Chapter Text
Chapter 27: A Treasure to Catch.
November 5th, 2016
Another day for the SIU Director, another day of pulling the fools along. It was laughably easy at how he could do it. And these were supposed to be the cream of the crop for catching crooks? How laughable.
Of course, there was the legal challenge he would have to surmount when he gives the order on the 20th, but it’s nothing that Shido’s power would be able to help cover up. To further his power, he would do anything.
A chime from his computer broke the Director out of his thoughts as a new email suddenly appeared in his inbox. “Strange, I was not expecting anything today… Must be junk.” He comments with annoyance, opening his email open. Only for his eye to widen in shock. “T-This is—!”
To the envious Director of the SIU, and right hand man of the Mental Shutdowns. We know the truth of how you view the world. Seeing everyone as nothing but insects to be crushed underfoot. How you would torture them until they broke, before killing them under false charges.
And how you kill those who you deem to steal what you falsely believe as your own work. Tonight, these crimes will end. We have decided that you will confess not only your past sins, but the very crimes you intend to commit on the 20th.
We will steal your distorted desires without fail.
From, the Phantom Thieves of Heart.
The blazing emblem of the Thieves glared at him from the computer screen, the words of the calling card searing into his eyes. For the Director, a surge of emotions flew through him. He knew it was only a matter of time until he was targeted, so it was no surprise that he felt anger within him. Nor was he surprised at feeling excitement at the fact, the Thieves had walked right into their trap!
And yet…why did he feel fear? Why was he scared? Did he really doubt that they would fail? Or was this the power of the Calling Card showing itself. To cut right to the core of the target without fail.
It was a sobering realisation.
“These Thieves….they are powerful…” He whispers before grabbing his phone. It was quickly answered not a few seconds after it began to ring. “Sir. I have an urgent report to make. I have received a Calling Card from the Thieves.”
“So, they are finally making their move.” Shido replies in a calm manor.
“Yes sir. I have the capture teams ready to be transferred over. All that is missing is Sho and his apprentice.”
“You need not worry about that. They are already in the building waiting to transport the teams. I expect good news when the day is out, Director.”
“Of course Sir. Rest assured, the Thieves WILL be caught. I already have plans for torturing them once we have them confined. They will spill all of their secrets.”
“We shall see. Do not forget the others. Director.” With that, Shido ends the call as the Director leans back in his chair. As the room goes pitch black, he morphs into his Shadow self, glaring forward with bloodthirsty eyes.
“Their end will come!”
Outside the office, leaning on the wall, Sae could feel the shift in the air due to her Persona. It was a strange feeling, but one she was told to look out for by the others. The feeling of the Card being successful.
While she hoped she could listen in on the Director, the walls were unfortunate soundproof. But the main objective has been accomplished.
“Time to get to work.” She mumbles quietly before leaving the building. Earlier, she saw a group of SWAT members training at the gun range with their purpose clear as day to her. Especially as she heard the announcement over the intercom for all the SWAT members. A single text on the Chatroom was more of a warning for the others to plan with.
Still, even though she knew where to meet up, it didn’t give her an excuse to be tardy. Everyone here would soon be on high alert the moment the Director sent out his capture teams. The less suspicious she makes herself, the better.
It did not help that today was also a Saturday. Ideally, they would have done this in the morning, but instead they had to wait until school was over before Futaba sent the card over. Not ideal, but it was all they could do.
Exiting the building and making sure no one was following her, Sae headed for the meet-up, finding the rest of the team waiting for her.
“Did he read it?” Mishima asks, jumping off a wooden box.
“Yes. I felt the change in the air even though I was outside the room.” Sae replies before glancing behind her. “We need to hurry. The Director will no doubt be getting ready to send his capture teams into his Palace now.”
“No point in waiting around then.” Ren replies, activating the nav. “It’s Showtime.” With a flash of lightning joining his words, the Thieves arrive at the Director’s Palace. Where the weather had seemingly taken a turn for the worst as rain now accompanied the thunder.
Ignoring the chilling bite of the rain, the Thieves glance out of the alleyway to find the Director’s Palace locked up tight. The drawbridge raised, and guards patrolled the walls. But that wasn’t the only thing they found.
Lined outside, lights blaring, were rows of police cars, vans and a few SWAT vehicles as well.
“Wow, they moved quick.” Spring comments, seeing the force ready to arrest them.
“Looks like sneaking in is not an option.” Shadow comments before glancing at Oracle. “How is our other option?”
