-The Next Day; Madarame Residence-
Not a day passed by since the Phantoms had entered Madarame's Palace, and they were still in disbelief that a man like him even had a Palace in general. Though upon discussing, they had decided to investigate the manner before making an official decision.
So here was Kiku, Ann and Morgana. In the household of Madarame once again. This time, they were able to gain entry since she nor Ann didn't come with the others. And he was even happy at the fact that Ann accepted his modeling offer.
Though as Kiku sat on the side, with Ann sitting in a chair right in front of his canvas, she couldn't help ¹¹1¹ think back to before they left the Palace.
She had been tapping her foot as she pondered, while Morgana had been safe in her backpack.
"Was I really imagining things? Did someone else really come into the Palace yesterday? But… Who else could have that strange app? Or---Are they like Mo-chan where they can travel freely?"
"Um--Uchiyama-san?" Yusuke soon said as she snapped out of it, "I don't mean to be rude, but I prefer if I work in silence if you don't mind."
"Oh, sorry!" Kiku said as she bowed her head and stopped tapping, "It's a nervous habit."
"No worries." Yusuke said before he turned back to his canvas as he proceeded to work.
Kiku cleared her throat as she adjusted herself in her chair. Morgana soon peaked out of her backpack, "Psst!" He whispered, "Don't forget to ask okay?"
"Shh!" Kiku whispered, "I know it's important, but you need to stay quiet for now. Kitagawa-kun can't hear you remember?"
"I got that but it's better to do this sooner rather than later." Morgana whispered.
Kiku nodded, before she quickly signed over to Ann while Yusuke was on his canvas. Ann nodded, before she turned to Yusuke.
"So---Kitagawa-kun?" Ann said, getting his attention despite the fact that he had his eyes on the canvas, "What's your teacher like?"
Yusuke's expression softened as he worked on the sketch, "He's a kind and considerate man… At least he was to me and my mother."
Kiku flinched at this, "... Your mom?"
Yusuke nodded, "I---Didn't really know my mother. She passed away in an accident when I was young. Though from what Sensei has told me, she was one of his first students."
"Then… She was an artist?" Ann asked.
Yusuke nodded in reply again, "After she died, Madarame-sensei took me in and raised me. Not long afterwards I saw the Sayuri. It was… A revelation. I immediately asked Sensei to take me on as a student… It was at that moment, I think I knew what I wanted to dedicate my life to."
"Sounds like there really was more than one student afterall." Morgana whispered.
"... Is it like that for Kazuyuki-kun too?" Kiku asked.
"Yes." Yusuke said, "Though his situation at home is--far different than mine alone."
"... How so?"
"I don't know the full details, but he's been staying in a manga cafe for the last few months. He… Had a falling out with his parents a while back. Sensei did offer to house him, though he has yet to accept."
Ann, Morgana and Kiku looked worried, as they recalled what they had seen in the palace. Though Ann soon spoke up, "I'm curious… How many other students are there here? Is it just you and Kazuyuki-san?"
"Yes." Was all he replied.
"Hmm, the plot seems to have thickened." Morgana whispered. Though Kiku was a bit surprised when he got himself out of Kiku's backpack.
"Mo-chan, what are you doing?" Kiku whispered.
"I'm gonna take a look around." He replied, "Get as much info as you can in the meantime."
Thus, Morgana left the room before she could stop him. "Hmm? Did I just hear a cat?" Yusuke said.
Kiku and Ann immediately looked nervous, as they started to sweat.
"U-U-Uh----" Kiku started to say nervously before she quickly thought of a different topic, "---I-It must be amazing! To have so many students housed under your sensei, isn't it? You must've met so many people!"
At this, they noticed a change in Yusuke's expression. They could see it looked like he had been filled with guilt and shame.
They each seemed to draw their conclusion. "... Did… Maybe some of them didn't get along with Madarame?"
Yusuke looked stunned, "Don't tell me you two still believe those rumors!?"
"Oh, no, no, no, no!" Ann and Kiku immediately said to calm him down.
"We were just---Wondering if a student was rude, or self centered that warranted them getting kicked out?" Kiku said.
"Oh no, of course not." Yusuke explained, "They were all good people and they were dedicated to art. There was even someone who thought of me as a little brother." He couldn't help but smile at the memory, "... He was very kind."
