2026-03-13: The Princess in the Tower

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(|=========================== Electric Town - Main ===========================|)
-========================================================= Tokyo/Akihabara ====-
A sacred place for otaku, not just within Japan but worldwide. Here, it's so    
mainstream to be a geek that it circles back to being cool again. That is,      
unless you harass the staff of the businesses here whose job requires them to be
a part of this culture, or the cosplayers who work so hard at their costumes    
that it's practically a second job for them.                                    
                                                                                
Arcades and gaming shops alternate with manga stores full of merch that's so    
pricy as to make any broke fan envious. Collectors line the streets for the     
chance to trade for the rarest gachapon finds. Maid cafes and popups with menus 
designed to profit off the latest hits in the weekly manga collabs and/or old   
favorites from two decades ago cater equally to tourists and locals alike.      
                                                                                
Anywhere on earth may be a heaven or hell depending on who you are, but that may
be truer than most places for Akihabara.                                        

AS: Umie Akabane has readied for combat as Badb! She is now fully healed!
AS: Kanae Fuyuki has readied for combat as Leshy! She is now fully healed!
AS: Fuuka Yamagishi has readied for combat as Lucia! She is now fully healed!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga has readied for combat as Edmond Dantes! She is now fully healed!
AS: Roger has readied for combat as Kamapua'a! He is now fully healed!
AS: Ryuji Sakamoto has readied for combat as Captain Kidd! He is now fully healed!
AS: Pernelle has readied for combat as Anqa! He is now fully healed!
AS: Isabeau Fontaine has readied for combat as Mielikki! She is now fully healed!
AS: Tsumugi Kujaku has readied for combat as Jekyll! They are now fully healed!
AS: Yukari Takeba has readied for combat as Io! She is now fully healed!
AS: Roger has readied for combat as Kamapua'a! He is now fully healed!
AS: Kasumi Yoshizawa has readied for combat as Cendrillon! She is now fully healed!
AS: Kanae Fuyuki has readied for combat as Leshy! She is now fully healed!
AS: Tamaki Uchida has readied for combat as Arianrhod! She is now fully healed!
AS: Saika Kikuchi has readied for combat as Frankenstein's Monster! She is now fully healed!
AS: Akari Hoshi has readied for combat as Legendary Magical Warrior Ixquic! She is now fully healed!
AS: Haru Okumura has readied for combat as Milady! She is now fully healed!
AS: Diwzhat has readied for combat as Diwzhat the Hypocrite! They are now fully healed! Ready for 17 opponents!

<Pose Tracker> Hazuki Nakao has posed.

It is time to save the princess. With her Favor having been obtained after depositing Vessels, the Persona Users have made their way up through the final barrier blocking the tower.

Hazuki Nakao leads the charge, baseball bat at her ready, as her face only shows determination. She's ready to end this nightmare.

If they're expecting a warm welcome, they're sadly mistaken, because the sounds of baying wolfmen echo out as they climb those stairs, and only get louder as they reach the top.

The Princess' court awaits at the top of the very tall tower, and nowhere is the Homunculus' corruption more evident than here. All of the works of art, from statues of vessels, to paintings, to even the patterned rugs, have been broken or ripped asunder. The glass globes with swirling magical lights are ever dimmer, and even some of those have been smashed in. Long gouges are carved out of metal and stone, and the baying of wolves becomes more prominent as one draws closer and closer.

BGM: Welcome to Chaos - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIx2qE3kkZw

The large double doors open into a grand hall, something that was once full of art, decor, and vibrant lights, but now looks decidedly less lively. Flickering globes struggle to illuminate the room properly, but still shine enough light to reveal scores upon scores of Coleric bats hanging from the rafters, watching the interlopers with keen eyes. The room is packed with Melanc wolves, all adorned in bits and pieces of leftover armor, their snarls at your entry a rippling current of sound. Packed around the edges of the room are crowds of courtiers, Flegmat catboys and catgirls dressed in fine garb, who all seem to be whispering among themselves as if this were a normal sight.

But through the sea of enemies is, on the far side of the room, is a silver arch that leads out onto a balcony, where past it nothing but the angry void of the eclipse awaits. On that balcony is a red Cocoon, shaped like a Schiffli bobbin, with strands of thread attached to the outside wall and the balcony to leave it suspended in midair.

And in that archway... is inarguably Kazusa's Homunculus. She is dressed in an ornate pink dress, laden with layers upon layers of frills and lace, enough that one might wonder how she can even move. She is styled in the manner of a Western princess, long black hair drawn up into an ornate bun, laden with jewelry, and a silver tiara with a pink gem rests upon her brow. She is smiling widely--too widely--as if she were about to receive company and not an invasion. Solid yellow glowing eyes watch the Persona Users as they enter, but aside from her smile the rest of her face is blank, as if the face were simply an application of makeup, with only a few streaks left.

"Gosh, you came all this way to see me? ...no, you all only came to see her. Well, news flash, I'm Kazusa! My guards will deal with you if you don't turn back while you still can."

The Homunculus is perfectly smiling (as much as she can smile anymore), as she throws a hand forward. The wolf Melancs and bat Colerics charge forth to slaughter, but those here know they cannot be fought off. The only option is to destroy the cocoon.

Hazuki plans to do just that. With the bat at her side, she calls out, ignoring the Homunculus entirely. "Motojima-san! The cavalry's arrived! Be strong, we'll get you out of there!"

She dashes forward, weaving in and out of blows. It's dangerous. It's reckless. But she has to be the one to do it, as the leader of her team.
 
"Everyone! Give me an opening! There's too many of them!" she calls out, before a butterfly floats above her hand. With a perfect crush of fingers, it shatters.

"Janus!"

A Melanc charges after her, leaving Hazuki to literally leap up onto a Coleric, bounce off them, and channel light into her bat as the Melanc is left in her wake. Janus's twin clockblades start to shine with the same light.

"Nakao-chan, Nakao-chan, Nakao-chan... you're making such a big mistake. But don't worry. If you survive the night, we'll be such good friends, I just know it," the Homunculus says with that same expression.

Hazuki takes a single breath and lands behind the Homunculus in the archway, swinging her bat at one of the two threads holding the cocoon up. Janus goes for the other, and perhaps with the help of others, they can hopefully break it handily.

"Everyone! Ignore her! Attack the strings!" Hazuki calls out, pausing to turn to the Homunculus.

"Sorry. But I don't want friendship from someone who doesn't even understand it!" 

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.

    Isabeau didn't have anyone with her, to get in the way of how her 'Favour' looked. Well, to be honest, she didn't have instructions for a lot of it... she's more prone to killing Shadows than those idealists. So why did she make a sculpture, anyway? Don't worry about that.

    There was only one Shadow who put up a fight worth remarking on; so many others wanted to play. When it demanded to know why her father let her go outside dressed like this, she replied: "It is for my father that I am dressed like this."

    For her father...

    For her father, there's a darkness, shadowing the grand hall, and only after the others have piled in.

    She wears a longcoat, hanging off one side of her body; a belt carries various vials and tools. A bronze vest is strapped over her chest, with a masked targe strapped over her left wrist. Breaches end in Western-style boots, and in her right hand, she carries a ruby knife.

    Isabeau chews a chewing soul, her expression callous, as she watches Hazuki and the others fight against the Shadows.

    She, at least, sees no difference -- between Coleric, Melanc, Sanguin, Flegmat.

    A Shadow is a Shadow...

    Prey is prey.

    Once more, she takes a vial of bronze suspension, from her belt, and crushes it within her fist, blue flames erupting up her arm and across her body as a waspish little fairy appears, the bear coat she's covered in fairy-sized yet still serving to make the bear claws she's grasping much bigger than her hands proportionally ought to be.

    "Mielikki... show them 'Megido'," the word which has gotten Isabeau through this tower alone, a non-elemental explosion of sheer force and will.

    Ferocious, staggering, unspeakable might...

    ... yet, only the first of its kind, smallest of the great powers.

    Like Megido, Isabeau is new. And like Megido, she will crush everything before her.

AS: Persona! Isabeau Fontaine has used the Almighty skill Megido on Diwzhat!
AS: Defense: Isabeau Fontaine gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.

A shadow trailed behind Hazuki. Wreathed in darkest blacks, its edges lined by glinting silver, it moved in near-silence at the same pace as she Even the few times that it dared to step into the light, it seemed more like massed darkness than a living being, its coat billowing out like the wings of some hellspawn beast, its arms ending in talons that were viciously sharp in spite of their length. The mask was perhaps the most human thing about it, but even that was a grim mockery of human anatomy, being little more than the rictus grin of a half-skull cast in silver.

Even the rifle slung across its front was no exception. The thing was a far cry from the carbine that had been brought in during its previous expedition. Though still sleek and wreathed in matte-black hues, it was a full-length long gun, built for range as much as power. Perhaps it was too much for an indoor fight. Perhaps, some might have reckoned, it was too cumbersome in an environment where she might have been forced to move around with all the speed and flourishes expected of a supernatural fighter. But Grim cared not. She heard the wolves, and she knew in her mind that she needed something strong enough to put them down for good.

When the great doors swung wide, Grim held her rifle at the ready, sweeping across the room in readiness for anything that dared to cross her sights. Not that any could tell where her eyes wandered. Beneath the hood, and above the mask, there was only blackness. A deep, yawning, void that swallowed emotion as surely as it did light, forming the top half of the mask that concealed Grim's true self. She wished desperately to level the barrel at the legions of wolves that stood against them, but though her trigger finger twitched, it did not complete the motion. The fight was yet to come, and she needed to save strength as well as ammo.

The sight of the Homunculus was the true test of her patience, however. The being before her - that wretched thing that had adorned itself in pink and frills - stood as a grinning insult to her pride. While it still stood, Grim could not rest. She was grateful for the mask, knowing that beneath it, her lips had begun to twitch into a scowl, and her brow had begun to knit itself together in turn. What did become apparent was the quiet rustling of her clothing as she hoisted the rifle into place, and aimed it squarely at the Homunclus' face, intending to blast it cleanly from its shoulders.

"You're not her." Grim stated flatly. She did not move on her own. She did not attack without provocation or order. She wished desperately that she could, if the twitching trigger finger was any indication, but the gaze she cast at Hazuki was deferential. She was part of a team for now, and could not simply act against the plan for no other reason than pride. That did not preclude offering retorts to the Homunculus, however. "You're a parasite too scared to fight for its own ideals. You drain the life of another because you have no will of your own, beyond the mere act of survival. You're a blight upon our world. Begone."

When the order came to clear a path, Grim was only too happy to oblige.
"Understood!" She called out, speaking loud enough to be heard over the din, before falling back to cover. Fighting in the light was not something she relished, but with few true shadows available, and none near to her position, Grim settled for a piece of scenery behind which she could hide. Where one gun had retreated, however, two emerged. The first was her own, accompanied by the glint of a sniper's scope. The second was a centuries-old pistol, clutched in the hand of a smoke-wreathed spirit looming behind her like some blackened spectre clad in midnight black and sanguine red.

Both were bathed in the light orange balefire as they fired into the masses.

Precision was sacrificed in favour of volume, and shot upon shot speared into a target. Heads, limbs, torsos - no part was off-limits, as long as it cleared a path for Hazuki. Grim muttered under her breath that it was a foolish and reckless display of heroics, and murmured to herself that she did not approve of the plan in the slightest, but even so, she acted without hesitation. There was no turning back, and no time for second guessing. All she could do, then and there, was follow Hazuki's lead and pave her way with lead and fire.

The chaff were just a distraction, however, and they were far too numerous for Grim's limited reserves of rounds to deal with. She was glad, then, that Hazuki directed her fire towards the threads.
"Adjusting target!" Grim called out, and in a heartbeat, she unleashed Dantes's blazing wrath upon the cocoon. A gout of crimson hellflame surged forth, engulfing the string with fury and fire, searing from it its fortitude as well as its form. Her attacking the strings, however, still did not stop her addressing Kazusa, in the hopes that maybe - just maybe - if she pretended to give a damn about the girl, their efforts wouldn't be wasted. "You have to fight back, Motojima-san!" She called out, peeking out from behind cover to make sure she was heard. "You cannot let it kill your passion! Embrace your art, and live according to your own ideals, not those forced on you!" 

AS: Persona! Katsuko Yoshinaga has used the Fire skill Hell to Your Doorstep on Diwzhat!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga regains 15 HP from Regenerate!

<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.

They weren't friends. They don't even go to the same school. But... Fuuka feels like she understands Kazusa a little better, now. They're a lot alike, in some ways. She may be awful to the people around her... but she's still deserving of saving, too. She joins up with the others as they gather in front of the final barrier.

She follows behind. She's a Navigator, rather than a front line fighter - it's her job to feed information to those who are, to better direct their efforts. And what she sees as she enters are a lot of Humors, flinching somewhat as she spots the wolves and remembers her last encounter, and beyond them...

"...There! It's the Cocoon!" Fuuka calls out. But beyond the Humors, the Cocoon is not unguarded... here, too, is Kazusa's Homunculus. It's almost as if she waiting for them. Her face...

"...I'm sorry. But she's 'Kazusa', too. Please - let us help her." Fuuka pleads.

The Melancs and the Colerics charge - but the true target here is the Cocoon. Fuuka draws her Evoker and fires.

"Lucia...!" Fuuka calls - and Lucia erupts into being around her, to envelop her and protect her from the crush of foes surging forward. She focuses her attention on the Cocoon.

"Motojima-san..." Fuuka entreats, calling out to the Cocoon. "It's crushing, isn't it? The weight of expectations piled onto you... When your parents expect you to be a certain way, and do what they've outlined for you, regardless of what you want..."

She shakes her head.

"...It's horrible, everything he said to you. I don't think you were wrong to embrace the things you love. You're a very creative person." Fuuka says. "Please don't let this be the end of that. I'd... like to believe there's still a path forward. Everyone's here to get you out, Motojima-san."

But they'll have to help, too.

"Please help her, Lucia!" Fuuka requests. Lucia extends a hand and light gathers, a Kouha spell forming into the shape of a dagger. Lucia flings it outward, to sever the strings that make up the Cocoon. 

AS: Persona! Fuuka Yamagishi has used the Light skill Kouha on Diwzhat!

<Pose Tracker> Kanae Fuyuki has posed.

Kanae Fuyuki is there. She doesn't know Kazusa well, but a hunter must hunt.

...And she won't leave that girl to die.

The tower is a long climb, again. The howls echo out, but they don't stop Kanae, rising in her dark robes and gray coat. Her gunblade is at her back--or in her hands, during a fight--and her dark eyes are resolute.

There is no warm welcome, and there doesn't have to be. Hazuki may lead the way, but... Kanae will do her part.

She asked, though; Henry in the Velvet Room said that this battle is one in which he could only help from a distance--that it isn't part of the war to come. Nevertheless, it came with opportunity: here, she might find her allies. ...And if she thought that was too mercenary, that she should save Kazusa for her own sake...

Henry just smiled, and said nothing on the matter.

That smiling Homunculus...

"An opening is something I can do."

Kanae went through with others--and made a figurine, too. But this isn't about that. This is about--

"Isabeau!" Kanae challenges. "Still trying to go it alone?"

She throws up a vial of gold, catches it--and crushes it, glittering dust showering the area around her as her Persona erutps in blue flames. "LESHY!"

The tree-woman stomps forward, raising her great hands like trunks-

And slams them down, to cut through the enemy and strike at the Threads.

"Motojijma-san!" Kanae calls. "Remember the movie, with Touma-kun...?"

"You can't lord your film knowledge over us if you let this monster kill you!" She says it with a grin--it's meant to be a challenge.

Dust and light scatter from the power of her Persona. 

AS: Persona! Kanae Fuyuki has used the Strike skill Atom Smasher on Diwzhat!
AS: Defense: Kanae Fuyuki gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.

Hazuki Nakao did not come alone.

She was accompanied (among other people, probably) by the great magical warrior Ixquic in her white and gold costume. This became a lot more personal for Akari once she'd seen what lies at the depths of the Atelier, after all. To give up art is one thing. To be forced to give it up...

It hurts her just to see it. It hurts her to think about it. It made her want to go home and start making something - but of course she couldn't, anymore, which hurt her in a different way. Her fingers itch with the desire to create something.

New to Akari's costume is the pin proudly worn over her left breast, just out of the way of the giant gold cloak clasp; a moonstone pin on black, a crescent moon curved around a lily. Not new to the costume is the giant gold sword. But she's got that too, out and in her hands as she swings it recklessly around, keeping Humours away from the group.

"Motojima-chan!" Ixquic sweeps her sword in a huge two-handed arc, using it less like a sharp object and more like a giant club, launching Humours away from herself and Hazuki. "It is I, the great magical warrior Ixquic!" She finishes her sweep, draws herself up and thrusts her sword forward, pointing it at the cocoon.

"Just pretend I'm your knight. And I'll save you from everyone. Even your vile imposter!"

Ixquic turns her pose into a vertical lift of her sword, catching another Melanc. She does this with enough vigor that she throws herself off-balance; she hops once, hops again as the sheer weight of her gigantic sword threatens to tip her over backwards, and then manages to get it under control enough to slam it down straight vertical, shearing into one of the cocoon's strands! The impact actually lifts Akari, tall as she is, off the ground with the rebound; her blade doesn't even slow down until it slices into the ground, leaving an inch-long groove behind.

"Between me and Quixote and everyone else...!" 

AS: Weapon! Akari Hoshi has used the Slash skill Huge Swing on Diwzhat!
AS: Aggression: Akari Hoshi gains 1 Limit!
AS: Block Best! Diwzhat takes 59 Almighty damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Megido.
AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 48 Fire damage from Katsuko Yoshinaga's Hell to Your Doorstep. Critical Hit!
AS: Def_Up removed!
AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 61 Light damage from Fuuka Yamagishi's Kouha. Critical Hit!
AS: Haze (Physical and Block Penalized!) added!

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

This has been...a trial for Skull. The Phantom Thief sighs and lets his shoulders sag as the ritual seems to be complete. "This all is such a---" He blinks when he reminds himself he isn't just with the Phantom Thieves. He needed to act more mysterious and not show his entire hand.

 "So uhhhh I am confident in whats going on here. For real." This is delivered in the most wooden and "ACTING" way possible. He smiles and gives a thumbs up to Queen. See, he is learning.

 Skull follows along but stops dead when he hears -her-. Suddenly, Skull is behind Queen and Noir with a look of horror on his face. "Tch...that weird thing seriously messes with me....Fine. No running."

 Skull steps back out and balances his pipe on his shoulder. "You are going down and things are going back to how they used to be!"

 The sound of broken glass rings out as a Skeleton Pirate riding a galleon rips into reality. The Persona silently roars as it aims it's cannon and blasts the 'strings' as Hazuki suggested. "ZIO!!" Skull calls out. 

AS: Persona! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Elec skill Zio on Diwzhat!

<Pose Tracker> Roger has posed.

    "Right, Hazuki-chan!" Comes Roger, faithful friend who found himself among new human friends from his humble Sanguin Humor origins, clad in his transmuted guise within this space (it is very much 'sports team player' analogous, and kind of ridiculous, but Roger... is always game to play).
 
     They've had a rough go of it in this place, but the native Sanguin Humors have done their best to uphold the desires of the rightful Atelier owner, and by golly, so will he! He can't suffer a Homunculus having the run of anyone!
 
     He's done his best to help support everyone through, and now that they are face-to-face with the Homunculus and the cocoon. He's snorting exaggeratedly as sweat beads form while he considers what lies before them with a tennis racquet in one hand, and a ball in another. "The Homunculus really moved quickly..." (and whose fault is that)
 
     It takes him a few volleys to try and push back some of the Colerics trying to overwhelm them, when the play of action is clear - tearing open that cocoon!
 
     "Motojima-saaaaan~!" Roger calls as a passing blue butterfly gets struck into sparkling strands of light, Kamapua'a manifesting behind Roger as he carries forth a charming, earnest voice ahead. "It was fun watching you play 'cos'! I'd like to play it together with you sometime!"
 
     (This is entirely platonic, but sincere, and a means to help her want to get out of the cocoon by what strength she has as the rightful owner of the Atelier.) 

AS: Persona! Roger has used the Almighty skill Marin Karin on Diwzhat!
AS: Roger regains 3 SP from Invigorate!

<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.

    he Phantom Thieves made an infiltration of their own to Kazusa Motojima's castle, and even earned the Princess's Favour. Now, they make their presence known once again, not to steal a heart as they usually do, but to return a heart from being stolen, in a sense. Having seen the inner workings of Kazusa Motojima's heart in the Monad, Haru of course volunteered when it came time to confront the Homunculus. They were never close, and they may not even become close when all this is said and done... but Haru feels strongly about this nevertheless.

The Phantom Thieves hardly make a grand entrance in the way one would expect from such a grand hall, but they'll make their presence known soon enough. "No, you're not..." Noir shakes her, gripping her axe, as the Homunculus introduces herself as Kazusa. "But we're still here to deal with you!" Wolves and bats move at the Homunculus's command, and Noir watches as Hazuki takes charge. They might just have to follow her lead here. "Shall we attack?" Haru glances over to her companions. "Queen, do you have any ideas...?" For now it seems like the cocoon strings are their best bet, as Hazuki explains.

Skull calls down lightning, and at the same time, Noir and Milady prepare to fire. "This may perhaps be overkill... but I will not allow you to force Motojima-chan to dance to your strings. Let's dance, Milady!" As Milady hovers above her, in a dazzling show of light, Noir has her grenade launcher equipped, firing a massive blast to not just break those strings, but to make them explode. 

<Pose Tracker> Yanagi Nagisa has posed.

    You're on a path on the moon. And at the end of that path is a castle... and at the top of that castle...
    
    ...is a princess.
    
    You're here to slay her. If you don't, it will be the end of Kazusa Motojima.
    
    Yanagi's approach is quite languid compared to most everyone else's passionate charges. Part of that is her need for a walking cane, even with her reinforced boots that make it much easier for her to walk and leap and sprint in paranormal spaces; part of it is that she's simply that confident about tonight.
    
    Homunculi are dangerous enemies, don't get her wrong. But she has faith that they'll all get through this, just like they have all their previous enemies. As they all approach the balcony, Yanagi tilts her head.
    
    "Hmmm... You know, actually, some of us are here to see you," she muses. She smiles and tilts her head the other way. "You have something very precious to us, after all. <3"
    
    She turns that beatific smile to Tsumugi, Saika, and Pernelle. There's Hazuki, Fuuka, and everyone else here too, but this is her team. "I'll distract the Colerics and Melancs. You all focus on the important things!"
    
    With poise, she twirls her gun-cane and smashes into a blue butterfly now fluttering past her. It shatters, and behind her materializes Giselle, pirouetting perfectly on catheter needle legs. Little origami angel-spirits--dozens and dozens and dozens of them--pop up into the air, then flutter about around the wolves and bats to pull them away from the fighters so they can focus on the Homunculus, and more importantly, the Cocoon. 

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.

The favor of the Princess. Yukari Takeba finds herself here because she wants to save someone from the predations of the supernatural. However, she finds herself annoyed.

That the predator got in because of being upset over the crushing expectations of one's father. She knows it's more complicated than that. That everyone has their problems and these are Kazusa's. But she feels jealous in such a petty way.

It sure would be nice to be able to have conflicts with your Father at all, expectations to live up to. And she has nothing. It's petty jealousy, but it's just how she feels, standing in the court of the Princess.

"Geez, this 'Princess' sure made getting here annoying..."

She's not exactly a gamer. In fact, she kinda just looks down on it. The hall opens and- "... Great, now it's just like last time. Fuuka-chan do you read it yet?" '...There!' "Oh good. Let's just get this over with."

Her Evoker in her hand, she looks at the pretty pretty princess, she doesn't look down on someone being effeminate, certainly not. But the idea of being a Princess in a tall tower... she'd prefer to think she's not that kind of damsel.

Even if she knows on some level she is.

Fuuka reaches out to her with empathy, sympathy. Whereas Yukari thinks back to the almost saccharine way she greeted them.

"Yeah no. There's no way you're really her. You're just some Shadow making a whole spectacle out of her Daddy issues. Give it a rest and let her go already."

Hypocrite much? Well yes.

Isabeau is here, Yukari wonders if she really came here alone, and if so how stupid she must be. But - she's not going to antagonize her right now if she can help it.

Luckily Kanae takes that role for her! It's fine. She hopes Isabeau won't get to see her as a Kappa or whatever weird thing that happens though.

Taking quick mental stock of who is here, she brandishes a card in her hand and puts the Evoker to her head, as Io appears, arms raised, as she fortifies Lucia's defenses.

"Let's be careful Fuuka-chan! Neither of us are very good at going toe to toe with Shadows this powerful."

AS: Persona! Yukari Takeba has used the Almighty skill Rakukaja on Fuuka Yamagishi!
AS: Support: Yukari Takeba gains 1 Limit!
AS: Yukari Takeba regains 3 SP from Invigorate!
AS: Weapon! Haru Okumura has used the Pierce skill How's this? Painful? on Diwzhat!
AS: Pressure: Haru Okumura gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Fuuka Yamagishi takes 0 Almighty damage from Yukari Takeba's Rakukaja.
AS: Def_Up (Block Improved!) added!

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.

    Before the double doors, Tamaki holds her pin of the Princess' Favor in a palm and lets her gaze linger over it before she tightly clutches it in a fist.

