to them. "Now then, how should I play with you? Shall I tear you into little pieces?" While Ann was stating to have a panic attack, the door behind the S.E.E.S team opens. Revealing Joker, Skull, and Mona as they come across the topless girls.
"Urgh… I did NOT want to see that…" Joker remarks, covering his eyes.
"This is 'effed up… This is what he thinks of the girls on the volleyball team?" Skull asks, his eyes wide with shock while Mona was looking anywhere but the girls.
"The volleyball team… How many was Kamoshida abusing like slaves?" Minako asks, hand on her chest in pain, just as Joker, Ryuji, and Mona rush past them towards the captured Ann.
"Takamaki!" Skull shouts in alarm, grabbing the knights, C-Ann, S-Kamoshida, and real-Ann's attention. "Let her go, Kamo-dick-bag!"
"Huh… that's a good nickname for that asshole." Akihiko remarks, nodding his head in approval with the rest of the boys. Even Koromaru was nodding his head at the insult.
"That voice… Sakamoto?" Ann asks, blinking in surprise as Shadow Kamoshida lets out an annoyed sigh.
"How many times are you vermin gonna come back?" He asks Joker how was glaring at him with fury.
"As many times as necessary, you rapist monster!" Joker shouts with uncharacteristic fury that surprised the S.E.E.S team. The only other time he was that pissed was when they dealt with Strega. Shadow Kamoshida brushes Joker off as he looks back at Ann with a mocking look.
"I bet you're just like those thieves. You came because you're pissed at me, huh? But, ah… I forgot that chicks name. It's her fault she jumped, you know?"
"Huh?" Ann asks, with the S.E.E.S team asking that very same question as several guards form to keep Joker and the others from helping her.
"You were so reluctant to throw yourself onto me that I had her take your place." Shadow Kamoshida revealed, enraging Ann while the S.E.E.S team could only feel a pit forming in their stomachs. Joker and the others readied themselves to engage, but the two guards on either side of Ann crossed their sword over her as Shadow Kamoshida glared at them. "Take one more step you rats, and I'll kill her on the spot!"
"You bastard!" Skull shouts in fury, but refuses to take a step forward in case he really did kill Ann. Not like letting him do what he pleased was good either, but what could they do with a whole squad of shadows before them?
"Just sit back and watch the dismantling show. Maybe I'll start with her clothes…"
"Urgh… this guy is suck a creep!" Junpei shouts, throwing a hand out. "Why can't I give him a good punch!?"
"We all do, Junpei." Minato replies, silently fuming where he stood. "Seeing him do this… it's sickening."
"Is this… my punishment for what happened to Shiho…?" Ann's quiet voice echoes over to the team as they see Ann looking at the ground completely defeated. The light of resistance all but snuffed out as she looked willing to accept her fate. "Shiho… I'm so sorry…"
"Shiho… Ann told me about her." Yukari comments, grabbing their eyes. "She was her best friend, bordering on sister, who was raped by Kamoshida and tried to kill herself the next day… the same day she awakened."
"Does that mean… that's already happened?" Fuuka asks, putting a hand over her mouth. "That's… horrible."
"You're just going to listen to him!?" Joker suddenly shouts out, grabbing Ann's attention as everyone looks at him. "Don't give in so easily!"
"Ann! Suzui never once gave up, no matter how much she took! She kept on going despite the pain and was always looking out for you!" Skull shouts, grabbing her eyes as he looks into hers. "Are you just going to give up and abandon her legacy!? Her resolve!? Aren't you sisters, for crying out loud!?" Ann blinks in silence while Shadow Kamoshida shakes his head in amusement. What were they going to—
"…You're right." Ann suddenly replies, grabbing his eyes as she looks back up with a fire burning behind her. "Letting this piece of shit toy with me… What was I thinking…?!" She once again starts to fight against her restraints, much to Shadow Kamoshida's annoyance as the S.E.E.S team move to get a better look. Being transparent had its advantages after all. "I've had enough of this! You've pissed me off, you son of a bitch!"
My… It's taken far too long.
Ann lets out a gasp of shock as she starts to pound herself on the cross in a… suggestive way. It was really unfortunate she was chained to the cross, but it served as a distract as Kamoshida found his eyes trailing over her as a result. Even as her eyes glowed yellow.
Tell me… Who is going to avenge her if you don't? Forgiving him was never the option… Such is the scream of the other that dwells within… I am thou, thou art I… We can finally forge a contract…
"I hear you… Carmen." Ann responds in a quiet voice with her head down. Then, she suddenly look up, blue flames washing over her face as her mask forms on her face as her eyes glow yellow. "You're right. No more holding back…!" With that, blue flames engulf the shackles, allowing Ann to forcefully snaps them like they were paper as she stomps forward. The guards around her backing away in fear.