"But he still wound up quitting right?" Ann asked genuinely curious, "... What was he like?"
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-At that Moment; Shibuya Station-
Ren along with the boys had been standing among the crowd, merging with the sea of people as it had been rush hour. Though most couldn't help but look confused as they were waiting by the pillar. "So---Remind me why we're standing in a sea of people?" Kai asked.
"I talked with Mishima-san this morning." Ren said, "I asked him to get in contact with Nakanohara and have him meet us here so we can get more information." He soon looked at his phone as it pinged, "He should be here any second."
Dide was seen with White face paint with a a red pattern with a long black hair wig with a punk metal attire "I'm impressed how Mishima got his contact information"
"Okay, I gotta acknowledge the elephant in the room---" Haruto said, "---Why are you wearing facepaint?"
"Why else? So that no one recognizes my face." He said casually.
"You're seriously overdoing it with that one." Kai said, "You do realize that's gonna get you in a lot of trouble?"
"Would you rather meet with the Paparazzi?" Dide asked Kai.
"No, I expect you to go with a simple disguise." Kai countered.
Dide merely scoffed, as he said, "Why go for simple when you can do the extra mile? Sides it's not like what happened at the gallery is gonna---"
"HEY!" A random officer shouted, cutting Dide off, "IT'S THAT THUG FROM THE GALLERY!"
"GET HIM!" His partner shouted.
Just like that Dide took off running. All the while he shouted---
"NOT AGAIN!! WHY DO THESE THINGS KEEP HAPPENING TO ME!?"
The boys couldn't help but have a stunned look on their faces as they watched the officers chase them. "... Maybe he should take lessons on how to be subtle." Ryuji said, earning a nod from the others.
"..He should be coming back in a few minutes.." Ren said.
"Eh, I'll give him 5." Kai added.
"Excuse me?" A new voice said, "Would you happen to be the associates of the Phantom Thieves?"
The boys looked over and noticed a familiar man in a bowl haircut approaching them wearing a suit. It was a Nakonohara.
"Yes, we are." Ren said.
"I'm Natsuhiko Nakanohara." He said as he bowed his head in greeting.
At this they just looked plain stunned, as they recalled the shadow version they had encountered. "Is it me---Or does he seem nicer?" Ryuji whispered.
"Looks like the change of heart worked with him too." Ren added in a low voice.
"Um---You may have already heard…" Natsuhiko said, "... But there's someone I wish to trigger a change of heart…. An artist by the name of Madarame…"
The boys looked shocked by this sort of thing. "There it is!" Ryuji said softly, "Let's pump out as much information as we can!"
"Ryuji-san! Shh!" Haruto whispered.
"Why do you want his heart changed, if you don't mind me asking." Ren said.
"Well---" Natsuhiko said before he started to explain, "---I was one of Madarame's students. I lived with him in his studio, thinking of nothing but my art. I honestly wanted to make a living as an artist…." His expression soon softened, "... There was another student that was there. He was older then me, and extremely talented. Madarame of course took an interest in him and he claimed all of that student's work as his own. He wasn't the only victim though… Anyone who met with Madarae's merit's had their work taken."
Dide came back as he took a sigh. "Sorry--I had to change--What happened?"
"Uh---" Natsuhiko said, confused.
"Go ahead." Ren said.
Natsuhiko soon took a breath, "Well the artist I mentioned… The one that worked with me. He committed suicide."
At this, the boys looked shocked and horrified.
"But---Why?" Haruto asked.
"I think… He just couldn't take his work getting stolen anymore." Natsuhiko said solemnly, "It's a shame though… He was a good man."
"..That Bastard.." Kai scowled.
"All that pressure--and the efforts of their work only for it to be stolen--And he got away with it?!" Dide asked in a furious voice.
"I ended up leaving soon after the incident." Natsuhiko said, "Madarame tried to stop me but I refused to listen. It wasn't long before I realized that Madrame took his revenge. He effectively blackballed me in the art world, killing my career before I could even start."
"He what?!" Kai shouted, "Who the hell even does that shit?!"
"I already know the type of people who would do this." Dide said as he shook his fist in anger. "The type of people who thinks they can do whatever they want just so they can go to the top!"
