2025-12-13: At the Altar
- Log: At the Altar
- Cast: Penguin Sniper, Ren Amamiya, Ichika Kawase, Tsubasa Seki, Ryuji Sakamoto, Yusuke Kitagawa, Makoto Niijima, Ririka Kawase, Hibari Aoki, Hyousuke Suzuki, Masao Inaba, Hitomi Mandai, Tamaki Uchida, Shinobu Shimizu, Julian Marlowe, Umie Akabane, Haru Okumura, Katsuya Suou, Goro Akechi
- Where: Eiji Kamiya's Palace, Iwatodai City
- OOC Date: December 13, 2025
- IC Date: August 25, 2012
- Summary: The Phantom Thieves have sent their Calling Card to Eiji Kamiya, Ichika Kawase's ex-fiancé and abuser, announcing to the world their intent to steal his desires and change his heart. Many have rushed to his Palace to aid them or for their own ends... but will it truly be a simple matter?
- TW: Rape, Sexual Assault, Murder, Human Trafficking, Dead Naming, Transphobia.
<Pose Tracker> Penguin Sniper has posed.
At the top of the wedding venue, is the heart of the Palace, only accessible to Eiji's family and most inner circle. Or- thieves and invaders that have managed to get this far. Push open the heavy wooden doors and you'll see the angular beams and rafters above mark the high ceiling of this Western chapel, dark black velvet petals of the Kuroyuri drifting down gently like cherry blossoms. A red carpet extends from the entrance to the altar, and behind it are curtains saturated in reflective sequins.
One shouldn't be fooled to think this chapel is Christian however. The iconography on the altar is all wrong. Carved upon it is a disturbing tableau of unclad women being pulled along by beasts. Up high is a single circular pane of red and violet stained glass that drenches the place in the imagery of a smaller hand being forcefully grasped by a larger one, as another holds a ring to place it upon the more feminine hand's finger.
There's flashing ahead, neon signs with the Calligraphy for 'Kamiya' with the characters for 'God' and 'Family' and 'Eiji' with the characters for 'Eternity' and 'Kindness' that light up on either side in sequence with a gaudy display of something straight out of Vegas, while atop the altar is all the Goshugi - pile upon pile of envelopes, gold coins, and jewelry, gifts to the bride and groom.
The Groom's Side of the chapel is filled with pews, currently empty of guests- the Bride's side has no seating at all. Instead having more tables devoted to the Goshugi given unto them both for the coming nuptials. More disturbing, some of the gifts aren't money, but items that would be useful when bringing a newborn child into the world.
And floating above the altar, is an enormous ring, with an even larger purple diamond, too large to fit any person's finger. The Treasure, pregnant with distorted desire. Irresistible to a certain someone- almost like catnip.
If they were actually a cat that is.
OOC Note: Please hold poses for the Phantoms. I'll pose again after. That pose will specify the point where everyone else can come in. Please be sure to heal to full before that point and be in the bucket, as there will be attacks!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Mona's NOT a cat though! He is a human, with a very human obsession with Treasure!
So obviously it's irresistible like silvervine, emphasis on "silver." Very different from catnip!!!
"Myahaaaa~! Treasure, Treasure!" he sing-songs, launching himself directly at the enormous diamond ring, latching on to one side of it, and swinging and spinning around until both of them fall to the altar and Goshugi below, still laughing and cheek-rubbing the Treasure giddily.
"...This is normal for him," Joker explains to Ogre and Phoenix. "Don't mind it too much." They, at least, remain stoic; they pulled a brief, disgusted face at the Goshugi a moment ago, but have reasserted their calm neutrality. "We should assume Kamiya's Shadow, or other Persona Users, or both, will try to block the way out, so let's get out of here right away. Mona?" ... "Mona." ... "Mona!"
"Gah! R-right!" the cartoonish bandit cat yelps, blue eyes snapping wide. "Trans...form!!"
In a puff of smoke, he transforms into a small truck. There's plenty of space in the back to load up the giant ring, though it'll be a tight squeeze for everyone else--some of them will have to ride on top. Joker will keep an eye out to make sure everyone's on board one way or another, and entrust keeping an eye out for any enemies to their friends. Once they're all loaded up and Joker's at the wheel, though...
They'll hit the gas pedal and spin the wheel for the exit regardless of anything that might be in the way. Joker doesn't believe that it'll be an easy getaway, but it's not showtime just yet, either.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ogre looks with distaste upon the iconography at play, until she sees the stained glass that hardens her expression. "Ugh," she says. "I'm so tired of this asshole."
It's a bit of bravado, but it's also true. Soon, she'll be done with him for good. Right? That's what this is for. For her, and fo all the people he's hurt...
She looks to Phoenix for a moment, and then back to the chapel. No room on the Bride's side...
She spits on the ground. "I remember how he was about Toshiaki. And this is how he really felt?"
But the Treasure...
Mona gets weird about it, and Ogre looks, baffled, to Joker. Joker explains it though. Kind of. "...Normal," Ogre repeats. "Well, OK."
"Right," Ogre says. "We probably have some backup coming if it comes to that..."
But while it's a tight squeeze, they can all get in. She stays in front, this time. She wants to see this place and know it's for the last time, on the way out.
Onward!
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
So, which one is Phoenix? They battered down Eiji's front door, so they're certainly an invader, but the person under that mask is undeniably a thief, even leaving aside how they're a Phantom Thief now...
Plus, they're wearing the vestiges of a bird alongside those ninja robes, and everyone knows birds are evil.
Those women claimed by beasts turn Phoenix's blue lips to a sneer, as they look over the decorations here -- the women dragged forth by beasts. 'God', 'Family', 'Eternity', 'Kindness'...
Phoenix reflects, for a moment, on the bird escaping through the border-pass, and then turns their attention back to the chapel. To the groom, allowed to have guests -- the bride, given none. ... the crib, fashioned with jail bars.
"Hey," they say, quietly, reaching over to squeeze Ogre's hand for a minute. "He's a piece a shit. Yeah?"
And Mona, going nuts over that sick treasure...
"Dude, you're gonna catch somethin' if you glomp on that creepy shit," Phoenix warns him, with a sceptical expression somehow carried through their mask. They share that scepticism with Skull, their teeth grit and lips slightly part as they meet his eyes, as if to ask: '????'
And then, again, when Mona turns into a car, jumping backwards as their arms jerk up. "What the hell?!" They actually vocalise that, this time. A moment later: "... damn, that's cool."
They help load that horrible ring up into the back of -- Mona??? -- and then move to cram themself into the back of -- MONA????? -- kind of crammed against the wall by that horrible gross diamond.
"Ugh, I hate this guy," they grumble, planting a hand against the precious gem to try and get some breathing room.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Skull is a little better than usual in this Palace. He is mostly remaining strong for Ichika and Tsubasa, regarding every sight and surface as if it had a layer of slime.
He fights the urge to smash the revolting stained glass just squinting as he passes it. Instead, he just taps his pipe a little more rapidly against his shoulder to cope.
The sight of the treasure is somewhat exciting to Skull as it means this place was closer to donezo. No more nightmare sleaziness! Plus she'd be happy so...Ryuji smiles a little at the thought.
But for now, Skull needed to focus up and get the job done. Which is about when he perceives Mona hugging onto the treasure, exchanging a look with Phoenix. "Come on, man...this isn't a good look."
Once that is helped with, Skull helps haul out the treasure and gets it to where it needs to go.
Once everything was loaded up, he gives Ichika a reassuring thumbs up before he goes back to scoping the area out for Eiji's stupid shadow. Knowing how these things went, it would be here sooner or later.
AS: Makoto Niijima has joined Penguin Sniper's bucket! 16 out of 25 slots filled!
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
"My word," Fox remarks, dryly. "Tasteless, chauvinistic, and insulting all at once - a crude pastiche of Hieronymous Bosch filtered through a Seagram Mural with all the depth and complexity of a crayon scrawl. Allusions to the Old Masters and modern greats, rendered base and obscene." He looks up at the neon kanji, clicking his tongue in disapproval. "A twisted, shameless ego indeed."
Ogre spits, and Fox would not do anything so graceless personally, but he agrees with the sentiment. "At least when we're done here all this will crumble into nothing."
Mona and Joker begin the crucial task of retrieving the treasure, and Fox puts himself on watch for any signs of Shadow - or, as the Phantoms' leader reminds them, other Persona users - as his rifle appears in his hands. "The coast appears clear, Joker."
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
This farce of a wedding ceremony is a disgusting enough site, without already knowing what lies in the back rooms and the groom's suite. Even here, at the altar, the bride is a prop and her family profit, and the child a prisoner.
Of course that's where the Treasure is.
"Mona says it's because humans have a strong cognition of cats turnings into vehicles," Queen explains to Phoenix and Ogre, while Skull and Phoenix manhandle the giant ring into the back of the Monabus. It's maybe not as space consuming as the gold bars from Kaneshiro's palace, but it's going to be awkward fitting folks in. Someone on the roof has often been an option, if someone wants to be taking the exciting and dangerous route. Queen gives one last sweep of the area, making sure no shadows come out of the woodwork.
"Will your backup know that we're on their side, Ogre?" It's a reasonable concern, given the nature of the will of rebellion, but that's a problem for... probably like thirty seconds from now.
"Alright, everyone in, let's get moving." Queen calls, moving to slip into the front row of the three seats. Usually Joker can handle the driving, but, well. Queen likes to be in position to take over in case they need to do something stupid.
(Also unlike *most* phantom thieves, Queen actually has her license!!)
<Pose Tracker> Penguin Sniper has posed.
The art critic in the room certainly isn't wrong. Everyone would be better off if this place crumbled to dust.
The curtains behind the altar flutter, as a man in a tuxedo of crimson and gold covered in sequins barrels out, bellowing in outrage. He grasps hold of Monabus right as Joker hits the gas, and with one mighty heave, flips Mona on his side, the trunk popping open from the force of impact.
Blood of Villain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOFiO3a0_oo
Fortunately, Mona probably transforms back relatively quickly, freeing them from the predicament of getting out in this state.
This is the view everyone else sees as they enter the room, Eiji Kamiya, the Ruler of this Palace reaching for an engagement ring the size of a Hula Hoop, with an enormous purple diamond upon it.
"You brazen insects. You thought you could crash my wedding and steal my desire?"
Roughly grabbing the treasure back, he holds it over his head while he looks straight at Ogre with an expression of smug triumph.
"You brought it right to me!"
Desire is attractive, potent. It draws people to you, unites them under your banner, your ambition. More so for Shadows than anyone else.
Shadows swarm and surge to him, amassing to become one with him, a union within his desire. And in a sudden explosion of power, they summon unto them a great Archetype.
What one may notice first are the wings surrounding him, each feather shaped like a repulsive like so many enormous feather sized diamonds. They unfurl slowly as he stands, in a flashy tuxedo of crimson and gold, gemstones speckling it like gaudy sequins.
A corsage of Kuroyuri flowers is pinned to his right lapel and his now feline head is spotted like a leopard's, even if his fur is a deep royal purple. On each hand, the finger sports a multitude of gleaming promise rings that each look similar to a brass knuckle, like a bludgeon, save for the fourth finger on his right clawed hand. An enormous wedding band, with a purple diamond bigger than most of their heads.
And he laughs, laughs flush with his newfound power, his terrible desire. Euphoric in this moment of transcendence.
"Ahaha-AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Eiji Sitri Kamiya
As he ceases laughing his cat's eyes become slits as they focus on Ogre, "This is our WEDDING DAY and you come here dressed like that, as some PHANTOM THIEF? You've truly fallen so far without me to decide things for you"
He raises his right, taloned hand, as the diamond on his fourth finger gleams with the light of his treasure- his desire.
Ring Of Eternal Bondage
The Treasure has become a gleaming symbol of their past relationship, emblematic of his desire for family. Desire for a wife that will give everything unto her husband.
This won't end, not while this Treasure Exists. Her entire life will remain smothered beneath the weight of this lascivious distortion, a need to make her submit, to dominate her - to take away
Shadows begin to appear on the Groom's side of the chapel, so many of them, as well as cognitions of Eiji's friends, and family. There's a leering Hajime leading a group of groomsmen. While so many of the Wedding Guests begin to bleed ichor as they burst into demonic figures and turn towards the 'Wedding Crashers'.
<Pose Tracker> Penguin Sniper has posed.
And as this all occurs, a more demure presence steps out from behind the other curtain to stand a small distance behind the monstrous Ruler. Cognitive Ichika Kawase, visibly quite pregnant, in contrast to his gaudy Western Tuxedo, she's wearing an over the shoulder white wedding dress with a long train, sleeves encircling her upper arms, with a neckline to emphasize how large her bosom is given her current pregnancy. Her hands clasp together as if fretting over this moment.
Submissive Bride
"Be careful..." She murmurs instead, eyes distant, abstracted, as the Ruler remonstrates her in a domineering tone, "Just be silent and do your duty - you counterfeit, while I deal with this."
She shrinks back a step, at his degradation, his accusation of being a counterfeit compared to the real thing. It's unusual in a sense. Different from Kamoshida, where a Cognition of Ann was more than enough for him. while he focuses back upon Ogre, and there's something like a sigh, like men often do when they're speaking of 'women' and their foolishness.
"I kindly allowed you so much time away... to grieve and come to terms with your guilt from killing our daughter. It was your fault for provoking me so... had you only been carrying a son for me instead, I would have been so much gentler, so much kinder in the face of your cruelty. But now I see my patience - my kindness. It was truly wasted upon you, since you allowed yourself to be so easily misled into this rebellion."
Raising his ring aloft into the air, there's a sudden sparkle of unholy light and an aura of 'untouchability' that extends from him to the Submissive Bride to fulfill his role as protector.
"I'm taking you back. I'm taking you back and I'll never let you go again! I'll mold you into something truly wonderful - something that will offer EVERYTHING that you are to the family you'll bear for me. You see, the wonderful thing about children, my love, is that once I've dealt with these miscreants." His grin spreads, with an (ab)normal amount of teeth, "We can always. Make. More."
Blooming Villain (Strikers Ver.) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jERcvK8Sb90
And the colossal Ruler raises his hand and begins to smash it repeatedly, brutally to the floor of the Palace, cracking it with tremendous force, sending out battering shock wave after shock wave.
"ALLOW ME TO REMIND YOU OF WHERE YOU REALLY BELONG!"
His wings flare in the unholy light of the room, each gem sparkling, as he flaps them twice, lifting off before diving right towards Phoenix. "You think I don't see you there!? TSUBAKI!" Drawing his arm back, he tries to brutally back-hand Phoenix into a row of pews. "This is YOUR FAULT! Putting all sorts of ideas in my bride-to-be's head!"
Landing, his Shadow looms over them, "I'll make sure this time, once I'm finished with you, that the only place left for you is a Carnival FREAK SHOW!"
IC Note: Eiji Sitri Kamiya and Ring of Eternal Bondage are both valid targets you should specify in your pose if you're attacking. Attacks to either will be fielded by the Eiji/Penguin Sniper bit. Actions taken upon Submissive Bride will be fielded by the Junes bit. The 'Shadows' in the room are for off camera fights with any alts people desire to be here, and will not be featured. Everyone has 45 minutes to pose their character's entrance and involvement in the fight at this point.
Due to coming csys updates, Recarm will be treated as a revive tonight. Any PC downed who has anything from the Recarm line cast upon them will be revived with 15% health, even if it has different flags. If your character would feasibly have it- then we're willing to discuss you subbing in 'Help Up' for tonight only. Just please ask first.
OOC Note: Please note, as per the Will of Rebellion's protection as outlined on the Resonance section of the wiki, it does not matter if you have close intimate knowledge of Ichika Kawase and her situation. Your psyche will not be able to connect Ichika Kawase to Ogre, no matter what, unless she's previously directly told you her identity prior to this scene. Furthermore, any incongruence such as Eiji calling her Ichika will not stick out as something to investigate. It will be seen as your mind believing it's another different Ichika unconnected to Ichika Kawase or hearing 'Ogre' instead. Please respect this.
AS: Penguin Sniper has readied for combat as Eiji Sitri Kamiya! They are now fully healed! Ready for 16 opponents! AS: Junes has readied for combat as Submissive Bride! She is now fully healed! Ready for 2 opponents! AS: Persona! Junes has used the Almighty skill Dance of Protection on Penguin Sniper! AS: Support: Junes gains 1 Limit! AS: Junes's turn has ended. AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 0 Almighty damage from Junes's Dance of Protection. AS: Def_Up and Spd_Up added! AS: Penguin Sniper has readied for combat with Eiji Sitri Kamiya! They are adjusted! Ready for 17 opponents! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill The Second Submission on Ren Amamiya, Ririka Kawase, Yusuke Kitagawa, and Umie Akabane! 3 Hits! AS: Aggression: Penguin Sniper gains 1 Limit! AS: You still have 16 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill The Second Submission on Julian Marlowe, Hibari Aoki, Hitomi Mandai, and Hyousuke Suzuki! 3 Hits! AS: You still have 15 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill The Second Submission on Katsuya Suou, Makoto Niijima, Shinobu Shimizu, and Tamaki Uchida! 3 Hits! AS: You still have 14 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill The Second Submission on Ryuji Sakamoto, Masao Inaba, Hibari Aoki, and Tsubasa Seki! 3 Hits! AS: You still have 13 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill The Second Submission on Ichika Kawase! 3 Hits! AS: You still have 12 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Block Best! Tamaki Uchida takes 51 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Block Worst! Tamaki Uchida takes 66 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Block Neutral! Tamaki Uchida takes 31 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Recovery skill Untouchable on Penguin Sniper and Junes! AS: You still have 11 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: You can't attack while you have an attack in your queue. AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 0 Recovery healing from Penguin Sniper's Untouchable. AS: Eclipse added! AS: Take! Junes takes 0 Recovery healing from Penguin Sniper's Untouchable. AS: Eclipse added! AS: Counter Best! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 61 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 35 Strike damage in return for their attack! Resist! AS: Block Neutral! Ichika Kawase takes 31 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Block Worst! Ichika Kawase takes 65 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Block Worst! Ichika Kawase takes 35 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Avoid Neutral! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 60 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Neutral! Umie Akabane takes 60 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Counter Best! Tsubasa Seki takes 41 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 54 Slash damage in return for their attack! AS: Counter Worst! Tsubasa Seki takes 57 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 38 Slash damage in return for their attack! AS: Counter Worst! Tsubasa Seki takes 29 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Resist! AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 20 Slash damage in return for their attack! AS: Avoid Neutral! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 60 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Counter Worst! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 76 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 19 Strike damage in return for their attack! Resist! AS: Avoid Neutral! Umie Akabane takes 60 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Disciplinary Backhand on Tsubasa Seki! AS: You still have 10 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Counter Worst! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 40 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 10 Strike damage in return for their attack! Resist! AS: Block Neutral! Katsuya Suou takes 28 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Avoid Neutral! Shinobu Shimizu takes 62 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Best! Shinobu Shimizu takes 24 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Avoid Best! Shinobu Shimizu takes 24 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Avoid Neutral! Umie Akabane takes 31 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Block Best! Katsuya Suou takes 25 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Block Worst! Hibari Aoki takes 66 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Block Best! Hibari Aoki takes 28 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Block Best! Hibari Aoki takes 51 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Worst! Ren Amamiya takes 32 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Block Best! Katsuya Suou takes 50 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 39 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Worst! Ren Amamiya takes 32 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Block Worst! Hitomi Mandai takes 68 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Block Worst! Hitomi Mandai takes 40 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Penguin Sniper's turn has ended. AS: Block Best! Hitomi Mandai takes 31 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Block Worst! Ririka Kawase takes 66 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Block Best! Ririka Kawase takes 27 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Block Neutral! Ririka Kawase takes 31 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Block Best! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 20 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Block Strike! AS: Block Best! Julian Marlowe takes 48 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Block Worst! Julian Marlowe takes 31 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Block Worst! Makoto Niijima takes 69 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Block Best! Makoto Niijima takes 28 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Block Neutral! Julian Marlowe takes 55 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Block Worst! Makoto Niijima takes 69 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Block Neutral! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 38 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: Block Neutral! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 18 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Resist! AS: Block Best! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 15 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Resist! AS: Block Best! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 39 ??? damage from #-1 NO SUCH OBJECT VISIBLE's . AS: Block Neutral! Masao Inaba takes 60 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. Critical Hit! AS: Block Worst! Masao Inaba takes 36 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: Counter Neutral! Masao Inaba takes 38 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's The Second Submission. AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 16 Strike damage in return for their attack! Resist!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"I-it's not like I'm into this Treasure in particular! I'm like this with all Treasures!" Mona protests to Skull, tail frizzing. As a defense, it's pretty weak... That must be what Joker meant, though.
Joker nods to Fox when he gives the all clear (and also smirks at his scathing critique); everyone piles into the Monabus. They begin to drive forward, and--!
Someone grabs the rear bumper and yanks. Mona SCREECHES, caught by surprise, and POOFs back into a regular cat, sending everyone inside sprawling. Shadow Eiji snatches the gaudy, hula hoop-sized ring out of the air and transforms into a much more demonic form to wear it along with several other rings, and Joker comes up from a three-point landing with a low 'tch.'
Their masked eyes turn to Cognitive Ichika when she steps forward--but to their mute surprise, Shadow Eiji calls her the counterfeit and tells the real Ichika he wants her. That sure wasn't the case with Shadow Kamoshida, who saw his cognition of Ann, the one who dressed and behaved the way he wanted her to, to be the 'real' one. Does the fact that Shadow Eiji acknowledges Ogre as the true Ichika Kawase mean...
...dominating her is part of his desire?
This really is beyond distorted. Joker summons their rainbow-edged dagger with a flick of the wrist as the pews burst with Shadows and Cognitions, and Shadow Eiji makes a barrier for himself and Cognitive Ichika. "This is going to be a tough fight. Mona, Panther, Noir, you three deal with the enemies in the pews. The rest of us will take care of Kamiya's Shadow and his... support."
"Got it! We'll protect your backs!" Mona declares, flipping back up onto his feet with his scimitar in hand. He'll lead the charge into an off-screen fight until the others have reclaimed the Treasure.
That's the most important thing right now, after all. Without the Treasure, they can't steal Eiji Kamiya's heart. Shadow Eiji says a whole lot of shit to Ogre and Phoenix both. Joker fixes him with a look of contempt. "We've already heard all that nonsense. Shut up and fight," they state, cold as the Arctic.
They're REALLY over other people's bullshit right now. Thanks, Akechi.
Joker gets their wish, too: Shadow Eiji pounds the floor, creating an earthquake of shockwaves to smash out towards them and their friends. It's a hell of an attack, and once Joker can only ride out until it's over; when it's done, they're heaving with effort from the dizzying pain they're left with. Even so, they look around at their companions.
"Showtime, everyone. We're taking his heart!" they declare, projecting their deep voice into a boom. Rising to their feet, Joker's gloved hand rises to their face as their mask blazes blue. "Arsène!!" they call as their other half arises, flapping dark wings and spreading clawed hands as they grin red-luminescent on a dark paneled face. With a twirl of their wrist, green-yellow light glitters around Eiji Sitri, potentially sapping him of speed and accuracy.
AS: Persona! Ren Amamiya has used the Almighty skill Sukunda on Penguin Sniper! AS: Ruin: Ren Amamiya gains 1 Limit! AS: Ren Amamiya's turn has ended. AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 0 Almighty damage from Ren Amamiya's Sukunda. AS: Spd_Up removed!
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Skull's reassuance goes a long way for Ogre. He gives her a thumbs-up, and Ogre gives him a V-sign. She really is doing better than she was before the other day, at least--able to stand strong in here despite the awfulness. And Phoenix squeezes her hand, prompting a nod from the taller Thief. "Yeah. He is."
But Queen has a good question. "Yeah," she says. "They should--they'll recognize me, if nothing else."
But Ogre falls with the others, tumbling to a stop when Mona changes form and hitting a bench hard. "Ugh-"
Shadow Eiji looks straight at her--and Ogre narrows her eyes, her mask's long horns glinting in the light of the Shadows' explosion.
"Back then," Ogre says, "All I could do is bust up a few Shadows and run away. ...That's what I was doing, for so long. Running away. Through boys, through thinking about anything else at all..."
"Anything, to get rid of the stain you left on me." She throws out her hand to the side, staring at the terrible monster before her, the shuddering power that suffuses him fluttering her long hair behind her back. And then, he stops laughing. Their wedding day...
"Fallen my ass! I'm MINE! Nobody else's! And I'll never be held back again!"
But that's when she sees Cognitive Ichika again. She says 'be careful', and he snaps at her. He calls her a counterfeit. "Asshole," Ogre says. "You made her, you can damned well take RESPONSIBILITY!"
Before, talk of their daughter enraged Ogre beyond reason. Now, she narrows her eyes as she stares at him. "...That's it," she says. "You're not molding me into anything. You're not touching one more woman like that! I'LL CRUSH YOU!"
The Shadow smashes shock wave after shock wave into the floor, and is jostled and thrown back by the sheer force of his rage. One hits her especially hard--the critical hit sees her knocked back into another bench, which cracks on impact. "Ugh!"
"...What you fail to realize," Ogre says, "Is I've learned a few new tricks since back then."
"PERSONA!"
Momiji whirls into being in blue light and shattering glass, a beautiful oni in a maple-patterned kimono, with long horns and long hair. She laughs, cheerfully, as she raises her hands and healing sparkles dance over some of the Phantom Thieves.
"I couldn't save her," Ogre says. "But I can protect them!"
She hefts her shield before herself, and adopts a ready stance, shield-forward. "Right, Joker! I'm on it!"
AS: Persona! Ichika Kawase has used the Recovery skill Media on Yusuke Kitagawa, Makoto Niijima, Ryuji Sakamoto, and Tsubasa Seki! AS: Support: Ichika Kawase gains 1 Limit! AS: Ichika Kawase's turn has ended. AS: Take! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 86 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media. AS: Take! Makoto Niijima takes 86 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ichika had told Ririka she'd know when it was time to move.
She hadn't expected to wake up that morning to texts about the Calling Card for Eiji Kamiya.
And so she'd gotten moving as fast as she could. The first time she was here, her and her group had to beat a hasty exit. This time, though... well. There's no keeping a determined Navigator out.
BGM: It's Going Down Now (Piano arr.) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcap71UQkrE
Ririka bursts through the door, Evoker and katana in hand, her red eyes angry and determined.
She scans the room as she bursts in. That disturbing imagery, the hand forcing a ring on, no seating on the bride's side of the chapel...
She hardly knows which thing to let her rile up more.
No, she does know--it's that Submissive Bride, that fake image of her sister, one cowed by Eiji's domineering streak. "That asshole..." she mutters under her breath.
And the things Eiji says-- "Hey! Kamiya! You're some kinda sicko, you know that? My sister's doing a lot better without you, and I'm not letting you get your hands on her again!"
Shockwaves come, and she raises her katana, blocking some of the hits but one gets through her guard, knocking her back. "Guh..."
"Alright. Let's see what you're made of." She raises her Evoker to her head. Her hand trembles for a moment, but she grips it tighter and pulls the trigger.
Broken glass and blue flame form into the shape of a giant stone man holding a lyre, and Ririka points her Katana at Shadow Eiji. "Amphion! Analysis!"
Amphion places a large pair of headphones on Ririka's head before beginning to strum, sending soundwaves at the Shadow while Ririka listens to how they reflect back.
AS: Persona! Ririka Kawase has used the Almighty skill Full Analysis on Penguin Sniper! AS: Insight: Ririka Kawase gains 1 Limit! AS: Ririka Kawase's turn has ended. AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 0 Almighty damage from Ririka Kawase's Full Analysis. AS: Ririka Kawase's Strength Scan! Penguin Sniper resists Strike and Dark! AS: Ririka Kawase's Weakness Scan! Penguin Sniper is weak against Earth and Light! AS: Ririka Kawase's Support Scan! Penguin Sniper has passive skills Apt Pupil, Avoid Earth, Sharp Student, Strike Amp, Strike Boost, and Strike Riposte!
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
"You're real smart 'bout this art shit," Phoenix says, to Fox, complimentary. "Do me a solid an' explain that insult to me later, I wanna appreciate it right." They're more sceptical when Mona insists they're like this with all Treasures, though. "C'mon, man..." Restraint isn't that hard, according to Phoenix, the master of self-control. (Mostly.) Phoenix cocks their head, akin to their namesake, as Queen explains the meaning of the Catvan. "Like... that one picture a that cat loafin' on a railin' that everyone decided were a monorail?" It seems Monorail Cat has a far reach. They appreciate Skull's strength right about now, too, seeing his pipe increase in beats-per-minute like any decent song; given the things they've faced, here, their own strength is far from absolute. Still... they need to see this through. "... we good?" They call out to Skull, knowing he's keeping an eye on the altar in their escape.
They are not good.
"SHIT!" Phoenix yells, suddenly finding themself having to brace against the wall of Mona's -- Mona??? -- to avoid being thrown out of the van entirely. Mona transforming back into not-a-cat form at least dumps them on the ground a little more gently, and what everyone will see as they enter is Phoenix springing backwards to rejoin the Phantom Thieves, massive greatsword appearing in their hands.
They step up, beside Ogre, when Eiji declares that they brought his treasure right to him. "I'll die before you lay a hand on her, you SON OF A PRICK!" They yell, swiping a hand. He's got some real sick shit to say as he takes the stage -- those are too many fucking diamonds -- but...
They see the Shadows swarming in -- including Hajime, who Phoenix grunts, ugh, on seeing the cognition of their own abusive partner leering at them. It's better if they don't engage him. Cognitive Ichika sends an entirely different pit down into their stomach; they never met her, running through this hellscape. "Leave her alone!" They snap, to him, even though Cognitive Ichika isn't real -- but telling Eiji to leave the version of Ichika in his head alone isn't as dissociated from telling him to leave the real one alone as it might look.
He keeps talking, though, and Tsubasa's lips twist alongside their gut. "YOU SICK FUCK!" They yell, taking another bold step forward. "STEP OFFA OUR PARTNER, YOU PIECE A SHIT!"
('Our' has nothing to do with Eiji, here, and everything to do with Skull.)
Perhaps that's what gets Eiji noticing them. His wings flare, and Phoenix springs forward to charge him --
-- only to get slammed, midair, into the Groom's aisle. "That... ain't my name," they rasp out, coughing with the impact, as they plant one orange-gloved hand on the fine wood to shove themself up. "That ain't... MY NAME... YOU ASSHOLE! I'M THE FUCKIN' PHOENIX!!" With the yell they manage a second time, they get a knee up under them, to slice at him with that massive blade. (Though, satisfyingly, he may note a touch of fear to the anger twisting their lips, as he looms over them like that.) "Don't you fuckin' touch me again! An' don't put Ogre DOWN like that! The ideas she got are HER IDEAS, YOU FUCKASS! You -- you don't fuckin' scare me!" The way they understand what he's doing... well, they can have some sympathy for those people busting in with information-gathering Personas.
But there's a way their voice hitches on the word... he may very well scare them a little. Perhaps that's the only reasonable answer... to a man looming over them like this. Phoenix is at least able to slice their way out of his shadow, though, thanks to Ogre -- whose healing protection settles over them, as they spring back to her and the others. "You got me," they smile, to her, briefly. And then, to Joker, they call: "Right! Let's do this--!!"
AS: Counter Worst! Tsubasa Seki takes 63 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Disciplinary Backhand. Resist! AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 34 Slash damage in return for their attack! AS: Take! Tsubasa Seki takes 86 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media. AS: Weapon! Tsubasa Seki has used the Slash skill Greatsword Assault on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Aggression: Tsubasa Seki gains 1 Limit! AS: Tsubasa Seki regains 5 HP from Regenerate! AS: Tsubasa Seki's turn has ended.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Skull stops dead when Phoenix calls out to him, turning with a forced smile. "Just gonna be glad to see this...fucking nightmare behind us..." He knowingly meets eyes with them briefly before going back to his pipe work. It was good that his attempts at looking strong were working because he was a tightly wound bomb just waiting for Eiji's Shadow to show up.
THERE HE IS.
Ryuji is actually smiling as he strolls closer to the swarmy POS, tapping his pipe with a jaunty little rhythm. He lets him talk. They really did love to talk. "Wow...This is the first time I'm hearing your voice and I really hate it. Lot less important sounding than your fucking rep implies..."
Then he turns into a winged kitty cat and Ryuji is just pleased as punch. This guy was hilariously awful. Like a Cartoon. "Hey Garfield, step off of her. She's with -Us-." Giving a nod over to Tsubasa and then a grin at Ichika. He tilts his head back, holding it at crooked angle as he looks at Eiji's shadow again. "So--Mondays do suck but I'm gonna show you what sucks worse. I'm gonna LOOOOOOOVE kickin' your teeth in hehe--PERSONA!"
Captain Kidd manifests into reality, rocking with the waves of a nonexistent sea. The Skeleton opens its jaws, letting out a otherworldly smoke.
Skull chuckles and points toward Eiji's distorted form. "ZIO!"
<Pose Tracker> Hibari Aoki has posed.
Ichika says she has backup coming.
She is, of course, completely right.
Hibari Aoki, Ichika Kawase's friend and sometime gang member, had sworn to see this through ever since she'd first heard about Eiji - and what he'd done. Even before she knew that Ichika was Ogre. She'd done her best to interfere subtly: to sneak out papers and pass them to people who can deal with them, like Myunghon, and to delve the depths of Eiji's wickedness even as she became more and more unsettled.
But Hibari is, of course, just a rumourmonger. She doesn't get involved in things like this.
Fortunately, there is someone who is.
Mujina, the mysterious Persona-user; a figure in a long coat, belted around her waist, hanging open below that and accompanied by black leggings and high boots. The Phantom Thieves look like - well, thieves. She looks like a spy.
And she has a mask. It's not Fox's mask but it looks like it's of the same aesthetic: traditional Japanese, red and white. Except instead of a fox this is a broader shape, with stripes that go up from the cheeks and over the eyes in a wide arc, and wider, more triangular ears with red along the outside; it's a (very) stylized animal that is either a tanuki-ish badger or a badger-ish tanuki.
Mujina had thought she'd seen the worst of Eiji and his friends already. That was before she burst in on this - this - she couldn't even think of it as a wedding. Weddings are happy. This was disgusting in a way she struggled to put into words, backed up by an equally disgusting man -
- and, as she'd guessed privately to Ichika, a cognition. Though not the cognition she'd expected.
It being 'Ichika', and a pregnant Ichika at that, actually slows her down for a moment. It's a Cognition - it's not real - but it's still someone she is here to protect, not someone she came to fight, and it interrupts Mujina's mental stride.
Just long enough for her to be an easy target for the shockwaves. They smash, and she goes down, stumbling, tumbling into one of the benches with a painful-sounding crack, what was about to be the calling of her Persona interrupted. She can pick herself up quickly, at least, though she uses the bench itself for support, as if she wasn't sure of her balance.
"Ogre!" she calls. "I'm here, as promised!" Ogre's brought the Phantom Thieves, but they're not the only ones coming in either. There's a moment of hesitation, because Mujina doesn't really *fight* all that much, she generally takes a more subtle approach, but: "Got you covered!"
"DANZABUROU!"
Her Persona appears this time in burning blue, a short rotund humanoid animal - a bake-danuki - wearing a rich haori, its round belly bare and carrying a gunbai made of precious metals and rare woods. A golden leaf is perched behind one ear, almost like a hairpin.
It thumps its belly, and Ogre...
...fades. Not all the way out, but she becomes difficult to see clearly, hazy and ill-defined and hard to get a magical grip on, and a rush of energy fills her as Danzaburou's power surges.
"I'm here to help!" Mujina calls to the others, focusing on the Phantom Thieves - Joker, Queen, Phoenix, Fox and his so-similar mask, Skull. "I'm with Ogre; I'll back you up!"
AS: Take! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 86 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media. AS: Persona! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Elec skill Zio on Penguin Sniper! AS: Ryuji Sakamoto's turn has ended. AS: Persona! Hibari Aoki has used the Recovery skill Doronparama on Ichika Kawase! AS: Hibari Aoki's turn has ended. AS: Take! Ichika Kawase takes 99 Recovery healing from Hibari Aoki's Doronparama. AS: Eclipse added!
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Hyousuke was glad for the mask. Not just because of its protection, and not just because of it shielding his identity. He was glad for the fact that it hid his expression - one he could hardly control, no matter how he tried. Rage, alertness, uncertainty, focus - he shifted from one to the other in a heartbeat, then was caught between two before settling on another entirely. Yet, despite his emotions running high, and the utter contempt he held for the Palace's boss, he had nothing to say. He was silent until addressed, simply following Ogre and Phoenix, waiting for his orders.
