"PIXIE!"
"CAPTAIN KIDD!"
"BILLY THE KID!"
"ZORRO!"
In an instant Joker, Gunslinger, Mona and Skull had defeated the Shadows they had encountered. Each and every one of them had been gone in a flash with the help of their personas as the others watched in awe. Once the area had been cleared Joker motioned them to follow which they did. The moment they caught up, they could hear the sound of footsteps coming towards them.
"Oh crud! There's more of them coming!" Wolf said.
"Oh just great!" Gunslinger said, "I'm not sure how much more this I can take!"
"Yeah, we're running on empty here!" Skull added.
"Quick, let's find a safe room!" Mona said, "We can get our bearings there!"
"Safe room? How are we supposed to find that?!" Haruto asked.
"Just look for a door that's distorted!" Mona said, "Hurry!"
The group looked around trying to find the door, until Dide had spotted it just down the hall. "Over there!" He said to the group, "Come on!"
The group quickly hurried inside the safe room just as the guards showed up. In that moment they each caught their breath as they could hear the knights look around for them.
"Okay----" Kiku said, "---That was too close."
"Is it just me or is there more of these guys after last time?" Gunslinger asked.
"Well what did you expect? For it to be a cakewalk?" Mona said.
Gunslinger gave him a look, "Yes I thought that was the WHOLE damn point! With us being thieves in all!"
Mona rolled his eyes, "Man, you guys have A LOT to learn."
Skull sighed, "Man, just gettin' this far been a real pain in my ass!"
Dide soon looked over, "Look even if we get to the Treasure room, how are we supposed to get it out of here?"
"Don't be so hasty." Mona said, "First things first we gotta secure an infiltration route."
"Really? That doesn't sound too hard." Haruto said.
"Infiltration What?" Skull asked, confused.
"It means we would have a way to get the Treasure safely." Kiku said.
"Though if I'm gonna be honest---" Mona said, "---We do need some additional manpower. Even with Dide being able to defend Kiku and Haruto, we won't stand much of a chance."
"Good point." Joker said, "With there being more of those Shadows getting to that treasure you talked about is gonna be tougher than we thought."
"Well it's not like one is gonna fall out of the sky!" Gunslinger said.
Just then they heard voices coming outside of the safe room.
"Still why was the princess in such an odd place?"
The group froze and stayed quiet just in case before each of them went to the door to listen better.
"I could've sworn we were pursuing the readings of an intruder…"
"It doesn't matter now. We must take her back to King Kamoshida!"
"Princess?" Skull said, "They're not talking about that version of Takamaki are they?"
"You guys stay here---" Mona said as he opened the door, "---I'll go check it out!"
"Be careful Mo-chan." Kiku said in a low voice.
Mona winked as he smiled, "Don't worry Kiku! I'm a pro afterall!"
He soon sauntered out the door, leaving only the group. "Hey uh---" Skull said, "---Does anyone else notice if that cat really has amnesia?"
"What makes you say that?" Haruto asked.
"I mean---Look at the stuff he knows." Skull replied, "Morgana really knows a lot more stuff then he lets on. Between stuff about the castle, and the navigation app, he's got em both beat you know?"
"Code names, remember Skull?" Joker said.
Skull immediately jumped, "Oh! Right! Sorry!"
"Seriously?" Dide asked. "I don't have a persona of my own and even I knew that."
"Oh come on, dude!" Skull said
"Anyway We should focus." Dide said, as he pondered, "What do you guys think he was talking about out there?"
"Heard them mention Princess---" Gunslinger said, "---Maybe it is that apparition of Takamaki we saw last time we were here?"
"Maybe." Joker said, "... But why would they say intruder?"
Just then Mona came running back in as he looked to have a panicked expression on his face. "Thi-This is bad!" He said as they noticed how fearful he looked.
"What is it Mo-chan?" Kiku asked.
"I-It's your friend---" Mona said, "---Lady Ann! She's been taken by the Shadows!"
"WHAT?!" Was the only thing the group shouted.
Almost immediately they started to back track the way they came in, as luckily the halls had been vacant. At that point they were each running at super speed as they each pondered their own question.
"How the hell did she end up coming back through here?!" Dide exclaimed, "We sent her back home on her way!"
"She must've used the same app Skull and I got!" Joker replied, "It's the only way she could've got back in!"