There you go… Nothing can be solved by restraining yourself. Understand? Then I'll gladly lend you my strength.
And with that, Ann rips her mask off with no resistance, engulfing herself in the azure flames with Carmen forming behind her in all her glory while the guards are knocked away from her. As for Ann, she now stood in her Thief attire, glaring at Kamoshida with a righteous fury before she dashes towards a guard and kicks the sword out of its hand. Leaping up, Ann grabs the sword and slices her cognition in two. The false Ann lets out a scream as she dissolves into bits as Shadow Kamoshida cowers behind his guards.
"Get him, Ann!"
"Show that pervert who he's messing with!
"Tear him a new one!"
The boys look at Minako, Yukari, and Fuuka with concerned glances before shaking their heads in agreement. Whatever Shadow Kamoshida got was more than deserved at this point.
"You know what? I'm not some cheap girl you can just toy with… you scumbag." Ann tells Shadow Kamoshida, tossing the sword to the side as Joker, Skull, and Mona stand by her side. "You stole everything from Shiho… You destroyed her… Now it's your turn! I will rob you of everything…!"
"How dare you! Enough of your insolence!" The gold knight shouts as it dissolves into a puddle of ichor, changing itself into a Belphegor. "You will pay for your defiance!"
"No, I've had enough of you." Ann replies, walking forward with a furious glare as they watch Shadow Kamoshida flee the room. "No one's gonna stop me now!" With that, her frown turns into a rebellions smirk as she glance back at Carmen before crouching down into a pouncing position, one hand in the air as her tail flicks behind her. "Let's go, Carmen!" And just like that, as Carmen prepared to launch an attack, the S.E.E.S were hit by a flash of light. Once again finding themselves back in the sandy arena. Ann's mask restored and in Yukari's hands.
"Man, what a scumbag!" Junpei shouts, smashing his foot into the ground. "He did all of that all for his own greed! Argh…. I want to punch something!"
"Was that another one of your friends?" Metis asks Yukari, who nods back at her while keeping her gaze on Ann's mask.
"Yeah… Ann. Might string ou along by your heart, but could be surprisingly deep underneath all of it. And was also Ryuji's girlfriend as well." Yukari shakes her head at the memories as she puts the mask on her belt. "And she was the last founding member of the Phantom Thieves."
"It's strange… seeing them before they awoke to their Personas." Ken remarks, as he rubs his arm. "It's like… they are two separate people."
"I suppose that just shows how deep they were hiding their true selves behind the public masks they wore." Mitsuru replies, letting out a sigh. "All because of how our society works."
"Well, we've seen Ann's awakening." Akihiko comments, his gaze fixed on the door. "Time to see what's waiting for us behind this door." While slightly put off by Akihiko's suddenly change of subject, Aigis nevertheless approached the door and opened it. Enveloping them all in light as countless voices enter their ears. All of them calling out for one person.
"Sanada-kun, wait!"
"Sanada-kuuun!"
"Hey, hold on a sec, you're the captain, aren't you?"
"Hey quit pushing! Practice is over!"
As the light fades away, the team find themselves in a school corridor as someone approached them with a jacket over his shoulder. And a bandage over his nose. And even though he looked younger, no one could deny who it was that was walking towards them. Followed by a crowd of fan girls who were being held back by two members of the boxing team.
"You there! Sanada-kun, right?" A teacher calls out, grabbing his attention as Past Akihiko looks over his shoulder.
"That's right." Past Akihiko replies, giving the teacher his attention.
"That was an incredible bout! I've never seen a middle schooler deliver a KO punch like that! I'm with the school you were up against in the finals. What do you say enrolling with us? We'll give you a real generous scholarship, you'd only have to pay half your tuition!"
"Wait, you're from another school!? Poaching is against the rules, and you know it!" One of the members of the boxing team calls the teacher out with a narrow glare. As for Past Akihiko, he turns back to look at the teach with an indifferent look.
"Sorry, but I don't see any reason to attend a school that places second. Good luck finding someone else."
"Daaaaaaang!" Junpei, Ken, Minako, AND Yukari all say at the same time while Shinjiro, Fuuka, and Aigis shake their heads while Metis tilts her head. As for Akihiko and Mitsuru, they chuckled at what Past Akihiko said to the teacher. And it certainly had its effect on the fan girls who wanted to chase after Past Akihiko who continued walking off while his boxing buddies started forcing everyone out. Leaving him alone as he lets out a long sigh.