“Good news on that. We can still transfer between Safe Rooms.” Oracle replies before growing concerned. “Although, I’m worried that there might be a surprise waiting for us in the Treasure room. Why is there a Safe Room right next to the Treasure anyway?”
“Let’s not worry about that. Be more concerned about how we avoid getting ambushed.” Queen replies as the team mentally switch into the Safe Room next to the Treasure. “Do we have anything to cause a distraction?”
“How about a smoke bomb?” Panther asks, holding one up. “They’ve always worked so far.”
“True, but they could have night vision to compensate.” Athena warns. She thinks to herself, before looking between Joker and Panther. “Is it possible the two of you could send them to sleep?”
“Maybe?” Panther replies, scratching her head. “I mean, we did so to Kaneshiro and his goons. As well as the guards of the Palaces. But we’ve never tried it on other people. Let alone non-persona users.”
“It’s worth a try, though.” Mona replies, glancing at the door. “We can’t afford to waste time with Shido’s goons. Sending them to sleep is our best option.” With a resigned sigh, Joker approaches the Safe Room door and gently opens it.
Taking a quick peek out the door, he sees no sign of law enforcement waiting for them. Although, the room did seem to have changed slightly the last time they were here. Opening the door more, he slips through the crack with the rest of the team quickly following him, as they find themselves in what looked to be an underground station.
They could tell it was the same place as before, with the single path and rock formations. Yet the area where the treasure was is now filled with a station complete with a train readying to depart.
“The Treasure is on board!” Mona calls out, pointing a paw forward. But before they could board it, a roar of footsteps from behind drew all eyes to the path. Heavily armed SWAT police poured into the room, blocking the way with riot shields while a row of rifles emerged from the shields.
“Hands up! You’re under arrest!” The men shout as some roll canisters of smoke towards them. Only for Noir and Shadow to pick them up with their minds and throw them away.
“What the—!?”
“How did they do that!?”
“Hold, men! We have them outnumbered!” The lead commander shouts, reorganizing the men as he points at Joker. “Bring him down!” Several of the rifles train on Joker, who stands there passively. He wasn’t worried, even as the SWAT members prepared to open fire on him.
The reason why? He had an Outlaw.
Joker grins devilishly as Outlaw jumps in front of him, his immunity to gun attacks easily including real guns from the SWAT members. As they stare in disbelief at the outcome, Outlaw felt as though he had reached ultimate power.
“Is that all you have?” Outlaw boasts, folding his arms as the SWAT team starts to become very concerned. The leader, especially as he brings out a comm device.
“This is Team B! We’ve found the Thieves but need assistance! Send backup now!”
“I don’t think so! Arsène! Lullaby!”
“Hecate! Dormina!”
The SWAT team look in shock, awe and terror as the two summon their other selves before sending the entire team on a one-way trip to Dreamland.
“That was cathartic.” Joker admits as Arsène returns to his heart. But before anyone could add to it, the train behind them began to leave the station, quickly leaving the area before the Thieves had a chance to board it.
“It’s getting away!” Violet shouts in worry before Mona rushes past her and jumps onto the tracks. Turning into his Van form.
“Everyone, get in!” He shouts, jumping on the spot. While Athena had questions, she didn’t have time to ask them as she joined the rest of the Thieves in Mona with Joker taking the wheel. “Hold on guys! I’m going into turbo!” Mona shouts, just as SWAT reinforcements pour into the station. With Joker hitting the accelerator, the team blast down the tracks after the escaping train.
“This makes it the second time we’ve chased after the Treasure!” Noir comments as they thunder down the track, the end of the train just in sight as it trails through the winding tunnel.
“But how do we even get on it?!” Skull asks. It was a legit question, the tunnel was as narrow as a subway tunnel with no ledges to bounce off of.
“We’ll have to use our grappling hooks!” Queen shouts as the roof opens up, allowing the team to stand on top. “Joker! Could you get us in range?!”
“I can try! Give me all you got, Mona!” Joker shouts, dropping the stick down.
“You want more!? I can give you more!” Mona shouts back as the engine grows lounder up. Slowly, they got closer to the train as they squashed the distance. Before Queen took a chance and fire her hook at the train, getting a hook near a large window. With a pull, she tests the strength before nodding her head before an idea came to her mind.
“Everyone! Hook your grapples onto the train and grab hold of Mona!” She shouts, leaning down and holding onto the van roof. Seeing Queen’s plan, the rest of the Thieves, except Joker, follow her and hold onto the roof while grappling onto the train. Once all lines were connected, she gave the signal. “Now!”
