2026-06-05: Human After All
- Log: 2026-06-05 Human After All
- Cast: Ren Amamiya, Laurent Fontaine, Vivienne Sournois, Alain Wakamatsu, Isabeau Fontaine, Ichika Kawase, Ryuji Sakamoto, Ann Takamaki, Haru Okumura, Yusuke Kitagawa, Makoto Niijima, Futaba Sakura
- Where: Futaba Sakura's Palace
- OOC Date: June 05, 2026
- IC Date: Tuesday, November 20, 2012
- Summary: The Phantom Thieves plumb the depths of Futaba's Palace with the intent to steal her Treasure and change her heart. However, they aren't the only ones who've shown up in her Palace today--although this time, it's an entirely unexpected enemy that awaits. The Wild Hunt is here to save Futaba for their own reasons, and they won't anything get in their way.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Our only objective today is stealing the Treasure. Let's go!"
So Mona declares as The Phantoms enter Futaba's Palace for what will be the last time. They delivered the calling card yesterday; now, with the team in full force, they're going in to steal her heart and fulfill their promise.
The cognitive door opens like a complex lock sliding apart; soon, the way forward is unbarred. Looking at it now, Joker wonders if, even if the door would only open for them, this means they could still be followed in. It's too late for doubts, though. They came straight in, and they're going to keep going forward until they find Futaba's Treasure.
A platform lit with neon green sigils elevators the team up into a strange open-air ruin that is nonetheless locked in by endless computer screens. Mona reports that he senses a strong signal above and that the Treasure has definitely manifested. The team heads up several stone stairs to platforms suspended in midair, picking up lowercase-t treasures and fighting Shadows along the way, until at last they reach another door lit up with neon hieroglyphics, a green-eyed jackal head looming overhead. This one's on the far end of a platform, urns, vases and torches decorating the corners.
"Head's up!" Mona says suddenly. "Someone's coming up behind us--and fast!"
Joker whirls around, their weapons already in their hands, heart racing into a frenzy. Is it the Black Mask after all?! Was Phoenix right, and he was lying in wait for them to open the path for him?!
"Wait--it's not just one someone. There's at least four people zeroing in on us!" Mona adds. Sure enough, by now, anyone who heads to the edge of the platform can see four costumed Persona Users hot on their trail.
One of them is Joker. If it's a group, it's definitely not the Black Mask--but who?
They realize it before the group reaches them. They recognize those faces. It's...
"The Wild Hunt?" Joker murmurs, wary but confused. What are they doing here?
<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
The Wild Hunt is who comes up fast, behind them.
Laurent Fontaine is at their head. And while he wears an unusual outfit, there is nothing to protect his identity. The tall, lanky man is garbed in dark brown and red garb; a long coat, with frayed edges, and a tricorn hat that is equally weathered. A sword is in one hand; a pistol is holstered at his side. His dark eyes look up.
"Thieves, then," he says. "Come to steal the treasure. I shouldn't be surprised."
He reaches up, fingers brushing the leather edge of his hat. He pushes it up, then lifts his chin. "We're here to put a stop to this Shadow -- and then get this poor girl to the help she needs." A beat, then a glance at Vivienne. He decides against adding that they also needed some funds.
Instead, his eyes settle on Joker. "Step aside, if you have a complaint with that."
AS: Yusuke Kitagawa has readied for combat as Goemon! He is now fully healed! AS: Makoto Niijima has readied for combat as Johanna! She is now fully healed!
<Pose Tracker> Vivienne Sournois has posed.
If everything is going according to plan, that just means the other shoe hasn't dropped yet. That's the rule of thumb Vivienne has lived by - and it proves correct even today. There's a group ahead of them - the Phantom Thieves.
Vivienne approaches behind Laurent. She's of average height, with sandy blonde hair worn in a low ponytail with big, round glasses perched on her face and a tricorne hat. Her long, dark blue tight-fitting coat trails behind her as she comes to a stop.
"Bonjour, mes Voleurs!" Vivienne greets with a smile and a sweeping bow. "Now, what would the Phantom Thieves want with Futaba Sakura...?"
Is it just treasure? She can hardly blame them for that - she's the last person who can judge on that account. She shares that pointed glance with Laurent, wordlessly, then looks back toward the Phantom Thieves as Laurent asks them to stay beside.
Her stance is light and casual - but the experienced can tell she's ready to react if need be.
<Pose Tracker> Alain Wakamatsu has posed.
It has been something of a day. He's still covered in crusted sand from the waist up, and they just ran from the Shadow of this place trying to kill them.
Alain Wakamatsu has unusual garb, wearing an antique firefighter's mask with hooked, faucet like nose- an apron filled with an assortment of tools, and a long coat. In his hand is an old war-hammer known as a Bec de Corbin, to hook and tear at armor - to be the hammer for every nail.
And right now the Phantom Thieves of Hearts are looking a lot like nails to him.
"I'm not surprised- but I am disappointed." Says the man, as he looks upon the youths, who seem to be only here to rob tombs, as he clenches a hand tighter over his hammer. "A good question Vivi. Perhaps they could clear that up- s'il vous plaît?"
This has become personal to him, over the course of the last day. Though he doesn't seem like to say why, at least outright.
"It won't be some friendly sparring match this time should you choose to bar our path. Too much is at stake."
In contrast to Vivienne, his stance is rigid and firm, like he's assuming the violent outcome is in their future.
<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
Phoenix bristles, as Mona calls out a warning. "Fuckin'... Hunt my ass," they grumble, lips twisting into a sneer behind their witch's-hat mask. "Fuck off, oldies."
A HILARIOUS AMOUNT OF SECONDS LATER:
"Fuck! Mona, grandma's got swears too! Cover me, I'm goin' in!"
So they're fine. They'll be fine. They'll be... occupied. Don't worry about it.
Unfortunately, Isabeau Fontaine is gonna worry about it. Not Phoenix, mind you -- Joy's more than capable of handling herself against a punk and a monster cat, whenever that hilarious insert ends up happening, cosmologically speaking. She's scowling at Ogre, whomst she recognises from that fateful blimp ride over the Aerospace Museum.
Unlike them, Isabeau is perfectly recognisable as one of Shujin's least favourite people -- broad of body, with honey-blonde drill curls pulled up into a ponytail behind her head, she wears a bronzed vest and a longcoat which dangles off of one arm, partially obscuring the belt of various gizwhats which leads to her breeches. She has a striking resemblance to the man who declares them Thieves, on a second glance...
... because she's his daughter! They found that one out on a fateful school trip, full of plenty of whispers for Makoto...
She also happens to be a bit of an artist, herself. Sculpting, mind you.
"They are the Phantom Thieves, papa," Isabeau sniffs, round nose turning up in a haughty gesture. Her Japanese is a touch stilted; she'd rather be speaking French. "The same ones who keep stealing people's desires! I saw those on the -- the -- balloon aeroplane!" she forgot the word for dirigible in japanese. shut up. it's not even a common word or anything
The important thing is that she's pointing right at Ogre. "Their 'Calling Cards' were all over school, before that Kamoshida turned himself in! That man who called me to his office... he would not say his wrongs by his own hand. They have done something. They will do it again! As when they were posted to call out that kidnapper!" Trafficker. She also forgot the word for trafficker. "And those Cards... they are tacky!"
DID YOU HEAR THAT, FOX
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Stealing the Treasure. It's finally time. "I'm there!" Ogre says. Th last time they'll be here... forward, and forward.
But someone's coming in behind them--
"Careful, Phoenix! Mona!"
Ogre calls that out as she looks to the girl scowling at her. Ogre, of course, is dressed in her modern armor and Oni mask with horns. She was there, back then. But Isabeau...
"Yeah, we're Thieves," Ogre says to Laurent. "...And we're not letting you do anything to the Shadow."
"You're right. There's way too much at stake for us to leave this to you guys."
Ogre rolls her shoulders--and then scowls at Isabeau. "He was a lot more than a kidnapper," Ogre says sourly. "And we did good with him. If you've got a problem with that..."
