1,951darkwolf09: Okay. So I agree with you about how this part of the game was not the best, slight disagree. In that I do not think the game treated Ryuji AS the villain in this. Or at least not enough. But this is partically because of how I am and see the whole situation, in how Morgana was feeling useless and Ryuji was being big headed and they BOTH took it too far. Both where in the wrong and this should have closed off the Ryuji is the butt monkey bit, but my big issue is that Ryuji refused to achnowledge he did anything wrong. In a "two wrongs don't make a right" situation. Honestly the worst bit of writing in the game.
adamse0530: Maybe
JelloCrusader: I do try and keep the once a month update scheduel. Glad you are liking it.
Agent R. O: Trust us. You will NOT see what is coming...
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: We are glad people have been liking those moments.
Neo Infinity: Black Mask will be delt with
Here are some reviews answered by Ghost:
Obiki Doragon: Oh, you watched that show too?
geoslim21: Wait till you see what we have planned for later.
Neo Infinity: Well, we had to bring it up at some point.
Shooting Star Dragon 3000: Good, the seat's there for you. Wait and see what we've got planned.
Agent R. O: You're right about one of those things happening.
UltimateCCC: Oh, definitely. The Spaceman's coming down.
JelloCrusader: We greatly appreciate the rereads.
adamse0530: Wait and see. Makoto might say that sooner or later.
StevieBond: crosses fingers Here's hoping.
Disclaimer: We do not own Persona 5. That belongs to Atlus.
Co-written by GhostKaiser23
AUTHOR'S NOTE
Another month, another chapter
I hope you all enjoy this chapter. The fun will be, I hope
With some other fun gals coming in later months
Persona 5 New Game Plus, Joker's Second Chance
Chapter 60
The Big Bang Build-Up
The Phantom Thieves had appeared in Mr Okumura's Palace, noting they were on one of the more accessible floors. Plus it helped that they found a 'Safe Space' nearby. "Thank goodness we've got Safe Spaces." Skull sighed in relief.
"Agreed, it saves time and energy in getting to our latest place." Fox agreed. They saw the neon green-blue lights, the dull grey to dark green walls, the silver shutting doors and the near bio-luminescent lights.
"Alright folks, I'm gonna check the map." Oracle spoke as she was scanning the floor.
"How long will it take?" Noir asked.
"Not long, Oracle's the best at hacking and scanning." Dove reassured.
"Alright, I opened the map. We should be able to get through this way." She pointed.
"Great work, Oracle." Queen smiled.
"Ah thank you." Oracle bowed jokingly with an over-the-top accent of pride and confidence "This way." She pointed and let Joker take the lead.
"Want to walk with me, Noir?" Joker asked, seeing this would be important to Noir.
"I'll try and keep up." She answered, nodding a little.
Dove, Panther, Queen and Oracle noted that; something was going on with the pair of them... and with that sleepover they had, it was obvious to them. 'He's being nice to her.' They thought.
The group began to sneak through the corridors, their feet stepping as quickly and silently as possible. But the overhead searchlights were scanning the area, along with some of the robotic Shadows trudging along.
"Stay close guys, these lights are gonna be tricky to get by." Joker whispered. "Mona?"
"Got it." The cat Phantom Thief nodded and leapt up the wall. 'Nyeh, heh-heh. Not so smart now, are you?' Mona thought to himself as he dodged the lights and cut a wire, switching one of the lights off.
Joker gave a motion with his fingers, pointing forwards as he rushed at a Shadow and ripped off its mask. "Show me your true form!"
SHATTER!
"GRAAARGH!" The Shadow roared out as it reformed into different Shadows.
Appearing before them were three Shadows, two similar and one different. The two similar ones were two piles of black ooze, solid yellow eyes, a large gaping mouth and patches of dark red gloop. The one on their own was a grey-skinned woman floating in the air while on her knees, wearing a long flowing black cloak, black panties and bra with a silver Celtic cross, a black scarf with gradient green to blue markings, and a large top hat with four points for a rim.
"Black Oozes and Scathach." Joker spoke as he saw them.
"Gesundheit." Panther responded.
"Oracle, weaknesses please." Queen asked.
"On it!" She answered, scanning them as they readied their attacks.