    The contents of the movie play through her head again. Kazusa was pushed past the breaking point. Second-place wasn't good enough. No mistake would be tolerated. She must adhere to the exacting standards of her father. Being put in an unwinnable situation must be the foothold this Homunculus took in her heart.

    Forcibly shoved through some nefarious device, this princess must be what will come out on the other side. Homunculus Kazusa says that they're really just here to see the original, but Tamaki grins and presses her hands together. "No, no, rest assured, I'm here to see you both!"

    Hazuki wants an opening -- and at the same time, the Cocoon's strings must be cut. Tamaki is glad to oblige, but how can she do both?

    "Arianrhod!" In a flash of blue, the winged goddess appears and brandishes her broadsword, cutting a wide swathe through the pack of Melanc wolves. "Stand aside!" Arianrhod's broadsword shimmers with blinding light, flashing with each color on the visble spectrum in sequence, then runs at full tilt to cut once -- and keep moving to circle back around to face the princess again.

    That's a big, shiny sword, Homunculus Kazusa. Never mind the rest of the crowd.
 
    'Sorry. But I don't want friendship from someone who doesn't even understand it!' She hears Hazuki's words after she makes her move. It's enough to divert her attention and consider what there is to be done for people who just haven't learned it yet.

AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Slash skill Glittering Blade on Diwzhat!
AS: Ruin: Tamaki Uchida gains 1 Limit!
AS: Makoto Niijima has readied for combat as Johanna! She is now fully healed!
AS: Block Best! Diwzhat takes 18 Strike damage from Kanae Fuyuki's Atom Smasher. Resist! Block Strike!
AS: Block Best! Diwzhat takes 109 Slash damage from Akari Hoshi's Huge Swing. Critical Hit! Weak!

<Pose Tracker> Tsumugi Kujaku has posed.

HIGH above the palace, on a tall tower, stood the effigy of the Happy Princess.

She was very much admired indeed.

'She is as beautiful as a weathercock, only not quite so useful.'

'Why can't you be more like the Happy Princess? The Happy Princess never dreams of crying for anything.'

"'I am glad there is someone in this world who is quite happy.'"

The words are calm and level, such that they might go completely lost over the din of the battle now blooming over the fate of one girl's soul, trapped in her lonely, lunar palace. Easy to go unheard, as Hazuki Nakao tries her best to secure an opening towards that cocoon with the help of her friends and allies rallied to this far-off slice of cognitive space this day.

Yet it cuts all the same. Calm. Detached.

And underscored with a sudden, brilliant flash of light and the mechanical sound of clicking cogs.

Within the sudden haze, it appears: a giant of an automaton man, made of ceramic sculpted in the finest facsimile of Victorian finery, adorned with chemical tubes and pure and untouched by the world by the class case that holds him fast. His apathetic gaze goes largely unseen, sculpted away by the glasses he wears: what is more important is the great, ceramic cane he holds in his hands, lifted up by the click-clak-click of mechanical gears turning within his automated body.

The cane shines. And then SLAMS down.

Within the automaton's joints, something black and seething can be seen snaking through its hollow body before the THOK of that impact ignites another flash of light. Binding fetters race outward, lacing into the corded threads of the Cocoon. Light worms its way in.

And it erodes the structural integrity of Kazusa Motojima's precious prison, even as Tsumugi Kujaku falls from their comfortable high point in the shadows, landing beside the glass-encased monolith that is Jekyll.

In the real world, Tsumugi is a striking sight; in the cognitive, they're practically angelic, with skin that looks like polished marble, and pale platinum hair swept back in a calm, controlled style, dressedd in a white, three-piece tailcoat accented in blacks, yellows and reds -- a color scheme echoed in the roses that adorn their left shoulder like an epaulet, glowing flowers cascading from black, to white, to yellow, to red in a breathtakingly ephemeral collection.

Glowing scarlet eyes crack open as that gentlemanly figure takes in the unfolding battle with a distant expression. They consider the beatific Homunculus. And then the others.

"There really are more now," Tsumugi muses, head tilting leftwards.

"Interesting." 

AS: Persona! Tsumugi Kujaku has used the Almighty skill Rakunda on Diwzhat!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    Aeolia is such a better name for the figurine that Tamaki and Umie created in their journey here, much better than 'Bard-san', which was Umie's... contribution.

    On the journey up here, there were many bits of wisdom Umie had offered to the fellow veteran (as much as any of them could be called one, nowadays). How does one change Personas, especially when one's own resonance is not what is needed? While people do exist with the capacity to change Personas, there is another, more widespread method: you ask people that can, to do what you can't.

    What Umie did not say, and did not realize would complicate matters, is that asking means letting those people in on the thing you are searching for.

    If anyone had secrets that needed to be kept, it was Umie Akabane. But that's fine; she wasn't the one who needed things. She does just fine by herself.

    =========

    Helpful, friendly, ever spritely Umie Akabane is here, adjusting the straps on her starry night mask. (It seemed appropriate.)

    "Ahhh, so we're the ones luring the Sun Goddess Amaterasu out of her cave with our merry-making," she comments, now adjusting the white hood of her jacket. "Though I'd appreciate it if you don't turn us all into kappas in the process." She's joking, to be clear, but not about the kappa part. This point is further made by the display of her kyoketsu-shoge.

    Skull's confusion manages to catch Umie's eye; while her cognitive powers may or may not disconnect the short blonde dressed in a jacket, black half gloves, leggings, and a mask from the person Ryuji talked to in front of Triple 7. .... Then again, it's not like Umie's connecting Skull with Ryuji, either.

    "Pst," she tries to relay to the fellow Chariot (not that this is a metric either of them know). "The cocoon up there? Real Kazusa Motojima. Needs to be freed. The gal in the dress? The homunculus trying to replace her."

    Hazuki, here on the behalf of her imprisoned friend (who is not a Sun Goddess, to be clear), asks for an opening, and Umie, grinning impishly with her red nails poised near her chin, obliges.

    "I'm pretty sure that, no matter how how much of a jerk someone is in high school, everyone gets a chance to grow beyond that," she quips, then reconsiders. No, she should be more direct. What is the lesson she could impart, as an adult? "Instead of being the person you *had* to be, who do you *want* to be, Kazusa Motojima, and what will you do to achieve that goal?"

    oh right, she should... attack.

    "I'll see your end!" Umie declares, pointing am accusatory finger towards the fake Kazusa. Badb echoes this sentiment with a shrill scream, her ghostly visage disappearing mere moments after she appears, leaving a bewildered Umie making a point of *not* pointing at Tsumugi. "... Kujaku-san." 

<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.

It is with the immaculate poise and remorseless audacity of a peacock that Pernelle struts into the Princess' grand hall. H gives a sharp nod of understanding to Yanagi before he turns his gaze resolutely ahead, and his posture unwaveringly tall... well, all 75 centimeters tall of him...

... which is nearly doubled when he ruffles his train and rises it in full display.

"Fear not, fine and fair folk of Kazusa's concerned court! Pernelle! Has! Arrived!"

He spreads his wings and looks up at the Homunculus. "Such frills! Such fineries! Such fancies! But this facade cannot feign true fervor!"

Pernelle turns to the cocoon and squawks with a volume befitting his avian nature. "Kazusa! Let your creative spark not be snuffed by the slings and stingers of lesser beasts! Yours is a workshop that could spark the stories within others' souls, just as the bravest boar proclaims!"

That nickname for Roger is one he never quite let go of, evidently.

"Anqa!"

With a single, mightly flap of his wings, Pernelle launches into the air and snaps a passing butterfly into his beak. As it is crushed, his golden fabric, rainbow stitched doll bird of a Persona appears in the air. They catch each other by wings and talons, and spiral down to the ground in a dance.

Flames ignite, trying to eat through Kazusa's cocoon strings.

"Besides... rough edges show more character, I should think!"

AS: Persona! Pernelle has used the Fire skill Alluring Agi on Diwzhat!
AS: Ruin: Pernelle gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Dark skill Bad Moon Rising on Diwzhat!
AS: Umie Akabane takes 45 damage from Stress!
AS: Ruin: Umie Akabane gains 1 Limit!
AS: Umie Akabane regains 3 SP from Invigorate!

<Pose Tracker> Moriko Kumamoto has posed.

Moriko's here! She's also bringing up the rear. She'd thrown her lot in regardless of earlier opinions. Whatever her feelings, she wouldn't have left someone to this anyway. Who would? She'd avoid those sorts if she knew.
 
 There's a grimace, calling back over her shoulder, "Kazusa, your pride should be shutting that fraud down!" Before she turns her polearm. "Nothing for it" muttered to herself. "I'll handle the mob. Focus on slapping her awake." More audible to the others. She twists on her heel and heads for the entrance. Ready to chokepoint it.
 
 "Probably my second or third worst idea." As she prepares to biy time.
 
 The myth had the help near though. Didn't it? 

AS: Block Best! Diwzhat takes 56 Elec damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Zio. Weak!
AS: Paralyze (Physical and Avoid Penalized!) added!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Almighty damage from Roger's Marin Karin.
AS: Charm (Attacker or Ally takes Damage!) added!

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.

    It's time to go in and save the princess of the tower. Kasumi (who's using the codename "Belle" at the moment), follows the others in her own way. She uses her gymnastics skill to climb up the tower. The redhead is dressed in her metaverse outfit right now. A black leotard, thighhigh boots, and bolero that extends into several stripes flowing behind her. Atop her face is a bulky, black mask that hides her identity, though her brilliant red ponytail may give a hint regardless. Finally, around her waist is a silver chain, adorned with her rapier and a silver flower.

    Kasumi's gaze...doesn't linger very hard on the princess of a homunculus, (pretty as she may be). Instead, she looks past and around, looking for the real Motojima-senpai. Must be somewhere else...?

    In any case. There's nothing to it right now. There's a more pressing issue. "Motojima-senpai! We'll get you back!" After all, what better job for a "thief", than to steal a princess away?

    "My friends, let's clear the path! Cendrillon, let's start a Revolution!" Belle calls, as she casts her first spell of the night!

AS: Persona! Kasumi Yoshizawa has used the Almighty skill Revolution on Kasumi Yoshizawa, Haru Okumura, Makoto Niijima,
and Ryuji Sakamoto!

AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 78 Pierce damage from Haru Okumura's How's this? Painful?. Critical Hit! Resist! Block
Pierce!
AS: Take! Haru Okumura takes 0 Almighty damage from Kasumi Yoshizawa's Revolution.
AS: Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added!
AS: Take! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 0 Almighty damage from Kasumi Yoshizawa's Revolution.
AS: Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added!

<Pose Tracker> Saika Kikuchi has posed.

 
AFTER BEATING THE LIVING HELL OUT OF A SEXIST WOLF,

Saika Kikuchi dusts off her hands and reaches up to bend one of the colorful metal fasteners holding her... stitched-together-skin? Back together. There wasn't any blood or anything. It's probably just fancy cognitive special effects.

"I wouldn't call that guy a problem, exactly, but he was pretty tough for a Humor," Saika states, "so I hope there's only like... a few more of those." She sniffs a little, and finishes eating...

Is that a pizza slice?

* Naan Pizza: A unique invention of the mysterious woman. Definitely vegetarian.
* Restores HP (and a little SP) with the power of *~cooking with love~*

As others make their way up, she eyeballs them. Some she's seen already, others are new. Some of them get a slight upnod, others just get the kind of steady intense look that you'd get from a hoodlum outside of the FamilyMart when you're on a late-night drive and have to make a stop for gas and supplies.

Soon enough, though.

"Yeah, I'd be impressed but I have no idea if it means anything," muses Saika to Tsumugi. "Maybe just a more vivid imagination? I dunno!" She scratches the back of her neck. Her eyes cut towards Yanagi, though, as she volunteers to Control the Crowd.

"If you're sure," she says to her, before...

"Yeah," agrees Saika.

"If you wanna start somewhere," Saika continues, still pointedly not directly present, "then maybe a good place to start saying 'fuck you' to whoever's telling you otherwise is to..."

"LOOK UP KINTSUGI ONLINE!!" This is not a typical battle call, but Saika is not a typical person, and her entrance - hurling herself into a high-speed body blow at a particular dense thicket of Strings - isn't typical either. Nevertheless: put anything under enough stress, and it'll bend, or it'll break. Saika knows which way she is betting. 

AS: Persona! Saika Kikuchi has used the Strike skill Saika Body Attack on Diwzhat! 2 Hits!
AS: Block Best! Diwzhat takes 33 Slash damage from Tamaki Uchida's Glittering Blade. Weak!
AS: Rage (Weapon Attack and Incoming Damage Up!) added!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Almighty damage from Tsumugi Kujaku's Rakunda.
AS: Def_Dn (Block Penalized!) added!

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    Makoto Niijima had avoided dealing with the Homunculus of Kazusa Motojima for as long as she could. She didn't like her, and... that was probably a personal failing.

    And then, accidentally or not, the Homunculus started to mess with her life- and more importantly, the life of one of her closest friends.

    That's why Queen is here, after Skull, Noir and Belle had handled the initial investigation. ...even if she has to let out a sigh about Skull's acting. "...Still better than Panther, at least," Queen manages to offer that low praise, as her eyes settle on the horrible thing that is the 'Princess' of this castle. "I see you're dropping the pushover act- in front of all these people no less- aren't you afraid of being seen through? You'll never know who's listening." ...Has that recording been leaked- or does Queen simply know about it? The Phantom Thieves have strategies no one else has been able to work it out so far.

    Noir ask for a lead, and Queen frowns. "We're at a disadvantage," Queen mutters carefully to her group, and casts her eyes to Belle- she's the rookie, as much of all of them, despite having only awakened around when Noir and Queen did. Still, as that Aura rolls over her. "Belle, Noir- cut those threads apart! Skull, keep those shadows at bay and keep them off our frontliners! We're working with others this time, so let's follow their lead! Now, Johanna!"

    The Personacycle comes when Makoto calls it and she lands atop it, revving her engines to send a gout of nuclear flame into the Princess' army, as she observes the way Hazuki goes for the cocoon. As much as this is a heated battle, it's also a chance for her to learn about Homunculi. This isn't the same as a Palace- and who knows how the rules are different.

    For that matter, who knows how the rules are the same? 

AS: Take! Kasumi Yoshizawa takes 0 Almighty damage from Kasumi Yoshizawa's Revolution.
AS: Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added!
AS: Take! Makoto Niijima takes 0 Almighty damage from Kasumi Yoshizawa's Revolution.
AS: Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Diwzhat takes 165 Fire damage from Pernelle's Alluring Agi. Critical Hit!
AS: Charm (Attacker or Ally takes Damage!) added! Def_Dn, Haze, Paralyze, and Rage removed!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Dark damage from Umie Akabane's Bad Moon Rising.
AS: Omen (Damage in 2 rounds!) added!
AS: Counter Neutral! Diwzhat takes 63 Strike damage from Saika Kikuchi's Saika Body Attack. Resist!
AS: Blast (Magic and Block Penalized!) added! Paralyze removed! Explosion! 75 damage!
AS: COUNTER! Saika Kikuchi takes 38 Strike damage in return for her attack! 
AS: Counter Best! Diwzhat takes 47 Strike damage from Saika Kikuchi's Saika Body Attack. Resist!
AS: Paralyze removed! Explosion! 75 damage!
AS: COUNTER! Saika Kikuchi takes 48 Strike damage in return for her attack! 

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.

It was a... suffocating existence, trapped inside of the Cocoon. An endless, crushing pressure bombarded Kazusa from every direction, full of thoughts, suggestions, and insinuations that had been slowly eroding away at her will, chipping away at her already fragile sense of self.   Why did she want things she was never going to be allowed to have? Why did she have to be so stubborn, to go against the grain? What was she thinking, thinking she could stand against the world?     Girls should   be delicate Do you think anybody They only fear you You make everything wants you back?   ... so difficult   This is why he   can't love you You took her ...maybe...   for granted Waka-chan likes you   When will you give up better this way   Your mother on childish dreams?   doesn't complain Nobody will ...it'd be better...   miss you You could have been so   graceful and beautiful Nobody likes you   You've been wasting your time ...if I just...   What did being so   Nobody is difficult accomplish? Aren't you tired of   coming for you fighting everything?   She was just a girl.   What could she do by herself?   And with the way she had treated others... who would even come looking for her, in a place like this?     Nobody will   Do you think anybody ~:.*\.-,*\.**`./;:\;`,`~'\+,;r you   wants you back?;\.:':.+-~;\,-;``,'/.'*:*`:+/~-+\'/`:;`~\ Girls should   \``,;,,-/:.;`+'-\*.*/'.,+*:\+~+,\`,/;;,:*\,/~'~.-delicate   '-\\,''.,~;++*`;~\./-;.+.;'//,:.*'`-'.-,,~~'~':.-:*;*   ~~/.~.:+'/;~'~~~-::`;\*+/`++;:-`,/:;:/;:`-/;/;\--`,``*-;/likes you   Your mot-';.''+*.`:/'-+..~*;+-*-/\'-/.~'\\'*-++``*;\\.+;+-;`;,-+/+~ doesn't c*~'-/`~:;/~'++;+:-*~-~/./+...,,::;\~:*'-'\~`,/'\~'*',~/'.;,:,   ;+;;/;.,,+\,/*-`,-`-/' *:-\::-:~/~+*/*,.:/+./  This is\''.,+-,;'.::~;*/`;-- Motojima-san! -~'';'-\`/,'~\*.~/+++ired of  can't l/'*:,'~**;~'~-./,;`,,` /\`\+`/;':,-~;~...\;`~rything?   ~+/,+:`+``~\;;:*,*+``+'.'+-*`\`;~*-'+';'*\\-/.,'-~''`;*,,;--`   ;~-.`--'*,~.;/:/\**,~.+/;+;'*':'.\,/+*~,,\~`~;~,`+'-'-`+::.   ;~/`:-\-,/~\~-'..~,~/``:/~+*,.:\-`~;,-;':*;-\';~/`*~+:~*/   `,-`\/;'`\,`~-+\.+~+/'--+\*:\.'*~.//-/+`~'-'.'/;-.,..did being so   \`+,*,\\'.*~.;'/`+,,.,+~,:*`\*--`::/**\;-',`'/~;\cult accomplish?   \-+-.;*+~--\~`:+;++,*\-\'-++''*/\;*.,+~+-   '~:;:\/-*\/+*-//;/-*`:*/.'/~*  You could have been so  graceful and beautiful   Suddenly the pressure broke, just for an instant: a warm, golden light washed over her, the new sensation strange and alien after her weeks of imprisonment. It felt like the warmth of a sun she had long since forgotten.     ...?   It drew her out of her thoughts, just for a moment. But she didn't understand. There was nothing but this. There couldn't be anything else. It didn't make sense.     The Cavalry's arrived!     Be strong, we'll get you out of there!   Her entire world shook, as Hazuki and Janus attacked in tandem. The blows reverberated through the strings, making everything lurch. What was going on? How could there be someone here to save her? Didn't... didn't they understand?   Didn't they understand that she deserved this?   But there are shouts--to not let things end this way and to live by her own values. Calls to not let her creativity be extinguished, of those wanting to include her in their games ('cos' or otherwise), and Kazusa's breath catches as she hears all of it. And more than that...   Weapons, spells, claws, and distractions are called forth, and Kazusa can hear or feel the shuddering impact of each blow as it strikes the strings and resonates through her Cocoon.   Kazusa stares in shock. "Why..." she sputters, her voice shaking and raw from disuse. It cracks s she begins to shout. "... why are you all doing this!? I'm not worth it!"   Twin voices cut through the pressure of the Cocoon, one soft and one sharp, speaking in unison. They sneer quietly.     THERE YOU GO AGAIN, LITTLE ONE.   DEMANDING EVERYONE PLAY BY YOUR RULES.   "What?" The girl flinches back from the voice. She starts to shake her head furiously, causing her hair to whip around. "No, no... it's not like that!" Her voice falters as the oppressive weight of the Cocoon redoubles. "I've been terrible... I lashed out at everyone around me. I'm... I'm no better than my father."   The attention of the twinned voice grows sharper, reasserting itself through the thickening pressure.     AND DO YOU WANT TO LET YOUR FATHER DICTATE YOUR FATE?   Kazusa gasps, voice wavering. "... I..." It would be easier, wouldn't it? To be more agreeable? To let go of childish notions?   And all it would take would be to give up her dreams—   Something painful tightens in her chest, a single flare trying to push back the weight of a tidal wave.   Her voice is still weak, but a fraction steadier than the moment before, tinged with realization. "... no..."   A smile insinuates itself into the tone of the twin voices as they speak again.     YOUR TIME WANES, LITTLE ONE.   WHAT IS IT YOU DESIRE?   The Cocoon's unbearable weight surges, plunging Kazusa into unfathomable ocean depths of pressure as it tries to reassert control. But the tiny spark in Kazusa's chest strains brighter yet as it meets the renewed efforts. And the words start to spill from Kazusa.   "I... I want to cosplay with Waka-chan!" she shouts into the void. "I want to do my art, I want to make games, I want to create!" Her throat hurts, her voice strains, but she keeps forcing the words out. "I want to be a better person, but most of all, I... I..."   Her voice cracks, and with difficulty she pushes the last words out. "... I want... I want to be someone worth saving!"   The twin voices chuckle gently, and their presence swoops closer, a pair of warm and cold sensations coiling itself around her body.     WORTH IS THE GREAT LABOR YOU MUST UNDERTAKE.   I WILL LEND YOU MY COURAGE SO YOU MAY BEGIN.   BGM: Open the Shard! - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_5L-m7RMoI   All of the pressure suddenly vanishes as the tiny, cramped world of the Cocoon seems to explode into infinite possibility. Heavy industrial machinery slowly groans to life, chasing out the lingering sounds of the negative thoughts. Kazusa throws out her arms as bolts of red fabric fly towards her, wrapping themselves around her body and every limb as she takes a deep breath for the first time in weeks.   This was her choice to make now, and she was finally going to make it for herself.   One more bolt of fabric shoots up in front of her, and Kazusa snaps her hand out to snatch the end. She spins on one foot, pulling the length of fabric with her to trace elegant arcs in the air around her. The ribbon suspends itself in mid-air for a split second as light ripples down it and turns it into a pink gymnastics ribbon.   She whips the ribbon around into a large circle in mid air and then gracefully leaps right through it, left leg back, right leg tucked under her. As she passes through, her straight black hair becomes light blue, lengthening and growing wavier. The fabric on her body bursts apart, revealing a sleeveless dark purple tunic and a slightly darker pleated miniskirt.   She lands fluidly, taking several steps in time with the industrial machinery as she pulls the ribbon along with her into several spirals around her body before forming tight coils in front of her. She thrusts her arm through the coils, and the fabric on her arm flashes brightly, forming an intricate silver bracer and leaving the rest of her arm bare.   She draws her arm back but keeps making those tight spirals as she arches backwards to place her other hand, now with a matching bracer, on the ground behind her. With an effortless kick one leg comes sweeping high up overhead, followed by the other. As each leg passes the apex the red fabric bursts, revealing a dark purple boot and dark gray stockings, and a moment later her feet touch the ground again and she smoothly stands from the walkover.   She dances along to the machinery for a moment, before grabbing the end of the ribbon and throwing the handle. The ribbon wraps itself around her waist, and with a quick twist of her hips unwraps itself, revealing a silver chain belt embedded with stars around her waist. She catches the handle behind her without looking as she smirks confidently, revealing a hint of a pronounced fang.   With a flick of her wrist she snaps the ribbon out as it changes once more into a whip, then yanks her hand back to coil it up and hang it at her waist. Her irises glow brightly, turning purple eyes to glittering silver. With a flash of light a round moonstone appears on her forehead, and from it a black iron circlet forms. Finally, two white-furred wolf ears unfurl from her hair, pointing forward.   She does one more spin as a white-furred wolf tail unfurls itself behind her, reaching out as she does to grasp something invisible. With a flourish, she pulls a pitch black cloak from thin air, pulling it around herself as she finishes her turn, secured with a silver clasp.   The twin soft and sharp voices rang out through the Cocoon, cutting through the sounds of industrial machinery.     I AM THOU, THOU ART I     A GREAT CHANGE BECKONS...   THY SUFFERING WILL NOT BE IN VAIN,   IF ONLY THOU WILL IT SO.     I AM MINA HARKER...   SHE WHO RECLAIMS HER LIGHT FROM THE DARKNESS.


OUTSIDE THE COCOON

The Cocoon rocks from the aftermath of everyone's attacks. But of course, by itself it won't be enough. The person trapped within has to reassert their own will, to be willing to wrest control of their domain--the Atelier--from its usurper.

Persona Users have seen this happen once before, with Taro Nakata--but here there is something new--a steady hum in the air as Resonance begins to build within the Cocoon. Blue flame erupts from the Cocoon, forming a gash. It is followed by another, and another, as the pressure builds and builds.

Finally the Cocoon bursts apart from within, an explosion of blue flames swirling outwards as the Resonance of an Awakening washes over the battlefield. Tattered pieces of filum regium whip about in the air, and as the flames subside Kazusa is revealed in her new Transmutation visage. She hangs there, composed and seemingly serene, eyes closed, her cloak billowing gently around her as the last licks of blue flame disperse.