She brings out a shining, golden shield, setting it before herself in a ready stance, planting herself between the Wild Hunt and the door to the chamber beyond. "Joker, what's the play?"
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Its go time for the Thieves. Time to save Futaba and get this girl the help she needs. But things are not going as planned as there have been others here. Others working against them. And now there was another group in front of them.
Skull slouches as he watches the Wild Hunt approach, mean mugging the other group as he holds the black and silver nail bat over his shoulder. "What the..."
When Laurent talks, the delinquent clicks his tongue and growls slightly. "The hell you talking about? You have no idea what you're doing."
The fact they mention stealing the treasure makes Skull look to Joker with wide eyes. He whispers under his breath. "FOR REAL--They know---? The hell does that mean, bro?"
When Alain talks, Skull's head perks up and he starts to step forward. "Hey old man...Nice to see you again. Even if last time, you wiped the smug off of my face---This time we aren't gonna play around either. So as the French say---" Skull grins widely. "ON GUARD!" His pronunciation is terrible. That might be the most insulting part of this exchange.
He turns his head when he hears the name Kamoshida, narrowing his eyes at Isabeau. "OOHHHH! -YOU- ARE GOING TO GET IT WHEN I'M DONE WITH "UNCLE" OVER HERE!"
"Whatever..." He turns back to Alain and raises his nail bat. "Look, You don't know what you're doing here. I can appreciate you're trying to help but one wrong move is going to make this so much worse. Leave it to the professionals.
<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
The Wild Hunt?
"The Wild What?!"
This is the bewildered cry of the leather-clad cat burglar extraordinaire known as PANTHER as she stumble-stops just behind Joker, arms helicoptering in a brief, balance-regaining flail. The bewilderment persists as sky blue eyes shoot over her shoulder behind her and sees several scary-European people she... doesn't recognize.
Look. Ann Takamaki isn't that forgetful. She just never directly encountered these people herself, and a lot falls through the cracks when A LUNATIC IN A BLACK MASK IS TRYING TO MURDER YOU EVERY OTHER MONTH.
Who they are, specifically, is not important in the moment, though; what matters is what they want. Taken by surprise (completely unfair -- Phantom Thieves are supposed to do the surprising!!), Ann wheels around to face the SUDDEN MYSTERIOUS PARTY with the whip of platinum twintails.
"... Joker, are these guys...?" 'Friends,' she wants to say -- but Laurent swiftly dashes that against the rocks. The others have things to say -- questions, and of course, the most Adult-Sounding critiques she's ever heard, and a personal attack on Yusuke (and Ryuji, which Ann isn't gonna argue with, she was the first to say that card was questionable (while offering no alternative of her own (thank god)))...
"No way!"
... but all of it is white noise at the moment in comparison to the threat Laurent just made himself out to be.
"'Stop this Shadow' -- what do you even mean by that?? Skull's right -- we are not letting you - you - Renaissance Fair rejects hurt her!"
The intent behind Panther's words are good -- Futaba's, after all, is a delicate situation, and she is almost positive they do not know how to handle it.
But they're also words that can be easily misinterpreted.
especially the renfair jab because who besides ann and the other europeans are gonna know that
MEANWHILE,
Towards the back of the Wild Hunt group - far away from Alain, it should be noted - stands someone drabbed in a Plague Doctor's mask and a deep dark duster, enshrouded with black feathers, carrying a massive coffin. It's an ominous package.
"Fuckin' tweenie-bopper Scooby Gang. And what the in the entire sacred shit is that malformed gremlin with the football head--"
That mostly spends the time irritably complaining and scratching at her ear.
ENTER: JOYOUS LOVELACE, FUTURE SWEAR-RIDDLED REVELATION FOR TSUBASA AND THE FOOTBALL GREMLIN
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
The treasure is within sight, but this isn't like most Phantom Thief heists. With Futaba's life on the line, the stakes are higher than they've ever been.
Perhaps it only follows that this time, another group stands in their path. A group of oddly dressed individuals who nonetheless exude the aura of powerful Persona users. They call them thieves, and it's clear enough from their tone that they don't appreciate their handiwork. "It appears you are here to do the same. Am I wrong?" Noir replies to Laurent, as he remarks they're here for the treasure. Whatever their intentions are, it sounds like it's at odds with their own.
What might they want with Futaba, Vivienne asks. "We're here to save her! If that's not to your liking... we shall accept your challenge." Noir matches Vivienne's energy, with a fanciful bow - as she readies for combat, twirling her axe around as if it were as light as a ribbon. "Milady, protect us!" She calls, her equally fanciful Persona taking her side, forming a magical barrier in the near vicinity. "The first strike is yours... Wild Hunt!" Noir glares at Vivienne.
AS: Persona! Haru Okumura has used the Almighty skill Makarakarn on Haru Okumura! | Pressure: Haru Okumura gains 1 Limit!
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
Yusuke Kitagawa is, unless moved on the subject of Art, a quiet individual.
Fox, the kitsune-styled Phantom Thief, is normally has been particularly quiet for a while on this mission, turning things over and over in his head. Much about this operation has been curious for him - for all of them, really - questions that need answers, things that don't make sense, details that clash with other details...
An artist's mind fixates on these things, trying to make sense of the message, the feelings, being communicated.
... But there is a time and a place for such meditations, and being confronted by another group exploring the Palace is not that.
The black-clad thief watches the Wild Hunt, until one of their number calls the calling cards 'tacky'.
Grey eyes narrow behind his kitsune mask, as sheathed katana appears, in flickering blue fire, in his left hand.
"Excuse me?"
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
This is the final stretch to help Futaba. To save her, just as she asked. The Palace is in full alert, the shadows are more bloodthirsty than ever, and the thrill of the heist is in the air.
"Remember- we don't know how Futaba-chan's treasure is going to be protected. Don't burn yourself out fighting the small fry!" Queen is back in her element again, strategizing on the battlefield. "If we need to fight, end it quick. We can't get bogged down by trash."
Unfortunately, when Morgana brings up that they're being followed, Makoto's eyes widen. "What?"
Following Joker up to the edge of the Platform, Queen frowns. This would be round two against the Wild Hunt- and while this time the Thieves are a united front, rather than one group of three in a crowd, Alain alone put herself, Skull and Joker through the wringer.
"...We don't need this. If we can talk them down, it might be quicker." She whispers to Joker, her voice hushed-
Unfortunately, that means that the rest of the team might not hear it- the other Phantoms make their declarations, as Makoto recognizes faces... and voices. Laurent and Isabeau are easily recognisable by looks and behaviour- others less so but the resigned voice of the Firefighter Alain sounds way, way too familiar.
"Keep your cool." Queen states to the rest of the group- especially, say, all the hotheads (which she isn't), stepping up alongside Joker.
"...We know she needs help. That's why we're here. If you'll let us, we can help her together. That Shadow..." Makoto frowns. Joker already reminded her to keep cagey last time. "...that Shadow isn't entirely an enemy, at least not yet." She settles on, and that might be too much.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Joker's eyes narrow behind their mask when Laurent and the Wild Hunt confront them and their friends. They cast a sharp glance to the rest of Wild Hunt, some members of which they know, some they don't. They already knew, thanks to Isabeau, who Laurent is, and they've met him thanks to that Shujin field trip to the old Japanese castle, but this is their first time meeting him in this capacity. One big question occurs to them: how in the hell did the Wild Hunt know about Futaba?
They're not the only one wondering something important. One can't tell the difference between Treasure and treasure when you're speaking out loud. "Good question," they whisper back to Skull. Are they friends? Joker meets Panther's eyes sidelong, but doesn't answer immediately. Definitely not friends, but hard to say if they're enemies either, per se.
It hardly matters. They don't have time for this. They already delivered the calling card to Futaba. This has to get done now, or they won't be able to change her heart at all. That's unacceptable. "Agreed," they murmur back to Queen.
They eyeball Vivienne, who asks precisely the question they want to ask all of them. However, Laurent and Alain both make it clear their intentions are well-meant; they're here because they're worried about Futaba and want to help her, and even if they're prepared for violence, they're not defaulting to it. That doesn't answer the question of 'how,' but there's room for negotiation and cooperation here.