One of the Black Oozes reared back and exhaled putrid air about them; Scathach lifted her hand, snapped her fingers and summoned flames around the Phantom Thieves.
"Incoming!" Skull called out.
FWOOSH!
The group were attacked by the flames, though Panther managed to block it due to her Fire Affinity.
"Okay, witch lady repels Ice and is immune to Curse. Blob boys are strong against Phys, Gun and Ice; weak to Electric, Psy and Bless!" Oracle called out as the group snuffed out the flames on their clothes.
"Okay, I've got this." Noir spoke. "MILADY! PSIO!" Appearing before the group was Noir's Persona, Milady as she summoned kaleidoscopic orbs of colour to attack, striking the Black Oozes.
"That's knocked them down! We need to get the last one!" Oracle called out.
"Come on! CAPTAIN KIDD!" Skull called out, summoning his Persona and shooting out a bolt of electricity to strike the Black Ooze. "ZIONGA!"
"Over here!" Dove called out, striking Scathach with her blade.
"Let's do this. JOHANNA! FREILA!" Queen mounted her Persona summoning a burst of Nuclear power and struck the magic woman.
The Phantom Thieves saw the Black Oozes slowly get back up, glaring at them before Joker came in as he summoned his Persona. "PRINCIPALITY! MAKOUGA!" He proclaimed summoning an armoured and robed angel, wielding a staff and sword and a spiked crown helmet upon its mask-like head.
"Wh-where did you get that?" Noir asked in shock as she saw the Persona there.
"That's Joker for you. Always bringing new Persona into a fight." Mona responded.
"That's incredible." Noir looked on with admiration as she saw this.
"Care to attack, Noir?" Joker asked with a smile.
"Yes!" She nodded and gripped her Bardiche, rushing in as she leapt into the air and attacked with the other members of the Phantom Thieves to take down these Shadows.
THWACK!
BASH!
SMACK!
SLAM!
Leaping back, standing together, the Phantom Thieves followed Noir. A round table with a tea pot, china cup and saucer, and French chair appeared before her. She took the seat and took the tea, smiling as she didn't look behind her.
SPLATTER!
Behind Noir, a large floral screen appeared with a cursive 'Adieu' upon it. "Isn't this graceful?" She asked coyly before the shadows exploded into nothingness behind them, money and items falling to the ground
The group looked on in shock.
"W-was that a French table?" Panther doubletook.
"Looked like LeBlanc a little." Oracle joked.
"Impressive." Joker nodded
"Merci." Noir chuckled lightly. "This is how you've been able to pay for everything?" She asked as she looked at the money and items.
"Better than pocket money." Skull explained, picking the money up.
"You missed one there." Fox spoke, grabbing the items.
"Thanks, dude." He answered.
"Don't worry, it's alright." Joker reassured her.
"I. Suppose." Noir answered.
"Everyone, we need to get moving." Oracle spoke up. "That light's not gonna stay off forever."
"We're moving, Oracle." Queen reassured.
"Let's go, guys." Dove agreed.
'Hmm, do they need money for their equipment often?' Noir thought to herself, but remembered overhearing what happened at 'Untouchable', how they took care of their 'weapons' and used them well.
"Alright, we've gotta go this way." Oracle spoke, making notes on the map and directed the group. They went through the corridors and into the other rooms of the Palace, hearing the clunking and shuffling steps of the robotic slaves working tiredly in this warped perception of reality.
"It doesn't get easier seeing them." Noir admitted.
"We'll change his heart, don't worry." Joker reassured.
"I don't want to treat anyone badly." She admitted.
"You won't." He answered.
*time skip*
The Phantom Thieves continued deeper into the Palace, following the instructions and directions Oracle gave them...but it didn't mean they met no resistance.
"Guys! Robots are still chasing us!" Skull called out, running in the middle of the group.
"We know!" Mona screamed.
"Left turn!" Joker called out, noting the corner as they seemed to screech their shoes on the floor as the robot hit the wall.
CRASH!
'I can't believe that worked.' Panther thought to herself.
"Is there a safe zone?" Fox asked.
"Looking for one!" Oracle answered.
"I wanna say something. But it might be rude." Dove panted.
"What is it?" Fox asked.