"When it did happen, I tried to turn over a new leaf at city hall." Natsuhiko explained, "But that didn't go well. I just… Couldn't let go of my art and it warped me. I even resorted to stalking my ex…"
He soon bowed again, "I'd like to ask again---Please make Madarame have a change of heart. Not only for me. It's… To save the life of another."
"Another? Who do you mean?" Ren asked.
"Even now there's still a young man remaining under Madrame's tutelage. And I heard he took on another student too." Natsuhiko said.
"Does he mean Kazuyuki, and Kitagawa?" Dide whispered.
"Sounds like." Haruto replied in a low tone.
"I heard that other student isn't living with him, but it's only a matter of time before he does and he has to endure what I had to endure." Natsuhiko said, "Him and the student living there… They're both talented artists and he owes Madrame for taking him in after his mother passed…. They're both the perfect target."
"We knew it.." Dide said
"... That explains why we didn't see Kazuyuki's painting in the palace." Haruto said shocked, "You were right Ren."
"Looks like it." Ren said.
"I actually spoke to him a few times---" Natsuhiko said, "--Back when I was still living with Madarame. I asked him if it was painful for him to stay and do you know what he said? 'If I could leave… I would…'"
At this the boys looked stunned as they turned to one another.
Natsuhiko soon bowed again, "I don't want him or the other student to face the same tragedy that befell the other student! If there's someway to save them before their futures are ruined…. Please! I beg of you ask the Phantom Thieves to at least consider changing Madarame's Heart."
They looked to one another once again, taking in what they were just told.
-The Shack; Madarame's Residence-
Kiku and Ann had been taken aback by the information they were told. The plagiarism and abuse had been one thing, but driving another person to suicide. It had been… Horrifying and hard to hear to say the least. Though the girls couldn't help but have a solemn look.
"... Kitagawa-kun…" Kiku noticed his expression.
"Oh! I'm sorry!" Yusuke said, "I took off on a tangent there. And you two are here to share your time with me. I mustn't waste it."
"No, that's alright, Kiku-chan and I don't mind." Ann said.
"Sometimes it's good to talk about things like that." Kiku soon said, "So you were in your right."
Yusuke looked surprised by this, though he couldn't help but smile, "I'm relieved to hear you say that Uchiyama-san."
Kiku smiled at this before she had a thought as her expression softened, "Kitagawa-kun is a really nice person afterall. I really hope he realizes the truth about Madarame sooner rather than later… Even if we have to be the ones to force the truth."
She soon looked to the door as Yusuke started to resume his work. She had been pondering on where Morgana could be. Not wanting to sit and wait, she decided to make a move.
"Um Kitagawa-kun?" Kiku soon said, "Sorry, but would you mind if I use the restroom?"
"Oh of course." Yusuke said, before he pointed in the direction, "It's just down the hall on your right."
"Thanks, please excuse me." She said as she stood.
"Hey---" Ann whispered.
Though Kiku winked as she smiled, "---I'll be back soon Ann-chan."
Thus she exited in the room as she went in the direction of the restroom. Though in reality she had been looking for Morgana. She had been peeking in each room, keeping an eye for him. "Mo-chan!" She called out softly, "Mo-chan where are you?"
It wasn't long until she heard someone say, "Psst! Kiku!"
Kiku looked over and noticed he had been at the end of the hall. "Over here!" He whispered, "I found something!"
Kiku couldn't help but tilt her head at this before she went over to him. "What is it?" Kiku asked.
"Look over there!" Morgana replied as he pointed over in a certain direction.
When Kiku looked over she could see what appeared to be a mural. It had been painted with blue and gold accents and what looked to be peacock feathers.
"A door?" Kiku said, confused as she picked up Moragana.
It wasn't long before she noticed something strange. There appeared to be a bronze padlock on the door, which she couldn't help but find… Odd.
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It wasn't long before the boys met up with Ann and Kiku just a couple of blocks away from where the Shack had been. Though when they arrived… They noticed how worn out Ann had been while Kiku stood there awkwardly.
"Uh---What's the matter with you?" Ryuji asked.
"... Don't ask!" Ann said in a huff as they were a bit taken back by her tone.
"Do---You know what happened?" Ren asked.