...If Isabeau doesn't immediately ruin it by being herself, not just with the Wild Hunt but in provoking Fox by insulting the calling cards. Joker pointedly ignores her and Joy's derisive swears, but knows they've got to nip this in the bud before even Fox loses his temper. (Once it's go time. Mona will back the hell up out of Phoenix. How dare she insult his proteges!!) They glance at Ogre when she asks for orders, then fix Laurent with a neutral look as they lower--but do not dismiss--their knife. The gun does vanish so they can hold an arm out before Skull and Panther, the most riled up of their friends.
"Steady. This needn't come to blows," they warn them. They agree that the Wild Hunt doesn't seem to know what they're doing, but if they want to help Futaba too, that means they all have the same goal. They regard Laurent anew. "It's as Noir and Queen say; we've come to help her too, as she requested of us." Just the slightest stress on that last part, as that's the only thing they can think of that might get these arrogant adults (and Isabeau, who is only one of those things) to back down.
Queen speaks more, though she wisely remains cagey on the details. Joker nods assent. "If you wish to join us, you may, as long as you follow our lead." They frown. "First, however, we will have you explain how you knew to come here in the first place. Futaba Sakura is not a girl given to... extraneous socialization."
Also as Noir says, though, if the Wild Hunt doesn't like any part of that, The Phantoms will take them on without hesitation.
<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
"Indeed they are, Isabeau," Laurent says. "Indeed they are. Still, I'll present them with the opportunity. We may be hunters, but we can be civilized. I would, however, very much like to know what you mean to do here."
His eyes turn back to Joker, coolly. There is a faint nod at Ogre, before he looks at Ann. He smiles, apologetically. "The Wild Hunt," he repeats. "Try to keep up. And..."
He glances at Ryuji. "...I've done this since before you were born," he says. "So, I must disagree, monsieur."
He looks back to Ann, then. "I have a means," Laurent says, with a smile that is infuriatingly cryptic. He looks at Joker, then -- and frowns. "No. We will not -- we will never -- change someone's will through... whatever means you use. I have seen where that leads."
He shakes his head. "She contacted me regarding questions about Egypt. I realized something was amiss, and looked into it... and this is what we found. We'll handle her Shadow before she does something she will come to regret -- and then get her the help she desperately needs."
He grips a small brass ampoule between his fingers -- and then snaps it, a black powdery substance bursting across it with a spark that must sting. He inhales the fumes from it, then exhales smoke. "And if we must, we'll go through you to do that."
BGM: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 - Un Vie a t'Aimer -- No. The real BGM.
Laurent whips out his pistol, then, and takes aim at Joker. His eyes narrow at them.
The Real BGM: Bloodborne - The Old Hunters -- I said the real BGM.
Laurent's finger squeezes the trigger. There are two flashes -- two rounds exploding from the twin-barreled Howdah pistol in his hand--
PERFECTION: The Clash - I Fought the Law -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AL8chWFuM-s
The shots fly right over Joker's shoulder and behind them, towards Panther. A moment later, Laurent surges forward. It's with sudden momentum, a skilled ferocity to how he springs into action, and he does a backhanded slash across Joker's midsection with the short sword in his other hand.
AS: Laurent Fontaine has readied for combat as Herne! He is now fully healed! Ready for 2 opponents! AS: Weapon! Laurent Fontaine has used the Pierce skill Dual Barrel Shot on Ann Takamaki! 3 Hits! | Aggression: Laurent Fontaine gains 1 Limit!
AS: Weapon! Laurent Fontaine has used the Slash skill Backhand Slash on Ren Amamiya! 2 Hits! AS: Avoid Best! Ann Takamaki takes 9 Pierce damage from Laurent Fontaine's Dual Barrel Shot. AS: Avoid Neutral! Ann Takamaki takes 26 Pierce damage from Laurent Fontaine's Dual Barrel Shot. AS: Avoid Worst! Ann Takamaki takes 99 Pierce damage from Laurent Fontaine's Dual Barrel Shot. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Neutral! Ren Amamiya takes 23 Slash damage from Laurent Fontaine's Backhand Slash. AS: You have 1 more attack in queue! AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 17 Slash damage from Laurent Fontaine's Backhand Slash. Critical Hit!
<Pose Tracker> Alain Wakamatsu has posed.
It's not possible to view Alain's expression beneath his odd mask. However, Skull made have the impression that he's patiently tolerating his words, like some rotten adult would a teenager.
Because he thinks he does know better.
"En Garde." He corrects, Ryuji, with more proper pronunciation- and hears him threaten Isabeau, "Young man, who taught you to speak to members of the fairer sex like that? ... Surely not your Father. I can't even imagine what your mother would think- if she were but present to hear you."
Is he choosing to lecture his opponent? To the Wild Hunt, it might may caused mixed emotions, after all. He once had so much trouble standing up to his own mother- to tell her what he wanted out of life.
But even then, he never spoke disrespectfully to her.
"Perhaps you don't care what she might think- after all, you choose to dress yourself like some Yankii." There's a deep nasally breath, through his mask. "And yes, correct- take your own advice and leave this to the professionals."
Joker advises that this need not come to blows, offers a deal. One cannot see behind the opaque lenses how his eyes drift to Laurent- he understands what the likely call will be - but he can't help but wait for it all the same. He owes their leader that much deference.
When the ampoule appears, he knows what that call is.
An old-fashioned phial appears in his hand, with a partially coagulated thick red substance. It's not jam. Hesitating only as he hears Joy behind him.
It's nostalgic, but only for a moment, as he remembers what their relationship has become now.
"Feel fortunate that I am your opponent." He crushes the phial, and as it drips out from between his fingertips, "Some of us do not give much grace for your kind of misbehavior. ... Bayard."
A strange chaotic swirl of fiery red surrounds him and forms a metallic equine creature, covered in armor, shaped on his chest like an apron. However, he stands on two hooves, like a man, and sports goggles over his eyes.
As the Persona gestures with hooves, there's a rumble, before it feels like the stones of the pyramid must be collapsing upon him. They're not- no. Just a large quantity of stone debris is hurling at a diagonal his way, formed by his Persona.
Trying to quite simply, temporarily bury him alive in a landslide - within this tomb.
AS: Persona! Alain Wakamatsu has used the Earth skill Landslide on Ryuji Sakamoto! AS: Block Best! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 33 Earth damage from Alain Wakamatsu's Landslide.
<Pose Tracker> Vivienne Sournois has posed.
Vivienne looks toward Alain, as he wonders the same thing she does. Not surprised but disappointed, hm? Hitting them where it hurts. She looks, then, toward Isabeau as she calls the Phantom Thieves out for Laurent. Declaring that what they have done, they will do again.
She looks back to Thieves, to see what they have to say for themselves. Ogre says they won't let them do anything to the Shadow - there's too much at stake. Skull, meanwhile, is incensed.
Renaissance Fair rejects, though?
"I'm wounded. My design skills are highly rated, you know. Any Renaissance Fair would be happy to have me." Vivienne laments with a dramatic sigh. She looks toward Noir, then, as she declares that they're here to save her.
"Save her, you say! It does seem like we share the same goal... But I'm afraid it's your methods where we can't agree." Vivienne replies. ...Still, she does appreciate Noir's style - Vivienne seems pleased, as Noir replies with a bow of her own. She looks toward Queen, then.
The Shadow isn't entirely an enemy, hm? And they're the only ones who can help her.
"I do wonder about that. I've seen your handiwork, you know. Can you truly say that will help her?" Vivienne wonders.
Joker speaks, taking a diplomatic approach. Futaba, they say, requested their help. They may join them... as long as they follow their lead. Joker asks how they knew to come here, and Laurent explains.
"As he says. I'm afraid standing down isn't in the cards." Vivienne says. "You seem determined - let us test that resolve of yours!"
Her weapons are drawn - a pair of hooked swords. She races toward Queen, slashing twice - and then she whirls, casting a hand toward Noir. Darts fly out of her sleeve, infused with a sense of weakness that threatens to take hold if they strike.