"Damnit!" Skull said, "We let her out for her own safety and she just came back in by herself, that idiot!"
"We can worry about how she got in later!" Gunslinger said, "We just gotta get to her before that asshole kills her, or worse!"
"If she dies here then that's it! Game over!" Wolf said.
"Then let's pick up the pace before that happens!!" Kiku said.
They each started to do just that as they hurried and followed Mona to the location of where Ann was being held.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before Ann had known it, she had been chained to a podium of some sort that had been forcing her to stand. No matter how much she struggled, she couldn't get out of the cuffs that had locked her in place.
"Wh-What is this all about?!" Ann shouted, "Seriously, I'm gonna call the cops!"
"So---This is the intruder."
Ann had been a bit taken back, by a familiar voice---She had been in shock when she saw it was Kamoshida. Or rather---King Kamoshida.
"Kamoshida?!" She exclaimed in shock, before she saw someone come up behind him. She was petrified when she saw… Herself?
"What the---" She said, "---Who's that?! Mo-More importantly, what is this place?! Why's the school turned into something like this!?"
King Kamoshida laughed amusingly, "I can't believe you mistook MY Ann for someone like her." He soon noticed the expression on her face, "... Are you afraid?"
"What is that outfit?!" She said, "Seriously, have you lost your mind?!"
"I do as I please here." He said, "After all, this is MY castle. The world of my desires."
"W-What---?! Wait.. Is this some sort of red-light district!?"
"My my, what a lively slave."
"THIS ISN'T FUNNY! ENOUGH OF THE BULLSHIT KAMOSHIDA!"
King Kamoshida only looked a bit amused as he looked at Princess Ann. "The girl's decided to tell me off---" He said, "---What do you think of that?"
Princess Ann soon spoke up, as she had a sensual tone, "Talking back is like… Totally unforgivable…"
"Well in that case…" King Kamoshida said as he had a sinister look, "... She should be executed."
Ann had a fearful look in her eyes before one of the knights advanced on her, with their sword in hand. "N-No!" She pleaded, "Stop! Get away from me!"
King Kamoshida laughed, "Now then… How should I play with you? Shall I tear you into little pieces?"
"I-I'm serious! Stop or I'll scream!" Ann pleaded before---
"Takamaki-chan!"
Ann had been a bit startled and looked over to the door, noticing Kiku with the others. "Kiku-san?!" Ann said.
"Hang on!" Haruto called out, "We're here to save you!"
Before the group could go and approached, they heard the sound of laughter. All of them had been in shock when they several different girls had been in the room---All topless.
Kiku had looked petrified at this as it seemed like her mind had been blocked out. Until Joker quickly covered her eyes, as it seemed to bring her back.
"Don't look!" He said softly.
"The fuck?!" Dide exclaimed as he turned red, "What the hell is all of this?!"
"Wait, I recognize them---" Skull said, "---They're on the girls volleyball team…!"
"You mean this is how he sees them?!" Gunslinger said, "How much more fucked up can he get!?"
Haruto soon noticed someone in the crowd, "Wait---That girl doesn't look like she plays volleyball."
"Huh?" Most of them said.
Kiku seemed to know what Haruto had been talking about as panic seemed to be written on her expression. "Dide!" She called out, "Don't look please!"
It had been too late as Dide's face paled at the sight of one of the girls. She had been wearing a swimsuit like Princess Ann that had been all too revealing…
…It was Seiko, in all her assets.
"That girl from before?" Joker said.
"S-Seiko?!" Dide exclaimed.
"I was right! You do know her!" Skull said.
Kiku soon pried herself from Joker as she kept her back turned; she stood in front of Dide covering his view of her.
"... I wanted to warn you before you saw." Kiku said in a sorrowful tone.
"B-But---But why is she here?" Dide said in shock, "Why is she in here?"
"Dide…" Kiku said, "... That isn't the real one, and you know it. She's a cognition just like the rest of them."
"I know but what I'm saying is--" Dide said, "Why is there a version of her here? Of all---"
"...I think you know why." Kiku soon said with her expression softened.
Immediately, Dide had been petrified as he finally looked at his phone, seeing all of the unread messages from Seiko, all of which were asking him if they could talk; his hand trembled as he found himself collapsing to his knees as he had been in disbelief. He even seemed to have forgotten… Why was he even there?