Kiku shook her head, "By the time I got back to the room, Ann-chan wanted to leave in a hurry."
"Oooookay…" Kai said awkwardly.
"So we're all gathered---" Morgana said, "---What did we find out?"
"Well---From what Kiku-chan and I got, there were other students that were involved with Madarame at one point or another. And Kazuyuki-san was offered to move into the shack with them." Ann said as her expression, "Not to mention… One of the students was driven to suicide…"
"We were told about that too." Haruto said, "By Nakonohara."
The girls and Morgana looked stunned at this. "The Stalker whose heart we changed?" Kiku asked, "How did you talk to him?"
"Mishima-san's got perks when it comes to being the administrator the Phan-Site." Ren explained, "I asked him to help contact him and we met at the train station in Shibuya."
"That's---Kind of scary." Ann said before she had an awkward look, "I'm REALLY glad we have someone like Mishima-san on the good guy's side."
"So that's what you meant the other day." Kiku said, stunned, before she smiled "... That's… Really smart thinking, Ren-kun."
Ren flinched as he couldn't help but blush a little. "I-It was nothing." He said as he looked off to the side.
The group noticed how Ren was acting, though Kiku couldn't help but look a bit confused. "Well---" Ryuji said, "---Other then the suicide, we got confirmation. He is definitely stealing other people's work and passing it on as his own!"
"Not only that---But it's apparent Kitagawa is aware of what Madarame's been doing." Kai said.
"How do you figure?" Kiku asked.
"... Nakonohara asked him why he wouldn't leave." Dide replied, "He told him, 'If I could leave, I would.'"
At this, the girls had stayed silent as they all took in what information they had gathered. It wasn't long before Morgana broke the silence between the group. "Sounds like… We just got our confirmation." Morgana said, as he had been on Kiku's shoulder, "Isn't that right guys?"
The group looked to Morgana as they all had the same thought.
"That Madarame guy has been preying on students like Nakonohara!" Ryuji said, "And with Kazuyuki---We can't leave him or Yusuke alone!"
"I'm for it too!" Ann said, "Someone committed suicide under his watch! We can't let him get away with that!"
"Kitagawa-san has been suffering in silence for too long!" Haruto said, "If we leave it the way things are, then he and Kazuyuki will pay the price!"
"We even got a request to change his heart directly from the victim." Morgana said, "I don't think there's even a shadow of a doubt."
"We have to change his heart!" Kiku said, "For the sake of Kitagawa-kun and Kazuyuki-kun! And for the sake of his past victims too, so they can get their justice!"
Ren looked to the group before he turned to Kai and Dide. "Where do you two stand?" He asked.
Dide and Kai looked at each other, before they had a nod as they turned to the group as all they could say is--
"Let's steal his fucking treasure."
Thus the group smiled, knowing that with the unanimous decision, they could now proceed.
-Madarame's Palace-
And so the infiltration began.
Wasting no time, and after picking up a few supplies, and grabbing Shiro, the group hurried inside the palace going in the way they came in. They kept close and with their guard up, they snuck around every corner of the museum, fighting the shadows they had encountered along the way.
Kiku was able to finish one off when she called on---
"ALICE!"
A geyser of water mixed with ice fired on to the shadow as they vanished in mere seconds. This had left the group impressed by this.
"Nice shot!" Shiro--Now Wolf cheered.
"Thanks!" Kiku said with a smile.
"I'm impressed---You're getting stronger everytime you use your persona." Morgana--Or Mona said, "Kind of like our leader."
"You think so?" Kiku asked, "I've only used Alice a couple of times you know?"
"I have a feeling you're more than meets the eye." Mona said with a confident smile.
Soon enough the group started to move again before Ann or as her codename would know her as Panther thought of something. "I just realized---" Panther said, "---Kiku-chan doesn't have a codename. Shouldn't we decide on one?"
"Oh yeah---" Wolf said in realization, "---With all that's been going on and with Mementos and your injury I completely forgot."
"Same here." Ryuji or as he was known as Skull said, "It slipped my mind."
"Wait, really?" Kiku said, surprised, "You want to decide now?"
"Might as well since we got the time." Ren or Joker said, "And now that we're here."
"Any ideas on what your codename should be Kiku?" Haruto--Crescent asked.