AS: Weapon! Vivienne Sournois has used the Slash skill Advancing Slash on Makoto Niijima! 2 Hits! AS: Vivienne Sournois cancels 2 attacks on Makoto Niijima. AS: Vivienne Sournois has readied for combat as Skadi! She is now fully healed! AS: Vivienne Sournois has readied for combat with Skadi! She is adjusted! Ready for 2 opponents! AS: Weapon! Vivienne Sournois has used the Slash skill Advancing Slash on Makoto Niijima! 2 Hits! AS: Weapon! Vivienne Sournois has used the Pierce skill Ill Dart on Haru Okumura! 2 Hits! | Ruin: Vivienne Sournois gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Haru Okumura takes 0 Almighty damage from Haru Okumura's Makarakarn. | Reflect_Magi (Magic Counter Improved!) added!
AS: Counter Worst! Haru Okumura takes 115 Pierce damage from Vivienne Sournois's Ill Dart. Critical Hit! | Sick (SP Damage on end of turn!) added! | COUNTER! Vivienne Sournois takes 28 Pierce damage in return for her attack!
AS: Counter Worst! Haru Okumura takes 115 Pierce damage from Vivienne Sournois's Ill Dart. Critical Hit! | COUNTER! Vivienne Sournois takes 28 Pierce damage in return for her attack!
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Skull nods in response to Joker's whispers, letting out a sigh to try to calm down. These Palaces were already a pain to deal with without the Wild Hunt showing up to muck it all up. The delinquent keeps his bat ready, even when Joker's hand tries to put an obstacle between him and Alain. He gives Ann a nod before going back to glare at Alain.
No this was too important to just back down to a bunch of shitty adults who think they know better than the people trying to make a difference. Not to mention the monkey they keep as a sidekick who just tried to imply Kamoshida's change of heart was a mistake. Fuck that. His leg starts to ache as the memories of that day come back to him. No, he isn't going to lose his cool but man did that sting.
Then the old guy has to bring up his dad. Oh well. Might as well bring up some uncomfortable truths. "My dad used to get drunk and beat my mother when I was too bruised to not take the abuse myself. Shut -da fuck- up about shit you don't know about. Just like -she- oughta shut the fuck up about Kamoshida." Skull spits out bluntly, pointing his bat as he watches the man take out his vial.
He watches the horror show, not moving. Even as a world of stone rains down on him and seemingly buries him. No expression other than cold anger.
So ends the story of Skull the Delinquent Phantom Thief.
Good Night Everybody!
After a long pause, There is a rumbling from under the rubble as sudden the "yankii" Phantom Thief kicks out of the rubble, surging forward at Alain with a terrible speed that seems propelled by every ounce of anger that is in that body of his. Skull begins to spin with his nail bat to send a powerful swing toward the middle of Alain's form, the weapon singing as it is swung with a fierocity that wasn't there before.
AS: Weapon! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Strike skill Takedown on Alain Wakamatsu! 2 Hits! | Aggression: Ryuji Sakamoto gains 1 Limit!
AS: Avoid Worst! Alain Wakamatsu takes 75 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Takedown. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Worst! Alain Wakamatsu takes 75 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Takedown. Critical Hit! AS: Block Best! Makoto Niijima takes 30 Slash damage from Vivienne Sournois's Advancing Slash. Critical Hit!
<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
Isabeau -- who is always, ELEMENTALLY, herself, thank you very much, Joker -- takes a vial from her belt, bronze suspension glittering behind the glass. (What is her alchemical antithesis? Not the gold medal, nor even silver -- but the universal consolation prize, bronze.) "That is reasonable," she agrees, quite agreeable when she's talking to her father. "I will be ready if they are not." Oh, sure, she's SO reasonable...
"The Shadow traps here the girl," she issues, in that same stilted Japanese, to Ogre's fearsome visage. "With my father's power, the jail stills, and the girl will be free... without pressure from your magics."
Her eyes -- green as envy -- narrow, as she lingers on Ogre a moment longer. "'Good,' you say. This way you 'do good' is open to discussion."
She doesn't know.
Ryuji tries, though, and Isabeau pulls a face as she glares at him, sidelong. "Mettre en garde, s'il vous plait." Technically, she's just bid him to kindly warn them... if only he spoke enough French to realise it was a warning. "Un Kamoshida? Pff... me passer sur le corps." 'Over my dead body,' literally speaking.
(She sounds much more eloquent and natural in French... even if she's clearly styling on him. What a jerk!)
But Ann has something to say --
"Rejects?"
-- and that vial cracks, as Isabeau's thoughtful twirling of it is interrupted by her hand curling to a fist. She switches to English -- why the fuck does the FRENCH girl know ENGLISH -- to sass her, just as angry as Vivienne: "You wouldn't know a true Renaissance if it bit it on your stupid catgirl BUTT!"
why can the french girl swear in english
actually, you know what?
back up. real question:
why is her arm on fire now.
Because what punctuates her anger, as she swears at Ann -- in ENGLISH! does anyone even speak English here?! -- is a flood of blue flames, erupting up her arm, splashing across her vest, consuming her longcoat and her envy-green eyes in a keening final note.
LOOK AT ME, DAD, I'VE GOT A BGM TOO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5VzEtgCgio Animals As Leaders - Backpfeifengesicht
"You call that protection?" Isabeau sniffs -- mercifully, she's switched back to Japanese to say it -- as she unfairly maligns Haru's fearsome defence. A fairy with spruce-needles through her hair rises, behind her; distinctly waspish, rather than with the butterfly-wings of the pixies one might be familiar with, her gold dress accessorised with a fairy-sized bear coat which ends in distinctly oversized (for a fairy) bear's claws. Her hands must be in there, somewhere, holding them... "Watch. Learn. Improve, if you can."
Now -- now -- she remembers Fox, who she insulted moments ago. "You are confused that I would call this presentation tacky? Forgive one. I did not realise you were yourself kidnappers." Oh, no, that's REALLY gotten lost in translation... "Your efforts still are amateur. Did you cut these words from newspaper? Serial killer nonsense... would you like to fight about this?"
Her lip curls, as she glares to Makoto. "A Shadow is an enemy," she states, bluntly. "It is harmless now. Tomorrow? Tomorrow tomorrow? How long do you wait for this Shadow to forget its freezing? Even now, it angers. And," she adds, incisively, as she looks to Joker with a scowl, "I do not follow children."
YOU'RE THE SAME AGE AS THEM ISABEAU!
"Mielikki!" She cries, as that fairy shimmers into view again. Perhaps she's the one Alain spoke of -- who isn't so keen to give them grace. "To them, an education! Raise the physical paling! And his -- I do not like him! To him, denial! To her --"
As Mielikki spreads her horrible fairy dust around, raising a shining barrier around both Isabeau and... Yusuke?!?!?, she draws her spear -- an elegant thing, with a ribbon wrapped about its hilt -- and dives for Ichika to stab at her quite directly with a flurry of piercing blows.
AS: Block Worst! Makoto Niijima takes 82 Slash damage from Vivienne Sournois's Advancing Slash. Critical Hit! AS: Persona! Isabeau Fontaine has used the Recovery skill Line Guard on Isabeau Fontaine! | Defense: Isabeau Fontaine gains 1 Limit!
AS: Isabeau Fontaine has readied for combat as Mielikki! She is now fully healed! AS: Isabeau Fontaine has readied for combat as Mielikki! She is now fully healed! Ready for 2 opponents! AS: Persona! Isabeau Fontaine has used the Almighty skill Heal Block on Yusuke Kitagawa! AS: Weapon! Isabeau Fontaine has used the Pierce skill Flurry Pierce on Ichika Kawase! 3 Hits! | Defense: Isabeau Fontaine gains 1 Limit!
<Pose Tracker> Futaba Sakura has posed.
Meanwhile...
Somewhere so close, and yet so far away, Futaba Sakura sits on her office chair. It has ergonomic back support which she completely ignores in favor of a quasi-fetal shrimp posture, her feet tucked up and her knees sticking forwards. Just at this moment she is checking her phone.
"... An eyeball?"