"Stay with him Kiku-san." Joker said to Kiku as she nodded, before he and the rest turned their attention on King Kamoshida. Wolf stayed back to stand guard over her.
King Kamoshida groaned, "Just when I was about to start to enjoy myself… Why can't I ever be rid of you thieves?!"
"What is the deal with this guy?!" Ann exclaimed.
Joker, Gunslinger, Skull and Mona immediately drew their guns as they aimed it at them. Even Haruto got out a custom slingshot.
"LET. HER. GO." Gunslinger said with a glare.
"No can do sucker, she needs to be punished." King Kamoshida said, before he turned to Ann, "I bet you're just like those thieves. You came because you're pissed at me, huh?" He soon started to ponder, "Hmm, I forgot that chick's name. But… It's your fault she jumped, you know?"
Ann stopped her struggling as this time, she had been paralyzed.
"Takamaki! Don't listen to him!" Haruto called out.
"You were so reluctant to throw yourself onto me… I had her take your place." King Kamoshida stated, "Hell, I would've done it to that Idol chick if she wasn't as stubborn as you."
Dide's eyes widened as he felt a vein.
"What the fuck did you just say?"
"Hmm?" King Kamoshida said. "What? I said I would have done it to that idol chick if she wasn't as stubborn as her? Wait--don't tell me--YOU HAVE A CRUSH ON HER?!"
"What did you do to her?!" Dide shouted as Kiku and Wolf held him back.
He began to laugh as he continued. "Did you ACTUALLY think you had a chance with someone like her? An Idol of people? You know how Idol culture is! Hell, you were in the entertainment business for crying out loud. You should have known you would had a chance with an idol. Especially since you're a foreigner!"
"WHAT DID YOU DO TO HER YOU BASTARD?!" Dide shouted.
"It was just a little fun---" King Kamoshida said, "---At first, till she started to resist like this one here did. She seemed to catch on and to silence her---I threatened to expose her career. Mainly on the reason she left her idol legacy behind her."
Dide soon stopped as he looked petrified again. "She… Quit…?"
"You didn't know that?!" King Kamoshida said, before laughing, "She left soon after your little incident that got you stuck in Japan in the first place! Man---You really are out of touch. Oh poor you!"
"... She… Quit… Being an idol? After all that---?" He said, stunned as he fell to his knees again, worrying Kiku and Wolf.
"Man, I would have doubled down so that she can never work in enter-no--So she can NEVER work anywhere in Japan again! Hell it'll be social suicide!" King Kamoshida said.
"YOU BASTARD!" Ann shouted before the Knights advanced on her again.
"NO!" Haruto shouted as he grabbed the Knights arm, "LEAVE HER ALONE YOU---"
WHAM!
Haruto felt the shield hit his face as he was sent flying practically across the room, shocking the group.
"Haruto!" Kiku called out.
"No!" Joker shouted.
Haruto managed to recover as he stood, with a bloody nose and a set of cracked glasses. "Oh-ho-ho-ho!" King Kamoshida said, "Was that you're pathetic little attempt to save your friend?"
"Shut up!" Haruto said, "You're no teacher or a King! You're just a monster! And I won't let you hurt her or anyone else!"
"And who's gonna stop me? You?" King Kamoshida said, "You couldn't even stop me when I took that friend of yours---Kiku as you called her."
Haruto flinched at this. "I don't know who you think you are, but you're pretty useless aren't you? You couldn't help your friend when she was caught by one of my guards? How could you even hope to help her if you're just as useless as the slaves?"
Haruto froze at this as he thought about a certain event…. That involved a certain couple of people.
His hand shook as he couldn't even find a comeback.
"You shut the fuck up, you goddamn asshole!" Gunslinger said, "You don't know jack shit about anyone in this room!"
"Now if you don't mind, we're taking Takamaki out of here!" Skull added as the boys went to free her. However they stopped when they saw the blade just close to Ann's neck.
"Take one more step---And I'll kill her on the spot." King Kamoshida said.
"Damn it!" Skull said.
"Just sit back… And enjoy the dismemberment." He said sinisterly before his face turned red, "Maybe, I'll start with her clothes…"
Princess Ann giggled, "You're such a perv~!"
"No…!" Skull shouted as he and Gunslinger tried to go forward though they were only stopped by the knights.
"What the hell are we gonna do?!" Gunslinger said as he turned to Joker, "Hey you got any ideas?!"