"Couldn't you have handled that with a little more tact?" A voice calls out from ahead of him, earning his gaze as a familiar face walked towards him. Even if her hair wasn't as long as it currently was, and was held back by a purple headband. "I heard it gets crowded after practice, so I decided to wait here instead. Third year, Class C… Akihiko Sanada-kun."
"What do you want?" Past Akihiko asks, leaning on the wall. Past Mitsuru lets out a curious hum as he folds her arms with a smile.
"You're not going to ask who I am?"
"Why bother? Whatever it is you're here for, I'm not interested. All I want is to train and become stronger." Past Akihiko tells her, shaking his head. Past Mitsuru lets out a chuckle as she brushes her hair back.
"Oh, it's nothing troublesome. In fact, I have a rather simple request." That got Past Akihiko's attention as he gave her his attention. "I have enemies that need defeating. Only thing is, they are not people. Meaning, there is no need to play by the rules, not like in the ring."
"That was your sell to him, Mitsuru?" Shinjiro asks, shaking his head. "Could have been better." Mitsuru lets out a huff as Akihiko puts an arm around her waist, pulling Mitsuru into him as they look back at their past selves.
"No, these enemies… They're related to what you go through every midnight." That got Past Akihiko's attention as he suck in a gasp of air. "You see, I'm in the same situation. I experience the same thing you do. The hour when power goes out, and the sky becomes green. When blood appears on the ground, and people are encased in coffins."
"That's… you really do experience what I do." Past Akihiko replies, shaking his head. "And here I thought it was all from my head."
"I wish it was, but it's not. However, the difference is, I know what it means. So if you join me… I'll share what I know with you."
"Who are you?" Past Akihiko asks, completely taken aback by Past Mitsuru as she turns to face him. Holding out a hand.
"Mitsuru Kirijo. I'm a third year, much like yourself."
"Kirijo? Sounds familiar." Past Akihiko replies, shaking her hand.
"Earlier, you said you wanted to train and become stronger, but what you really need is a challenge." She reaches into her pocket, and pulls out an Evoker. Shocking Akihiko as his eyes fly over it. "And with this… you'll be able to defeat them." Before the scene could continue, their vision was filled with a flash of light. Returning them back to the platform with the door once again gone.
"First Ken and Shinji's past and now mine… what in the world does it mean?" Akihiko asks, placing a hand on his head.
"That certainly takes me back though… we were both in middle school at the time." Mitsuru remarks, brushing some hair out of her eyes. Akihiko lets out a chuckle, letting those old memories flow through him.
"Yeah… talk about how time flies. To be honest, I thought you had lost it until I first summoned Polydeuces. Man, did I feel like I had egg on my face when I did. But still, what was I to think when this random rich girl gave me a gun five minutes after we first met?"
"It is rather ridiculous when you think back on it." Mitsuru replies through a chuckle, one that everyone soon joined in on at the absurdity of the situation. "But it did grab your attention, though. So I'd say my plan went off without a hitch. Had I asked you to 'fight for justice' back then, you wouldn't have bothered listening."
"You know me so well." Akihiko replies, squeezing her. "But I'm different now. I know what's to come, and the injustices that follow it. And I won't sit back while that happens." While the team nod proudly at Akihiko, Metis lets out a curious hum as she leans on one foot.
"So that was a 'school'…" She remarks, tilting her head.
"Yes, it was. But only a very small portion of it." Aigis replies, shocking Aigis as her jaw drops.
"Really?! They are much bigger than that!?"
"Yes. That's right. Have you really never been outside before? And I don't mean to embarrass you if you haven't. It's nothing to be ashamed of. After all, I was in a very similar situation myself. " Aigis pauses for a moment, thinking to herself. "Now that I think about it, I wasn't permitted to leave the Dorm myself by Ikutsuki's orders."
"Don't remind us about that traitor." Shinjiro growls, stuffing his hands into his coat.
"Do you… Do you also go to school?" Metis asks Aigis with some sadness in her voice.
"I did… But I won't be attending this spring due to a need for maintenance. My emotional matrix seems to be malfunctioning, and I need to have it fixed. So I won't be going back this year."
"Oh… really? But don't you like going with your friends?" Metis asks. Aigis goes to answer, yet she finds herself stumbling over her words. She did want to go, but she couldn't because of her emotional matrix, right? Or… was there another reason? A reason that she had forgotten? Or… forced herself to forget? Even as she saw the Eclipse Tarot and Fool Tarot gain their fifth stars, she found herself at a loss for words.
As for everyone else, they started to see Metis in a different light. Not as someone bad, but more like Aigis. As someone who didn't really know about the outside world and was being antagonistic because she didn't know any better. And maybe they were taking her a bit too seriously.
After all… it was like she was a little kid inside that metallic shell of hers!