The Phantom Thieves managed to sneak their way back to Leblanc from Marie's armory. Thanks to Toshiro's escape route, and Oracle's navigation, they were able to make it out of the armory without any trouble, with Ryuji and Haru in tow. With this, most of their friends have returned to them, but this only left Makoto and Yusuke now. Erina took a quick peek outside, returning inside. "Looks like we're in the clear. We managed to shake them. I've sent some scouts out to get some information. Are your two friends okay?"
"Yeah, thanks." Ann said with a soft smile. "They woke up just a few minutes ago."
And there were Ryuji and Haru; both of them looking utterly exhausted. It was no surprise; the recoil of breaking free from Marie felt like the exhaustion of awakening a Persona. Ryuji was slumped over as he walked forward. "Yeah…Ann and the others filled us in on what happened. So you're Erina? Sounds like you've been a huge help to us here."
Erina smiled in response. "The feeling's mutual! The Phantom Thieves have really turned things around for the Rebel Corps." And she was forever thankful for their help. Thanks to them, the Rebellion made strides it never could have on its own.
Ryuji let out a faint chuckle. "If everyone else is pullin' their weight, sounds like I better start too!"
"I'm looking forward to contributing as well!" Haru spoke with a smile. But that smile then faded and she held her hands together. "Although, has anyone noticed if their throat's awfully sore since coming here?"
"Yeah, it's real weird…Feels like I've been hollerin' all day or something." Ryuji rubbed his throat a bit. He'd kill for a cough drop or something right about now.
"Yes, I imagine you would be feeling sore after all the laughing you've been do-" Toshiro didn't get to finish his remark, because Ann and Hifumi promptly booted him off to the side.
"Mmmm…" Haru glanced to the side. "Why do I feel like I want to know what happened, but also not know? I say that, but I can vaguely recall things…"
"Marie got you under her control." Zenkichi stated. "You kids are damn tough, that's all I'll say."
Since Ryuji and Haru were filled in, they weren't terribly surprised to see Zenkichi, Sophia, and Ichinose. But that didn't stop the faint surprise from lingering. "I see. If we did anything terrible to you all, I'm very sorry." Haru said with an apologetic frown.
"Don't worry about it." Ren waved a hand at Haru's apology. "None of it was your guys' fault. It was Marie's for thinking she could control you like that."
"Besides, I imagine you have quite a bit of pent up frustration." Akechi remarked.
"Oh, absolutely." Haru nodded to Akechi's words. "I have more than enough reasons for my axe to want to meet with Marie's neck."
Toshiro's face went pale at Haru's words. Somehow, she was far scarier on her own than when under Marie's control. "..."
"I told you, she's a scary one!" Ichinose said this with a smile. Toshiro was the only one openly frightened. The others learned to internalize this.
"I…I see why they held her in such high esteem earlier." Toshiro cleared his throat. Getting on Haru's bad side was not something he wanted to do. He was glad she was on their side now,
"I had a very hard time discerning what was happening." Haru placed a hand on her cheek.
"It felt like you were in a lucid dream, right?" Futaba asked. "Like…you're aware of what's happening, but you aren't in control of it. And it's all super hazy?"
"Yeah!" Ryuji quickly nodded. "Not to mention, that awful chick's voice kept ringing through my head, and I just couldn't fight it! I heard your voices, and that kept me conscious the whole time. But when it came to tryin' to push her away…" Ryuji frowned. "I felt weak…"
"It's not your fault!" Sumire said quickly. "I was the same way…there was hardly anything I could do. We resisted as long as we could, but she kept putting that pressure on us nonstop."
"Even for the brief few seconds she got me, I hated it." Mika scowled. She broke out with sheer will, in the brief window her consciousness was still her own. "I heard her voice trying to creep into my head, it makes me sick."
"Yeah…" Akechi remembered that feeling as well. "Using my power to break free of her control was admittedly a desperate maneuver. But the mental strain afterwards was even worse than usual."
"Honestly, I think it's impressive you guys were even able to push back at all." Erina admitted. "This is the thing Marie does. Subjugating people against their will…that's exactly what Marie's doing to this country."
"Resisting is what the Phantom Thieves do!" Sophia chimed in cutely. "If we cannot do anything alone, we do it together."
"Haha, I like that!" Erina beamed.
"Haru and Ryuji are great boons to our team!" Hifumi said with a smile.