Ann slumped, in utter defeat as the knights readied themselves. "... Is… This my punishment…?" She started to say as tears began to form, "For… What happened to Shiho…?"
"That's more like it!" King Kamoshida said, "You should've looked like this from the very start."
Dide couldn't help but shake as all the emotions couldn't help but think about all the times. "S-Seiko---All this time---You were---Damn it--Damn it!"
Haruto could only look at the situation hopelessly, as he fell to his knees.
"Shiho…" Ann said as she cried, "...Shiho I'm so sorry!"
Right when the knights were about to do as ordered---
"Is that it then!?" Joker said as the group flinched, "You're just gonna give up?! Don't you want revenge?!"
Ann looked over to him shocked before Kiku soon spoke up.
"She's your friend isn't she?!" Kiku soon said, "The only one! If you do nothing then he wins!"
"The same goes for you, Dide!" Joker soon said as Dide flinched, "I don't know what happened exactly, but if he hurt your friend, shouldn't you do something about it?!"
Dide's eyes widened as he recalled a certain event that cost him his career as he looked back at the reason why he did it. The sheer emotion that went through his fist as he could recall.
"Haruto!" Kiku soon said, "You're not useless! You're my brother! You're the best brother I've ever had, and the strongest one! So---Don't let that jerk tell you otherwise!"
Haruto's eyes lit up at this before he smiled.
"... You're right…" Ann soon said as she started to struggle again, "... What was I thinking?!"
Dide soon stood up as he spoke up, "Yeah--I can ask myself the same thing." He clenched his fist as he said. "I came here for one reason and one reason alone..and now that I see the whole situation--" His eyes had a determined look. "--Time to make up for the pain I caused my friend.."
Haruto fixed himself as he wiped the blood from his nose, "... Thank you---Kiku. I almost forgotten how much help I've been to you, and the others… I'm not useless… I'm a fighter---" The look on his face changed which made King Kamoshida jump, "---A survivor!"
"Hey, now, none of that!" King Kamoshida said, "Slaves should just behave and---"
"Shut. Up." Ann soon said, as she glared, "I've had enough of you---"
"I'm tired of people like you telling me what's what." Haruto said.
"It's Bad enough your Microaggressions are one thing, But now--I'm tired of playing around and pretending everything is normal---" Dide soon said.
"YOU PISSED ME OFF YOU SON OF A BITCH!" The three of them soon shouted.
All of a sudden, Ann, Dide, and Haruto felt a sudden burst of agony as their eyes suddenly turned gold. They all shouted in agony as each of them… Heard their own voice. An inner voice, if you would.
"My… It's taken far too long." Ann's Inner Voice said.
"It's about damn time kid." Haruto's Inner Voice said.
"There it is--" Dide's inner voice said. "that spark that needed to be ignited.."
Ann found herself trying to break free as if a fire had been a lit in her body.
Haruto fell to his knees before collapsing on his side as he cried out in pain, like it was being crushed.
Dide fell on his back as he shrieked, almost as though electricity had been surging through. He placed his hand on his abdomen as if something or someone was ready to come out.
Their voices spoke again.
"Tell me… Who is going to avenge her if you don't?"
"Who is going to protect them if you don't?"
"Who's going to save her, if you can't?"
A shadow seemed to manifest behind Dide standing before him as if he was from his own shadow. A strange figure even appeared beside Haruto, comforting him as he continued to feel pain, and Ann---
---Broke free from her restraints, shocking most.
"The hidden anger you have inside of you--Seeing the ones you care for hurt by the opposer before you. Use it as a means to right the wrong. For the sake of Justice and Humanity!" Dide's shadow said
"If you give up now, you will be no better than people like him." Haruto's shadow stated, "The inner you desires not only to protect her… But those you cherish."
"Forgiving the likes of him---Was NEVER an option." Her inner voice said, "Such is the scream of the other you that dwells within."
"I am thou---" The three of them soon said, "---Thou art I."
"We can finally form a contract…" Ann's inner voice said.
"It is time---To run wild." Haruto's shadow said.
"Now awaken the life of yours that burns bright!" Dide's shadow said
The pain soon stopped for each of them as they each stood, almost in a trance. That was until---
"I hear you---Carmen."
Ann was the first to pick up her head as a strange red cat mask manifested, "You're right! No more holding back!"