Keen eyes darted around the chapel, his back to the gathered thieves as he watched for any potential threats. He scanned the shadows, seeking any movement. He noted the entrances, the exits, the blind spots - everything that could be used by them, or against them. Above all else, he tried to ignore the drumbeat in his chest. The place felt wrong to him, and not just in the sense of it being a supernatural construct. The wretched art wrought in glass, the glaring neon signs that stung at his eyes, the treasure taking pride of place in the venue... It all sent his stomach churning with just a glance.
Keen eyes darted around the chapel, his back to the gathered thieves as he watched for any potential threats. He scanned the shadows, seeking any movement. He noted the entrances, the exits, the blind spots - everything that could be used by them, or against them. Above all else, he tried to ignore the drumbeat in his chest. The place felt wrong to him, and not just in the sense of it being a supernatural construct. The thought of what it all meant, and the knowledge that it was how Eiji saw the world - how Eiji saw his dear friends - would have made him sick, were it not for the festering rage it inspired in him too.
Every fibre in his body yearned to throw something at those windows. At the signs. At anything that so much as dared to represent Eiji's monstrous will. His jaw clenched, and he breathed, trying to restrain himself just enough to keep from kicking down doors and finding that damned Shadow himself. He wanted to hurt it. He wanted to END it. He wanted to make it suffer for everything it had inflicted on others, then grant it the single most painful and humiliating end he could give. Then, as if in mocking response to his blood-boiling rage, the Shadow of the man in question descended upon them.
Hyousuke spoke no words, but not out of single-minded focus on assessing the situation. His silence was rage. Sheer, unfettered, unbound *fury.* Every word that spilled from the Shadow's mouth was like acid, burning him and seeping into his mind while his stomach turned. Every movement it made left him tenser and tenser, until his teeth felt like they would crack from the strain, and his muscles coiled like some savage beast lunging for the kill. He snarled, his mask barely hiding the low growl that rumbled from his throat. Then, the strike.
Hyousuke was ready for it. He squared his feet, he stood his ground, and with a roar that ripped into the air like an explosion, he summoned his Persona to the fore.
"ACHILLES!" He bellowed, and that titan wreathed in gleaming bronze surged into the fray. His shield, hewn from the same shining metal as his armour, rang out as the blows rained upon it. Each one landed like a hammerstrike, but Hyousuke remained firm against the onslaught. He was not shaken by them. He was *enraged* by them.
"You piece of fucking SHIT!" Hyousuke roared. His voice was raw and primal, his eyes wide and blazing with fury that threatened to burn him from the inside out. There was no sense of preserving his identity, nor any inclination to maintain some kind of cool. There was only anger. "You think you can do this to people?! To my FRIENDS?! To the people I care about?! You ASSHOLE?!" Achilles' guard dropped, and a fourth came through, but Hyousuke took it without so much as flinching. He staggered back, but his eyes remained focussed - a slavering hound, focussed on tearing apart its target.
"They're not yours! THEY NEVER WERE!"
Hyousuke surged forwards, his Persona a blur of bronze and red as he called out his order. "GIVE THIS PIECE OF SHIT HELL!"
<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
Masao saw that calling card.
In a vacuum... he was impressed, had a good laugh, took some pictures... and found some of the technique very interesting, but he didn't have much time to muse over it. He knows how this Palace rattles his friends... he's doing his best to make sure they're okay after the fact, and prepare himself to go the distance.
He had to battle a few of his own demons over how this 'Phantom Thieves' stuff upended his life, even if it was for the best given Madarame's crimes. This, and some uncomfortable likenesses of a Palace to... uh, previous experience.
This man's reach stands to hurt - and has hurt - so many people, but there's at least one especially that he's not going to let go unanswered. He's just going to have to trust whatever process is in pay here is going to work, as he comes in alongside Tamaki.
He's stunned into silence through that initial bout of blathering, coming along as some of the last to gather. Uncharacteristic of Masao 'Mark' Inaba, it's hard to notice he's there (outside of Resonance detection) until the explosive shockwaves come.
"Dammit!" He holds his axe up as he braces against the first. The second throws him on his rear, dropping that axe on the ground. He grits his teeth, balls up a fist...
With a defiant yell and a faint shimmer of blue where the last shockwave collides against one's will, Masao runs forward, picks up that axe, swings that axe wide to redirect some of that noise back towards Eiji's empowered Shadow, staggering forward as he sucks in breath.
His ears are ringing after that. He misses a lot of what Ogre has to say - by serendipity - while his hearing comes back. After that he's already poised to just raise his voice over a lot of the gathering intrigue.
"You listen right here, jackass!" Calls the street artist. To hear this man talk about starting a family just for him, his purposes... it does lead into some of the darker thoughts he had about being pressured into taking up the dry cleaning business.
Man, this guy's just spouting names and putting them to faces that aren't them, by his measure. He shakes his head. (Wait, he can't see their faces either with those masks, so this statement kind of falls apart. Nevertheless...)
"Kids grow up to become their own people, man! You don't respect that, no amount of 'em will ever make you happy." Despite how much they harp on him, his parents do love him and want him to have a stable job in these uncertain lost years of the economy, but, he knows who he is and what he wants out of life.
He looks over to Cognitive Ichika. He remembers the sadness this mental construct tried to hide under duty and submission. He hopes the Congition remembers, even if they aren't real, how they reacted to him stenciling that rose graffiti before them.
Taking the axe in hand again, he grins.
"I'm goin' after the ring," he asides to Tamaki and anyone else in earshot as he runs forward, takes that axe one-handed, and slams it into the ring.
AS: Weapon! Masao Inaba has used the Slash skill Melee - Axe on Penguin Sniper! AS: Aggression: Masao Inaba gains 1 Limit! AS: Masao Inaba's turn has ended. AS: Persona! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Recovery skill Phalanx on Ichika Kawase, Ren Amamiya, Tsubasa Seki, and Hyousuke Suzuki! AS: Hyousuke Suzuki regains 5 HP from Regenerate! AS: Hyousuke Suzuki's turn has ended. AS: Take! Ichika Kawase takes 0 Recovery healing from Hyousuke Suzuki's Phalanx. AS: Atk_Up and Def_Up added! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 27 Slash damage from Tsubasa Seki's Greatsword Assault.
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
Fox nods to Phoenix. "Once we're done here," he agrees. Then, however -
Movement - red and gold, glittering. He whirls, squeezing his trigger and volleying a burst of gunfire towards the blur, but the shots fly wild as Shadow Eiji heaves and flips Mona in one awful feat of strength, the treasure all too easy to reclaim as their anthropomorphic not-feline comrade is knocked out of his transportation form.
"Damn!" Fox snarls, as the Ruler reclaims the thing binding its twisted self-distortion to the cognitive space. "Joker, Phoenix, look out!"
He moves to sprint to his friends' aid, but crowing triumphantly as the Shadows of the Palace flock to and engorge his form, Shadow Eiji becomes something wholly other, lashing out with terrible diamond wings and mighty arms to shake the very foundation of the chapel here about them. Fox is knocked over, crashing through the tables of the bride's side of the chapel in a most ungainly fashion.
A cloud of dust and splinters surrounds where he landed, and there is silence for a moment, before: "Persona."
Goemon rises like ink on wood, clearing away the rubble with a mighty sweep of his pipe, and Fox clambers to his feet, mask burning blue. Cold grey eyes regard Eiji 'Sitri' Kamiya - and the cognitive doppelganger of Ichika who comes to his side.
"A puerile coward," he decries the Ruler, crimson saya suddenly in hand as he grasps his sword's hilt. The scent of mint surrounds him as Ogre calls out her Persona, and the scratches and bruises he's already suffered ease. "Is that your justification? To blame her for your petty rage? For the wounds inflicted by your hand?"
The sibilant sound of his sword being drawn seems to echo as the ink-black steel drinks in the obscene red light, hungrily. "You are a murderer."
Goemon points stoically with his pipe, as Fox sweeps his sword to the side, and a rushing wind lifts the feet of himself, Ogre, Phoenix and Joker. "And you will pay."
AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 19 Slash damage from Tsubasa Seki's Greatsword Assault. AS: Avoid Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 37 Elec damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Zio. AS: Paralyze added! AS: Persona! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Almighty skill Masukukaja on Ren Amamiya, Ichika Kawase, Tsubasa Seki, and Yusuke Kitagawa! AS: Yusuke Kitagawa's turn has ended. AS: Avoid Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 46 Slash damage from Masao Inaba's Melee - Axe. AS: Take! Ichika Kawase takes 0 Almighty damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Masukukaja. AS: Spd_Up added! AS: Take! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 0 Almighty damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Masukukaja. AS: Spd_Up added! AS: Take! Ren Amamiya takes 0 Recovery healing from Hyousuke Suzuki's Phalanx. AS: Atk_Up and Def_Up added! AS: Take! Ren Amamiya takes 0 Almighty damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Masukukaja. AS: Spd_Up added!
<Pose Tracker> Hitomi Mandai has posed.
Shadows are pouring into the mirror of Eiji Kamiya. The man of the hour, unfortunately, even if it might not 'really' be him. It is certainly something LIKE the real live man -- but that's not the problem of Hitomi Mandai.
Hitomi came back here, despite everything, despite an irrational fit that she had shut herself up into her dorm room to deal with so as not to bother people. ("I was just really tired" is accurate, but not complete.) It's for Ririka. Hitomi has people to care about now.
At least it was *marginally* easier to get back in.
Her eyes turn towards Ririka as she speaks her mind to the Shadow. "Yeah," she says, before she is washed over by the shockwave which throws her off of anything more eloquent she might have been about to say --
But though she is shaken, even staggered, she doesn't pitch over. The shockwaves end because the great Thing is, in all its majesty, not quite such an overwhelming force as to blast through -- "Are those the Phantom Thieves?" Hitomi says, as she regains her footing. It is, perhaps, the first time she's so much as glimpsed them (as far as she knows, anyway). But...
Her eyes turn over towards the looming Eiji.
One hand comes up to push up her glasses. "Tyche," she says, before snapping a hand out to grasp something from the air - and a moment later the looming marble statue that is Tyche's form appears, extending one hand plaintively towards Eiji. A possible mistress, someone raising an objection in the chapel?
Maybe.
"Get him," Hitomi says, and several searing bursts of flame snap out towards him!
AS: Persona! Hitomi Mandai has used the Fire skill Double Agi on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Hitomi Mandai's turn has ended.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
It was quite a surprise to see the Phantom Thieves' calling card already plastered all over where the St. Hermelin alumni group of Tamaki, Masao, Maki, and Eriko had exited the Palace. The trip was rough, especially for the latter two, and ended in their early exit. That little venture isn't going to be enough for Tamaki, though.
After getting some rest, Tamaki arrives on the scene along with Masao for round two, this time to see what this Change of Heart business is firsthand. Before the pair takes the Rumor entrance to the Palace proper, she tells him, "Seki-kun said that the Phantom Thieves were responsible for causing their Psychotic Breakdown, so keep an eye out for any funny business, but for the time being, we're taking this jerk out, right?"
Inside the Palace, she tries to take in the entirety of the scene -- the Phantom Thieves, Eiji and the Bride's Shadows, and the other scuffle involving other Persona-users and Hajime. The gaudy decor feels like a smack in the face to her.
And the quip about dress attire ... Tamaki gestures to her usual everyday business attire, then waves dismissively at Eiji's Shadow. "Nahhh, if anything, I'm overdressed for this occasion."
Tamaki scowls as she listens to Eiji's Shadow yell about 'never letting her go again.' This pain comes from somewhere, but that's only an explanation, not an excuse. "... Desire can be a good thing, and there's nothing wrong with wanting a family per se, but yours has been left unchecked for far too long, trampling over the wishes of other people whose desires matter just as much as yours!"
Confusion registers on her face as she sees Eiji's Shadow backhand Phoenix -- who seems to be in league with the Phantom Thieves. Does Tsubasa know????? How would they react to this betrayal? But that's a problem for later -- there's more important things to consider, like those shock waves. Tamaki manifests Arianrhod in front of her, and holds once, twice -- but the third inflicts a Persona Break, dizzying her slightly and preventing her from making any further approach herself.
Mark says he's going after the ring. Tamaki nods firmly at him and raises her sword, pommel forward first, holding it instead like a scepter instead of a blade. "Got it. I'll back you up." She clutches at her necklace with her other hand, manifesting Arianrhod once more, who sends a wave of healing in an area out to patch up the damage from the shock waves.
AS: Take! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 0 Recovery healing from Hyousuke Suzuki's Phalanx. AS: Atk_Up and Def_Up added! AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Recovery skill Media on Tamaki Uchida, Masao Inaba, Katsuya Suou, and Umie Akabane! AS: Tamaki Uchida's turn has ended. AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 74 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media. AS: Take! Masao Inaba takes 79 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media. AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 74 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media.
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
News of the Calling Card spread quickly - even to Sumaru City. Shinobu reads it over once, and then again.
...It's finally time, huh? She still remembers her first ill-fated attempt at the Palace - even with such a large group, they had to fall back... She remembers well how it felt.
Ever since, it's been on the back of her mind, especially after their second attempt at the palace, and the information they obtained and did what they could to folllow up on. So when the Phantom Thieves make their announcement... of course she'll be there.
Shinobu bursts into the wedding chapel, and the first thing she sees is Eiji reclaiming a massive ring.
...The second, is the actual design of the horrific architecture of the place. She grimaces.
"...The hell kind of taste is that? You make me sick." Shinobu mutters, drawing her staff. There's a lot to make her sick, here - but right now, she focuses on what's important.
"We're here to back you up. Hope you don't mind." Shinobu says with a nod toward the Phantom Thieves. She looks, briefly, toward Ogre and Phoenix. Ogre is no surprise, since she's the one who first brought her attention to this place, but Phoenix? ...Seems like they're a package deal. And Phoenix was with Joker yesterday, too...
She turns her attention back to Eiji - and the monster he's become.
He slams his hand onto the ground, unleashing brutal shockwaves - the first catches her off-guard and she's sent flying back, but she manages to catch her footing and stabilises herself.
"Think you can just lay claim to people, asshole...? Think you're so great... Time to face reality." Shinobu says.
She's always been the straight forward type - so she lunges forward toward Eiji himself, her staff jabbing forward in a flurry of strikes.
AS: Weapon! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Strike skill Jab Flurry on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Aggression: Shinobu Shimizu gains 1 Limit! AS: Shinobu Shimizu's turn has ended. AS: Avoid Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 83 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Double Agi. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 70 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Double Agi. Critical Hit!
<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
Any Mysterious Figure worth their salt knows that one should only reveal their presence at an opportune, dramatic moment. Vesper had thus made sure to be present for the Phantoms' telegraphed big moment - he may not have known their exact plan, but he knew the general area where he would need to be.
Getting in position wasn't the difficult part, not for him. After all, Vesper is not an unfamiliar man to Shadow Eiji, having visited a few times before... playing the role of someone entirely on board with what he was doing, appealing to the ego in order to ingratiate himself. All fully an act, as a means to an end, allowing him to infiltrate the Palace non-violently. It had certainly been helpful when he last visited some time ago, allowing him to extract a captive female student, merely having had to express an... interest, to be able to leave with her.
Not everybody could compromise their principles for the sake of such an act. Vesper is not exactly proud of that skill. Even if it was all for a good cause, telling himself that doesn't do anything to make him feel less disgusted with himself. Nor does he feel satisfied with what he's been able to accomplish, acting on his own. Playing a part in this today is how he hopes to make up for it, even if it were to only be in his own eyes.
Still, he would never have been able to just waltz up anywhere close to where the Treasure was being kept. He had to bide his time among the guests, until the moment of Showtime arrived. The noise of a car being flipped (??) was enough of a tip-off in that regard, prompting the opera-masked man who certainly looks dressed fancily enough for a wedding to come running.
Whatever he had planned for his big entrance doesn't come to fruition, as he rushes straight into what one might call a warzone. Stopping in his tracks to brace himself against the shockwave, he doesn't quite manage to keep his footing. The tumble is at least short-lived enough - and somehow that bowler hat of his stays on his head even though it rightly shouldn't have.
Straightening up, Vesper wipes a speck of dust off the shoulder of his otherwise unblemished fancy suit, clearing his throat before raising his voice. "So, Eiji Kamiya! You have finally revealed yourself for the monster you truly are! In that case, there is no reason to hold back! Phantom Thieves, once more we stand with you!" And, once more, he's putting words in everyone's mouth.
He also brings a hand to his mask, and with the word 'Persona', calls forth the iron masked gentleman/cricket hybrid that is Raffles. With a wave of its diamond-tipped cane, a pillar of darkness appears underneath the creature that Eiji's transformed into.
AS: Persona! Julian Marlowe has used the Dark skill Eiha on Penguin Sniper! AS: Julian Marlowe's turn has ended.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Damnit, had the shadow been waiting for them? In a second, what should have been a successful heist is disrupted by the monstrous groom reaching out and toppling Mona with the rest of them inside- and moments later, Queen is one of many sprawled across the ground as the ring is taken. Queen grimaces as she gets to her feet. "This is going to be harder than I thought. We need to get that ring off him, and make sure no-one else takes it!" Queen hisses, just before the cavalry, such as it is, arrives.
But she can understand that rage pouring off Ichika. That pure, righteous fury. That same level of fury coming off Phoenix. Earned fury, with a target deserving to receive it.
Unfortunately, the shockwaves that come off of Eiji slam into Queen hard. The first slams through her defenses, and while she hastily manages to block the second, the third sends her flying, slamming bodily into one of the walls of the venue, marble cracking under the impact and sending out a scream of pain before hitting the ground.
Young women submit to fathers, married women to their husbands and older women to their sons, so the saying goes. And it seems Eiji is very intent on making that clear to every woman in the arena.
...Maybe there are different ones, when there are no men in the equation.
Queen doesn't really want to think about that anymore, as Ogre's healing washes over her, enabling her to stand again. "Thanks, Ogre." She manages, as her hand sweeps to her hip, and suddenly a revolver- looking somewhere between a cowboy's gun and a stylized service weapon- is in her hands- and Queen lines up her shot. Not for Eiji's shadow, but the ring itself. They need to get rid of that thing, right? Maybe the next time he raises his hand, she can try and loosen it. Bullets aren't the typical technique, but with something that size, one uses what they can.
AS: Weapon! Makoto Niijima has used the Pierce skill Fast Draw on Penguin Sniper! AS: Makoto Niijima's turn has ended. AS: Take! Tsubasa Seki takes 0 Recovery healing from Hyousuke Suzuki's Phalanx. AS: Atk_Up and Def_Up added! AS: Take! Tsubasa Seki takes 0 Almighty damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Masukukaja. AS: Spd_Up added!
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
-----EARLIER-----
The pleasantly nosy neighbor next door to Umie has a story. It is irrelevant to this one, save that it is an example of how normal lives still happen in complete separation and ignorance of the darker elements of the world many present here have had to deal with.
... Well, except for one: the neighbor has Umie next door.
She is a quiet, polite enough neighbor: she keeps to herself, says hello and thank you when passing in the hallways, and keeps up on her mail.
And yet, every once in a while, there's a loud noise in the middle of the night, or a splotch of something suspiciously dark red on the carpet outside.
Then, there was today.
"IT'S TONIGHT?!" cried a voice from next door.
By the time the neighbor timed opening her door to 'coincidentally take out the trash', she spots the back of a light grey jacket, black leggings, red sneakers, and two blonde buns as her neighbor, Umie Akabane, walks away at a hurried clip towards the stairwell.
What in the world could someone be in such a hurry for?
-----NOW-----
How could this place feel even *worse* than it did before? Umie had left a message for Katsuya to come along (with the added instruction of not inviting Akechi, for reasons she was sure she didn't have to elaborate on); whether or not he'd be able to show up, she'd be going through the only way she knows how: Shakespeare and crime.
For Itsuki and Tsubasa, Umie will be there. And, in a way, she owes Joker and Phoenix for, once again, intervening yesterday.
But whatever justifications Umie feels upon being here, the last and strongest is the the rage she feels at seeing Eiji's shadow, remembering Akechi's explanation of what had happened; even with the details stripped down, it was painful to hear.=
This is what a person can do to another, when their delusion is this powerful.
If Umie was beside Katsuya, she's gone, presumably to make a sneak attack, as is her usual style.
Instead, Umie's letting herself be Perceived as Eiji's pounding fists make her presence known.
Oh, but she's so *happy* to be looked at, right now, if the widening smile on her lips indicates anything about what's going through the hooded red-masked young woman's mind right now.
"If there's one thing a prideful man hates, it's a woman he can't make his own," Umie starts. "And look at you... so full of useless anger that you thrash around like a *toddler*. I'd say the only child you're capable of producing is your own impotent self.
She points a red nail at Eiji. "Don't you know it's a bad omen to see the Badb before a big event?" Battle, wedding, same thing. It's the opposite of how Umie was yesterday following the battle against Sudou, folded down into a rapidly compressing ball. The Badb's ragged sleeves stretch in a widening length over Umie's still small form as she's summoned, likewise pointing towards Eiji.
"You brought this on yourself. Settle down and think about what you've done, Eiji Kamiya-_kun_, and let these nice people have what they've come for."
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
Even compared to Kaneshiro's bank of gluttony, making it to Eiji's Treasure was no walk in the park. It took their combined strength as Phantom Thieves to make it this far, with the help of their new allies, Ichika, and now Tsubasa. The sight that awaits them once they reach the Treasure is no less sickening than the rest of the sights this horrid Palace had to offer.
The wedding imagery hits just as close to home as it has throughout the rest of the Palace, but Haru tries her best to steel herself for what's to come, for Ichika's sake. "For a man who fancies himself a 'protector', the only person an abuser of women like yourself is concerned with protecting is yourself. You won't lay another hand on her!" Noir brandishes her axe as an executioner would as they approach Shadow Eiji - the only thing giving her pause being the uncharacteristic congition of Ichika.
As much as she would relish in sinking her axe into a man like Eiji, the pews bursting with Shadows presents another problem, and someone's going to have to take the backline. "Understood, Joker! We'll back you up!" She affirms, summoning Milady to her side. "Good luck, team! And... be sure to make him suffer." She adds. "Now then... shall we let loose, Milady?" As the others begin laying their attacks on Shadow Eiji and his ring, Haru joins Mona and Panther by unleashing a psychic blast against his posse.
AS: There's nothing in your queue by that number or attacker. AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 14 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Jab Flurry. Resist! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 27 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Jab Flurry. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 9 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Jab Flurry. Resist! AS: Avoid Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 25 Dark damage from Julian Marlowe's Eiha. Resist! AS: Blast added! Paralyze removed! Explosion! 50 damage! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 13 Pierce damage from Makoto Niijima's Fast Draw. AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Almighty skill Warrior's Bell on Penguin Sniper! AS: Ruin: Umie Akabane gains 1 Limit! AS: Umie Akabane regains 3 SP from Invigorate! AS: Umie Akabane's turn has ended. AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 0 Almighty damage from Umie Akabane's Warrior's Bell. AS: Rage added! AS: Take! Katsuya Suou takes 79 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media.
<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
Days prior, Katsuya, because Umie had said she was going in, had called on the aid of one Goro Akechi and together, the three of them had infiltrated the Palace of Eiji Kamiya.
They had a very bad time. The only 'good news', if it could be called that, was some of the information they had found, which appeared to correlate with installations in the real world. But that didn't mean that the situation was over. The Phantom Thieves were going to attempt to change his heart, weren't they.
He might have come even if Umie hadn't invited him. But since she had, of course he had no choice but to go.
It's just as well that she asks him not to ask Akechi along: Akechi had contacted him about after the calling card had been delivered and had said that he was too far to make it there. So that was that.
It was just a matter of finding the right card (still awkward) and practicing his thespian skills (even more awkward). Oh, and making their way through the palace again.
"Stop!" Katsuya shouts, bursting into the room. "I cannot allow you to--"
To whom he is speaking -- the Ruler or the Phantom Thieves in process of stealing his heart -- is an exercise best left to the viewer. What happens instead is that Eiji undergoes a rapid and substantial transformation the moment Katsuya enters and he's left to gaze in shock upon the being looming above them.
"Is this... the face of a Palace's Ruler?" he wonders aloud.
He's seen the inside of a Palace before, after all. What he hasn't seen is a Ruler. So that means that... is the Treasure?
Of course, Eiji 'Sitri' Kamiya is none-too-pleased to have his wedding interrupted. Katsuya's gaze falls on the cognition of Ichika Kawase, dressed up for her wedding and heavily pregnant, as Eiji says it was her fault for provoking him. That he promises that he'll mold her into something 'truly wonderful'. That she'll bear more children for him.
Akechi had told him what he'd done to her. And what had happened after.
It's sufficient to wind Katsuya Suou up fully. He quite rudely points a finger right at the thing Eiji has become. "...Enough!! Eiji Kamiya! Sexual assault, physical violence, and human trafficking-- the evidence against you is quite strong! Are you going to come along quietly?!"
Considering the response from the Ruler, sources say no.
The hand slams again and again against the floor of the Palace, and it's all that Katsuya can do to stay on his feet.
But he notices, on the recovery, that there are a few other faces he knows here. "Uchida-kun! And Inaba-kun!" They're allies, as it were, of... Team Whoop-Ass (he didn't pick the name). Tamaki bestows upon him some much-needed healing after that opening salvo from the Ruler.
He pays it forward in kind, using one of the skill cards he'd obtained from the Cardboard Dragon. "Here, allow me to back you up!" He has the ability now to heal as well with Helios, which manifests before him in all its finery, but--
Given Helios' 'talents', it's probably best left as a last resort.
The emblem of a shield manifests before Tamaki, before dissolving away into light.
AS: Persona! Katsuya Suou has used the Almighty skill Rakukaja on Tamaki Uchida! AS: Katsuya Suou's turn has ended. AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 0 Almighty damage from Katsuya Suou's Rakukaja. AS: Def_Up added! <Pose Tracker> Penguin Sniper has posed.
Joker tells him they've already heard that nonsense, and he grins, "You're the leader of the Phantom Thieves, huh? Well... I was hoping you'd say that." If anything, an aura of bloodlust begins to surround him all the more.
Arsene however is quick to counter his bride's support for him, and he snarls. "Is that all you've got?" The Ruler leers at Ogre, and her resolution. "The only stain is the stain you left or your reputation by going to the police over a little ARGUMENT!"
Before he dismisses the Cognitive Ichika, "She's served her purpose. But now that you came here of your own accord- I have little need for her any longer." He cocks his feline head at her Ogre, and her healing the Thieves, "How cute. Well, looks like you'll be far more use to me than this one."
The Submissive Bride shrinks back a step further, before Eiji looks at Ririka as she calls him a sicko. "Oh look - it's the bratty imouto-chan who thinks she's so important with her stupid little band who couldn't carry a tune to save their lives. Do you really think anyone actually comes out to listen to women play rock music? If you were trying to be an idol you'd have some use at least showing off your assets on stage."
He gives her a disdainful look, "After the wedding I was planning to get rid of you, sell you off to someone who'd teach you what chicks are really good for. Oh - Ichika would cry a bit when you went missing, but then I'd be there to comfort her. Hey - guess I'll get the opportunity to handle that now."
Amphion's analysis can feel through the reflection of soundwaves that he's a creature of violence and darkness - his chapel sits far above ground level for a reason, and he shrinks away from the light.
He's fresh off of back-handing Phoenix, when they protest the dead-naming, and he grins, "Gonna cry about it? How about I help you with that?" The Greatsword is swung once, and it clangs off his rings, before the next bites into his arm, as shadowstuff bleeds off of him. "Oh I'm going to make you HURT for that, bitch."
There's a strange effect that permeates the battlefield. It's like it gets into everyone's heads...
Which is right as Captain Kidd's Zio spell strikes him, and his hair stands on end, looking his way with a growl. "Not as much as I'm gonna love teaching you a lesson, PUNK!" Hyousuke yells at him from a place of raw emotion, "You know I can. You know why?" His eyes become slits upon Achilles, "Because you're nothing. Nobody. You're gonna die here kid - or wish you did."
... a crawling emotional sensation. His desires, twisted and distorted are just so vile as to make everyone feel tainted by it, stained like Ogre said before.
"Babe, tell me why I should give a damn about anyone else's desires?" He says toothily at Tamaki's comment. "You look out for your own, and fuck everyone else. That's the way of this world."
'You listen right here, jackass!'
And he does. Whether he hears it is another matter, "She'll be happy enough, when she accepts the way things are." His axe comes down one-handed, and clangs against the diamond, "ASSHOLE! This ring is worth more than A HUNDRED OF YOU!"
'You are a murderer.'
"I'm justifying nothing. That was her fault, her fault for provoking me but won't say you're wrong about being a murderer. I'm about to carve another notch." He tries to weave out of Tyche's flames, but gets scorched for his effort.
Right as Queen fires, and in alarm, he tries to twist his hand to catch the shot against his knuckles, "BITCH! You brought a GUN to my WEDDING? What's the matter? Didn't think you could take on a real man without one?"
'Don't you know it's a bad omen?'
"Don't you know what a bad idea it is to cross me, sweetheart?" And as the compressing ball strikes him, his eyes go a deep red, with a bloodlust. Before his eyes dart to Katsuya, in incredulity, "Come quietly? You some kind of cop? Ahahaha-AHAHAHAHAHA! Must be some stupid rookie! Everyone in this town knows they can't touch me?
It's the ring. The Navigators can feel it now! But they can't stop it! And with a sudden flash of power, something about his whole presence changes.
The Ruler flashes a winning smile with far too many teeth and it's like whatever anger the women were feeling before, is temporarily smothered, "Hey ladies-? Couldn't help but notice how gorgeous you all are. Would you like a job? Can get you a real lucrative one- actual modeling work. It's the fiscally responsible thing to do in this economy to secure your futures, am I right?"
And that smile carries the weight of irresistible charm/ as they all feel compelled to do what he says, "Just ditch those losers and line up over here for an interview, alright?"
As he gestures towards a spot, and anyone influenced by this finds they can't help but move there at least. Even if they're strong enough to resist the emotional influence to see him favorably, they can't help but move in that direction, their legs just disobey them. And as they reach that spot, he suddenly sweeps both his wings of gemstones forward, trying to strike them all with brutal crushing force which breaks the spell instantly.
"Ahahaha! You stupid bitches! Always falling for that bullshit. You think you can fight me? I make a LIVING off of gullible hussies like you!"
Before he turns, and smirks at the men so smugly, that they all feel a compulsion towards rage. Incomprehensible rage instead. The kind that makes people get set up, make mistakes, take a swing when someone is ready for them.
It's easy enough, when it's someone as vile as this.
"Now I'd appreciate it if you chicks would just stay the fuck down? Don't want to have to ruin your pretty faces while I finish things up with the men over there. If you're too ugly to get married - I don't get paid."
"HYAH!" And leaping forth, he brings up his fist, and dives down into the fray of men now that those he categorizes are 'women' are separated from them. "Come at me! Let me show you what a REAL MAN is!" And in this, he wades into the fray, punching and claw striking with wild abandon, as he walks up to Katsuya, smashing into Helios again, and again, and again with tremendous force. "You? You I gotta make an example of. Idiots like you might give the other cops out there bright ideas."
And the Submissive Bride simply clasps her hands together as if both fretting and praying, her support - quietly empowering him all the more, his wounds beginning to knit.
AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Sweet Talk on Makoto Niijima, Tsubasa Seki, Ichika Kawase, and Ririka Kawase! AS: Aggression: Penguin Sniper gains 1 Limit! AS: You still have 16 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Sweet Talk on Umie Akabane, Hibari Aoki, Hitomi Mandai, and Shinobu Shimizu! AS: You still have 15 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Sweet Talk on Tamaki Uchida! AS: You still have 14 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Treacherous Subjugation on Makoto Niijima, Tsubasa Seki, Ichika Kawase, and Ririka Kawase! AS: You still have 13 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Treacherous Subjugation on Umie Akabane, Hibari Aoki, Hitomi Mandai, and Shinobu Shimizu! AS: You still have 12 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: That attack doesn't seem to match one on your list. AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Goading Smirk on Julian Marlowe, Ryuji Sakamoto, Ren Amamiya, and Masao Inaba! AS: You still have 11 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Goading Smirk on Hyousuke Suzuki and Katsuya Suou! AS: You still have 10 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: That attack can't hit that many targets. AS: That attack can't hit that many targets. AS: That attack can't hit that many targets. AS: That attack can't hit that many targets. AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill No Holding Back on Hyousuke Suzuki! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 9 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Sweet Talk. AS: Charm added! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Man of the House on Katsuya Suou! 3 Hits! AS: You still have 8 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill No Holding Back on Julian Marlowe! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 7 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill No Holding Back on Ryuji Sakamoto! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 6 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill No Holding Back on Ren Amamiya! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 5 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Mind Up! Tsubasa Seki's SP +8! AS: Take! Tsubasa Seki takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Sweet Talk. AS: Charm added! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill No Holding Back on Masao Inaba! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 4 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Block Worst! Tsubasa Seki takes 72 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Treacherous Subjugation. Resist! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Recovery skill Untouchable on Penguin Sniper and Junes! AS: You still have 3 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Take! Hibari Aoki takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Sweet Talk. AS: Charm added! AS: Avoid Worst! Hibari Aoki takes 125 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Treacherous Subjugation. AS: Take! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Goading Smirk. AS: Rage added! AS: Take! Masao Inaba takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Goading Smirk. AS: Take! Katsuya Suou takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Goading Smirk. AS: Rage added! AS: Block Worst! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 109 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. Critical Hit! Block Strike! AS: Counter Worst! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 78 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 20 Strike damage in return for their attack! Resist! AS: You can't attack while you have an attack in your queue. AS: Block Worst! Katsuya Suou takes 99 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Man of the House. Critical Hit! AS: Take! Makoto Niijima takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Sweet Talk. AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 22 Recovery healing from Penguin Sniper's Untouchable. AS: Eclipse added! AS: Take! Ren Amamiya takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Goading Smirk. AS: Rage added! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Treacherous Subjugation on Tamaki Uchida! AS: You still have 2 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Take! Junes takes 0 Recovery healing from Penguin Sniper's Untouchable. AS: Eclipse added! AS: Take! Hitomi Mandai takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Sweet Talk. AS: Take! Ririka Kawase takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Sweet Talk. AS: Charm added! AS: Block Best! Katsuya Suou takes 52 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Man of the House. AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 23 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 23 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. AS: Block Worst! Katsuya Suou takes 67 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Man of the House. AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Goading Smirk on Yusuke Kitagawa! AS: You still have 1 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Avoid Best! Tamaki Uchida takes 72 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Treacherous Subjugation. AS: Avoid Neutral! Hitomi Mandai takes 113 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Treacherous Subjugation. AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill No Holding Back on Yusuke Kitagawa! 2 Hits! AS: Penguin Sniper's turn has ended. AS: Take! Shinobu Shimizu takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Sweet Talk. AS: Persona! Junes has used the Recovery skill Devotion on Penguin Sniper! AS: Support: Junes gains 1 Limit! AS: Junes's turn has ended. AS: Avoid Best! Ririka Kawase takes 72 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Treacherous Subjugation. AS: Take! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Goading Smirk. AS: Rage added! AS: Take! Ichika Kawase takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Sweet Talk. AS: Block Best! Ichika Kawase takes 70 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Treacherous Subjugation. AS: Avoid Best! Shinobu Shimizu takes 69 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Treacherous Subjugation. AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Sweet Talk. AS: Counter Best! Makoto Niijima takes 159 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Treacherous Subjugation. Critical Hit! AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 70 Earth damage in return for their attack! Eclipsed! AS: Avoid Neutral! Umie Akabane takes 154 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Treacherous Subjugation. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Best! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 23 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. AS: Avoid Worst! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 51 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. AS: Take! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Goading Smirk. AS: Rage added! AS: Take! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 79 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. Resist! AS: Block Worst! Masao Inaba takes 49 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. AS: Block Worst! Masao Inaba takes 109 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. Critical Hit! AS: Block Neutral! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 42 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: Take! Julian Marlowe takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Goading Smirk. AS: Avoid Best! Julian Marlowe takes 28 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. AS: Avoid Neutral! Julian Marlowe takes 95 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. Critical Hit! AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 106 Recovery healing from Junes's Devotion.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
As Queen and Ogre mentioned, Persona Users rush in--but it looks like, unlike last time with Kaneshiro, these ones are to help them--no enemies from Strega or the New World Order to oppose their heist. Joker waits a moment to mark everyone's move to be certain of this--they know full well if the Black Mask shows up, they won't be able to sense his Resonance, so visual cues are all any of them have--then crooks a smirk at their incoming allies.
Mujina is expected, and Joker gives her a decisive little nod. "Your help is welcome, Mujina," they call to her, making note of her bake-danuki Persona, Danzaburou.
Magic trickles down over Joker, not just from Fox with his typical opening Masukukaja but also from Hyousuke, howling rage against Kamiya's Shadow but choosing to boost the strength and defense of several of those here, including them. Joker gives them both a nod of gratitude. Fox already knows the score, and Hyousuke is clearly here to help Ogre... or rather, Ichika. They know that of everyone here, only Mujina knows Ogre's true identity.