Behind her, a rather tall woman also hovers. On her right side, she has healthy skin, a blue eye, and flowing auburn locks. But on her left, on her neck are two puncture wounds with blood dribbling from them. From the bite mark flows pale, ashen skin, and the left side of her mouth is twisted into a sneer that exposes a rather sharp vampire fang. The eye on that side is a bright crimson, the hair raven black, and sharp nails tip the fingers of her left hand. She wears a simple blue Victorian dress, the trail of blood from her bite wound causing a meandering red stain in the front.

Both descend gently down to the ground. Kazusa sets one foot down with a gentle tap, followed by the other, while Mina Harker remains hovering. Kazusa slowly reaches one hand out from under her cloak, taking hold of the clasp.

BGM: Face Down (Cassette Beasts) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L6BDtASMLAI

The nearly-serene composure snaps. With a sudden jerk and the rustling of fabric she flings the cloak off to the side with little effort, and the expression she locks on the Homunculus is sharp. Feet planted, ears pointed forward, she stands tall, her bearing just a little... regal.

She is the Princess of this Atelier, after all.

"Imposter!" she declares of the Homunculus. "I want my life back!" Her hand goes for the whip, flicking it out with a fluid motion as she dashes forward. It lashes out once, twice, in crisscross lashes, for the Homunculus. 

GAME: Kazusa Motojima sets her Night Princess desc!

AS: Pink Gymnastics Ribbon set as your new weapon. It has traits Atk 2, Magic:+3, Agility:+1, and None.
AS: Silver Bracelets set as your new armor. It has traits Def 2, Magic:+3, Luck:+1, and None.
AS: Kazusa Motojima has readied for combat as Mina Harker! She is now fully healed!

AS: Weapon! Kazusa Motojima has used the Slash skill Figure Eight on Diwzhat! 2 Hits!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 123 Slash damage from Kazusa Motojima's Figure Eight. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 87 Slash damage from Kazusa Motojima's Figure Eight. Weak!

<Pose Tracker> Diwzhat has posed.

The army is easy to cut through. There is no problem in slaying or suppressing Humors, only with keeping them from coming back.

Isabeau has no words for the Homunculus, and so it has no words for her, except as that Megido washes over it, burning into her and the bindings of the cocoon alike.

As the light washes over, the Homunculus is working on a nail, as if it had been chipped. The bad news is that no damage can be done to her as long as the Cocoon exists. The good news...

The bobbins are in bad shape after that, and the Homunculus isn't paying attention to them, instead glaring at Isabeau. "Gosh, you damaged my nails. I'm so going to the salon once you're dead, Fontaine-chan."

Grim's flames burn into the threads, fraying them more, causing the Homunculus to briefly snap at her. "It's warm enough in here, thank you!"

Fuuka's request causes the Homunculus to cup her chin, still confident in herself. "Hmmmm? You want me to die so you can save someone none of you like? As if!" The light sears into the bindings, assisting Grim's flames.

But as more and more come forth, she starts to grimace. "Ugh! Go away!" she shouts at Kanae's Leshy, as it moves to strike forward. The shockwave of the strike hits the threads, but the Leshy will find the actual fists are caught in the Homunculus's grip, a frown on her face.

"If I broke another nail, I swear." The Homunculus, however, has a worse problem, as a sword comes slashing through, causing her to swerve a bit. It cuts into one of the threads, and it does excellently at weakening it.

"Hah? Ixquic? That's such a childish name. So uncreative!" The Homunculus says with a 'tsk'.

And then a LIGHTNING BOLT from Skull nearly hits her as it zips towards the cocoon! She leaps to the side, hands in the air. "Watch where you're throwing those things, you ruffian!"

Roger's charm washes over, and both the army and the Homunculus alike falter a bit. "Awwww... aren't you just the most adorable thing?" she says

A grenade launcher blasts forth, Noir and her Persona alike attacking on that push. The Homunculus holds a hand up, diffusing the blast from hitting her, even as it washes over the threads.

Yanagi doesn't get directly challenged by the Homunculus, because she's staying far and away from the cocoon! Though she does get sneered at.

Yukari challenges the Homunculus. "Hah? I walk, talk, look like her! I am Kazusa Motojima, in the flesh! She's just a has-been."

It's at Tamaki's dual slash that the Homunculus sighs, and decides it has to take this seriously. As the enemies and threads alike start to sever, the Homunculus feels the Cocoon weakening, especially from Tsumugi's spell.

"All of you should just take a moment to breathe! You don't want to make me mad," she says, frowning. As Pernelle's fireball flies forth, she moves to divert out of the way, but flames singe her hair, and burn deeper into the threads.. "You're not as cute as the pig!"

Badb's scream is pointed towards the Homunculus, who frowns sharper. "Ow, my ears!"

Belle shows up, and the Homunculus points to her. "If you consider her a senpai... then you know how cruel she is to her kouhais, don't you?"

Saika comes in with the BODYSLAM, and as she moves towards the thread, she manages to put them at the very precipice of snapping. Unfortunately, the Homunculus is pretty pissed about that, throwing her hand forward to slap her twice once she's in range. "You... you're not cool at all!"

Queen calls out to the Homunculus, who starts marching over to her as if to attack her back. "Are you trying to threaten me? You're such a little-"

Snap, snap. The threads break at that very moment, The Homunculus pivots over, as the whole world changes.

As the combined efforts of the defenders break the cocoon's bindings, Hazuki pauses as it feels... different. The Resonance builds, blue flames start to burst inside, and her eyes widen. Isn't... this like how it happened for her and Roger?

As Kazusa Motojima bursts from the cocoon, clad in the raiments of Transmutation and with her own Persona, a smile escapes Hazuki's lips. She really did want to change.

"Motojima-san! We're with you!" she calls out, as the Homunculus is struck back by Kazusa's attack, actually injured by the whip flickering into her. She's shocked and angry all at once.

The Melancs start to freeze where they stand, looking towards Kazusa. As they do so, their broken armor starts to mend itself, turning them into glorious knights and guardians once more. They are wolfgirls, their true forms returned to them, no longer a semblance of the father. The Colerics stop fighting as well.

"You... you!" the Homunculus shouts out, as she closes her eyes, frustrated.

"I'M THE REAL ONE HERE!" she shouts out, eyes cracking open rapidly. They are no longer yellow.

They are ruby red.

"You wasted your life in anger and hate! I'm the one everyone wants! Why would they want you?!"

She's scowling, as she raises both her hands into the air.

With a crackling of energy, the roof starts to shake, and then the whole tower. As it does, the Homunculus pushes up, and suddenly, the entire roof shatters, gone.

Instead of falling, the fragments of the roof break apart and drift lazily into the sky, escaping the orbit of the moon out into space. Whereas before the night sky still had some stars left in it, now there are none: all that remains is a deep, inky blackness that seems to absorb all light. The only thing that breaks up the darkness of the sky is the eclipsed 'Sister Star' that the Sanguin spoke of, a pitch black void ringed by scarlet flames that hangs like a baleful eye. A cutting, bone-deep wind cuts through the gathered crowds, trying to dig its claws into any ounce of wind to be found.

With a scowl, the Homunculus takes two steps forward.

"I won't quit. I can't quit. I must have what is MINE! I'm the one everyone should love! I'm the perfect angel!"

She stretches her arms out to each side of her.

"I'M ME!"

Suddenly, the Flegmats in the area start to shake, before floating up rapidly and surrounding the Homunculus. They begin to shift in horrific ways, but their cries are silenced, as a whirlwind of fog surrounds them.

When the fog clears, someone, no, someTHING is floating up in the center of the room. A dozen wings made of colorful cables fold in on each other around a humanoid body, smooth and perfect, with no face and no identifying features as a normal person would have. Instead, faces form out of her skin, each one nondescript, each one indistinct except for dozens of bright red eyes, not quite real.

On her brow is a golden tiara, two rubies inlaid firmly. She has long black hair, much like Kazusa's own.


  i am the other self   u r   n Diwzhat e   i the v   t Hypocrite e   e s   fles rehto eht ma i


</poem> BOSS THEME: PROVANT - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGEO2mQXmto

The wings span out, revealing more faces on their interior. Digital wires start to extend from those cables, going down, and down, and down until they grasp some of the remaining Flegmats.

The Flegmats morph as well, turning into generic knights and guards, faceless under their helm and wielding swords. There is not an ounce of creativity in what she's just done.

The world, or perhaps the angel, rumbles in a way that is heard and understood. There is no mouth moving, no words hitting the ear, just the mind.

((Guards. Seize them.))

Then, those baleful red eyes turn towards Kazusa.

((You! You're no angel at all. You're the Demon Queen. I'll reveal your true form right now!))

The red eyes begin to glow, before suddenly, shadows start to wash over over Kazusa's form, clouding her from view for a moment even as she yelps in protest.

When they flow away from her form she is changed once again. Dark red skin, curled black horns, wide-open, slitted yellow eyes staring at har clawed hands in shock, with bat wings and a tail. She's dressed in a dark mirror of a Shujin school uniform, all the colors darker with starker reds and heels that would most assuredly never be allowed on campus.

Those who try to approach Kazusa will find that the guards move in order to intercept, refusing to let them reach Diwzhat and the Demon Queen.

In general, they charge out, slashing with those swords, swinging once each, or firing crossbows, or attacking with staves. </poem> 

AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Almighty skill Mark of the Demonic on Kazusa Motojima!
AS: Charm results in party damage! Diwzhat takes 90 damage!
AS: Pressure: Diwzhat gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Slash skill Knight Crusade on Saika Kikuchi, Tsumugi Kujaku, Pernelle, and Isabeau
Fontaine!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Slash skill Blade Slash on Kasumi Yoshizawa!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Slash skill Blade Slash on Makoto Niijima!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Pierce skill Crossbow Shot on Umie Akabane!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Pierce skill Crossbow Shot on Tamaki Uchida!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Strike skill Scepter Strike on Yukari Takeba!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Slash skill Blade Slash on Haru Okumura!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Slash skill Blade Slash on Roger!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Pierce skill Crossbow Shot on Ryuji Sakamoto!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Pierce skill Crossbow Shot on Akari Hoshi!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Strike skill Scepter Strike on Kanae Fuyuki!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Strike skill Scepter Strike on Fuuka Yamagishi!
AS: Weapon! Diwzhat has used the Pierce skill Crossbow Shot on Katsuko Yoshinaga!
AS: Avoid Best! Yukari Takeba takes 9 Strike damage from Diwzhat's Scepter Strike.

AS: Diwzhat: Rage removed!
AS: Take! Kazusa Motojima takes 0 Almighty damage from Diwzhat's Mark of the Demonic.
AS: Mag_DN (Magical Attack/Defense Down!) added!
AS: Block Best! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 19 Pierce damage from Diwzhat's Crossbow Shot. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Best! Fuuka Yamagishi takes 5 Strike damage from Diwzhat's Scepter Strike.
AS: Counter Neutral! Kanae Fuyuki takes 56 Strike damage from Diwzhat's Scepter Strike.
AS: COUNTER! Diwzhat takes 28 Strike damage in return for their attack! Resist!
AS: Block Neutral! Akari Hoshi takes 28 Pierce damage from Diwzhat's Crossbow Shot.
AS: Avoid Worst! Roger takes 58 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Blade Slash.
AS: Avoid Worst! Tsumugi Kujaku takes 68 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Knight Crusade.
AS: Block Worst! Makoto Niijima takes 66 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Blade Slash.
AS: Avoid Neutral! Umie Akabane takes 45 Pierce damage from Diwzhat's Crossbow Shot. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Kasumi Yoshizawa takes 24 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Blade Slash.
AS: Avoid Worst! Katsuko Yoshinaga takes 51 Pierce damage from Diwzhat's Crossbow Shot. Resist!
AS: Avoid Best! Saika Kikuchi takes 15 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Knight Crusade. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Best! Isabeau Fontaine takes 6 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Knight Crusade.
AS: Avoid Worst! Tamaki Uchida takes 92 Pierce damage from Diwzhat's Crossbow Shot. Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

Skull will take the minor praise, Queen! His eyes light up for a moment before he focuses up.

 He snorts when he almost hits the Homunculus, feeling pretty good about that. Skull taps his pipe on his shoulder as he just watches as suddenly the "real" Kazusa shows up and confronts the fake one. He blinks behind his mask, just trying to figure out if he finally snapped.

 "Ok...I don't get this place at all..Errrr I am completely in the know!"

 Then the fake turns into a horrible winged monstrosity. A peace washes over Skull as he understands fighting a big monster like this. It wasn't a creepy girl trapped with him in class. It was something he could attack.

 A grin appears on Skull's face as he points toward Diwzhat. "AGAIN!!!" Captain Kidd raises it's horrible iron cannon and fires more electricity at the shadow monster. 

AS: Block Worst! Haru Okumura takes 83 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Blade Slash.

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.

    "I do not need you," Isabeau calls, to Kanae, in turn. "This tower I conquered without you." And that explains the soul she's chewing like gum, artificially bolstering her spiritual strength. "I will still use you. Throw yourself at the Shadows as you like, and watch as I step over your body to claim victory."

    She blows a bubble with the soul. Pfwooo.... pop, and she takes it from her mouth and sticks it to a pillar of that tower, before she reaches into a pouch at her belt to shove another chewing soul in her mouth to replace that one which has become tasteless.

    You've gotta taste the souls, you know?

    She sees the glint of Grim's sniper scope; the light of Fuuka's illumination. Ixquic's sword, though, is what has the Victorian-styled girl double-taking. "That is as large are you are?" She remarks, and she's still haughty, but her cold tone has been interrupted by something a touch more unseated. "Hmph... I am almost impressed."

    (Her words are still a touch stilted, though, as if she's uncomfortable inhabiting Japanese.)

    She specifically is not impressed by Kanae shifting Personas, though. "Do not show off your -- your -- `emotional lability,`" Isabeau reverts to French, with audible frustration, as she can't possibly place what the word is in Japanese, "so eagerly!"

    She doesn't realise that she ought to be angry at Umie, too, though; she's not just wearing a mask, but Shrouding herself alongside it.

    The Victorian sensibilities of Tsumugi's Persona, in turn, catch her hungry, jealous green eyes. "You have Hunted them before," she notices, in their words, at once. "Have you not?" And there's a pressure to that word, 'Hunted', with all the weight of a key word to be filed away in their glossary. "Just like that dancer who manages the, zoo," with a hitch of a pause, and it would have been so much cooler if she'd remembered the word for 'menagerie'.

    And then -- strutting into the hall --

    Isabeau looks at Pernelle.

    Isabeau's haughtiness is replaced by a blank look.

    2... 3... 4...

    "Ahahahahaha!" Isabeau doubles over laughing, her large, imposing frame cut in half at once as she clutches at a broad belly. "A peacock has come to fight! Hahahaha... I do not even care if you are prey! You sound just like a peacock ought to sound! Adorable!"

    ... a...at least she's happy...?

    "Ha ha..." She manages to recover, wiping a tear from her eye. "I am working on some 'kintsugi' now, in fact," that laughter takes down her walls enough to respond to Saika genuinely, for a moment. "It is not my normal way of sculpture, but we will call it art crafted from an opportunity." She means she broke one of papa's fancy replica vases. That's what she means. She felt HORRIBLE about it, too!

    "The 'act' was always imperfect," her arch tone returns, at least, as she addresses Queen. "It has always yearned to be as awful as the host it... parasites. The very first time she appeared, she made terrible comments about my weight... hmh, and you are the Phantom Thieves, are you not? Was a complaint made against her on that forum of yours, after all this time...?"

    She turns, then -- and only then -- to the Homunculus. "Only your nails? All right... I recognise you are strong." Wasn't she listening to Hazuki?! She pauses, her lips pressing together. "I will still plant my spear into your throat. Perhaps I will see the salon when I am done... just to enjoy the way you never will."

    But Kazusa ribbons in, as the cocoon cracks. Her Persona is bitten... in those stories, it would soon mean she would become hunted, herself, when she turned. Now, though...

    "Destroy that which offends you," she suggests, to Kazusa, as she takes her ruby spear in hand. "The punishment for your crimes is not death. Take your life firmly with your own hands, or it will slip away." It sounds supportive, but... what's with Isabeau's support...?

    She turns to the Homunculus, then, regarding it with narrowed eyes as it declares that Kazusa wasted her life in anger. "When someone comes to eat me alive," she advises it -- and she does regard it as IT, stripped of gender and identity and any question of whether it should LIVE -- "I like to see their teeth. You are no perfect angel. You could not even pretend you did not hold me in contempt."

    The fog collapses in, though, and Isabeau shields her face with her targe, squinting as it clears.

    "There," she declares, archly. "There is the monster." The guards charge in to slash at her, but she leaps back, unfairly agile, as the knight charges. One step, two step, three -- she springs back, landing for but an instant against the side of something, and then leaps over that guard's head. "Mielikki, carve through," she invokes, as that waspish fairy appears again, zipping forward to slash a path forward with those massive (for her proportions) bear claws.

    Somehow, the slices Mielikki leaves in her wake are many, many times bigger than she is.

AS: Persona! Isabeau Fontaine has used the Slash skill Fatal End on Diwzhat!
AS: Defense: Isabeau Fontaine gains 1 Limit!
AS: Avoid Worst! Pernelle takes 87 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Knight Crusade. Critical Hit!
AS: Persona! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Elec skill Zio on Diwzhat!

<Pose Tracker> Kanae Fuyuki has posed.

Don't worry, Yukari. Kanae's good at tanking Isabeau's ire.

She notices some Phantom Thieves among the many Persona-users here, too... but has little to say about that--though they might notice another costumed Persona-user. A Hunter is different, though. As Isabeau has already indicated... "You couldn't handle 'using' me," Kanae taunts Isabeau.

But that's a peacock down there. A peacock! ...Cool.

"You guys are a real team, huh?" Kanae says to Queen and the other Thieves. "...Well, I won't be left behind."

sBut Kazusa.. she comes out of the Cocoon, and she questions what they're doing, says what she is and isn't better than.

Why? "Because, Motojima-san..." Kanae straightens her shoulders. "If we don't save you, Oosaka-san will cry. And I won't be responsible for that."

The enemies charge, and Kanae is hit by a scepter, throwing out her hand as Leshy throws some of thatblow black at the enemy--but it isn't enough. Not yet. Kanae is knocked to one knee, and has to grit her teeth. But then...

"Yeah, you're real," Kanae says to the Homunculus. "...A real pain in the ass." Kanae drags herself up to her feet again, her coat billowing behind her as she slices down with her gunblade with one hand. "People don't want you. They just want what they can get out of you. You have no substance."

'...Being a big monster like this... It's a lot more honest. It makes me like you more."

"But that won't save you!"

Kanae cahrges forward. "SILKY!" she calls, and with the sound of shattering glass, the face she shows the world changes. Leshy fades away into nothing, and a green-skinned fairy in an orange dress appears, curtseying demurely--and then holding up a vicious skinning knife with a wicked smile.

Kanae glances at Isabeau, and back to Kazusa, before her Persona surges forward, slicing in all directions with her terrible serrated knife, slashes that become one, two, four, eight, sixteen--for a whole crowd at once.

"I'll show off what I want, Isabeau." 

AS: Persona! Kanae Fuyuki has used the Slash skill Mind Slice on Diwzhat!
AS: Ruin: Kanae Fuyuki gains 1 Limit!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 184 Elec damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Zio. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Counter Worst! Diwzhat takes 190 Slash damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Fatal End. Weak!
AS: COUNTER! Isabeau Fontaine takes 16 Slash damage in return for her attack! 
AS: Counter Neutral! Diwzhat takes 179 Slash damage from Kanae Fuyuki's Mind Slice. Weak!
AS: COUNTER! Kanae Fuyuki takes 63 Slash damage in return for her attack! 

<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.

Ixquic sees - and hears! - several other Persona-users she knows to a greater or lesser extent, beyond the ones she came in with. Umie, of course; Yukari; Pernelle, of all people. She'd wave if her hands weren't full and if she wasn't rather occupied.

But she does manage to shoot back to Isabeau: "It's my sword. I made it myself! Nothing else would be appropriate for the reincarnated magical warrior, Ixquic! I'd show it to you but I'm a little busy - but if you want to see how I use it, I'll show you that much...!" It's true, too - though Akari did not make it out of metal, but out of foam and Worbla. (What's Worbla? don't worry about it. It's gold HERE... and gold that doesn't chip or dull.)

Ixquic carves at another strand of Cocoon before she doesn't need to - blue flame builds inside the cocoon. Ixquic steps back, reflexively, eyes widening behind her mask - before Kazusa bursts out of it, along with a second figure. A Persona.

Under her mask, Akari's grin is so wide her face hurts from doing it. That's a success. Art... has been freed.

And that just leaves the Homonculus to deal with. The Demon Queen.

So uncreative? Ixquic is... uncreative?

That hurts more than most other insults would. Akari spent a lot of her life creating Ixquic, even before she had a Persona - before she knew that there was such a thing as a Persona. Nettled, Ixquic shoots back, "Well at least I didn't copy my SCHOOL UNIFORM," on seeing Diwzhat's dark mirror outfit.

That was not the best rebuttal in the world.

Recovering, Ixquic draws herself up. "I'm the hero Ixquic! And I don't care what you think. You're just copying, and stealing! You don't even know how to make art. You're the inc - in - " Akari stumbles, but manages the right word: "Incarnation of the mindset that tried to force Motojima-chan to give it up!" She saw that picture, after all.

"You wouldn't know creativity if it kicked you in the butt! And that's exactly what I'm going to do to you! QUIXOTE!"

Quixote, the motorcycle-like centauride, appears out of a burst of blue flame and glass, already tearing through the crowds of Humours. She spins out, lashing out with her sword in all directions in a wide arc, and Ixquic follows her in, charging and slashing who Quixote misses! Even a crossbow bolt won't slow her down much - she's so hyped up that, when she smashes it with her sword so hard it shatters into splinters, she only staggers rather than stumbling. 

AS: Akari Hoshi spends Limit on Exploit! Akari Hoshi can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Akari Hoshi has used the Slash skill Mind Slice on Diwzhat!
AS: Tandem! Akari Hoshi has used the Slash skill Dual Slice on Diwzhat! 2 Hits!

<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.

Yukari asks, and Fuuka passes the information along. She nods - she'd like to get this over with, too. And as Fuuka helps try to cut open the Cocoon, Yukari provides support. The Rakukaja flashes over Lucia, making her protective globe even sturdier.

"Thank you, Yukari-chan. And... yes. We'll have to be mindful of what they're all capable of..." Fuuka agrees. They aren't SEES heavy-hitters. This isn't either of their specialties... but right now, they just have to do what they can with what they have.

"That's not what I..." Fuuka starts her protest, shaking her head. Isn't it, though? By necessity, freeing Kazusa means stopping the Homunculus. In the end, they still have to choose which one to preserve. "Even if we... didn't get along, she still deserves to live, too."

They strike at the Cocoon, and the Cocoon begins to rock. She remembers the last time this happened... but unlike last time...

"...Wait... is that a Persona?" Fuuka gasps. She can feel the surge of Resonance, see it take form - and then the Cocoon explodes outward in blue flames.

"Motojima-san!" Fuuka calls out. "She's Awakened...!"

Kazusa attacks her Homunculus - and her Homunculus reacts in anger. The tower shakes, the roof shatters apart... and the Homunculus transforms. So does Kazusa, too.

"The Humors...!" Fuuka gasps, as the Homunculus - as Diwzhat - transforms them through those wires. The Humor-turned-Knights attack, Scepters smashing against Lucia's globe. Fuuka winces... but thankfully, thanks to Yukari's Rakukaja, none of their attacks find significant purchase. This gives her time to focus.

"Everyone, I'll analyze her attack patterns! I'll inform you if there's anything to be aware of." Fuuka announces. She turns her attention toward Diwzhat, studying her intently - trying to make sense of her aura, and determine through it what methods she's most likely to use to attack. 

AS: Persona! Fuuka Yamagishi has used the Almighty skill Divination on Diwzhat!
AS: Insight: Fuuka Yamagishi gains 1 Limit!
AS: Avoid Best! Diwzhat takes 124 Slash damage from Akari Hoshi's Mind Slice. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Panic (Damage when using Persona/Tandem!) added! Charm removed! Explosion! 75 damage!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Diwzhat takes 69 Slash damage from Akari Hoshi's Dual Slice. Weak!
AS: Avoid Worst! Diwzhat takes 102 Slash damage from Akari Hoshi's Dual Slice. Weak!

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.

"... Hopefully no Kappas." Yukari finishes to what Fuuka says of what they're capable of. That would really be the worst. Especially without the rest of SEES present.

Kanae and Isabeau are really going at it back and forth aren't they? "Hey you realize we're here to fight a powerful Shadow, right? Maybe stop snapping at each other and focus in."

Whereas so too do Noir and Queen, "Oh- the Phantom Thieves are here!?" She's not certain what to think about that, but- then Noir produces- "Whoa hey! What- is that!"
 
BOOM!
 
"... I can't believe 'The Beauty Thief' has a grenade launcher..."
 
She seemed so nice, albeit a little spacy about social things...
 
 The Homunculus is getting more and more erratic though, and Yukari glowers at it as if unimpressed, "You realize that saying she's a has-been is admitting you're not her, right? Geez you're way stupider than the last Homunculus we fought..."

Then the cocoon rocks, before bursting apart in an explosion of Blue Flames, and Yukari is taken aback, "Whoa! That didn't happen last time. Does that mean-" She proves that one in short order as Fuuka calls it out. "Amazing..."