Haruto soon picked up his head as a golden mask manifested that looked to be Arabbin over his face. "I couldn't have said it better myself, Takamaki!" Haruto said with a confident smile.
Dide soon got up by himself as he staggered while holding his abdomen. "Justice you say---Alright--I understand it now.."
"W-what are you--" King Kamoshida asked.
Dide's mask formed as if it was that of a firefly. He opened his eyes as he said "Haruto--Tamaki---Let's do this."
Ann and Haruto nodded before Ann had been the first to rip off her mask; blood rushed from her face, before she found herself consumed by blue flames.
"COME---ALADDIN!" Haruto shouted, before he ripped the mask off his face, staining the floor with his own blood before he was consumed by blue flames.
"LET'S DO THIS---" Dide shouted before he ripped his mask off, "---ADZE!"
He soon placed the blood on his abdomen as the blood soon began to spiral around him with the blue flames as he said. "Transform."
Soon he was consumed by the blue flames as his appearance soon changed to having a full Firefly mask covering his face. His appearance had a yellow chest plate with red stripes on each side, the same was shown on his arm plates and shoulder plates. He also had a hoodie which also served as a cape flowing yellow and black. His shoes have a yellow guard and red soles. He soon looked at King Kamoshida just as his mask glowed yellow orange.
His persona soon appeared before him as it was a bipedal firefly with a gold and red cape flowing in the wind. He revealed himself having a red-black body plate with what appears to be a big belt buckle.
Haruto stood wearing a dark red vest with a purple scarf around his neck and white pants and golden gauntlets with dark shoes and a saber attached to his back. Behind him had been his Persona, which had been in the form of an Arabbian Thief with as he looked to have a sharktooth smile.
Last but not least, had been Ann. Her outfit consisted of a skin-tight red latex catsuit with a cleavage cutout and zippers, a matching red panther mask, pink gloves, dark red thigh-high boots, and a clip-on tail on the back of her catsuit. Behind her had appeared to be a tall woman.
She wore a long flowing red ball gown, black gloves, and black-red boots. The dress is mostly light red with alternating black and gold trim along its many layers. The dress had a black corset with red heart designs and showed a generous amount of cleavage. Her gloves and boots share the same color and heart designs as the corset. Several roses are seen growing out of the base of the corset.
At this the group was stunned as they couldn't help but look at them.
"Wow--" Kiku said in shock.
"Shit…" Gunslinger said as he looked at Ann.
"Holy crap--" Skull said as he looked at Dide and Haruto.
King Kamoshida could help but scowl at them, "Guards! Kill them! Kill them now!"
Just as one of them hurled his sword at Dide, A single back punch was enough to knock it's body and break it into pieces before exploding just as his cape was waving. The same explosion soon affected the other shadows as they shouted in pain before they were destroyed as well
Haruto soon charged at the shadows with his sword in hand. He sliced them away with ease as they let out a dying shriek.
Ann only gave one look before she kicked the sword out of the Shadow's hand. She jumped and grabbed the sword before she sliced away Princess Ann---Or at least that sickening version of her.
King Kamoshida had a fearful look in his eyes.
"... You know what?" She said, as she stood, "I'm not some cheap girl you can toy with… You scumbag."
"B-Bitch!" King Kamoshida said.
Ann stepped towards him with the others as she tossed away the sword, "You stole everything from Shiho… You destroyed her. Now---It's your turn!"
"This is the day you'll lose everything---" Haruto stated, "---Because just as you did to everyone, we'll steal all you have!"
"Seiko.." Dide said as he clenched his fist. "You made her and other girls suffer because of your lust! Your reign is far from over!" he got in position as his cape flowed once more. "They will get justice in the name of my burning life!"
"WE WILL ROB YOU OF EVERYTHING!" The group shouted, before they charged.
Wolf quickly took Kiku to the side as they watched the others fight against the Shadows.
Dide soon charged at King Kamoshida with a kick, only for him to miss, though it left a big crater on the wall shocking the villain
"W-what?!" KingKamoshida asked just as his face mask opened to reveal his mouth
"Got something to say about foreigners now?" Dide asked, looking smug. He jumped back before diving into another set of Shadows delivering jump kick with his persona as a plasma aura soon formed before they were kicked off as they stood causing another explosion
"Okay what's with all the explosions?!" Skull asked.