Activating the grapple, the Thieves are pulled towards the train and, with them holding onto the van roof, take Mona and Joker along with them. Before they all crash through the window and land in the rear car of the train.
“Is everyone okay?” Joker asks while standing, dusting off some shards of glass.
“I’m good.”
“I’m fine.”
“A-Okay!”
“What is this?” Outlaw’s voice suddenly asks as she motions to the car's cargo. Lining the side of the car wall were lines of beds holding cadavers with covers over them.
“It would seem this train is used to transport the ‘bodies’ from the Director’s Palace. Presumably, to a crematorium.” Athena deduces with a frown.
“A crematorium? Wait…are you saying that man is trying to burn us all alive?!” Skull shouts with wide eyes.
“Jokes on him. I’m immune to fire.” Panther remarks before looking around. “Anyway, where is his treasure?”
“No doubt it will be near the front of the train. The only question is how long is the train?” Shadow replies with arms folded.
“We won’t find out standing around here. Let’s go!” Mona cries, rushing to the door leading to the next car. As they soon found out, they had to go through three more cars before arriving at an open car.
Where they had now found themselves travelling above ground.
“You Thieves are more trouble than I imagined.” The Director comments, making his presence known as he appears from the lead car, arms behind his back. “Evading not only my Police but my SWAT as well? I should have known that relying on such incompetent grunts would have failed.”
“It’s over, Director.” Athena says calmly, spinning a tonfa in one hand. “Hand over your Treasure, and we promise to go easy on you.” The Director scowls at her as he brings his arms out. Held in his right hand a golden axe.
“Of course, it’s an axe…” Oracle groans.
“How simple fools can you be?” The Director gloats as the train suddenly comes to a crawl. “Do you truly have no idea who I am?”
“We do, and we don’t care.” Joker replies, drawing his ire. “You abuse your standing to falsely imprison innocent people, falsify criminal records and ruin countless live. And we are here to end that, once and for all.”
“And once we’re done with you, Shido and Sho will be next.” Queen ends as she falls into her combat stance.
“How do you know about them!?” The Director shouts in anger. “How is it that you have been one step ahead of us!? TELL ME!”
“We have no intention of spilling our secrets.” Fox calmly replies, hand on katana.
“It’s time you faced the music!” Violet shouts with rapier pointed forward. The Director growls in anger as the black mist forms around him.
“Fine then… If you won’t tell me peacefully… THEN I WILL DRAG IT OUT OF YOUR BEATEN AND BLODDIED CORPSES!” The mist wraps around him violently as a large, bloodied axe ploughs out it like a tower rising from the ground. The axe spins, slashing the mis in two, revealing the Shadow Director's true form. A hulking blue monstrosity wearing a torn-up executioner's robe. While giant red crystals emerge from his arms and back. Two large red crystal horns emerge from the Director's head, while a red glyph glows on his exposed chest and back. With chains dangling down his back. “IT IS TIME FOR YOUR EXECUTION!”
“Get ready guys!” Joker calls as the team ready themselves to fight, with Oracle beaming up to Prometheus as the Director leaps at them, axe above his head. The Thieves scatter, avoiding the impact point as Oracle scans.
“Got it! He’s level 60! Crap, he doesn’t have any weakness, and he’s immune to curse!”
“I AM THE LEADER OF THE SIU! I HAVE NO WEAKNESSES!” The Director shouts, brining his axe down on Fox, who swiftly dodges to the side. A flurry of bullets from Joker, Queen and Athena distract the Director as Panther and Shadow wrap their weapons around the axe and pull it down to the ground.
While the Director played a game of tug-of-war with the two girls, Skull helped Spring get some air time by throwing her into the air. With her coming down hard on the Director's back, spearhead first.
“ARGH! WHY YOU INESECT!” The Director roars, grabbing Spring with his free hand and tossing her to the side. With her crashing into some discarded boxes as Mona rushes up to heal her of her injuries.
“Are you okay, Spring?” Outlaw asks as he and Violet rush over to her while Noir charges towards the Director.
“I’m okay.” She replies before noting her spear was encased in ice. “What the—?”
“Why is your weapon all iced up?” Violet asks, noting the ice-encrusted spear.
“It must be when you crashed into the box.” Mona deduces, looking at the remaining boxes. “They must enchant our weapons with certain affinities.”
“But I thought he had no weakness. Other than Almighty.” To prove Outlaw’s point, the Director yells out in pain as he is struck by both Joker and Athena. Although it did little to slow him down.