"Yeah! That last fight made me glad that they're usually on our side." Morgana chimed in. "Haru is crazy powerful, and Ryuji is ridiculously tough."
"Who are you callin' ridiculous!? Watch it, or William'll serve up some fried cat!" Ryuji exclaimed. This just made Erina laugh.
"You guys have some great chemistry, don't you?" Erina said. "I can't wait to work with you two now!"
"You can count on us!" Haru said firmly. "But can I ask something? Isn't it strange that this safe house is just…Leblanc?"
"We were all thinking the same thing." Ren looked around. He was even capable of making a cup of coffee and some curry for those that wanted it! In fact, it was about that time to eat, and there were enough ingredients to feed everyone.
"I almost forgot we were in the Metaverse when we woke up here. It's just so comfortable as always!" Ryuji laughed a bit.
Mika glanced over at Ren making food. "Why is it that every time I'm with you people, I have to break my diet…" But she was also starving, so she was going to have to stomach the curry for the time being.
"Honestly, I'm still trying to wrap my head around this Metaverse…" Toshiro admitted. "At first, I thought this was only just a simulation of some kind. But considering I've witnessed your outfits changing magically at will, and those Personas of yours, I have no choice but to swallow this reality."
"You get used to it." Zenkichi and Ichinose said at the same time.
"You should've seen Zenkichi-san's reaction to the Metaverse the first time." Ann couldn't help but giggle at the memory.
"I'll never forget that as long as I live." Zenkichi shook his head. "The fact I'm used to it says a lot."
"You don't seem very bothered by this though, Erina." Ichinose looked towards the leader of the Rebel Corp.
"To be completely honest, all of this Metaverse talk is kind of going over my head." Erina admitted, but her usual headstrong smile remained on her lips. "But it doesn't bother me! I've never been one to sweat the small stuff anyway!"
"How can you say that so casually…" The more Toshiro interacted with these people, the more he felt like the only normal person around. Ichinose was the only other person here without any powers or combat prowess, and she was just as strange as the rest of them. If not more!
As everyone was chatting, and eventually eating, there was still a slight sense of unease in the air. "...It's not the same just yet." Sumire commented. They almost had a full group, but they were still missing two of them.
"I know. We need to get Makoto and Yusuke back as quickly as possible." Ren said. "It just doesn't feel right that they aren't here with us." He then looked towards Ryuji and Haru. "Do you have any idea where they might be?"
The two of them shook their heads. "Sorry, dude." Ryuji sighed.
"I wish I could tell you. I only remember Marie giving us all separate orders." Haru replied. "I don't know what she's done to Mako-chan or Yusuke."
"It was worth asking." Ren let out a small sigh of his own.
"If we proceed the way we have been, it is likely we will encounter them in due time." Hifumi stated. "Although, I would prefer if that happened sooner rather than later. I fear their prolonged exposure to Marie's control…"
"We just have to make sure we take things carefully from now on. I feel like we've been getting lucky…" And Toshiro did not want to push that luck. He felt like they were consistently treading on thin ice and he worried it could break at any moment.
And speaking of that moment, it came when a Rebel Corp member came rushing into the hideout in a panic. "E-Excuse me, Captain! I have an emergency report from our scouting team!" Whatever light atmosphere was immediately replaced with slight tension when this news hit. "By all appearances, Marie is finally ready to hold the wedding she's been planning! Apparently, she's arranged for a giant cake to be prepared in the center of the city plaza! And…they've captured almost every single one of our spies who gathered this intel."
Erina realized the gravity of the situation. "I see. Thank you for bringing me this information."
Ann was pondering the meaning of the cake. "A giant cake…? Oh, like a wedding cake?"
"No, you shouldn't eat it." Hifumi commented. Ann stiffened up. She knew Ann was thinking about it.
"Marie just keeps pissing me off more and more with her BS!" Ryuji shouted, He had enough of this whole wedding shtick!
"Say, what do you think may have happened to make her want to hold her wedding now?" Toshiro pondered. "If all she wants is a ceremony, she'd have no trouble getting one arranged whenever she pleased."
"When you phrase it like that, it makes you wonder if there was something preventing her from arranging it in the first place." Hifumi commented. "So, clearly there is something she has now that she lacked beforehand…"
"I would also assume her patience is beginning to wane." Akechi added. "Prior to our arrival, all she had to deal with was the Rebel Corp, a needless thorn in her side. Now that we have arrived and added more defiance than she's used to."