"This. Place. Sucks! I think Oracle's Palace was less complicated than this place!" Dove answered as she leaned back against a wall
"I need to admit, that is very accurate." Fox mumbled
"To be fair, Joker knew his way around me like the back of his hand." Oracle joked with a flirty wink and a giggle
"You had a Palace, Oracle?" Noir asked in shock, her eyes wide while her eyes flicked back and forth between them all
"Yeah, it was a whole thing." She answered.
"Hey, is this something?" Dove asked as she pointed down a corridor.
"It might be." Joker answered as they entered... and saw a massive room filled with glowing UFO saucers.
"Holy crap!" Skull yelled in shock.
"Okay, this is much bigger than most other places." Panther commented.
"INTRUDER! INTRUDER!" A tall and thin blue metal robot swayed as it saw the Phantom Thieves.
"You've gotta be kidding me." Queen groaned.
"YOU WILL NOT ENTER HERE!" The robot proclaimed as it saw them.
"Yeah, I don't think this'll be easy to get through, Joker." Dove whispered.
"I've got an idea." the dark haired leader smirked as he slipped his weapons away, flicking his coat around his waist
"YOU SHOULD NOT BE HERE UNATTENDED!"
"Sorry about that, we're looking for our way out." Joker lied while holding his hands up innocently
"TRULY? ARE YOU APOLOGETIC? WHO ARE YOU? WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?" The robot continued.
"The Chief Director." Joker continued, getting through to the robot.
"HE IS A BUSY MAN! HE CANNOT WASTE TIME ON YOU!" The robot ordered, to which Joker suddenly showed his gun. SHoving it into the robots face
BANG!
"Shame. Sorry." He apologised and fired, shattering the robot's face as more smaller robots appeared.
"Joker, what the hell?" Panther asked.
"Boring conversation anyway." He remarked.
"Dude!" Skull double-took.
"Is he always like this?" Noir whispered to Mona.
"Not usually. But these robots are annoying." The cat answered.
"Hey, there's a situation here." Dove called out as they readied for another attack
Click!
Clack!
"Ready?" Joker smiled as they all aimed their guns.
"Gun it!" Queen proclaimed as they fired and shot the smaller robots, bullets ricocheting off their bodies and being damaged.
'This is crazy!' Dove thought to herself as they ditched the area after collecting the money and items.
"Okay, this way, we can catch a platform!" Oracle called out, pointing towards the floating dark grey and neon-blue platforms.
"That'll get us towards the Treasure?" Fox asked.
"Certain of it!" She answered.
"You know. I keep thinking how useful a grappling hook would be." Joker stated with a slight level of bitterness
"Dude~, that'd be awesome!" Skull admitted, getting excited that his friend would swing through the skies like a superhero.
"Imagine the dynamic poses you could do while in the air." Fox muttered to himself as he imagined Joker flying through the skylines and could imagine a painting of it.
"Hee-hee-hee. Thwip, thwip." Oracle giggled to herself, thinking of a western superhero.
*Time Skip*
"My. Body's. On. Fire." Oracle panted as she was lying flat on the floor of a safe room
"You need to work out more." Fox spoke up.
"Says you, Inari." She groaned.
For the last hour the group had been attempting a timed race to get to the next corridor, unfortunately, it was easier said than done. Robots, Shadows and security systems were blocking their way and they were running on fumes.
"Joker, should we head back? We. We've been running for hours." Panther asked.
"I know it seems difficult. But we're almost there." Joker reassured.
"How can you be so sure?" Dove asked, leaning on a wall next to Panther.
"Because past this damn race, we're there." Joker answered with determination, having blocked this previous encounter from his memory before... that was a mistake on his part. The group looked at Joker in concern, he almost sounded frustrated by this. But they knew he was their leader, and he would get them through this.
*Time Skip*
More time had passed, the group had become exhausted, fully on their last legs as they had reached the Treasure Room. Seeing the floating orb of distorted Desire, the core of Mr Okumura's Palace.
"That. Damn. Sucked!" Skull groaned as he was lying flat on the floor, looking at the Treasure Room's ceiling.
"But we found it." Mona sighed in relief.
"This is my father's desire?" Noir asked.
"More like its nebulous state. Once we send the Calling Card. It'll manifest." Joker explained.
Noir looked at it with some degree of awe. What could be the core of her father's desire to see his employees as robots? How could he just discard her like a disposable toy for his machinations? What *was* it? "I see. Then, how long will it take for the Treasure to manifest?"