"Seriously, is he a bomb?" Gunslinger asked.
"I'm guessing because of the input of attacks Dide is putting out, the excess energy is released in the form of flares and sparks causing mini explosions." Mona said
"Alright that's cool---" Haruto said, "---Now let's see what I can do!" Haruto soon zigged zagged into the army of Shadows that manifested in the room. He sliced them away in an instant before they surrounded him.
"Go Aladdin!" Haruto called out.
Aladdin soon manifested before he sliced away all the shadows with a harsh gust of winds. Dide's jaw dropped at the sight of this as did the others. "That was----Awesome!" Skull said.
They soon heard a shriek from Kiku. They looked over and noticed a larger Shadow towering towards her and Wolf. It had been a strange looking one, that had appeared to be sitting on a toilet; it looked ready to attack.
"Kiku!" Joker shouted as quickly ran over to defend both her and Wolf. However---
"GO CARMEN!" Ann shouted.
Her Persona, Carmen soon manifested as it launched several fire balls towards the strange Shadow, as the attack knocked it back instantly.
"Nice save, Ann!" Dide cheered.
"Hey Dide, Wanna do a double combo breaker?" Haruto asked.
"I thought you never asked!" Dide said as he tapped on his belt as it said "DAYBREAK!"
"Uhh did that belt just say Day--Break?" Skull asked.
"Okay, I don't even have an explanation for that one." Mona said.
Haruto soon got his swords to make a gust of wind that made Dide fly in the ait with his mask covering his mouth with his cape shining on the ceiling as if he were a vampire. He gave a hiss before going into a somersault and delivering a jump kick to the shadow as it shouted in pain as it crashed into the wall leaving a firefly imprint on it causing it to cough blood.
Dide soon jumped off the shadow and down on the ground.
"Please--" The Shadow said. "---have--Mercy."
"Mercy?" Dide said. "After everything that happened?"
"Yeah---That's not gonna happen." Joker said, "NOW EVERYONE!"
Soon enough everyone got in position as they began their attack on all sides causing the Shadow to scream in pain. Ann, Haruto and Dide were the last one's to deliver the final blow with Dide's Belt once again shouting "DAYBREAK!"
With a warcry of their own, they attacked the Shadow with ease before landing on the ground, Ann having a cutesy smile of her own, Haruto showing his sword and Dide waving his cape to the side.
"Every beautiful rose has its thorns!" Ann said.
"Sorry, but you're no diamond in the rough!" Haruto said.
"For you--" Dide said. "---There's no dawn that'll shine on you, ever."
The shadow cried out before an explosion was seen behind them as it seemed to unphased the group.
It was then they noticed Kamoshida had been at the door shaking at what just happened.
"Oh shit!" He said before he quickly ran out.
"Hey wait!" Ann shouted as she went to go after him, though she ended up collapsing to her knees.
"Takamaki-chan!" Kiku exclaimed with worry as she ran to her with Gunslinger.
"Are you okay?" Wolf asked.
"I-I'm fine I think---" Ann said.
"Here, give me your hand---" Gunslinger said as he held out his hand to her.
"Why on Earth did you come here?!" Skull asked, "And more importantly, how?!"
"Skull, time and place!" Gunslinger said.
"Yeah, is that how you speak to a woman?!" Mona said as Gunslinger gave a questioning look, "Lady Ann are you alright?"
"Lady Ann?" Gunslinger and Ann said in confusion.
"More importantly---" Ann said looking at Wolf and Mona, "---What are these things!? Is it alive!? How can they talk?! And oh yeah---" She soon shouted which made them all jump or fall over, "---WHERE IN THE WORLD ARE WE?!"
"Okay that's normal---" Wolf said, "---You're a little disoriented, but that's okay."
"Takamaki---" Gunslinger said as he patted her back, "---Just take a breath---There's an explanation for this, I promise."
"How am I supposed to calm down?!" Ann shouted.
"Trust me, we've all been there believe it or not." Joker said, "The important thing is to remain calm."
Haruto and Dide soon looked at themselves as they couldn't help but be in awe. "Wow---" Haruto said, "---This is amazing! It's like I'm a whole new person!"
"Haruto---" Kiku said looking at his whole attire, even feeling his scarf that came loose, "---You look good."
"Thank you!" Haruto said.