“True. But is he immune to being frozen or burned?” At Mona's cat-like grin, the three Thieves grin in response as Outlaw and Violet slam their weapons into two of the crates. Each of them now sporting an element-infused weapon. Seeing the Director with his back turned to them, the trio charged towards him with Outlaw in front, his twin sabres engulfed in flames.
“Take this!” He shouts, slashing both blades into the back of the Director, flames rushing across his blue skin as he roars in pain.
“To hot? Then why don’t you cool down?” Spring asks, slamming her spear into the Director’s right leg, freezing it in place even as the fire still rages across his back.
“This will be shocking!” Violet yells, slashing her electric rapiers across the Director’s right arm, paralyzing it as the trio jumps away. Seeing the Director struck by three separate aliments, Queen smirks devilishly as she rips her mask off.
“Anat! Freidyne!” With a blast of nuclear energy, the Director is forced to his knees before finding himself surrounded on all sides by the Thieves.
“BLASTED INSECTS! DO YOU THINK LORD SHIDO WILL LET YOU GET AWAY WITH THIS!? EVEN IF YOU DEFEAT ME HERE, HE WILL STILL WIN!”
“We’re counting on it.” Joker replies, earning a shocked look from the Director. “After all, as the saying goes, the higher in power you get, the longer and harder the fall you will take. And what more fitting end for a tyrant such as him than to tell his crimes the moment he becomes a Prime Minister!?” With a snap of his fingers, the Thieves launch into an All-Out Attack on the Director, slashing at him from every direction. Even managing to cut off some of the crystals on his arms.
“NO! I REFUSE FOR IT TO END THIS WAY!” The Director yells, sending a shockwave out from him before pulling out a second weapon. A serrated longsword. “FOR LORD SHIDO!”
“We’re halfway there, guys! Don’t let up!” Oracle informs the team, staying out of reach of the Directors attack as he now starts to include elemental strikes in his swings. Mainly, fire, ice, electric and curse. Many a time, his swings come close to taking someone’s head off, but the Thieves manage to avoid the strikes.
Although, not all of them managed to avoid all the strikes. Some of them found themselves face-slamming the floor as the Director resorted to using his feet to kick the Thieves or the blunt side of his weapons when he was being flanked.
Using the boxes on the car to their advantage, the Thieves coat their blades in fire, ice and lightning and send the Director to his knees with aliments, as Panther, Skull, and Fox attacked with their own spells. Sure, they didn’t manage to land a status aliment all the time, but the damage their magic did still helped to weaken the Director.
In a flash of anger, the Director throws his sword towards Joker, aiming to impale him to the floor, only to miss. But he did manage to bin his coat to the floor, leaving him open to an axe swing.
Only for Noir to come in and deflect it with her own as Skull and Panther pull the sword out of Joker’s coat as all four dive away from the axe swinging madman.
“Alright, this has gone on for long enough.” Violet suddenly says, turning to Outlaw. “Think it’s time we tried that special move.” Despite the brim of his hat covering his face in the shade, Violet could see the smirk on Outlaw's face as he reached for the rifle on his back.
“Ready to go whenever!” He cries as the star in Joker’s pocket glows once more.
“It’s Showtime!”
Once more, the red curtains fall and raise upon the battlefield, turning the area into a western town. Complete with dust blowing in the wind with tumbleweed. The Director was standing at the doors to a saloon, under the shade of an overhang, as Outlaw calmly walked to the centre street, with Violet facing off against him with her rifle drawn.
“There’s room for one sheriff in this town.” She says, pointing the rifle at him.
“Oh, I agree.” Outlaw replies, aiming his own rifle at him. The two gently pull down on the triggers, waiting for the sound of a bell to go off when the director nocks over a small iron can. The clang it sends when it hits the ground draws the attention of the two, who aim their guns at the Director with smirks.
“DRAW!” The shout as they begin firing wildly at the Director, Bullets rips past him, slamming and igniting the alcohol stored in the Saloon before it ignites some randomly placed barrels of TNT. The fires detonate the TNT, destroying the Saloon and catching the Director in the fiery blast as the two Thieves walk off into the sun set. A wanted poster of the two blowing past in the wind.
“Classic shoot out! And it looks like the Director is on his last legs!” Oracle calls out, watching as the Director tumbles about, readjusting his grip on his axe. “Beat him up, guys!”