"Immediately. Then, we have 24 hours." Joker answered.
"Oracle, where was that Safe Room again?" Dove asked.
"Through there." Oracle groaned as she tried to raise her hand to point.
"Thank the Metaverse for Fast Travel in Palaces." Fox commented.
"I can agree to that." Queen responded. "I've got Oracle." As she leaned down and helped Oracle onto her back.
"Ooh~, a piggy-back just for me?" Oracle teased lightly.
"I'm not doing this for just anyone." She answered before whispering. "Mind where you put your hands."
"Okay, okay." Oracle sighed, giving a playful pout
"I think we're owed something for all this." Fox admitted.
"I'll make everyone curry and some coffee. Is that okay?" Joker offered.
"Oh, yeah!" The group sighed in relief, imagining Joker's cooking and felt their stomach grumble in anticipation.
The group vacated the Metaverse, teleporting back to the real world. Their bodies aching like they had run a marathon... and considering some of the problems that they ran into, yeah, it wouldn't be wrong to call it that.
*Time Skip*
The group were now in LeBlanc, most of them waiting for Ren to finish making the curry.
"Dude~, that smells awesome!" Ryuji groaned in anticipation as he smelt the enticing food.
"Thank you. Makoto, can you set the rice, please?" Ren asked, acting like a dad/husband.
"No problem." She answered, doing so... which she didn't even realise she was doing it.
'Is this a family situation?' Ann blinked in shock.
"Dinner's up, hope everyone's hungry." Ren spoke up as Makoto plated their dinner.
"Thanks for the food!" The group cheered as they began to eat.
Haru was shocked by this, the smells of the spices, the thickness of the sauce and the fluffiness of the rice. It was delicious! She had eaten some of the fanciest foods from high-class restaurants. But this humble curry was making her tear up with a wave of nostalgia.
"Haru, are you okay?" Shiho asked as she saw her.
"Did he make it too spicy?" Ann asked.
"N-no. It's not that. It's just yummy." She sniffed with a smile on her face.
"Thank goodness." Ren sighed in relief.
"I would've had words if he made you cry." Ann 'threatened' him with that.
Ren's eyes flicked between the girls, realising what that could have meant... and gulped softly
"Hmm, seconds please!" Ryuji, Yusuke and Futaba showed empty bowls.
"No problem." He answered, getting the bowls and refilling them. His voice having a small, momentary, squeak of fear
'This feels right.' Morgana thought to himself as he rested on a step of the stairs, seeing and hearing the Phantom Thieves being together once again.
"So, when should we send the card?" Haru asked.
"After I've designed it. But not before we've written the message." Yusuke informed.
"Oh, I see." Haru answered. "Then, would it be rude of me to ask?"
"Yes, you can be the one to write the message to your father." Morgana answered. "It should come from you, but be labelled 'from the Phantom Thieves'."
"I understand." She nodded and saw her empty bowl. "... May I have seconds?"
"Of course you can. I've done plenty." Ren chuckled.
*Time SKip*
It had been hours since Haru returned to her home. She had not seen her father yet, but she had to steel herself. She had to find somewhere where her father would find the Calling Card. But she couldn't let him find out that it her who sent it. 'Alright, here.' She thought as she slipped the Calling Card into his mail, that was probably the best location where she could put it.
She walked away from the card, heading to the staircase to distance herself from it, keeping herself 'out' of what would happen. Her father came in through the door and looked at the pile of letters. "Hmm, nothing much for today." He muttered to himself. Haru could feel her heart in her chest beating, hoping that her presence wouldn't be noted. Being sneaky was a little difficult for her.
"Mail. Junk. What's this?" He asked himself as he saw the calling card.
"Sir Kunizaki Okumura, the great profiteering sinner of Greed.
Your success and global fame exists due to the tyranny you rain over your employees.
Thus, we have decided to make you confess all your crimes with your own mouth.
From the Phantom Thieves"
"Hmph" He huffed to himself as he read through the page again, multiple times. He shook his head as he tossed the card away. "I must deal with this before it becomes a problem." He pulled out his phone and contacted someone. "I've received a calling card from the Phantom Thieves. I need you to send it over to the police."
Haru's eyes widened as she heard that, realising that time was now of the essence.