Shinobu also gets a nod of acknowledgement. "Made up your mind, hmm? Is that as an individual or as a group?" they ask her. Myunghon pretty much told them less than a week ago that they'd be taking cooperation as individuals, but they're in bad shape right now, from what they hear... After yesterday's fight, they have to hide their concern that Shinobu's here and not at their side.
Fortunately, Vesper's theatrics give them something else to focus on. He says "we" stand with them--is he a member of Cardboard Dragon too and simply didn't appear for the meeting, just as several members of The Phantoms hadn't? Something to ponder later. Vesper too gets a nod--and Umie, debasing Shadow Eiji as child himself, gets an extra-special smirk. The extra familiarity means extra expressiveness... and Joker has an idea of why Umie takes extra Umbridge to this piece of shit.
Queen reminds them all that they need to get back the ring. Joker frowns as they see and hear Masao explicitly say he's going for the ring. They remember him from the Sumaru Hyakumanzeki Festival and from a shift at the Ore no Beko, but... Who'd have imagined he'd show up here with his own friends? Do he and Tamaki already understand its significance? Worse yet, does Katsuya, someone Joker knows to be a police officer in the real world? Even if he's helping now, something made obvious by how he yells at Shadow Eiji, that's no guarantee for later... Especially since Joker doesn't yet see Akechi anywhere. He didn't decide to sit this one out, did he? Joker's frown deepens.
"We can let the others help," they murmur to Queen, Phoenix, Ogre, Fox, and Skull, gesturing subtly towards Masao and anyone else going for the ring. "But yes--it's just as Queen says. Be prepared to make a move at the last second."
He chuckles when Noir encourages them all to make Shadow Eiji suffer. "We'll make a point of it," Joker replies. No need to tell Skull or Phoenix that--they've both been chomping at the bit for ages to exercise violence on this scumbag. Ogre... Joker doesn't know if she wants Shadow Eiji to suffer, considering why she asked for their help in changing his heart in the first place. At the same time, they have no doubt that she won't cower before him anymore. She's shown the ferocity of her will in spades now.
Ririka they remember from just yesterday, though they don't know her friend Hitomi, for all that she wonders about the fabled Phantom Thieves. No time to discuss that now, or to delineate who is and isn't an official part of the team. Ririka's analysis is a boon either way, as is when she announces her findings. Once that happens, they'll know there's no need to waste an attack on darkness. Instead--weak to Earth, hmm... Joker has just the thing.
Before they can make good on that, though, Shadow Eiji spreads his influence. It's--incredibly gross. There isn't any other word for it. Joker's skin crawls, and all of a sudden they understand with deeply unwanted intimacy how Ogre's felt about him all this time. It's so off-putting that when Shadow Eiji's ring flashes and his presence changes, they're caught off guard. Maybe it's only the fact that Shadow Eiji doesn't acknowledge them as anything but male that saves them from the betrayal of their own legs. Joker snarls, half in anger and half in concern for the women of the group--but that turns to just answer at the infuriating grin Shadow Eiji gives the rest of them.
They don't bother to ask why Shadow Eiji is glad they said anything. They simply leap up as Shadow Eiji punches down at them and their male compatriots, taking the blows even in between instinctually evading direct hits, sweeping around that massive furry arm and going for the thing that matters most here: the Treasure. In this state of mind, they don't even notice Cognitive Ichika healing his wounds.
Fortunately, there's one thing that stuck in their mind before they lost themself to rage. Once they've got a good perch, they stand.
"IXTAB!" they call, coat whirling around them as they spin, changing masks under the curl of their gloved fingers. At their back rises a woman hanging from a noose, long hair pouring down over her face and over her striped garments. Despite her dire image, she raises both arms, fingers curled up in a pair of claws, in an act of will against what should be the vision of her death. It's death that she represents, after all--and though The Phantoms don't kill, Joker will certainly contribute to the end of Shadow Eiji's delusions. They splay gloved fingers at him and in particular his ringed finger, and conclude, "RAVAGE HIM!!"
Uttering a haunting keen, Ixtab casts her magic and brings down a landslide down upon the feline Shadow. Or, in other words: rocks fall; Sitri dies.
AS: Persona! Ren Amamiya has used the Earth skill Landslide on Penguin Sniper! AS: Ren Amamiya regains 10 HP from Regenerate! AS: Ren Amamiya's turn has ended. AS: Ren Amamiya spends Limit on Shift! Ichika Kawase can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Avoid Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 82 Earth damage from Ren Amamiya's Landslide. Eclipsed! Avoid Earth! AS: Eclipse removed!
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Thanks, Noir!" Ogre calls to Haru. Haru, who helped remind her what it was to be allowed a dream. ...Ogre won't disappoint her.
The cavalry arrives. Ogre looks back in satisfaction to see Ririka and Mujina and many others approaching. But she's busy now too. Ogre hears Tsubasa shout to defend her--
Calls her 'our partner'. Ogre smiles--it's grim, but it's real--and looks to Tsubasa, then nods to Skull, too. "That's right. I'm with them!"
"Mujina!" Ogre calls, as she feels her Persona's power make her fade, make her hazy and energetic both. "Thanks! I knew I could count on you!"
Hyousuke is scary like this... but Ichika knows where his anger rests--where his anger targets. And she knows that he'll help. "YEAH I will!"
Mark talks about kids--and shows an insight that's worthy of an adult. Ogre calls, "He's damned right!"
Yusuke and Goemon up her speed, too, and Achilles and Hyousuke up her toughness, her might. She feels both. And Yusuke speaks the words--A murderer. It's true. And Ogre won't let him get away with it again. Members of SEES (like Hitomi), and even Uchida. There's more backup than even she expected. They're going to need it.
"Don't mind at all!" Ogre calls to Shinobu. "Fuck him up with us!"
"Vesper!" Ogre calls, and grins. "You made it." Then in surprise, she looks at Officer Suou, the kind policeman who helped Tsubasa. She considers for a moment, then, "Yeah! Beat his ass, Suou! You can arrest the shit out of him when we're done!"
But Eiji has more to say. And so does Ogre: "Fuck my reputation!" Ogre shouts back at Eiji. "You're the one who blew that up, and I made better friends anyway! Better friends than the assholes who abandoned me to YOU!"
Little need...
"Don't talk to her like that!" Ogre snaps about Cognitive Ichika. "All she wanted was love! And you gave her misery!"
"I won't be used by you anymore."
"Hey, Ichika!" Ogre calls. "You always wanted a family! But he's not going to give you that--he's going to hurt your kids! If you don't leave him--you'll hurt them too! So kick him to the curb!"
She knows that Ichika isn't real. ...But somehow, it resonates for her, to say it. "You've got so many friends, a good family--they'll help you!"
But she feels it. Htat strange... attraction. Ogre long felt stained about it. Gorgeous, though... Ogre finds herself walking over despite her best wishes. She feels nauseous for a moment, remembering that this world is where for a long time she was sure she'd end up.
And suddenly--
Ogre throws up her shield and takes the attack head-on, blasted back but intact. "Dirty trick, asshole!" Ogre calls. "But even with shit like that, you'll never get it!"
She nods then to Joker. "Right. That ring is ours."
She rises to her feet again, and stows her shield. "Momiji!"
As Joker tees her up, she sends out a quick Mediarama to the group--to Hibari, Ryuji, Julian, and Makoto--and then...
Well. Then she pulls a HUNTING RIFLE of all things, loads it up in both hands, and takes aim through the scope at Shadow Eiji. "Fuck all the way off," she tells him. Momiji lovingly cradles Ogre and her rifle as they take aim--and when she fires, a huge ROCK comes with the bullet, exploding on impact into a shower of debris!
AS: Persona! Ichika Kawase has used the Recovery skill Media on Hibari Aoki, Ryuji Sakamoto, Julian Marlowe, and Makoto Niijima! AS: Support: Ichika Kawase gains 1 Limit! AS: Tandem! Ichika Kawase has used the Earth skill Chthonic Wrath on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Ichika Kawase's turn has ended. AS: Take! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 156 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media. AS: Take! Hibari Aoki takes 118 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media.
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
Another notch.
He's proud of it.
That spiritual darkness closes around them, and from under the kitsune mask breath hisses in fury.
"How dare you?" Fox barks, and is moving, a blur of shadow towards Sitri's maddening smirk. The Ruler's fists fly at him, and he seems heedless - until Goemon rises to deflect those furious punches once, twice with his pipe, and just about maintains his cohesion.
A moment's lucidity enters Fox's mind as he closes to truly dangerous proximity, and instead of swinging, he plants his feet and assumes a kendo ready stance, Goemon in turn assuming something similar to an ox guard with his pipe held high at his shoulder.
He takes a deep breath... exhales... and waits, though the trembling of his katana gives away the fury still crackling through his veins.
AS: Persona! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Almighty skill Iaijutsu Stance on Yusuke Kitagawa! AS: Yusuke Kitagawa's turn has ended. AS: Take! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 48 Almighty damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Iaijutsu Stance. AS: Atk_Up and Reflect_Phys added!
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
Phoenix is deeply glad to hear Skull sassing Eiji so confidently; he's saying the words they're too mad to come up with. Fuckin' ace material, man. They usually get as far as 'eat shit, shithead', and...
... look, there's a reason Ichika's the Boss and she's the one who does all the talking before a beatdown, when they're at Kasugayama.
Phoenix isn't quite able to look out as quickly as Fox yells, but his bolstering breeze lifts them up, anyway, a few beats later. (Fuck yeah.) They're glad to hear him say it -- to call him what he is -- a murderer. His naming of these truths make them as quick as his spell.
"Wait, someone else can take his Treasure?!" Phoenix hisses back, in alarm, when Queen warns them. "Wha--what happens then?!" Queen's revolver sure is stylish, though... it reminds Phoenix that they have something in the wings, too.
"We're countin' on ya!" Phoenix calls out to Noir, as she, Panther and Mona assault the Shadows backing him up. They even have a sacred task of their own, as Phoenix adds, hollering: "KICK THAT FUCKIN' HAJIME IN THE TEETH FOR ME!"
There's a girl in a tanuki mask, though -- and Phoenix doesn't know that this is their dear friend Hibari, who has rumourmongered them through untold trials at school, who they have stepped in front of to defend almost as much. They do, however... think the tanuki mask is slick as hell. "Sweet!" They yell out, to her. "Name's Phoenix! Thanks for th' cover!"
They recognise Achilles, though -- and Hyousuke is one of the only guys around who, in turn, knows them. Who knows... just how much his friend's in trouble, here. And they know, in turn -- how hard it must be for Hyousuke to speak that anger, to Eiji-Sitri. "FUCKIN' A!" They holler back, to him, as the Phalanx courses over their feathered hood and into their veins. "Knew we could count on you, man!"
But it's not just their friends from Kasugayama they can count on. Tsubasa's faith in adults was shaken, yesterday -- enough, at least, that they're surprised to see Mark and his axe bursting into the scene. Mark might not know how important it is that he's here, but... "Too right! Holler that shit!!" They yell, when Mark insists that kids grow up to be their own people.
It's a similar kind of relief they're gripped by when Tamaki and Shinobu and Katsuya enter the scene; they don't recognise Vesper, but if they did, they'd surely be reassured to see him too. "Don't mind one bit!" They yell to Shinobu, a fist smacking to their chest in salute, when she hopes they don't mind the backup. (They do worry, a little, that she's here instead of with Myunghon, but... Shinobu's an adult. She's surely sorted things out.)
Phoenix isn't acquainted with much of SEES -- though there might be more of them, in the background, helping to deal with those waves of Shadows -- but they recognise that Hitomi's with Ririka, at least, and they're glad she had backup too.
The woman in the red mask is here again, too -- and if she's going to bring bad luck to Eiji, she's welcome in Phoenix's book. ... plus, that's a sweet bird.
"Fuckin' -- served her purpose?! Fuck you!" Phoenix yells, when Eiji-Sitra puts down Cognitive Ichika again. "You know how obvious it is you a piece a shit when you invent people in ya head jus' to abuse 'em?! Oi -- Ichika!" They call out, to the Cognition. "I know it fuckin' sucks for you right now... you fake, but you still got feelins'. Felt it when that prick made me get how she felt. But look -- I'm promisin' ya this -- the kids you're gonna have, goin' forward, they're gonna have so much fuckin' support, man. I get you can't imagine a world where that ain't with this fuckin' prick... but just get that much, alright?!"
They swipe a hand, as they add: "Don't fuck with Ririka, man! At least she's makin' somethin' people WANT in their lives, unlike your entire, fuckin' -- FUCK!"
But when Eiji-Sitra turns his attention on them, when they assault him, Phoenix grits their teeth against his taunts. They know full well what Eiji hurting them amounts to...
... and perhaps that's why that horrible feeling, at the backbone of everything, sinks into them so easily.
Phoenix isn't a lady, and is not, in their eyes, particularly beautiful. "Leave 'em alone!" They yell, stepping in front of Mujina protectively --
-- only to find themself still walking, as he makes his supernatural suggestion. "Wh--what th' fuck?!" They yelp, as they find themself standing beside the girls and women, here. "I ain't... no, fuck! What are you doin'?! You -- you're lyin'! Jus' like..."
Phoenix looks harrowed, beneath their mask. "Jus' like you lied to her, down in them Back Rooms..." ... to Cognitive Tsubasa, that is, that metaphor of an allegory who Cognitive Hajime tried to turn them into.
SLAM, Eiji's feathers knock Phoenix to the ground where he'd be so quick to say they belong, too gripped by the horror of his methods that they don't even strike into his strike. They don't even have the mental wherewithall to realise that the rage he's throwing at the men is a neighbour to the swing they took at him, in real life, unable to even land the hit. "You jus'... get in their heads, an'... FUCK!"
Phoenix pushes themself up, grasping their head. "GET OUT OF MY HEAD, YOU FUCKIN' PRICK! YOU DON'T WANT GUNS AT YOUR WEDDIN'?! THEN EAT THIS!!!"
With that, they pull -- A FUCKING ROCKET LAUNCHER -- out from under their feathered hood. It definitely didn't fit in there, but cognitively, who's to argue with them? "EAT SHIT, ASSHOLE!" They yell, as they slam a rocket into the tube and take aim, firing it off at Eiji-Sutra. The recoil knocks them back down, again -- but they're laughing. "Hahaha...hahahaha... FUCK, THAT WAS SO FUCKIN' COOL! ALRIGHT! SKULL, GET HIS ASS!"
AS: Tsubasa Seki spends Limit on Shift! Ryuji Sakamoto can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Avoid Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 124 Earth damage from Ichika Kawase's Chthonic Wrath. Weak! Avoid Earth! AS: Avoid Best! Penguin Sniper takes 129 Earth damage from Ichika Kawase's Chthonic Wrath. Critical Hit! Weak! Avoid Earth! AS: Weapon! Tsubasa Seki has used the Pierce skill Rocket Launcher on Penguin Sniper! AS: Charm results in party damage! Tsubasa Seki takes 60 damage! AS: Aggression: Tsubasa Seki gains 1 Limit! AS: Tsubasa Seki regains 5 HP from Regenerate! AS: Tsubasa Seki's turn has ended. AS: Take! Julian Marlowe takes 118 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media. AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 170 Pierce damage from Tsubasa Seki's Rocket Launcher.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"Jokes on you---I'm terrible at school" Skull says with some amount of pride...It really shouldn't be.
As the Tiger Man Shadow continues to talk, Skull feels his jaw clench tighter. This guy never stops getting worse and worse. It was like a curse.
The aura of the battlefield is just so gross that its starting to stick in Ryuji's psyche. He reaches for his head, feeling just so disgusted. Like the slime was crawling up his leg.
Then the fight starts and Eiji admittedly swings pretty hard. Skull parries with his pipe, feeling himself get pressed back further and further. The blonde grits his teeth as he finds a way to disengage momentarily to get his barrings.
Skull gives Ren a nod when he mentions the others. For the moment, he has been focused on dealing with Eiji that he missed his surroundings.
Skull takes in a sharp but deep breath. "ALRIGHT FUCKO---I'm done playing around." He stops when he feels the cooling energy heal his founds. This prompts the punk to squat lower, dragging his pipe along the ground. Skull begins to spin as they move closer, building up not speed but force. More and power behind his swing. Build further and further....At one point the pipe swing wild and clips the Cognitive Hajime in the nose.**
**He meant to do that.
The spinning punk finally unleashes a powerful swing toward Eiji's shadow, aiming for the Tiger Man's center of mass to just hit and overwhelm.
He then hears Tsubasa and smirks. "Sure thing. CAPTAIN KIDD! LIGHT HIS ASS UP!"
The Skeleton Pirate appears next to Skull, sending a SWIFT STRIKE toward Eiji Kitty Cat Man's center of Mass as well.
AS: Persona! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Strike skill Riot Culture on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Aggression: Ryuji Sakamoto gains 1 Limit! AS: Ryuji Sakamoto's turn has ended. AS: Ichika Kawase spends Limit on Shift! Ryuji Sakamoto can use another Weak skill this round! SP +8! Healed 20! AS: Persona! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Strike skill Swift Strike on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Aggression: Ryuji Sakamoto gains 1 Limit! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 35 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Riot Culture. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 24 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Riot Culture. Resist! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 42 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Riot Culture. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 17 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Swift Strike. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 17 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Swift Strike. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 18 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Swift Strike. Resist! AS: Take! Makoto Niijima takes 118 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media.
<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
Masao can't read that young man in the black trenchcoat particularly well (that's Joker, hi Joker), but he catches the gesturing. They're not pointing weapons at him or yelling at him go stop or go away, but would that do any good? Probably not.
Not when a younger budding artist's life and happiness is on the line! (Among so many others, too.) Phoenix there gets it! Whoever they are.
He mentally braces himself for the wave of all-encompassing envy. Just because he once stood tall against a dear friend's fervent nihilism from years of helplessness, loneliness, and frustration does not make it any easier to withstand this.
Just that he can, does, and has to, when he makes that call to strike at the ring the way he does.
"Worth more than a hundred of us, huh," he works up a smile despite all this, "everybody else really does get in your head if you're gonna put a number on it..."
He's preparing to gather his strength for another attack, when The Shadow Of The Hour flirts with the women here (or, those perceived by the Palace Ruler to be them). "Get a load of this guy, Uchi... da."
He just made all of them line up. When he turns that grin on him, and the guys...
"For real." Masao gives a blank look to that bewitching, enraging grin. "Why're you givin' me that look? I don't think you're a playboy stud, I ain't impressed, I'm not playin' that game with an overgrown kid, man--"
And then Eiji-Sitra, indeed, steps up with his fists. The first swing twits his upper body to the left in a spray of spittle, the second takes him straight off his feet in a cartoonish corkscrew as he crashes bodily into some of the decor. There's a little splash of red to add to the aesthetic of the scene.
"Did this asshole just hit me," Masao asks, "yeah he did." The time it takes for him to pull himself out of his own heap gives the stage for the Phantom Thieves to air their grievances, hissing and shaking his head as he pulls himself up.
"Uchida! Hey!" He snaps his fingers loudly a few times, in an attempt to dispel whatever compulsion Eiji-Sitra inflicted to try and compel her to get in line. "Don't let that guy get to you. He's not worth shit," he wipes some blood from his face. Somewhere in all this, he's heard the talk about Earth magic being effective.
"Tch... don't let this guy hold you down," he asides to Cognitive Ichika as he raises his free arm to a column of blue light. "...Let's get funky."
Ogun appears, the leafy masked man in brown appearing to a little shimmy before multiple waves of small purple orbs float gradually Eiji-Sitra's way with yellow energy ring emanatings and a kind of aggravating humming noise.
AS: Masao Inaba spends Limit on Help Up! Charm removed from Tamaki Uchida! AS: Persona! Masao Inaba has used the Earth skill Magry on Penguin Sniper! AS: Masao Inaba's turn has ended. AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 60 Earth damage from Masao Inaba's Magry. Weak! AS: Paralyze added! Blast removed! Explosion! 50 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Hibari Aoki has posed.
Danzaburou, the bake-danuki lord of Sado Island, known both for tricking humans with illusions and mirages, but helping those who struggle and ask him for their assistance. It's a bit of an unexpected Persona to see, but it suits Hibari in her own way.
(Also known for tricking kitsune to their death. Don't worry about that; she doesn't have anything out for Fox.)
And while Mujina knows Ogre's true identity, she does *not* know Phoenix's, only that Eiji is reeeeally focusing on pounding them down. She steps forward, preparing some other defense, as other Persona-users strike.
"You're disgusting," she says to Eiji, her voice tightly controlled so that she doesn't scream. "You get your hands off of Ichika, and get your hands off of Ogre and - " shit did she hear the name? wait, yes she did " - Phoenix!"
"I hate people like you," she snarls, losing some of her control. "People who think they can get away with anything because they know people. Because they're 'special' - not because of anything they did, but because of who their family is. I knew someone like you, once. And if there's one thing you need to learn - "
"It's that you don't own the world, and people don't belong to you!"
Mujina is suddenly holding things in her hand - two things, smallish, round. Grenades? No, just metal balls, which she spins in her hand, making a faint chiming sound as power builds around her, her Persona reasserting itself -
- and she finds herself walking over in a direction she didn't intend to.
Hibari is under no delusions as to whether Eiji would find her attractive. He would not; she is fairly heavyset, even if her long coat goes a good way to obscure it (unintentionally; it's not chosen to be, it's just not exactly figure-hugging) and while it doesn't bother *her* he's exactly shallow enough that it would bother *him*. So she knows that his desire is neither authentic nor, ultimately, aimed at her. It's just a generic feeling of ownership, of dominance. Which she already knew he was into.
Doesn't stop her from walking at least part of the way, though, until she does something she will regret a moment later: she very deliberately plants one of her heels on top of the other foot's toes and, on trying to lift said foot, pitches forward onto her face.
The charm does not allow her to catch herself on the way down, just keep walking, so it really *is* onto her face; she's momentarily stunned from smacking her forehead against the floor, and ends up not really getting up so much as rolling over in a messy heap with a grunt of pain. It *does* mean that she doesn't get the full force of his blow, instead catching only a glancing one, but given she just faceplanted she isn't actually sure she came out ahead there... Maybe she isn't quite as clever as she thinks she is.
But afterwards she can push herself up. "Thanks, Ogre," she gets out, feeling a little thick-tongued, as the healing energy washes over her. She still has the balls in her hand, though, and she spins them, faster and faster, the ringing picking up in speed...
And a matching ringing sound starts to emanate from the ring as Danzaburou's spell becomes manifest. The ringing is secondary, though; the real attack is a beat of Danzaburou's hand against its stomach, drum-like, and with every pulse gravity twists around the ring as Hibari tries to crush it, drag it off, or both.
AS: Persona! Hibari Aoki has used the Earth skill Tanuki Bayashi on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Charm results in party damage! Hibari Aoki takes 60 damage! AS: Ruin: Hibari Aoki gains 1 Limit! AS: Hibari Aoki's turn has ended. AS: Avoid Best! Penguin Sniper takes 53 Earth damage from Hibari Aoki's Tanuki Bayashi. Weak! Avoid Earth! AS: Panic added! AS: Avoid Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 82 Earth damage from Hibari Aoki's Tanuki Bayashi. Weak! Avoid Earth!
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Bullshit. Everything he said was bullshit. Everything he said to everyone there, every word that fell out of his mouth, every action he took against them - it was all bullshit. Hyousuke tried to maintain some level of focus on what was happening, and keep his discipline at the forefront. He tried his level best not to lose sight of the bigger picture... But it was of little use. His fists tightened yet harder, balling into a grip so vicious that it threatened to split the skin over his knuckles, while a roar - a vicious, rending, predator roar - tore itself from his mouth and exploded into the air.
"YOU THINK I GIVE A SHIT WHAT HAPPENS TO ME?!" The mask could do nothing to muffle the fury that burst from him. He thrust his hand forward, pointing at Eiji as if that singular digit could lance through his blackened heart. "I'LL DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO GET THEM OUT OF THIS! I'LL RIP YOUR THROAT OUT WITH MY FUCKING TEETH IF I HAVE TO!" Bloodlust stained his every word, while his lips curled into a bestial snarl. Every breath sounded out as an animal growl, every movement one that strained against his tensing muscles. Even before the counter, rage became him.
He glanced at each of the gathered strangers in the few split seconds that he could force some sense of lucidity into his mind. He recognised almost none of them. Vesper was perhaps the most familiar of all, being someone that he had patrolled with once, though he was the only figure out of all gathered that stood out. However, strangers though they might have been, they had the trust of Ogre and Phoenix, and thus they had Hyousuke's by extension. Joker's nod was acknowledged with one returned, but he said nothing. There was nothing that needed to be said. They had a target, and they had a strategy. All they needed was the will to pull it off. However, when he turned his attention briefly to Phoenix, he could not settle for just a brief nod to them.
"Always."
A single word, delivered in a low growl, but with conviction enough to turn it from some pithy response to a sworn oath.
Before he could move in for the kill, Hyousuke felt something seep into his mind. Just a glance of that smirk had been enough to have him rage before, but now? It was a frenzy. A feral, mindless, frenzy. His blood boiled in his veins like magma, ripping through his body alongside a surge of fury-induced adrenaline. His head pounded. His fists clenched to the point that he could swear there was blood seeping into his gloves. His breathing grew laboured, his body twitched, his eyes shuddered and saw red. This was no mundane anger.
And it drove him wild.
The blows he took did not knock him out of the rage. They did not knock sense into him, nor did they instil any sense of caution. Even as the first sent him tumbling backwards, and the second was only barely blocked by Achilles' shield, all it did was stoke the flames from a blaze into a wildfire, consuming every facet of his being until the only thing he could think of was to rend Eiji's head from its shoulders. With a bellowing warcry, he barrelled forwards, surging forth like a lightning bolt across the battlefield.
But he was not the one to attack. He was desperate to strike - to put his boot through the monster's face, and strike with his heel until all that was left was a fine, red, paste. But that towering thing he had manifested as was too tall for him to strike effectively. Even in the throes of blind rage, he could see that. Achilles, however, was under no such restraints.
"RIP HIM APART!" He commanded, gesturing towards Eiji again, standing before that behemoth Shadow with defiance in his eyes that blazed past even the mirrored lens of his mask.
AS: Persona! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Pierce skill Pelian Spear Strike on Penguin Sniper! AS: Pressure: Hyousuke Suzuki gains 1 Limit! AS: Hyousuke Suzuki regains 5 HP from Regenerate! AS: Hyousuke Suzuki's turn has ended.
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
"We're still thinking things over. But right now... we can't let the things this guy's doing slide." Shinobu replies to Joker with a shake of her head. "We've done what we can on the outside, but those girls won't truly be safe until he goes down for good... and if that means doing things your way this time, then fine by me."
Practical and straight-forward - that's something she can be counted on to be.
Ogre, though, doesn't mind, so Shinobu offers her a nod and a smirk.
"Couldn't have put it better myself. Let's do it." She replies. Phoenix gets a nod, too. "Glad to hear it. Let's give 'im hell."
Shinobu is still worried about Myunghon, of course, especially being here instead of there... but she made sure to tag someone else in before she left, because leaving this unattended would weigh on all of their minds if someone didn't go.
Eiji's eyes turn toward her, and to others, too - and suddenly, Shinobu feels something fall over her. Like her emotions are suddenly hidden over a sheet - and Shinobu seethes, her anger flaring up further.
"This is how you do it, huh? You think just because you can prey on people, you're allowed to..." Shinobu mutters. She feels a pull - as much as she tries to resist it, her legs move on their own, pulled by that force. She grits her teeth - tries to force herself to stop, to will herself to slow down. "You think I haven't seen men with knives in their smile before...?"
She can't make herself stop - but she's able to resist that supernatural influence enough that, once she's on the spot, she can react quickly - her staff swinging out to divert his strike. It glances, but still hits with enough force to knock her away. And as he tells them all to stay down... Shinobu forces herself to her feet with her staff, rolling her neck.
"...Like hell I can't. Think you can just say all that shit and keep getting away with it? ...Nah. I'm going to make you scream." Shinobu says.
She reaches out.
"Lachesis. It's time." Shinobu says. At her word, Lachesis appears behind her, staff at the ready. Shinobu rushes forward, with Lachesis right behind her. She leaps - and is caught by Lachesis's staff and sent flying upward. With a wave of her hand, Shinobu's staff is wreathed in light - which is then driven downward toward Eiji with the added force of a falling star.
AS: Tandem! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Light skill Comet Drop on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Aggression: Shinobu Shimizu gains 1 Limit! AS: Shinobu Shimizu's turn has ended. AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 134 Pierce damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Pelian Spear Strike. AS: Avoid Best! Penguin Sniper takes 73 Light damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Comet Drop . Critical Hit! Weak! AS: Avoid Best! Penguin Sniper takes 73 Light damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Comet Drop . Critical Hit! Weak! AS: Avoid Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 94 Light damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Comet Drop . Critical Hit! Weak!
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Noir leads the assault against Eiji's supporters and Queen nods. "Noir, Panther, we're counting on you to mow them down. Mona, you need to make sure you all can keep fighting as a priority, got it!?" Even now, she's acting her position as advisor. "Hajime's weak to fire! Don't bother with earth!"
Phoenix's question gets a terse answer from Queen, however. "We're not going to give anyone else a chance to find out, got it? Don't waste time speculating, we've got a damn job to do!" Tsubasa saw her enraged at her enemy, but this might be the first time experience her sharpness towards her friends.
A detective bursts in, threatening to arrest everyone, and Queen is darkly amused. "...There's no legislation you can arrest a shadow under, Detective," she calls to Katsuya. "Or us. I've checked- you'd need places like this recognized as part of Japan, before any other legislation about it can be passed. It's going to be more hopeless than trying to prosecute Yakuza was. There's no by the book method for shadows- just make sure you're ready to catch the real thing before he turns himself in. The Eiji Kamiya in the real world has no such protection." On top of that, there's no credit if Eiji Kamiya confesses before he's charged- and there's a prosecutor real obsessed with credit in Port Island right now.
But then red flashes in her eyes as Eiji threatens Ichika's sister. "Tsk... You're just as much of a pig as Kaneshiro." Queen growls, her eyes looking to Ririka, then Ogre. "And it seems like you're both as full of shit. You don't go after someone's family, you two-bit scum!"
And then, Eiji's smile washes over the room.
'Would you like a job? ... Actual modeling work.'
Queen notices as the others are moved, whether they want to be or not- and so do Queen's. It's horrible... she's moving against her will into that position, silently, obediently. Like a good housewife. Or at least, she's not yelling out-
But that means someone might not notice the way her feet move, into a simple Aikido defensive stance, right foot forward. And when the swing comes-
"Too bad, asshole!"
Instead of waiting for the attack, Queen *launches* herself into it, trying to beat the impact that sweeps down on the other women, he scarf acting as a shield as it becomes coated in a layer of jagged, spiky rocks as she rams bodily into Eiji's arm. It hurts, oh it hurts like a motherfucker- but Queen has the satisfaction of interrupting Eiji's effort. "Sorry, but my dad taught me all about your type. You think you're a real man, but all you can do is find women who are too vulnerable to fight back, and profit off them. What's the next scam you're gonna run? 'You could be an idol', maybe? 'Pretend to be a host that's broken a million yen bottle'? You're so pathetic that you'd try a damn bump scam if you thought it'd work. All for what? Money, control, power?" Queen grins, teeth feeling sharp, despite how much she's bleeding after taking that hit. "I bet you get so much respect from your daddy's friends," She remembers what Hajime's shadow, and his cognition, said. "Only being able to torment people you think are weaker than you. I'm sure they're definitely not laughing behind your back about how 'real' a man you are."
It's a guess, but based on her life experience, well... Eiji might be as fragile as every other man challenged by a woman. And she's had time to learn a lot about that sort of man.
Ogre's healing washes over her again, and Queen starts moving as the worst of the damaged is staved off by that magic. Fox, Phoenix, and even Joker are caught in a rage, not even counting Ichika's mysterious backup. Whatever that was that Eiji used on the men and women here, the effect on the women worked on Tsubasa as well...? Does that mean it's based on how Eiji sees them?
Never mind. The Phantoms leader is out of control- even as Joker calls forth a new persona. A hanged woman, here for blood. And as much as blood is deserved, Joker needs to keep his head on/
"Johanna!" She yells out, and the motorcycle persona is under her and Queen is bursting toward Joker, reaching for something in the air. "Joker! Snap the hell out of it!" She yells, as a harisen is suddenly in her hand, drawing her arm back to slap Joker across the face with it at speed, as Johanna goes full tilt past him. "You're the leader, remember! We need your head in the game, no matter how much this scum deserves it!"
And she's just in time to see Phoenix pull a rocket launcher from nowhere, and Queen boggles briefly- but more importantly, she sees how much Phoenix is hurting. Johanna skids to a halt near them, as she extends her hand. "Damnit Phoenix, you fought him before. You can still fight him, I know you can! Johanna, grant them strength! Diarama!"
She revs her engine, and instead of nuclear flame, it's a calming green light that emits from her engine, washing over Phoenix. "Come on! Keep fighting, you and Ogre deserve to bash this idiot's head in!"
AS: Makoto Niijima spends Limit on Help Up! Rage removed from Ren Amamiya! AS: Persona! Makoto Niijima has used the Recovery skill Diarama on Tsubasa Seki! AS: Support: Makoto Niijima gains 1 Limit! AS: Makoto Niijima's turn has ended.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka listens as the Analysis comes in, one hand clutching the large earcup to her ear. She closes her eyes, sifting through all of the information... there! To everyone present, she announces, "Shadow Eiji is... strong against..." There's the sound of a fist beating against a drum. "... strike and dark attacks. Weak against..." The rumbling of the ground, shaking beneath ones' feet. "... Earth and Light attacks."
No, there's footsteps, fast ones, moving quickly across the shaking ground. "... he'll try to avoid Earth attacks... and he's got a mean counter, so be ready for that! Her stomach churns as she makes the final call. "... and... his Strike attacks will be stronger than normal," she finishes with a snarl. She'll never tell anyone what that sound was.
Ririka is a little heartened, though, to hear the sheer number of people here to tell Eiji off. And glad that so many people showed up to help, even if there's more at stake here than just her sister. (She is also worried about Tsubasa still, too.)
Hitomi takes a hit, and Ririka turns to track her. "Mandai-san, you okay?" But when she wonders about the Phantom Thieves, and Ririka glances back to her. "Yeah, I think so--they match what Takeba-san said about them. I've run into them fighting the Joker Killer twice now." Beat. "... didn't know Ogre and Phoenix were with them, though," she admits quietly. But that's something to sort out later.
Eiji gets personal with the insults, and Ririka just stares him down in defiance. But her grip on both her Evoker and her katana tightens, knuckles turning white as Eiji outlines exactly what he was going to do to her. "You... you sick BASTARD!" Anger seethes in her voice, and her entire body trembles. It's exactly what he was going to do to Tsubasa, wasn't it? Just... get rid of the people in Ichika's life that matter to her to keep her under control.
"Like hell I'm gonna let you do that! To me or anybody else! You hear me!?"
But she's noticing something distracting insinuating itself into her thoughts, clutching at her head as she tries to localize it amongst everything else going on. "... the ring!" she says with a gasp right before the effect hit. Her body goes slack, and she blinks a little. Somethnig's nagging at her, but...
She finds herself walking over there, all the same, arms hanging loose by her sides. But right as those wings lift up, she blinks--and the yanks herself back to avoid the worst of the attack, though it still strikes her. "Fuck!"
Eiji asks them to stay down, and Ririka retorts. "Like HELL I will!" She looks to everyone else gathered. "It's that fucking RING doing this to us! We gotta take that thing out!" But Ogre calls out that the ring is theirs. "Wait what? No, you destroy that thing before he ues it on us again!"
If she gets a chance, later, she'll thank Phoenix for their words. But right now is not the time for that discussion.
(They might also ask where the hell they got a rocket launcher???)
But she can't just ignore Cognitive Ichika over there. Last time, she tried gentleness and understanding, but that didn't seem to get through--it took Reiya and Hitomi being much more direct to get a response. So... "Hey. If you're anything at all like the real Ichika--you shouldn't stand for his bullshit! He doesn't give a damn about you--he just wants you to make him look good and give him kids. That's all he cares about."
There is so much going on, but all she can do is focus on what's happening right now. "Alright--" She closes her eyes, sifting through the nose. "I can't heal anyone--Amphion, help those most in need! Healing song!"
Amphion strums his lyre, lines of melody encircling Hitomi, Umie, Katsuya, and Tsubasa to start continuously mending their wounds.
And then Ririka sets her sights on the giant ring."And now--Magnara!" Amphion's song shifts, as a large stone tears itself out of the ground (don't worry where it came from) and hurls itself at the giant ring.