"On top of that, according to past reports, Marie's struggled to find someone she deemed worthy enough to marry her." Erina explained. "I have no idea what's taken her so long, but it sounds like she's finally found someone."
"Am I the only one who thinks putting together a wedding before having someone to marry is weird?" Futaba said with a sweat drop.
"No." Mika shook her head. "Moreover, who would want to marry that tramp? I feel sorry for whoever has to say their wedding vows to her." And in that moment, she looked at Toshiro. It completely slipped her mind that in reality, he was to be marrying Marie in reality. "...I don't feel so bad anymore."
"W-Wh-!?" Toshiro's eyes were wide. "We don't even know if the Marie in this world, and the Marie I know are the same person!"
"But as it stands, some of the facts line up too well for a coincidence." Zenkichi stated. He was the one who made the deduction after all.
"But if she's about to marry someone, wouldn't it be Toshiro in that case?" Haru asked. Assuming this Marie was one and the same, which was all but likely.
"She is about to marry someone! Furthermore, her new partner will be at the ceremony in person!" The Rebel reported. Now this was news. "All we knew of him so far is that he is a 'handsome man with dark hair and piercing eyes'." This did shock most everyone.
"Well, it can't be this guy." Mika used her thumb to gesture at Toshiro. "He is not handsome nor are his eyes striking. They dart around the moment he steps out of this place."
"That first comment was uncalled for!" Toshiro objected to only the first part of Mika's statement. He could not deny anything about the second, and he wasn't ashamed of that either.
"...Is it me?" Ren pointed at himself.
"Wh-? When did you get such an ego?!" Ann gasped.
"Hey, the last time I caught the interest of a pink sadistic woman, she wanted to make me hers!" Ren said in his defense.
"Please don't remind me of that." Sumire said with a sweat drop. She really did not like Alice for that.
"That sounds more like Yusuke…" Haru said quietly. "It describes him, and he's the only male we're missing now…"
"Well, I guess he is the looker out of us guys…" Ryuji slumped over.
"I wouldn't give yourselves that much credit." Mika added.
"I can already envision more than a few problems if she actually were to go through with that." Zenkichi stroked his chin. "I can't imagine her actually wanting to marry Kitagawa for a number of reasons. It has to be Toshiro."
"I do know one thing for sure." Ichinose leaned back against her seat. "Whoever this control freak plans to marry, she won't be taking their happiness into account."
"Marie and her ceremony can go to tell! We have to rescue Yusuke before it's too late!" Morgana shouted.
"If Yusuke is going to be there, I suspect Makoto will as well." Sophia surmised. That was an assumption everyone could agree with.
"Crashing a wedding and rescuing our friends. I like the sound of that." Ren said with a chuckle.
"Yes - in fact this could be just the opportunity we need." Erina said. "If we know Marie and your remaining comrades are going to be at the plaza…"
"Then we get to rescue our friends AND put the boot to Marie at the same time!" Ryuji loved this idea.
"Hold on a moment!" Toshiro interjected. This was far too hasty! "I understand why you want to attack, but you're being entirely too hasty. Don't you think Marie would see this opportunity to trap us? It has everything you want, on a silver platter! She'd regroup her losses and then some!"
"That is…probably true." Erina couldn't exactly deny that…
"Even if we absolutely must go, we should at least prioritize our comrades." Toshiro said firmly. "Imagine, marching right up to the enemy commander…."
"We never said we were planning to do anything like that." Morgana clarified. "We just know there might be a fight waiting for us."
"We're ready to fight at a moment's notice." Ann said, crossing one leg over the other.
"I understand that as well, but there's a difference between bravery and recklessness." Toshiro glanced to the side. From what he's witnessed so far, the Phantom Thieves often danced on the side of recklessness. No wonder he was so stressed. "Looking at you all, I get a very uneasy feeling about this."
There was a lingering silence before Ryuji spoke. "...It's fine, I think you made a good point, to be honest. But, even still, there are just some things in this world you gotta stand up to!"
"Yeah." Zenkichi nodded in agreement. "Honestly, this whole thing is fishy. You're right, Kasukabe. It is dangerous. Truthfully, I'd like to avoid a confrontation with Marie herself if possible, but rescuing Niijima and Kitagawa is more important."