"Don't make me repeat myself, send it over to the police!" He ordered. "That's an order! These scoundrels have threatened me. Aren't the police supposed to side with law-abiding citizens?"
In a flash, Haru could see it, her Father's Shadow.
"I will not fail!" He growled.
Flashing back, Haru took a deep breath as she resolved her fear and determination.
"This matter is urgent. Take care of it, at once!" He finished up, ending the call.
'I need to call everyone about this.' Haru thought, getting the word out to her friends.
*Time Skip*
It was a couple of hours later, Haru had arrived at LeBlanc and ready to get this mission started. She was going to ave her father from himself. "Wait, he figured out it wasn't a prank and did that?!" Ryuji asked in panic. "Calling the police on us?"
"This is different than the norm. And he has some nerve, delivering the card to the police." Yusuke added.
"Either he's certain his heart won't be changed. Or he's been colluding with the police from the beginning." Makoto answered.
"I think that might be the case." Haru admitted.
"Whoa! Look at these comments! They're coming in red hot!" Futaba checked the Phan Site.
"'Take him down, Phantom Thieves.'" Haru spoke as she looked at the messages, reading one aloud. "'I don't care what the Phantom Thieves do, as long as they show up.'"
"'Just do it quick, lol'. That one's kinda scummy." Shiho admitted.
"They're just saying whatever they want." Morgana frowned. "At this point, all they want to see are people in power beg for forgiveness."
"Damn it! This isn't a game!" Ann growled.
"The means and the ends have been reversed. We're being used as a source of entertainment." Yusuke pondered.
"Exactly. And as it was a private card left in his home, someone in the police leaked that we are after him. That is concerning." Makoto frowned "But also... why leak such info? Something about this... it doesn't seem right."
"But we gotta do this! We can't just drop everything now! We already sent the card!" Ryuji added.
"Considering the existence of the palace and his distorted desires." Yusuke continued to ponder. "In a sense, the earlier we pull the root, the better."
"And given the issue about Haru's 'fiance', we don't have a choice in the matter." Makoto agreed.
"And if we don't, everything we've been doing until now will be for nothing." Ryuji admitted.
"I hate to admit it, but Ryuji's right." Shiho answered.
"I believe that's right too. I saw no remorse in my father's words." Haru agreed.
"Despite these comments, it's the right thing to do." Morgana answered. "Okumura might know about the one behind the mental collapses. We can't leave this be."
"We most definitely can't." Ren nodded.
"He's gotta be hiding something. Something big." Futaba answered.
"Then we've got one goal. Save my father and change his heart." Haru added, taking a deep breath and pulled her phone out to teleport to the Metaverse.
FLASH!
The group had arrived back at Mr Okumura's Palace. Their goal was set. And with no hesitation they *would* steal his heart.
"You ready for this?" Joker asked Noir.
"I have to be." She answered back with a small nod of confirmation "But are we still rested enough for this?"
"We've got this." Skull stretched his limbs. "Besides, Joker's curry is the best cure for exhaustion."
"I'm not sure about that." Mona joked.
"Bite your tongue, Mona. It's just what we need to get ourselves motivated." Fox answered.
"We're addicted to curry, aren't we?" Panther deadpanned.
"And that's a bad thing?" Oracle responded.
"Guys, can we focus?" Dove asked.
"Right, yes. Sorry." Haru apologised.
'Now, what was Okumura's Shadow weak to?' Joker thought to himself as they were ready to dive head first into the palace. 'Hmm... What happened back then? I remember a lot of... chaos. A tough fight... the self destruct...'
"Hey, Joker. Are you okay?" Skull asked.
"Yeah, I'm good. Just thinking how we can take down Mammon." Joker answered, letting slip the other name for Okumura's shadow.
''Mammon'?' Oracle caught that and didn't say anything.
"You think this'll be a dangerous endeavour?" Fox asked.
"No doubt." Joker answered.
"Then we should hurry, I doubt that Mr Okumura will wait up for us to change his heart." Queen answered.
"Let's go." Dove pointed forwards.
The group pushed forwards, looking around the Palace as they were getting close to the Treasure Room. But also having to deal with Okumura's Shadow. They rushed forward, keeping out of the light while Joker used some tools to lower the intensity of their presence. Not erasing it since the Palace was still on high alert, but it gave them some breathing room.