AS: Ririka Kawase spends Limit on Exploit! Ririka Kawase can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Persona! Ririka Kawase has used the Recovery skill Healing Song on Hitomi Mandai, Umie Akabane, Katsuya Suou, and Tsubasa Seki! AS: Charm results in party damage! Ririka Kawase takes 60 damage! AS: Insight: Ririka Kawase gains 1 Limit! AS: Persona! Ririka Kawase has used the Earth skill Magnara on Penguin Sniper! AS: Ririka Kawase's turn has ended. AS: Take! Hitomi Mandai takes 0 Recovery healing from Ririka Kawase's Healing Song. AS: Regen added!
<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
Vesper responds to Joker's nod and Ogre's calling out to him with a nod of his own, displaying a confident grin. Even though he'd much rather not be flying by the seat of his pants like this, it's important to keep projecting the illusion that you know exactly what you're doing.
At all times, you are to remain a source of strength and stability to those around you. Never show weakness, for others will be quick to capitalise.
Why are those words coming back to him now? So he would question, but... he knows. He's known ever since he first started his charade at this Palace, convincingly acting as if he belonged there. There are elements to all of this that are far too familiar, elements that he was made to be prepared for, once upon a time. Elements that he knows exactly how to mingle in, in spite of any personal feelings. And oh, there are personal feelings, even though they don't slip into Vesper's voice, nor his bearing.
"My thanks," is the simple response to Ogre's subsequent healing, offering an additional tip of the hat before turning his attention back to the matter at hand. Observing carefully the dynamic, such as it is, between Eiji and the Submissive Bride. Only if one were to look very carefully at Vesper's eyes, they might be able to tell there is a deep frown behind the mask. Even though he knows he's looking at nothing but a Cognition, he too feels that impulse, the wish for 'that' Ichika to see reason. To stop supporting one who is so clearly abusing her. He is, after all, still a counselor at heart.
Perhaps most would be too enraged by Shadow Eiji's treatment of the women and taunting of the men to keep their cool. It would be a natural response. Vesper doesn't have that response. Oh, he is most certainly angry, make no mistake of that. He just doesn't let his anger control him. It's what allowed him to mingle in this Palace, in spite of his many misgivings. After all... that's the way he was raised.
There will come a day when you must deal with disreputable, dishonorable, flatly reprehensible men. And you must do so while keeping a stiff upper lip.
As Eiji comes out swinging, Vesper quickly darts aside with an "I think not," a wave of his hand followed by a similar wave from his Persona, Raffles sending out an aura of weakness. "A gentleman acts with poise and grace, not... whatever sort of tantrum this is." He is immediately swatted to the ground for his trouble, but he made his point, that's worth something.
Besides, that put some distance between Eiji and the Submissive Bride, while putting him in closer proximity to her. As he gets back to his feet, he has the perfect opportunity to address her, as well.
"...Listen to how he speaks of you. How easily he would cast you aside, as if you were less than nothing to him. You deserve better, Ichika. Do not give your love to one who will not show you love in return. You needn't feel any sort of obligation, and you needn't feel any fear. I promise you, we will not let him harm you and yours any further."
He only wishes he could have spoken those words to the real Ichika, during their counseling sessions. Having to stay professional feels like a curse at times. But here, he can speak his mind freely. And perhaps a little extra mental nudge from his Persona will aid in getting across the point that he and others are trying to make.
AS: Julian Marlowe spends Limit on Exploit! Julian Marlowe can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Persona! Julian Marlowe has used the Almighty skill Tarunda on Penguin Sniper! AS: Persona! Julian Marlowe has used the Almighty skill Marin Karin on Junes! AS: Julian Marlowe's turn has ended.
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Tamaki drops into to a proper fencing stance, her sabre now held point-in-line at Eiji's Shadow, then she smirks at Katsuya. "We've got to stop meeting like this, Suou-san. We should catch up sometime, yeah?"
As for Joker's silent musings, Tamaki doesn't have any idea of the ring's full significance as a capital-T Treasure. Anyone with eyes can tell that it's the main object being contested by Eiji and the Phantom Thieves, though -- the fact that Eiji wants it so badly is reason enough to deny him his prize. Doesn't matter to her who gets it. At least that's her perception.
Her eyes widen and a scowl flashes on her face like she just smelled something terrible. Eiji's vile aura gets to her. While she's had reason to doubt her initial feelings of revulsion for other people, those are victims -- this disgusting man has well and truly earned the full extent of her ire.
In reply to the 'babe' comment directed at her, a dangerous glint flashes in her eyes and she offers him a sardonic grin right back. "Well, well, well. If those are the rules you want to play by, then don't come crying to me when you end up losing to the swarm of people you've pissed off." In a sing-song voice, she taunts, "Fair's fair, right~?"
The ring's dazzling flash of light ... seemingly works on Tamaki, for reasons currently unclear to her but possibly ones involving her own recently-ended engagement. Try as she might to physically resist the urge, Tamaki does feel her head swim with confusion and fury as her feet make their way over to the 'interview lineup'. To her own relief, she still retains the rest of her mental faculties, so she does one thing she does exceptionally well: appear like she's keeping her head down and seeming respectable with her true intent veiled in her heart. Do everything by the book for the most part, watch and wait for her moment, keep an eye on his motions, and then ...
THERE. As Eiji's wings slam down on them, Tamaki manifests Arianrhod once more and leaps onto the flat of her Persona's broadsword before she leaps away from the main center of the impact as Arianrhod blinks out of existence again. It's the best she can do in those circumstances, with her sense of direction being screwed with. She counts her lucky stars as she only gets clipped during her escape and staggers away instead of suffering the full brunt of the blow from where she stood mere seconds ago.
'Uchida! Hey! He's not worth shit.' Mark's callout to Tamaki fully snaps her out of her senses and she gives herself two slaps to both sides of her face and about-faces back towards Eiji.
Katsuya's shield also helped matters greatly. She flashes him a distant thumbs-up from her side of the battlefield in thanks. One good turn deserves another as she calls out to him: "Detective! Keep your cool, he's trying to unbalance you!"
If there's anything else that Tamaki excels at, it's at NOT 'staying the fuck down.' She'll draw on that wellspring of hers to make sure the rest of her group can stay standing as she rubs the coins on her necklace once more as Arianrhod sends out another wave of healing.
AS: Tamaki Uchida spends Limit on Help Up! Rage removed from Katsuya Suou! AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Recovery skill Media on Tamaki Uchida, Masao Inaba, Katsuya Suou, and Umie Akabane! AS: Tamaki Uchida's turn has ended. AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 77 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media.
<Pose Tracker> Hitomi Mandai has posed.
Hitomi watches the Shadow. She has been drilled on this. Don't take your eye off of them. She's regretted it a couple of times already, and she's regretting it now because the play on display is bringing back that gut-clenching stomach-roiling feeling of disgust and terror that led her mind to pinball between numbing horror and --
Something else that she doesn't really like.
That something else is squirming around in the back of her head. It feels like a greased snake, Hitomi thinks, in so far as she's thinking at all. The cruel words of the Shadow hit her ears, travel through her brain, but they don't sink deep into her mind. Her eyes flick momentarily towards Ririka, as if anxious she'll have died in her momentary distraction.
She didn't. "I'm fine," Hitomi answers Ririka with her best sempai-adjacent smile, which probably gives her an opportunity to return focus. "Fighting the 'Joker Killer'? - I'm not sure who they even are, but I guess we're all combining forces, huh," Hitomi continues, free associating as she tries to ignore a sense in the air, something that isn't a scent so much as a *vibe.)
That slick greasy feeling here reminds her of somewhere she went before all of this.
The Shadow is laughing. Hitomi looks at the Shadow as that smile washes out over her and --
-- just sort of keeps going. Hitomi blinks several times. She felt something, but the intention, the drawing-off, just... slid off. The rest of it - the self-justification, the cursing, everything he says afterwards. Asserting he lives off of them. Telling them to stay the fuck down. Hitomi's right hand comes up to palm her face, resting on top of her glasses, even as the force pulls at her legs. She steps forwards several paces.
Huh, Hitomi thinks, looking downwards at her legs. Around five steps she tries to exert her will to stop the next step from happening and the *good* news is that it keeps her from walking directly into the path of peril. The *bad* news is that she was nearly there and the sudden shift in her muscular impulses twists her around with an involuntary gasp of pain. Something goes 'pop' in her lower back.
The ordinary part of her flails in desperation. The unmentionable space where 'she' exists, the nexus of that process, is bounced along by the pain and lands in an interior space that is momentarily clear, except for the total pain in her leg and hip, not helped by her *not* falling down. It's like her tendons are hot wires... and that's before she stiffens involuntarily when the shockwave of the smash hits her, on that same side that she just twisted. She reels. It hurts and it's chaos and she wants it to stop and she wishes, wishes dearly -- and rarely -- that this was JUST Tartarus.
Why do I think that place is better? Hitomi wonders, with desperation and despair.
She says aloud, not very loudly, "Oh. Oh right."
Then Hitomi's hand slides down and she bites on her thumb. She's stifling something. It's not a scream, though, when she finally exhales and her body relaxes. It's a giggle, even as the sudden end of that locked tension makes her reel again, ending up in a half-squat and trembling for a moment.
"This is such a bad idea," Hitomi giggles to herself in that pained half-crouch, and then she breathes in sharply.
To the Tiger-man, she calls out, "You REALLY are the WORST!" And then she laughs again, before pushing out the rest of the air from her lungs, as if it felt good to say that. Simple, perhaps, and strange to say while making that happy sounding voice.
Hitomi pulls herself up straighter with a grit of her teeth; and then she speaks just as loudly, but more flatly.
"You offend me," Hitomi says, snapping her hand up through the momentary evanescence of a card. Above and behind her the shape of Tyche rises, again in a slightly different position. Arms loosely folded, marble fingers touching marble forearms, a white-eyed face looking out towards the Shadow.
"Die," Hitomi concludes, and this is when a festival must be starting because what happens is a lot louder and a lot hotter than the paired Agi she popped off a moment ago. The shrieking whistle descending closer might be familiar, as might the white-hot bursts once you're around the edges, because they burn blue and gold and green: it is fireworks, something to celebrate or to chase away ghosts.
Here, the latter; there is little to celebrate in this place. Though there might be in a minute.
AS: Persona! Hitomi Mandai has used the Fire skill Explosion of Fortune on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Aggression: Hitomi Mandai gains 1 Limit! AS: Hitomi Mandai: Gains 47 HP from Regen! AS: Hitomi Mandai's turn has ended. AS: Avoid Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 162 Earth damage from Ririka Kawase's Magnara. Weak! Avoid Earth! AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 48 Almighty damage from Julian Marlowe's Tarunda. AS: Atk_Dn added! AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 0 Recovery healing from Ririka Kawase's Healing Song. AS: Regen added! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 56 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Explosion of Fortune. AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 77 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media. AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 77 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Explosion of Fortune. Critical Hit! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 77 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Explosion of Fortune. Critical Hit! AS: Take! Masao Inaba takes 82 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media. AS: Take! Junes takes 0 Almighty damage from Julian Marlowe's Marin Karin. AS: Charm added! AS: Take! Katsuya Suou takes 0 Recovery healing from Ririka Kawase's Healing Song. AS: Regen added! AS: Take! Katsuya Suou takes 82 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Media. AS: Take! Tsubasa Seki takes 101 Recovery healing from Makoto Niijima's Diarama. AS: Take! Tsubasa Seki takes 0 Recovery healing from Ririka Kawase's Healing Song. AS: Regen added!
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Umie, in the selfish bubble of her apartment following Sudou's attack, hadn't yet cottoned onto what happened to Myunghon. It's likely for the best right now, as she's not in the most solid of emotional states right now herself.
She'll be plenty conflicted once she finds out.
For now, Umie's attention turns to Katsuya, a visual cue to anyone who notices that she may have been the one to invite him, as she shakes her head, about to say something when she also notices Tamaki. Ah, that must have been who healed her earlier. Vesper is likewise given a nod, as she gives them both a casual salute.
Casting her attention back towards the Phantom Thieves, Umie catches Joker's smirk, and answers back with a cheeky one of her own.
Oh, this will be gratifying in a way that Kaneshiro wasn't.
... Until it isn't, and Umie's face grimaces, forced to recall Tsubasa's earlier conversation in the back of her mind.
'You feel like that?' Tsubasa had asked. 'Like -- tainted.'
'... Yes,' Umie had let herself say. 'Many, many times. For different reasons, but it leads to the same place.'
'Hey ladies-? Couldn't help but notice how gorgeous you all are.'
Oh, no, this feeling won't do at all. No, no.
For a moment, Umie's hand snakes towards her mask, intent on revealing herself and displaying her full face.
It *is* the one quality people complimented on. The only thing she was good at, in a competition where the qualifiers were subjective. To someone else, she'd be okay, but to others, a classic beauty.
A true yamato nadeshiko, the wild dianthus, elegant, full of quiet restrain and strength. A wonderful choice for a wife to build your empire.
Red fingernails clutch into her palm, and Umie looks up, finding herself in a line, and Eiji's gleeful violence being bestowed onto them like a generous groom.
Ririka and Tamaki's gifts are much more preferred, by comparison, giving Umie a chance to stand back up.
Eiji focuses in on Katsuya-- "Katsuya-san!"
And Umie lets the Badb answer with the sort of dark she has inside her-- a shadow that is her, and in her, that bites and shrieks back.
(There is only bloodshed here, no treasure.)
"You *think* you can make someone like me feel that way, Kamiya-kun?" Tainted, that is. Not in love.
Umie adjusts the mask over her upper face, gritting her teeth. "Maybe if you paid more attention to your 'wares', you'd see just how dangerous some of them can be to a man at his most vulnerable."
And the Badb shrieks, as if adding to a symphony with all the others that scream.
AS: Umie Akabane spends Limit on Exploit! Umie Akabane can use another Weak skill this round!
<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
Katsuya slouches his shoulders just a touch. "Yes... it is unfortunate," he admits to Tamaki.
"Arrest the 'shit' out of him...?" Katsuya echoes, apparently bewildered, when Ogre calls out her support of his attempt to bring the law into this. Her teammate, though, appears to have a different take. He can't arrest a Shadow. Which is, well, true. "No, the arrest of a Shadow does not carry weight in the courts. But as you say, the same does not apply to his real self! If I can convince him to turn himself in, then the effort is not wasted!" ...Is that what he's thinking, that he could implore Eiji, somehow, to be the better person and give himself up? ...It probably doesn't work that way.
But it's probably worth a shot.
As for the rest of them, well, that may be a conversation or altercation best left for another time. Probably when they're not getting subjected to the fury and whims of the Palace's Ruler.
Eiji outright says he was plotting on selling Ririka off once he married her sister, and here Katsuya interjects. "'Sell her off'--? I won't permit it! Prepare yourself--" he shouts, adding on to his earlier threat. This all serves to get him the Ruler's attention, for good or for ill, though.
Which is to say, he gets laughed at.
Everything that Akechi had said about the Aoba Station comes to mind immediately. As if to push past that and the Ruler's mockery alike, Katsuya shakes his head. "I am Sergeant Katsuya Suou of the Aoba Police Department in Sumaru City! Eiji Kamiya, several of your crimes fall under our jurisdiction! You are under arrest--!"
He's all of twenty-five. He's been on the force for about three years. Rookie isn't... wrong, actually.
Something sickening is crawling into his head, though. Katsuya grimaces faintly, as if attempting to shake off the first touch of that sensation. It's persistant, though: try as he might, he can't--
The women are directed to one side, and to his horror, he sees that many of them do just that. It doesn't seem like they have control. Is it that sensation that's crawled its way over him, too? Is it forcing them to move? What is it going to do with...
...
He'd already been mad. Now he finds himself furious with rage. "That's-- enough! This ends here!" he shouts at the Ruler, drawing his officer's sidearm and aiming it directly towards him. 'Sitri' is faster, though: he closes on Katsuya and Helios, leveling blow after blow against his Persona. Helios doesn't 'break', but, Katsuya's just found himself on his backfoot.
And still burning with terrible, unnatural anger.
Healing power that swells into him from Ririka's Amphion is just the first glint of light at the end of the brilliant red tunnel of emotion he's found himself engulfed within. "What is--"
The other is Tamaki's voice. "Uchida-kun, this is--?" And just like that, he's able to haul himself the rest of the way through and slam the iron lid back on the kettle of his heart once again.
Furiously, he shakes his head and more importantly, directs the muzzle of his sidearm towards the floor. More healing power washes over him, directed again from Tamaki. "That was dangerous," he chides himself, "Of all the times to get--!" But there are more pressing matters than his own regrets. "Uchida-kun. Thank you!"
So he says before, summoning forth Helios, he directs his Persona to return in kind what he'd received moments ago. Surging ahead of him, Helios jukes left in a feint before moving suddenly in a flurry of clawed strikes for the Ruler of this Palace.
AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Almighty skill Soul Break on Penguin Sniper! AS: Ruin: Umie Akabane gains 1 Limit! AS: Persona! Katsuya Suou has used the Slash skill Scratch on Penguin Sniper! AS: Katsuya Suou: Gains 48 HP from Regen! AS: Katsuya Suou's turn has ended. AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Dark skill Pale Shriek on Penguin Sniper! AS: Umie Akabane: Gains 46 HP from Regen! AS: Umie Akabane regains 3 SP from Invigorate! AS: Umie Akabane's turn has ended. AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 48 Almighty damage from Umie Akabane's Soul Break. AS: Exhaust added! Rage removed! Explosion! 60 damage! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 35 Slash damage from Katsuya Suou's Scratch. AS: Avoid Best! Penguin Sniper takes 30 Dark damage from Umie Akabane's Pale Shriek. Resist!
<Pose Tracker> Penguin Sniper has posed.
Queen manages to block his assault with a strong root in her defensive stance, and he smirks, "Cute. You know how many girls I've shipped off that thought because they took a little karate they could handle themselves?" Before his head twists in a way that no human neck can, to grin at Ririka, "And you think you can stop me, I~mou~to~chan? Sorry, but you ain't gonna be there for our anniversary parties."
Whereas Julian casts off his Rage casually, and he looks downright Perplexed, as Raffles sends out a wave of weakness, "What the shit? You came here and crashed MY wedding- what kind of gentleman does that?"
Anger - rage, it's a pure chaotic melee. And this Eiji? He thinks he's won already, he thinks he's outmaneuvered everyone. 'RAVAGE HIM!!' Rocks Fall, and despite the aura of untouchability surrounding him, he staggers. "Ugh!"
'Don't talk to her like that!'
"You've gotten real mouthy in your time away I'll talk to her how I like." The Ruler says to Ogre, "And you know I can be very loving she's gotten plenty of it. If you're so concerned about her, how about you two share?"
But Ogre reaches out to the Submissive Bride, '--he's going to hurt your kids!' She looks up, in shock, "H-He'd only do that if I- if I-" She frets, even as Ogre fires the Hunting Rifle, and a rock strikes his feline head, causing him to stagger back, with a shotgun shower of debris that causes him to fall right down on one knee. "You... TOO!? You think a gun's gonna be enough to keep me from what I want!?"
The submissive bride comes upon Eiji, as if to touch him in support, right as Tsubasa shouts 'Fuck you!' and she flinches. "I'm... not an invention. I'm- his bride. That's who I am."
And then she shrieks as Phoenix's Rocket Launcher explodes in Eiji's face and he roars in pain, as the smoke clears, with charred whiskers. "Ever wonder why I'm in your head, Tsubaki? It's 'cause you can say whatever shit you want - but you know you're a girl deep down. Can pretend - but the evidence is always there." He then reaches back and lightly shoves the Submissive Bride, "Get back you stupid fool. You're risking MY son with your useless gestures." And she stumbles, and falls with a gasp.
Meanwhile Cognitive Hajime leers at Noir off to the far side of the chapel - but what he's saying, can't be heard this far away. That's probably better for everyone.
He gets up just in time for the Spinning Punk to try and strike his torso again and again and again, and he puts his guard up, as each blow he tries to block with meaty forearms, or shove away. "Feeling's real mutual. The fuck's your problem? Jealous I can get a real woman?"
The gravity orbs then press against him, the floor of the chapel beginning to shatter under the weight, "... I don't get funky with DUDES!" He growls, as he takes one step, after another pulling himself out of the Magry's gravity effects.
'You're disgusting!' And he looks at Mujina, his lip curling off to the side like he just encountered a bad smell, "Really, fatty? You're gonna call ME disgusting? I'd have to put you on a diet for six months before any client would even take you!" And then another gravity attack from Hibari threatens the ring, and he clamps his opposite hand over it, trying to tug it away. "Maybe it'll even be worth the effort, just to show you your place."
'YOU THINK I GIVE A SHIT WHAT HAPPENS TO ME?!'
"Heh. That a promise?" And he smiles, to show rows of teeth, each one longer than one of his fingers as Achilles manifests to jam a SPEAR right in his forearm, "I'm gonna use you as a goddamn toothpick." He picks it out, and breaks it in twain.
'You think I haven't seen men with knives in their smile before?'
Lachesis manifests, and Shinobu comes at him, as he starts moving with a sort of feline agility, quick footwork to avoid the worst of her strikes. "Heh, kinda stings, babe. Sounds like if you have, then you didn't really learn the real lesson there." And right as he says that, Ririka's Magnara launches a rock that clips him upside the head. "Fuck!" 'Fair's fair, right~'
Tamaki's words cause him to bristle suddenly, like a thought had occurred to him. 'You offend me. Die,' Blue, and Gold, and Green Fire descends upon him like fireworks, and he cries out in pain and rage.
"That... the way you wanna play it? Fine... FINE!" Badb's shriek drowns out his initial response to Umie, as he staggers back, and a burst of cursed energy envelops his gaudy Tuxedo. Then Helios comes at him, and rips a gouge right down his Tuxedo, "Damnit! THIS IS A RENTAL! Stupid fucking cop!"
The Submissive Bride is laying on the ground while Julian reaches out to her. "But- he's- he's..." 'We will not let him harm you and yours.' and her eyes flare open as if she had a sudden thought.
She looks more and more distraught by what's going on, and then downright freaked. "No no no! If he - If I lose his son! NO!" She takes a few steps backwards, nearly stumbling before, "I can't! Not again! NOT AGAIN!" And then she turns and begins to flee to the back of the chapel.
And Eiji's feline eyes dilate subtly, his fists trembling with sheer rage. "You dare? YOU DARE!? Fine-" He makes a motion to adjust the rings on his fingers, "-I'm not above calling upon family to deal with threats to our future."
As he spreads his arms and begins to shout in a way that shakes the very chapel.
"OTOU-SAMA!"
<Pose Tracker> Penguin Sniper has posed.
Step. Step. Step. Step. A middle aged man with graying hair in an expensive three piece suit comes out, adjusting his tie with one hand, a brown leather briefcase held in his other. "Even at your own wedding, you can't take care of business? And here I thought you were truly on your way to becoming a man."
The man looks at the Phantom Thieves like they are truly beneath concern.
"I'm sorry, Father... I promise, I'll make it up to you." Eiji says, deferential in tone for the first time, as the Cognition of other man says gruffly, "Just make certain my Grandson doesn't grow up with his mother's lip."
The Kamiya Patriarch
"You think you can threaten my family without consequences, you pathetic criminals?" And he unclasps the brief case, pulling out a small stack of papers, and throws them. One appears in front of Joker, another upon Skull- before he glances at Ogre. "You? You should know better than anyone." As he tosses another one out at her, then at Phoenix.
Restraining Order
They vanish in a sparkle of light, and they each feel something is different about them. Trying to approach Eiji results in them running into something as solid as any wall. Yet there's nothing there they can see! The same holds true for their Persona. No attack, no spell - everything makes contact with a space a short distance from them just vanishes.
"I'll see you all BEHIND BARS!"
More papers flutter, more stamped paperwork - restraining orders appear around Masao, Tamaki, Julian, Umie and Shinobu.
"Adults - coming here to gang up on my son. Pathetic."
Even worse, anyone who tries to attack the Cognition of Eiji's father finds they just can't. Any spell, any attack just dissipates before they can touch the patriarch, like that same wall is there.
"You can't even TOUCH my Father!" Eiji says, with a sneer, "He has connections! Friends in places you can only dream of... THIS IS THE END FOR ALL OF YOU!"
The Ruler's enormous clawed hands are placed together, as he cracks his knuckles, and then surges at Ryuji, slamming his fist into him full force, before turning around and back-handing Joker. It seems the rules don't hold true for them attacking back.
"Cool your heels for a bit..." He asides to Ogre and Phoenix. "... I'll get to you two after I take care of business."
The Patriarch seems almost bored, as he reaches into his brief case and pulls out another stack of legal paperwork, tossing it overhead as the Red Sun of Japan's flag appears. And suddenly Queen, Mujina feel the searing weight of the entire country's legal system searing them with tremendous power.
When everything settles after the explosion, he peers at Katsuya in a condescending, paternalistic way, "Was something wrong with my compensation package, Officer? It's rather unwise to take up your disputes this way... you wouldn't want me to air out your department's dirty laundry in public."
Taking out a stack of Yen bills from his briefcase, he tosses it down in front of Katsuya, "Perhaps this might be enough to persuade you to rethink this?"
Eiji, as this is happening, simply strolls up to Ririka, and rudely tries to backhand her with a casualness of violence that's shocking, "Anything else you want to say? Go on." He grins at her, like he's going to devour her whole, "Say it."
IC Note: Anyone hit by Restraining Order is incapable of attacking Eiji in any way. Everyone is incapable of attacking the Kamiya Patriarch. Invisible walls like in P4 Arena are just there and can't be circumvented, even if the debuffs are removed. Those hit with Restraining Orders are welcome to buff others, shift, heal. If you want to pose trying to attack to get through, it won't waste your turn, just make your csys action something else.
Huh? (Type "help" for help.)
AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Restraining Order on Ren Amamiya, Tsubasa Seki, Ichika Kawase, and Ryuji Sakamoto! AS: Penguin Sniper takes 60 damage from Panic! AS: Aggression: Penguin Sniper gains 1 Limit! AS: You still have 16 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Restraining Order on Masao Inaba, Tamaki Uchida, Julian Marlowe, and Shinobu Shimizu! AS: You still have 15 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Restraining Order on Umie Akabane! AS: You still have 14 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill No Holding Back on Ren Amamiya! 2 Hits! AS: Penguin Sniper takes 60 damage from Exhaust! AS: You still have 13 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill No Holding Back on Ryuji Sakamoto! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 12 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: That attack can't hit that many targets. AS: That attack can't hit that many targets. AS: That attack can't hit that many targets. AS: That attack can't hit that many targets. AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Restraining Order. AS: Spd_Dn and Strike_Break added! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Corrupt Lawfare on Makoto Niijima! AS: You still have 11 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Corrupt Lawfare on Hibari Aoki! AS: You still have 10 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Corrupt Lawfare on Tamaki Uchida! AS: You still have 9 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Take! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 38 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Restraining Order. AS: Spd_Dn and Strike_Break added! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Corrupt Lawfare on Umie Akabane! AS: You still have 8 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Counter Best! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 94 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. Critical Hit! Weak! AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 66 Strike damage in return for their attack! Resist! AS: Block Best! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 32 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. Weak! Block Strike! AS: Penguin Sniper: Def_Up removed! AS: Penguin Sniper's turn has ended. AS: Take! Ichika Kawase takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Restraining Order. AS: Strike_Break added! Spd_Up removed! AS: Block Worst! Tamaki Uchida takes 58 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Corrupt Lawfare. AS: Block Best! Hibari Aoki takes 61 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Corrupt Lawfare. AS: Take! Shinobu Shimizu takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Restraining Order. AS: Spd_Dn and Strike_Break added! AS: Take! Ren Amamiya takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Restraining Order. AS: Strike_Break added! Spd_Up removed! AS: Avoid Worst! Ren Amamiya takes 56 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. Weak! AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 30 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's No Holding Back. Weak! AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Restraining Order. AS: Spd_Dn and Strike_Break added! AS: Avoid Best! Umie Akabane takes 47 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Corrupt Lawfare. AS: Take! Masao Inaba takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Restraining Order. AS: Spd_Dn and Strike_Break added! AS: Take! Julian Marlowe takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Restraining Order. AS: Spd_Dn and Strike_Break added! AS: Umie Akabane spends Limit on Help Up! Rage removed from Yusuke Kitagawa! AS: Take! Tsubasa Seki takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Restraining Order. AS: Strike_Break added! Spd_Up removed! AS: Avoid Neutral! Makoto Niijima takes 82 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Corrupt Lawfare. AS: Ryuji Sakamoto spends Limit on Shift! Ichika Kawase can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Shinobu Shimizu spends Limit on Shift! Hitomi Mandai can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Masao Inaba spends Limit on Shift! Hyousuke Suzuki can use another Weak skill this round!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Hi Masao! Hopefully there won't be any Problems regarding the Treasure later. Tamaki's willingness to let the Phantoms have it is appreciated; it'll all be appreciated more later when everyone gets a chance to talk about it. Right now, there is still violence to be doled out. Level-headed violence, though, like Vesper's--Skull, Phoenix and Hyousuke are already taking care of the wild, feral kind.
Queen smacks Joker clean across the face with that harisen, an act that leaves them flailing for a moment before they shake their head and focus. This time, she's the one keeping her cool--good for all of them, especially Mona and the others. "...Thanks," they call to their compatriot. "I needed that." Luckily that she and Umie are still in it--and viciously tearing Shadow Eiji down about his supposed 'manliness.' They smirk; good for them both.
They look to Shinobu as she professes that the need to take Eiji Kamiya down is big enough to be worth doing things their way. Joker nods once. "Take your time, then. For now, your help is much appreciated," they call back.
Ririka shouts that they need to destroy the ring before Shadow Eiji uses it on them again. Joker shoots her a sharp stare. They don't know for sure what would happen if they destroyed someone's Treasure--but that could well be how one does a mental shutdown or psychotic breakdown. Without knowing for sure... "Do NOT destroy the ring!" they call, just as sharply--and when Hitomi quite understandably tells the Shadow to die, adds, "And do NOT kill Kamiya's Shadow, as utterly tempting as it is! The consequences will be far worse!"
They're immediately tested. Shadow Eiji continues to deadname and disrespect Phoenix, and Joker's dark eyes flash with a more natural sort of anger. Trying to appeal to Cognitive Ichika isn't something they would have tried, even without supernatural rage, but they leave Ogre and Phoenix to it; given her support role here, maybe it will be effective. ...That thought costs him, for when Cognitive Ichika flees from Vesper, Shadow Eiji calls on some truly abominable support:
The father who taught him to be this way.
Joker takes up a defensive posture, unsure of what's about to happen next as Shadow Eiji literally calls on Daddy to take care of his problems for him. They certainly weren't expecting a Restraining Order--and when that paper comes down and strikes them, paralyzing them from taking another attack--they snarl in frustration and fury as they take a knee. This helplessness and the despair that follows in its wake...
They know it agonizingly well. "Ixtab!" they call--but their Persona, while she appears, is only caught in the Restraining Order too. She struggles like a fly in a cobweb before shattering under the force of Cognitive Father's fists. The backblow knocks Joker down too, though they'll get more of a raging headache over it than any bruises. They cough and wheeze, and lift their head, teeth grit as they glare at Shadow Eiji and his father.
No.
They refuse.
If the Black Mask shows up--or worse, Akechi--they won't be found unable to act at all.
With great effort, Joker lifts a hand to their mask--and chances it once more. "Cait Sith! Get us the strength for a comeback!" they call to another aspect of themselves. He, too, is caught in the Restraining Order as he materializes, a Puss-in-Boots sort of creature with a sword--but that doesn't stop him from raining vitalizing energy down over several of Joker's friends and allies. Queen's still free to move, so she'll get the first of it--then Hitomi, Ririka, and even Katsuya. He might be a cop, but Joker can acknowledge that they're up against a wall here, quite literally.
AS: Persona! Ren Amamiya has used the Almighty skill Matarukaja on Makoto Niijima, Hitomi Mandai, Ririka Kawase, and Katsuya Suou! AS: Pressure: Ren Amamiya gains 1 Limit! AS: Ren Amamiya's turn has ended. AS: Take! Hitomi Mandai takes 0 Almighty damage from Ren Amamiya's Matarukaja. AS: Atk_Up added! AS: Take! Makoto Niijima takes 0 Almighty damage from Ren Amamiya's Matarukaja. AS: Atk_Up added!
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"You really do have more than one of those!" Ogre exclaims at Koker. "Kickass!" Not only another Persona--one with the right elements. His strategy is top-tier... She's reassured to have him leading the heist, and to have Queen backing him up. "You got Joker?" she calls, making sure. While Katsuya answers and--he is apparently a little surprised, but that doesn't slow Ogre down any. Instead, she hears his own plan, and... "Queen's right. But once he does..."
Mujina thanks her, and Ogre nods. "We'll handle this!"
Then to Phoenix, "He's not gonna stay there!" In their head. "We're gonna take him out, here and now!"
She worries at Skull taking a big hit, too--but he does just fine, it seems. Even clipping Hajime again. Who deserves it.
"Go!"
Hyousuke roars, and cries out that he doesn't care what happens to him. But while thats something Ichika doesn't love... She knows she can rely on him here and now, at least. And if they all live, she can try and get her friend to value himself later.
"Hang in there!" She calls to Hyousuke.
And Ririka calls to destroy the ring--but Ogre just looks back at her for a moment. "Careful," she tells Ririka. "You get too mad, and you'll get sloppy. You gotta hang on."
But she hears Vesper say something she doesn't expect--speak to the cognitive Ichika, even as the 'real' Ichika is secretly here. They won't let him...
"I'm sure she can hear you," Ogre says quietly--so quietly that Vesper may not even hear it. But it's enough that she heard it, maybe.
But Hitomi surprises her--that laughter with it. Apparently she's really into this...
"Yeah!" Ogre calls to her. "Get him!"
But he keeps talking. Shipping off girls, and Ririka--"Fuck off, leave them alone!"
But then he talks to her, and Ogre's lip curls. She stands there in her roses-and-thorns armor and spits back. "I've had better since you," Ogre tells him. "And a lot more considerate, too."
She doesn't dignify his talk of 'sharing' with a response--mostly because she's busy with how Cognitive Ichika reacts. "...I remember you," she tells her. She smirks at the matter of a gun when it knocks him down,
"They're not a girl you fuckhead!" Ogre retorts eloquently. "You don't know a damn thing about what's in their head!"
"And Skull got a real woman all right--he's got me! Him and Phoenix both!"
But it hurts, watching the Submissive Bride freak. She starts to run, and Ogre's heart seizes. "Let her go!" Ogre shouts. But suddenly-
"Oh, shit." Dad. She of all people should know better--someone studying Ogre's body language will note real fear, before she seizes herself up and stands through it. ...It's not gone; she's just pushing ahead anyway.
Or rather, she's trying--she throws out another spell, "MOMIJI!" as rock hurtles towards Eiji--But it doesn't connect. She steps forward to try to use her weapon, and runs into an invisible wall. "What the--"
They can't touch his father. "No, no, no," Ogre starts, her breath catching and then speeding up--before Skull gets her. Even while he's getting his ass kicked, he can have sass. Ogre takes a deep breath. "Joker," she calls, kseeing him rise with difficulty. "I'm still good! I'll heal if I can't reach him!"
Momiji whirls out again, and lifts her clawed hands. Brilliant witchlight washes over Ririka, Hibari, Fox, Joker, Queen, Shinbou, Hitomi, and Hyousuke, settling in green radiance and mending hurts.
AS: Persona! Ichika Kawase has used the Recovery skill Media on Makoto Niijima, Shinobu Shimizu, Hitomi Mandai, and Hyousuke Suzuki! AS: Support: Ichika Kawase gains 1 Limit! AS: Take! Hitomi Mandai takes 116 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media. AS: Persona! Ichika Kawase has used the Recovery skill Mediarama on Ririka Kawase, Hibari Aoki, Yusuke Kitagawa, and Ren Amamiya! AS: Ichika Kawase's turn has ended. AS: Take! Ren Amamiya takes 165 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Mediarama. AS: Take! Shinobu Shimizu takes 123 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media. AS: Take! Hibari Aoki takes 159 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Mediarama.
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
Mujina's anger over people who know people resonates strongly with Phoenix -- as they think of their father. If she knows Ogre, too, she must know the score... and they feel, for a moment, for the way this must be personal for the tanuki-masked girl too.
Skull might be terrible at school, but he's got more strength than Phoenix when it comes to these Persona battles. Being fair: Phoenix only started doing this sort of thing a month ago. And they only got a real party to team up with a couple of days ago!!
(Which explains why they haven't been able to clear up things with Tamaki yet... oops...)
All that to say: that's why Phoenix is counting on him to follow up their raw native strength with his synergistic force. (And thank God he meant to do that.) Spin, spin, spin, Skull spins right into Eiji-Sitri, and Phoenix yells: "YEAH! GET FUCKED!"