"...!" Toshiro's expression shifted to a bit of shock.
"That's how I…how all of us learned to move on." Ryuji went on. Toshiro had no response.
"You think we're crazy?" Ren asked, seriously. "Well, we're already committed to this."
To this, Toshiro gasped. These kids knew it was dangerous; the other fighting adult in the room acknowledged the danger as well, but they were STILL planning to launch themselves headlong into the enemy!? "Yet you're going to do it anyway, despite knowing it's irrational!? I just cannot comprehend the way you kids…this group thinks. But…I should apologize for taking over the conversation like that. I am not opposed to conducting a rescue operation. I will accompany you and offer any aid as needed."
"Wow, look at you." Ichinose held back a snicker. Toshiro was vaguely impressive. "The same is applicable to me too, of course. I know I can't do much, but I'd feel bad if I sat around and did nothing!"
"Plus you're worried over nothing! It's not like we were going in there without a play! We have the best strategist anyone could ask for to lead us into battle!" Futaba gestured to Hifumi, who seemed confident, but bashful.
"I will do my best to draw up a plan that will succeed.." Hifumi did feel the pressure, but she could handle it.
"They leave all the planning to you, Togo-san?" Toshiro tilted his head. That did seem like a lot of responsibility to put on a single person.
"I do a majority of the planning." Hifumi said while getting up from her seat. "Normally, our missing friend, Makoto, does help me with that. And after we draw up a solid plan, the others chime in with their opinions or desires. Flexibility is important for efficiency. And I am also aware that personal desires impact a plan as well."
"But since we are missing Makoto, we have to help her however we can." Ren said.
"Hifumi-chan is soooo talented!" Mika clasped her hands together. Toshiro realized that the only time Mika was pleasant was when dealing with Hifumi. How and why, he had no idea. But this was just a fact.
"May I have a map of the city?" Hifumi asked. A few rebels nodded and placed a large map on a table. Hifumi stood by it, one hand under her chin as she observed it. "And am I to assume this circled area is where the wedding will be carried out?"
"That's correct, ma'am!" The rebel nodded. "This is the location of the wedding, and where Marie's forces are likely to be condensed! Marie has been waiting for this day for a very long time, so I know she will not take any interruptions lightly!"
"I see…" Hifumi was looking over the city and their current location. "Toshiro-san. Will you help me prepare an escape route?"
Toshiro was taken aback. Earlier Hifumi showed some distrust towards him, and now she was asking for his help. "You're not mocking me about this, are you?"
"Hey, she'd never do that in a situation like this!" Ann came to Hifumi's defense.
"No, I am being sincere." Hifumi replied, looking towards Toshiro. "We are marching straight into the enemy. The city is our board, but our movements will be limited concerning our approach and retreat. Moreover, we will most certainly be facing our two remaining friends. If all goes without an issue, they will be unconscious, and that leaves two of us to carry them, limiting their ability to fight. I do not wish to account for future injuries, but having a way out would be preferable."
Toshiro blinked in surprise. "Wow, I…didn't realize you took so many things into account, Togo-san."
"She's a professional shogi player." Mika was more than happy to sing Hifumi's praises, somehow with that smug aura still around her. "It's not surprising her brain goes into overdrive here. She treats it the same way."
"But she doesn't treat anyone like pieces either!" Sophia smiled. "She's very clever."
"I'm just doing my best." Hifumi was happy everyone had so much faith in her abilities.
"I-In that case, I'll be happy to help!" Toshiro was looking at the map along with Hifumi. Escaping was his forte, and he wanted nothing more than to ensure everyone's safety.
"Looks like we're finally getting somewhere." Akechi said. "I know that once we step out of these doors, some type of hell awaits us."
"Okay…" Hifumi started to feel the gears in her head turn. The best way to maneuver her comrades around the board. While she was uncertain of exactly what awaited them, a good plan had to account for success and failure. If something went wrong, she needed to be ready for it. "I believe I have a plan in mind. I shall dub this: Operation Wedding Crashers! As always, you are all free to add to it. This will not work unless everyone is a part of it…"
"Hell yeah!" Ryuji pumped his fist into the air. This was a feeling he missed. It would only be completed when Makoto and Yusuke were with them once again. "It's about time we crash that shitty wedding!"
.
.