As they hid in the shadows while going up the stairs to get to the second exhibit Kiku soon began to ponder. "I guess I should relate it to my cat ears…" Kiku said as she flicked one letting it twitch.
"No way that's too simple!" Panther said, "Maybe we should base it on your outfit in general!"
"My outfit?" She said.
"Yeah, she's got a point!" Skull said, "Let's base it off your hair! Since its black and white so it's gotta be----Dalmation!"
Mentally everyone couldn't help but picture an actual Dalmation in their head. Each of them couldn't help but make a face.
"Nah, it doesn't feel right" Dide aka Dayzer said. "If anything we should call her, Monochrimia."
"Let me guess---Another Kamen Rider nerd thing?" Kai--Gunslinger asked, giving him a look as Dayzer flinched.
"It doesn't---Sound cool either." Kiku said as Dayzer looked shocked.
"Yup---Not cool." Mona said as he nodded.
"I agree." Wolf said as he nodded.
"Hey!" Dayzer said, offended, "There's nothing wrong with that name!"
"Maybe we can go for something simpler, that rolls off the tongue?" Crescent suggested.
"You mean like---Spots?" Skull asked.
SMACK---Went Dayzer's hand on his head. "What is it with you and dogs right now?" Dayzer said.
"WHAT?! IT WAS THE FIRST THING THAT CAME TO MY HEAD!" Skull argued, "AND IT'S NOT BECAUSE OF WOLF!"
"Oookay?" Wolf said awkwardly.
Dayzer argued back, "Think of anything else!"
"... Geez you're terrible at this…" Gunslinger said.
"I agree…" Panther said as she shook her head.
"HEY!" Dayzer and Skull exclaimed.
"Could you guys maybe keep it down?" Mona said, "We are trying to sneak about."
"Hmmm---A simple yet fitting name---" Kiku said, "---What could it be?"
Joker soon pondered as he looked closely at the color of her hair. It was at that moment… It reminded him of one thing. "How about… Raven?" Joker soon said. The group looked at him a bit shocked.
"Raven?" Kiku said.
"I mean you're hair---" Joker soon explained, as he turned red again and looked off to the side, "---It sort of reminds me of a raven. Sometimes they come in black and white feathers. So---"
Kiku looked stunned, yet she couldn't help but blush herself. "You know what?" Mona said, as he smiled, "I like the way you think Joker!"
"Yeah Raven! It sounds cool and mysterious!" Panther said, "It totally fits you!"
"I can go for that name." Gunslinger said with a smirk.
"Me too." Wolf said showing off his canine teeth with his smile.
"Hell yeah, same here!" Skull said with enthusiasm.
Dayzer had a smile before he said with his thumbs up, "That's even better than Dalimation and even my own suggestion!"
Kiku soon smiled at this, "Then---I guess I'll be Raven from this point on."
The group couldn't help but cheer at this---But they immediately covered their mouths when they saw a guard nearby. Though they couldn't help but giggle softly when they looked at each other's scared faces. Though after they waited for the guard to turn the corner, they quickly started to move.
They had entered the second floor exhibit. Gunslinger took a look around as he was armed with his gun; he looked around the area as he looked ready to shoot. Though he placed it in his holster before he said to the group, "All clear."
The group moved from their hiding place before they started to move through the large exhibit; though they stopped when they noticed the multiple paths ahead. "Where should we go now?" Panther asked.
Crescent soon took out a pamphlet which shocked them, "According to this, it looks like there's another set of stairs just ahead from here we can use to get upstairs."
"Where did you get that pamphlet?" Skull asked.
"What?" Crescent said, "They were at the lobby we passed earlier. They were available for us to take, so I figured I'd save it."
"Huh---" Mona said as he turned to Dayzer, "---Kind of funny how you didn't think of that in the first place."
Dayzer turned with a look as he said "Oh you stupid--" he turned around before he shouted "OOGA BOOGA BOOGA!"
"MEROW!" Mona shouted as he jumped.
"Shhhh!" Joker said to Dayzer and Mona as they quickly covered their mouths., "Keep it down! We have to keep moving!"
The two looked at each other with a look as they let go.
"You got it, Joker." Dayzer said .