The Homunculus rages, and Yukari eyes it, "You do realize you already admitted you're not the real one, right?" She sighs, but it's crackling with energy, and she backs up. "Some perfect angel you are when you're throwing a tantrum like a little kid!"

And then, it transforms just like last time, and she keeps on backpeddling, squeezing her eyes shut and only opening it when the swelling flash of power fades.

"Look who's talking..." She grimaces at its speech, as Melanc humors charge, and a blunt object comes down, as she jukes to the side, its impact rolling off the bow she brought up to guard, before she puts an arrow right into its head at point blank.

She then double takes as Kanae changes her Persona, "Wait... she's just like..." She trails off, not quite saying it. Before putting her Evoker to her head and pulling the trigger, "Persona!"

Io appears anew, and suddenly begins pounding Diwzhat with one pounding column of ever-shifting winds after the next. "Take the time you need Fuuka-chan! I'll keep it busy for you!"

AS: Persona! Yukari Takeba has used the Wind skill Consecutive Garula on Diwzhat! 2 Hits!
AS: Yukari Takeba regains 3 SP from Invigorate!
AS: Yukari Takeba spends Limit on Shift! Fuuka Yamagishi can use another Weak skill this round!  They both receive 8 SP
and 30 HP!

<Pose Tracker> Roger has posed.

    Roger moves to square up with Ixquic and Hazuki as the Cocoon finally bursts - unveiling a Kazusa who asserts who she wants to be. Like he's seen Hazuki do, like he himself did, and he's all smiles and cheers.
 
     "Motojima-san...! It's you!" He says, joyfully - but it's short-lived, as the Homunculus fights back all the harder, taking a more frightful form and... trying to overtake Kazusa anew?!
 
     (Also, he's not sure if he likes being called cuter than Pernelle. A Homunculus' praise feels... weird, and off, to a natural enemy like a Sanguin Humor. This means he should hit on it more. With a tennis racquet. Obviously.)
 
     "How dare you!!" Roger snorts, livid, angry, stopping and dragging a foot like he's ready to charge into them like an angry boar. "You don't get to determine what Kotojima-san is or does! That's for her and her alone!" He does start trying to rush in there--
 
     Only to be met with blades. So many blades. He squirms, shrieks, and hops comedically a few times as he's poked by them, before being caught in a crowd-surfing situation and thrown back with briefly funny spiral-eyes.
 
     "Eeeee..." He gets up. "I don't know what to make of this. I've never really thought about what happens when a Homunculus decides to change someone into something else..." He lightens up. "But I believe in Motojima-san! ...And all the friends who have come to play with her!"
 
     There's that blue butterfly again, which gets swatted with the racquet into tiny little motes of light as the colorfully clad Kamapua'a appears.
 
     "Let's play together!" Roger calls, as the Persona emanates a rousing wave - with capital letters, it is literally called Rousing Wave - along himself, Ixquic, Tsumugi, and Pernelle. (informally, we are pretending Hazuki gets this too.) 

AS: Persona! Roger has used the Recovery skill Rousing Wave on Roger, Akari Hoshi, Tsumugi Kujaku, and Pernelle!
AS: Support: Roger gains 1 Limit!
AS: Roger regains 3 SP from Invigorate!
AS: Take! Pernelle takes 0 Recovery healing from Roger's Rousing Wave.
AS: Spd_Up (Avoid Improved!) added!
AS: Take! Roger takes 0 Recovery healing from Roger's Rousing Wave.
AS: Def_Up (Block Improved!) added!
AS: Take! Akari Hoshi takes 0 Recovery healing from Roger's Rousing Wave.
AS: Spd_Up (Avoid Improved!) added!
AS: Take! Tsumugi Kujaku takes 0 Recovery healing from Roger's Rousing Wave.
AS: Spd_Up (Avoid Improved!) added!

<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.

For what it is, Noir's grenade launcher is unfortunately rather ineffective against the might of the Homunculus. Perhaps the axe would have been more suitable? Even still, she feels herself invigorated by Belle's empowering magic -- as someone else who relates more to the real Kazusa than it may initially seem. "I have to agree, Queen. Not just in terms of strength, but knowledge, too..." Noir nods, even as she prepares herself for any counterattacks from the Homunculus. "We'll just have to do what we can, hmm?"

"Hehe. Not to worry, we're not here to steal this show." Noir shoots back to Kanae as she challenges the Phantom Thieves. Her tone is almost playful and teasing. "Let's see what you can do~" As for Isabeau's question... "I"m afraid we choose our battles far more wisely than solely through forums. We're here because... there's something we can do. Right, Queen?"

The Homunculus continues to insist she is Kazusa - only for the real Kazusa to make her arrival and confront the imposter - as if she'd never needed saving at all. Noir for one, is impressed by her resolve. But there's little time to stand in awe, as the Homunculus reveals her true, angelic form. At the same time, the guards begin charging in with their blades! Unfortunately, Haru finds herself at weapon triangle disadvantage, unable to brandish her axe quickly enough to avoid a deep cut through her arm, pushing her back. "You should... try being more honest with yourself." Noir comments, while struggling back up. "If you ask me, that's a cute look for you!" The Homoculus may take that as an insult or compliment as she wishes.

"But if you don't want to play nice... then come, Milady!" Noir calls her own Persona, shielding her from any further attacks from the guards. Unfortunately, gun attacks didn't seem to work, so... "Belle, are you ready? Let's strike together, shall we?" Noir raises her arm towards the Demon Queen, commanding Milady. "Let's start with a Furious Psi!" Bolts of psychic energy fly towards the angelic monster. 

AS: Persona! Haru Okumura has used the Elec skill Furious Psi on Diwzhat! 3 Hits!
AS: Pressure: Haru Okumura gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.

    A sudden surge of...almost spiritual energy erupts from the cocoon. Soon, the real Motojima-senpai has cracked from it like an egg. Or, well. A cocoon, I guess. Like a beautiful butterfly. She has a Persona too... It's lovely to see a comrade then. (Even if the transformation does make Kasumi feel a little one-up! Hehe.)

    "Motojima-senpai!" Belle calls, waving her hand. "Looking good! Let's expel this Homoculus together~!"

    Belle returns her attention back to the Homunculus. She does a cartwheel to dodge the blade slash comes at her. Then, she brings her hand back up to her mask. "You don't need to be an angel to be worthy of being saved! You're stronger than mere imitation, Motojima-senpai! We won't let you get overwhelmed!"

    Noir calls out a combo attack, and Belle is happy to oblige. "You got it, Noir!" She tears her mask away. "Cendrillon, let us dance!" The crystaline princess blesses Belle's rapier, who then dives into the fray! She disarms several shadows as she moves into the pack. Then, along with Noir's support, Belle lifts herself into the air as light energy strikes the area around her.

<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.

To hit a target of the threads' size from such a distance was an onerous task at best. To avoid hitting the rest of her allies - amongst which she only recognised Hazuki, Roger, and Ixquic - was almost impossible for someone as inexperienced as her. Katsuko cursed at herself silently, making a quiet vow to get some practice in on moving targets once the day was done, and began to evaluate her options instead. She breathed deep, steadied her aim, stilled her mind, and scanned her eyes across the battlefield as quickly as she could.

The first fact that became clear was that her rifle was little more than a heavy, short-range telescope. She had eyes on the target, and supposed that - if pressed - she could hit it. The risk that she would hit someone else that had insisted on drawing close to the thread was untenable. Thus, ranged attacks from her weapon were discounted as an immediate option. The second was that her hammer would be of little use. Melee was not her speciality at the best of times, but to use it in an attempt at severing the thread was foolishness.

The third fact that became apparent was that, in spite of her deducing that using a narrow warhammer against such a foe was a bad idea on her part, she was still a fool. It took seeing Ixquic slash at the thread for her to realise that - in all likelihood - a cutting blow was what she needed. From there, she had a fact she could form actions upon - but not before shouting "Nice one!" at Ixquic's attack. Katsuko was cold and calculating, never speaking unless necessary. Grim, however? Grim was... slightly less that.

The fourth fact was that, as she began to examine her circumstances a little more closely, she recognised someone else there. She did not recognise that Skull was Ryuji, of course. But she did recognise that Skull was someone that had ended a previous fight out cold and treasureless.
"We meet again!" She called out, as that familiar Persona sailed into the fray. There was no real joy or passion to her voice - simply an acknowledgement they'd met before. "Try to stay awake for this one!" That one contained something that almost approached the concept of mirth. It was also quiet enough that only those immediately next to her would hear it.

The fifth fact... was that there was a bird there. A peacock, to be more precise.
"Is that a bird?" She asked, momentarily forgetting the rather avian-inspired look her own costume gave her. "Why is a bird-" The reason for the bird's presence there became immediately apparent. was a remarkably capable fighter. Finding the taste of humble pie not to her liking, Grim decided to swallow whatever questions she had and save them for another time. Birds could be questioned on their nature and motivations when lives were not immediately on the line.

Darkness, fire, guns, and blades - all had their place, but before she could assess the state of her armoury, Grim saw a spectacle that burnt itself into her mind with awe-inspiring agility. Deft movements and flowing ribbons, fabrics manipulated into a dazzling array of shapes and motions, a figure clad in vivid technicolour... Kazusa's awakening forced Grim to lower the scope of her rifle, so that she could behold it with her own eyes.
"Motojima-san..." She muttered, praying that nobody could hear the awe that wound its way into her quiet voice. "So this is your conviction..."

The rifle clicked back into place moments later, however. The Homunculus, though thwarted in one sense, still lingered. Grim could only sneer at the thing from the void of her hood, her face contorting into shapes even she was not sure she'd ever made before. Even as the world was torn asunder, even as the roof heaved into the void and winds bit at her like a maelstrom of honed blades, Grim held fast. Pain wracked her body, and she felt as though - even behind cover - she would find herself tossed into the ether by the storm.

But disgust... that ruled above all else.

"Real?" Grim said. She almost spat the words out - those paying close attention to her might have even been able to hear a difference in her tone. An acidic one that left the air past her mask burning with the utter contempt she felt for the Homunculus, and all that it stood for. "You're not real. You're *nothing.* You're a caricature of what Motojima-san was. You're a disgrace. You will die as you lived - alone, and ashamed." Before she could execute the thing that stood before her and bring an unceremonious end to the nightmare, an army rose to meet them.

"You would call Ixquic uncreative?" Grim said again, her words still stained by acid. "I have seen her work. And I see yours. You... I find you wanting." Grim paused. No - she couldn't get invested in this. She couldn't take things personally. She had to keep a level head. She did not know why she felt the fires of passion spark in her mind, but she snuffed them out as soon as she found them, unwilling to reflect on them in the there and then. There would be time later - she had to act now.

Grim attempted to take aim, but the second she did - the very moment she blinked - a crossbow bolt from the blue streaked through the air. She tried to throw herself out of the way, but she was no athlete on Kazusa or Belle's level. Even with the supernatural realm's bolstering nature, the bolt hammered against her chest, and struck the air from her lungs before she crumpled unceremoniously to the floor. The strike ached, and she was more than certain it would bruise, but she needed focus. She needed power. She needed to finish the job, so that she could focus on her own.

"I care not what form you take." She snarled at the shifting mass the Homunculus had become. "Devil, angel, human or beast... You will not escape our justice." Dantes, like some vengeful wraith ascending from its grave, arose from the shadows stretching out from Grim's form. "And Motojima-san... Don't you *dare* give in to this... thing. Where is your will? Where is your wit? Where is the REAL you?! I have seen the truth of you, and it isn't what this thing, your father, or anyone else has forced on you!" With her last word, Katsuko sent the wrathful spirit forward, its sabre arcing down in a vicious, flesh-rending, strike. 

AS: Tandem! Kasumi Yoshizawa has used the Light skill Let Us Dance! on Diwzhat! 3 Hits!
AS: Persona! Katsuko Yoshinaga has used the Slash skill Executioner on Diwzhat!
AS: Aggression: Katsuko Yoshinaga gains 1 Limit!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga regains 15 HP from Regenerate!

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    Queen smirks, watching the Homunculus starts marching toward her, hands on Johanna's handle bars- and then the threads snap. "You really are easy to bait," she says- maybe her tactic in the real world paid off.

    "...Skull. Focus on the beatdown, we don't need the acting."

    Still, the soldiers are striking out, and Queen attempts to block a slash with her tekko- but she can only block so many and there's a whole lot of them, and she catches a slash across her midsection with a grunt. That's a minor of weakness for Johanna, if she's not moving, she takes a little too long to get moving. Tsk.

    "Not just imperfect," Queen responds, coldly. "It was frankly insulting to both the real Motojima-san and the people around her." Isabeau asks about why she's there, though- and Queen remembers what Joker had her do the first time they encountered the Wild Hunt. "I think Noir has given you all the hints you're getting today, Fontaine-san."

    Kanae compliments the Phantom Thieves teamwork, and Queen seems momentarily surprised- but she has noticed how easily they slot together. "We're not here for a competition. We're here to put down a Shadow."

    Indeed, it's Yukari who is first to point out to Isabeau and Kanae to work together. "She's right, if you two are going to compete, do it on your own time." There's a certain aura coming off the Queen of the Phantom Thieves right now. "But if anyone here suffers because you two are screwing around trying to one up each other, I won't show any mercy." Look Skull, she directs at other people too! You're not the one receiving the Queen's rage today! Instead, Queen looks to Yukari and Fuuka again. "If you two can provide support, we can serve as the front line. Do we have a deal?" She doesn't know much about SEES yet, but she's seen Yukari in Palaces before, and her friend is working with her.

    It's only now she realizes- Belle is calling Kazusa Motojima-senpai, not Motojima-san. That's. That's not good. "Belle, focus!" Queen calls out, and as best as she can, gestures with her finger across her through to the rythmic gymnast- it's what Joker would do, right? That's how she gets the point across, maybe Belle can understand it. The Phantom Thieves haven't been identified yet, but there's enough Shujin students here to make a connection if they're careless. "Save the cheering for Motojima-*san* for later. We're on a battlefield." Please, Belle, understand her emphasis. There's things at stake.

    Still, the horrible angel, the Hypocrite, looms large over the battlefield. "An angel, huh? That's what's you're going with now?" Queen lets out a derisive laugh. "You're no angel- you don't have the care or the backbone for it." Queen reaches her hand up to her mask- and rips it away bloodily, revealing a black void with two yellow eyes staring out from under it, blood dripping down her face. She revs Johanna's engine, and when they roar an Aura of fear comes off of Queen and the Personacycle both, towards the soldiers- and towards the Angel, as Queen's normally imposing aura is enhanced by the power of her spell into a concetrated blast of panic, fear, and nausea. "Now sit down, Princess," Queen says, her voice carrying that same aura as the spell she's casting. "The Queen is here to administer your punishment. Makajama!" 

AS: Persona! Makoto Niijima has used the Almighty skill Makajama on Diwzhat!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Almighty damage from Fuuka Yamagishi's Divination.
AS: Atk_Dn (Damage down!) added!
AS: Fuuka Yamagishi's Support Scan! Diwzhat has passive skills Auto-Rakukaja, Block Pierce, Block Strike, Light Boost,
Peerless Skill, and Slash Boost!

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.

    Tamaki can't take full credit for the name 'Aeolia'. Someone else's influence echoes on through her, and it shows in their vessel.

    Umie's advice has given her much to think about in the meantime. Her thoughts on the nature of cooperation have been quietly percolating since. She extends a hand to Yukari and Fuuka as they express their concerns. "SEES! I've got your backs! You play your parts, and we'll play ours!"

    Yanagi also says that Peacock Silk (so Tamaki gathers) is there to see the princess, too. "Nagisa-san! Good to see you!" Tamaki waves, which causes the gemstones on her sabre's hilt to catch the light.

    Their purposes differ, however. The boutique no doubt would like the materials left behind, but Tamaki has a different reason in mind. (More on that later, though.)

    Saika's outburst about kintsugi causes Tamaki to stagger hard enough she has to regain her balance. She's no stranger to the concept, in fact. "Ack! -- ahem. Care to elaborate on that?"

    (She had pizza, too. No doubt this has something to do with why Tamaki attempts to strike up conversation with Saika.)

    Whose fault is it that this Homunculus moved fast, Roger? Well, recall that it was Tamaki who had informed the play-loving piglike Shadow of its existence in the first place.

    Whoops.

    Kazusa breaks out of her prison and is remade; the Demon Queen returns in a blaze of glory! Likewise, the pretender angel now towers over the group, causing Tamaki to tilt her head up to look.

    There's so much that Tamaki wants to discuss with the Shujin student, but now hardly seems like the time or place for it.

    The gambit for Arianrhod to draw attention worked -- albeit all too well. For Tamaki's trouble, her Persona takes the full onslaught of a volley of crossbow bolts. To unsummon Arianrhod or to step out from behind her would be to put her own body in danger. She's left reeling as a Persona Break forcibly dissipates her other self's form.

    The apprentice detective points her blade up and pulls it in close, then levels it at the angelic Diwzhat, keeping it point-in-line: a salute. Rather than drop into proper fencing form, she places a hand over her chest and bows in towering Homunculus' presence. "May I have this dance?"

    With a quick glance to Kasumi and Cendrillon, Tamaki adds, " -- well, after them."

    'I won't quit. I can't quit.' 'I'M ME!' Just as Umie had said earlier, everyone gets a chance to grow even beyond high school. "Then don't quit. Everyone wants to better than they are," Tamaki offers to the towering Homunculus with a plaintive smile. "I'm no different."

    The eight winds cannot move me? ... Nonsense.
    
    "Your roles are, however, reversed: she is the main melody, you are the accompaniment." Tamaki drops down into proper fencing form and lunges towards the encroaching royal guard.

    "On a related note, Mitsuhide-san." Tamaki gives her a firm nod. "I think you know what to do." Arianrhod, in turn, points her blade towards Diwzhat and makes proclamations in a strange tongue, priming her with a set of cornering curses, forbidding her from certain actions, denying her her strengths.

AS: Tamaki Uchida spends Limit on Exploit! Tamaki Uchida can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Weapon! Tamaki Uchida has used the Pierce skill Pinning Lunge on Diwzhat! 2 Hits!
AS: Ruin: Tamaki Uchida gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Tsumugi Kujaku has posed.

With Yanagi settling in the back to provide backup and support, Tsumugi's lidded, burning gaze turns to her for a brief moment.

"..."

After the next, it slides back. Not to the Cocoon, as if perhaps confident in the fact that the others will do their work for them in breaking it open; instead, that searing-yet-placid gaze focuses solely upon the Homunculus, as its composure starts to crack. In the distance, they hear their name uttered by a familiar voice. That shallow, distant smile touches brief on the corners of Tsumugi's lips.

"Valued client," they greet Umie. Just in case. After all... they're a professional.

It's the unfamiliar voice that addresses them that catches their eye; Isabeau might see the way said piercing-bright red eye tilts to look over the tailor's shoulder her way, for a brief moment, as she asks her question. Jekyll, too, tilts its head with the whirr-clack of gears and metal and chiming ceramic, briefly looking her way.

Does it linger when she hitches over the word 'zoo', the exact moment she doesn't manage to perfectly seize the coolness of the moment with the word for 'menagerie'?

"Hmmm."

Tsumugi and Jekyll's gaze both affix once more on the Homunculus.

"The only thing I'm hunting for is freedom."

Leaving just that cryptic answer for Isabeau to take or leave as she will, as their attention turns to watch the fracturing of the Homunculus' confidence in time with the rupturing of its Cocoon.

"That's too bad," they say as their head tilts, their words an echo of their last and only meeting with the Homunculus wearing Kazusa Motojima's skin.

"I told you before, didn't I?"

They can feel it, just like they felt it before. With Saika. With Yanagi. The potential even in Roger, that most curious creature.

"It doesn't matter what you want, or who deserves it more. There's nothing here for someone like you. After all... you don't have it."

The threads fray. And within the Cocoon, gouts of blue flame spurt and burst.

"'The will to change.'"

Kazusa Motojima frees herself in all her Transmuted splendor. And as the Princess reasserts control over her domain once more--

-=CLAK=-

the echo of heels striking ground near her rings out in the aftermath of her attack as there stands Tsumugi, hands behind their back, gaze turned on the fallen Homunculus.

"Hello, Princess," they calmly, casually address Kazusa - the real Kazusa. Their gaze tilts her way, thoughtful. And their voice, though deadpan as always, somehow carries a playful lilt to it as they offer her,

"Welcome to your first day of freedom~."

her welcome to her first day as a true human being.

"Now it's time to fight for it."

It's a greeting that might have more to it -- but there's no time for that. The Homunculus, unmoored from the Atelier, shifts. Changes. Tsumugi stares at eyes no longer yellow, but brilliantly ruby red, and a smile touches dark marble lips.

"Pernelle. Saika. It's time."

A second later, Diwzhat fully manifests in all its wrong, featureless glory. Tsumugi takes in the many-faced flourish of those wings with that signature stoicism, red eyes narrowing fractionally as something glints between their fingers.

And as the freshly-forged minions of Diwzhat lash out, Tsumugi springs -- a second too late to keep themself from getting swiped by the broad side of a knight's sword, powerful enough to knock them back and through the air, punching into the ground with a calamitous -SMASH- of impact that kicks up so much dust and debris as Diwzhat levels its baleful mark upon Kazusa.

The blow was sudden. Painful.

"... haha..."

Thrilling.

Tsumugi is unseen in the dust field for a few brief moments, even as Roger's bolstering magic lace through them. But Jekyll? Jekyll suddenly, oddly, twists its head to the right, as if reacting to something unseen. The monolithic automaton seizes up for a moment after, as if a statue.

And then the ceramic plates that make up its body start to distend as something back and bulbous oozes out from between the seams.

"And what's so wrong with a Demon Queen?"

A hideous screech rings out. And Jekyll bursts as something smaller, blacker, sleeker RIPS out of its stomach, tearing through the mass of servitors with flashes of toxic-sick greens and rusty reds -- straight for Tsumugi's crash site.

When the dust settles? Tsumugi is there, cradled in the arm of a black figure, its silhouette looking smaller than Jekyll, more feminine in figure, its body like a Victorian gentleman's attire crafted from inky black flesh than fabric or even Jekyll's ceramic. Its face has no eyes, as if covered by the organic tophat it wears. It is disturbingly beautiful, right down to the tails of its coat... each possessing a giant, blinking eye that looks like a peacock's 'eyes' taken wholly, disturbingly literally, each burning bright as they look this way and that.

Tsumugi themself looks different, too: half-draped on the arm of their new, strange Persona, their pants now bare mesh hip cutouts; their hair is longer and wilder, the undersides of each strand a glowing gradient that stretches from gold towards a beautiful, radiant scarlet...

... and that tailcoat they wear has been blown open, leaving their pale, marble torso completely bear save for the wrappings binding their chest made out of religious scrolls inked with various texts and maxims in latin... most prominent of which being the one scrawled across the center:

                  DO AS THOU WILT IS THE WHOLE OF THE LAW

"To me..."

Gloved fingers press together.

"... that's much more interesting than an empty statue~!"

And Tsumugi's shockingly joyful refrain is joined by the SNAP of their fingers, whereupon every blow struck by Hyde on its route towards Tsumugi EXPLODES into beautiful, poisonous ruptures across the battlefield. 

AS: Persona! Tsumugi Kujaku has used the Slash skill Blight on Diwzhat!
AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Almighty skill Threefold Tynghedau on Diwzhat!
AS: Avoid Worst! Diwzhat takes 104 Wind damage from Yukari Takeba's Consecutive Garula.
AS: Avoid Best! Diwzhat takes 44 Wind damage from Yukari Takeba's Consecutive Garula. Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.

Pernelle's plumage nearly sparkles as Isabeau laughs in delight at his appearance. Does he know she's mocking him?? All he has heard is that his voice is exactly as it should be, and that he is adorable -- his favorite thing to be called!

"Just so!" he tells her proudly, his chest puffed up in peacock pride. "I am as I ought to be, sound and all! And quite adorable, I am most pleased you've taken notice."

And then... an Awakening. Pernelle sweeps a bow out to Kazusa as she finds her resolve on the stage of her own Atelier. "A fine wish, Princess. Reclaim what is yours. With violence!"

The Homunculus declares Pernelle is not as cute as the pig, however, and Pernelle turns to Roger, enthusing with twice the sparkle, "Roger! Did you hear? Your adorable appeal has also been noticed!" He pauses. "I know she is a heartless Homunculus, but I think you should be permitted to relish the compliment regardless! It is the wolf's approval that is an insult, I should think!"

Then those eyes turn ruby red, and Pernelle quiet, beginning to vibrate with excitement. "There," he whispers, pushing his glasses back up onto his beak. Tsumugi affirms what he must do.

Katsuko asks if there is a bird. "That is a bird!" declares the bird. "And why not is a bird? Ha, HA! But surely you understand, my most raptorial relative!"

Look alive, Pernelle! There knights to defend the princess here, charging with their blades. They strike true against the peacock, and Pernelle spins dramatically, wing extended up to the air. "Oh! What loyal knights are these to lay down their lives in defense of their liar of a lady!"

His twirl slows, threatening to stop and collapse, until Roger hits him with Rousing Wave. The twirl gains speed until Pernelle is a whirlwind of feathers. "Anqaaaaaaaa," he calls in his glorious spinning, and his Persona joins him in this ill advised vortex.