Futaba frowns.
"When did this get on here?"
Flick, flick, flip.
"... is this the app Makkoto mentioned?" (Secretly, Makoto Niijima has already received a private pet name. Others may ensue... or perhaps they will remain a secret... or perhaps they shall vanish, like sand in the deserts.)
"... the app for changing hearts... Vocal input? Ah..."
Something shifts in Futaba's heart - the physical one - uneasily. A sense like she's standing near a powerful electrical current. The hair on the back of her arms would stand up if it weren't being squashed by long sleeves.
"Fu... F... Futaba Sakura... um... Sojiro Sakura's house."
'Candidate found.'
"Then... distortion...? Um... Palace. Cognition. Sloth? Um..."
That sound is moving nearer. Like tinnitus, at first, but even as she hunches forwards the voices come back, raising up and shouting from some place that's neither here nor there, something she can't escape of; a sensurround of agony. You killed her! Murderer! You're the one who killed her! A familiar chorus.
Futaba shakes as it rises and builds. Bad. It's very bad. Worse than it's been in some time. And it just keeps getting worse. Screaming, echoing, shouting, faces and memories slipping in as she clutches to her head. She leans forwards and half-falls out of the chair. One foot under her, she reels to the side, falling over. (Not hard, though she feels the three cheap manga anthologies whose spines she cracks.) She slips and staggers. And --
Runs into the hallway and comes to focus again, hearing herself say -
"no!"
There's a queasy sense, like the sensation when you've stepped off the stable, grounded pier and onto a small boat. But the voices are nearly silent. Futaba blinks.
She is of course still holding onto her smartphone.
"... Oh, right. They were right here, and... I texted Ren words... um..."
Futaba opens the ssh shell interface and hunt and pecks her way into a connection to her PC, rather than go back into her room. She has a feeling, perhaps, that if she does, she'll never leave again, and for once, it feels...
It feels like a 'maybe,' not a 'certainly.'
Twenty seconds later, she reads her last message aloud under her breath from the day they all vanished, and when she reaches one key word - Tomb -
'Input accepted.'
'Searching for route to destination...'
The voices seep back in.
cursed child!
murderer!
you shouldn't have been -
"I can't take this anymore!" Futaba cries out in the empty house.
'Beginning navigation.'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ajph0v0VLWI
AS: Block Worst! Ichika Kawase takes 33 Pierce damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Flurry Pierce. AS: Block Worst! Ichika Kawase takes 33 Pierce damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Flurry Pierce. AS: Block Worst! Ichika Kawase takes 50 Pierce damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Flurry Pierce. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Worst! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 0 Almighty damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Heal Block. | Recovery_Wall (Healing Down!) added!
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
They may not have time for it, but they're sure getting it. Ogre can ignored taunts for a while. But what they have to say...
But--Renaissance Fair? "I dunno what's fair about it," Ogre says to Ann, "But I guess they do dress weird..."
But Isabeau says it's reasonable. And that, "No, that's not how it is," Ogre answers Isabeau. "The Shadow's part of her." Opsec? I barely knew her!
"...'Discussion', huh."
"...You realize we can't understand your French, right?" Ogre confirms. "So trying to speak to us... in it..." The crack of the vial. Her arm is on blue fire. Ogre doesn't step back, but she does shift a little, staring for a moment. That...
"Children?" Ogre answers. "you--"
The paling. Ogre frowns at that--but doesn't have time to counter, instead trying to interpose her shield--but Isabeau's too quick this time, and Ogre takes the hits on the armor. "Gh--"
She seees it. She's done something to interfere with healing on Yusuke. "...That's how it is?" Ogre says.
"Fine. MOMIJI!"
Ogre lifts her shield and a beautiful oni in a silken kimono rises, her horns sharp and her claws sharper. She smiles toothily, and spreads her arms--
Golden light shimmers down on Fox and Ogre both.
AS: Persona! Ichika Kawase has used the Almighty skill Revolution on Ichika Kawase and Yusuke Kitagawa! | Support: Ichika Kawase gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Ichika Kawase takes 0 Almighty damage from Ichika Kawase's Revolution. | Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added!
AS: Take! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 0 Almighty damage from Ichika Kawase's Revolution. | Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added! <Pose Tracker> Alain Wakamatsu has posed.
What the boy says, to be honest, it breaks his heart a little. "Is that so?" He says quietly, "No wonder. But even though you hate him- it's clear who you inherited your temperament from."
Skull comes at him out of the debris, and in response he swings his warhammer in order to try and parry the nail bat and step aside out of the way. He misjudges the momentum and it strikes him not once dead center, "Mmph-" but twice. "-gh!"
He staggers backwards, before catching himself, a hand pressed to the center of his chest. "Fair. You may have that one." And then the strange swirl of energy spreads up his weapon, as it glows bright red with strange cognitive power.
And then to Skull's vision- it's like one of those weird optical illusions, like his image blurs- like he has to squint to see him.
Then he's behind him arcing the hammer's head at Ryuji's side heavily, hooks trying to catch onto his jacket.
Then should he be successful, he seizes hold of him and heaves- pulling him off the ground with the new leverage on him, hauling him bodily up and over his shoulder with a great swing of the warhammer.
Which releases him in mid-air, as the hooks slide out.
Only for it to descend again and try to slam him into the ground brutally.
"Stay down." He commands, "You still have school tomorrow."
... ... What a great reminder to be given in the middle of a fight... ...
AS: Weapon! Alain Wakamatsu has used the Strike skill Bringing Le Pain on Ryuji Sakamoto! 2 Hits!
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
"Understood, Joker! I'll remain on standby." Noir nods, when Joker tries to negotiate with their new enemy. Personally speaking, she's not confident they'll be successful, which is why she raised her barrier - but it's worth a try, as Queen says, they're both here to help her. Unfortunately, negotiations are short lived - as Wild Hunt thoroughly denounces their methods.
"I'm afraid so," Haru agrees, when Vivienne says their methods are at an impasse. "Futaba-chan wants to change. If that's truly what she wishes for... we'll do everything we can to grant that wish." Noir explains, just as resolved as she is before. "If you're so opposed to our methods, what do you plan to do to help her, then?"
It's then that Vivienne draws her weapon - dancing blades slashing towards Queen, while darts fly towards Noir. Vivienne is especially sharp - it seems she caught onto the fact that Milady's barrier can only protect her from magical attacks. They strike through the magical barrier as if puncturing through holes, stabbing through Noir's body before the instinct to dodge even strikes. "Ugh... she's fast!" Noir clutches her arms, feeling a sense of weakness set in, as if those darts had been coursed with a deadly poison.
"Watch out, Queen! That attack of hers had a strange effect..." Noir warns, feeling Milady's spirit draining. All the better that they end this battle as quickly as possible, then. "Milady! Double Shot!" She calls her elegant Persona to nail Vivienne with a series of gunshots. It's blades against bullets!
AS: Persona! Haru Okumura has used the Pierce skill Double Shot on Vivienne Sournois! 2 Hits! | Pressure: Haru Okumura gains 1 Limit!
AS: Counter Worst! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 107 Strike damage from Alain Wakamatsu's Bringing Le Pain. | COUNTER! Alain Wakamatsu takes 41 Strike damage in return for his attack!
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
"I am sorry," Fox says to Isabeau, "that you do not allow yourself to appreciate the nuances of genre in art." Then the broad-shouldered girl moves, spear flashing as some kind of... paradoxically malevolent shield encloses itself around him. Fox watches as that spear bites cruelly at Ogre, moving to the shield-bearer's side as he draws his blade, ink-black metal drinking in the iridescent lighting of the tomb. "Well, since we're in the business of rudeness... GOEMON!" He tears at the mask on his face, eyes glaring yellow as his visage is cloaked in fire.
Like a moving woodcut, the historical ronin emerges, kiseru pipe held to his mouth. He inhales, and then blows out a cloud of... not smoke, but bubbles, towards Isabeau, to envelop her just as her barrier enveloped Fox, and burst abruptly around her.
AS: Avoid Neutral! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 47 Strike damage from Alain Wakamatsu's Bringing Le Pain.