“With pleasure….” Joker replies as he summons Arsène to his side, followed by every other person of the Thieves summoning their Persona. All readying an attack directly at the Director. “Shows over!” Joker shouts as he snaps his fingers as all at once, the Thieves unleash every hard hitting move and spell they know.
With a roar of pain, the Director falls to his knees, beaten and bloodied, as he reverts back to normal. His Treasure slipped out of his hands and slid over to the Thieves, with Athena picking it up as they walked up to surround the fallen Director.
“How…how could mear insects defeat me?” The Director asks, staring up at the Thieves with defeat in his eyes.
“By underestimating us. That’s how.” Athena replies as the Thieves stay silent. This was something she needed to say. After all, this was her former boss.
“We did…didn’t we…” The Director admits, looking at the floor. “At every turn…we underestimated your tenacity. And now…I have fallen. There is no future for me…” He looks back up at the Thieves, seeing the unsympathetic eyes glaring at him. “Very well…I will confess all of my crimes. Those I have had killed…and the injustice I planned to unleash on the 20th…”
Joker silently nods as he puts away his gun, but he remains on edge. There was a feeling in the air, one that sent his senses into overdrive. The last time he felt something like this was…
“So much for being the right hand man, Mr. Director.” A voice echoes from above as all eyes turn to the cars behind them. Shocked gasps ripped through the Thieves as two figures stand on top of the car. One clearly Sho, and the source of the voice.
But it was the second figure that had drawn the eyes of Joker and the others.
A white princely outfit with a small red cape. Red cuffs with gold decorative trim, chain and belt. Two gold shoulder pads with decorative strong. White gloves and black shoes. And a long red pointed mask.
“Akechi…” Noir breathes quietly, enough that Outlaw, Spring, Shadow and Athena could hear. But more importantly, so Violet could hear as her eyes were locked on Akechi as he jumps down to the floor. With Sho right next to him.
“Sho…” The Director says, fear evident in his voice as Sho and Akechi walk up to the Thieves. Akechi slightly tailing behind with reluctant steps.
“Well, well, well. Look at you, ‘Director’. Not so tough now are you after fighting the Thieves.” Sho mocks with a grin. “Didn’t Shido tell you not to underestimate them? Talk about a big fail on your part. And speaking of you Thieves, did you find more members at the store? You have two fresh faces.”
“What do you want, Black Mask? Here to kill him, like how you tried to kill Okumura?” Joker says, hand gripping on his knife.
“Oh, not just him.” Sho replies, drawing his swords. “And I’m not here to just kill you either. It’s my friends graduation day! For him to finally soak himself in blood! Isn’t that right, Akechi?” Sho questions, shooting Akechi a bloodthirsty grin. Despite the mask covering his face, Joker swore he saw Akechi wince at the remark.
“As if I want to even be here…” Akechi whispers, Only for Sho to punching him in the arm, still grinning like made. Although the glare in his eyes told a different story.
“Ah come one, princy boy. Don’t be a stick in the mud. Besides, if you don’t hurry up and kill them.” Sho smile turned dark as he turns his gaze back to the Thieves. “Then I’ll just kill you girlfriend instead. What was her name again, Yoshi-hara or something?” The Thieves collectively paled as they heard the words come out of his mouth. None more so that Violet.
“Keep her out of this!” Akechi shouts, anger in his voice as Sho laughs to the heavens.
“That’s right! That’s the anger I want to see! And if you don’t want her, her dad, or your mom to meet my blades….” He points one of his swords towards the Thieves. “Then hurry up and kill the Director!” With a deranged glee, he charges forward towards the Thieves, with Fox and Skull rushing forward to intercept him. Mace and katana meet serrated blades as the two managed to push Sho back. Not by much, but compared to when they first fought him it was a difference.
Apparently, being forced back was a welcomed surprise for Sho as he seemed to smile more, summoning Tsukuyomi and unleashing a Myriad Slash at the two. They jump back, as they fire back with Zionga and Bufudyne. The medium level elect spell Sho easily parried, but the high level ice spell caught him off guard as his left sword was encased in ice.
An attack quickly followed up by Noir swinging her axe at him and pinning his right sword to the ground. And action that only elated his joy. “Well, you Thieves certainly got better than before. But is it enough?” He kicks Noir in the chest, sending her back as Panther blasts him with an Agidyne.
While the fire managed to burh his suit, it also melted the ice around his arm. Freeing his left sword again.