Skull's not the only one who's been doing this longer, though. Joker's pulled out a new Persona, and Phoenix double-takes, when they realiseit. "Wait a sec -- you can do that?!"
Queen's sharpness takes them aback, their head jerking back -- before they nod, firmly. "R--right!" Man, their childhood friend is scary... when did that happen?! (With steel like that in her tone, they're just glad she's on their side...)
Yusuke's elegant skill with his own long blade isn't something that escapes their notice, either -- or their gratitude; they're glad someone else gets how it feels to SHOVE A SWORD DOWN THIS GUY'S THROAT.
Cognitive Ichika says she's not an invention, though, and Phoenix frowns, glancing aside. "Sorry." She gets a sincere apology, even if she's part of Eiji's head, because -- fuck, man, her life sucks enough.
It neatly informs the way they glare at Eiji-Sitri a few moments later, his whiskers all charred. "S--shut up!" They snap, from the ground they've landed on again. (The recoil on that rocket launcher is fierce.) One of their hands grasps their greatsword -- but the other crosses over their (presently flat) chest, for reasons that may be obvious. "I ain't... I ain't no girl! You don't know me! You don't know shit! Y--you think you can jus' -- beat me into it?! Ain't the first one to try, asshole! You don't know me! You ain't seen me! FUCK!" They're at least living, walking proof that Umie is right: Eiji's wares are dangerous as fuck.
Luckily, Queen is COMPLELELY on their side -- as she pulls up to give Phoenix a hand up. "Chh-- hhhrk-- thanks," they cough, and manage to cough out, the volume on their last invective apparently having blown out their vocal chords a little. (No, that's... not quite why they're coughing.) Luckily, the fumes from Johanna's engine aren't the kind to get lodged in their lungs, and Phoenix stands straighter as the Diarama washes over them. "You're right. We gotta send this prick to hell!"
But they're not the only one facing up to him, today. They hear Hyousuke's declarations, and boy, do they feel it -- even if they feel a little worried about him, too. But he promises, always, and they'll just have to hold him to that... because 'always' means he'll show up tomorrow, too, right?
'Big Sis' Shinobu being here is really more of a relief than Phoenix could have estimated at first glance; she might be someone Tsubasa talks about like a gangster, but that makes her more reliable, not less. Hearing her respond to Joker's question with such a thought-out response... there's no way they can ask her directly if Myunghon's okay, not without spreading it to everyone, but they feel more secure in the idea that Shinobu definitely took care of everything.
Ririka warns Phoenix, though, that Eiji-Sitri resists strike -- and that's important information for them to know. "Got it!" They call, back to her. "Slice him open!" They hear her, a few beats later, angry at what Eiji plans to do to the people in Ichika's life... and they hate that they can imagine how she might feel. Still -- she wants to destroy the ring, and -- "We got it handled, man! We know what we doin'!" Phoenix... is trying to be reassuring, but they know they can't tell the people who've come to help just what their plan is, either. Still -- "Thanks!!" They call, as the music wraps around then. "Don't listen to this prick, ya music's cool!"
When Vesper speaks to Cognitive Ichika, Phoenix calls out: "He's right, y'know?! Love ain't an obligation! An' it shouldn't make you feel scared, neither! Love's about -- bein' able to count on someone, an' always havin' their back, too! Havin' a place beside them -- bein' welcome there! It's... it's about givin' a shit, goddamnit! That's what she means to me...!" When Cognitive Ichika runs away, Phoenix breathes a sigh of relief. "Thank fuck for that..."
They're impressed at the skill Tamaki shows with Arianrhod -- they're five games too early to beat her, so it's a good thing she's fighting Eiji. When they realise that Hitomi's hurt, though, it's concern they're feeling. Is Ririka's friend, like... okay...? "Fuck, man," they breathe out, as she commands him to die. "Can't blame ya for that one bit... was a long time I thought I was gonna kill him if I saw him, too. But our Boss is right, yo?" It's fine, they talked to Ichika about this beforehand at some point, they have two bosses now too. "Much as you think ya wanna... you really don't wanna kill a guy's Shadow."
When they register what Katsuya said, they -- they actually laugh, again, a touch disbelieving. "Holy shit, man, that rules! You want him to turn himself in, too!! Goddamn, for a cop, you're alright!"
Unfortunately, their good feelings don't last long. The Kamiya Patriarch takes the field -- and Phoenix looks to Ogre, as she warns them. "Fuck," they hiss, through grit teeth.
The stack of papers isn't something they can ignore, though.
"You... you prick! I only tried to hit your son of a prick son 'cuz he was tryin' to fuck with Ichika!" It's really a good thing Phoenix has never met the real thing; they're running their mouth off immediately, confessing to all their crimes. (Katsuya's seen how easy it is to get Tsubasa to crack... not that they're here, of course.)
Phoenix steps up, beside Ogre, when Eiji addresses them. "Fuck you!" They snap, to him, in turn. "You think I'm gonna let some stupid papers stop me?!" They tear their mask from their face in a shower of blood and blue flame. "IZBUSHKA NA KUR'IH NOZHKAH!" They scream, as their veritable house of a Persona manifests, far more massive than they are behind them. Its chicken legs alone as at least as big as Tsubasa -- let alone the thatched-roof hut of its body, with a skirt of bones like a fence around it, flapping hatch windows like little chicken wings.
It's huge. It's STRONG. If anything could break through the Restraining Order -- it's Tsubasa's massive Persona.
But it just charges forward, only to SLAM into that barrier, with a dazed little flutter of its window-wings. You can feel the '?' above its head, as it kicks at the force field around Eiji, as it tries to pound the ground with its claws to hit both him and his father only for the shockwaves to slam uselessly against Eiji's protection and STRAIGHT FUCKIN' DISSIPATE?! when they get close to Eiji's father.
"What... what the fuck?!" Phoenix yells, gesturing sharply. "What gives?! Ugh... fuck! Hey, MUJINA!" They call, turning to the girl in a tanuki mask. "You know what it's like for fucks like this to show up, right?! FUCK HIM UP! Persona!"
And Izbushka na Kur'ih Nozhkah flutters its little window-wings, and disappears as a red haze falls over Mujina, empowering her strikes.
AS: Persona! Tsubasa Seki has used the Almighty skill Tarukaja on Hibari Aoki! AS: Charm results in party damage! Tsubasa Seki takes 60 damage! AS: Aggression: Tsubasa Seki gains 1 Limit! AS: Tsubasa Seki: Gains 47 HP from Regen! Charm removed! AS: Tsubasa Seki regains 5 HP from Regenerate! AS: Tsubasa Seki's turn has ended. AS: Take! Hibari Aoki takes 0 Almighty damage from Tsubasa Seki's Tarukaja. AS: Atk_Up added! AS: Hibari Aoki spends Limit on Exploit! Hibari Aoki can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Take! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 169 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media. AS: Take! Makoto Niijima takes 114 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Media. AS: Makoto Niijima has no more TP available for healing! AS: Take! Ririka Kawase takes 0 Almighty damage from Ren Amamiya's Matarukaja. AS: Atk_Up added! AS: Take! Ririka Kawase takes 159 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Mediarama.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Things seem to be going well until Eiji calls his dad to come solve things. As Skull watches things, he slumps over with a big exaggerated "SERIOUSLY?!"
The magic Restraining Order doesn't phase Ryuji. He's going to run over that and beat that stupid---Skull hits a wall, eyes widening.
And thats when the kitty comes back and starts beating the snot out of him. He looks pretty pathetic, being boxed by a cartoon Tiger man.
Still upon the beat downs end, Skull manages to look over at Ichika and grin, winking at her to show he's ok.
Skull gets back to his feet, stumbling from the pain for a second but widening his stance to brace himself. "Oh I'm gonna just wait to hit ya." He grins and taps his pipe against his shoulder as Captain Kidd appears again to shower some power on Ryuji.
"Tick Tock, Garfield."
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
The crowing of the Badb incites warriors to battle. For Fox, it helps soothe the reckless fury and allow focus to return to the swordsman - in time to see the Ruler call out for more aid as his bride flees into the shadows.
Fox remains silent as he watches the Kamiya Patriarch lay down crooked law at his comrades and the others who have come to support them. Inexplicably, however, that gilded paperwork does not touch him.
He remains statue-still as he listens to the two Kamiya men talk of these matters... and a gut-churning familiarity strikes him.
Fox lowers his sword, and begins to walk slowly towards Shadow Eiji.
"This is your father, then," he says. "Someone you feel you have to call on when your own strength fails. Someone you desperately want to respect you, just as much as you respect him."
His gaze turns to rest on the cognitive image of the Kamiya Patriarch - noting, even in this twisted world where Eiji's cognition shapes these figures around him according to his desires, that his father's gaze holds no love, only disdain and condescension. Yusuke Kitagawa sees the shade of a man wearing a lord's facepaint and a golden kimono, and Fox returns his gray gaze to Sitri, making eye contact with that feline glare.
"... In the end, he will cast you aside, too. GOEMON, TO ME!"
Perhaps this truth buys him only a moment; he'll have to make it enough. He twists his katana so that its edge points upwards, steps backwards onto Goemon's lowered pipe, and lets himself be flung towards Eiji's wrist. An icy mist trails behind his blade as he soars up and over Sitri's shoulder, tucking and flipping forwards for a three-point landing.
His blade clicks home, and suddenly a gash carves open in Sitri's wrist, ice rapidly filling in the wound.
"ANYONE WHO CAN, SMASH THE ICE!"
AS: Persona! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Almighty skill Tarukaja on Ryuji Sakamoto! AS: Ryuji Sakamoto: Rage removed! AS: Ryuji Sakamoto's turn has ended. AS: Take! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 159 Recovery healing from Ichika Kawase's Mediarama. AS: Tsubasa Seki spends Limit on Shift! Yusuke Kitagawa can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Persona! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Water skill Sublime Cut on Penguin Sniper! AS: Aggression: Yusuke Kitagawa gains 1 Limit! AS: Yusuke Kitagawa's turn has ended. AS: Take! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 48 Almighty damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Tarukaja. AS: Atk_Up added!
<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
'... I don't get funky with DUDES!'
"Can't take a man-to-man talk like that, huh--" Masao lets his mouth run in contrast to having been one-two sucker-punched mere moments before. (He's a shorter than average guy, this seems to correspond to having a greater chip on one's shoulder.)
"Aw hell," he looks up as the Submissive Bride flees, but the Palace Ruler's rage makes manifest... their father.
He only looks like an ordinary middle-aged man, but in the moment there's that deferrential presence that feels imparted on everyone. Papers fly. What's written catches an otherwise defiant young man's eye.
The young Masao 'Mark' Inaba sure had a lot of run-ins with the police with his... well, being Masao 'Mark' Inaba, what with all the trespassing and the vandalism and the noise ordinance violations and whatnot. It got to the point he was on a nickname basis with a guy who ultimately did not survive a particular tragedy. The realities of the law and what it imposes cannot be so casually ignored, in his adulthood.
A restraining order.
Through the Palace Ruler's Cognition, their father figure's presence feels absolute and inalienable, and he chafes.
He takes note of how the young-looking guy in the black trenchcoat just pulls out what looks like a completely different Persona, like... man. It reminds him of a promise he made a certain someone before they all graduated.
"Tch." They're both unapproachable, there's a feeling of a wall but there's nothing to bang an angry fist upon as Eiji gets to take free swings unimpeded...
"Even... they're kids, right?" He says of the trenchcoat-bearing Joker and the leather-clad bank robber-like Skull. Putting aside the whole severity of violent crimes and convictions, and all, unaware of how on the nose this line of thinking is for at least one of them.
He asides in Hyousuke's direction, more coincidentally, having seen that guy just go completely off the cuff. "Yeah, I kinda, echo that sentiment." Even Reiji would have probably paused before some of that, and Reiji damn well nearly dashed himself against the rocks to his death metaphorically in his crusade against a vile man.
"...He's that scared of his own old man, huh," Masao grumbles as he looks down. This is the young man who would've rather been turned to stone than lie about who the better painter was, in the depths of the Black Market.
He shakes his head. This guy doesn't deserve to get away with anything he's done, but something leaves a bad enough taste in his mouth here, and by golly he's going to keep driving that chariot forward.
"YO! Kamiya!" Masao calls. "I got a question for you. Speakin' as one guy who got bore down on by their own old man growin' up."
"Who'd you want to be before he told you who you'd be?"
AS: Masao Inaba's turn has ended.
<Pose Tracker> Hibari Aoki has posed.
Mujina's face is difficult to read behind her mask. That is, after all, the whole point of a mask like this. Her voice is a *lot* easier to read, though.
"Please," Mujina says, actually dismissive of Eiji. "You're not telling me anything people haven't tried to hurt me with before - and it doesn't work. If you're trying to insult me, you'll have to get more creative than that! Maybe try mocking my hair," she says, tossing it - it's long and currently dyed, striking ombre shading from her natural brown to vivid red. "At least that means something to me - I work to keep it this way!"
(Mujina's hair is the same as Hibari's, though freshly dyed, but alas, the mask makes it impossible to put two and two together - what sticks in the mind about Mujina's is that her hair is deliberately, artificially striking, an act of rebellion against what's considered 'normal'.)
"And maybe I'm a little heavy," she says, just a hair defensive - she's still slightly nettled even if she's pretty good at covering it, because she's heard it so many times in her life from people trying to just be a little cruel, or even just because she stands out a bit. "But at least I authentically enjoy *something*. Cooking is a gift you can share with people and enjoy together, and cooking *for* someone can be a way to connect with them! I wouldn't expect you to understand. You don't seem to enjoy anything or anyone - you're always reaching for something but you're never happy when you get it, and you don't care about making a connection. Honestly, I pity you!"
The Cognitive Ichika runs, and Hibari is grateful - she couldn't bring herself to hit her, even if she knew perfectly well that it wasn't *actually* Ichika - the real Ichika is over there, after all. Better for her to flee than to stay -
But Eiji calls for his dad, and Hibari gets goosebumps.
If Eiji reminded her of someone else before - someone who Hibari rarely speaks about, but Ichika at least knows - the resemblance is stronger now. He really does lean on his untouchable parent, with the contacts. They can't touch him. They can't *touch* him!
No! Mujina shouts in her own mind. Calm down!
And it's in that state of mind that she is assaulted by the cognitive force of the Japanese legal system... something that Hibari has familiarity with. This, too, is a strong resemblance - but this time she can fight back in her own way, instead of being forced to suffer and take it. It makes her feel stronger rather than weaker, even if the blast knocks her back several yards, one arm raised to cover her face from the blast -
And simultaneously, Ogre heals her and Phoenix empowers her. What was already burning blazes brighter. "Right!" she calls back to the Phantom Thieves; she sounds like she's grinning. Then she turns toward Eiji and his father: "If you thought that was going to convince me to back off - you made one BIG MISTAKE! Once was enough! And you made another one, if you left me free because you thought I was weak!"
Mujina reaches up - and yanks off her mask, something that takes a surge of strength. Blue flame burns where she pulled it away. "Danzaburou!" she calls again, her Persona reappearing as she looks through the burning light: "Show everyone our power!"
A surging, pulsing wave of telekinetic power wraps around both Eiji and his ring, rippling with unearthly colours as the energy twists in eye-watering ways. But that's not all Hibari is doing, because Danzaburou remains present, gathering a paler energy on his gunbai - a little signaling fan - before snapping it at Eiji himself.
Blue-white energy whirls around him, spiraling faster and faster before *bursting* in a chaotic eruption. Lesser Shadows simply disintegrate under it; in Eiji's case, he'll probably withstand it, but the wild magic penetrates his Shadowy body, weakening him.
And simultaneously, a rippling sphere of pink flies directly toward the Patriarch before the stunning ball flattens against the wall and vanishes in a crackle of mental energy. Well, they can't all be winners.
AS: Persona! Hibari Aoki has used the Elec skill Mapsi on Penguin Sniper! AS: Charm results in party damage! Hibari Aoki takes 60 damage! AS: Ruin: Hibari Aoki gains 1 Limit! AS: Persona! Hibari Aoki has used the Almighty skill Mystery Megido on Penguin Sniper! AS: Hibari Aoki's turn has ended.
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Joker says that the help is appreciated, and Shinobu nods.
"Glad to hear it. Same to you." She replies.
Eiji, though... He's surprisingly fast, despite how big he is... Shinobu frowns with a 'tsk' - and then he calls her 'babe', and she has to hold back a spike of anger.
"And what lesson's that, that I should just let you do what you want? Nah. To hell with that." Shinobu replies with a shake of her head.
And after further attacks, Eiji calls from help - and a man appears. A cognition of his father...? He sends papers flying out. At the Phantom Thieves - and at her and some of the adults, as well.
"'Pathetic'? This ain't just boys being boys, old man. Your son's done some serious crimes, and now they're catching up to him." Shinobu retorts. Eiji sneers, and Shinobu frowns. She really wants to wipe that smirk off his face... She rushes forward again, staff at the ready, and swings -
- and her staff strikes an invisible surface, bouncing back. She swings again - and the same thing happens.
"The hell...?" She mutters. ...It takes a second for her to register what happened. His father... "...You think he's untouchable, huh? What a big man, hiding behind dear ol' dad... Hiding from consequences. I bet you go crying to daddy if you so much as stub your toe, don't you? Gonna slap a restraining order on the table next?"
She can't hit him, but that doesn't mean she can't goad him, and he's riled her up enough with his words that she doesn't feel bad about it. It might not have any effect, but it makes her feel better about her current situation.
"The rest of you... give 'im hell for us, yeah?" Shinobu calls out. Right now, though, there's not much more she can do but pace tensely like an animal caught in an enclosure, staff at the ready...
But there's still things they can do, even barred from attacking him directly - Ogre proves that, as Momiji calls upon healing light. The green radiance eases her wounds and Shinobu rolls her shoulders.
"Thanks, Ogre." Shinobu nods her way. What can she do...? ...Well, there's one thing she hasn't tried.
"Lachesis... Make sure nothing too bad happens to them, alright?" Shinobu requests. Lachesis appears again, and briefly inclines her head. Her attention turns, then, to Shinobu's allies. Her staff is leveled, framing some of them one after the other - Skull, Mujina, Vesper, and Katsuya. It's the same gesture for that aura that induces fragility - but in the moment, it instead provides protection from harm.
AS: Persona! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Almighty skill Protected Fate on Ryuji Sakamoto, Hibari Aoki, Julian Marlowe, and Katsuya Suou! AS: Shinobu Shimizu's turn has ended. AS: Take! Hibari Aoki takes 0 Almighty damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Protected Fate. AS: Def_Up and Spd_Up added!
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
While it's still on her mind, she snaps her fingers and points at Phoenix. She's smiling brightly ... but there's an air of menace behind it that Phoenix may recognize. "You and me should have a talk after this." They've got some explaining to do. Little does Tamaki know the true situation, however ...
Joker's use of multiple Personas doesn't go unnoticed by Tamaki either. So it's not limited to that girl from the other night ... she thinks, meaning Kanae.
Tamaki's defiant smirk widens to a toothy grin as Eiji's Shadow shudders at her earlier words. That landed. "You may yet prove clever and hardy enough to endure the trials placed before you, but ... I have a very good feeling that you'll be found wanting."
Just as Tamaki and Arianrhod level their swords in unison towards Eiji as an impending Hama's column of light begins to glow underneath the Shadow's feet ... The Patriarch responds to his son's summons and places a wall between them. As Hama's light dissipates, a deeply frustrated scowl forms on Tamaki's face. As much as she wants to join in the beatdown, it looks like she won't get in any blows, herself.
Tamaki looks to one of the women trapped behind the barrier with her. That mask and that crow ... and her earlier proximity to Katsuya. She had an inkling before, but being this up-close now lets her confirm that her earlier silent assessment was correct. Tamaki narrows her eyes and gives Umie a nod of her own in recognition, but avoids any mention of her out loud.
These are the limits of working within the system as she does. Even as a private investigator and not a proper member of law enforcement, the extra room to maneuver and the greater access to information still does require her to comply with the law, lest she ruin her own career prospects. Tamaki finds her own path forward barred, preventing any use of the talents she had learned at a much younger age during a much simpler time when she could barrel through everything trusting in only herself and her partner.
No, this predicament demands a shift in her own thinking. She's not out of the game entirely, she's just relegated to support. It's her turn to trust others instead of herself. "Inaba-san, Suou-san ... give him hell for us."
Tamaki's eyes widen as she realizes that their defenses have been compromised. "Brace yourselves!"
Arianrhod holds her broadsword in front of her and spins it around, leaving behind the afterimage of the moon, turning through its various phases, surrounded by several stars. With each revolution, new stars form and others burn out, but the silver wheel remains. More afterimages appear in front of Masao, the masked Umie, and the distant Skull, who
seems like he's incredibly close to his limit,' then they dissolve, invigorating their senses with the alertness that comes from a good night's rest, leaving them better able to handle the worst trials of the day to come.
AS: Take! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 0 Almighty damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Protected Fate. AS: Def_Up added! Spd_Dn removed! AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Recovery skill Silver Wheel on Tamaki Uchida, Masao Inaba, Umie Akabane, and Ryuji Sakamoto! AS: Defense: Tamaki Uchida gains 1 Limit! AS: Tamaki Uchida's turn has ended. AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 0 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Silver Wheel. AS: Eclipse added! AS: Tamaki Uchida spends Limit on Shift! Masao Inaba can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Tamaki Uchida spends Limit on Shift! Katsuya Suou can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Take! Masao Inaba takes 0 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Silver Wheel. AS: Eclipse added!
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Your childhood friend has finally gotten sick of being a doormat, Tsubasa-kun. Can you blame her? You sat in those interminably long student council meetings where nothing happened. You had those boring meetings with faculty. She's sick of people screwing around! "That's right. We're not letting him walk away to hurt anyone else."
"Joker gets a thumbs up in return to his thanks. It's what she's here for. They're all here for it, really: to watch each other's backs and support each other.
"Probably plenty," Queen growls back, angrily. "But you won't ever again after today. No, after today, you're going to be reuniting every person you've 'disappeared' with their families- the ones you haven't killed with your cruelty, that is. The ones you killed... you'll answer for them." Just like she swore Kaneshiro would, in that palace. A place where she was so close to being the sort of victim that Eiji wants Ririka and Tsubasa to be.
A place where those victims her father died trying to save are now.
What she did not expect was the weight of the law to be dropped on her. The law her father, her grandfather, her family pledged to protect. The law that her sister administers, and enforces.
The law that is helpless against men like Kaneshiro, the law that is weaponized against people like Ren, and Ryuji, and Tsubasa.
Even as the Rising Sun of Japan glares at her, and try as she might, she can't evade the searing spotlight of Japan's broken law and twisted system, and it burns against her- but not as badly as she expected, able to avoid the worst of it. It still hurts, though.
"Joker!?" She calls, seeing them thrust behind the bars of a restraining order, and sees so many others. "Skull!? Phoenix, Ogre!?" But it's Fox who seems suddenly enraged. "Fox... Are you okay?"
She wasn't there for what Madarame did to fox, only seeing the aftermath. But it seems to be able to summon a fury she didn't expect- and yet totally supports. "...Got it! We'll shatter him." There's a fire in Queen's own eyes.
She looks to the others here who aren't restrained. Detective Suou, Umie Akabane, someone called Mujina- who must be part of Ogre's backup- and another woman she doesn't know, wielding a sword and Arianhrod. It's only six of them still able to fight.
"...Maybe we don't see eye to eye, but right now- Eiji Kamiya is our mutual enemy. No matter the side of the law we're on, we agree we can't let him get away with this, right? Him, or his family. These people are twisting justice itself toward evil- and we can't let them. If we want to make sure he faces justice, we need that ring off him- and we need Eiji alive and the ring intact." Joker's incapacitated, but maybe, just maybe, Queen has her own form of idealism as she stands up.
"...Your dad and his connections, they're that NWO, right? Let me guess, the Furudate guy you planned to sell to is one of them, too? Sloppy. You left a trail to that father of yours, didn't you."
And Makoto shoots a glare at the Patriarch. "And you! You call yourself a father, acting like that?" Makoto steps forward, and one might think it was calm if not for the ground cracking underneath her. "My father... he believed in the law. He fought for it. He died for it, trying to stop wannabe gangsters like your pathetic son from doing exactly what he's doing. He died trying to save people- but all you'll do to protect your son is a half assed job. You're too much of a coward to take a blow for anyone else- let alone die for your family."
Queen's cruel grin returns, as she glares towards Eiji again. "How does it feel, 'Kamiya-chan', knowing that your dad won't lift a finger to stop us breaking your ugly face- He'll just try to get rid of you once you tell us everything about him and his friends. We can extract a confession, right here, right now! Johanna!" That sharpness in her eyes looks like it could cut- as does the sudden aura coming off her Persona. She's fully intent on following through, and Johanna seems to convey her intent as threat.
Her persona's engine roars, and Makoto goes full speed. streaks of nuclear fire trailing in the air behind Johanna as she leaves the ground- Queen is planning not only to shatter that ice as Fox asks, but a burst of nuclear flame emits behind her midair- she's going for his hand, and the Ring of Eternal Bondage attached to it. If she can grab onto the ring, she can gun Johanna's enginje and maybe rip it off. If it breaks and tears off Eiji's finger in the process, that's fine. That's more than fine, actually.
The bastard doesn't deserve to wear a wedding ring, let alone that one.
AS: Makoto Niijima spends Limit on Shock Noise! Elec_Break applied to Penguin Sniper! AS: Tandem! Makoto Niijima has used the Fire skill Full Throttle on Penguin Sniper! AS: Makoto Niijima's turn has ended. AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 127 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Sublime Cut. AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 80 Elec damage from Hibari Aoki's Mapsi. Weak! AS: Bind added! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 93 Almighty damage from Hibari Aoki's Mystery Megido. AS: Spd_Dn added!
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Hitomi's not sure who the Joker Killer is. "Messed up rumor thing. I'll explain later." So not enough time right now. Teaming up, though. "Yeah, looks that way. ... I'm backing Ogre up on this."
Why that arrangement? Well,it's what her sister wanted.
It's fine.
But Ririka tenses as something shifts within Hitomi, and she looks to her fellow SEES member. She recalls what Hitomi said in the elevator ride the other night. She can't just slap her, but... "Hey. Mandai-san. I got your back, okay?"
Queen remarks that you don't go after someone's family. "What she said!" seconds Ririka. Katsuya reacts to the idea of her being sold off. "Don't worry--there's not gonna be any wedding for this sicko."
Ririka scowls as Eiji calls her imouto-chan. Again. "Hey, fuck off, creep! I'm not your imouto-chan or anything else!"
The first time she went into Eiji's palace with everyone, through the front door, she heard how Shadow Eiji talked down to others, and more importantly, what he talked down to them for, like Myunghon and Shinobu. that cuts personally, though there's only two people who know why. (And she doesn't know one of them is here, in a mask.)
So when she hears him make that insinuation to Phoenix, of them being a girl deep down, no matter what, even though she doesn't know who's under that mask it still chafes. "Hey! That's for them to decide, not anybody else!"
But she tenses as she senses the cognition of Eiji's father approaching. He does something so the Phantoms can't touch him--and then he offers a bribe to Katsuya. "If they've got any dirty laundry it's 'cause you helped them make it! Is that what you did last time, so they won't even look into what your sicko son did to my sister!?"
But Joker has a retort to destroying the ring, and Ririka shoots him a glance. "What, you're just gonna let him use that thing on us again!?" Phoenix pitches in, too, and Ririka glances at them. "Hey, I know what my senses are telling me. I can hear that damn thing trying to whisper bullshit into our minds as we argue about it!"
But the Shadow-- that one she can agree with. "Right--"
She looks to Hitomi. "Mandai-san--if you kill the Shadow you'll kill the real guy. We can't do that."
And while she's distracted arguing with Joker, Eiji comes right up to her to backhand her, catching her by surprise and sending her reeling. She drops to a knee, bringing the back of her hand up to press at the spot where he hit. "Ngh!"
Joker calls upno another Persona to send energy through her, and she takes a deep, stabilizing breath as she feels power flow into her. "Thanks."
She glances up at Ogre, as she cautions about getting too mad. "... you're one to talk," is her retort. Ogre was the one that flew off the handle the first time, but... to be fare, she'd beaten Ririka to it by a matter of moments. "But point taken." But with Momiji's witchlight she feels steadier still, pushing herself to her feet as she offers a nod. "Thanks, Ogre."
But Eiji asked if she had anything else to say, and Ririka just stares at him before a slow grin spreads across her face. "Yeah. What kind of a man calls their ~daddy~ to do their dirty work for them, huh? You're kind of pathetic, you know that?"
She shoves her Evoker into its holster, gripping the katana in both hands. She charges forward, going for a low attack first--and then using the momentum of the first attack to raise her katana and bring it down for a second strike.
And then she darts back. "Magnara!" she shouts, and Amphion is already strumming his lyre, ripping another giant boulder from the ground to drop it right on Eiji's head.
AS: Ririka Kawase spends Limit on Exploit! Ririka Kawase can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Weapon! Ririka Kawase has used the Slash skill Ni-Dan Waza on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Charm results in party damage! Ririka Kawase takes 60 damage! AS: Persona! Ririka Kawase has used the Earth skill Magnara on Penguin Sniper! AS: Ririka Kawase's turn has ended.
<Pose Tracker> Hitomi Mandai has posed.
As the fireworks of Tyche finish their celebration, there are some afterimages. Common for fireworks, really. The light's intense on a dark night, and if you watch you can often see some lingering smoke trails, hanging like a fading ghost in the air. So the lingering sprinklings of gold and blue and green flame are just that: Ghosts.
Cognitive echoes.
Hitomi exhales afterwards. Her focus stays on the Shadow Eiji, perhaps to the neglect of Ririka, and she bites on her thumb again as the Shadow screams. But then Ririka's telling her something important. "Oh," Hitomi answers Ririka, her tone of voice different. Her eyes squeeze shit in a way that suggests she's smiling and she's just not been able to really show it while engaging in a nervous tic.
"Got it~ I know just the thing, don't worry!" And with that, Hitomi straightens up, returning her gaze to the
"'If I lose his son,' 'not again,' 'you dare,' and then you call for your father, huh?" Hitomi continues, and her voice is animated and somehow oddly gentle. It's almost *too* gentle, pitch-perfect coaxing femininity, as if she's about to wipe his forehead with a wet cloth and make him tea. Her eyes turn to the side.
"Oh... and Father actually came, too. It was that serious... Are you surprised, or did you know it was bad enough that he'd want to help?" Hitomi's eyes rest on the Patriarch as papers roll outwards. Eiji proclaims triumph, and Hitomi's lips purse into a pout.
"Still, hiding behind your father's powers... That's not very cool or manly, is it, Kamiya-san?" Hitomi continues. Ririka may have cause to be concerned at this point. Though she has bigger problems, because Eiji's Shadow is coming towards them. Towards her. Hitomi isn't close enough to get in the way, and given that she's already standing in a less than perfectly OK way, that might be for the better.
Others put faith into her. Others she doesn't know. That person with the Phantom Thieves -- Hitomi finds her head turning and for a moment her eyes cross over those of Joker as they call upon Cait Sith. Enthusiasm rolls through her. Hitomi breathes outwards as the pain fades, and as that capering gleeful feeling in the back of her mind grows stronger.
Hitomi winks at Joker. It makes a tiny chiming sound.
Unfortunately, while this is happening, Shadow Eiji strikes Ririka. Hitomi's eyes flick to the side. Alright, she thinks with a thrill: I'll have to use those cartridges! Hitomi thrusts a hand into her hip pocket...
... except that where most of SEES has an Evoker there, Hitomi has a small pouch which holds, at the moment, five red sharp-edged casino dice and one of the cartridges provided to them. Hitomi grasps the cartridge and a moment later she twists her fingers a little accidentally and feels the seam separate.
Oh god, thinks Hitomi, even if that greased-snake feeling exults in this. What horrible luck! She smiles at nothing in particular, even as the Ogre calls on Momiji and places her faith in her - in Hitomi Mandai. She smiles back, and she turns, and perhaps the light seems to have gotten darker because Hitomi is standing directly behind Shadow Eiji, with only a red gleam behind her glasses. Then a small slash of dark ivory as she smiles. "Excuse me, Kamiya-san~. Sorry to interrupt!"
That same treacley voice keeps speaking. "You're really getting yourself into a pinch, huh? I guess maybe it wouldn't be that macho of you to admit it... but you're calling in your father like this. It's getting down to the wire, huh? Well... I'm not doing so great myself. I suppose it's not your business, but Kawase there's an important person to me, you know? But fair's fair, given your big impressive Palace. I think there's a way you can regain the initative. What do you say?"
And Hitomi's hand comes up, holding a pair of those curiously wet dice, laying in the palm of her hand.
"I'll take even and you'll take odds... that's fair, right? Let's put it all on the line," she says, starting to rattle them together.
"A man's got courage, right?" The sweetness is turning into razors.
"You've got the guts, right?" The rattling gets louder, the dice shaken in Hitomi's loosely-cupped hand.
"You're definitely going to win, right?" They're glowing enough to put faint light through the gaps in Hitomi's fingers.
"You're not afraid... right?"
The dice in her hand are like thundering boulders smashing down a slope for a moment.
"This is the best part."
Hitomi flings the dice down on the ground, hard, so that they bounce back up. Because whatever weird little hang up in her head makes it happen, she knows with an iron-clad certainty comparable to 'the sun coming up in the east' that it doesn't *count* if you don't bounce them off of something.
Which means, whatever number they rolled in the purportedly fair game Hitomi sketched out a moment ago - whether SHE lost or HE lost (which, perhaps, encapsulates Eiji's approach to romance and forming a relationship) - they're going to
explode.
AS: Persona! Hitomi Mandai has used the Fire skill You're Burning for Me on Penguin Sniper! AS: Aggression: Hitomi Mandai gains 1 Limit! AS: There's nothing in your queue by that number or attacker. AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 123 Fire damage from Makoto Niijima's Full Throttle. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 51 Slash damage from Ririka Kawase's Ni-Dan Waza. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 51 Slash damage from Ririka Kawase's Ni-Dan Waza. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 159 Earth damage from Ririka Kawase's Magnara. Weak! Avoid Earth! AS: Bind added! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 136 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's You're Burning for Me. <Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
That spear - that instrument of destruction, that routed armies and slayed a prince in grief-stricken rage - was snapped. Broken apart, splintered, and cast aside. It was only a construct of the cognitive realm, and even if there was no way to retrieve it, Achilles was not bereft of options. Such thoughts tried to grace Hyousuke's mind, and instil in him a sense of calm and rationality. They did nothing. So clouded was his mind with rage that the very fundamentals of combat in the supernatural realm seemed to escape him. All he knew was that Eiji had shrugged off his blow, destroyed his weapon, and would need to pay for his transgressions in blood.
Eiji was not the only one to flash his fangs. Though hidden by the mask, Hyousuke bared his own teeth in a brutal snarl. His lips curled and creased, his brow tightened, and that growling that shook his throat grew ever louder. He was a savage, feral, thing, gnashing and threatening to bite. His had not been an idle threat. Were his mask to be removed, Hyousuke might well have clambered to Eiji's throat, if it brought with it the promise of tearing him into bloody chunks. But before he could even think to lash out once more, the battlefield changed once again.
He knew the cognitive Ichika was not real. A short glance over was enough to make sure of that fact. He could see Ogre fighting, and even his rage-addled mind knew that the thing wearing her face was not real. But he couldn't stop a sense of sadness - fleeting as it was - from inflicting itself upon him when she ran. Cognition or not, Ichika was his friend, and to see her in such a state stunned him out of his rage, if only for a moment. To hear how Vesper spoke of her too, while he could only bellow out in animalistic rage, hammering away until his fists were bloody and his vision red... He shook his head. There would be time to think on such things later. He could address his grief, his confusion, and any lingering sadness once the day was won. But his rage? That, he held onto. He had great need of it.
The sight of Ichika might have dulled Hyousuke's anger, but when Eiji's father strode onto the scene, it burnt just as bright and hot as before. Even before the man opened his mouth, he could feel something was wrong. Stomach in knots, hair standing on end, and jaw tense, he was the very picture of a hound on alert. The fact that he managed to restrain himself enough to keep from lashing out in anger was nothing short of a miracle, but that miracle was extremely short-lived once he saw how callously Eiji attacked the others gathered - and how they could not retaliate. Not just Ogre, not just Phoenix, but their allies too. Eiji could attack with impunity. Eiji could strike them down, while he stood there powerless.
For the briefest of moments, a memory invaded his mind, piercing through the fog like a spear. He felt the water rushing to his lungs, he saw the red smeared across a pillar, he felt the despair at being so utterly helpless, he felt...
Rage.