They come to a sudden halt as Anqa dips Pernelle in a flourish as he winks at Diwzhat.

Anqa's seams rip open as she explodes with white-blue nuclear fire.

Twice.

AS: Persona! Pernelle has used the Fire skill Frei Frei on Diwzhat! 2 Hits!
AS: Counter Best! Diwzhat takes 53 Light damage from Kasumi Yoshizawa's Let Us Dance!.
AS: COUNTER! Kasumi Yoshizawa takes 21 Light damage in return for her attack! Resist!
AS: Counter Best! Diwzhat takes 78 Light damage from Kasumi Yoshizawa's Let Us Dance!. Critical Hit!
AS: COUNTER! Kasumi Yoshizawa takes 31 Light damage in return for her attack! Resist!
AS: Counter Neutral! Diwzhat takes 66 Light damage from Kasumi Yoshizawa's Let Us Dance!.
AS: COUNTER! Kasumi Yoshizawa takes 13 Light damage in return for her attack! Resist!
AS: Avoid Worst! Diwzhat takes 182 Slash damage from Katsuko Yoshinaga's Executioner. Weak!

<Pose Tracker> Saika Kikuchi has posed.

 
Saika's immediate response to the Homunculus, one that is generated entirely by her brainstem without the active involvement of her higher thinking centers, is "Your mom thinks I'm cool!"

Saika doesn't think about it. Thinking is important but it can get in the way when it's time for action. This is a time for action. The roof cracks and falls apart; space expands to engulf them, removing their illusions of confinement and limitations. Saika's jaw tenses as the Homunculus reveals itself.

She is rushed, outnumbered by a dozen to one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=onlzPQS8lP4

Saika ducks, she weaves, she sweeps the leg. She yields ground, yeah, a couple of paces, approximately towards Pernelle, and one of the thrusting knights gets a favorable angle and puts a slice along her shoulder, which makes her hiss before she shouts, "PREDICTABLE!" and smashes that Flegmat's helmet in with a half-dozen quick palm strikes!

After rolling her shoulders, Saika goes so far as to make a come-on gesture. "Izzat right?" she answers Isabeau, punctuated by a knight who made the exact same charge as the last five (there's a different pattern in the other seven). That knight gets intercepted with a shoulder-check, rising leap, and a power-bomb into a grunchy piece of the flooring!

And it is NOW that she can see, her attention is towards Kazusa. Saika says nothing as she grins. Well, other than kicking off the fourteenth knight to just come at her -

Which means she's momentarily on a handstand near Tsumugi and Pernelle, even as she inverts herself with a hup and a hand on the bloody-bandaged wound(?) on her side.

"Get her!" Saika calls to Kazusa, before clucking her tongue. "I hate to hand it to the Homunculus but there's something to be said for all these swarm tactics. Let me try to punch her a hole --" A hand comes up to the side of her head. "Come on, Monster, and--"

Despite the darkness of space, thunder rumbles and roars -- and then lightning bolts krack down out of the voice, once, thrice, five times! Smashing bolts not *at* Kazusa, far from it, but in the general path she seemed to be heading.

"So what you were saying about loyalty - isn't fulfilling it with stuff like that *really* the best way to bring it to fruitfulness, Pernelle? What do you think? Kind of a trad poetry, the beauty of the blossom is in its death on some island somewhere, sort of thing. Dead guys in the jungle!" 

AS: Persona! Saika Kikuchi has used the Elec skill Rapid Zio on Diwzhat! 3 Hits!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    Kintsugi. "You could just define it right here," Umie answers Saika, with a blink, "unless this is one of those new online internet games?"

    (.... that would be a game Umie might dip her toe into.)

    Isabeau, on revealing she faced the tower alone, may have scored a point or two if she didn't immediately waste it on her words to Kanae. ".... Maybe you should be nicer to people who may have been looking for you," Umie snaps.

    --oh right, she's wearing a mask, Umie remembers. Wellllll, better use it to her advantage, and be glad it confirm she didn't screw it up yet. "How about putting that lonely experience of yours to good use, Isabeau Fontaine, before you become possessed by an overabundance of ego." (The hypocrite says what?) "Don't go blasting your mouth at everyone around you while blasting Megido at everything else."

    'I'm not worth it!' "If complete annihilation was the natural fate of all high school bullies, the world'd be lacking in saints," Umie says now, to another young woman who has terrorized Shujin High, but is now trapped. "You should really thank your friends, as well as your brother-- if you can't come out because of shame, break out for them."

    And do it quickly, before this year's crop of apples is finished....

    Kazusa answers, more fully than Umie was anticipating. "Just like with Roger..." She casts a look towards Fuuka, who confirms.

    "... Wasting your life on being the person everyone wants, is how you get into a position of being valued by the people you yourself dislike." This is thrown to the fake Kazusa, as she begins to transform.

    Angel or devil? Perhaps it's in the eye of the beholder.

    Looking up as the exposed black sky, Umie sees the eclipsed 'Sister Star'. ".... I'm beginning to see just where our 'figurines' might come into play here..." She gives Tamaki a worried frown. "And I'm hoping my hunch is wrong, here."

    A quick duck is all Umie can manage when something shoots past her-- an arrow, in this case. "What do you think I am, a bird?!" she launches back.

    A crisp strifled gasp at Tsumugi; Umie presses backwards a few steps experimentally, unsure of where the tides of battle may lead next.

    However, Queen is not the only one strategizing on the field, as Tamaki gives a 'Mitsuhide-san' to do what she does best.

    Umie's lips stretch in a mischievous, open-mouthed grin. "Be a real shame to turn this battlefield upsidedown, wouldn't it?"

    The Badb answers Umie's call as the jacketed blonde shifts from the role of 'advice senpai???' to 'general gremlin'.

    "The time is nearly here." She points a dark red fingernail. "You're in for a rough night~." 

AS: Umie Akabane spends Limit on Exploit! Umie Akabane can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Almighty damage from Makoto Niijima's Makajama.
AS: Sick (SP Damage on end of turn!) added!
AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Almighty skill Hooded Smile on Diwzhat!
AS: Ruin: Umie Akabane gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Dark skill Mudo on Diwzhat!
AS: Umie Akabane regains 3 SP from Invigorate!
AS: Block Best! Diwzhat takes 14 Pierce damage from Tamaki Uchida's Pinning Lunge. Critical Hit! Resist! Block Pierce!
AS: Paralyze (Physical and Avoid Penalized!) added! Blast removed! Explosion! 120 damage!
AS: Block Best! Diwzhat takes 8 Pierce damage from Tamaki Uchida's Pinning Lunge. Resist! Block Pierce!
AS: Blast removed! Explosion! 120 damage!
AS: Avoid Worst! Diwzhat takes 233 Slash damage from Tsumugi Kujaku's Blight. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Poison (Damage on end of turn!) added! Sick removed! Explosion! 75 damage!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Almighty damage from Tamaki Uchida's Threefold Tynghedau.
AS: Pain (Attacker takes damage on healing and PL 0 attacks!) and Poison (Damage on end of turn!) added!
AS: Avoid Worst! Diwzhat takes 45 Elec damage from Haru Okumura's Furious Psi. Weak!
AS: Avoid Worst! Diwzhat takes 45 Elec damage from Haru Okumura's Furious Psi. Weak!
AS: Avoid Best! Diwzhat takes 20 Elec damage from Haru Okumura's Furious Psi. Weak!
AS: Avoid Worst! Diwzhat takes 74 Fire damage from Pernelle's Frei Frei.
AS: Avoid Best! Diwzhat takes 47 Fire damage from Pernelle's Frei Frei. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Worst! Diwzhat takes 37 Elec damage from Saika Kikuchi's Rapid Zio. Weak!
AS: Avoid Best! Diwzhat takes 17 Elec damage from Saika Kikuchi's Rapid Zio. Weak!
AS: Avoid Worst! Diwzhat takes 37 Elec damage from Saika Kikuchi's Rapid Zio. Weak!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Almighty damage from Umie Akabane's Hooded Smile.
AS: Avoid Worst! Diwzhat takes 196 Dark damage from Umie Akabane's Mudo. Critical Hit!
AS: Haru Okumura spends Limit on Shift! Ryuji Sakamoto can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Ryuji Sakamoto spends Limit on Shift! Haru Okumura can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Roger spends Limit on Shift! Akari Hoshi can use another Weak skill this round!  They both receive 8 SP and 30 HP!
AS: Roger spends Limit on Shift! Pernelle can use another Weak skill this round!  They both receive 8 SP and 30 HP!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga spends Limit on Exploit! Katsuko Yoshinaga can use another Weak skill this round!

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.

'Motojima-san! We're with you!' Kazusa looks to the others and tenses, like she's only really noticed them for the first time just now. There are a lot of complex feelings being brought up here--she recognizes these faces, and to have other people see her at her most vulnerable... she feels that vain impulse to push them away, to insist that she didn't need their help, that they're helping her--

And pushes it down. Life or death battle first. Pride later.

She locks eyes with Hazuki for a moment, something making her feel pained at the sight of the other girl but she can't figure out why. Instead she turns her attention back to the Homunculus and just nods. "... Right."

The Homunculus insists she's the real one, and Kazusa scoffs. "You're nothing but a cheap knockoff!"

She recoils, bringing an arm up to shield herself as the Homunculus reaches to the sky, shattering the ceiling and transforming. "What the hell-- Is that an angel!?" She gasps and shrinks back as the wave of darkness comes for her next, staring at her hands in shock. "I... this..." She glares at the Homunculus, gritting her teeth. "Is that-- is that the best you can do!? Not very creative, are you!? And those guards?"

Kazusa scoffs, as if trying to play at not being impressed, but her wolf ears (somehow still there), very momentarily flatten as she takes in her transformed form.

Skull, you might not be alone in not understanding this place. Kazusa was trapped in here for a month and even she's not sure what the hell is going on--just that she know who took over her life.

But Isabeau has words for her, and Kazusa looks to her and frowns--there's that look, the same one that's always scrutinizing her for being loud, outspoken, and difficult. "Why do you have..." 'a spear', but she trails off at the advice. "... hmph. As if you're fit to judge me for my--" That's her reflexive, defensive response-- but she cuts that off. "... let's just get out of here alive. Tell me if you need healing." Maybe now is a good time for a truce.

Kanae brings up Wakana, and for that she does look grief striken for a moment. "I..." She remembers a conversation the Homunculus went to ahve with her, how Wakana reacted. "... just tell me she's okay," she says quietly. Wakana's been avoiding her lately.

Art has been freed, Akari, but it still needs to make it through the battle. But Kazusa stares at her, frowning. "... how do you know about my art..." No. Later. Definitely save that for later. "Ixquic... is... that mythological?"

Stare. "Is that centaur a motorcycle!?"

Fuuka calls out, and Kazusa looks surprised to see her--another face she can recognize in this crowd. "It's you..." She remebmers their interaction at the shop, what Fuuka tried to do for her at the con despite that. "..." She can't find many words, but when Fuuka says she'll call inform them of attack patterns... "... alright."

Kazusa doesn't recognize Yukari, though she won't question someone here to help-- "Wait is that a gun!?" she blurts out. Oh, its not the only one here. No, no. Later.

Roger sticks up for her--and then declares that people have come to play with her. "I-- does this look like playing to you!?" She'll be more grateful later, probably.

... For some reason pig mascots make her upset right now. She'll process that later, assuming she makes it out of this alive.

Kazusa will be surprised to find out she has in common Haru, when they inevitably talk later--though she doesn't recognize Haru now, of course.

Kasumi, though, calls her Motojima-senpai, and Kazusa gives her a confused look. "Have... we met...?" She ponders that for a moment then pushes that thought aside. "Whatever. If you're here to help, then whatever."

Katsuko, too, sticks up for her. Kazusa can't recognize her, of course, but wonders why she feels annoyed and puts it down to stress. "The real me--what are you talking about!? Just--shut up and keep fighting!"

Queen is someone else Kazusa does not--cannot--recognize, but Kazusa stares at that motorcycle Persona for a moment. That... is honestly kind of cool. No, focus, Kazusa. "She's no Princess!" Kazusa insists.

Both Kazuhiro and Kazusa herself might have interesting things to talk about with TAmaki later, but for right now, the battle must be engaged.

Tsumugi addresses her as Princess instead. Kazusa freezes up. She knows, vaguely, what this place is, and her relation to it. But to have someone address her that way, is... kind of embarrassing. And maybe a little cringe.

And yet that demon tail still wags, just a little, but it stops a moment later.

"... Freedom? Is that what you call this?" But after a moment she just nods as Tsumugi says she'll have to fight for it. "... right."

Pernelle bows, and invites her to take what is hers--with violence. Kazusa stares, for a moment. "So a talking pig and a talking peacock are in my palace and-- Sure. Okay. Fine." There is only so much she can process at once, and she' still reeling from becoming the literal Demon Queen.

Saika is doing a lot of impressive acrobatics and smashing of knights. Kazusa just gives her a nod as she says to get the Homunculus.

There is conversation around kintsugi. "Is now the time for talking about pottery?" she asks--or demands, depending on how you interpret the tone of her voice.

Umie speaks of becoming valued to people you dislike, and something about that rings painfully true to her.

"Whatever you think I am," she tells the Homunculus defiantly. "You're not the one who gets to judge me--you've done nothing but wreck my life while you were out there pretending to be me! So do me a favor and get lost!"

She throws her hand forward. "Mina Harker! Eiga!"

Mina Harker lifts her ashen, corrupted hand, as her left eye glows red, and a powerful beam of darkness tears down at the Homunuclus from above--but it is not pure darkness, for there are motes of light mixed within, a sign that the Persona's magic is not purely one thing or the other. 

AS: Persona! Kazusa Motojima has used the Dark skill Holy Eiga on Diwzhat!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Diwzhat takes 82 Dark damage from Kazusa Motojima's Holy Eiga.
AS: Bind (Magic and Avoid Penalized!) added! Haze removed! Explosion! 120 damage!

<Pose Tracker> Diwzhat has posed.

Ryuji's electricity strikes true, causing the angelic Diwzhat to recoil from the blast, shifting in the air, puppeted knights shifting with it. The angel shifts towards him, but does nothing yet.

Indeed, it does nothing as Isabeau, Kanae, and Ixquic carve through the knights with their blades, rending them and slaughtering them.

But it does speak that echo, once more.

((You fight for someone who could be so much more. I could be so much more. She'll never hit the mark.))

Fuuka peers into Diwzhat, and sees its patterns. Those cable wings are its way of interacting with the world, manipulating things, and flying. If they could be damaged, perhaps it could be grounded...

Yukari sends consecutive gusts of powerful wind forward, blasting into the angelic form, while Roger buffs his allies, declaring that Diwzhat can't declare for Kazusa.

((Then I shall be her.))

But Belle and Noir blast at the knights and angel, alongside Katsuko's slashes and Queen's Makajama. The knights scatter a bit, as Diwzhat looms overhead, wires seared.

((For I alone am worth it.))

Tamaki requests a dance, lunging into the guard. Her words barely faze it, though it seems frustrated.

Tsumugi's words, however, finally get the angel to turn, reacting as the slashes come in and cause it to reel backwards, cables spooling out.

((THEN I WILL CARVE THAT WILL FROM HER CORPSE!))

Hazuki hears this, spotting Tsumugi's transformation with wide eyes. She's been holding off knights, but at that...

"Everyone! Keep it up!" She'll have to keep doing so, cheering them on as she holds back the swarm of knights from overwhelming, turning towards Kazusa. "Motojima-san! You're more than it ever will be!"

Saika and Pernelle come in tandem, nuclear fire and bolts of lightning blasting into Diwzhat. Badb smiles, and Umie's Mudo envelops it, blasting it backwards further.

The Holy Eiga blasts into it, striking it hard and causing the wires to unspool further.

As the knights are completely slain, Diwzhat's baleful eyes skim across the group.

((Very well. If you are such sentimental fools, then be slain by those sentiments.))

The wires spool out again, grabbing the Vessels from deep within the tower and pulling them up in a cloud of fog. When the fog is gone, the Vessels stand before them.

Sir Goodric, the Slime Knight, pilots a suit of silver power armor, an aiming reticle for the armor's energy cannon on one of his eyes. He blasts at Fuuka, that doofy smiling face staring straight for her soul.

BB-chan stands on the hood of an old Toyota, a magical princess knight in an armored skirt and jeweled circlet, a deck of cards being constantly shuffled in her hands as it flickers with flames and magical energy. She shuffles the cards, and then throws flaming cards at Yukari as she tries to mow her down with the car.

Peri Suzaku, the firebird woman with a palette of red, wielding two swords and dressed in a distinctly visual kei style. Her whirlwind of death swings for Roger, Akari, and Katsuko, trying to cut them up.

Saika the Ruby Owl, wearing a motorcycle as armor and carrying an energy whip that screams destruction. That whip lashes for Tsumugi, Pernelle, and Saika, trying to rip them apart.

Bonezor the Unyielding, a demonic dragon dressed in Harajuku street style, a flame tipped spear held tightly in his claws. His spear is thrust at the Phantom Thieves, trying to impale and burn them where they stand.

Lady Scalebright, half-elf, half-dragon, all magical girl, with her crystalline bow, crystal arrows, and wide wings. This one goes after Hazuki, who is managing to hold it off on her own.

Aeolia-chan, a many-winged angel of a songbird with a stringed harp for a bow in her hands and a quiver of holy arrows nestled to her side. Arrows are shot at Tamaki and Umie, trying to pierce their hearts.

Fleur, a French woman wearing the garb of a punk and a shield that resembles a surfboard. She moves to strike Isabeau with that surfboard, unthinking, unfeeling.

Zabine, a tall brown-skinned black-haired elf wearing black and red armor and wielding a greatsword that leaves illusory trails with every swing. The sword goes for Kanae, trying to bisect her.

((And you.))

Kazusa is peered at. There is no Vessel for her.

((You shall face the King's decree.))

In another blast of fog, a figure steps forth. Kazuki Motojima, the Moonlit King, or at least some facsimile of Kazusa's father created by the Homunculus. He wields a massive greatsword made of moonlight, pointing it at Kazusa as Diwzhat puppets its voice.

"What an insolent daughter. You're a failure of a child. You'll never be what I wanted."

His sword swings down in an attempt to cleave Kazusa's head from her shoulders.

"DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!" Hazuki calls out from her own fight, but she can't help. She has to keep Scalebright off the others. 

AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Slash skill Moonlit Decree on Kazusa Motojima!
AS: Diwzhat takes 90 damage from Panic!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Light skill Angel Shot on Fuuka Yamagishi, Tamaki Uchida, and Umie Akabane!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Almighty skill Vessel Charge on Yukari Takeba!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Slash skill Knight Crusade on Roger, Kanae Fuyuki, Akari Hoshi, and Katsuko Yoshinaga!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Almighty skill Vessel Charge on Ryuji Sakamoto!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Almighty skill Vessel Charge on Haru Okumura!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Almighty skill Vessel Charge on Kasumi Yoshizawa!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Almighty skill Vessel Charge on Makoto Niijima!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Almighty skill Vessel Charge on Saika Kikuchi!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Almighty skill Vessel Charge on Tsumugi Kujaku!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Almighty skill Vessel Charge on Pernelle!
AS: Persona! Diwzhat has used the Almighty skill Vessel Charge on Isabeau Fontaine!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Pernelle takes 22 Almighty damage from Diwzhat's Vessel Charge.

AS: Avoid Neutral! Yukari Takeba takes 39 Almighty damage from Diwzhat's Vessel Charge.
AS: Block Worst! Isabeau Fontaine takes 46 Almighty damage from Diwzhat's Vessel Charge.
AS: Diwzhat: Loses 75 HP from Poison! Omen removed! Omen: 120 damage!
AS: Avoid Worst! Haru Okumura takes 79 Almighty damage from Diwzhat's Vessel Charge.
AS: Avoid Worst! Katsuko Yoshinaga takes 53 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Knight Crusade.
AS: Avoid Worst! Tamaki Uchida takes 82 Light damage from Diwzhat's Angel Shot. Critical Hit! Resist!
AS: Avoid Best! Kanae Fuyuki takes 8 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Knight Crusade.
AS: Avoid Best! Kazusa Motojima takes 13 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Moonlit Decree.
AS: Bomb (Attack dakes damage on damaging attacks!) added!
AS: Avoid Best! Makoto Niijima takes 14 Almighty damage from Diwzhat's Vessel Charge.
AS: Avoid Neutral! Umie Akabane takes 54 Light damage from Diwzhat's Angel Shot. Weak!
AS: Avoid Worst! Roger takes 74 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Knight Crusade. Critical Hit!
AS: Avoid Best! Akari Hoshi takes 7 Slash damage from Diwzhat's Knight Crusade. Resist!
AS: Take! Tsumugi Kujaku takes 124 Almighty damage from Diwzhat's Vessel Charge.
AS: Block Worst! Fuuka Yamagishi takes 6 Light damage from Diwzhat's Angel Shot. Resist!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Kasumi Yoshizawa takes 37 Almighty damage from Diwzhat's Vessel Charge.
AS: Block Worst! Saika Kikuchi takes 54 Almighty damage from Diwzhat's Vessel Charge.
AS: Block Best! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 19 Almighty damage from Diwzhat's Vessel Charge.

<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.

Skull has been focused, jerking his head to give the mysterious person some know as Umie a nod. When Katsuko addresses him, Skull's mouth bends into a frown before he clenches his jaw, letting out a sharp 'tch'.

 "Yeah...I'll do my best!" He says confidently, despite still being out of his element.

 The comment about his acting makes Skull frown again, sighing as he keeps his eyes on the battle ahead.

 Skull cracks his neck, taking a few test swings with his pipe. He shoots a look over to Noir. "Hey Noir. I think it's time to just go wild."

 It is just about time to go wild when Bonezor the Unyielding turns on the Phantom Thieves. Skull sighs and shakes his head because he isn't sure what he expected. He isn't a fantasy guy. He was a slice of life or sci-fi fan so this stuff just went over his head.

 Still Bonezor was once a part of the team. There is a part of him that feels some amount of disappointment.

 Skull's eye glints as he grins devilishly. "Oh well. I'll mourn you later."

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GdsgGWKXtnE

 Skull runs at the Harajuku skeleton dragon, keeping his pipe at his side like a samurai sword. As he passes, Skull 'draws', using the movement to reenforce the strike. At the same time, Captain Kidd comes in with an Assault Dive, blitzing the Dragon Vessel and anything that gets in the way. 

AS: Weapon! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Strike skill Breakdown on Diwzhat! 2 Hits!
AS: Aggression: Ryuji Sakamoto gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Strike skill Assault Dive on Diwzhat! 2 Hits!

<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.

    "Hmm... sounds like you have thought too much about it," Isabeau smirks, to Kanae, when she talks about what she can handle. "Do I keep you up at night?"

    She hears Kanae complimenting the Phantom Thieves, though, and calls: "You could have been part of our team, Kanae, if you did not insist on your ridiculous methods! What use is mercy in a Hunt?! This thing we fight now, would you befriend it? You would not. Why not neutralise our Quarry, just the same?!" She sounds... a little bothered, by it all.

    "You would know about people getting what they want from you, I suppose," Isabeau asides, acidic, as Kanae defies the Homunculus. Why is she so mean?! "I am surprised you value honesty, Kanae. I do not see this at school!"

    Kanae calls Silky forth, though, and Isabeau wrinkles her nose, looking down at her spearknife's point. "... mine is sharper," she grumbles, before she raises her voice to reply to her: "Blatantly, I am sure!"

    Someone is chastising her for snapping at Kanae, though. "You are brave or foolish," she issues, to Yukari, "commanding my attention after what you did, `slag.` You would prefer I focus into you? I promise, Megido is large enough to embrace you, too." Her lip curls, up, over her teeth. "You were wrong, by the way. I did not need you. In addition, this?" She gestures, to everyone gathered. "Is coincidence."

    Akari brags about making her sword herself, though, and the horrible, arrogant Isabeau... actually looks impressed! "I see," she remarks, "you too are an artist... I respect the practical of your work." Just pretend that she didn't mess up 'practicality', she's good at Japanese, shut up. "You handle it remarkably." It's even an honest compliment; Isabeau quite looks up to Vivienne's craftswomanship, and someone who's made such an impressive weapon at such a young age... Ixquic, Isabeau decides, must have talent. She'll definitely be telling Viv about her and her greatsword, later...

    She wonders if she should be concerned about the pig... but she places Roger down as a problem to address later. (He's not quite as funny as the peacock, but he's still kind of cute... but of course, she can't think that way about prey.)

    Still, the Thieves say there's something they can do... "All right," Isabeau accepts that much, with a stern nod to Haru -- though to her eyes, she's the mysterious Beauty Thief. "It would be ridiculous to be holded," she means 'beholden,' "to that message board of yours, I suppose. It is 'the right thing to do'? Then we are the same." Seriously?! They have to be associated with this bi-- "I was so insulted," she cuts that horrific revelation off, as she looks to Queen.

    And she gives her a withering look, as she finally gets around to addressing Makoto's input on Kanae's argument. "You are not the authority here," she issues, imperious. "I do not answer to you. No, I answer to none of you... I am not with you. This is not a competition... it is the entertainment I extract from you as I fulfill my purpose here." A light pause, as she polishes her spear, archly. "Monsters must be defeated... this is the right thing to do."