They soon moved through the exhibit---Until Mona spotted a bright golden vase that got him transfixed. "H-Hey!" Mona said, stopping them, "Wait a second!"
"What now?!" Gunslinger asked, annoyed.
"You're just gonna leave that golden sheen?!" Mona said, gesturing towards the golden vase. It wasn't long before his eyes started to sparkle, "... Look at that luster~"
"Mona, do we really have time for that?" Wolf asked.
"There's always time to swipe!" Mona argued, "It might be tough to take with us---But wouldn't it be nice to take it back to the real world and sell it?"
"Not if we're on a time limit, Stupid Cat." Dayzer said. "We can spin back for it after we steal his treasure."
"Woah--that'a a bit rough, dude." Skull said.
Without thinking Mona soon hopped on the vase practically hugging it. "Hey, Mona we didn't come here for---" Gunslinger started to say before they heard a---
CLICK!
The sound of it made them flinch and pale up.
"What was that!?" Crescent said.
They looked and noticed that Mona---Had stepped on a button just around the vase. "Wait, hold on, isn't this bad?!" Panther said in a panic.
"Everyobody move!" Joker shouted.
Before any of them could---They froze when a laser grid came on, suddenly trapping them with very little room to move in, forcing them to avoid the laseres. Kiku---Or rather Raven on the other hand, had been the only person who managed to jump out of harm's way as she rolled across the floor. When she recovered she was shocked at the sight.
"Everyone!" She called out with worry as she ran over keeping her distance from the laser, "Are you okay?!"
"Sort of!" Wolf said as he was holding a pose to keep himself elevated and even had his tail lifted up.
"Oh shoot!" Mona said as his paws and tail was raised up, "I tripped the security system! This is bad!"
"And you're the one that told us to be careful ya hypocrite!" Gunslinger shouted as he kept both of his arms and leg lifted up like he was about to do a dance.
"You Stupid Cat--When we get out of this mess I'll--!" Dayzer said.
"Guys! Now's REALLY not the time to be fighting amongst ourselves!" Wolf said as he almost lost his balance.
"What should we do?!" Skull asked as he was trying to keep one leg and arm lifted up, "Should we run through this?!"
"No! No one move!" Mona said, making them freeze when they were ready to move, "Passing through any one of these lasers will draw too many enemies to our location! Just stay perfectly still!"
"What do we do then?!" Crescent asked.
Joker soon looked to Raven, noticing the sign that was just ahead. "Raven!" Joker called out, "Do you think you can get to the security room and shut this off?!"
Raven looked shocked, by the suggestion, "By myself?! But I can't leave you all here!"
"Don't worry!" Joker reassured her, "As long as we don't touch the lasers we'll be okay!"
"Listen Raven---" Mona said, "---There should be a way to shut them off if you get to the room! It's up to you to find it!"
Raven looked to the path hesitant, before she looked back to her friends. "But---But---" She stammered trying to figure out what to say.
"We believe in you!" Joker soon said, as she looked shocked, "We KNOW you can do this! I know you can do this!"
"Joker…" Raven said, stunned.
"If anyone can find the dawn to this bleak situation, it's you, Raven!" Dayzer said
"Dayzer."
"Okay Minus that corny one liner--We know you can do it!" Gunslinger said. "We trust you!"
"You got this Raven!" Panther said as she was keeping as still as possible, "You got this like you did in Kamoshida's castle!"
"Yeah!" Skull added, "So don't worry about us!"
"Go for it Raven!" Wolf cheered.
"You got our back Raven!" Crescent said it looked like he was trying to limbo, "And if there's anyone I would trust with our lives, it's you!"
"Don't worry about us!" Mona soon said, "We'll be okay!"
Raven looked at all of them as she felt a warmth in her heart. Every single one of them… Believed in here. And it felt good to know that. With a deep breath she soon turned and ran ahead. Though not before she called out, "I'll be back soon! I promise!"
The group smiled as they watched Raven run in the direction to the security room. Neither of them seemed to notice… A person among the steel beams of the ceiling. They soon began to follow her as they jumped from where they were hiding, out of view from the others.
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With her friends stuck between a rock and a hard place, Raven had begun to follow the signs that read security. She kept close to the darkness to avoid the guards that were lurking nearby. Armed with her sword and gun she took deep breaths before she peaked out from the corner, noticing how many of them there were.