Everything else was shut out. It was all superfluous. The enemy had to be defeated, and his friends had to live through it. That was all that mattered. Even through the mask, one might have felt that furious resolve within him, to put down his enemy no matter what it cost him. Ogre in particular, perhaps.
He turned quickly to face her, and gave a wordless nod. Again, no words needed to be exchanged. He knew what she had done, and he was grateful for it, but there was no hiding the fire that raged in his veins, and turned him into some nigh-mindless beast. As quickly as he had faced Ogre, he snapped his head around, and bolted towards Eiji. But it was not him that collided with the Shadow taunting his allies, and striking at his friends. It was the general. An armoured behemoth of a man, wreathed in unyielding metal, brought his sword down with tremendous force. The blow was not a precise strike against the heart, nor a masterful stroke of his shield. It was a wild and frenzied arc downwards, one seeking to cleave flesh from bone - even if it meant carving through a solid block of ice in the process.
"COWARD!" He shouted. It was an accusation as much as it was an insult, with Hyousuke aiming to taunt Eiji into focussing on him, and him alone. "Gotta get daddy in here to clean up after you shit yourself, do you? Can't do anything without him throwing his fucking weight around?! Then I hope he's got a whole lot of fucking paper, because none of us are gonna stop until you're a RED FUCKING SMEAR ON THE GROUND!" He hefted his fist upwards, then struck his fist against the ice, the blow coming down with the force of a forge hammer. He ignored the pain that rippled through his arm in response - his job was not yet done. "You think I give a shit if I go down here?! Huh?! A great, guttural, roar poured from his throat, and his fist struck out again.
"You, your piece of shit father, every one of your asshole friends... I'll drag you all to hell with me if I have to!" He and Achilles prepared for another strike, but before the blows could land, he spotted Queen in the corner of his eye. Enraged though he was, even Hyousuke wasn't foolish enough to stand there and take it. He darted back, and watched her unleash hell upon their foe, smiling all the while.
"You don't know a goddamn thing about my friends. About what they want, who they are, any-fucking-thing! And you think you can just come back and take whatever the hell you want from them?! They're better than you ever were! Don't you EVER fucking speak about them like that!"
AS: Persona! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Slash skill Fleshrend on Penguin Sniper! AS: Pressure: Hyousuke Suzuki gains 1 Limit! AS: Weapon! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Strike skill Chained Strikes on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Hyousuke Suzuki regains 5 HP from Regenerate! AS: Hyousuke Suzuki's turn has ended. AS: Take! Julian Marlowe takes 0 Almighty damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Protected Fate. AS: Def_Up added! Spd_Dn removed! AS: Take! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 0 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Silver Wheel. AS: Eclipse added! AS: Hyousuke Suzuki spends Limit on Shift! Suzume Fukura can use another Weak skill this round!
<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
What kind of gentleman crashes a wedding indeed? Vesper's response comes readily, with the same infuriating calm as any other. "The kind of gentleman who refuses to let vows be spoken under false pretenses. Was I mistaken in thinking that 'speak now or forever hold your peace' was an invitation?"
As much as he seems at home in battles of wits, the effect when he tries to reason with the Ichika Cognition is... not quite the one Vesper was aiming for. "Ichika, wait!" he finds himself saying, momentarily overpowered by his genuine wish to help her with her problems. It's not unlike how the first counseling session with Tsubasa went.
Only then will it come to mind that this is only a Cognition. It should be considered a good thing for her to be removed as a factor from the battle, regardless of the means.... right? The thought still doesn't sit quite right with him. In the end, he's taking the practical view of matters again. 'It's good enough as long as the problem at hand is solved', is it...? He would have been heartened by the real Ichika's words, spoken much closer by than he knows.
But Eiji's assistance doesn't end there. If anything, it becomes that much worse. It only takes one look at that man, the father, for Vesper to understand instinctively the power that he represents. Everything about his bearing commands respect... just like That Man.
In spite of himself, he freezes up entirely. He can't even think before the Restraining Order hits, cementing what deep down he already knew. This is a man that he cannot touch, cannot oppose.
There will be times when you have to recognize your own weakness. But remember this. Those who have power will always have one fear. The fear of losing that power.
...That's right. What he cannot oppose, he can still defy. With that realization, Vesper straightens, adjusting the tie of his own immaculate suit, and calmly corrects the older man, "...On the contrary. It's quite heartening to me to see that there are some adults who will not stand idly by, while injustice is happening right in front of them."
He glances over to the others who were called out. He's not exceptionally familiar with Shinobu, and has not seen Masao and Tamaki at all, so it's only natural that his gaze lingers on Umie, who he addresses a final nod to. But his words are meant for all of them in equal measure.
"Take heart, and carry on. This will not break you. And what does not break you makes you stronger. Isn't that right, Raffles?"
In response, the yellow light shining within the Persona's iron mask grows brighter. Fancy cane and savage bat are crossed in front, and a purple light cascades across each of the other adults that Vesper was grouped in with, offering protection and acuity. Though they might not be able to act now, they will not fall, if he has anything to say about it.
With that, he directs his attention back to the Patriarch. Piercing blue eyes behind the mask meet his gaze, only displaying the strength he was once taught to display at times such as this.
"You, however, have chosen to try and hide the clearly visible crimes being committed, right under your nose. But do you truly believe a few pieces of paper will still be enough to protect your son now? Why don't you ask him how many pieces of paper exist that prove the connection to his crimes... and where all those papers are now?"
He knows that evidence of Eiji Kamiya's crimes has been found. Maybe this man has the power to make it all go away. But such things do add up, and have a way of inviting incriminating fingers to point in a different direction. At what point will it become too much?
"...I know you. I was going to BE you, once. So I know exactly what the one and only logical response would be, if my son were to dig a hole this deep for himself."
"Cut him loose. Before he drags me down with him."
AS: Persona! Julian Marlowe has used the Almighty skill Twilight Revelation on Masao Inaba, Tamaki Uchida, Shinobu Shimizu, and Umie Akabane! AS: Defense: Julian Marlowe gains 1 Limit! AS: Julian Marlowe's turn has ended. AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 0 Almighty damage from Julian Marlowe's Twilight Revelation. AS: Crt_Up and Def_Up added! Eclipse, Spd_Dn, and Strike_Break removed! AS: Take! Masao Inaba takes 0 Almighty damage from Julian Marlowe's Twilight Revelation. AS: Crt_Up and Def_Up added! AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 0 Recovery healing from Tamaki Uchida's Silver Wheel. AS: Eclipse added! AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 0 Almighty damage from Julian Marlowe's Twilight Revelation. AS: Crt_Up and Def_Up added! AS: Take! Shinobu Shimizu takes 0 Almighty damage from Julian Marlowe's Twilight Revelation. AS: Crt_Up and Def_Up added! AS: Take! Katsuya Suou takes 0 Almighty damage from Ren Amamiya's Matarukaja. AS: Atk_Up added! AS: Avoid Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 70 Slash damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Fleshrend. Critical Hit! AS: Def_Dn added! AS: Avoid Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 34 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Chained Strikes. Resist! AS: Avoid Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 30 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Chained Strikes. Resist!
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
Umie's way of attacking and battle strategy has been honed over several years. Experienced, calm, and hardy, she can have a cool head about things, and formulate a plan to weather through many situations.
The problem comes in that she's learned from and fought with demons, all while surviving; selfish aliies and enemies lend themselves to similar styles and ways of thinking. The goal was to hide and survive; a helped demon may help you, but would just as likely kick you the moment your back was turned.
Put Umie Akabane in a cage with no lock to pick or weak point to focus on, and she'll scrape at the edges trying to make one herself. The idea to remain calm flies out the window.
(Such is the battle plan of a coward named Umie Akabane.)
She can't ignore it now when violence is done in front of her, in more ways than one: many others are likewise caged in, Joker and Skull get thrashed without being able to fight back, and Katsuya is presented with suitcase.
"Katsuya-san...."
That's where it starts, right? Finding out someone you know is now a Persona User, and dumbly staring at them in the Triple 7 as you display all that knowledge you've accrued in those years of pointless squabbles and fighting and ask,
'What's a Persona?'
Red nails point towards Katsuya, expression beginning to calm in open faith in Katsuya's resolve, helped along with Tamaki's own balm.
'What does it mean, when several groups of Persona Users appear? What's around the corner?'
A question she formed from talking to Tamaki, that she posed to Fox.
And then, a nod back towards Vesper and his wisdom, as she passes back what was given: wisdom from someone who truly knows what it means to be on their own, rather than hide and pretend.
It wasn't until recently that Umie even thought about thinking about what it meant to help other people, rather than just survive.
Little thoughts like those are what brought new possibilities.
"Badb."
The Badb grows with Umie, becoming not just a tool for survival and desperation, but a means to push -- sometimes forcefully -- the wish to believe in what can lie at the end.
But until then, let there be a Bloody Revolution.
AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Recovery skill Bloody Revolution on Katsuya Suou, Umie Akabane, Julian Marlowe, and Yusuke Kitagawa! AS: Umie Akabane: Gains 48 HP from Regen! AS: Umie Akabane regains 3 SP from Invigorate! AS: Umie Akabane's turn has ended. AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 0 Recovery healing from Umie Akabane's Bloody Revolution. AS: Atk_Up and Crt_Up added! Def_Up, Eclipse, Regen, Spd_Dn, and Strike_Break removed! AS: Take! Julian Marlowe takes 0 Recovery healing from Umie Akabane's Bloody Revolution. AS: Atk_Up and Crt_Up added! AS: Take! Katsuya Suou takes 0 Almighty damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Protected Fate. AS: Def_Up and Spd_Up added! AS: Take! Katsuya Suou takes 0 Recovery healing from Umie Akabane's Bloody Revolution. AS: Atk_Up and Crt_Up added! Def_Up, Regen, and Spd_Up removed!
<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
Don't kill the Shadow. That's right. Because Akechi had told him himself what happens then. So even the treasure being damaged could cause unforeseen consequences. That, Katsuya makes careful note of: even a criminal shouldn't have their mind destroyed. Or die, before they face justice, if such is possible.
Wait.
It takes Katsuya a moment to understand what Phoenix is putting down. He shakes his head, as if to dispel the notion that he's entirely on 'their' side. "Wait-- no, I do not mean to say--" he starts to protest, "A confession produced by altering their psyche is not-- I mean only to suggest the option in his mind!" Is that really that much of a difference, though?
And, for that matter, just what does he think that he's attempting right now, fighting the Ruler alongside everyone else? ...well, given the sort of person Eiji Kamiya appears to be, perhaps it can't be helped...
As Queen says, he's their mutual enemy right now. "...I agree," he says at last, nodding at her summary of the situation. "There are... too many lives at stake from his actions!" The more they can get him to talk about freely, the more people they can save. He just wishes it didn't come at such a high cost.
Tamaki, taking into consideration Umie's presence with Katsuya and who Katsuya has been known to know herself, puts two and two together: as expected of a private investigator. If he knew, he'd be impressed.
The cognition of Ichika Kawase flees, but furious, the Ruler has summoned another. His father. "He's called upon his... I see, so that's why..." remarks Katsuya, the pieces of how Eiji has managed to accomplish so much in spite of his young age made quite plain. Even here -- especially here -- the extrajudicial authority the elder Kamiya commands holds sway. Of course, his son relies on his father so much in real life, so naturally...
Now, though, is not the time for such considerations.
Katsuya, on the defensive, finds that no such attack is lobbed his way. Rather, while he's been spared the bulk of the effects the cognition can bring to the fore (unlike Tamaki), he finds himself approached by the mental projection with a very... different sort of offer.
The money, of course, isn't real. But that's not the thing that Katsuya latches onto first and foremost. Instead, visibly affronted, he shakes his head vehemently. "Wh-what do you take me for? Are you trying to get me to look the other way?! This is bribery! This is clearly illegal!!" he shouts back. "Do what you will, but I refuse!" ...one of these days, Akechi's lesson on cognitions and their 'reality' will actually sink in.
Ririka chimes in and, remembering what Akechi had said about what had happened to Ichika afterwards, Katsuya's offense at being so blatantly bribed takes on a different cast. "Turning their eye from an attack on a girl in exchange for money was inexcusable... but so is using one's influence in society to encourage them to do it in the first place!" he declares.
As Tamaki had said, give him hell.
Power, bestowed upon him through Joker's own kitty-cat Persona (in the moment there's no space for anything more than the recognition of the Persona's form), flows potent within him. Power is quickly joined with protection: Lachesis bestows her benediction upon him, perhaps shielding him from whatever trickery the Ruler maintains up his sleeve.
Chance, itself, twists in his favor. He's been put on the spot. With others unable to act, he must...
An idea comes to him.
"This is over! You won't be able to twist society to grant you your sick desires any longer, Eiji Kamiya! Persona!"
What he's actually done is lift his firearm and direct it at the Ruler. What he hasn't done is pull the trigger.
Not yet.
Helios, as if it had erupted from the barrel of his gun, begins to rocket towards 'Sitri', wreathed in flame. A report of the gun follows but scarcely a moment later: a single bullet follows after the blazing trail of his own Persona.
AS: Katsuya Suou spends Limit on Psych! AS: Tandem! Katsuya Suou has used the Fire skill Midnight Sun on Penguin Sniper! AS: Defense: Katsuya Suou gains 1 Limit! AS: Katsuya Suou: Gains 46 HP from Regen! Psych removed! AS: Katsuya Suou's turn has ended. AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 175 Fire damage from Katsuya Suou's Midnight Sun. AS: You now have a trigger set for 15% damage! AS: Penguin Sniper has set a trigger!
<Pose Tracker> Penguin Sniper has posed.
Eiji looks at Mujina as she calls him uncreative, talks about how much she enjoys cooking- is he going to get creative with his insults!?
"Enjoys it a little too much, if you ask me." Nope. He is not. "You? Pity me? Ahahaha-! Today's my wedding day, fatso. With an attitude like that, there ain't no man who would ever marry you."
Ririka meanwhile stands up to him, and he responds by simply arcing a back hand at her, right as the Magnara slams into his jaw with a crack.
"Fucking- bitch! You only wish your Daddy had half the clout mine did! Maybe if he did, your brother would still be alive."
The hell??? What does he MEAN by that!?
The helplessness of that day, where the system betrayed Ren Amamiya in favor of a corrupt man. It's there again. Struggle as he might, he can feel it there, like the bars of his cell.
Is this the point where his rehabilitation will end?
Phoenix shouts at the Patriarch, and he looks at them as he might a speck on his suit, ready to brush off, "And now you never will again. I always knew that him marrying her was a terrible idea... look at the people she associates with."
'Look at you.' He might have said.
'Even... they're kids, right?'
"Hardly. They're delinquents. Thugs. A few trivial transactions and they'll be tried as adults. They'll enter the system- and never see the light of day again."
'This ain't just boys being boys, old man. Your son's done some serious crimes.'
"You seem to be under the impression I care." He tells her, bluntly, "It's a father's duty to protect and provide for his son, even when he is foolish, or loses his temper in some trivial argument."
But Eiji hears something that gives him pause, from Ogre. "Eh?" And his head turns to look right at Skull. Then back at Ichika, "Very funny- I know very well you ain't a rezubian. And that guy...?" He looks dismissive at first, but then a thought overtakes him. As a savage fury clouds his eyes right as he slowly stalks up to Skull again, "I hear her right? You trying to steal MY bride?"
His hand lowers, as if to reach around Skull, right as Fox opens up a gash with his blade at that moment, and ice sprouts from his wound. Clutching his wrist, he roars in pain and abandons that action, rearing up in agony.
The Kamiya Patriarch gives Fox, a look that seems- a little bored, "Abandon him? Even if my son often fails to meet expectations. He is my son. My legacy. Nothing is more important than that."
And there's a coldness in his gaze, as he rejects even Fox's argument. And he may realize, to his shock, that if this cognition is an accurate depiction?
Eiji is more valued by his own Father, than he was by Madarame.
Whereas Vesper makes an appeal to him being the 'Lord' of the family so to speak, to logic. "And perhaps there would be logic to that if there were a second son, or a third... but he is my only child, my heir. Cut him loose? I'd sooner sever my own hand."
Bashing his wrist against the ground to try and shatter the ice, Masao asks a question and- "A firefighter, or some stupid shit. What's it fucking matter?" He levels his gaze on him, snarling, "He set me straight. I'm the man I am today because of him."
The Patriarch scoffs at Queen's evaluation, "Little girl, you're playing with fire, invoking that organization so casually." Which, might as well be an admission that Eiji at least knows who the NWO are. However, has her bluff done anything? Has it shaken his idea of his father's untouchability?
The heat of her passion in regards to her father, causes him to look at Queen, "So what you're telling me is that he failed at the most basic duty of being a father, preparing his daughter for her future role as a wife and mother... if his daughter is here, dressed like that."
Johanna rockets towards Eiji at full speed, trailing Nuclear Fire, right as Hyousuke leaps, with his bellowing rage, the fist slams in, right as the ice burns him. In the aftermath, his fur is burned away, ichor dripping from the wound, "BITCH! Who cares if I was careless or not!? Enough money and all our problems GO AWAY!"
Right as he steps back and bats away Hyousuke's chain, once, twice with his uninjured things, "You don't even know what hell IS! I'm gonna show you that it's fucking closer than you think!"
Which is when Hitomi demands his attention, and he furrows his brow at her, "What, you think you're some kind of gambler? Chicks are supposed to blow on the dice, not roll 'em themselves. But sure Babe, you wanna challenge me-? Odds. If it comes up odds, your life belongs to me."
He watches her hands, as the dice grow louder and louder, even as she flings them down, and his eyes follow them. "Heh looks like it came up-"
And then the ground around him explodes.
"BITCH!" He howls, as the smoke dissipates to show his fur now has many many more spots - scorch marks.
Katsuya however refuses the bribe, "Ah. You're that type- truly you must be new to these parts. Every man has his price Officer." As he then takes out another stack of bills, "What's yours?"
A single bullet, a blazing trail, a spoken resolution. The man puts the money away. "Regrettable. A short career it is."
And Sitri - Eiji, howls as he's wreathed in flame.
Unfortunately, the Kamiya Patriarch has now turned this into a battle of attrition. If no one can attack him, and he's whittling down who can attack the Ruler, what can be done?
"You're running out of time." The cognition of the man observes. "The truth is though, the moment you came after my family, on the day of my son's wedding- you had none left to begin with."
The man says, as he throws out more of those papers each one taking form in front of everyone that it hadn't yet affected. In a matter of seconds - nobody will be able to do a single thing to harm Eiji.
Which means his victory is assured.
"I assume you can take care of things from here."
The man turns, as if to just walk away and leave his son to 'clean up this mess' on his own.
Goro Akechi has arrived from Shujin Academy - Classroom Building.
GRID: Goro Akechi has joined Katsuya Suou.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
And at the moment he turns, is the same moment there's a bright flash of a blue laser beam from the rafters, as a smoking hole appears in the Kamiya Patriarch's chest. The Cognition of the Man stares at it as if stunned.
"Who How!?"
A shaking hand touches the hole, before the Cognition falls over on the floor, instantly dissolving into nothing. While Eiji screams in disbelief and rage at the sight of his father, even a cognition of him, dying in front of him.
"OTOU-SAMAAAAAA!"
"Sorry I'm late, Sergeant Suou." Follow the Trajectory, and you'll see a Princely figure standing in the rafters, leaning against one with his left, with a ray gun extended with his right. "But that should rather even the odds, don't you think?"
Goro Akechi says, with a certain gravity despite the underlying smugness. "I heard your own wedding party spreading the rumor that his only fear was an attack by an unseen enemy." He casually gesticulates with his gun. "I surmised that an ambush like this would be enough to qualify."
Eiji's eyes narrow into slits, as his whole body shakes, trembling with a fury, as power flares up all around him, "I'll kill you! I'LL KILL YOU!"
And as he looks to make good on that threat, everyone will realize that the barriers - the invisible walls are gone.
And the Ruler is quite distracted.
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
The wall in front of Ogre... Breaks. And that man--that odious man, who once told her to 'take good care' of his son--
The smoking hole in the Patriarch's chest says why. "...So you still helped us out, huh?" Ogre wonders of Akechi. "...Well, thanks."
Then she charges, stowing her rifle and pulling her shield. Ogre's high-tech shoes thud against the chapel flooors; the thorns of her armor cut through the air. Her long, bleached hair streams behind her like a cloak. And when she gets there--
"Fuck...!" Her shield moves. She swings it not like a shield but like a chair, slamming it up into Eiji's face and then, when his hands come up to guard or counterattack, swinging the edge straight down for the finger wearing his engagement ring. "OFF!"
The finger shears off, and the ring flies, glittering in the air as she looks up at Eiji. "We're done. For good."
The ring falls, falls, falls--towards Joker.
AS: Ichika Kawase sets off Penguin Sniper's trigger! 765 damage!
<Pose Tracker> Penguin Sniper has posed.
Eiji howls as his engagement ring is knocked right off of his now broken hand, shock, panic and desperation overtaking him as he's brought to his knees, clutching his mauled hand.
"We're... we're done?! How could-How could you even say that!? You promised- you promised to be mine! You promised we'd be together forever! Why!?! Why would you do this to me?"
His outrage is a palpable thing as he realizes now for the first time... that there's no outcome where she becomes his bride. No outcome where he gets the family he wants.
"We were going to start a family... together. I-!"
And suddenly, trembling as both of his hands strike the ground, he lets out an animalistic scream. His wings flare out, and suddenly every single enormous diamond his wings are decorated with becomes a missile, shot at them at high speed to try and bludgeon everyone to death.
"CURSE YOU! CURSE ALL OF YOU!"
And then accursed energy erupts beneath all of them trying to overwhelm them with shadowy power. It seems like he simply intends now to overwhelm them all. If he doesn't get what he wants - then... neither do they.
"NONE OF YOU ARE LEAVING THIS PLACE!"
AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Almighty skill Oni's Annulment on Ichika Kawase! AS: Penguin Sniper takes 60 damage from Panic! AS: Aggression: Penguin Sniper gains 1 Limit! AS: You still have 16 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Take! Ichika Kawase takes 0 Almighty damage from Penguin Sniper's Oni's Annulment. AS: Atk_Up, Crt_Up, Def_Up, and Spd_Up added! Def_Up, Eclipse, and Strike_Break removed! AS: Penguin Sniper spends Limit on Break! AS: Take! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 0 Recovery healing from Umie Akabane's Bloody Revolution. AS: Atk_Up and Crt_Up added! Reflect_Phys and Spd_Up removed! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Ichika Kawase! 2 Hits! AS: Penguin Sniper takes 60 damage from Exhaust! AS: You still have 15 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Katsuya Suou! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 14 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Umie Akabane! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 13 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Hyousuke Suzuki! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 12 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Hitomi Mandai! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 11 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Makoto Niijima! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 10 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Shinobu Shimizu! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 9 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Masao Inaba! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 8 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Yusuke Kitagawa! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 7 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Tsubasa Seki! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 6 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Ren Amamiya! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 5 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Hibari Aoki! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 4 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Weapon! Penguin Sniper has used the Strike skill Diamonds Mean Forever on Ririka Kawase! 2 Hits! AS: You still have 3 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Dark skill Maeiha on Julian Marlowe, Hyousuke Suzuki, Hitomi Mandai, and Ririka Kawase! AS: You still have 2 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Dark skill Maeiha on Makoto Niijima, Tamaki Uchida, Shinobu Shimizu, and Hibari Aoki! AS: You still have 1 regular actions and 0 bonus Weak actions! AS: Persona! Penguin Sniper has used the Dark skill Maeiha on Masao Inaba, Yusuke Kitagawa, Ryuji Sakamoto, and Tsubasa Seki! AS: Penguin Sniper: Break and Paralyze removed! AS: Penguin Sniper's turn has ended. It's time for an All-Out Attack! AS: Block Best! Ichika Kawase takes 39 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! AS: Break! Ichika Kawase can take another Weak action this round! AS: Block Best! Ichika Kawase takes 39 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! AS: Break! Ichika Kawase can take another Weak action this round! AS: Avoid Worst! Umie Akabane takes 79 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! AS: Break! Umie Akabane can take another Weak action this round! AS: Block Worst! Hibari Aoki takes 22 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. AS: Break! Hibari Aoki can take another Weak action this round! AS: Nerve Up! Tamaki Uchida's SP +8! AS: Block Neutral! Tamaki Uchida takes 12 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. Critical Hit! Eclipsed! AS: Eclipse removed! AS: Break! Tamaki Uchida can take another Weak action this round! AS: Block Worst! Hibari Aoki takes 34 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! AS: Break! Hibari Aoki can take another Weak action this round! AS: Avoid Worst! Umie Akabane takes 52 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. AS: Break! Umie Akabane can take another Weak action this round! AS: Avoid Worst! Hibari Aoki takes 18 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. AS: Break! Hibari Aoki can take another Weak action this round! AS: Shinobu Shimizu spends Limit on Brace! AS: Counter Best! Tsubasa Seki takes 55 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 98 Slash damage in return for their attack! AS: Break! Tsubasa Seki can take another Weak action this round! AS: Counter Worst! Tsubasa Seki takes 53 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 45 Slash damage in return for their attack! AS: Break! Tsubasa Seki can take another Weak action this round! AS: Counter Best! Tsubasa Seki takes 18 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 33 Slash damage in return for their attack! AS: Break! Tsubasa Seki can take another Weak action this round! AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 60 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! Weak! AS: Break! Ren Amamiya can take another Weak action this round! AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 39 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Weak! AS: Break! Ren Amamiya can take another Weak action this round! AS: Avoid Worst! Shinobu Shimizu takes 110 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! Weak! AS: Break! Shinobu Shimizu can take another Weak action this round! AS: Avoid Worst! Shinobu Shimizu takes 110 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! Weak! AS: Break! Shinobu Shimizu can take another Weak action this round! AS: Avoid Worst! Shinobu Shimizu takes 50 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. Weak! AS: Break! Shinobu Shimizu can take another Weak action this round! AS: Block Neutral! Katsuya Suou takes 13 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. AS: Break! Katsuya Suou can take another Weak action this round! AS: Counter Neutral! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 21 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! AS: COUNTER! Reflect Phys! Penguin Sniper takes 124 Strike damage in return for their attack! Resist! AS: Break! Yusuke Kitagawa can take another Weak action this round! AS: Counter Best! Katsuya Suou takes 14 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 43 Strike damage in return for their attack! Resist! AS: Break! Katsuya Suou can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Counter Best! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 14 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. AS: COUNTER! Reflect Phys! Penguin Sniper takes 90 Strike damage in return for their attack! Resist! AS: Break! Yusuke Kitagawa can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Makoto Niijima takes 41 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! AS: Break! Makoto Niijima can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Makoto Niijima takes 69 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! AS: Break! Makoto Niijima can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Avoid Best! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 5 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. AS: Blast added! AS: Break! Yusuke Kitagawa can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Makoto Niijima takes 36 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. Critical Hit! AS: Blast added! AS: Break! Makoto Niijima can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Counter Worst! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 29 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. AS: Blast added! AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 13 Dark damage in return for their attack! Resist! AS: Break! Ryuji Sakamoto can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 16 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Resist! AS: Break! Hyousuke Suzuki can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 23 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: Break! Hyousuke Suzuki can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Avoid Best! Hyousuke Suzuki takes 19 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. AS: Break! Hyousuke Suzuki can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Masao Inaba takes 13 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Eclipsed! AS: Eclipse removed! AS: Break! Masao Inaba can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Masao Inaba takes 27 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Weak! AS: Break! Masao Inaba can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Counter Neutral! Masao Inaba takes 16 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. AS: Blast added! AS: COUNTER! Penguin Sniper takes 23 Dark damage in return for their attack! Resist! AS: Break! Masao Inaba can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Hitomi Mandai takes 71 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! AS: Break! Hitomi Mandai can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Hitomi Mandai takes 30 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. AS: Break! Hitomi Mandai can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Hitomi Mandai takes 16 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. AS: Break! Hitomi Mandai can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Julian Marlowe takes 6 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. Resist! AS: Break! Julian Marlowe can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Katsuya Suou spends Limit on Shift! Ichika Kawase can use another Weak skill this round!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ogre and Phoenix both double-take at their Persona-switching. Right--they haven't swapped Personas in front of either of them yet, have they? Arsène is always reliable, but having alternatives is the heart of strategy... After all, that's what lets Joker support their allies who can still attack while they're bound. Joker gives them both a tight but sincere smile and a nod.
Masao and Fox both have things to say about the Kamiya patriarch. Joker already knows Fox's trauma, but what's Masao's story? Joker's eyes linger on him for a moment, before Mujina boasts about her hair and draws their eye anew. Her bright red hair is quite familiar... Must be a popular dye.
Ririka argues about the ring. Her perspective is fully understandable, considering what it's done to all of them already. However, they don't have time to fight about this. "Do you want to be a murderer?" Joker asks bluntly, looking her in the eye. It's a half-bluff--they don't know for sure that's what'll happen, it's only a possibility--but still, they conclude, "If you do, then by all means, destroy it."
Given Hitomi's bloodthirst, that might have not been the best bluff... Even if Hitomi seems to appreciate the boost to her strength. That tiny chiming sound is actually rather fascinating... How did she do that? ...Focus. Joker shakes their head, then looks from her to Ririka. "You're welcome," they tell both of them.
Then they shoot a look at Vesper--who claims he'd cut his son off if he were like Eiji. That's... understandable, and yet... "...."
The Cognitive Patriarch dismisses Joker and their friends as a delinquent, a thug--and that's bad enough, but then... even a man as horrible as that, for all that he's merely the perception Eiji has of his own father... he says that he would never abandon his only son.
WHAM. Joker slams a fist into the floor, teeth grit in a broad grimace.
A blue laser cuts through the air then, piercing through the Cognitive Patriarch and reducing him to ash, as cognitions are wont to do when attacked. Joker's eyes widen behind their mask when they realize who shot it.
Think of the devil, and he appears...
...and for all that Joker just thought it'd be even worse for Akechi to appear, they look around wildly for any sign of the Black Mask.
He isn't here. There's no visual sign of him anywhere. Is he hiding that well? He has to be--if he works for that New World Order, surely there's no way he wouldn't show up to defend him--especially after Akechi just took out Shadow Eiji's biggest protector. For an instant, Joker's seized with the fear that he'll appear to run Akechi through, just like he tried to back in Kobayakawa's Palace--
--but when he stares back at Akechi in fear... nothing like that happens.
Why?
And why is he helping them, when he made it agonizing clear before how he sees The Phantoms' Justice as anything but?
(if he's doing this just to make joker talk to him again they're going to be so pissed)
But there's no getting around this without talking to him, so: "What are you doing here all of a sudden...?" (Very close to how the Black Mask had in Kaneshiro's Palace, even.) Their gloved hands tighten with anger and suspicion. Ogre might be willing to accept it at face value, but they have to ask, "Why did you help us?"
There won't be time to talk about it either way. Ogre LEAPS at Shadow Eiji, using her shield to SLAM into that frozen finger and shear it off, leaving both it and the ring to fall--towards then. Joker leaps to their feet and dives into a forward roll for it. It's huge and solid gold and diamond, and they already gauged its weight earlier. Catching it thus takes both arms, and pins them in place for a moment.
More diamonds fly as Eiji-Sitri flies into a temper tantrum. Joker can only curl over the Treasure to protect it--they won't let Shadow Eiji take it back again. They're left beaten and battered--but when those diamond missiles have subsided, they're still there, panting in pain.
They glare back up at Akechi for an instant. Then they turn towards Shadow Eiji, holding the Treasure protectively tight until Mona's able to rejoin the party and take it on board again.
"Enough," they intone, switching masks again--back to Ixtab. She rises at their back, hanging in power. "This is your end."
The hanged Persona cries out hoarsely, just before a massive stone of her own falls down to bludgeon the poster boy of the Leopards Eating People's Faces party.
AS: Persona! Ren Amamiya has used the Earth skill Great Magnara on Penguin Sniper! AS: Aggression: Ren Amamiya gains 1 Limit! AS: Persona! Ren Amamiya has used the Earth skill Sequence Magna on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Persona! Ren Amamiya has used the Earth skill Landslide on Penguin Sniper! AS: Ren Amamiya: Atk_Up and Def_Up removed! AS: Ren Amamiya regains 10 HP from Regenerate! AS: Ren Amamiya's turn has ended. AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 151 Earth damage from Ren Amamiya's Great Magnara. Weak! AS: Panic added! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 60 Earth damage from Ren Amamiya's Sequence Magna. Weak! AS: Bind added! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 103 Earth damage from Ren Amamiya's Sequence Magna. Critical Hit! Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 87 Earth damage from Ren Amamiya's Landslide. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Skull continues to smirk at Eiji's Shadow, rolling his arm in its socket as Shinobu and Tamakis spells hit him. He is pretty banged up. It really hurt to stand to be honest.
But he isn't going down yet.
Skull walks toward the invisible wall and kicks against it, resting the bent pipe on his shoulder. He looks like exactly the kind of hoodlum who steals your wallet and your girl. Skull is at least guilty of one of those things as he mean mugs Eiji from his "court mandated distance" away. "Tick tock..."
Skull watches as Eiji realizes whats going on with Ichika, Tsubasa, and him and makes a kissy face at Eiji. This smug behavior only grows when Eiji stalks right over to him and tries to get in his face.
"Yeah. Aw, does that bother you, pal? And on your wedding day too." Skull fake pouts real big for Eiji's Shadow.
Spite was about the only thing keeping Ryuji up.
Skull watches as the events start to get real chaotic. Eiji's dad is shot by a sniper. Ichika cuts that large Ring off the hand of Eiji.
In truth, Skull is pretty surprised but he doesn't let it show. Instead he keeps smiling at Eiji's Shadow mourning his fallen father. "Aw, for real?! That seems to be a real bummer for your wedding day, dude." Skull just grins wider and wider, even as dark energy gathers around him. Even as it starts to hurt again, Skull just takes it and starts walking to meet up with Eiji. "Btw, dude...I hope you have a nightmare about this."
Skull lifts pipe, batters up a little, and then lets a nice true swing counter attack Eiji's Shadow's junk.
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
The treasure is severed from its owner. Akechi's timely intervention puts a beam of light straight through the Ruler's protection.
All pretense abandoned, Eiji Kamiya throws a mighty tantrum, thrashing around at all of them.
Fox turns to face the oncoming fist, barely scratched by the wave of darkness that lashes out at him.
"No grace. No dignity."
He draws his sword in a flash to meet the flailing strikes.
"All of it an embarrassment to 'manhood'. Goemon: Cut his delusions asunder."
The woodcut ronin rises up once more, and his pipe nigh vanishes with the speed he swings it, as Fox joins his blade to the assault that falls upon what remains of Sitri - until nothing remains but the pathetic husk of the Ruler.
AS: Weapon! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Strike skill Street Justice on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Aggression: Ryuji Sakamoto gains 1 Limit! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 16 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Street Justice. Resist! AS: Atk_Dn added! Bind, Def_Dn, Elec_Break, Exhaust, Panic, and Spd_Dn removed! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 12 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Street Justice. Resist! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 16 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Street Justice. Resist! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Tandem! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Water skill Frigid Wrath on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Aggression: Yusuke Kitagawa gains 1 Limit! AS: Persona! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Water skill Flurry Bufu on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Weapon! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Slash skill Katana Slash on Penguin Sniper! AS: Weapon! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Slash skill Katana Combo on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Yusuke Kitagawa's turn has ended. AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 69 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Frigid Wrath. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 69 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Frigid Wrath. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 21 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Flurry Bufu. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 10 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Flurry Bufu. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Ririka Kawase takes 40 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! AS: Break! Ririka Kawase can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Ririka Kawase takes 40 Strike damage from Penguin Sniper's Diamonds Mean Forever. Critical Hit! AS: Break! Ririka Kawase can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Ririka Kawase takes 12 Dark damage from Penguin Sniper's Maeiha. AS: Blast added! AS: Break! Ririka Kawase can take another Weak action this round! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 13 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Flurry Bufu. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 73 Slash damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Katana Slash. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 30 Slash damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Katana Combo. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 27 Slash damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Katana Combo. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! <Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
Skull gets beat down, but he gets right back up again... "How are you so cool, dude," Phoenix says, and it's not ironic or anything, they really do think he's COOL AS HELL.
Queen is cool as hell, too, even if she's ten times sharper now. (Or maybe she was always sharp, and they just didn't see it...? Questions for later.)
Underestimating Fox comes at Eiji's father's peril, though. "Fox, I can't do shit--!" Phoenix called, to him, and there was just an edge of distress to that one; just because they can ask other people to do shit for them, that doesn't mean they're pulling their own weight punch by punch. Fox's logic, as he steps forward, speaks to the depths of his own experiences... something Phoenix was on the outside of, only hearing about Madarame on the news.
... still, they can tell it's real personal.
Masao is right, though: they are kids. Phoenix has been grappling with that, the last few days, but -- even the oldest of them still have a few years to go before they hit 20.