"Oh man." Dide said as his mouth compartment unlocked revealing his lips. "This---is ---SICK!" He soon cheered as he couldn't help but jump in place, and laughed, "It's one thing to have the chest plates and everything but the mask--" He closed it on command before opening it. "Man! That's kickass! Could use a scarf though."
"I think the hoodie-cape fusion is more than enough." Wolf said with a nervous chuckle.
"Dide---" Joker said, "---You look like a---A----"
"Power Ranger?" Skull finished.
"Uh! Wrong!" Dide said, "More like a Kamen Rider! I mean you see the belt on me?"
"Oh yeah it does look like a Rider Belt." Skull said. "And I did hear you say Transform."
"HOW ARE YOU TWO NOT FREAKING OUT?!" Ann shouted before she looked and noticed the outfit she was wearing, "H-HUH?! WHY AM I DRESSED LIKE THIS?! WHEN DID I---WHAT IS GOING ON!?"
"Oookay!" Dide said, "I can nerd out later and discuss wardrobe later, let's just get out of here!"
"My sentiments exactly!" Mona said, "Let's go before a search party comes for us!"
"Damn, just when we were getting pumped!" Skull said.
"Just help me with this!" Gunslinger said as he helped Ann to walk.
"Right, sorry!" Skull said.
With that, the group started to make their way out, as their line of vision was soon surrounded by red shimmers.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-A Little Later; Train Station-
After things calmed down, they took their time to explain to Ann the full story. They told her everything they had learned from Morgana. Including the fact---Stealing the treasure, would get rid of all of Kamoshida's desires. Ann listened to everything they had to say, and she took it in her own way, till the very end.
Each of them sat on the seats next to each other, as Ryuji returned with drinks. "Here guys---" He said, as he handed each of them bottles, stopping when it was Ann and Ren's turn.
"Which one do you want?" He asked.
"Whichever is not carbonated." Ann replied.
"Uh---They're both carbonated." He said awkwardly.
Ann sighed, "The cola then."
Ryuji soon handed the drink to Ren as they took their seats on the bench available.
"Have you calmed down Lady Ann?" Morgana asked, emerging from Ren's bag.
"It's---Morgana right?" Ann said, before she looked at the dog, "And they said, you're Shiro?"
"Yeah---" Shiro replied as no one seemed surprised that a dog had been talking, "---That's me."
"Huh---I'm really talking to a cat and a dog… That feels so strange." Ann said.
"Well it could be worse." Kai said, "You could be talking to a rat."
"Or my chicken and rooster." Dide said.
"Oh right sorry---" Ann said, "---You're not a cat, right?"
"It's only natural that you're confused." Morgana said, "Demanding that you understand all of this right after what you went through is asking too much."
"Honestly---I still can't believe what happened…" Ann said.
"We're in the same boat." Kiku said.
"Yeah, not to mention that power, my Persona…" She said.
"It's the will of your rebellion." Ren said, "With that, you'll be able to fight in that world, like us."
"Then…" Ann soon said, "... If what you told me is true---We can really make Kamoshida confess by stealing his desires. Is that even possible?"
"The Volleyball Team's keeping quiet about it while teachers and parents turn a blind eye." Ryuji said, "If guys like us try and complain, they're just gonna shoot us down."
"Yeah there's no budging them." Haruko said.
"In other words, this is the only choice we got." Kai said, "Even if there's---A risk."
"Then let me help too." Ann soon said, "I want to make him pay for what happened to Shiho. He just keeps going like nothing happened, even after what he did to her… I'll NEVER forgive him."
Ryuji did a double take, "... Did you just say let me help? You want us to take you along?"
"Don't act like I'm going to drag you down!" Ann said, "Weren't you watching? I can fight too."
"She does have a point." Kiku said, "Takamaki-chan can handle herself."
"I agree." Dide said. "After knowing Seiko's situation--This has to be done by us. We're the only ones who can do this!" hr turned to them as he said "I'd say we let Ann join us!"
"Here here!" Haruto cheered.
"That's the most sensible thing you've said all day." Kai said, before he turned to Ren, "What do you think?"
"I'd say we need all the help we can get." Ren said.
"Well said." Morgana said, "We are lacking in manpower after all---No offense Kiku-chan."
"None taken." Kiku said as her expression softened.
"For the record, if you guys told me no, I'd just go in alone." Ann said, "Since I got the app you told me about." She soon looked at her phone, "Still what even is this? Where did it even come from?"