<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
Not friends.
And as far as Panther is concerned now?
Definitely enemies.
There's something about the way these Wild Hunt people talk. So... condescending. Like they know better. Like, for some reason, it's her and the other Phantom Thieves doing something wrong, and not them -- as if everything they've done and suffered through up until this point was nothing but... but... toddlers playing with toys.
And acting so cavalier, while Futaba dangles upon a painfully familiar precipice... ...
Ann's gloved fingers curl into trembling fists.
She knows. She can't let these people get their way. She can't.
I dunno what's fair about it.
Bemusement breaks the daggers Ann's glaring Laurent's way as she snaps a blinking stare at Ichika. "Wh-what? No, it's like -- Halloween, but for old timey knight stuff! -- and they have REALLY BIG TURKWAH?!"
This is Panther, ineloquently squawking as her attempt to explain (poorly) the mechanics of a Renaissance Fair to Ogre are RUDELY INTERRUPTED by the two of the worst of all possible things: a cocky adult with a cocked gun --
"H-hey! What'd you say about my ass?! That's so inappropriAAAAAA"
-- and ENGLISH CURSE WORDS.
Yeah. Yeah. Ann knows English. FEAR HER.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATE I HATE THIIIIIIIIS--*"
And this is Panther, complaining as she tries her best to weave through the ADULT TRYING TO CAP HER MODEL ASS. Springing to and fro with every shot, she's eventually clipped in the shoulder, the force knocking her aside just for the third shot to ring out--
--just in time to be intercepted in a gout of flames by a pink woman in an outlandishly frilly red dress, wearing a black panther's mask and enthralling two lovestruck, heart-headed servants with leashes made of the thorniest vines.
"gnh" gasps Ann from her crouched position, pink lips parted and gloved fingers on her burning mask. That... hurt. These people know what they're doing.
But --
"... I really..."
-- she can't--
"... can't STAND..."
-- let them hurt Futaba--!
"JERKS like YOU!"
Carmen rears backwards. Her eloquent fingers pincer her cigar, embers igniting as she inhales.
"So BACK OFF!"
And then exhales black smoke gushing out of kiss-pursed lips towards Laurent.
Black smoke that sparks and then IGNITES into a seemingly unending stream of flame like a trail of a flamethrower, chasing after him for as long as Carmen has the cigar smoke to fuel it.
AS: Persona! Ann Takamaki has used the Fire skill Fire Breath on Laurent Fontaine! 3 Hits! AS: Persona! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Water skill Double Aqua on Isabeau Fontaine! 2 Hits! | Pressure: Yusuke Kitagawa gains 1 Limit!
AS: Block Worst! Isabeau Fontaine takes 28 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Double Aqua. Block Water! | Paralyze (Physical and Avoid Penalized!) added!
AS: Block Neutral! Isabeau Fontaine takes 24 Water damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Double Aqua. Block Water! AS: Block Best! Laurent Fontaine takes 35 Fire damage from Ann Takamaki's Fire Breath. Critical Hit! AS: Block Worst! Laurent Fontaine takes 48 Fire damage from Ann Takamaki's Fire Breath. AS: Block Best! Laurent Fontaine takes 35 Fire damage from Ann Takamaki's Fire Breath. Critical Hit!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
Though Joker maintains a cool poker face, their blood simmers at Laurent's patronizing, condescending way of addressing them and their friends--even before he rejects their offer of cooperation. God. Fuck this guy. The family resemblance between him and Isabeau is immediately obvious. The only fair thing that can be said here is that, with maybe the exception of Vivienne, who seems halfway reasonable, all of them are as obnoxious.
"I must repeat--she asked us to change her heart. The way you describe it, I doubt you've been extended the same invitation," Joker repeats coldly, trying very hard not to let them get under their skin. Hell, even with an invitation, they've had a rocky time of it with Futaba's Shadow.
Isabeau meanwhile demonstrates that she doesn't know anything about how Palaces and a change of heart work, betraying that the rest of her team doesn't know either and the mention of 'Treasure' was likely a coincidence, then in the very next breath implies that they're the ones who are ignorant. Joker can't help it; they roll their eyes at her. They at least don't address her directly beyond that, because that way lies madness.
"We've not seen the handiwork that makes you all claim to be so very experienced," Joker instead points out to Vivienne. "How can we know your methods will help her?" Noir asks much the same, and good on her.
However, then Alain criticizes Skull for his lack of manners. Skull eloquently advocates for himself. This is the point at which Joker, fully pissed off inside, is convinced that these adults, and Isabeau the apparent wannabe adult, are too high on thinking they know better than anyone else to ever listen. Explaining anything to them is pointless.
It's not like they could explain it all anyway. Even if Ogre tries, just a little bit.
Ampoules snap. Laurent draws a pistol and a short sword. Joker readies their knife to defend against that pistol using the technique they robbed from the Black Mask--but then Laurent adjusts his aim minutely and fires at Panther instead, before coming at them with that sword. Joker leaps backwards out of the way of a direct hit, but that vicious slash leaves a long cut across their chest, leaving a trail of blood that makes them grimace and involuntarily wink an eye shut in pain. They land light on their feet next to Panther, who's already summoning Carmen and telling Laurent what's what.
It is apparent that Laurent and the rest of the Wild Hunt are skilled in terms of battle. That was obvious from their first fight back in Mementos. That, in Joker's eyes, only makes them that much more dangerous, far more so than the mere, sheer strength of Laurent's baseline attack.
There is NOTHING in this world more dangerous than a rotten adult who thinks age alone grants them superiority in all things.
"Panther, you always have such a way with words," Joker says, tone low and coldly furious. They whirl the Harpe Knife around and make as though to engage Laurent in a swordfight--but then they feint and swap it out midair with their pistol, the PMF-84W, and open up a barrage of bullets against the older Persona User, spread out in such a way as to try to keep him from evading Carmen's fiery attack. "I quite agree!!"
AS: >>> That attack doesn't seem to match one on your list. AS: Weapon! Ren Amamiya has used the Pierce skill PMF-84W Barrage on Laurent Fontaine! 3 Hits! AS: Avoid Neutral! Laurent Fontaine takes 30 Pierce damage from Ren Amamiya's PMF-84W Barrage. AS: Avoid Best! Laurent Fontaine takes 18 Pierce damage from Ren Amamiya's PMF-84W Barrage. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Best! Laurent Fontaine takes 18 Pierce damage from Ren Amamiya's PMF-84W Barrage. Critical Hit!
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Da Fuck. Did. This. Guy. Just. -Say-. To. Him?!
That causes a small blue flame to burn behind Skull's mask. He is silent again, watching the optical illusion like one watches a political debate with two people you hate: disdainfully.
The Warhammer slams into Skull's side and there is an impact as the small body of Skull almost bends from the force. Yet he still stares, locked on to Alain as the pain goes through his body. However, as the hooks take hold, Skull's mask's begins to burn in blue flame as the boy's face contorts into rage. The response is a swift punch to Alain's masked face, aiming for where a person's nose should be.
Then his body is flung into the air like a rag doll, sailing into air before rocketing down to earth.
There is nothing from the boy as he lays on the ground, the flames building as he stands back up giving the Hunter a sneer as he watches some blood run down the side of his face. "Fuck that and Screw you, shitty fucking adult."
With his free hand, a shotgun is raised and fired repeatedly into Alain center of mass.
After a moment, Skull catches his breath, having emptied the cognitive gun's chamber.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gmswmbosYo&list=RDMJ6L6ninkZE
AS: Weapon! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Pierce skill Bullet Hell on Alain Wakamatsu! 2 Hits! | Aggression: Ryuji Sakamoto gains 1 Limit!
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Unfortunately, Diplomacy is not on the menu tonight, as Laurent declares.
Noir has declared first move, and Queen moves next to Noir, barking out strategy for the team. "They're dangerous- and they know how to fight together! Don't let them isolate you, and watch each other's backs as much as you can! Everyone needs to get to the other side of this, understood?"