"Over here, this way." Panther spoke as they soon arrived at the Treasure Room. Floating in the air was the treasure. A cybernetic sphere with glowing circuitry and core.
"There it is, the treasure!" Mona called out, before alarms sounded.
"What? Did we get caught?" Dove asked.
"Emergency launch sequence will soon be activated. Certain areas maybe shut off or destroyed." A robotic voice spoke through speakers.
"'Emergency' WHAT?!" Skull shouted.
"I repeat, emergency launch sequence will soon be activated. All personnel is advised to evacuate immediately to a safe area of the facility."
The treasure shot upwards into the ceiling, being encapsulated by a mechanical device and then began to power a machine.
"What the world?" Mona called out in shock.
"There is no time to deal with you thieves. I must be making my exit." Shadow Okumura's voice spoke through a speaker system. "You can all watch in despair as you go down with this base! Your destruction is imminent!" Before laughing darkly as he thought he had won and the treasure left the area.
"Over here! This way!" Oracle pointed as a countdown began.
10:00
09:59
09:58
'Shit, shit shit!' Joker thought angrily as they ran. 'This countdown!'
They had to run, using the platforms and rigging to get where they needed.
"Door!" Noir called out as she ran ahead and opened it.
"Good work!" Joker called out.
05:41
05:40
05:39
They had to go through a corridor as trash-can sentry robots hovered around the area.
"What do we do?" Fox asked.
"Dodge'em!" Joker answered, his eyes flashing a little as he was determined to get to the UFO that Shadow Okumura would be at.
"Intruders! Intruders! Intru-!"
STOMP!
Joker leapt into the air and landed on its head, breaking its camera in the process as they escaped.
"Was that necessary?" Panther asked.
"... Yes." He answered.
03:02
03:01
03:00
"We're running out of time!" Noir panicked.
"Over there!" Oracle panted, she still wasn't used to the intense running, as she pointed to a transporting platform.
BEEP!
Joker slammed his hand on the platform and pushed a big button to send the group to the UFO platform.
They had made it with minutes to spare but panted on the way.
"That. Sucked!" Panther panted.
"Sorry. Couldn't risk getting distracted." Joker apologised. The treasure was unlatched from the capture system and attached to the underside of the UFO, locked in place and began to power up the systems for liftoff.
"Hey, wait up!" Skull called out.
"Okumura! We're taking that treasure!" Joker called out, wanting this Palace to be over.
"There!" Oracle pointed as Shadow Okumura was walking to a platform staircase.
"Looks like we caught up, Mr CEO." Dove spoke.
"I." Shadow Okumura looked at them and sweated in fear. And immediately dropped to his knees, begging to them. "I-I'm sorry! I've had a change of heart! I'll prove it!"
"Father." Noir whispered.
"Haru, you were always so agreeable. Whether it was in school or after, you only ever did as I asked. You've become so admirable." Shadow Okumura continued.
"What's gotten into him?" Queen asked.
"Ah, yes. Do you remember, Haru? You cried your eyes out when my work kept me from attending your first sports day." He reminisced softly, looking up whimsically "It was then you stopped talking back to me. Honestly, you had me worried." The yellow lights of the area slowly flashed as Shadow Okumura continued to speak. "Still... you stood up against me and became an independent young woman. Nothing could make a father happier than seeing that." He looked at Noir.
"You still remember something that happened so long ago?" Noir asked. "Back then, you poured your heart into making delicious food. You wanted to bring joy to others. Why did you change?"
'Noir.' The Phantom Thieves thought.
"F-Forgive me, Haru. But I would never last if my Treasure was stolen! Please, don't do it. I'm begging you." He put his head to the ground, despite the glass bowl of his helmet touching the ground.
Noir walked forward, her eyes on her father as she had Mona by her side, with the other Phantom Thieves behind them. "Father, let's. Let's end it here."
"Ah. Haru." He looked up at her, with pity... before smiling. "You foolish girl."
Click!
A blue barrier circled the Phantom Thieves except for Noir and Mona nd trapped them. The field forming faster than they had a chance to realise
"What?" Noir panicked.
"Hey! What's going-GYAH!" Fox called out, touching the barrier and zapped back.
"Fox!" Skull caught him.