Some time passed, and Hifumi's plan was solidified. She took care of as many details as she could, and did her best to come up with contingencies as well. There were plenty of unknowns waiting for them, but they had to do their best going forward. With everyone placing their faith in Hifumi, the Phantom Thieves were the first to leave Leblanc.
"Does this mean what I think, Captain?" A rebel dressed in red asked Erina. "The final battle's drawing near?"
Erina nodded in response. If Hifumi's plan went off without a hitch, they could say goodbye to Marie! She was hopeful of this, but Hifumi did say not to set expectations too high. "Yes, that's right. Hifumi is a lot smarter than I thought! I never could've come up with a plan like this. I can't believe she said to keep my expectations grounded…" She would've went on, but she saw Toshiro approach and stare at her. "Uh. Toshiro?"
"Show me your right arm." Toshiro demanded.
"Uh…why?" Erina tilted her head.
"You were shot, weren't you?" Ichinose lingered behind, waiting for the rest of the Rebel Corp to file outside. Zenkichi was there as well, but he opted to stay silent for a bit. "That was a pretty close shave, too."
"Yeah, I got a scratch! But it's no big deal." Erina waved the issue off with a smile.
"You're only focusing on the end result." Toshiro said seriously. "If you'd been struck in a more vital area, you could've easily lost your life. I understand that each of you have been following your heart to fight for what you believe is right. Your behavior isn't condemnable, however, I can't approve of it either."
"You know, Toshiro." Ichinose crossed her arms, intruding on this moment, much to his dismay. "You have to remember, your rules don't apply here. Things are different in the Metaverse."
"I haven't forgotten." Toshiro said while shaking his head. "I recognize that everyone is very capable and have been putting their lives on the line with every mission. But, all it takes is one slip and it's over. Your goals, your ideals…lost forever. I just felt I should point this out, as one of the adults in the group." Because Zenkichi and Ichinose were far too casual about this. Someone had to remind them of the risks.
Erina was silent for a moment, before letting out a sigh. "I know, as long as I fight, wounds like these are unavoidable. Still, I can't let my fear control me. Doing nothing won't help. The only thing I can say for sure is…I'm really scared." She admitted, her voice losing its usual energetic vigor. As a leader, she didn't feel like she could show this side to the Rebels. "I'm scared that we're entering a world where corruption is free to flourish. Even worse, I'm scared that I'll become someone who's okay with that! So I fight because I refuse to give up and turn a blind eye to the injustices in my world. Not only that - you said it only takes one slip up, and everything is lost. But getting hurt, or suffering through hard times, doesn't mean it's all over."
"And that means….?" Toshiro lingered on this point. He wasn't following, but he was more than willing to see the point she was trying to make.
"When you follow your beliefs long enough, you're bound to meet others willing to fight by your side. And when something's impossible by yourself, you can count on your comrades to help you. When you think of it that way, it takes a lot more than one setback for it all to become meaningless." Erina said with a slight smile.
"Well said!" Ichinose clasped her hands together. "I think I can learn a lot from you, Erina. Your spirit is pretty similar to the Phantom Thieves. It's no surprise you all were drawn together. When you speak like that, I can't help but want to follow you, too." With how she spoke, it was unclear if she was serious or not. Erina and Toshiro couldn't really get a read on this woman, but she was at least on their side.
"And the Rebel Corp will carry on the fight in the name of our lost comrades!" A rebel exclaimed proudly.
"Mm, that we will." Erina nodded. "Oh, and don't worry about me endangering myself! I hate getting hurt!" Erina had a wide smile, and then left the building with the rebels.
"It's only over when you decide to stop fighting." Zenkichi finally spoke. "Erina's a strong leader. Her spirit is what keeps the Rebel Corp fighting. We should be thankful for that. If not for her, we'd be up the creek right now. Those damned kids will match her energy and they'll propel to new heights."
"You sound like a seasoned veteran." Ichinose poked fun at Zenkichi. He was trying to be serious and he couldn't help but roll his eyes a little. "Well, we shouldn't keep them waiting!" With that, Ichinose left, and Zenkichi soon followed after.
"...Ridiculous…." Toshiro shook his head slowly. All of this was still just so much. It felt like nothing he said was sticking. Still, it was admirable at the very least. But there was no time for doubts. Right now, they had an operation to complete and a wedding to crash. So he was the last person out of Leblanc.
Operation: Wedding Crashers! Was about to begin.