Queen steps forward, eyes focusing on Vivienne. "We won't let you stop us," Queen says, that righteous fire burning in her eyes. "Especially if you're going to 'deal with' her shadow. For supposed adults, you don't know what you're doing."
Isabeau explains their method, and Queen stares. "...What are you talking about? That's not what's happening here!" The Shadow isn't trapping her, right? Futaba shouldn't even be in the Palace...
"...That's rich, coming from one of the most childish people here," Queen rebuts, harshly, to Isabeau.
There's an urge there to say something angrier, but now's not the time. No matter how selfishly she wants to lash out.
Queen falls silent for a second, as Vivian asks about their handiwork. "...We have to. It's her only chance to get to live." There's a more personal note there. "...If we can't, then our Justice is meaningless."
Vivienne charges for Queen and she raises her tekko to guard against both slashes, each one slashing her fiercely despite her best attempts to defend herself- and Noir too gets struck.
"Understood, Noir," Queen responds, voice clipped. Right now, they're being pressured and she produces a spell card from nowhere. "Keep on the offense, I'll cover our defense for now! And when I see an opening, we'll take it!"
Throwing the spell card into the air, glittering green healing magic washes over Queen and Noir both, as she takes a more defensive posture.
AS: Persona! Makoto Niijima has used the Recovery skill Media on Makoto Niijima and Haru Okumura! | Support: Makoto Niijima gains 1 Limit! AS: Take! Makoto Niijima takes 103 Recovery healing from Makoto Niijima's Media. AS: Block Worst! Vivienne Sournois takes 59 Pierce damage from Haru Okumura's Double Shot. Critical Hit! AS: Block Worst! Vivienne Sournois takes 59 Pierce damage from Haru Okumura's Double Shot. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Neutral! Alain Wakamatsu takes 43 Pierce damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Bullet Hell. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Best! Alain Wakamatsu takes 15 Pierce damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Bullet Hell. Critical Hit! AS: Take! Haru Okumura takes 103 Recovery healing from Makoto Niijima's Media.
<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
Joker's pistol opens fire. Laurent releaizes -- and leaps to the side. A couple of shots go wide; another slashes across his side, a second leaves a gash along his cheek, and another sinks into his shoulder. Then, he spins past, and another shot slams into the Egyptian wall behind him.
"Gh!"
Laurent grunts, raising up his arm and blocking against the blast of smoke, flame, and sparks that Carmen and Ann send his way. They wash over his coat and him -- and whirl off him. The reason his coat is blackened in places is clear, perhaps, but he still winces.
"She asked," Laurent tells Joker. "And you should have said no. To use such methods is unconscionable -- to bend her will by your design? That she asked is all the more evidence of how troubled she is! And even if she were in her right mind..."
His eyes narrow. "I have seen what the cost is. So, kindly, I will not 'fuck off.'"
He takes a step backward, and holds his pistol-grabbing hand into the air. He fires, a shot flying into the skies. The gunshot is joined by his cry: "Herne!"
His Persona swirls into being behind him: a man in rough hunting leathers, with a noose hanging from his neck limply, and bloodied antlers cresting from him. An equally bloodied spear is in his hand. Herne throws his head back and roars, pained, before he strikes out with the spear. It hits the ground before him.
And then two spikes of gleaming darkness appear, before loosing themselves for Ann and Joker both.
Then, the hunter's Persona whirls -- as Laurent points with his sword for Ann. A crimson light washes over her as Herne's free hand sweeps up -- the chains about the Persona rattling -- and seeks to sap her energies.
AS: Persona! Laurent Fontaine has used the Pierce skill Darkness Nail on Ren Amamiya and Ann Takamaki! AS: Persona! Laurent Fontaine has used the Almighty skill Tarunda on Ann Takamaki! AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 20 Pierce damage from Laurent Fontaine's Darkness Nail. AS: Avoid Neutral! Ann Takamaki takes 70 Pierce damage from Laurent Fontaine's Darkness Nail. AS: Take! Ann Takamaki takes 0 Almighty damage from Laurent Fontaine's Tarunda. | Atk_Dn (Damage down!) added!
AS: Ryuji Sakamoto spends Limit on Shift! Ann Takamaki can use another Weak skill this round!
<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
It's okay, Ogre. Isabeau's also the opsec weak link, here. "A part can consume the whole," she tells her, as if a mother advising her child, sternly, that she mustn't mix bleach with soap.
She's still the same age as -- actually -- hey, Isabeau's a year YOUNGER than Ogre!! And Makoto, who receives a rather rude gesture from Isabeau as reward for her own condemnation. "I have explained as you deserve. She does not know what is good for her," this, she lobs to Joker, just as dismissively, and in clear echo of her father.
(She's not childish! She's very mature. All her allies are cool adults. She's the best at maturity.)
"Bah," she sniffs, with a dismissive gesture, glaring at Ogre. "I know you do not speak a decent word. Every day you trouble me with this. Do you know how much of -- comment dire -- how to say this slows me down when I am with you? You do not notice because I am so quick. It is still a pain behind me!" She means it's a pain in the ass. Shut up. She's good at this.
(She was even worse at Japanese back in Inaba... back then, she made friends with the one other girl in town who spoke French, and could barely even string together a scathing response to her bullying.)
Momiji summons down golden light, though, and Isabeau snaps: "I can do that too. I have found many Skill Cards, in the Mementos underground, climbing Tartarus... you see?" She draws one of those Skill Cards, crushing it in a hand just like her ampoule -- and Mielikki shimmers as the Rebellion card spins behind her, on her appearance, before she shines a golden ray down on Isabeau.
"Nu... tchah!" Isabeau huffs, turning to Yusuke with a scowl. "You will be -- impressionist, when I am done!" She does know that word. There are certain things you just need to know in life, apparently. "Every star in the sky drunk on you!"
The bubbles cloud out, and --
-- and Isabeau, who lost everything to the water, will never run away from it.
She lifts her arm, bringing out her targe, the Eye of Ra painted on it -- she must have plundered it from Futaba's tomb! All of Sekhmet's rage parts those bubbles to either side of her -- though she slides back, a little, from the initial force of the blow. She's able to recover by the end, but her muscles are quivering with the familiar sign of tension, as they cry out to lock up and lock her in place.
Breath snorting through her nose and her teeth, she denies the weakness of her flesh, calling down: "Mielikki! I will not slow down! I will save her -- from herself!"
The healing energy which showers down on Isabeau seems nice, and kind, and gentle, but...
... a sound's building, from the Persona...
bzzzzzzzzzzz...
"I trust my father more than you! Lay down, be still! MEGIDO!"
Oh, god, that wasn't just a wasp bugging them.
That was the sound -- of an explosion deeper than the elements, building from a spark like the birth of a universe.
The smallest expression of this power is 'Megido,' and here, the petit villain calls it down.
Fox and Ogre... how will they handle such an abrupt escalation?
AS: Makoto Niijima spends Limit on Shift! Haru Okumura can use another Weak skill this round! Hyper (Next Attack Boosted/Incoming Damage Down!) applied to Haru Okumura! They both receive 8 SP and 30 HP! AS: Isabeau Fontaine spends Limit on Exploit! Isabeau Fontaine can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Persona! Isabeau Fontaine has used the Almighty skill Rebellion on Isabeau Fontaine! | Defense: Isabeau Fontaine gains 1 Limit!
AS: Take! Isabeau Fontaine takes 0 Almighty damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Rebellion. | Crt_Up (Critical Up!) added!
AS: Ann Takamaki spends Limit on Shift! Ren Amamiya can use another Weak skill this round! Hyper (Next Attack Boosted/Incoming Damage Down!) applied to Ren Amamiya! They both receive 8 SP and 30 HP! AS: Persona! Isabeau Fontaine has used the Almighty skill Megido on Ichika Kawase and Yusuke Kitagawa! AS: Persona! Isabeau Fontaine has used the Recovery skill Energy Shower on Isabeau Fontaine! AS: Take! Isabeau Fontaine takes 0 Recovery healing from Isabeau Fontaine's Energy Shower. | Paralyze removed!
<Pose Tracker> Alain Wakamatsu has posed.