    The force of her father... Isabeau does wonder, about that, as she hears Grim issue her grave indictment.

    But only for a moment.

    (Papa's never been forceful with her; if she's reflecting his philosophy, it's just her spin on filial piety.)

    It's more interesting, to her -- far more interesting to contemplate the way Tsumugi is hunting for freedom. She tilts her head, considering them, thoughtfully. Their Persona claws itself from his back... or is that another Persona? "You must, then, be caged," she reflects, and it is easy enough to pass over, as she looks over those wrappings over their chest. "With such a vicious exposure of your Persona... it is this society, is it not?" She sighs, looking up to a window of the tower. "I wish I could leave this damnable archipelago, too..."

    The funniest thing is -- Isabeau isn't entirely mocking Pernelle. (Unlike how she's mocking everyone else.) She just -- really thinks it's hilarious that a peacock walked in and flared his tails up like a war banner. It doesn't suit the situation at all! "I am sure that one day I will kill you," she sighs, still smiling, to Pernelle. "I will, still, promise to make your feathers into something spectacular."

    She should be concerned about monsters having Personas, though... she'll have to tell papa about that one, over dinner.

    "A vase shattered," Isabeau handily elides just who broke it, as she explains, for Saika. "I will so repair it. ... and I will assure you this much," she adds, after a brief pause, "I have no need to Hunt Personas. Your 'Monster' is not under my banner of destruction."

    Umie suggests that people were looking for her, though, and Isabeau snorts. "No one was looking for me." Does she realise how sad that sounds...? She insists: "I am not lost. No, I am the one who will scout this, `phenonema,` this -- issue," and she sounds so much less impressive, in Japanese than in French, a thing which still audibly frustrates her. "So my father has sent me. You speak to me of arrogance, star woman? Look in a mirror. It is 'Megido' which benefits you with my experience." She blows another bubble with that chewing soul, defiantly... and pretends that she didn't totally butcher that last sentence.

    Sometimes she starts talking and forgets how to arrange the words properly. Shut up. It's fine. Communicating deliberately in a language she's constantly having to translate in her head from the one her brain wants to use is FINE.

    "I am the one here who is most qualified to judge you," Isabeau issues back to Kazusa. "Because I have teared girls apart as viciously as they tear me. Even Kanae's barbs are nothing against what I return to the world... I am the one standing here who understands your venom, Kazusa." A light pause, "... and I am the one who understands why a demon like you understands 'Dia'." Kazusa is far from the first rich bitch to have a Support Persona, apparently. "For this reason, I have come. I have come to tell you that you do not deserve to be replaced by a monster. Your monsterous behaviour, it is not the same as a creature who would wear your skin... not at all. You are human... what you do with that is up to you." She has a spear so that she can step forward, towards Diwzhat, holding it firm. "I will not see this monster change you."

    She stabs at a guard, as she issues: "Remove yourself from my head, monster! You are worth nothing but the materials I have taken from your tower!" And at first that is fine, until it invokes their sentimentality...

    Isabeau is a sculptor. She butchered her way up this tower, but the task of crafting a figurine was one she took to, regardless; and without the prying eyes of others upon her, she was left to dwell on the things which weigh most heavily on her soul. The woman who stands before Isabeau looks a lot like her, really -- which might explain why she takes a step back.

    "Mom..."

    You're a failure of a child, Diwzhat tells Kazusa.

    Isabeau is no help at all.

    "I know I failed you," she issues, as she brings her spear up -- held in both hands -- to try and ward that shield-bash away. "... I should have never..." 'Fleur' forces her shield past her guard; Isabeau flies back, slamming into a flickering globe, shattering it to pieces as she falls. "... no, that... is right," she pushes herself up, slowly. "You... will think it is funny, right? You will laugh... it will be fine. Mom... if you really saw me like this, you would not even be mad at what it is going to take, would you? 'Everyone experiments at your age'... it would not even matter..."

    As that Vessel advances on her, Isabeau takes another of those bronze vials, from her vest. And what would be so concerning, to a parent? Surely the way she swallows whatever that substance is, the way blue flame erupts from her, in a savage moment. "Mie...li...kki," she rasps, as that waspish fairy appears again -- and consumes Fleur in a savage windstorm, a howling gale which tears forward, with utter destruction, to tear into the perfect angel her 'mother' was guarding.

AS: Isabeau Fontaine spends Limit on Exploit! Isabeau Fontaine can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Theurgy! Isabeau Fontaine has used the Wind skill Prendre la Tête on Diwzhat! 3 Hits!
AS: Defense: Isabeau Fontaine gains 1 Limit!

<Pose Tracker> Kanae Fuyuki has posed.

Kanae rolls her eyes at Isabeau's smirk. "Yeah," she answers Isabeau. "You keep me up with nausea."

"I'm focused," Kanae assures Yukari. "You haven't seen half what I can do yet!" But Isabeau answers Yukari, and Kanae counters, "You're talking big now, huh?"

But Kanae does change her Persona, freely and apparently easily. (It's not that easy; she spent long hours fusing these Personas... in a space where time means nothing at all.)

Akari--Ixquic--gets Kanae's attention. Kanae also has a cool outfit, as it happens, a gray greatcoat over dark robes, and s sword with some kind of gun mechanism. "A hero, huh?" she asks as she steps up beside Ixquic. "Cool. Always wanted to meet one."

She jerks her head at Isabeau, "She's sure not the type."

But Noir shoots back at Kanae, and Kanae grins at her. "Pity. Might be fun to watch." And Isabeau, again, speaks of the Hunters... "Because helping the people the monsters are after is more important than killing the monster. You don't understand that, and you're not as grown-up as you think you are."

Again--what they want... Hmm. "Jealousy suits you, Isabeau. It's really making you look good today." A beat, "You miss a lot of things."

And showing off? "Whatever," Kanae says to Isabeau, tired of this game. And she adds to Queen, "i'm not screwing around, and I didn't ask for your mercy. Back off."

"...Whoa," she says of what happens with Tsumugi.

Kanae will remember that.

Just like she'll remember Umie... "Starting to get tired of people spending more time policing the fighters and less time pounding the Shadow, Auntie."

But the Homunculus sure does have a lot of wishes. While Kazusa asks, "She's fine." Of Wakana. "But she's one of the reasons we knew to come get you."

Their sentiments will slay them? Kanae puts herself on guard--and when Zabine the dark knight comes to bisect her, Kanae swings her gunblade into the with the terrible clatter of steel-on-steel. With effort she clashes, holding up her sword against the bigger, stronger Zabine. "...Not... cool..." Kanae grits her teeth--

The sound of glass shattering marks the return of her 'base' Persona, even without Leshy actually coming forth. Kanae feels strength fill her arms with the power of Persona, and she shoves with all her might. "GRRAAAH!"

Kanae jumps back, both hands on the hilt of her ruby-edged weapon. She lifts it in an upward stance, diagonal to herself--and then lunges. "Haaaah--!"

As she slash down, she discharges the gun mechanism each time. One slash, a second down, a third huge one to batter through defenses--

And shen she sees a girl fall. "Isabeau!"

She attacks, but...

In worry, Kanae lifts her hand, and calls, "PERSONA!"

Blue light shields Kanae, Isabaeu, Yukari, and of course Kazusa in the next moment.

Kanae grits her teeth, looking towards the angel. "You'll pay for that!" 

AS: Kanae Fuyuki spends Limit on Exploit! Kanae Fuyuki can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Weapon! Kanae Fuyuki has used the Slash skill No Mercy on Diwzhat! 3 Hits!
AS: Persona! Kanae Fuyuki has used the Almighty skill Marakukaja on Kanae Fuyuki, Isabeau Fontaine, Yukari Takeba, and
Kazusa Motojima!
AS: Defense: Kanae Fuyuki gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Kanae Fuyuki takes 0 Almighty damage from Kanae Fuyuki's Marakukaja.
AS: Def_Up (Block Improved!) added!
AS: Take! Isabeau Fontaine takes 0 Almighty damage from Kanae Fuyuki's Marakukaja.
AS: Def_Up (Block Improved!) added!
AS: Take! Yukari Takeba takes 0 Almighty damage from Kanae Fuyuki's Marakukaja.
AS: Def_Up (Block Improved!) added!

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.

    Queen chides Belle, and she gets the message thankfully. "Ah! Ri-right, thank you, Queen!" Motojima questions her briefly, and Belle maybe panics a little! "There's more pressing issues! We can talk later." She says, with zero intention on following up on that as 'Belle'. She should at least try to cling to opsec. (Otherwise, Ren-senpai is gonna be so mad at her!)

    Then, the light magic Belle cast, starts striking her back in counter. "Ow, ow, ow!" Is that what it's like for those who's at the mercy of her spells? It hurts!

    For the final insult to injury... Bonezor turns against the Phantom Thieves. "Et tu, Bonezor?" She doesn't want to kill their poor dragon... But she can slow it down. "Sit down, please! I don't want to hurt you!" She casts her exhausting spell, along with a small heal to herself!

AS: Kasumi Yoshizawa spends Limit on Exploit! Kasumi Yoshizawa can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Kasumi Yoshizawa has used the Recovery skill Diarama on Kasumi Yoshizawa!
AS: Take! Kasumi Yoshizawa takes 136 Recovery healing from Kasumi Yoshizawa's Diarama.
AS: Persona! Kasumi Yoshizawa has used the Almighty skill Exhaust Them! on Diwzhat!
AS: Aggression: Kasumi Yoshizawa gains 1 Limit!
AS: Block Best! Diwzhat takes 11 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Breakdown. Resist! Block Strike!
AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 39 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Breakdown. Critical Hit! Resist! Block Strike!
AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 27 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Assault Dive. Resist! Block Strike!
AS: Blast (Magic and Block Penalized!) added! Paralyze removed! Explosion! 75 damage!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 42 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Assault Dive. Resist! Block Strike!

<Pose Tracker> Roger has posed.

    Roger snorts at Pernelle's idea he should permit the compliment. "I can't wrap my head around a Homunculus praising a Sanguin Humor...!" He can't wrap his head around a lot of things. Sometimes it's hard to have the figurative 'head' at all, but that is the blessing and curse of a Persona-user's psyche that lets him relate to other humans (albeit from some skewed and occasionally shallow perspectives).
 
     'I-- does this look like playing to you!?'
 
     "The Homunculus is playing for keeps!" Roger says, helpfully(?), "And so are we! You're worth it!" He says, earnestly. "All the Sanguin Humors here did their best to keep on with the things you loved... and we're not going to let that Homunculus force them to stop!"
 
     Diwzhat's manner of play and strategy starts to unravel under more trained Navigator eyes - something Roger can really only do on virtue of originally being a part of an Atelier and not out of exacting specialty - as he watches Kazusa assert herself with a Holy Eiga, and the resultant breakdown and...
 
     The Vessels.
 
     "What are they doing with Peri Suzaku?!" Roger exclaims, angrily, snorting. "Don't you play rough with them!" Well, they do, as Peri Suzaku - among the other Vessels - spring to life as a whirlwind of death of blades slice into and batter Roger as he spins, spirals, and staggers back.
 
     "...Motojima-san!" Roger calls as he steadies. "You got this! You really do! There's no way the Homunculus can win now," he's actually not completely sure of that, this is only his second Homunculus. He has a lot of knowledge for something - no, someone! - that in theory has only ever encountered a Homunculus the once ever, but it is true that Kazusa has taken a hold of herself and her desires more firmly than Taro Nakata did. As evidenced by her Awakening and resultant Transmutation...
 
     He swings for another passing butterfly, missing. He gets a tennis ball, throws it up, and blasts it into the butterfly as the brightly colored uniformed hog-man Persona shows up anew, a rallying cry for Revolution to Ixquic, Pernelle, and Kazusa!
 
     ...And Tsumugi, over there. Roger can't put a finger on it in a moment, but it feels like there's a certain element of separation even should the enchantment reach them, in some way. 

AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 136 Wind damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Prendre la Tête. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 136 Wind damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Prendre la Tête. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 99 Wind damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Prendre la Tête.
AS: Persona! Roger has used the Almighty skill Revolution on Kazusa Motojima, Akari Hoshi, Pernelle, and Tsumugi Kujaku!
AS: Support: Roger gains 1 Limit!
AS: Roger regains 3 SP from Invigorate!
AS: Take! Akari Hoshi takes 0 Almighty damage from Roger's Revolution.
AS: Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added!
AS: Take! Tsumugi Kujaku takes 0 Almighty damage from Roger's Revolution.
AS: Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added!

<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.

Noir finds herself as impressed as ever with the sheer commanding tone in Queen's voice as she talks down the angelic monster who calls herself a Princess. Nevertheless, she keeps herself focused as Queen takes charge and forms their battle strategy. There's a lot they're unfamiliar with going on here, and the other mysterious Persona users egging them on certainly isn't helping matters.

"Very well~" Noir answers Isabeau diplomatically yet with that hint of playfulness remaining, as befitting of the bewitching Beauty Thief. "Yes, the right thing to do. Then we are allies in this matter. Let's not do anything to change that, shall we?"

There's a bit of a giggle at Kanae's blunt response, as well. "Hehe. I have to admit, I'm inclined to agree." Contrary to what it might seem like, Noir truly does enjoy a contest of abilities. Unfortunately, that's not what they're here to do, as long as this monster continues to prey on Kazusa's heart.

But now, it seems as if that monster has fallen to desperation, commanding their own Vessels against them - including poor little Bonezor the Unyielding, who they raised from a baby dragon into the warrior he is now. Haru tries to avoid his swing - anything to avoid direct combat with Bonezor, but finds herself caught off-guard as flames swirl around her. Perhaps there's no avoiding this battle... Skull suggests doing what they do best, going wild, and Noir can't find any argument in that. "Yes... it seems punishment is in order, don't you think? Let's go wild." Noir raises her axe, charging in along with Skull - but it appear so much more like 'charging' and more like gracefully floating, with Milady's psychokinetic power.

As Noir regrettably brings down her axe upon Bonezor, Milady continues the attack, as psychic bolts erupt towards Bonezor! If he's as strong as they raised him to be, perhaps he'll survive this. 

AS: Weapon! Haru Okumura has used the Slash skill You shouldn't annoy a girl with an axe! on Diwzhat!
AS: Pressure: Haru Okumura gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Pernelle takes 0 Almighty damage from Roger's Revolution.
AS: Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added!
AS: Persona! Haru Okumura has used the Elec skill Furious Psi on Diwzhat! 3 Hits!

<Pose Tracker> Akari Hoshi has posed.

Ixquic has been trying to keep an eye on the entire battlefield. There's a few people who catch her eye. Pernelle is one, because of course he is; he's a magical peacock, how can you NOT look? Tsumugi, too, this time. And Jekyll's transformation. She's never seen anything like that, nor Tsumugi's along with it, but they're not who she came to rescue.

Isabeau calls her an artist, too. Ixquic's first response is a grin. "Of course I am! The world... the world needs art! There has to be something in it beyond what everybody sees, or what's the POINT? So I made Ixquic... and now, here, in the Atelier, I am Ixquic!" Is that how cognitive space works?

Ixquic, still grinning, abruptly gets treated by a quiz from Kazusa.

'Ixquic... is... that mythological?'

"Yes! It's Mayan! The blood maiden... But I'm a magical warrior!" Ixquic draws herself up to her full height, which is pretty substantial - she's tall and rangy, especially for her age, not that her age is particularly obvious in her full helmet. "Reincarnated from the depths of eternity, I protect all humanity from demons! And I'm here to protect you, too!"

'Is that centaur a motorcycle!?'

"Yup! Quixote is my Persona... my guardian, and my other self!" This may give Kazusa something to think about, given the existence of Mina Harker, but that's a topic for another time. As is where she learned about the art, the question of which mostly makes Ixquic look sheepish for a moment.

"Later! I've got someone to fight right now!"

She turns back toward the Homonculus. It's hard to see, but somehow easy to tell, that behind her helmet her eyes are narrowed. "As for YOU - "

"I read, once, in a manga, that the root of evil is treating people like *things*. And that's what you're doing! She's - her life is a thing you want! Well, that means you're evil, and that means that what a hero needs to do is defeat you! IT'S WHOOP-ASS TIME!" (Maya's not here to object.)

Kazusa's father makes it worse; she feels the skin between her eyes go tight, as if she wanted to cry. It could be her own father's voice - no, it couldn't. Makito wouldn't speak to her that way... probably. He never has before.

But she knows she's *not* what he wants; what he hoped she would live up to. And it hurts, because Akari failed to break free. She can't convince her parents; all she can do is hide her art - what survives, anyway - and do what she can where they can't see her or stop her, no matter how much it hurts her that she has to work that way. Maybe one day she can convince them. Maybe one day she can stop hiding. Maybe one day she'll be strong too.

...For now, maybe she can at least support Kazusa. "Kazusa-chan! From one artist to another... keep dreaming! She doesn't have any dreams! And he's not real! You're better than that!!"

Ixquic steps forward... and Peri Suzaku stops up to meet her.

Akari hesitates. She can't fight THAT! She can't fight her own art! She goes into an almost purely defensive stance, using the flat of her sword like a shield and catching the blades on it, but she doesn't strike back. "Wrong!" she calls to the Homonculus.

"We won't be slain by sentiments. Even if a dream hurts - even if it's hard - you hold onto it! To you these are just *things*, too. Things you don't care about except what they get you. Peri, and the others. But to me... they're all beautiful!"

Ixquic whistles again, and Quixote reappears. Rather than attack Peri, Ixquic leaps onto Quixote's back, who drives directly at Peri as if she was going to crash -

And at the last moment swerves around her, angled so steeply that Ixquic's knee threatens to scrape into the floor. Ixquic dodges around Peri, one of her blades just barely snagging Ixquic's side, and starts running as Quixote vanishes again. She runs *fast*, an advantage of being so long-legged.

"Quixote! One more time!"

The Persona reappears, sweeping her sword around in an arc before rising up, popping a wheelie before coming down in an enormous two-handed slash reminiscent of Ixquic's own, so much earlier, against the cocoon's strands. The whole way, Ixquic roars out defiance. 

AS: Persona! Akari Hoshi has used the Slash skill Spin Slash on Diwzhat! 3 Hits!
AS: Persona! Akari Hoshi has used the Slash skill Hyper Slash on Diwzhat!
AS: Aggression: Akari Hoshi gains 1 Limit!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 103 Slash damage from Kanae Fuyuki's No Mercy. Weak!
AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 81 Slash damage from Kanae Fuyuki's No Mercy. Weak!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 103 Slash damage from Kanae Fuyuki's No Mercy. Weak!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Almighty damage from Kasumi Yoshizawa's Exhaust Them!.
AS: Exhaust (Damage when using Weapon/Tandem!) added!
AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 97 Slash damage from Haru Okumura's You shouldn't annoy a girl with an axe!. Weak!
AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 56 Elec damage from Haru Okumura's Furious Psi. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Bind (Magic and Avoid Penalized!) added!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 43 Elec damage from Haru Okumura's Furious Psi. Weak!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 43 Elec damage from Haru Okumura's Furious Psi. Weak!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 126 Slash damage from Akari Hoshi's Spin Slash. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 77 Slash damage from Akari Hoshi's Spin Slash. Weak!
AS: Block Best! Diwzhat takes 48 Slash damage from Akari Hoshi's Spin Slash. Weak!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 189 Slash damage from Akari Hoshi's Hyper Slash. Weak!
AS: Yukari Takeba spends Limit on Shift! Tamaki Uchida can use another Weak skill this round!  They both receive 8 SP
and 30 HP!

<Pose Tracker> Fuuka Yamagishi has posed.

Fuuka meets Kazusa's surprised look sheepishly. She can't blame her for being surprised to see her... or for that stunned silence. Fuuka nods back to her as she confirms.

Her attention turns to Yukari, next.

"Thank you, Yukari-chan!" Fuuka calls back, as Yukari tells her she'll keep Diwzhat busy. It helps - the assurance means that she'll have more time to properly determine what the Homunculus might be capable of. And what she determines is...

"Be careful... Her Light and Slash attacks are particularly dangerous. I'm sensing that her defenses are quite strong, too, especially against striking and piercing attacks." Fuuka warns. And, more importantly, Fuuka notices something else. Those cables... Those are her way of interacting with the world.

...That's something she can sympathise with, she supposes. She's so used to interacting with the world through a screen. But still...

"She's reliant on those cables for movement and manipulation... Damage them, and you may be able to weaken her mobility!" Fuuka advises. Queen and Tamaki both call out to her and Yukari.

"Yes, of course... I'll support you all to the best of my ability. Please be careful, yourselves!" Fuuka assures.

The wires spool out... And when they return, Fuuka sees a familiar face.

"Sir Goodric...!?" Fuuka gasps. And it isn't just him - Dihzwat is using all of their creations against them... She shakes her head. "How horrible..."
...But it's not just their creations that Dihzwat uses. What she brings against Kazusa is a replica of her own father.

"...You don't have to be what he wants." Fuuka says... even it's as much convincing herself as it is trying to convince her. "You're not a failure."

rSir Goodric levels his energy cannon at Fuuka, then and she's forced to snap back to the fight. His energy cannon fires, and Fuuka winces as the blast washes over Lucia's globe.

"I'm sorry...!" Fuuka apologises. Lucia holds out a hand, unleashing a bright flash of light in Sir Goodric's direction. Through this light, however, everyone may be able to spot a vulnerability they may have missed.

With that done, she clasps her hands together. Yukari provided an opening, and she had given her word she'd provide aid... so she returns the favor.

"You have my support...!" Fuuka entreats. A pulse like a cool, relaxing wave emanates out from Lucia, to help the mind focus and ease the fatigue from repeated use of their Persona. 

AS: Fuuka Yamagishi spends Limit on Shift! Umie Akabane can use another Weak skill this round!  They both receive 8 SP
and 30 HP!
AS: Persona! Fuuka Yamagishi has used the Light skill Revealing Light on Diwzhat!
AS: Insight: Fuuka Yamagishi gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Fuuka Yamagishi has used the Recovery skill Relaxing Wave on Yukari Takeba, Tamaki Uchida, Makoto Niijima,
and Katsuko Yoshinaga!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 56 Light damage from Fuuka Yamagishi's Revealing Light.
AS: Spd_Dn (Avoid Penalized!) added!
AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 0 Recovery healing from Fuuka Yamagishi's Relaxing Wave.
AS: Vigor (SP restored on end of turn!) added!
AS: Take! Katsuko Yoshinaga takes 0 Recovery healing from Fuuka Yamagishi's Relaxing Wave.
AS: Vigor (SP restored on end of turn!) added!
AS: Take! Yukari Takeba takes 0 Recovery healing from Fuuka Yamagishi's Relaxing Wave.
AS: Vigor (SP restored on end of turn!) added!

<Pose Tracker> Yukari Takeba has posed.

'SEES! I've got your backs!' "Oh! Uchida-san! Ah- Hai!" Look Yukari appreciates an authority figure that at least convinced her she's got it mostly together as an adult.

(She does have it together right?)

"I'll cover the healing! So don't worry about going all out!"

Fuuka gives some information about the cables and her defenses, "Way to go Fuuka-chan! No piercing though?" and Yukari looks at her bow, "... Greattttt..." After all, it's strong against Piercing, but- "At least I still have something to attack her with." She murmurs,

Kanae answers that she's focused, and that she hasn't shown her half of what she could do yet, "Well, go right ahead then, show me!" Isabeau of course, calls back to her, as expected, and she frowns, "I would prefer you take this battle more seriously when lives are on the line. Or is proving you're more independent than everyone else more important to you than that?"

Whereas Queen backs her up in regards to trying to break up Isabeau and Kanae causing her to mumble to herself quietly, "Not really sure how to feel about a criminal agreeing with me?"

She has her Evoker to her head when Kazusa asks 'Wait is that a gun!?' and Yukari sucks in a breath through her nose, then exhales. Is she going to have to do this every time someone is new to this world!? "It's not really a gun! Don't worry about it!"

Then out comes each of the characters, including, "That's BB-chan!? Hey you can't just-" Pause, "-Wait she brought in the CAR too?! I KNEW that was a horrible idea! What was she even thinking!?" Hitomi Mandai's ears may be burning right now a little bit, you know, as a treat.

And then, she throws flaming cards at her. Yukari Takeba suddenly hits the ground, "How does throwing CARDS even work!?" She knows the Joker does it, but she assumes that's some Persona trick, as she gets up, she grimaces, "Well at least it's not the car..."

More and more figures are engaging, and in the fog - out steps.

"You expect us to believe that's her Dad!?" Yukari asks the Shadow, incredulous, "Come on! That's such bad acting! Not even some terrible TV Drama would use lines like that!"

Look, Yukari Takeba didn't actually hear the conversation with her Dad. She may assume better of Dads than this, in general, even knowing there are some bad'uns.

Kanae's Persona changes again and that light shines over her, "Thanks! That's definitely a start!" Whereas Fuuka offers her support in the form of that relaxing wave, "... You're a life-saver, Fuuka-chan." She sighs from sheer relief, as it eases away the mental fatigue.

Taking stock of the battle in the aftermath of the new 'characters' entering the fray. She puts her Evoker to her head again, pulling the trigger, with a sound of something in the sea of the soul fracturing. "Please help!"

Io rises, and so too does a warm breeze across a certain Detective, a Beauty Thief, a Tennis Star with powers like Minato and Minako (Ask later???) and a convenience store employee knitting wounds.