"'Overcome failure at any cost, even if it means betraying others.'. That is our family motto!" Shadow Okumura smiled as he stood up holding a remote control in his hand. "The cold reality of kicking people down is part of business! Virtues and sentiments are for losers!" He proclaimed.
"Bastard." Joker growled as he punched the barrier for a moment
"What happiness can be found in acting with justice but losing the battle?" The Shadow questioned, continuing his mad ramblings
Noir snapped at him, stomping her foot. "What happiness can be found through profit gained by crushing the hearts of others?"
"Better that than fail! I'd much rather destroy others than wallow in the misery of debt!" He batted back. "Regardless, I shall soon set sail into the Political Realm. To the upper echelons of the world! To Utopia! My name will be etched into the annals of history!" He began to rattle off some immortality seeker's basic spiel for recognition. "Make your decision, Haru. If you cast them away, I'll let you join me on my ship."
Noir frowned as she heard this. Her father... truly believed what he was doing. The horror filling her eyes as she began to weakly shake her head in disbelif
"Stay and you'll be incinerated along with the rest of this entire base. Now then; what do you choose?" He ordered, to which she turned her back on him. "You fool."
Noir had suddenly turned around without thinking, her head lowered, as she began to walk away. Noir walked towards her friends and looked at them with sad eyes.
"Noir!" Queen called out.
Behind her, Noir saw her father pull out a laser gun on her and Mona. "What about you there?" He questioned Mona. "Don't you want to get out of here alive? Want to board my ship? You're fighting against the others, are you not?"
Mona huffed as he heard that. "So you were spying on us."
"You'll gain nothing by staying with them. That's what you believe, isn't it?" He questioned. The shadow's face twisted into a crule grin as he spoke, his voice like a devil's temptation "You're absolutely right. Sell them out! Cut them off for your own personal gain!"
Skull heard that, feeling how he wanted to use the Phantom Thieves for popularity... and that stung deep.
"I'll even give you the switch once we take off." Shadow Okumura informed further with confidence. "Do we have a deal? I'll give you ten seconds. Time is money, after all."
"Heh. Ha, ha." Mona chuckled as he heard that. The cat, the being of humanities hope, throwing his head back as he let out a wild laugh... and then suddenly stopped, drawing his sword and pointing it at the eviL CEO "Don't take me for such a fool. Everything's 'gains' and 'losses' for you, isn't it? I pity you, Mr CEO." He looked at Haru and smiled gently. "You've lived with Haru for seventeen years and you still haven't realised? In this world, there are tons of things that money and fame can't buy! What point would there be in only saving myself?" He pointed and glared at Shadow Okumura. "Nobody could replace these guys, period!"
"Tch!" Shadow Okumura snarled.
"Know what that means? It means that your offer was a 'no-go' from the start!" Mona pulled out his catapult and fired it, shooting the remote and destroying the remote in his hand.
"GARGH!" He yelled as the remote was destroyed and the Phantom Thieves were freed. Sparks rushing from his control chair, which smashed against his hand softly
"Whoa, it hit! Way to go me!" Mona cheered for himself.
"Wowza! That was so cool, Mona!" Oracle scratched his head.
"Heh! Stole the show, man!" Skull praised him.
Joker glared as he stepped forward, ready to take Shadow Okumura down. As the Shadow backed off as he was surrounded.
"Father." Noir frowned.
"So much for negotiation." He glared. "Hmph! You rebels! There is time before launch. I will crush you all!" He proclaimed.
"What's he talking about?" Panther asked as Shadow Okumura sat in a large black floating chair
"You won't get out alive!" He roared out, his fist slamming onto some buttons.
"It's time you surrender, father!" Noir called out before the air turned cold... as a beeping filled the air
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Fool: Rank 10
Magician: Rank 10
Lovers: Rank 10
Chariot: Rank 10
Sun: Rank 10
Lust: Rank 10
Strength: Rank 9
Hierophant: Rank 8
Devil: Rank 8
Death: Rank 8
High Priestess: Rank 7
Emperor: Rank 7
Hanged-Man: Rank 7
Fortune: Rank 7
Temperance: Rank 6
World: Rank 6
Tower: Rank 6
Star: Rank 6
Hermit: Rank 6
Moon: Rank 6
Empress: Rank 6