“Abyssal Wing!” Sho shouts, sending the powerful curse spell towards the Thieves. Unlike before when he managed to hit them all, this time he only hit a few of the tanky ones. While the more nimble of the Thieves managed to dodge his strikes. But it was also at that moment he noticed he was not fighting them all. Three of their members were missing.
And he only grinned at knowing where they were, as he saw Violet’s rapier clash with Akechi’s laser sword.
“Why are you doing this?! Aren’t you a Detective?!” Violet asks, knowing that at the moment the Metaverse was hiding her identity from Akechi, due to him not knowing it was her. But the same could not be said of him, as his face was clearly seen under his mask.
A face filled with regret, unease, and determination.
“Of course I am! Do you think I even WANT to be here, going against my own code!?” Akechi shouts back, breaking the deadlock as he rips his mask off. “I’m sorry about this… Robin Hood! Eiagon!” Akechi shouts, summoning his bow wielding self as he fires the powerful curse spell at Violet. Who deftly removes her own mask, leaving her face caked in shadows.
“Cendrillon! Kouga!”
“Kougaon, Nike!” Spring shouts, supporting her with her own Bless spell as the three orbs of magic collide in mid-air. Akechi covers his face from the smoke, lowering his hand before he finds Shadow rushing towards her while spinning her kunai. Grunting, Akechi ducks under the strike, brining his blade up to swipe at her back only for Shadow to jump over him as she tears her mask off.
“Dekaja, Boudica!” She shouts, as her other self removes any buffs Akechi had applied in their fight. He had to admit, they were putting up a good fight. And a glance to Sho showed him putting up a very good fight against the other Thieves. Yet it wasn’t the one sided beatdown that he claimed to have had the first time.
And certainly noticeable to him.
“Artemis, Debilitate!” Joker voice rings out, as he debuffs Sho before switching Arsène forward and casting Heat Riser on himself. “Triple Down!” The gun based skill slams into Sho, who visibly recoiled at the strikes yet never saw his smile drop.
“Spirit Drain!” He shouts in reply, draining Joker of his spirt as he regains his own. “Have a taste of this! Vorpal Blade!” The strikes slam into Joker, Mona and Fox as the trio back away from the swinging blades. But as Sho readied himself to strike again, he left his flank exposed in a moment of pure adrenaline.
A moment that Queen was waiting for.
“Freidyne!” She shouts, sending the high level spell right into Sho’s side, sending him sprawling on the floor. Like last time, his weakness to nuke was evident to all, exasperated this time due to the higher ranked spell. Something that Sho did not appreciate as his grin was replaced by a frown.
“You again!? I should deal with you first, you stupid bitch!” He shouts, running towards her, but is intercepted by Athena, with Outlaw giving her cover with his rifle.
“You want, her? You have to go through me first!” Athena cries, matching Sho’s strikes with her tonfas. The one advantage that he had was the twin blades he used, able to attack from two directions in conjunction with his feet. An advantage that Athena managed to match him with her tonfas. Acting as perfect shields to block the twin swords.
When Outlaw fired the last of his rounds, he placed the rifle on his back as he removed his mask. Physical attacks might not do anything, but he still had a gun based one! “Ned Kelly! Riot Gun!” The bush ranging outlaw strikes Sho’s side with the attack, momentarily distracting him and allowing Athena to kick him back as she removed her own mask.
“Justitia! Megidola!” Athena shouts, blasting Sho with the Almighty magic and forcing him back. As fire, wind and psionic energy join in from Panther, Mona and Noir.
“Tch! This is starting to get out of hand.” Sho admits, glancing at Akechi. He could see that he was struggling against the three standing in his way, clearly evident of his lack of fighting other Persona users. “I suppose I got carried away.” Sho admits, as from the corner of his eye he could see the Director’s Shadow returning to his other self. Shido would not be happy about this, as the Palace around them begins to fall apart.
“Everyone, gather up!” Joker shouts leaping away to the centre. The rest of the Thieves follow him, easily disengaging from Sho and Akechi as Shadow took out a smoke bomb. As Joker and Violet gave Akechi one last look, Shadow threw the bomb to the ground and covered them in a cloud of smoke.
When it cleared away, the Thieves were long gone. Leaving behind a fuming Sho, and a secretly relived Akechi.
The destination has been deleted. Thank you for your services.
The team took a moment to breath when they exited the Directors Palace. The moment they saw the Director’s Shadow vanish, they knew they had one. Staying behind to fight both Sho and Akechi would only have resulted in them exposing who they were when they transferred back to normal.