She began to ponder.
"... The security office for this floor should be just ahead. But they're too many Shadows there. It won't do me any good if I end up charging in. What can I do…?"
She soon looked at the display case just in front of her which had a ming vase. At the sight of it she got an idea.
With the swing of her sword she smashed the display case and the vase inside. She then stayed in the farthest corner staying absolutely still as the shadows came running past her to check out what the commotion was. The moment the last Shadow came through, Raven quickly ran out from the corner and along the path.
It wasn't long before she found the security door just down the hall.
Instantly she looked relieved.
"There it is! I found it!"
She soon started to run towards the room with all of her speed.
"It's not much further! Not much further!"
Suddenly---Raven found herself flying.
Or rather, she felt herself get hit by something. From the sheer force caused her to fly right in the wall as she let out a screech which echoed in the halls. By the time she recovered with a couple of bruises, she saw a total of three shadows. The one at the center seemed to emit a red aura as they looked to be a creature made of paper. The two other shadows appeared to be in the form of chimera's that growled at her.
"Crap!" She exclaimed as she pulled out her weapon, "They must've snuck up on me!"
"Take her out! In the name of Madarame!" The Origami Shadow said.
The chimera shadows soon charged at her as they let out a ferocious roar.
Raven couldn't help but grit her teeth, "I don't have time for this! I gotta help my friends!" She soon armed herself with her sword before she called out to her Persona.
"Attack! Alice!" She called out.
With her Persona appearing she charged at the two shadows. She attacked one before Alice attacked the other with her abilities. Raven kicked the shadow before she sliced it in two. And with a giggle, Alice fired another water ice attack on the chimera making it freeze.
"Now's my chance!"
With a war cry, Raven charged at the beast while it was frozen; with one swipe of her sword the shadow fell and its body vanished.
"Yes! I did it! I---"
Before completely relishing in her victory, the origami shadow grabbed hold of her, grabbing her by her hair making her cry out. "You little brat!" The Shadow shouted, "You dare come uninvited!? You will pay for your insolence!"
Raven gritted her teeth, as she had been getting more and more irritated. A sudden pulse went through her body as she didn't seem to realize her blade became covered in a strange red aura. Her eyes for a moment flashed black for only a split second and even her persona---Strangely glitched. Raven didn't seem to notice that Alice's appearance changed.
"I don't speak---BITCH!" She shouted aggressively and kicked the shadow hard in the face, though he still held onto her as she could feel her strands getting pulled. Without any other option, Raven gripped her blade and sliced her hair, now making it a short messy bob before she gave the shadow a cut on the arm making it shriek.
Raven managed to land on her feet noting the strands of hair; Her glare intensified.
"I'LL SLAUGHTER YOU, YOU PIG!"
With her eyes still black as night, she charged at the shadow full speed. The shadow growled before it went to attack, by firing an attack in the form of a blue sphere. She managed to dodge the attack with ease however---She ended up getting blasted back when it blew up on impact.
She hit the wall with a cry of agony, as it seemed to make her revert back; even her Persona turned back to normal.
Though she was a little disoriented as her mind seemed hazy. She seemed… Confused by what had just occurred. In fact… She looked scared by it; she even covered her mouth as she realized what she had just said.
"What in the world was that?! I felt---Different just a second ago…! It was like my body was on fire…! Not to mention---Did I really just say that!? What is going on?!"
She soon snapped out of her thoughts when the shadow started coming towards her. She went to reach for her weapon only to realize----
---Her weapon wasn't at her side.
"Oh crap!"
Raven looked around until she spotted her sword just on the far side of the room. She looked to the Shadow, noticing how close it was before she made a hasty decision.
"There's no other way! I gotta make a break for it!"
Raven soon got herself ready before she began to make a mad dash towards her sword. The Shadow started to close in, as it started to catch up with her. She soon decided to take a risk. With one step she leaped forward reaching out to the handle; putting some distance between herself and the Shadow.
However just as she was within reach----
BOOM!!
Raven found herself flying again with a shriek as the Origami shadow fired another blast of energy. She hit the wall hard as she could hear a snap making her scream again this time even louder. She landed on the ground again as she found herself struggling to get up.