"... I don't know myself." Ren said as he looked at his phone, "All I know is---It's our gateway to that world."
Kai and Dide soon looked to their own phones, noticing they had the app as well. "Still it's pretty weird how it shows up like that." Kai said, "I tried deleting it and put itself back on a second later."
"Yeah." Dide added as he went to the app's settings and tried the same but the moment he went back to the home menu, it reappeared. "Even going to the app's settings and uninstalling it won't do it any good."
"So then---" Haruto said, "---When Kiku and I get phones, does that mean it's gonna show up on our phone too?"
"Sounds like it." Ren said, "Though for the time being it'll be alright if you're by one of us."
"That's a relief, so there's no rush to get a cellphone." Kiku said.
"... You guys are really homeless huh?" Ann said, "And from the fact you don't have last names, you're in the system?"
"Uh-huh." Haruto replied, "Kiku and I arrived at the same time, though she's a year younger than I am."
"It's not all bad though." Kiku said, "We started staying with them over at LeBlanc. Though---Yukihara-san has been taking a lot of time off for some reason with Sakura-san."
"Yeah, he's just started to have us work at LeBlanc just today actually." Haruto said, "Hope you don't mind Dide but----We sort of maybe convinced Sakura-san to make your pets mascots."
"Eh?" Dide asked as Ren and Kai looked befuddled.
"Well they kept sneaking downstairs and Sakura-san almost considered cooking them when they hung out with the customers---" Kiku explained, "---So we told him to make them mascots instead since the customers love them alot since they're---Surprisingly friendly!"
"Except for this one person who tried to steal from the cash register." Haruto added awkwardly as he twiddled his thumbs, "Seriously I think your rooster was ready to peck his eye out."
Dide's jaw dropped as he said, before he slapped himself, "Oh Lord… It's just like the time Momodu and Harumi wandered into a Kentucky Fried Chicken place…"
The group looked a bit confused.
"Kentucky Fried---What?" Ryuji said.
"That's---A fast food in America right?" Ann said, "Don't they just sell fried chicken?"
"Well it is in the name…" Dide said awkwardly.
"Wait what happened when they went into a place like that?" Kai asked.
Dide's expression turned dark like he had been in a horror movie. "I WAS THERE THAT DAY… THAT ONE SUMMER DAY… SO MANY THINGS HAPPENED… SOME OF THOSE THINGS ARE BURNED INTO MY MIND… SO MANY SCREAMS… SO MANY FACES… ONE DOES NOT FORGET WHAT THEY DID IN KFC…"
Though immediately afterwards his expression brightened and he seemed more cheery, "Anyway! Who's up for ramen? It's on me!"
"Dude…" Ryuji said disturbed, "... It just sounds like they straight up murdered somebody."
"That's how he is---unfortunately." Kai said.
"... Should---I be worried?" Shiro asked.
"No, no, no, no!" Dide reassured him as he patted his head, "It's all good! Let's just uh---Avoid going to places that sell only fried chicken though… Or… Anything chicken…" His face soon turned dark again, "... THEY'LL JUST KNOW WHEN THEY LOOK WITH THEIR EYES."
"Knock it off." Kai said as he slapped the back of his head.
"Oh, right, sorry!" Dide said.
"Ooookay…?" Morgana said, "... Anyway---First thing tomorrow after school, we'll resume our work in finding the treasure. We don't have much time after all before you guys end up getting expelled."
"... Don't remind me." Kai said with a groan.
"Yeah, with all that happened today I nearly forgot." Ryuji said.
"Don't worry guys." Ren said, "As long as we're efficient with our time, we'll take down the king."
Ann nodded, "I'll make Kamoshida atone for what he did. Not just for Shiho's sake, but for everything else he's done. I won't let anymore people suffer because of him."
"Couldn't have put it better myself." Kai said, "Sides, it'll be fun just to steal his treasure alone."
"And we'll be able to save past and future victims of him." Haruto said.
Dide added with a smile. "Of course making him pay is just a bonus! Let's make it happen!"
"Yeah! Oh man, I'm getting pumped up again!" Ryuji cheered.
Many in the group began to discuss and get excited at the fact that they were going to change Kamoshida's heart. Kiku however, couldn't help but feel out of place… Since everyone else had their own part to play in the thievery.