Tsumugi is frankly so intense that she's trying to you know... not. Pretend you don't see they're so messed up Yukari while looking like that. It's fine. It's fine. (Scary)

"Give it all you've got, Uchida-san!"

Perhaps she's intending to just brute force creating an opening for her by just focusing on undoing any harm right as it's caused.

AS: Persona! Yukari Takeba has used the Recovery skill Naiad Mediarama on Tamaki Uchida, Umie Akabane, Kanae Fuyuki, and
Haru Okumura!
AS: Support: Yukari Takeba gains 1 Limit!
AS: Yukari Takeba: Gains 10 SP from Vigor!
AS: Yukari Takeba regains 3 SP from Invigorate!
AS: Take! Tamaki Uchida takes 139 Recovery healing from Yukari Takeba's Naiad Mediarama.
AS: Take! Umie Akabane takes 139 Recovery healing from Yukari Takeba's Naiad Mediarama.
AS: Take! Kazusa Motojima takes 0 Almighty damage from Kanae Fuyuki's Marakukaja.
AS: Def_Up (Block Improved!) added!
AS: You have 1 more attack in queue!
AS: Take! Kanae Fuyuki takes 139 Recovery healing from Yukari Takeba's Naiad Mediarama.
AS: Take! Makoto Niijima takes 0 Recovery healing from Fuuka Yamagishi's Relaxing Wave.
AS: Vigor (SP restored on end of turn!) added!
AS: Take! Kazusa Motojima takes 0 Almighty damage from Roger's Revolution.
AS: Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added!

<Pose Tracker> Katsuko Yoshinaga has posed.

Grim couldn't deny that Pernelle was right. When her coat fanned out like the wings of a bird of prey, when her talons reached out like a swooping falcon's, and even the silver accents upon her chest evoked imagery of a soaring eagle. That, or a hollow ribcage, devoid of lungs to breathe or a heart to beat.
"Quite a distant cousin!" She called out to him while she adjusted her aim. Something had knocked her scope, it seemed - the fall, the blow, some third thing she'd not noticed - and it annoyed her to no end. "I should think my relatives aren't quite as colourful!"

Pernelle's bright plumage was not the only colourful display that caught her attention, however. Figures began to appear across the battlefield - strange things, she thought to herself. Odd figures that seemed to be an amalgamation of different ideas, haphazardly shaped into a-
Her face dropped beneath the mask, and the realisation came too late. The proof of it stood before her, clad in flame and carrying twin blades, each of which were levelled at her and her team with the fur of a wildfire.
"It's the figurines!" Grim called out, ducking and weaving behind cover, trying to avoid the blades' razor edge. "They're-"

Whatever else she had to say was cut short. One moment out in the open was all it took for a blade to rake across her body, and send her careening backwards, barely able to bring herself to a stop before worse injuries could be sustained. Her lips flickered into a frown. This situation was... less than ideal. Peri Suzaku seemed as quick as she was agile - any attempt to make distance could be cut off before it began, and even if it succeeded, how long until the gap was closed? Not to mention that the Homunculus itself was still active.

Grim cast her eyes aside, hoping - in the few heartbeats she had between swings - to see something she could use. But all she saw was a distraction. She recognised the way the monarch approached from the moment she saw him, and her brow furrowed at the realisation. It was not Kazusa's father - not truly - but it was a close enough facsimile that the disgust she felt was identical. That aside, the threat he posed was most certainly real.
"Of course she won't be!" Katsuko called out, using the few moments she had between each strike to speak. It was not out of support for Kazusa, but instead out of spite for her father, but the end result was the same. "Her passion brings joy! It creates art! It creates, not destroys! What right have you to destroy it?!"

If she were to tell the truth, Grim would be forced to admit that she had no great interest in helping Kazusa. She was potentially a useful informant, and that was the extent of it. The Homunculus, however? Its minions, its machinations, its domination of Kazusa's body, and the vile things it had said? That had made it personal, and it had made her vengeful. The towering figure of flaming hues only served to stoke the fires of her hatred, its embers burning cold in her as her resentment towards her own creation grew with every passing moment.

"Do not hesitate for a moment." Grim commanded Akari and Roger - though the observant among them might have noticed how she seemed to be telling that to herself as well. "This isn't our art. This is a miserable *failure.*" She darted forward, sticking to cover where she could, and lurking through shadows when she could not. "It's a desperate ploy by a desperate thing searching for a solution. It needs to be destroyed." And Grim did so with prejudice. That miserable, misshapen pile of plastic taunted her with its very existence. It stood as a monument to her failure, and she would hack it down where it stood.

Empowered by her own bitterness, and bolstered by Fuuka's invigorating waves - a gesture to which Grim replied with a sharp "Thank you!" - she called upon her Persona to strike at the firebird. "I have no more use for you. Get out of my sight." She did not mete out judgement herself. She would not sully her hands with that construct, nor what it represented. Dantes did that for her, cleaving at the thing like a butcher at a length of meat. Over and over again, empowered by the conviction destroying a manifestation of her own failures brought about, Katsuko watched with scornful eyes.

She would not suffer its presence. Not now, not ever. 

AS: Persona! Katsuko Yoshinaga has used the Slash skill Cleaving Saber on Diwzhat!
AS: Aggression: Katsuko Yoshinaga gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Katsuko Yoshinaga has used the Recovery skill Unfaltering Resolve on Diwzhat!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga: Gains 10 SP from Vigor!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga regains 15 HP from Regenerate!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga cancels 1 attacks on Diwzhat.
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga cancels 1 attacks on Diwzhat.
AS: Persona! Katsuko Yoshinaga has used the Recovery skill Unfaltering Resolve on Katsuko Yoshinaga!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga: Gains 10 SP from Vigor!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga regains 15 HP from Regenerate!

<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.

    Makoto did not have 'Fashionable Dragon Skeleton' on her list of enemies. She'd... not actually been on the early expeditions, having been occupied with other things. "...what IS that?" Not all of them have the sentimentality the others do.

    Still, Bonezor charges and the spear goes for Queen-

    And the spear glances off of one of her spiked metal shoulder plates as she and Johanna burst past the Skeleton Dragon and under it's spear, dropping into a slide and getting behind it.

    Well. The hunters are sniping at her instead of at each other. That's... an improvement? Still... she's gotten so used to being able to keep the PTs focused with just the threat of violence, that it's a surprise that the hunters and second years are maybe able to mouth off! (Unfortunately, the authority of Student Council President doesn't reach to supernatural realms.) "Just make sure you're ready for the consequences for that sort of mindset." Queen states, before turning her focus back on the battle.

    Fuuka, however, shouts a strategy to them, and Queen nods. "Understood! Skull, Noir, do what you do best! Belle, with me, break those cables!"

    Yukari might grouse about a criminal agreeing with her, but Queen smirks. "Let me know when you find out whose jurisdiction the metaverse is." And, you know, legislation, etc. It's not actually illegal to change a heart! (Mostly because the law hasn't kept up with the changes in the cognitive realm.)

    Then though, she sees something that makes her seethe. "...What kind of father would turn a blade against his own daughter!?" ...She and Yukari might have a little more in common there than either of them know. "There's no way-" ...Yukari voices her own thoughts for her. Queen nods. For all Bonezor is about to bear the wrath of the Phantom Thieves, Queen can add more to that fire. "We need to get through this thing and reach Motojima-san, got it? Johanna! Freila!"

    Queen revs her Persona's engines again, and Johanna's exhaust flares with nuclear flame, before the same descends on Bonezor.

    "Motojima-san!" Queen calls out- because even if she dislikes the new Persona user, she won't allow her to become consumed by that Homunculus. "You're not that pushover, right? Fight back, with everything you've got!" 

AS: Persona! Makoto Niijima has used the Fire skill Freila on Diwzhat!
AS: Makoto Niijima: Gains 10 SP from Vigor!
AS: Take! Katsuko Yoshinaga takes 0 Recovery healing from Katsuko Yoshinaga's Unfaltering Resolve.
AS: Atk_Up (Damage Up!) and Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added!
AS: Persona! Katsuko Yoshinaga has used the Slash skill Cleaving Saber on Diwzhat!
AS: Aggression: Katsuko Yoshinaga gains 1 Limit!

AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 172 Fire damage from Makoto Niijima's Freila. Critical Hit!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 214 Slash damage from Katsuko Yoshinaga's Cleaving Saber. Critical Hit! Weak!

<Pose Tracker> Umie Akabane has posed.

    Umie smirks towards Kanae, adjusting her hood. "Well, some of us have to be the bad guy around here~ We won't have a second try at this."

    Then again, wasn't Umie herself arguing with Shiryuu during a bat---

    oh.

    A few seconds in, and suddenly, when Kanae looks back, there's the shorter blonde suddenly closer to her, though still a meter or so apart. "Though, if the pattern holds..." she begins, lowering her voice for Kanae's ears alone, "you might be the only person she'll listen to."

    For now, she ignores Isabeau's comments; she'll find too many reflections in them, and not necessarily the ones Isabeau points out.

    ....

    ..... What did the oracle say, when something she thought was going to come true actually did?

    "Guuuhhhhhh. Called it." Umie groans, holding a hand to her temple. "Well, not out loud, but you get it."

    BB-chan goes cruising for Yukari on a car. "..... Mandai-san was with you, wasn't she, Takeba-chan..."

    Another name, however, stands out to her. "..... Bonezor the...?" Umie's eyes follow to where dragon attacks. "...." She opens her mouth, then closes it.

    (well, it's not like Umie was going to be any better with her name)

    "...... _Of course Bard-san's got Light attacks_," Umie hisses, as she slips back from an arrow of light, which sizzles as it pierces a less vital area. "I should've insisted they were Dark."

    And then.... a mother and a father, though unrelated in every way.

    "This isn't the field you're going to get your resolution on," Umie calls out, meaning her words for both Kazusa and Isabeau. "Listen to Queen-san, and _bite the hell back_."

    Fuuka points out the cables, and Umie draws her bangs from her face, tucking them to the side.

    As she does so, her gaze flicks from object to object across the grounds, charting a path in her mind's eye.

    "Got it."

    And, with a glimmer of blue light and the suggestion of black feathers, in the breath of time where no one was looking at Umie, she's simply no longer there.

    She'll be right where she needs to be instead, a shadow stepping from one hazard to the next, under the cloak of the Badb's provenance.

    The hoop of the kyoketsu shoge is there to swing and wrap onto, the bladed end a sickle to cut the cords, like reeds or bamboo.

    If she is to do this, she must work quickly, and quietly. If those below notice her, it's not as if they'll call attention to her. 

AS: Persona! Umie Akabane has used the Dark skill Warrior's Bell on Diwzhat!
AS: Ruin: Umie Akabane gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Dark damage from Umie Akabane's Warrior's Bell.
AS: Rage (Weapon Attack and Incoming Damage Up!) added! Exhaust removed! Explosion! 120 damage!
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 Diwzhat!
AS: Tandem! Umie Akabane has used the Dark skill Seeker in the Dark on Diwzhat!
AS: Umie Akabane regains 3 SP from Invigorate!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Almighty damage from Umie Akabane's Hooded Smile.
AS: Charm (Attacker or Ally takes Damage!) added! Panic removed! Explosion! 120 damage!
AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 161 Dark damage from Umie Akabane's Seeker in the Dark. Critical Hit!

<Pose Tracker> Tamaki Uchida has posed.

    That's what's been on the tip of Tamaki's tongue. Umie said it perfectly: Don't waste your life on trying to be the person someone else wants you to be. "In other words, don't be like I was," is her addition, said with some urgency in her voice.

    ... does this sound like she has it together, Yukari?


    Run through the gauntlet to turn away from sin and towards virtue. Become broken and remade over and over and again. Fall into the river and rise again, turned away by the ferryman. Become what the Deity Emperor demanded of her.

    At a certain point, the process stopped being akin to kintsugi, gold no longer filling in each new crack as they formed. It just pulverized her to dust.

    No wonder she burnt out.


    As for the warning that Umie gives Tamaki regarding the purpose the 'figurines' may serve, the apprentice detective nervously laughs. "Hahahahaaa, you're kidding, right?" ... right?

    Oh. No. No, she's not kidding. Tamaki's eyes widen in fear as she's aware of exactly what inspired her contributions to Aeolia -- or, more accurately, who.

    Already slightly rattled from the earlier thought, Tsumugi's display causes Tamaki to grit her teeth and jump back. (And yet, she must admit there's some appeal to the vibe ...)

    Kazusa and the nature of this Atelier reminds Tamaki of herself in other ways. One of those ways might just be the nature of Mina Harker's not-so-dark dark spell. "Yes! Right there! You get it!" While she can't seem to strike the right balance herself, more often leaning on others to make up for her own deficiencies, she does value it.

    Aeolia. So named for the Aeolian mode in Aristoxenian tradition. In modern tradition, the natural minor scale; the white keys on a piano played in the sequence of A - B - C - D - E - F - G, the bardic bird vessel strums her harp, sings her song, and takes deadly aim.

    (BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7aogv-7CX8 - Hymn to the Waters, from the Rig Veda - translation and composition by Gustav Holst, performed by the Holst Singers)

    Figuratively, if not perhaps literally, the missile intended for Tamaki flies true to its target: her heart. She is helpless against it and dares not speak why. Her body crumples to the ground in a heap, as if her very will to fight had been sapped from her.

    She would have given up here if not for Fuuka and Yukari watching her back, just as she promised to watch theirs. It's in that moment that she realizes:

    [VOLITION] - You're compromised. She's got you singing along to her tune.

    Her eyes flicker back to life, and she calls back to the pair, "I'd say I owe you one, but I'll repay the favor right now!" She promised. She has her own part to play.

    Tamaki rises to her feet again and glares at Aeolia. "... Imposter." She gets it now. This is what she had wanted: to hear that song again. Not like this, though.

    "Shut up." Arianrhod conjures a spell of silence, covering the angelic songbird in a cloud of symbols and seals. In tandem, Tamaki brandishes her own sabre, and rushes for the cables to cut them, drawing attention away from Umie.

AS: Tamaki Uchida spends Limit on Exploit! Tamaki Uchida can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Almighty skill Mafui on Diwzhat!
AS: Ruin: Tamaki Uchida gains 1 Limit!
AS: Weapon! Tamaki Uchida has used the Slash skill Sabre Slash on Diwzhat! 2 Hits!
AS: Persona! Tamaki Uchida has used the Light skill Sealing Hama on Diwzhat!
AS: Tamaki Uchida: Gains 10 SP from Vigor!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Almighty damage from Tamaki Uchida's Mafui.
AS: Panic (Damage when using Persona/Tandem!) and Sick (SP Damage on end of turn!) added! Charm and Poison removed!
Explosion! 240 damage!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 98 Slash damage from Tamaki Uchida's Sabre Slash. Weak!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 78 Slash damage from Tamaki Uchida's Sabre Slash. Weak!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 197 Light damage from Tamaki Uchida's Sealing Hama.
AS: Exhaust (Damage when using Weapon/Tandem!) added! Rage removed! Explosion! 120 damage!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Tsumugi Kujaku has posed.

Another Persona.

It's hard to deny; Hyde is so utterly alien, so completely different from the implacable yet familiar mechanical nature of Jekyll, how could they be the same? It's certainly not the first instance of such an occurrence, is it?

So is Tsumugi, too, touched by the Wild Card--?

Whatever the implications of their Personas, Tsumugi Kujaku seems wholly indifferent to it. The proprietor of Peacock Silk practically pours themself from their backwards half-drape on Hyde's arm, flowing off its supportive grip and back onto the ground below with the echoing CLICK of their gold heels.

You must, then, be caged.

"We're all caged."

Eyes closed, the statement comes matter-of-fact as Tsumugi lifts gloved fingers to throw back that now-long, wild mane of platinum-and-rubygold hair. It sprays behind them, the glimmer of the gradient beneath those pale strands as dazzling as a fae's blinding glamour as they speak.

"Here, or halfway across the world, you'll still feel the binding of it, trying to close you in. After all... you're awake now."

But it's Diwzhat's roaring anger that draws Tsumugi's attention next. Their eyes crack open; there's a certain wildness to that scarlet stare now as it levels on the Homunculus, the piercing quality it always possessed carrying an electric edge now as it regards the Shadow. The Other.

The thing that wants desperately to Be.

    THEN I WILL CARVE THAT WILL FROM HER CORPSE!

Eyes widen.

"Ara ara."

And a fierce grin splits dark lips.

Fuuka provides her assessment of the Homunculus; it might be for the others, but Tsumugi's gaze tracks towards those cables all the same as they hear her advice. Their head cocks, long hair spilling over one bare shoulder like a silky waterfall of shimmering color as they regard the Homunculus...

And the Vessels it has breathed its alien life into.

Saika the Ruby Owl revs to revolutionary life. With the flick of Tsumugi's wrists, a pair of red-bladed pocket knives suddenly slip into their waiting palms, grasped firmly as they stare at Peacock Silk's Vessel.

No -- past it.

They're still staring, directly at Diwzhat.

"You want to take her will to change?"

With the scream of tires, Saika the Ruby Owl screams towards Peacock Silk to ignite its offensive. And Tsumugi--

"How electrifying!"

--throws their arms wide.

The energy whip lashes. And it's likely only thanks to the bolstering presence of Hyde behind them that they aren't simply rent asunder by lash after lash as they refuse to get out of the way. That energy BURNS into them and through them, violently, painfully, as Hyde looms floating just behind them. Each ignites a flash of red-hot light. It hurts. It burns deep into the soul. Each blow sends them staggering back, and back, until the last drops them on one knee, the explosion of energy obscuring them in the briefest plasma arc.

"... What would you do with it?"

Until that voice, strained but brimming with life, cuts through the haze. And from it--

"If I let you have her life, how would you change?"

Tsumugi Kujaku and Hyde burst forth. Has Roger's bolstering reinforcement reached Tsumugi? It's so difficult to say, for all there is that unseen, unspoken barrier that keeps anyone from truly connecting to Tsumugi -- but the intensity and violent vigor in their eyes, despite the offensive they endured, likely speaks volumes as they and their person spin across the battlefield in a wild tango.

And a tango is exactly what it is -- a dance, that sees the damaged but shockingly lively Tsumugi, often so placid and detached, laughing as they and their Persona lunge from place to place across the tower grounds like it were their performance stage, their movements separate yet choreographed towards a beautiful, violent tempo. Tsumugi pirouettes past the Ruby Owl with a flash of something metallic and thin. They duck low just as Hyde screams high, clawed hands ripping down the path Tsumugi has made.

"The will to change means to change for your own sake, for your own life, no one else's."

And they keep moving. Keep darting. Tsumugi seeks to STAB one of those knives into the back of the Owl before planting one heeled boot into its motorcycle-wrapped spine to launch off it in an inhumanly graceful flip, landing it closer towards the Homunculus. They move, the wires spooling out from their fingers lashing into the Owl and Diwzhat with every motion. And with every graceful assault, comes a question:

"You'd be unbound. You could be anything. What would you be?"

    "You could do anything. What would you do?"

        "You could become anyone. Who do you want to be?"

        "Tell me."

    "Tell me!"

"Tell me!!"

Until they come to a stop, just beyond Diwzhat, with Hyde floating eerily at the opposite end of their ballet of violence.

"You don't know. Do you?"

Wires gleam off their fingertips.

"What a shame."

And they YANK their hands downwards, one crossing over the other, bringing those wires SLICING down over Saika (the Ruby Owl) and Diwzhat alike--

"That's a gift reserved for Demon Queens."

-- just as Hyde tears ITS clawed hands FORWARDS, sending giant talons of dark energy carving across each one of those wires to amplify the attack, laughing as it does. 

AS: Tsumugi Kujaku spends Limit on Exploit! Tsumugi Kujaku can use another Weak skill this round!

AS: Tandem! Tsumugi Kujaku has used the Dark skill Danse Macabre on Diwzhat! 2 Hits!
AS: Weapon! Tsumugi Kujaku has used the Slash skill First Blood Slice on Diwzhat! 2 Hits!
AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 126 Dark damage from Tsumugi Kujaku's Danse Macabre. Critical Hit!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 118 Dark damage from Tsumugi Kujaku's Danse Macabre.
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Block Best! Diwzhat takes 45 Slash damage from Tsumugi Kujaku's First Blood Slice. Weak!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 111 Slash damage from Tsumugi Kujaku's First Blood Slice. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.

Kazusa stares at Pernelle, noting a talking pig and peacock are in this mind space of hers. "Yes!" Pernelle affirms happily and without further elaboration.

Pernelle gasps as Isabaeu professes him part of the hunt. "She wants to kill me!" he gasps, feathers ruffling. "My! I have made an impression!" He calls back to her. "Then I suppose I will have to make your own pelt into a glorious raiment should I prove the final victor in our fated confrontation!"

He regards Tsumugi and Saika both, though they are quite busy with their own fashionable violence. Sometimes he simply talks to talk, and needn't receive an answer. "Is any of this appropriate? I am ill practiced in such banter. My nemesis from the other side of the silver veil is the strong and silent type, you understand."

Roger isn't keen on the compliment, and Pernelle stares at Roger, then stares at the Homunculus and back again. "Hmm. I confess I do grok onto the existential nature of it now. Well, rest assured, you are rife with charm! And let no one tell you otherwise!" Pernelle has solved the existentialism, clearly. He is so smart like that.

Katsuko points out they're only distant cousins. "No? I should think my plumage more a matter of dimorphism. To feature subdued tones is a handsomely femme statement, but one that simply does not suit me!" Well, he is a peafowl.

"Dead guys in the jungle!" Pernelle shouts back to Saika in senseless excitement among the explosions and chaos. But violence given is returned!

"Saika...?" Pernelle protests in crestfallen betrayal as his train droops and his wings lower at his side, his eyes so large and glistening, threatening to let loose a tear. But not Saika Saika, no. Saika the Ruby Owl, the grand creation of the Atelier. Her whip lashes, and Pernelle must dive and weave, scrambling to avoid it with all the pitiableness of a kicked pet scrambling from a trusted keeper.

Revolution is upon him, courtesy Roger, in a time that revolution is needed: the words of Kazusa's father. In this, Pernelle suddenly flaps annoyingly back center stage.

"It is not a child who is beholden to their sire, but the sire who is beholden to the child! Disapprove of you? Disapprove of him! Pernelle judges you back, sir! Anqa! To me!"

The stitched and stuffed doll-bird Persona reappears with a shimmer shatter, fabric wings spread wide as Pernelle takes her by the foot claws with his own and twirls in a wild explosion of ribbons and streams and colors, like disorienting fireworks.

It ends in a fiery explosion that bursts suspiciously in the shape of a peacock's head.

AS: Pernelle spends Limit on Exploit! Pernelle can use another Weak skill this round!
AS: Persona! Pernelle has used the Almighty skill Shibaboo on Diwzhat!
AS: Ruin: Pernelle gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Pernelle has used the Almighty skill Mafui on Diwzhat!
AS: Pernelle spends Limit on Psych! 
AS: Persona! Pernelle has used the Fire skill Adorable Agilao on Diwzhat!
AS: Pernelle: Psych removed!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Almighty damage from Pernelle's Shibaboo.
AS: Charm (Attacker or Ally takes Damage!) and Poison (Damage on end of turn!) added! Panic and Sick removed! Explosion!
240 damage!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Take! Diwzhat takes 0 Almighty damage from Pernelle's Mafui.
AS: Panic (Damage when using Persona/Tandem!) and Sick (SP Damage on end of turn!) added! Charm and Poison removed!
Explosion! 240 damage!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Block Neutral! Diwzhat takes 203 Fire damage from Pernelle's Adorable Agilao.
AS: Charm (Attacker or Ally takes Damage!) added! Panic removed! Explosion! 120 damage!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Saika Kikuchi has posed.

 
ELSEWHERE

Hitomi Mandai is busily sketching on graph paper and working in a notebook on something. Dice and several softcover trade-sized books are spread out in front of her. She is not studying.

Her eyes cut to the left.

Her lips curl up in a crooked smile.

HERE, FOR A CERTAIN VALUE OF "HERE"

Saika's attention flicks towards Isabeau. She blinks once, and says, "That's awesome. And hey," a finger gun and a wink, "I've already worked through a lot of the semiotics, don't sweat it!" One might not often hear 'semiotics' in these context, yet there it is. And even used mostly-correctly!

And speaking of expression... "I think you're doing good," she asides to Pernelle. "I mean you're still a little tense but you have to get into your flow, you know? It's all about what happens once you stop thinking about it."
But there is a larger concern.

The Vessels are here.

And like calls to like; they are faced not with any random guy, not with some stranger who might be easy to fight, but with a manifestation of Saika herself. Saika simply stares dead ahead as the roaring motorcycle comes to real life, her mouth slightly ajar. "I don't know what I expected," Saika says, just before SSSSSK-KRAK! At the last moment she tensed up and leaned back, and so the strike does not laser Saika into several large portions - but there is a black char mark across those funeral-white garments as she staggers back with a "tch!"

"See, this is completely wrong," Saika says to Pernelle, to Tsumugi, and perhaps to God. "We didn't DO anything - there's no resonance here... We didn't even have the opportunity to abandon her! This is too much, Tsumugi; too much."

Tsumugi has their say. Stepping forwards - *dancing* forwards. Pirouetting the Ruby Owl around, ripping them apart with those shiveringly-elegant lances of wire. But before the Ruby Owl in particular can fall to pieces - literally, as the case may be - a hand comes out from around the Vessel's side and grasps one wrist.