But it was certainly a surprise for them to find themselves in Aoyama Itchome instead of back in Kasumigaseki. Not that any of them were complaining, least they find themselves confront with police or SWAT waiting for them.
Who knew that train would end up benefitting them like this?
“Is everyone alright?” Ren asks, looking at the team. Each displaying a different level of exhaustion.
“I think we’re fine Ren. Just tired.” Makoto replies, straightening up.
“What was the Treasure?” Futaba asks as all eyes turn to Hifumi. Who was holding onto an award certificate.
“A reward?” Yusuke asks as Sae gently takes it. Her eyes narrowing.
“Not just a reward. A high ranking one from the Prime Minister. To congratulate his work in brining down a sad*stic murder, as well as his promotion to the SIU. It would seem he never got over his need for another big win like this one.”
“Just like how Kamo-sh*t-head never got over his.” Ryuji remarks with some bitterness.
“How disgusting. All that death, for a return to glory.” Haru adds with a disgusted look. Before her eyes drifted to a certain red-head. “Kasumi? Are you alright?”
“Huh?” Kasumi asks, breaking from her silence as she blinks owlishly for a second. “Sorry. I was just thinking.”
“About Akechi, right?” Ren asks. “I don’t blame you. But before we say anymore, lets head back to Leblanc. Don’t want to say anything else out here in the open.” Even though there were in a secluded area, they did not want to let anyone eavesdrop on them. Quickly agreeing, the Thieve silently break from Aoyama Itchome and head for Yongen Jaya. All the while, keeping an eye out for any cops or SWAT that may be looking for them.
Thankfully, everyone managed to make it back to Leblanc without incident and now were sitting in the empty café as Sojiro made coffee and curry for everyone.
“Alright. Now that we are all here, it’s time to deal with the elephant in the room. Akechi.” Makoto begins, hand on knee.
“Yes…Akechi-kun is the apprentice…” Kasumi says ruefully. “Even if he’s being blackmailed into it.”
“Apparently from Sho’s loudmouth, Akechi’s hands are still clean. He hasn’t taken a life yet. And thanks to us his hands still remain so.” Sae comforts with a hand on her shoulder.
“It is hard, to separate this Akechi from the one we originaly knew.” Haru admits. “I can still see him killing my father. Yet, when I see this Akechi, I don’t see the psychotic killer. I see someone like us. Forced into a path he would never take.”
“And we know why he’s been forced into this role.” Yusuke replies, looking at Kasumi. “Shido is threatening you.” Kasumi nods silently, as she looks at the eyes of everyone.
“But…I can’t been killed like that. I have a Persona. If I can show Akechi that I’m safe from that—!”
“That there could be a chance he could join our side?” Ann asks. “I don’t know. Would he join us? We are on the other side of the law after all.”
“We wont know until we give him the choice.” Morgana replies, leaping on the table. “Now that the Director is down, all that is left is Shido. And you can bet that we will fight both Sho and Akechi in the boiler room of his Palace when we get to it. Just like last time.”
“And if we have any time to convince him to join us, it would be then.” Mishima surmises with a frown. “But what about Sho?”
“There’s no way he would join us. He’s in too deep.” Ryuji dismisses.
“That, and he also enjoys fighting us. I don’t think he would ever join us.” Shiho replies with a frown. “Why is he like this anyway?”
“Sometimes, the reason why people are like this stem from neglect or tragedy. As well as their surroundings. Whatever Sho had gone through, must have been torturous.” Hifumi surmises with a shake of her head.
“Regardless, I’ll see if I can talk to him at some point.” Ren starts, leaning forward on the table. “Maybe I can find something out.”
“Just so long as you don’t expose yourself. That last thing we need is Shido’s goons getting you. We don’t have any ‘faked-death’ plan now.” Futaba warns with some slight fear in her voice. Not that they could blame her. That original scenario was long gone.
Still didn’t remove the threat entirely though.
“I won’t Futaba. I won’t.” Ren replies resolutely, before glancing at the time. “This might sound a bit strange, but who ups for a sleepover tonight?”
“I’m afraid I must pass. I need to keep up the illusion that I’m still part of the SIU.” Sae replies as she stands. “Let me know when we are going to Shido’s Palace. I intend to see this all the way to Yaldabaoth.”
“Of course sis. Good night.” Makoto replies as Sae leaves the Café.