The things Mujina says about cooking, though... it tracks with everything Phoenix has been trying to learn, even if it will take them years to reach someone like Jun or Hibari's level. (Those are two independent thoughts; there's no way Mujina's dyed hair resembles Hibari's. Hibari's just one of the first people they think of when cooking comes up!) "Fuck him, man! You look great!" They yell back, to Mujina. "Sweet hair! Sick-ass mask, too!"
... they're admiring Shinobu's verbal retort game, too. Speaking of being five years too early... "Yeah!" They call out, after her. "Go cry about it!!"
Now, does this count as Phoenix getting backed up by an adult? Maybe, but also, shut up.
With all their rage like a bird in a cage, they're left to turn to Tamaki. "... aight. I'll have a friend arrange a meetin'... you get it, right? Thief's gotta be careful." (Crap, crap, crap! Okay, brain. You have until that meeting happens to think of a brilliant explanation...)
They're at least glad to hear Ririka support their gender, even if Eiji-Sitri sure isn't. The way Eiji backhands her, though... Phoenix grimaces. "I ain't gon' let ya make her know what it's like," they insist, to Eiji, their hands tightening around the hilt of their blade.
Phoenix takes a step back, when the Patriarch brushes them off so carelessly. "F-fuck you, man! She WANTS to be 'round us! An' if you really thought that, why'd you tell Ichika to take good care a him?!"
But then -- "SHE AIN'T A BIAN 'CUZ SHE WITH ME, YOU PRICK!" Phoenix yells, when Eiji dismisses Ichika's connection to them. "We're different genders, that makes her straight! Fuck you!" A dark pit settles in their stomach, as he turns on Ryuji as the threat, but more importantly -- "Fuck offa Skull, shithead!"
Hitomi rolls her dice, though, and Phoenix is wholly distracted staring at that for a second. "Holy shit. That's, like... some real-ass weaponised casino shit." Could Ririka's friends, in fact... be straight badass?
Hyousuke speaks in their defence, though, and Phoenix feels the terrible weight of an emotion settling in their throat. "Ya reckon...? Fuck, man... you right! Who th' fuck does this guy think he is?!"
Vesper, as well, talks about the adults who aren't just standing around. "Yeah!" Phoenix yells, gesturing sharply. "Even when they're hurtin' impossible fuckin' bad, there's adults what ain't gon' let ya pull this SHIT! It's adults like that who saved those girls from your BULLSHIT, man! Fuckin'... like Yeo-sama!" They remember Myunghon telling them the girls that the Cardboard Dragon rescued were okay, in the middle of their heart pouring out. That much -- that much still matters. "An' these guys, here... they really give a shit 'bout Ichika-chan an' Tsubasa-kun, right?! So fuck you, you lost to begin with! Even if Tsubasa-kun disappeared -- women like HER would bash ya fuckin' door down with a baseball bat to get them!" They gesture, with the hilt of their greatsword, in Shinobu's direction.
(... even if it's kind of scary that Vesper was going to be the same kind of guy as Eiji's dad, once. But, then... can they really condemn him for that, when they're trying so hard to avoid becoming their father?)
It's nice, at least... that Katsuya isn't so easily swayed by dirty money. Phoenix will remember that. And they'll remember Badb's fury, too, though they don't know it's Umie beneath that mask.
But then -- the Patriarch ends it.
And --
"You're..." Phoenix takes a step back, when they see the Prince, up above. "But, you... I... why?" Their baffled brain settles on, mouth quite agape, even if it's impossible to see what the rest of their face is doing under that witch-hat mask. Ogre thanks him, though, and Phoenix swallows. "Y--yeah. Thanks."
Ogre moves forward, first -- to slam Eiji-Sitri's face into next week. "GET HIS ASS, BOSS!" Phoenix yells, and hey, didn't they just call Joker their boss? What's with this two-Boss arrangement?! Don't worry about it. When she issues him that stern conclusion, Phoenix grins, a touch savage. "You fuckin' tell him," they say, though they're quieter, now.
Eiji rages, and Phoenix watches, their teeth grit. "Any promise you make -- any fuckin' promise at all -- you get to break that shit at no damn penalty if the fuck you loved ends up torturin' you. No matter what." And it's that kind of empowerment which might explain why Ichika felt comfortable with them, in those long months of piecing herself back together.
His curses become as animalistic as Hyousuke or Phoenix's, though, as he curses them --
-- and Phoenix, seeing the opening Akechi and Ogre made, takes it.
"HRRAAAHHHHH--!" They scream, as they launch themself into that hail of missiles, Izbushka na Kur'ih Nozhkah appearing behind them. They slice a diamond-missile open, as it sails for them -- as ten more land in that hut on chicken's legs, sending it staggering back a step, even as Phoenix keeps going. "YOU! FUCKIN'! PRICK! GET UNDER MY SKIN, STRIP ME DOWN, BEAT ME DOWN, ARRANGE! A FUCKIN'! BUYER!" More of those diamonds hail out, and Phoenix is knocked back -- but only briefly, skidding against the floor before they launch themself forward again. (And, again, it's Izbushka na Kur'ih Nozhkah who absorbs a dozen more missiles.) "LIKE I'M SOME KINDA PIECE A MEAT?! FUUUUCK! YOOOOU!! YOU THINK I'M COOL WITH IT JUS' 'CUZ YOU DIDN'T GET TO DO IT IN REAL LIFE?! I KNOW YOU WOULD HAVE, ASSHOLE!" They plunge straight THROUGH that pool of darkness, flecks of Eiha sloughing away from their blazing hood as they reach him --
And swing.
And swing.
And swing.
Again, again, again -- the rage of their own treatment building, and building, until it hits Ichika's own, and they scream, "AN' YOU'D DO ALL THAT -- JUS' TO CONTROL ICHIKA?! JUS' TO HURT HER MORE?! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU! FUCK YOU!!!"
And SWING.
Their final, overhead blow is so titanic, the ground shudders in a shockwave to either side of them.
Man, the newest Phantom Thief has neither chill nor any fuse left to burn.
AS: Weapon! Tsubasa Seki has used the Slash skill Greatest Sword on Penguin Sniper! AS: Aggression: Tsubasa Seki gains 1 Limit! AS: Weapon! Tsubasa Seki has used the Slash skill Greatsword Assault on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Weapon! Tsubasa Seki has used the Slash skill Greatsword Assault on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Weapon! Tsubasa Seki has used the Slash skill Greatsword Assault on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Tsubasa Seki has no more TP available for healing! AS: Tsubasa Seki: Gains 48 HP from Regen! Atk_Up and Def_Up removed! AS: Tsubasa Seki has no more TP available for healing! AS: Tsubasa Seki regains 5 HP from Regenerate! AS: Tsubasa Seki's turn has ended. AS: Tsubasa Seki spends Limit on Shift! Ichika Kawase can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Hyousuke Suzuki spends Limit on Psych! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 141 Slash damage from Tsubasa Seki's Greatest Sword. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 46 Slash damage from Tsubasa Seki's Greatsword Assault. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 46 Slash damage from Tsubasa Seki's Greatsword Assault. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 44 Slash damage from Tsubasa Seki's Greatsword Assault. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 48 Slash damage from Tsubasa Seki's Greatsword Assault. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 48 Slash damage from Tsubasa Seki's Greatsword Assault. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 56 Slash damage from Tsubasa Seki's Greatsword Assault. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Hibari Aoki has posed.
Ren isn't the only one who's been betrayed by the system. Oh, it's different for Hibari, but she still feels it keenly, even if the number of people who know the full story is about one and a half (Tsubasa knows fragments of it, Ren at least knows it exists, and Ichika knows most of it, but Tsubasa and Ren don't know Hibari is *here*).
It's still enough to keep her fired up, especially assisted by her allies - her friends, though just like not all of them know she's here, she doesn't know all of them *are* her friends.
She needs to figure out how to get past that barrier. How to stop the Patriarch. How to fight the system - it's still not something she's entirely come to terms with how to do. So far her justice has been a small thing. "You - "
*bang*
Well. Okay. It's not a gunshot. It's an actual *ray gun*, something that Hibari didn't know you could do inside a Palace even if you had a Persona. Her head jerks up as she looks up toward the source of that shot, seeing a princely figure she does not recognize. More information for later; something to look into on her own time. She'll ask Ichika - when they're home and safe and recovered.
Because she can *feel* the barriers drop. "He's open!" Mujina calls, finally fulfilling her duty as a Navigator. "Get him, get in! He can't call the support back up!" Maybe that's how you take out people like that. Separate them from the system, so they can't call it in... But that means she can act, too. He's not invincible, and he can't abuse his power to stop her.
And as the others go in, she grins, her face suddenly... not quite visible under the flames, but you can tell what expression she's making. "Backing you up!" she calls to the Phantom Thieves, before giving the *non*-Phantom Thieves the same grin. They're all in this together, except maybe the Prince; she's not sure what to make of him, but at least he's helping.
Her face is already burning with blue flames, but it surges *brighter* as her Rebellion waxes, Mujina's efforts becoming more tangible. Danzaburou appears again, raising his gunbei as pillars of light erupt from the ground beneath the fallen Eiji even as waves of darkness wash over her. She hunkers down against it and is placed well to absorb both the darkness and the diamond missiles -
She can't help herself. When one of them catches on her coat and fails to penetrate, she grabs it, dropping it into one of her pockets. Maybe someone else is going to take the biggest diamond (she saw Ogre shear the ring off), but she can at least take a souvenir with her.
And then... Mujina whistles.
There's a rustling from the piles of goshugi, a surge of the blue light of a Persona-summoning...
And eyes, in the darkness. Shining eyes, catching the light, before a tiny tanuki rushes out. And then another, and another, and *another*, more and more coming from all over the room as they charge toward Eiji, literally burying the Shadow beneath their combined weight. They're not Shadows, nor cognitions; they're something lesser, little more than a spell.
Mujina is a Navigator first. Some Navigators hear, like Ririka; some watch, like Fuuka. But Hibari - Mujina, the spy, rather than the thief - has always been best at talking, and putting bits of information together that way; rumours, little scraps of information. And so she has little scouts, little spies, little reporters to bring her their knowledge so she can assemble it into something complete. Normally, they're harmless; they're Hibari's eyes and ears, but not her hands.
But today, they pile onto Eiji, squashing him under a wave of tiny tanuki that explode in a gravitational shockwave, just as Hibari raises up one of her little orbs she was spinning before. Baoding balls, which she uses as a fidget tool, usually, or in a Palace, as something to help her focus. Right now she pitches it like a fastball, aimed directly at Shadow Eiji's forehead. On impact, it chimes like a bell.
(Also, every one of the shugi-bukuro have been opened and scattered around into a huge mess on that side of the room. Thanks, tanuki.)
AS: Persona! Hibari Aoki has used the Light skill Kouha on Penguin Sniper! AS: Charm results in party damage! Hibari Aoki takes 60 damage! AS: Ruin: Hibari Aoki gains 1 Limit! AS: Persona! Hibari Aoki has used the Light skill Kouha on Penguin Sniper! AS: Persona! Hibari Aoki has used the Earth skill Eight Hundred and Eight on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Weapon! Hibari Aoki has used the Strike skill Knockout Weight on Penguin Sniper! AS: Hibari Aoki's turn has ended. AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 74 Light damage from Hibari Aoki's Kouha. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 66 Light damage from Hibari Aoki's Kouha. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 117 Earth damage from Hibari Aoki's Eight Hundred and Eight. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 140 Earth damage from Hibari Aoki's Eight Hundred and Eight. Critical Hit! Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 18 Strike damage from Hibari Aoki's Knockout Weight. Resist! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
'A firefighter, or some stupid shit. What's it fucking matter?' Masao grimaces at that. 'He set me straight. I'm the man I am today because of him.'
He's going to concede in silence it doesn't matter now - this man chose otherwise. But this was a guy who once wanted to be a hero. This guy's father probably took what could've been a brave person who gave a lot in times of crisis - like Katsuya over there is, speaking clear about his feelings of pursuing his duty and the right thing.
He reminds himself he had the strength to choose and pursue. Eiji Kamiya didn't, and he's not going to let that hold him back. (The restraining order is already doing a fine job of that!)
Even with help from Tamaki and that masked gentleman, he can't hurl himself through that metaphorical legal barrier--
A lot of things happen in short order. Hey, has he not seen that guy on TV that just shot the... oh, the ring, that's what they're all after, right...
There's not a lot of time to process the events - but that sense of being restrained fades. That's for the best, because the Palace Ruler's bringing down diamonds on everyone. The first salvo smashes head-on, magical protection being the difference between a hard shove and, uh, something worse.
He picks up the slack with grit teeth as he braces for the next, battering it away with his elbow and forearm despite feeling a greater weight than he ought to. As the darkness erupts around them...
"Stop tryin' to drag all of us down with you, man!" Masao swings his axe outward to deflect some of that dark power with a faint blue light around him. It grows into a greater column that defies the stifling darkness. "Ogun!!"
Once more, the visage of Masao's Persona, that masked spear-wielding man with leafy, grassy details, summoning forth a much larger purple orb threatening to press down with yellow energy rings against the panicking, increasingly powerless Shadow - as if trying to pack all that noise down upon him with the power of gravity.
Others... have so much to say, so much fury and emotion, and the street artist presses his lips together and shakes his head. He's not going to take that platform from them. He leaves the retribution at that singular Gryva, leaving that way.
He can tell, by those two masked figures over there (Phoenix and Ogre), they've got their grievances, their grudges, their reasons.
He can't get a single read of any of 'em by Resonance, but just from the raw soul they're putting out... he knows they're people who must've been silenced for far too long by the likes of him.
He won't gainsay either of them, as Ogun recedes as the Gryva spell's influence wanes, standing by and watching a new round of Persona-users declare and decide who they are (barring a sudden unpleasant surprise) with a big ol' smile on his face.
<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
In spite of everything, the Patriarch doesn't budge. Vesper was told of this possibility also. How was it phrased again? 'Too set in their ways to do anything but dig their own grave?'
Be that as it may, it doesn't help anyone right now. All he can do is double down, when the man says that he'd sooner sever his own hand. "I see. Well then. In your persistence in supporting a lost cause, perhaps you are doing just that."
Vesper can feel the bile rising to his throat. Playing this role is quicker than anything to become more than he can stomach. Didn't he leave all this behind? Why does it still come so easy?
...Will it even matter, if they can't finish things here? All seems lost when everyone is similarly disabled. Until there is an intervention. One unexpected even by the leader of the Phantom Thieves, so he observes, even though they do seem familiar with each other. Curious.
Far be it from him to look a gift horse in the mouth, however. With the removal of the Patriarch, and the literal severing of Eiji's marriage prospects, it's frankly shocking how little impact those desperate final flailings have. It's time to end this, indeed. But he's not going to be the one to do it, not directly. Instead--
"Raffles! Make certain he gets what he so richly deserves!"
The bat the Persona holds in its right hand vanishes - making it that much clear that there is no hand on that side. It's a mass of shadowy tendrils, which it proceeds to slam into the ground. A mass of similar tendrils emerges from around Shadow Eiji, wrapping around and binding the creature where they can, so as to not let him escape all due punishment that is to come his way.
"...This doesn't even compare to the toxic bond you sought to impose," he muses, planting his umbrella down as he watches on from there.
AS: Persona! Julian Marlowe has used the Dark skill Blackroot Curse on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Defense: Julian Marlowe gains 1 Limit! AS: Masao Inaba spends bonus actions on Recover! Masao Inaba converts bonus actions into Limit! AS: Masao Inaba spends Limit on Psych! AS: Persona! Masao Inaba has used the Earth skill Gryva on Penguin Sniper! AS: Aggression: Masao Inaba gains 1 Limit! AS: Masao Inaba: Blast and Psych removed! AS: Masao Inaba's turn has ended. AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 24 Dark damage from Julian Marlowe's Blackroot Curse. Resist! AS: Bind and Paralyze added! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 45 Dark damage from Julian Marlowe's Blackroot Curse. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 110 Earth damage from Masao Inaba's Gryva. Critical Hit! Weak! AS: Paralyze added! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
The diamonds spray, but Ogre holds up her shield. The diamonds batter off again and again--but in the end, her shield cracks, and Ogre looks down at the broken weapon that has thus far protected her from this Palace. "..." She's some yards away from where she started, forced back scraping inch by inch--but she's intact. So Ogre throws away the remains of her weapon.
"...I don't owe you any more answers," Ogre says to Shadow Eiji as she rises to her fullo height again. She looks between Joker and Akechi and Phoenix, and then watches Akechi for a few more moments. "...It's important to keep your promises," she agrees. There's nothing else for her to say, for now; she doesn't understand everything in play.
Then, Ogre looks to the Phantom Thieves first. To Ryuji and Yusuke. And Phoenix.
Then she looks to Mujina, who she asked to come too. ...With...
"Cool," Ogre concludes of Mujina's attack.
Everyone is doing their best here. And still, he won't let her go. She knows. If they don't finish this...
Ogre breathes out slowly, the world around her seeming to fall away. She closes her eyes. Everything is quiet.
She opens them, atop the mountain of gilt and gold and jeweled gifts, including that barred crib, numerous boxes, gems just spilling out, money in coins loose everywhere--a veritable summit of treasure. And she stands atop it, calmly. Her hair blows in the wind. Below, Phoenix and more are battering away, but up here, there is only the serenity of the shot as Ogre takes aim through the scope of her hunting rifle. She takes half a crouch, holding the weapon in both hands, eyes forward.
"There you are," she murmurs, her sights lining up, center-mass.
"Got you."
|
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o ----
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BANG!
The mountain of treasure starts to shudder and shake. In moments, it lists--and starts, a bit at a time, tumbling down the side. In moments there is an avalanche of wedding gifts crashing towards Shadow Eiji, his person set to be overwhelmed with money and presents and gems, as Ogre surfs the ridge like it's a wave. When the wave crashes down, she smoothly rises to her feet, continuing to fire, each shot now bringing with it brown rock that explodes on impact. There's barely any recoil to look at her, her technique perfectly smooth as shoots, shoots, shoots--
Until she's right in melee with the Shadow again, standing there pointing her rifle right at him.
AS: Tandem! Ichika Kawase has used the Earth skill Mountain Drift on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Tandem! Ichika Kawase has used the Earth skill Smashbrand on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Tandem! Ichika Kawase has used the Earth skill Smashbrand on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Tandem! Ichika Kawase has used the Earth skill Smashbrand on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Ichika Kawase's turn has ended. AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 126 Earth damage from Ichika Kawase's Mountain Drift. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 205 Earth damage from Ichika Kawase's Mountain Drift. Critical Hit! Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 56 Earth damage from Ichika Kawase's Smashbrand. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 56 Earth damage from Ichika Kawase's Smashbrand. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 113 Earth damage from Ichika Kawase's Smashbrand. Critical Hit! Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 65 Earth damage from Ichika Kawase's Smashbrand. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 134 Earth damage from Ichika Kawase's Smashbrand. Critical Hit! Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! Huh? (Type "help" for help.)
AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 69 Earth damage from Ichika Kawase's Smashbrand. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Phoenix seems to appreciate her comments, at least. Shinobu sends an approxing smirk their way as they go for the follow-up, before looking back toward the cognition of Eiji's father.
"Sounds like a shit father, if he doesn't follow that up by teaching him what's right and wrong." Shinobu replies, as the older Kamiya replies bluntly to her. "You let him get this bad. You could've stopped this... but you never cared to, did you? Bet he got it from you, even."
She doesn't expect this to help - it isn't the real deal, presumably. Just Eiji's cognition of him.
Phoenix gestures with their greatsword to her, as they say that she'd bash his door down with a baseball bat if Tsubasa disappeared.
"Damn right. Think I'd let the law stop me?" Shinobu agrees. "Nah. If it can't protect them, then to hell with it. I'd do it myself."
...And then, a blue light pierces him through the chest. Shinobu stares through the hole left behind, then looks up toward the rafters. Isn't that the guy in white from yesterday that the Joker Killer was upset about...?
"Good night, old man." Shinobu says, as the cognition dissipates - and then turns her attention toward Eiji himself. Mujina calls out that the protection is down - which means there's nothing stopping her anymore.
"...Just you, now. No old man to hide behind anymore. What do you have to say for yourself, now that all the walls are down? Still feel all big and strong?" Shinobu asks.
His response is fury - which is only magnified when Ogre says they're done, and slices his ring clean off.
"Damn. Nice shot." Shinobu compliments with an appreciative whistle. She can't quite make the connection between her words and Eiji's, her cognitive protection causing her to glide over the joining thought, but she can still appreciate that much.
Eiji screams - sending diamonds flying out at high speeds. Shinobu whirls her staff in front of her like a shield to try and deflect some of them, but she's still vulnerable. The diamonds hit, and they hit hard, but she fights through it. The eruption of shadow, however, manages to blast her off her feet. She flies back - and drives her staff into the chapel floor to retain her balance.
"Throwin' a tantrum now, huh? Told you you'd be screaming... though, I guess it wasn't me this time." Shinobu comments with a smirk. "That's good enough for me. Keep screaming."
Others closest to what's happening have already said their piece more eloquently. She doesn't need to try.
"Lachesis - let's seal his fate." Shinobu says. Lachesis levels her staff at Eiji, this time - and returns the favor from earlier, to invoke fragility in him.
Shinobu rushes in, staff spinning - throwing in a kick in the middle of the assault - and Lachesis follows it up with a blast of light before rushing toward him from the other side.
"You ready, Lachesis?" Shinobu asks. Lachesis offers a quiet nod. "...Then let's do it!"
What follows is a vicious flurry of staff strikes from Shinobu and Lachesis both, interlaced with kicks as each moves into position to complement the other.
She remembers the Phantom Thieves declaring that they don't kill. She'll honor that - it's not her call to make now, when there are others who've suffered more at his hands.
But she can at least make him hurt. She's earned that much, at least.
AS: Persona! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Almighty skill Strike Break on Penguin Sniper! AS: Persona! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Light skill Kouha on Penguin Sniper! AS: Aggression: Shinobu Shimizu gains 1 Limit! AS: Tandem! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Strike skill Measured Fate on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Weapon! Shinobu Shimizu has used the Strike skill Spinning Staff on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Shinobu Shimizu's turn has ended. AS: Note that 0-damage attacks like #1 must be responded to with +take. AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 0 Almighty damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Strike Break. AS: Strike_Break added! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 52 Light damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Kouha. Weak! AS: Haze added! Bind removed! Explosion! 50 damage! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 75 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Measured Fate. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 61 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Measured Fate. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 61 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Measured Fate. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 35 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Spinning Staff. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 32 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Spinning Staff. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 70 Strike damage from Shinobu Shimizu's Spinning Staff. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Getting an agreement out of Katsuya is useful- and his refusal to the bribe heartening. "Thank you."
It's good that some cops believe in justic.
So that's a yes. It's a good thing Queen gets that much out of the Patriarch, before he insults her family. "...You shut your damn mouth." Makoto's voice becomes an angry snarl, at calling her father a failure. A failure at turning her into some obedient housewife.
That's not where he failed.
Besides, Sis did a good enough job of that.
Makoto presses down thouse thoughts, even as Johanna slams hard into Eiji- but not well enough to get that damn ring loose. At least she hurt him, if she can't do anything about the man walking away-
When a shot rings out, just like when Kaneshiro was at their mercy- but this one hits it's target. Queen looks up, tracing the path of the bullet-
And sees someone she didn't expect. "You...?" Indeed, Queen did not expect to be saved, of all people, by Akechi's intervention. Her eyes cast to Joker- Joker, who has the ring and thus the key to changing his heart. Johanna skids across the ground, coming to a halt in front of Joker, aiming to act as a barrier between her leader and anyone who might want that ring back. The storm of diamonds slams into her over and over again, and it hurts. She's pretty sure she's not got a lot of energy left in her, and she needs to save what she has left to get out.
She revs Johanna's engine as she comes to a halt, a second protection in the form of a Rakukaja washing over Joker, and as she does so she draws her revolver again, and fans the hammer as she halts, bullets aiming to rain into Eiji.
"Phoenix, Ogre- keep him alive! The Phantoms don't kill!" She knows the temptation, so strong and powerful, and maybe Phoenix and Ogre are better, more controlled people than her. "...You can beat him to a bloody pulp, though. Just make sure he doesn't die."
Being crushed under a landslide of 'gifts' seems rather appropriate, in the end.
She looks down to Joker- Akechi is their enemy, but they're way too ragged to engage in another battle at this point. Especially since he's buying them an opening. "...Do you think he's trying to balance his debt from Kobayakawa?" She whispers, quietly, even as she looks around. It would be so easy to jump in right now, as everyone else is- but that's not Queen's job. She's laid enough hits on Eiji for now.
"Mona, get it ready!" She yells, still watching Joker. If Akechi's here, they need to be ready to get out as soon as Ogre and Phoenix have got their closure.
"Detective-" She call out, but whether she's talking to Akechi or Katsuya it's hard to say. "Don't you dare let this bastard's father get him out of the fate he deserves. Consider this a test of your justice!"
A Phantom Thief challenging the law to do what they're supposed to do? ...Well, that's narratively appropriate, isn't it?
AS: Persona! Makoto Niijima has used the Almighty skill Rakukaja on Ren Amamiya! AS: Support: Makoto Niijima gains 1 Limit! AS: Weapon! Makoto Niijima has used the Pierce skill Fast Draw on Penguin Sniper! AS: Weapon! Makoto Niijima has used the Pierce skill Fast Draw on Penguin Sniper! AS: Weapon! Makoto Niijima has used the Pierce skill Fast Draw on Penguin Sniper! AS: Makoto Niijima's turn has ended. AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 67 Pierce damage from Makoto Niijima's Fast Draw. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 29 Pierce damage from Makoto Niijima's Fast Draw. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 75 Pierce damage from Makoto Niijima's Fast Draw. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Hyousuke struck. he hammered. He raged. He mustered every mote of strength he could, ordered his Persona to strike the Shadow down, but that wall - that damned wall - foiled him time and again. Like some ravening beast howling against its captors, he threw himself against the wall, time and again trying to reach his target. He wouldn't stand for it, not again - he refused to let victory slip through his fingers when he was so goddamn close. Even should it cost him everything, he had to see the job through.
His voice left him in a scream of primal anger. Hyousuke refused to accept the reality that he was helpless, and that his strength had failed him once again. He refused that reality with every fibre of willpower in his being, and it achieved nothing. he could only watch on in impotent rage as someone - a stranger to him that Ogre no doubt recognised - descended upon them, dispelling the cognition with a bolt from the blue. His gaze snapped to them, squinting a little to try and figure out just who it was that had saved them, but his investigation was cut short.
For a few glorious moments, Hyousuke's rage lifted, and his heart soared at the sight of Ogre's vengeance. Her shield colliding against his face like a freight train, his finger being severed by its edge, the ring scraping against the chapel floor as it fell towards Joker... It was like nothing he had witnessed before. It was vengeance, and it was hers. Hyousuke said nothing in the moment, only looking to her with lens-veiled eyes, but he could not have been prouder of her. She had earnt this a thousand times over.
Thoughts of celebrating their victory were short-lived. In some final, desperate act, Eiji seemed to have taken whatever strength he had left, and lashed out at everyone he could reach.
The rage returned with a vengeance.
They were so close to winning, and he would not suffer to see them fail at the last hurdle.
"No! No more!" Achilles once more returned the fray, his shield a bulwark against the storm of diamonds hurled at him. He clenched his teeth, staggering forward, his own shoulder against the shield as he pushed towards the epicentre, summoning whatever strength he could in return.
The onslaught kept coming. It dented the shield, scraped against whatever pieces of him the metal could not cover, and sent him staggering back, but he did not relent. For every step back he took, two more sent him forward. He would not be denied their victory, no matter how it hurt.
"You don't get to control them any more! You don't get to take anyone else! Everything you've done, it ends NOW!" With one last surge of power, Hyousuke leapt to the side, throwing himself out of the way of the blast that came next. He did not dodge it - not completely - but he pain was irrelevant. They were close, and he would not be denied.
Achilles hurtled across what little of a gap remained, and in the blink of an eye, the chapel was filled with the sound of clanging bronze. He had slammed into Eiji like a cannonball, his unstoppable charge heaving the shield into the Shadow's body with every mote of force that could be mustered, only for Hyousuke to slip back in again. The strikes he levelled at Eiji were not the trained ones of a martial artist, nor the savage ones of a street brawler. What Hyousuke did... It was nothing short of animalistic brutality.
"DON'T! YOU! EVER! THREATEN! MY! FRIENDS! AGAIN!"
His voice was raw and pained, with every word a Herculean task to utter. He could feel his throat burn with the strain, threatening to split apart with every shout made. But he wouldn't stop. He couldn't. Haymakers with the strength of a sledgehammer. Heavy kicks that planted his boots deep into Eiji's flesh. A headbutt that threatened to crack the lens of his mask down the middle. Spoken or struck, Hyousuke exhibited savagery unbound. Achilles might have been stronger, more precise, or more agile - but he wanted the satisfaction of beating Eiji into a bloody pulp himself.
He stood back, panting, trembling, and *hating.*
"Achilles. Finish it."
Energy radiated out from the spear. Divinity surged through its length, forcing it to glow with the sheer power that it contained. Even Achilles, the man destined to wield it, had to tighten his grip to keep the thing from ripping itself from his grasp. To behold it was to behold something imbued with the favour of the gods themselves... and the wrath of a man lost to grief and fury. The scantest hint of a second passed, and that spear was in the air, its wielder leaping to the highest point of the chapel's interior.
Then he descended.
Falling like a bolt of lightning, Achilles descended with such force that the air itself distorted around him, displaced into a shockwave that hurtled across the breadth of the room. Hyousuke stood firm against it, even as it lashed against his eyes, determined to see it through - this was what he'd wanted for so long, and so much. With eager eyes, he watched as the speartip carved apart Eiji's flesh, its divine strength rending meat and bone and sinew and muscle in less time than a blink. Achilles lingered, then wrenched the thing free, standing back with his wielder before dissipating into the ether once again.
It was done.
It was finally done.
AS: Weapon! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Strike skill Chained Strikes on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Pressure: Hyousuke Suzuki gains 1 Limit! AS: Weapon! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Strike skill Chained Strikes on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Weapon! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Strike skill Chained Strikes on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits!
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
Ichika Kawase - Ogre - stands atop the mountain of gifts Eiji Kamiya believed would be festooned upon him. She begins an avalanche with a single bullet, and rides it down, planting shot after perfect shot into the Sitri shadow's body.
As he steps back from the aftermath of his own flurry of violence closer to Skull and Phoenix, Fox cannot help himself - he lifts both his hands, in ice-blue motorcycle gloves, and makes a picture frame of his fingers to capture this spectacular moment, as the avalanche of gold buries the Ruler of this twisted mockery of a matrimonal Palace.
"She's magnificent," he says to Ogre's metamours, in full approval.
AS: Ichika Kawase spends Limit on Shift! Hyousuke Suzuki can use another Weak skill this round! SP +8! Healed 20! AS: Persona! Hyousuke Suzuki has used the Pierce skill Princeslayer on Penguin Sniper! AS: Hyousuke Suzuki: Atk_Up, Def_Up, and Psych removed! AS: Hyousuke Suzuki regains 5 HP from Regenerate! AS: Hyousuke Suzuki's turn has ended. AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 45 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Chained Strikes. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 70 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Chained Strikes. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 58 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Chained Strikes. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 49 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Chained Strikes. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 52 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Chained Strikes. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 61 Strike damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Chained Strikes. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 154 Pierce damage from Hyousuke Suzuki's Princeslayer. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Take! Ren Amamiya takes 0 Almighty damage from Makoto Niijima's Rakukaja. AS: Def_Up added!
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka is... well, concerned about Hitomi. She's not sure 'slap her' is the solution, but... Hitomi stuck it out through that failed foray into the Palace her team took, and she's here now backing her up during this time.
So she can't help but worry about someone like that, and hearing that Ririka is important to her... "Mandai-chan..."
Still, those dice--however they work--are pretty dang cool.
But... Ririka was confident she'd found a sore spot she could needle Eiji over. She's not a spiteful person. Normally. But calling upon his father, even in Cognition form, is a weakness she doesn't need her Navigator talents to spot.
She's readying a retort when Eiji suddenly says something that makes no sense, and her blood runs cold as her entire body freezes. "... what." Her voice is flat and deadly serious for a moment. And then it suddenly boils over. "What's that supposed to mean!?" Her grip tightens on her katana so much her hands start to ache. "YOU LEAVE TOSHIKUN OUT OF THIS!"
Sorry, Ogre. She's kinda losing her cool a bit after all. But she's so mad over the comment about her brother she's not going to react about that 'rezubian' line. Which might be better for her in the moment.
But even she has to notice when more of those restraining orders go out. "Crap. Amphion, Analysis-- We gotta figure out a way past--" Her hand is going up to press the cup of the headphone to her ear when something else catches her attention.
The bright flash of a laser beam, and a hole in the elder Kamiya's chest. Ririka's head snaps up. "What the--!?"
And a moment later it snaps up to the rafters to behold Akechi. "When--" Did she just miss him in all the chaos? She's had to filter out all the other battles happening on the side...
But she watches as that ring (and finger) come flying off, and only now does his confidence seem to waver. Or was it because the Cognition of his Father got taken out?
Ririka stares down the Shadow as it launches its assault, as diamonds come flying for her, she lifts her katana and cuts through them, grunting through the strain of deflecting that power. And she manages to take a step back, deflecting that shadowy power away from her feet with the same katana.
Ririka freezes as Joker asks her that question. "Wha-- of course not! How could you even ask me something like that!?" She's not in the know--and her Navigator senses can't tell her everything, sadly. She doesn't even know what the Treasure is for, here.
Ririka definitely supports Phoenix's gender. (And Tsubasa's, even if she doesn't know the two are the same.) And her friends... yeah, they're pretty cool.
"Hey... you don't like guns? Sorry, but I've got another one. Mine's a bit different though." The katana goes in her scabbard, and she draws out her Evoker again and lifts it to her head. "AMPHION!"
There's a slitchest hitch still as she pulls the trigger, and Amphion surges with renewed strength before Ririka gestures with her free hand. "You hurt my sister--and I'll never forgive you for that. But you came after her friends--you were gonna come after me-- and all those other people! You're the lowest of the low."
"And if you don't like my music, that's too bad--'cause I got a special number to play! Amphion! Let's pump the crowd!" Amphion begins strumming quickly, a bright, fast-tempo number that sends strands of music out to coil around herself, Tamaki, Hitomi, and Umie to give them all a boost.
Then she points directly at Eiji. "You're a despicable, human being, a real low creep. You're riding on your daddy's coattails and that's gonna end! This is for my SISTER!" Ririka raises her free hand up. Amphion is still playing, and as she slams her hand down, like a conductor marking time for an orchestra, a levitating rock goes flying right for Eiji.
A hand raises, and slams down again, bringing another rock hurting past her for its target. "And everyone she cares about!"
"Now tell me--" Hand raises a third time, tension making it tremble for a moment before she slams it down again to launch the final attack. "WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MY BROTHER!?"
AS: Persona! Ririka Kawase has used the Recovery skill Victory Song on Ririka Kawase, Hitomi Mandai, Tamaki Uchida, and Umie Akabane! AS: Charm results in party damage! Ririka Kawase takes 60 damage! AS: Insight: Ririka Kawase gains 1 Limit! AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 0 Recovery healing from Ririka Kawase's Victory Song. AS: Atk_Up added! AS: Take! Ririka Kawase takes 0 Recovery healing from Ririka Kawase's Victory Song. AS: Spd_Up added! AS: Take! Hitomi Mandai takes 0 Recovery healing from Ririka Kawase's Victory Song. AS: Crt_Up added! AS: Ririka Kawase spends Limit on Psych! AS: Persona! Ririka Kawase has used the Earth skill Magna on Penguin Sniper! AS: Persona! Ririka Kawase has used the Earth skill Magna on Penguin Sniper! AS: Persona! Ririka Kawase has used the Earth skill Magna on Penguin Sniper! AS: Ririka Kawase: Psych removed! AS: Ririka Kawase's turn has ended. AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 85 Earth damage from Ririka Kawase's Magna. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 91 Earth damage from Ririka Kawase's Magna. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 94 Earth damage from Ririka Kawase's Magna. Weak! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Hitomi Mandai has posed.
After the blast Hitomi is already there with her nose in the air and giving the Shadow a sidelong look. After he speaks, she replies, "Takes one to know one," before making a simperingly sweet and completely fake smile. Soon enough the Shadow isn't *right there* and she gives the Phoenix a glance and a smile -- having perhaps heard the word 'casino' and assumed it was about her (which may, at some future point, be a problem - but even so).
Hitomi's hands fold behind her back as she turns, and that means that instead of being able to continue looking smug and exulting in whatever triumph she, presumably, won -- the explosion didn't hurt her at all, after all -- she witnesses that shot that spears Eiji's father.