"No," Saika tells her. "Not yet."

Hup. Over the shoulder. Saika begins to move, a little more heavily, with grunts of effort. Leaping from point to point in the wreckage, bearing her probably-unhappy Vessel-Humor passenger.

"If you are such sentimental fools, huh?" Saika says, before turning her head around - finding the one place left - and backing up several steps in order to accelerate forwards and vault up - JUST grasping onto the lip of a broken but still upright pillar. The Vessel is thrown onto it like a sack of rice; Saila pulls herself up a moment later.

"None of this is your fault," she tells the back of the Vessel, giving the Ruby Owl a squeeze on the shoulder. Then hefting her back up. But oriented in a different way.

There is a second or two of... *positioning*. Moving around crumpled metal and orienting properly. At the end of it, it's like Saika has the false Saika's legs over her shoulders, its face forwards, arms limp, head down. She's doing this from a high perch. But why?

It becomes clear when Saika leaps off the pillar and brings her legs up - holding either side of the Vessel's head between her knees, oriented downwards. She's not going to jump on the Vessel: She's going to land on it, and *it* will hit the ground.

Or perhaps...

... the Homunculus herself. 

AS: Saika Kikuchi spends Limit on Psych! 
AS: Persona! Saika Kikuchi has used the Slash skill Frankensteiner on Diwzhat!
AS: Defense: Saika Kikuchi gains 1 Limit!
AS: Saika Kikuchi: Psych removed!

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.

'THEN I WILL CARVE THAT WILL FROM HER CORPSE!'

"I won't let you!" Kazusa shouts back. "After you subjected me to all those weeks of torture? After you nearly--" Her voice chokes. It's too painful to admit just how close she came to giving up, to ceding control.

If it hadn't been for that defiant spark inside of her, the determination Mina Harker had to endure her suffering and come through her experience not only alove but whole...

No, it's still too painful and raw to admit.

"--I'm going to make something of myself!" she says, instead. "And I'll do it in spite of you!"

Hazuki tells her she's more than the Homunculus, and Kazusa nods. "R--right!" She has to keep believing that. If she stops... then this time it very well may win.

But then the Homunculus summons up the vessels. Kazusa feels a pang of recognition, something she knows yet cannot possibly know, for she wasn't there to witness it. "Wait, those are--" She clenches her fist again. "You stole their creations! You're--a plagarist! I won't stand for it!"

'And you.'

Kazusa smirks. "You already stole my life. But you never figured out how to use my creativity."

'You shall face the King's decree.'

Kazusa's eyes go wide and she backpedals for a step. "N, b-but-- I'm the Princess--" (She still cringes to say that.) "Th-there's no... there's no King, there can't be--"

Kazusa freezes in fear, her voice shaking. "O- Otou-sama..." All at once she is no longer the defiant princess but a frightened child. Unable to speak, unable to move. Irrationally afraid, even as she knows in the back of her mind this isn't him. It can't be, he doesn't style himself a king, he would never wield a blade of moonlight nor even think of such a thing.

And the only thing that could frighten her more is the thought that maybe the Homunculus could tap into her creativity, somehow. That blade... that blade, swooshing for her head--

'"DON'T LISTEN TO HIM!"'

Hazuki's voice--why does it sound so familiar--cuts through th fear and panic, and Kazusa leaps back, into a handstand, and then onto her feet, and the deadly blow becomes only a glancing one, tearing across her back. She grunts and stumbles as she comes back to her feet, but she stands mostly tall. "I..." She's still locked up, but she's at least able to keep her distance now and take action.

She gets an answer that she, frankly, wasn't expecting from Isabeau. Despite how they've clashed (or what she or her Homunculus might have said or implied) about her) to be understood... why she would understand 'Dia', a word that would have been meaningless to Kazusa not even five minutes ago. How Kazusa now understands herself... it is a frightening thing, to think someone else might see her that way, too.

Especially with the source of that reason mere feet from her, at least in a cognitive form.

"... You're the last person I expected this from." There's not much venom in that observation. She can't quite bring herself to say 'tahnks', yet, but maybe another time...

"... the tower is mine, though." She knows that for a fact, somehow.

Despite the dire circumstances, Kazusa looks relieved, when Kanae says she's fine. "... good." And she's one of the reasons they're here. It feels... wrong, somehow, to owe her rescue to Wakana, after what's happened. Kazusa looks down, and she has no response to that.

Defensive light comes for her, and while that demon's tail wags, Kazusa resists the urge to bite back and tell Kanae not to waste it on her.

Roger cheerfully declares that the Homunculus is playing for kleeps and Kazusa stares at him. "I-- can't you be serious!?" It's true, but she's not in the mood for puns. More empowering magics fall upon her, and Kazusa will at least be satisfied tht Roger is still contributing to the fight.

It's Mayan, Ixquic says, and Kazusa briefly looks curious. "Mayan...?" she murmurs. That's not one she knows off-hand. "Your... other self... is a centaur motorcycle?"

Yes, Akari. Kazusa has a lot of things to think about. (Primarily though is staying alive.)

"... later, right."

Akari cheers for her, and though Kazusa tries not to show that she's stirred by the encouragement, her tail betrays her yet again.

Fuuka reminds her not to be what her father wants, and even as she's taking another wary step back she nods to Fuuka's words.

Yukari says not to worry about the GUN. "... yeah, I'm... topped off for worrying right now," Kazusa admits. But Yukari doesn't believe that her dad could act the way the Homunculus' creation is, and Kazusa just looks pained at that.

Katsuko--Grim--also speaks up for her art. "How does everyone..." It's a frightening thing, knowing that seemingly everyone here knows, but to see it recveived well... desite the fear and terror that still grips her, there's a strange sense of... something lighter bubbling up at having it recognized.

(Katsuko now is absolutely not the time to confess to your true motives.)

Makoto also gets to see just what kinds of pressures kouhai has been under, even if here they're in an exaggerated form.

'Pushover.' Why does that word sound so familiar?

Kazusa seems to be slowly beocming steadier and steadier as people continue calling out to her. "... right. I'm not."

Umie says to bite the hell back, and Kazusa finally stops retreating from that image of her father. "Right."

Kazusa might finally have the strength to act on the lesson Tamaki already learned--though the supernatural battle might be the easy part. Back in the real world she doesn't have a supernatural entity to strike down those who would harm her.

Tsumugi though, has some questions for the Homunculus.

'... What would you do with it?'

'If I let you have her life, how would you change?'

Kazusa whirls around, wolf ears pointing forward as she scowls. "Excuse you? Who's side are you on, anyway!?" She stomps her foot angrily. "I didn't claw my way out of that-- that cocoon thing just to give up my life now!"

Tsumugi at least denies the Homunculus--while calling her a Demon Queen again. Kazusa scowls and folds her arms. "S-stop-- stop calling me that!" She'd almost forgotten in the terror of dealing with her father, but being reminded distresses her soe more.

Kazusa may agree with Pernelle's sentiment--that her father should be beholden to her, and not the other way around--but she will still stare in disbelief, that a peacock would have such an opinion. (Let alone to be able express it.)

Kazusa stares at the cognitive version of her father, fists clencehd as she stares him in the eye. "You are not my father... but you are like him." It's... unpleasant, to admit that in front of all these people, but then again... it was more unpleasant to have this happen at the con when she didn't have a way to fight back. "I will not let you dictate my life, after I finally found the strength to fight! Mina! Kouga!"

It is the Persona's right half, the still-human half, that gestures this time blue eye gleaming as she raises a hand to call forth a golden beam of light--one riddled through with currents of dark energy, to slam down at the image of her father. 

AS: Persona! Kazusa Motojima has used the Light skill Unholy Kouga on Diwzhat!
AS: Kazusa Motojima takes 90 damage from Bomb!
AS: Block Worst! Diwzhat takes 274 Slash damage from Saika Kikuchi's Frankensteiner. Critical Hit! Weak!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Block Best! Diwzhat takes 78 Light damage from Kazusa Motojima's Unholy Kouga.
AS: Haze (Physical and Block Penalized!) added! Bind removed! Explosion! 120 damage!
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Diwzhat has posed.

As the Vessels attack, they are not swayed by words, because they are but mere puppets for Diwzhat's will.

But as several of the Persona Users attack the wires, the Vessel's wires start snapping, even as they try to slaughter their creators. They go lifeless as this happens, the more damaged ones cracking, but perhaps able to withstand if allowed. Is that because of the Homunculus...

Or because of the desires of those who created them?

Diwzhat is damaged as well, the wires unspooling and burning until, eventually, they burn away.

The body collapses to the ground, lifeless. They've...won...?

Before anyone can approach the Homunculus and check if it's dead, Diwzhat's crown starts to stir. It grows in size, massive pyrite legs popping out of it and pulling it high above. The legs are stomped into the field, and the floor explodes outward into the void, like it's a final destination of sorts.

Floating in the void, the crown starts stomping, the two jewels on it lighting up. The eyes.

((I WON'T LET YOU TAKE THIS FROM ME))

Suddenly, the eclipse starts to spin out, forming a massive blackhole that spins and spins. It hasn't activated yet, but if the crown isn't stopped, it'll devour everything.

((I'LL BE THE ONE WHO TAKES))

You've got one shot.

((EVEN IF I HAVE TO SWALLOW THE HORIZON))

This in turn is Diwzhat's answer to Tsumugi. But is it truly an answer? Or is it just a desperate desire to not die?

Is it even truly a desire to live?

Hazuki turns to Kazusa as this happens... she should be the one to slay it, shouldn't she? Hazuki's the supporting role in this fight. That's fine.

"Motojima-san... I'll get you ready! ELIGOR!"

With a summon of a butterfly, a red knight on a black horse rides forth, offering a boost to Kazusa mystically to enhance her for the battle to come. But perhaps the words she says next will mean more.

"...you've still got a chance. Don't let it slip through your fingers!" 

AS: Kanae Fuyuki spends Limit on Help Up! Bomb removed from Kazusa Motojima!
AS: Makoto Niijima spends Limit on Help Up! Bomb removed from Kazusa Motojima!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga spends Limit on Help Up! Bomb removed from Kazusa Motojima!
AS: Katsuko Yoshinaga spends Limit on Help Up! Bomb removed from Kazusa Motojima!
AS: Hazuki Nakao spends Limit on Shift! Kazusa Motojima can use another Weak skill this round!  They both receive 8 SP
and 30 HP!
AS: Tamaki Uchida spends Limit on X Soul! Water_Wall applied to Kazusa Motojima!             
AS: Roger spends Limit on Shift! Kazusa Motojima can use another Weak skill this round!  They both receive 8 SP and 30
HP!

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.

She might have shattered the image of her father, but--she's still like this--the Demon Queen, and she looks at her hands for a moment as a flicker of doubt creeps in.

Why is she still like this?

Is this all she'll ever be?

'...you've still got a chance. Don't let it slip through your fingers!'

Kazusa looks to Hazuki and nods, feeling that surge of strength from Eligor. "... Right." She stares back up at the Homunculus in the sky, at that black hole. This is her domain. She knows that, instinctively. She feels fire and heat stirring within her lkike a bonfire roaring to life.

No, not a bonfire--

She gasps as looks to the dark, inky sky, comprehension dawning.

Not a bonfire, something much grander.

Something small and fluttering draws her attention back downwards, and Kazusa blinks as she sees a small, fragile butterfly hovering in front of her. She held up a now-steady hand, and with the lightest of touches it settled in her palm. It was so fragile and delicate, and Kazusa felt a pang of guilt for what she would have to do next. "Thank you," she murmured softly. "... I'll put your sacrifice to good use."

BGM: Shot in the Dark (Cassette Beasts) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LK2QwWwgFhc

She closed her hand around the butterfly, crushing it. The butterfly dispersed into blue sparkles that began to swirl around her as she clutched the crushed remains to her heart. All these people traveled so far to get here--to come help her when she had no expectation that anyone would. She had to ensure that they made it out of this alive.

"You're right," she said, eyes closed, hand to her heart. "As the Demon Queen, I hurt a lot of people. I've said and done things I can never take back, and if there's no forgiveness for me... then maybe I deserve that."

Kazusa opened her eyes, looking up to focus on the Homunculus in the sky. Her silver eyes gleamed with sharp focus, and as she talked Mina began to dissolve behind her into blue sparkles that flowed to join the others swirling around her. "But I am more than the Demon Queen, and I refuse to let you or my Father define who I am any longer!"

The swarm of sparkles begin to flow towards her hand, igniting a blue, spectral flame over her heart, and as Kazusa continues to speak the flames slowly lick outwards. They scour away the image of the Demon Queen the Homunculus had imposed upon her, and in their wake leave her original Transmutation form and a pale, shimmering blue glow. "I won't let my father's hatred infect anybody else! I want to create things for other people to enjoy! And even if I can't be forgiven, I will still try to make up for my past actions!"

The glow on her body ripples, flowing off of her skirt to form a dress, sharpening and resolving into the features of her Persona Mina Harker, overlaid and in sync with her own. Kazusa throws her hand up to the sky, and the remaining sparkles drifting around her are sent soaring high up into that inky void. "I am the Demon Queen, but I am also Kazusa Motojima, Princess of the Night Sky! I will no longer allow you to darken my halls, for I bring light!"

It was no mere bonfire in her chest, but the churning of great and vast stars. The formerly dark, inky void is burned away by a riot of colors, new stars erupting into life by her will as she reasserts a modicum of control over her Atelier. With a gesture Kazusa's whip suddenly appears in her hand, and she cracks it once before flicking it high up. The whip stretches further and further, impossibly far as it surges into the sky towards one of those points of light--and then suddenly goes taut. "Now say good night!"

Both hands wrap around the handle of the whip as she strains, arms trembling from the effort as she pulls sharply down, aided by the strength of her Persona. One of those stars in the sky suddenly starts to grow sharper and brighter. There is a terrible roaring of flames and an immense, overpowering heat as it grows larger and larger. With a blinding flash and a cataclysmic roar it comes smashing down on the Homunculus, exploding into a brilliant supernova. 

AS: Kazusa Motojima spends Limit on Psych! 
AS: Tandem! Theurgy! Kazusa Motojima has used the Almighty skill Celestial Judgement on Diwzhat!
AS: Kazusa Motojima: Psych removed!

AS: Avoid Neutral! Diwzhat takes 238 Almighty damage from Kazusa Motojima's Celestial Judgement.
AS: Diwzhat is unable to continue fighting!

<Pose Tracker> Diwzhat has posed.

It all ends when Kazusa reaches for that star. The crown that is Diwzhat is hit directly, and the Homunculus burns, basked in the radiance.

The 'stage' burns, as Diwzhat lets loose a horrible cacophony, a scream so loud. When the starlight fades, revealing it once again, the tiara starts to crumble, toppling over

It begins to dissipate, reality flaking off it, as the Homunculus starts trying to drag itself with its last strengths over to Kazusa.

((Why? I was the good one. I was the one everyone should love. Why?))

The legs of the crown begin to disintegrate into specks of nothingness, causing it to topple back to the ground.

((I just wanted...))

Then, the crown itself splits asunder, folding in on itself. There is nothing left but the two rubies that were on it, those jeweled eyes.

They are no longer just jewels, but two halves of a ruby compact mirror that when connected shows a crescent moon on the top, split straight down the middle.

Diwzhat the Hypocrite no longer exists. Kazusa Motojima, however, surely does. 

<Pose Tracker> Kazusa Motojima has posed.

Kazusa stares at the Homunculus, standing tall and upright., regaining that regal bearing. Her gaze is stern as she watches the Homunculus crawl over to her, but something in her look softens, after a moment. "I'll try to be kinder," she murmurs, though whether she's trying to reassure the Homunculus or remind herself is open to interpretation. "... but I have to do it my way."

Kazusa stares as she watches the explosion pay out, panting hard, her arms still shaking from the effort it all took. She keeps watching as the last remnants of it fades and the arena--the shattered remnants of her grand audience chambers--slowly descends to land atop the palace, finally letting out a sigh of relief as it settles into place with a quiet shake.

The tension seems to flow from her as her shoulders sag. But after a moment she starts to sag, and her whip slips from her hand as she grows unsteady on her feet. She's wobbling, and she looks about ready to topple over.

As Kazusa's about to fall, Hazuki is there, arms reaching out to catch her. "You're okay," she says, a confident and easy look on her face, despite all the pain she's in.

It takes Kazusa a moment to react, slowly looking up a few moments after Hazuki has caught her. "... O-oh... Thank you," she says, her voice soft for once. "... for catching me." There is some color in her cheeks, and she glances to the side for a moment, her wolf ears relaxing, her tail giving a quick wag before curling around to Hazuki's leg. "... and for... coming to save me. I didn't think..."

Hazuki's expression turns into a smile, as she simply nods once, making sure Kazusa is okay as she looks over her.

Up in the sky, the eclipse has settled once again. Suddenly the darkness encasing it unfurls, revealing a globe of blue and green light--and the bright Sister Star perfectly frames Kazusa and Hazuki as they share their moment, the frigid winds of the night sky settling and returning a sense of relative calm to the ruined hall.

Kazusa clears her throat softly and pushes herself upright after a moment. "I'm... feeling better, now, thank you." She can't quite meet Hazuki's gaze as she steps back. One of the fukuromimi Sanguin Humors approaches her with her cloak, and she accepts it with a grateful nod. "Thank you, Semito-chan." 

<Pose Tracker> Hazuki Nakao has posed.

As Hazuki breaks off from Kazusa, she feels a tug, a pull. She wobbles slightly herself, but catches herself, as if she's seeing something in the haze of victory. Her eyes are unsteady, as she steps towards the center of the audience chambers.

"You, too?" she says, reaching a hand out to the air. There's a feeling in the air, a tug, as she pulls towards herself.

In the air, a symbol lights up, faded and torn. A photograph of Kazusa, Wakana, and Kazuhiro at their grandparent's house, smiling for the camera.

Hazuki takes a breath, and then reaches for it again.

"Connect," she says, and a brilliant light washes upwards, illuminating the entire chamber, a pillar of light surging from Hazuki into the symbol.

When it fades, the Atelier strengthens, and the picture is repaired, cleaner, no longer torn, no longer faded. The veil covering it rethreads itself, letting it disappear once more.

This time, Hazuki doesn't start to pass out. She's able to withstand the expenditure, exhaling once.

"...let's get out of here, everyone." 

<Pose Tracker> Roger has posed.

    A wonderful series of events happens, as Kazusa Motojima comes into her own - and strives to truly make her own, after - and Roger cheers as the Homunculus meets their existential end! It seems understated, but the exuberance is palpable, as he sees Hazuki strengthen the Atelier with a broader Connection... and the warming sight of a loyal Sanguin Humor approach the rightful owner.
 
     His approach is delayed only for a moment as he considers the remainder of the Homunculus - the crimson eyes.
 
     ...
 
     He pays them no heed and decides his friend Hazuki - and Kazusa, who he wants to consider a friend even with her exasperation for his seemingly single-minded behavior - hurries up to them. He leaves the Homunculus Eyes unguarded.
 
     "We've done it!" He reaffirms to everyone. "The Homunculus is gone!" Aside from the scent of, well, those things. But those things can't threaten the Atelier any more, right? Even if they make him uneasy.
 
     "Um," he presses his fingers together, "when I became a Persona-user too, I was really tired after the fact... so! It's time to rest. Everything should be fine from here... the Flegmat Humors can take care of the rest."
 
     They'll help reassert the basic emotional 'vibe' of the little ways Kazusa asserts herself, and stabilize the place further. As he says all this, he's not looking towards the unguarded Eyes. 

<Pose Tracker> Saika Kikuchi has posed.

 
The Homunculus falls. Kazusa - now more perhaps herself than she has been in quite some time - has burst to life, to liberation. She may know herself with a certainty that many people lack. She may not be nearly as bound as she was, but she *is*, by her own assertion and decision, the Demon Queen.

Saika, in a shallow crater, sprawled on her back but pushing herself up, grins at the sight. The flames leak out. She shades her eyes at the great roar. The scream washes over them all.

The crown breaks.

Kazusa and Hazuki embrace.

Roger sanctifies it, the Humor who became something more. A true friend; truer might be hard to find. A statesman Saika once read - perhaps a wise man, even if he had been the enemy of her country for a time - said that to a pig, a human is on the same level, and they may treat with each other as equals.

A hand picks up those two crimson jewels. They clank, heavily, together, even as both of them are held. Connected together momentarily, like matching shells found on a beach by random chance, and then held up.

Held up in front of Saika's face, masking her eyes. She is facing the right way towards the other worthies of Peacock Silk. She grins at them, a wide grin that threatens some of the stitching, and she doesn't look all that human with her eyes hidden behind smooth, round planes of red.

"At least THIS part wasn't too bad," Saika continues, taking the things off her eyes, clicking them together, and putting them into her coat's inside pocket. (It has one, of course. No self-respecting coat would go without.) 

<Pose Tracker> Pernelle has posed.

New bonds are forged this day.

But as Diwzhat is destroyed in shrieking and burning, lamenting that she was not loved, this is what Pernelle watches. He tippy taps on his clawed feet, feathers ruffling in merciless anticipation. The crown splits and crumbles, and then once the Homunculus is felled...

Those two delectable jewels that becomes two halves of a compact mirror.

As Saika plucks them up, Pernelle races toward her and flaps his wings to hop and bob up and down. Given they are a mirror, it is for the best that Saika, and not Pernelle, was closest to the Homunculus' eyes.

"Most excellent, dearest Saika! Let us fetch Yanagi and have ourselves a quick snack and a long rest!"

Didn't they just have Saika's naan pizza before the battle...?!

Heedless to such facts, Pernelle scurries his way back to Tsumugi with a dashed circle around their feet and another hop. What an excitable bird...

<Pose Tracker> Tsumugi Kujaku has posed.

Who's side are they on, anyway?

There's no real time to answer that question within the havoc of intervening moments, but to Tsumugi Kujaku? The answer has always been self-evident.

They are, and always will be, on their own side.

Anything more is everything less.

With the snap of their right hand sweeping to their side, those scarcely-visible wires retract with a whine of metal filament on equally metal mechanisms. Knives are spun and stashed at the small of their back, seeming to disappear with a flash of blue light. Hyde soon returns to their side, tailcoats floating upward as their many 'eyes' turn to stare their inhuman stare upward...

... toward the Homunculus.

Battered, but not yet broken.

I'LL BE THE ONE WHO TAKES

"Ah, ah, ah."

Tsumugi's silky voice rises above the carnage in a chide soon followed by the the echoed cluck of their tongue.

"Don't you see?"

The Homunculus transforms, a great Crown whose tantrum threatens existential collapse beyond a vast event horizon. But Tsumugi Kujaku just stares upon the Homunculus in a way that might be pitying, if those hooded eyes could actually muster the desire to.

"It's too late. She already broke out of the cage you can't even see."

Tsumugi doesn't move to stop this impending cataclysm. They don't so much as budge. Perhaps, they can see what's coming -- as their prediction is made manifest in Kazusa literally rejecting the bane of Demon Queen her doppelganger tried to constrain her in, as Hazuki provides the opening to unleash the full breadth of her wrath upon her double.

Perhaps they just wanted to see what would happen, as a supernova annihilates a dawning black hole.

In the blinding aftermath? Tsumugi stands exactly where they were, their hair once more short and swept back, their regal tailcoat once more a closed, three piece affair, all traces of sensuality and wildness gone in the face of placid refinement.

Behind them, ceramic, wood and glass engulf Hyde, as it finds itself encased within the great monument of Jekyll once more.

They watch as the crown breaks. As the Homunculus lets out its last, unfinished plea. Their head cants rightward in owlish curiosity. And as Eyes condense towards a ruby symbol of the vanquished Shadow, Tsumugi steps forward...

... only to pause, their attention drawn away as Hazuki does something.

        Connect.

Hooded red eyes affix on the young Fool for several, quiet seconds. Are they confused? Impressed? Curious? What do they see, in that moment?

"..."

By the sixth second, their gaze turns away, their attention tilted towards the Eyes that Saika has managed to snatch in their distraction.

"Ah, damn," they exhale, once-thrilling voice deadpan once more. "You beat me. I'm devastated."

... are they, though...?

"Pernelle's right. Let's go gather Yanagi and leave, then. We won't be welcome here anymore, soon." They turn here, gloved hands tucking into their coat pockets. "Saika got the Eyes, so she gets to decide who cleans Pernelle's mess."

They take their first step... and then pause, glancing over their shoulder towards Kazusa.

"Goodbye, Princess. Enjoy your new happiness~."

And with that deadpan singsong, they wiggle their fingers in farewell and walk away, heels clicking in their wake.

One step closer. 

<Pose Tracker> Kasumi Yoshizawa has posed.

    Belle sheathes her blade, as the final strike is cast and Kazusa regains control of her Atelier. She smiles a little, as she looks on from a distance. She wants to say something like, 'congratulations Motojima-senpai!' or 'I wish you luck in your creative pursuits!'. But it wouldn't do.

    No. Queen calls the retreat. Belle might not be a Phantom Thief, but she's essentially moonlighting as one here. Even in reality, she'll have to feign ignorance. It's best for her to disapear accordingly.

    ...Is Phantom Thieving supposed to feel this lonely, even when dealing with other Persona users? How does Senpai and the others deal with it?

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