"Ow!" She exclaimed as she grasped her left arm, noticing she couldn't move it, not to mention the gash she had on her leg, "Damn it, it got me good!"
The Shadow soon came towards her again. Raven tried to move to grab her sword, but could feel her wounds act up as she flinched at the pain. She could feel herself shaking as it soon towered over her.
"No, no, no, no, no, no, no!" She exclaimed as she tried to reach for her sword, however the Shadow soon blocked her path.
The Shadow looked ready to crush her underneath its heel as all Raven could do was aim her gun; though it was immediately hit out of her hand.
"Crap!" She exclaimed before she noticed its foot over her.
"Die you little thief!" The Shadow said.
All Raven could do in that moment was squeeze her eyes shut as it went to crush her as there was nothing she could do. However, just a second later---
---She heard it scream followed by a crash.
Upon opening her eyes, she was surprised to see the once relentless Shadow had been down for the count which shocked her. Though… She soon jumped when she saw what was in front of her. To her own disbelief---
---It was a person, holding what appeared to be a red blade.
Raven looked too stunned to speak as she took in the person's appearance when they turned to her. The person in question wore a black and dark blue outfit. They had several black studded belts strapped around their legs and arms, a short black cape and clawed gauntlets. A knight mask that had been tinted red had covered their entire face, preventing her from seeing their it clearly.
"Wha---" She finally found herself saying, shocked, "---Who---?"
The Shadow soon stood as it readied another attack. It fired a blue blast making it head right towards them. The stranger thought fast, as they quickly picked up Raven startling her. Carrying her bridal style they leapt out of the way before the blast reached them.
They soon landed in a safe spot, as they set her down gently. Before Raven could say anything, they stepped out to face the Shadow.
Raven watched in shock and awe as the person stepped towards the Shadow, despite the fact it had been charging another attack. They soon held their blade before they charged. All it took was only one swing---And the strong Shadow she had been having trouble with just moments ago, went down with its body in two.
Its body had vanished in nothing but a dark mist, as the Stranger stood calmly, sheathing their blade.
The Stranger soon turned to Raven as she couldn't help but flinch again especially when they approached. She was startled when they picked her up again, holding her as if she was a bride again.
"H-Hey!" Raven couldn't help but say in protest and embarrassment, as she kicked her legs a little despite her pain, "W-What are you doing!? I can walk!"
Her words fell on deaf ears as he carried over before they sat her down. This time however---They sat her on a bench which surprised her again. They soon tore off a piece of their cape in two straps before they wrapped one around the gash on her leg, shocked again by the action. The Stranger soon gently took her broken arm as she winced a little before they wrapped part of it around her neck and arm, making a makeshift sling.
Once again, she had been left stunned.
She looked to the Stranger before her as they looked to her; almost as if they had been memorizing her fast, despite the fact that her mask covered her eyes.
"Are…" She started to say to the Stranger as she tilted her head, "...Are you… A cognition…?"
The Stranger didn't reply as they seemed to mimic her movement. "... You're more than that---" Raven said, "---You're a person… Like me, aren't you? I saw you yesterday too. Are you following me?"
The Stranger still said nothing, as they tilted their head again.
"Hey---" Raven said, "---Do you understand what I'm… say…ing…?"
Her words trailed as the Stranger suddenly lifted his hand; she couldn't help but flinch back when she felt the claws on his gauntlets touch her face as he moved some of her strands of hair out of the way. She must've been imagining it… But she could've sworn the Stranger flinched back when their hands grazed over, the star birthmark on her cheek.
Raven could only ask one thing of the Stranger as she noticed he backed up in alarm.
"... Who… Are you…?"
Just then they could hear voices in the distance.
"The intruder is in here!"
"Go and kill her! Now!"
"They're more coming?!" Raven said worryingly, "Even now?!"
The Stranger soon stood as they drew their blade again. They soon pointed towards the security room, as if it was to remind her of what she was meant to do. They soon turned to the direction of the shadows as Raven realized they were going to be the diversion.
"Wait!" Raven called out making the Stranger stop, "At least tell me who you are! Please!"
The Stranger only looked over their shoulder as they didn't reply. Before Raven could ask anything more, he soon went off in the direction of the Shadows.