"Kawase-kun," Hitomi continues, leaning back to pivot her upper body around and turn while spinning on one heel, "does that mean his father's going to die now? We're not in his father's Palace, right? Unless he's the real master because this is all his fault? He did raise a pretty shitty kid," Hitomi considers, and after that she's being bombarded with high-velocity jewels...
Which is covering her face. It's hard to seem exultant when you're being struck. Several of them smash into her arm enough for her to hiss and when the storm momentarily abates, or at least turns into a pulsing wave of darkness, she huffs out:
"Sore losers should just shut up already!" The arm that she'd been covering her face with comes down; the other raises with a twist of the wrist and a glimpse of a card, saying, "Tyche! Roast him until he accepts his loss!~" Still that weird elation even if it is somewhat muted by pain.
Tyche appears for the third time, and she's turned her face away from the tiger-man. The flames aren't, though; an ongoing searing tongue of flame instead of the burst or streak or fireball that the dreams and concepts of Fire tend to assume. The heat's quite palpable, although the Persona does seem to be sweeping it -- less likely, perhaps, to be fatal, but that's not necessarily for the better.
AS: Persona! Hitomi Mandai has used the Fire skill Fire Breath on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Persona! Hitomi Mandai has used the Fire skill Fire Breath on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Persona! Hitomi Mandai has used the Fire skill Fire Breath on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Persona! Hitomi Mandai has used the Fire skill Fire Breath on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Hitomi Mandai: Gains 49 HP from Regen! AS: Hitomi Mandai's turn has ended. AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 87 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 41 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 41 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 81 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 74 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 81 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 36 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 81 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 88 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 37 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 72 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 79 Fire damage from Hitomi Mandai's Fire Breath. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.
Queen lets on that if the Shadow's killed, the person it belongs to dies, as well. Tamaki catches that tidbit and mentally files it away for later, right alongside the other questions she's got for Phoenix that Tsubasa had planted in her head.
Phoenix offers a meeting arranged by a 'friend'. Tamaki raises a skeptical eyebrow, but otherwise seems mollified. "Looking forward to it!"
Tamaki raises her sabre in a salute and gives a hearty cry in reply back out to Julian after he provides his advice about 'what does not break you makes you stronger,': "Preaching to the choir! They do not break us, they break UPON us!" She has lost count of the number of times she's had to stand back up after some kind of defeat.
Katsuya vigorously declines the bribe. She already thought he was a man of principle, and this only reaffirms her prior notions of him. There's a reason she specifically went into private work instead of law enforcement proper, herself, but ... if there were more guys like him on the force, maybe she would have gone down a different career path, instead. At Queen's further behest, she gives Katsuya a meaningful glance and points up at Queen. "I'm in agreement with her, for what it's worth."
The ray gun blast from above causes Tamaki to look up in the rafters. She can't quite make him out, but given that princely silhouette and how he referred to Katsuya as 'Sergeant,' she figures that's probably Akechi. Entirely blissfully unaware of how he's mired in the intrigue of the various Persona-users present (among other things), she's simply glad for his assistance! Putting together Queen's mention of killing Shadows earlier, she quietly hopes that the figure of the Patriarch was instead a Cognition.
And with that -- the restraining order has ended. Mujina's call confirms it, and she flashes her a thumbs-up. "On it!" While she had not expected this moment to come, Julian had the foresight for it, and she now plans to make the best use of what he had entrusted her with. It's with great aplomb that she dashes forward together with Arianrhod to finally launch her first strike in this fight -- and her last. This is long overdue, and she has been holding back all the offense that she's capable of.
After all, as she had said earlier: fair's fair.
She gives Ririka a thumbs-up at Ririka for the victory song. "Thanks! Last number before curtain call!"
Tamaki stops and holds her necklace, fervently urging Arianrhod forward to lay down more impediments. First, a series of pink and yellow shimmering rings surround Eiji's Shadow and converge on him. Then, like before, both Tamaki and Arianrhod point their swords to the ground, causing a circle of light to appear on the ground underneath his feet, then -- during an opportune moment when none of her allies would be caught in the blast radius (take a step back, Phoenix!!) -- they raise them high as a wellspring of blinding light erupts, briefly consuming him, the laser light show to accompany Amphion's rock concert.
For one brief moment, the desperate young hero she once was five years ago shines through before fading back into memory.
With that, she dusts off her hands, steps back out of focus and stands back, next to Masao. "Nice work out there." After Phoenix finishes their berserker assault, after Ogre gives him his comeuppance, literally burying him with the weaponized weight of wedding gifts and wealth, after Queen's fanning of the hammer, after Hyousuke's Achilles descends with the force of the heavens, she gives a low whistle in admiration and inclines her head to Masao again to remark, "... The new kids are alright, yeah?"
AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Elec skill Psi on Penguin Sniper! AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Light skill Hama on Penguin Sniper! AS: Tamaki Uchida's turn has ended. AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 45 Elec damage from Tamaki Uchida's Psi. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: There's nothing in your queue by that number or attacker. AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 120 Light damage from Tamaki Uchida's Hama. Weak! AS: Exhaust added! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
'Sorry I'm late, Sergeant Suou.'
Umie glances towards Katsuya, lips spread in a thin, neutral line that threatens to extend past the confines of her cheeks.
And then, Umie just shrugs, tilting her head. Yeah, just go with it. Pride's for people who haven't been trying to scratch themselves out of an invisible box like a raccoon trapped in a trashcan.
(Yeah, for all of the build-up in the earlier pose, Umie is just another person making things up as she goes along.)
Joker, likewise, has questions, but Umie, finally turning towards Joker, can't offer anything but the same thin lined expression of someone who has egg on their face.
(Sure, Akechi was in Umie's party, but it's not like Akechi *wouldn't* investigate on his own, and he provided the information Umie needed to understand Eiji's crimes against Ichika. _But still_.)
Even in a party she thought to not invite him, -A K E C H I-.
Eiji's rage at losing his father seeps to the surface, and with it, comes Umie's own rage.
"You'd cry over your father, but not over all the lives you've ruined? Your legacy is done."
Like the crone pointing a crooked finger at a man about to fall from his prime, Umie points at Eiji moments before disaster strikes...
.... this time for everyone except Eiji. (Oops.)
All this diamonds would have done much better lining Umie's pockets than slicing her skin, leaving her bruised and collapsed on the ground.
Clenching her fists, Umie shoves herself onto her feet, her line of sight now focused on Joker, who looks even worse, in some ways, on account of having to protect that Treasure.
...
It forces Umie to realize just how much Joker will put up with just to hold himself to his Justice. Could she even do begin to do the same?
Giving him her hand isn't going to help anything but let Akechi understand just how fully Umie's own 'justice' (lower case) is derived.
"For Ichika Kawase-san and Tsubasa Seki-san," Umie mumurs, raising half-sleeved hands. The walls are down. Ririka's outburst draws Umie in-- again, having Akechi there to fill in the background of the Kawases proved fruitful. "... For those who have questions."
"From 'that girl' who refuses to go off and properly die, now that there's too much she wants to see."
The ghostly wraith floats above Umie, floating balls of dark circling around the pair like a cloud of circling blackbirds, ready to strip the grounds bare of what's left.
AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 0 Recovery healing from Ririka Kawase's Victory Song. AS: Spd_Up added! AS: Umie Akabane spends Limit on Exploit! Umie Akabane can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Almighty skill Hooded Smile on Penguin Sniper! AS: Ruin: Umie Akabane gains 1 Limit! AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Almighty skill Warrior's Bell on Penguin Sniper! AS: Note that 0-damage attacks like #1 must be responded to with +take. AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 0 Almighty damage from Umie Akabane's Hooded Smile. AS: Charm added! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Dark skill Final Warning on Penguin Sniper! AS: Take! Penguin Sniper takes 0 Almighty damage from Umie Akabane's Warrior's Bell. AS: Rage added! Exhaust removed! Explosion! 60 damage! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Dark skill Pale Shriek on Penguin Sniper! AS: Umie Akabane: Gains 51 HP from Regen! AS: Umie Akabane regains 3 SP from Invigorate! AS: Umie Akabane's turn has ended.
<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
So even Tamaki agrees with Queen on this. "I see..." Katsuya says, because what else can he say or do? A man like this has many sins, no matter how young he is, and perhaps-- as much as it rankles him to do so, he...
Every man has his price. There's something that someone, for whatever reason, would bend or break their code to attain. As for Katsuya--
This isn't it. Not money, whatever might happen to it in the real world, were he to accept. He makes his terms quite clear, attacking the Ruler, and for his pains--
"I-- I can't attack again!" he calls out, slapped himself with a restraining order from the Kamiya elder with rest of them. Like this, they'll be forced to receive attacks and do what they can to mitigate and heal, but it's a war of attrition if they can't strike back.
But in their darkest moment, there is light.
Katsuya stares at the wound on the cognition's chest. "What?! --Akechi-kun!" Katsuya shouts, jerking his head in the direction that shot had come from. "You had said you were too far away...?" Realization, after a sort, dawns over yonder rockface. "--I see, so this was planned!" Is he a little put out that he wasn't in on this, though?
...maybe. He's also not meeting Umie's gaze.
But it's a matter for another time as, again, the calculus shifts: Ichika, freed from the bonds of the restraining order, lunges to take the ring from the Ruler's hand, and in so doing, force an annulment.
The wedding is off.
In his rage, it seems like the Ruler is fit to bring the Palace down around all of them, though. "Stop him!" he calls out. "If he continues like this--!" Well, honestly, Katsuya doesn't know what would precisely happen, but it can't be good, can it?
Instead, as his Persona takes one diamond missile solidly enough to send it reeling a distance back, it then retaliates in kind and launches the large and sparkling stone from whence it came.
'He's open', someone calls, and Katsuya can see that they're not wrong. Taking one step backwards to steady himself amidst the shaking of the Palace as it threatens to come undone, he again levels his sidearm at the Ruler. "Helios!" he calls out, "this is it!" To his left, Helios manifests.
He shoots twice in rapid succession, aimed at the Ruler's center mass. Helios, though, surges on ahead, flying to the Ruler's right to pepper at him with a single shot of its own. One would be gravely mistaken to think that single grazing shot was it: as before, the Persona attempts a feint. Archaic firearm in hand, it circles in a blur for the Ruler's left, as quick as it can, and there, Helios unloads upon 'Sitri' in truth.
'Don't you dare let this bastard's father...' starts Queen, as Katsuya directs his firearm back towards the floor. He glances her way without turning his head. Consider it a test of his justice.
"I won't let him escape justice," he vows. "Not this time...!"
AS: There's nothing in your queue by that number or attacker. AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 72 Dark damage from Umie Akabane's Final Warning. Resist! AS: Panic added! Charm removed! Explosion! 60 damage! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 131 Dark damage from Umie Akabane's Pale Shriek. Resist! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Weapon! Katsuya Suou has used the Pierce skill Handgun - Shot on Penguin Sniper! 2 Hits! AS: Defense: Katsuya Suou gains 1 Limit! AS: Persona! Katsuya Suou has used the Pierce skill Single Shot on Penguin Sniper! AS: Persona! Katsuya Suou has used the Pierce skill Torrent Shot on Penguin Sniper! 3 Hits! AS: Katsuya Suou: Gains 52 HP from Regen! AS: Katsuya Suou's turn has ended. AS: Block Neutral! Penguin Sniper takes 80 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Handgun - Shot. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 73 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Handgun - Shot. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Worst! Penguin Sniper takes 114 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Single Shot. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 88 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Torrent Shot. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 88 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Torrent Shot. Critical Hit! AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting! AS: Block Best! Penguin Sniper takes 62 Pierce damage from Katsuya Suou's Torrent Shot. AS: Penguin Sniper is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Penguin Sniper has posed.
Eiji Kamiya's downfall is not the result of any one person. Any single attack. It comes now from many angles.
From being battered by the hanged Persona's boulders repeatedly, again, and again - until one of his wings of diamonds breaks - twisted at a wrong angle. At Skull, committing street justice that might make any man here wince, as he smashes him in the crotch. "FUCK!"
Yeah that's several octaves higher than his normal. "Bastard... you don't steal a man's girl- you don't... all the others I knew... wasn't... serious." He clutches at his crotch, as he tries to drag himself forward. "But you? Gonna wring - your goddamn-"
Which is when a flurry of sword strikes and icy doom overtakes him from Fox. In waves of light, an army of Tanuki that detonate into gravity and... Baoding Balls that smack him right in the head!?
Shinobu brings his fate that much closer to a close, with a spell that makes him far more vulnerable, right before the woman and Persona act in twain to strike him with light spells and strikes of the staff.
He definitely is made to hurt. "Fuck... gotta mob me... to take me down. No way- no way at all for a man to..." He feebly tries to bring up what's left of a hand to catch Queen's bullets, but one lodges into his arm. And another his hip.
Chained fury lashes at him again and again, before that spear like a bolt of lightning, falls, and into his shoulder, he makes a pathetic roar... the wound bleeding ichor.
Right as a Magna - two Magnas - three Magnas batter the side of his head and he huffs, dry heaving pathetically.
"... You don't... really... wanna know... women... never wanna hear the truth..." Psychokinetic force blasts him into a table, before a circle of light causes him to vanish in a flare of light, just for a moment.
And Badb's darkness drowns out even his own, as a creature of the dark.
He won't escape Justice. as Helios fires shot, after shot, causing him to have to crawl away from his fellow feline. A mess of Shadow stuff, "... Justice... what a load of..."
And then, whatever he tries to say next is drowned out by the fury (and swearing) of Phoenix, as they wail on him, again, and again, and again.
And as they bring it up one last time for one final tremendous blow. At the same moment, does a shot get lined up, as a mountain of Goshugi batters him repeatedly, his head jerking to the side from the impact of a particularly large jewel.
Exposing his neck to Tsubasa's blade.
Silhouette shot!
Ichor sprays from Sitri's neck.
The Shadows suddenly leave Eiji, and there's just a bloodied Shadow, with yellowed eyes and a ripped Tuxedo. His corsage lacking petals now after how injured he is. The man kneeling on the ground.
Regret - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sjqs3h367sQ
"I guess... this is it. You emasculate a man like this in public... he'll just never recover." He seems, resigned? "If he can't even keep his house in order... what kind of man is he?"
He looks up towards Ichika, pathetically, "... I loved you. I... love you." He corrects, because even with her rejection, it hasn't changed, "Why couldn't that be enough?" He pleads, "I know I have a temper... that I hurt you... that I hurt... our daughter... but- we love each other."
And now, his Shadow? From its yellowed eyes, tears fall, pitter-patting on the ground beneath him.
"I just wanted what any man wants. A wife who loves and supports him. A son to carry on the family name... people to protect and provide for... why couldn't you just... give me what I wanted!? Why?"
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Ogre holds her rifle still as the battle ends, ready for a final surprise or last-minute twist. But instead, Eiji looks up to her, like she once looked up to him. ...She lowers her rifle, pointing it towards the ground beside her and letting it hang in both hands.
"I loved you," Ogre agrees with Shadow Eiji. "Maybe a part of me still does. And I would've given you everything you wanted. ...All of it. If you'd just let me, instead of taking it."
"But I can't forgive what you've done. You're the one who broke our family, Eiji. By killing our little girl. ...By hurting all those people. That love is just one of the many things you've destroyed with your ego."
Her finger wavers near the trigger of her rifle--not on it, but in position to get there--before she sighs, and looks down to Shadow Eiji, trying to meet his yellow eyes.
"You're the reason you didn't get what you want. And you're going to have to live with that. For the rest of your life." Ogre stows her rifle. Her horns glint in the chandelier's light as she turns from Shadow Eiji, to Phoenix. "Give me your sword."
Queen warned her not to kill him, but she accepts the greatsword anyway when she asks for it. She extends her arm, hefting it--and then reaches back, gathering up her hair, and chops off her bleached locks at the shoulder and stabs it down into the Palace floor.
"You're going to live a long time, Eiji. You'd better. ...And in that time..."
"I won't forget. Ever. ...And I don't think you will, either."
Ogre's shorn hair blows away in an unseen breeze.
"Now... Tell me what the fuck you meant about Toshiaki. Then, I never want to see you again."
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
Shinobu wouldn't let the law stop her from doing what's right -- and it's deeply reassuring.
"Those other fucks, they 'Cognitions!'" Phoenix finds the space to call out to Hitomi, hearing her wonder if Eiji's father is soon to die. "You can kill as many fuckin' Cognitions as ya like, high roller! So it's cool! Or, uh... sorry ta disappoint ya?!" They're stealing Queen's tutorialising crown momentarily, but don't worry, Phoenix is much worse at it, they'll definitely give it back.
That's the thing, about support, Hibari: you don't always know where it's coming from.
Or how much you really have.
Phoenix has a pretty good idea that they and Ogre have more than they might have thought, though, given everyone who's shown up today. (And it's not just them, is it? The girl with the dice -- she showed up to protect Ririka. Phoenix is glad for Hitomi, too.) They're too enraged to take much note of what other people are doing, but to note that they're all giving their all to this -- but to note how strong they are.
(... they did hear Hyousuke screaming, though. Perhaps that's the true strength of the berserker's bond...)
Where Phoenix is a raging fire, Ogre is still and untouched, up there on her mountain of offerings; and even as it starts tumbling down, none of those gifts end up hurting them. Their rage is consuming and unfocused; it's Ogre's perfectly-timed shot which sets them up to destroy the Shadow around Eiji, bleeding 'Sitri' like so many pigs he butchered.
They breathe heavily, grasping their blade as they stand over the human-Shadow form of Eiji Kamiya... but they are not so far gone that they don't remember Queen's words, ringing in their ears. Still... does Eiji realise that, as they stare down at him, teeth grit and lips pulled back in an aggressive, disgusted grimace? Their hands tremble, slightly, at their hilt of their blade, their nostrils flaring with breath that stings, but not enough to wrack their body. The things he says... even now...
But when Ichika asks them to hand over their sword, they take a step back so that they can lower it without bisecting him, shifting their grip so that they can offer the hilt to her. "You got it," they say, with a stern nod.
Even if she wants to plunge it into his heart...
There's enough of Phoenix that still wants to, despite how they feel about killing, that they couldn't fault her at all.
But what Ichika does instead -- carving through her hair, changing herself in an instant -- Phoenix realises, in that moment, that Ogre has the right of it. (And she is magnificent, just as Fox says. To have the strength to lift their blade in one hand -- the control to bring it up to her own neck without beheading herself -- they just gasp, in their stoic expressiveness, but it's that very noise which suggests just how affected they are.)
"Suffer a long life, asshole," they snarl, waiting just long enough to hear his response to Ogre's demand before they turn their back to him, back to Ogre and the others.
... they do hear Tamaki asiding to Mark how the new kids are alright though, and... well, they feel pretty good about that. And, did Katsuya say he'd make his father pay...? ... they're not sure they remember it right through their blood rage, but they can believe he said it.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Well maybe he doesn't need teammates or friends ANYWAY, Umie! When you're your only party member you can do whatever you want!
'--I see, so this was planned!'
"Aha... why yes. I surmised it was possible that this could happen, based on my own investigation. Unfortunately it relied upon no one else knowing that there was an unseen 'enemy'. If he had any clue as to my presence, he would have been just as untouchable to me as well."
'So you still helped us out, huh?'
"Well, I did promise a certain someone that I would make this scum's downfall my priority."
Which would perhaps be enough of a response, if Joker and Phoenix didn't ask as well, and Akechi looks down from the rafters their way. Strangely, there's no smugness at him addressing him, breaking the silent treatment. There's just a more serious expression, because he saw something that Joker did when things were at their most grim.
"I'll explain later if you'd like. For now, call it... an apology of sorts. I don't intend to make a habit of this."
'Don't you dare let this bastard's father get him out of the fate he deserves. Consider this a test of your justice!'
"Funny you should mention that..." He says, cryptically, perhaps not wanting to show his entire hand on that matter quite yet.
As for contributing to Eiji Kamiya's end, he does not take any shots at him. He just watches him be made to hurt, be made to suffer.
And then his confession, afterwards.
Is it Justice?
He does not say.
No matter what he feels, he allowed the Phantoms to have their way this time. Even if it's just one time, it's not his place to complain about the result.
<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
Masao squares up with Tamaki as she asides to him. He nods solemnly, though... the way 'Ogre' there is talking, uhh, hold up, wait-- he's not really sure he can put the pieces together in the moment as he digs through his pocket for the key that the Cognition of the would-be bride entrusted to him, back turned to the quiet intrigue going on with the Detective Prince and others.
"So, uh, I dunno how soon we're gonna have to get outta here," oh no, "you wanna see where this might've went--"
(insert timely inevitability here as appropriate)
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Ririka's umbrage at being asked if she wants to be a murderer gives Joker pause; given that the Treasure is in their possession at this point, they decide to leave it be. "A fine answer, Ririka Kawase," they say instead. "Remember that."
A bit overly mysterious? Maybe. That's something that Joker has come to accept as a Phantom Thief. If they and their compatriots can steal the Treasure, and keep everyone else from outright murdering the Shadow (there's certainly been enough warnings not to), then that's good enough.
They appreciate Hitomi's concern about the cognition, at least. Someone will have to explain to the Persona User community at large that that's okay, at least. For now, Phoenix does well to explain it to Hitomi and those present who're paying attention. Joker meanwhile crooks a smile at Queen as she casts a Rakukaja on them and comes up to defend them more directly.
By now, the enemies in the pews have been taken out too. Mona rejoins Joker, Panther and Noir somewhere behind him, putting his sword away as Shadow Eiji sobs at Ogre. They'll share a quiet nod and let her handle sending the Shadow back to his real form; Mona will re-transform into bus mode, and Joker will load the Treasure back up with, possibly, the help of Panther and Noir.
They do pause to look over their shoulder and nod approvingly at Ogre's dramatic haircut. Very cool. (A shame about all that hair, but... the power of a symbol can't be underestimated.)
Their demeanor darkens when they look back up at Akechi, up in the rafters, offering an explanation to Katsuya about why the surprise assassination--and then to them and Phoenix about why he helped now. An apology... that he doesn't plan to make a habit of.
He'll explain later, if they'd like.
"....."
They don't say yes.
But they also don't say no. Joker will simply watch Akechi until it's time to go. They'll see what his Justice is this time around... later.
And while there's still some time until that happens, they call to everyone, "When Ogre's done with the Shadow, the Palace will crumble. All of you, make sure you're ready to run for the exit." Conveniently timed for right after Masao wonders about that very thing!
<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
'When Ogre's done with the Shadow, the Palace will crumble. All of you, make sure you're ready to run for the exit.'
"Huh?"
"AW SHIT YOU REALLY MEANT RUN!!" Masao clutches his hand over his hat when that promised moment comes.
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
As all the other Rulers before him - without his Treasure, without the strength of the Palace's Shadows bolstering him - Eiji Kamiya's Shadow is nothing more than a pathetic soul. Fox turns his gaze aside for a moment as the being before them bleats to ask why 'love' could not be enough, turning to Skull to silently query if his comrade has anything to say on this matter.
Ogre's grand gesture with Phoenix's blade has Fox place a hand over his heart, wounded to see that beautiful hair cut loose - but the capacity to change is a human privilege, and that too is beauty, for transience gives things meaning.
Eiji Kamiya has many thoughts about what it means to be 'a man' in his head. Yusuke Kitagawa isn't sure what to make of any of them save to be uncomfortable.
It is probably something he'll have to at least think about eventually.
...
... probably later rather than sooner. It's a big and messy thing, after all.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
From here, Queen is worried. This is the true test of will, after all.
When she stood in front of Kaneshiro's shadow, she'd almost let her rage win, almost killed him. And he'd only threatened Makoto and her sister.
Eiji Kamiya had killed Ichika's daughter. Had tried to sell Tsubasa. It's hard to resist a vengeance that strong. If Kaneshiro had actually touched Sae, Makoto couldn't have held back.
Her revolver is still in her hand, just in case. Just in case she needs to stop her childhood friend, or her new ally, from crossing that line. The Phantoms don't kill, and they don't stand by and let someone die.
And when Ichika takes the blade, Queen feels her heart jump into her throat. She starts to raise her pistol, not firing from the hip like before, but closer to the stance they train Tokyo Metro's officers to have, with their 36 bullets a year. It's not perfect, more like someone trying to practice it without being trained.
...But she doesn't need to. The Ogre and the Phoenix sentence Eiji Kamiya to life.
Her eyes flit to the others, as Joker takes charge of the treasure. (Nobody pay attention to how the not a cat is gone and a bus is there now, it's fine. Don't worry about it, it was always there in the background.
"...The police are going to be coming for you soon." Queen says, given that Akechi seems to have plans in mind, and Katsuya has accepted her challenge. "You're going to give them everything they need to save or give closure to every person you've sold, or hurt, or anything else." It's an important addition to the sentence, at least in Makoto's mind. The Phantom Thieves do this to save people, not just for their own justice. And Ogre and Phoenix might not be in a state to remember that part, given how much they've been through tonight already.
She's simply waiting by the Monabus now, letting the newest thieves get their resolution, prepared to jump in as soon as the time comes to go.
<Pose Tracker> Julian Marlowe has posed.
With its Ruler fallen, this Palace's time is short, Vesper understands. In his eyes, Ogre is standing in for her close personal friend Ichika, which appears to be an appropriate enough conclusion to the matter. Which means it's time to take his leave. Before the inevitable collapse begins, his footsteps can be heard already walking away, hand raised over his shoulder for anyone who might be watching him leave.
"Job well done. Take care of yourselves, Phantom Thieves. Should the need arise... Ogre knows how to reach me."
More needs not be said, by his reckoning. Not that much more could be, before the ominous rumbling begins. Managed to get his dramatic exit in this time before needing to start running for his life, score!
<Pose Tracker> Shinobu Shimizu has posed.
Together, they bring everything they have against Eiji's monstrous form - and this proves too much to bear. The monstrous form disperses, leaving behind just the Shadow, kneeling on the ground.
...His words cause a look of disgust to cross over Shinobu's face. He still doesn't get it? Even after all of this? She taps the butt of her staff against the floor out of frustration and raises it up - before slinging it across her shoulders, resting her arms on it.
This fight's over. From here, she'll leave it up to them to deal with the Shadow.
"Good work, everyone." She says with a nod to everyone. She looks toward Joker, then. "...So that wasn't just Kaneshiro's, huh? Good to know."
She looks around at the others.
"If anyone needs a hand up and out of here, let me know." She offers. For now, though - she witnesses the events before her.
<Pose Tracker> Hibari Aoki has posed.
Hibari retrieves the baoding ball as it rolls back to her, stopping it with one booted foot and then crouching down to pick it up.
This is Ogre - Ichika's - moment. She's not going to interrupt it, not when she takes the sword... though she almost speaks for the same reason as Queen, because Mujina knows just as well what happens when you kill someone's Shadow.
But she does not, and so Mujina steps back again. She gives the Phantom Thieves a long, thoughtful look that trails into a gaze on Ichika as she cuts her hair. Hibari gives a very short nod. That's justice, she thinks, assuming that this is how the Phantom Thieves do what they do. She doesn't realize it's the treasure, which she thinks is just a way of making money, but clearly they have SOME plan... Ichika told her they were going to Change his Heart, even before the calling cards went out.
"I've some of those notes," she adds, to Queen. "Copies. I'll pass them back to Ogre, if she needs them." Because Ogre knows how to contact the Phantom Thieves, and she doesn't - and Hibari knows who Ogre is. "He'll have more, of course, but..."
She doesn't want to leave that hanging.
Mujina speaks once more to Ogre: "I'm glad," she says, with a smile just visible under the fading flames. "We'll talk soon," and she leaves it at that.
Because for Mujina, it may be time to make her exit. She does one last summoning of Danzaburou, putting on her mask again as the flames finally subside - and she fades along with it, her own Doronpa coming back up.
Why? Because she doesn't want to be seen leaving the same way as the others. She has an identity to keep secret, after all!
<Pose Tracker> Hyousuke Suzuki has posed.
Hyousuke said nothing. It was not his decision to make. Eiji's fate was Ichika's decision, and hers alone - he knew that, and would not deny it. But as she took that blade and held it aloft, he could not help but feel his muscles tense, and his gaze grow harder. Nor could he help the relief he felt as he saw the blade cleave through her hair, rather than the Shadow before them all. The sigh that came with that feeling he perhaps could have held in, but he was exhausted, and simply hoped that the mask would keep it from being heard.
His relief fled quicker than it had arrived, however, and Hyousuke cast his eyes about the place. He did not think much of the disappearance of the cat - the thing was surely nimble enough to escape without their assistance. He did not question the appearance of the bus either, chalking it up to supernatural phenomena he, frankly speaking, did not have the time nor energy to question. Even if he were to question such things, now was not the time. The Palace was crumbling around them, and there was only one thing on his mind - and on his lips.
"MOVE!"
<Pose Tracker> Katsuya Suou has posed.
So even just knowing about it could have jeopardized it from working. ...A Palace is a formidable place, Katsuya decides.
A flurry of shots from various angles is his own contribution to the end, here: the rest is up to the one called 'Ogre', here to enact a final sentence in the place of Ichika. Katsuya tenses when she asks for Phoenix's sword, but, instead what she does with it is to shear off her locks. A severance from what had been, he supposes, watching on.
Eiji Kamiya will have a long life to reflect on his sins. But, what had that been about Toshiaki? And, perhaps more immediately, are...
Joker confirms the very thing that Katsuya feared.
"Ah," he says simply, the light catching his red sunglasses in a way that obscures his eyes. "Then... we will need to get out of here in hurry..."
That's putting it mildly!! But it isn't as if panicking now will help...
<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.
'Just understand this much: even with what I said, justice is justice, for me right now," Umie had said to Akechi and Katsuya, as they rested in the safe room. 'Whatever gets this to stop.'
Whoever Akechi meant by 'a certain person', Umie doubts she was the only person he's had to make some semblance of acknowledging that use, the Palace Ruler needs to be taken down, please, also the crime rings
(speaking of rings please ignore Umie trying to grab bloody diamonds off the ground to stuff in her jacket pockets up until when everyone is absolutely about ready to bolt)
Umie nods towards Shinobu. "I'm okay myself, but other people might not be." She takes a final look towards Eiji, and frowns. ".... Be thankful. Maybe you'll be able to make something of yourself, now that you're no longer blinded by your own desires." Even from jail.
Tapping those rather nice red sneakers against the ground (and a final pass at grabbing some dirt and, again, diamonds) Umie looks over to Katsuya. "Ready?" When he goes, so does she.
She has to ensure Katsuya gets out, after all.
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka shakes her head at Hitomi. "No, I don't think that was his Shadow--just a figment of Kamiya's imagination." She's... pretty sure about that, anyway. "... at least I hope not." She glances over at Phoenix as they speak up. "A 'Cognition', huh...." She'll file that away for later.
But a pretty shitty kid. "... yeah, can't argue on that one."
Ririka flashes a thumbs-up back to Tamaki. She doesn't know her that well, but, if she's helping Tsubasa, she can't be that bad, right?
She glances at Joker as he accepts her answer. Ririka just nods. "If Ogre's working with you, then... I'll trust your judgment." Seeing the sniveling mess the Shadow's become, though. "... might be a moot point now anyway."
Toshiaki Kawase was, for various reasons, one of the most important people in Ririka's life. Someone else who understood the pressures and expectations of being exceptionally gifted, who was her deepest confidant and cheerleader. His death had come as a shock--but there was nothing to be done about it.
A freak medical accident, and a fall. That's all there was too it. A fluke.
It's been almost two years and she still hasn't made peace with her grief. Not really. She's... starting, but it's slow going. It's still hard to talk about it, even now.
But to have some nugget of information just dangled in front of her like that--She doesn't really want to know, says the Shadow. Ririka's red eyes are cold and furious as she steps forward. "Try me, you bastard! TALK!"
She glances sidelong at Ogre as she asks for the sword, tensing for a moment... but then a haircut comes a moment later and she relaxes. (She'll have more of a reaction to this later, when she sees Ichika, whom Ogre is clearly not.)
But Joker calls out the Palace will collapse. "Aw, shit--" Yukari had said something about that, hadn't she? She can't remember. Right now her attention is on making sure she's got the fastest route out.
Head down, headphones on, playing her keyboard for all its worth as she maps out through the palace, creating a trail of music for people to follow if they wish. And she'll make sure to grab Hitomi and usher her out with her as she takes off running.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Ogre has her say, and the Shadow of Eiji - the Ruler, trembles just crying, as he makes some hiccuping sobs, but he doesn't interrupt her. He lets her say it all she wants to say. And it's only then... that he speaks.
"You're right." Then he clears his throat, " ... You're right. I just... I thought that that was what being a man was." One can imagine how his Father treated him, to make him grow up thinking this is what masculinity truly is, with his mother having left them when he was young.
"But... I always knew it was wrong. ... I always knew." More tears fall, "... I killed our daughter. I drove you away. And ruined your life because I thought it'd force you to come back to me."
He looks up at Ichika in the eyes, wretchedly, "Turns out... I'm no man at all." And he bows, placing his forehead to the floor in Dogeza. "I don't... deserve to be forgiven anyway. I'm sorry... I'm sorry. Could say it for the rest of my life, and it wouldn't be enough. I should- I should..." He fumbles for the words, like some feudal lord, ready to take his own life rather than live in disgrace but-
'Suffer a long life, asshole.'
And muffled, his apologies, as he begins to change color, becoming light, motes drifting off of him. He closes his eyes, flinching at her and Ririka's demand but more - the idea that Ogre never wants to see him again, "I don't know much. I can tell you at least... It wasn't a hiking accident. It was a Mental Shutdown... they once told me, if I didn't meet all their quotas, I'd end up like him."
'Be thankful. Maybe you'll be able to make something of yourself, now that you're no longer blinded by your own desires.'
"Heh. ... Doubt it."
He sags as the weight of all he's done grows that much heavier in the space of a few seconds, more than he can bear as he replies to Makoto, "... I'll confess. I'll tell them..." everything." Before he again looks to Ogre knowing this is the last time he'll ever see her. "You deserve better than living for someone like me... you always did. I'll... fix this. I'll make amends, best as I can. Only wish... that I could..." His voice falters, implying he was going to say 'fix things between us' but- "... but I can't."
And then he vanishes. The Treasure - in its original form returns, as the Palace begins to rumble. And Masao, upon witnessing it again, now with all that distortion fading, will gain a distinct sense of- Deja Vu?
When the Phantoms make it back to the real world, they'll learn that it was a family photo, of his Father, his Mother, and himself- when he was a child no older than eight. Which doesn't seem worth all that much until someone realizes the frame is real gold.
While extravagant, perhaps it only says how much this truly meant to him.
<Pose Tracker> Goro Akechi has posed.
Also by complete coincidence...!
There's already a blinking dotted outline of Akechi before the first stone of the Palace even begins to fall.
Surely he's securing them all an exit.
Surely.
<Pose Tracker> Tsubasa Seki has posed.
Queen remembers what Phoenix is too angry to say, and they're immensely grateful to her, for that. ... luckily, they were too occupied to notice her pulling out her gun; it's only when they look over to her when she prompts him that they realise it was in her hand the whole time.
Prince calls it an apology -- of sorts -- and Phoenix inclines their head.
"... sure. I'll accept that."
Maybe they're easily-misled. But...
"You did honour that promise... I respect that."
But what Shadow Eiji has to say... they scowl, deeply. "I don't forgive you," they say, tone closed off, when he insists he had to meet quotas or face the same fate as Toshiaki. "What you've done is unforgivable."
Joker reminds Phoenix about the place crumbling too, though -- and so they pile into the back of the Monabus just in time for him to speed off.
"Uh, fuck -- hey, Joker, do you even have your licence --"
STOP COMPLAINING PHOENIX DO YOU WANNA GET CRUSHED BY A CHANDELIER OR NOT
<Pose Tracker> Masao Inaba has posed.
That sense of deja vu may well be fueling Masao's comical streak of profanity in the mad dash to get out, something to be spoken with certain trusted friends rationally when he isn't re-enacting that popular movie scene.
(you know the one)
<Pose Tracker> Ririka Kawase has posed.
Ririka lets out a strangled sound as Eiji's Ahdow finally speaks, her expression slack with shock. "Wh-- a Mental... Shutdown..." She asked...
... and she still wasn't ready for it, staring at Eiji's Shadow in disbelief. "I don't..." Something wet and hot is building up in the corners of her eyes, as she just asks "... why..." in a tiny voice.
"... why would someone..."
It doesn't make any sense. They got closer after he died--did Eiji do it to make that happen? But he said he didn't know much... did his father arrange it, then...?
HEr mind is swirling with questions and precious few answers, and precious little time to grill Eiji for more information as he fades away.
She barely has a moment to rub away the tears with the back of her hand as she turns to run.
Those questions will have to wait for later.