“A shame she’s not staying for tea, but I understand her position.” Sojiro remarks. “So, who else is staying over. I know that ‘someone’ will be.” She shoots a wry smile at Makoto who blushes under the stare as the Thieves chuckle at the two. To no one surprise, everyone had decided to stay over for the night. Even Kasumi, who had phoned her father to let him know she was staying with some friends for the night.
It was a lucky chance that they had all left a change of spare cloves in Leblanc and Sojiro’s house, while Futaba lent some of her to Kasumi. Being the same height helped with that. As the night rolled in, the Thieves hung around in Ren’s attic, chilling and watching films.
And celebrating that they took down the right-hand man of Shido.
November 6th, 2016
“I come before you today, to make an announcement…” The SIU Director’s voice echoes across Shibuya, defeated and lifeless as all eyes were locked to the screens. Watching in apt attention. “To put it in simple turns…I abused my position as Director of the SIU.”
Gasps rip through the crowds of Shibuya as the Director continues.
“I allowed those under my command to be ‘creative’ in how they upheld the law. Breaking rules and forging evidence. All in order to solidify my own power and position. But recently, it was all in an attempt to frame the Phantom Thieves of Hearts of the Mental Shutdowns.”
“Yes. I am one of the people behind it all.”
The Directors words boom over Tokyo, all traffic coming to a halt as his words echo across the city.
“In desperation to blame them, I was even about to authorise the arrest of the entire school of Shujin Academy, regardless of their innocents. On top of all that, I was the one who schemed behind the death of Officer Nijima, framing it as a hit from gangs in Shinjuku. There are no excuses for my crimes.”
“Effectively immediately, I surrender my authority as Director of the SIU, and will turn myself in to the police.”
The crowds continued to watch in silence, too stunned to speak even as the news anchors continued to mention how the Phantom Thieves were the ones responsible for his confession. But in a certain political office, a certain man was already planning around this change in circ*mstances.
“I told you not to fail me again, and yet what did you do?” Shido questions, his back turned to Sho who leaned on a couch.
“Those Thieves are getting better. Stronger spells and more members. Wouldn’t surprise me if their leader has more than the two Persona he currently has.” Sho admits, picking his ear. “Next time won’t be the same. They got away last time due to the Palaces collapsing. Next time they won’t have such luxury.”
“Hmmm.” Shido ponders, as he paces before the window. “And Akechi?”
“The mutt put up a good fight. Thanks to the sword hovering over his family’s head, he’s got no choice but to follow our orders. It’s fun watching him squirm.” Sho replies with a grin. “So, what we gonna do about the SIU? The Directors confessed, and the teams he brough into the Palace were humiliated. That’s gonna be bad publicity for them.”
“Publicity that I can use.” Shido replies with a grin. “My original plan would be to rally against the Thieves and the Mental Breakdowns, but that has fallen through. Instead, I’ll use the corruption of the SIU and Police, along with the Phantom Thieves activity and Mental Shutdowns to garner my support.”
“What about that Toranosuke guy? Or that Tashiro? Won’t they be a pain to deal with?”
“Problems that can be delt with in the new year. Once I have the seat of Prime Minister, and you have the heads of the Thieves.” Shido calmly dismisses, turning his gaze outside the window. “Soon, I will become emperor of the world. And nothing will stop me from achieving that goal. And once I become emperor…” He turns to Sho with a dark grin. “You will be able to do whatever you want. Start a new Grand-Prix, hunt down the Seeker’s of Truth or destroy the Shadow Operatives. It is all up to you.”
“And that’s why I joined up with you, Shido. You know what it is I want.” Sho replies with a grin. “Not the Kirijo Group, not Shuji Ikutsuki, and definitely not Minazuki. You, Mr. Shido.”
Shido nods with a grin turning his gaze back to the city as his mind wanders.
Who else should he blame for the Mental Shutdowns?
November 7th, 2016
In a back alleyway somewhere in Tokyo, a group of people dressed in mouse suits rans for their lives. Running through alleyways painted in sprays of different colours, the people continued to run even as those behind were shot in the back by paintball guns.
Only these ones did lethal damage as those in back exploded into pink paint.
And chasing after them, were a group of people dressed in what could be called freestyle clothes. Thick puffy jacket, chain necklaces and baseball caps. Each one wielding a long paintball rifle. But it was their bodies that was the glaring factor. Long spindly and black like ooze. With glowing yellow eyes as they hone in on the retreating figures. Firing without a care.
As they continue to chase after them, one person in a grey mouse suit, with short blue hair and eyes, watches in horror as her fellows are gunned down in cold blood.
“Please…Phantom Thieves….Help me!”