Skull locking eyes with him will get the eerie sensation that he can't tell if he actually is locking eyes with him. The lenses of the antique mask are opaque after all.
He will see a reflection of himself within them though- as his fist contacts the mask right as he's slammed down.
Of course, he doesn't stay down. He shouts expletives at him before raising his shotgun and firing.
The pellets of the first shot graze off of the backside of his coat, before he swings around, and out of his coat-
-swings up a sawed off shotgun of his own. Simultaneously though, Skull feels his movements and reflexes become more languorous- and overhead, he might catch a glimpse of his Persona, pointing a hoof at him again.
He fires once, and the sawed off double barrel shotgun makes a sound like thunder, as the blast barrels into Skull's side.
"It is done more like this." He advises to him despite the hail of expletives. As he flicks it open, dropping two shell casings and jam in a pair of new shells in one swift and practiced motion. "Then, they cannot escape what comes next."
He pulls the trigger and fires again. They are hunters. He would prefer that a teenage boy not be his prey tonight.
But they are long past personal preferences. As Laurent says, he will not 'fuck off' from Thieves who will change who someone is- in service of their Justice.
AS: Alain Wakamatsu spends Limit on Exploit! Alain Wakamatsu can use another Weak skill this round!
<Pose Tracker> Vivienne Sournois has posed.
Futaba wishes to change - and the Phantom Thieves want to grant that wish. Vivienne 'hm's to herself and nods.
"Noble. I do sympathise with you - when one asks for your help, it's only natural to want to do what you can to help, isn't it? ...But. Sometimes you must know when to stand aside." Vivienne replies. Noir and Joker ask much the same question - what do they plan to do? She smiles, raising a finger to her lips. "I'm afraid now that things have progressed to this point, I cannot say. I'm sure a Phantom would understand. Trade secrets, and all that. ...But, we do a history, and that history gives us the confidence to stand here now. Which is to say..."
She looks to Queen.
"We understand just how delicate the situation is. ...But do you? I've seen the men your methods broke, you know, spilling their guts on the television screen. Will Futaba Sakura, in her fragile state, be able to survive being broken in such a way? Will your Justice survive it?" Vivienne asks.
Queen and Noir are skilled, however - she receives shrapnel in return for her darts, and Queen's defense proves strong against her blades. She seems pleased regardless. While Queen focuses on support, Noir puts the pressure on her. Milady appears, barraging her position with gunshots. Vivienne braces herself - but against the Persona's barrage, she can only defend herself so much. A wide grin crosses her face as she's forced back.
"Marvelous!" She approves. "Skadi, dear, return the favor!"
She draws out a vial of her own, crushing it between her fingers. A soporific mist exudes outward - and forms into a blue giant of a woman, clad in winter gear with a pair of skis upon her feet and equipped for battle.
Skadi casts a hand outward - and the temperature around Noir begins to lower rapidly. Snow, ephemeral but blinding while it remains, begins to fall, chilling even as it tries to obscure her vision.
Queen, meanwhile, will receive the direct approach. Skadi draws a spear from her back and the tip flashes green before she rushes toward Noir, jabbing it toward her!
AS: Persona! Alain Wakamatsu has used the Almighty skill Sukunda on Ryuji Sakamoto! | Defense: Alain Wakamatsu gains 1 Limit!
AS: Weapon! Alain Wakamatsu has used the Pierce skill Baking Spread on Ryuji Sakamoto! AS: Persona! Vivienne Sournois has used the Water skill Blinding Flurry on Haru Okumura! | Ruin: Vivienne Sournois gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Vivienne Sournois has used the Pierce skill Poison Spear on Makoto Niijima! AS: Take! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 0 Almighty damage from Alain Wakamatsu's Sukunda. | Spd_Dn (Avoid Penalized!) added!
AS: Counter Neutral! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 147 Pierce damage from Alain Wakamatsu's Baking Spread. Critical Hit! | COUNTER! Alain Wakamatsu takes 87 Pierce damage in return for his attack!
AS: Counter Best! Haru Okumura takes 62 Water damage from Vivienne Sournois's Blinding Flurry. Critical Hit! | COUNTER! Reflect Magic! Vivienne Sournois takes 125 Water damage in return for her attack! Resist!
AS: Block Best! Ichika Kawase takes 76 Almighty damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Megido. AS: Avoid Worst! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 151 Almighty damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Megido. AS: Ichika Kawase spends Limit on Shift! Yusuke Kitagawa can use another Weak skill this round! Hyper (Next Attack Boosted/Incoming Damage Down!) applied to Yusuke Kitagawa! They both receive 8 SP and 30 HP!
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
"Uh?" Ogre wondrs of Panther. "Knight stuff?" But then Panther's explanation is RUDELY interrupted and Ogre scowls. "I'll ask later!"
She does try, Joker. She does. But there's nothing for it now. Ogre is used to dealing with a certain amount of condescension... and almost as used to pushing back now.
But Isabeau is younger than Ichika, isn't she? "Don't act like you're an expert," Ogre spits out at Isabeau. This is metaphorical. This time. But Isabeau snaps about their language.
"Whatever," the oni answers, until--skill cards. "What is this, some kind of playground brawl? Who cares if you can do the same thing?"
To save her from herself?
"Bullshit!" Ogre calls back. But that wasn't a wasp--an explosion happens, and Ogre puts up her shield and braces. It bursts all around her; stone and dust on the floor shatters and blows past her, the explosion dragging against her shield as she has to put a second hand on it to withstand the blast. Even so, her boots skid across the floor, the dust settling beneath.
"Fuck--YOU!" Ogre shouts back.
"Save her from herself," she says then, lowering her shield as the explosions are done. "Do you hear yourself? You're just another in a long string of people telling a girl what she can do with her life. Telling a girl what she can do with herself!"
"I WON'T HAVE IT!"
"Momiji! Get her ass!" Ogre rips off her mask again, blue flame still obscuring her identity through the blood, and Momiji reappears--to slash across Isabeau's form with her poisonous claws. "Fox! Fuck her up, too!"
AS: Persona! Ichika Kawase has used the Slash skill Poison Claw on Isabeau Fontaine! AS: Avoid Best! Makoto Niijima takes 16 Pierce damage from Vivienne Sournois's Poison Spear. AS: Avoid Neutral! Isabeau Fontaine takes 45 Slash damage from Ichika Kawase's Poison Claw. | Poison (Damage on end of turn!) added!
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Skull is a little to pissed to acknowledge that this guy is getting to him....It might be obvious though.
Though the mask does make Skull sort of take stock of how he blew his top just now. The Phantom Thief forces himself to take it down a notch...then another as it becomes easier.
But the world is going slower thanks to his stupid horse Persona.
Skull tries to wipe around as he spots the shotgun but is unable to do much other than send another punch toward Alain's face. The delinquent winces as he feels the blast of the shotgun rocket into his side, contorting his face as the pain surges through him.
Skull falls to one knee, breathing heavily as he tries to think of what to do next. This guy has him on the ropes...even when he's fighting at his best! This guy is just better. More experienced.
Think, Skull...THINK. Ok, you don't do that well.
Suddenly a memory comes to him. On one of his many treks through Mementos, Skull found a card which he equipped tonight. It seemed like a powerful spell so that might be his trump card.
There is the sound of glass breaking as a skeleton pirate sails into existence. It aims it's canon arm for the French Hunter as Skull forces a grin. "Get ready for Absolutely Fatal End!" The smug expression on his face is there for a moment.
Then a surge of pain from the spell doing it's job. "OH FUCK! I THINK I READ INTO THIS WRONG!"
AS: Persona! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Slash skill Absolutely Fatal End on Alain Wakamatsu! | Aggression: Ryuji Sakamoto gains 1 Limit!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Alain Wakamatsu takes 88 Slash damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Absolutely Fatal End. Critical Hit!
<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
Everyone is moving. Makoto is issuing her orders.
For once, Panther takes them fully to heart. She's not risking anything here.
She's not risking losing Futaba to these people.
Pushing back up onto her feet, the red leather-clad Panther's gaze is one of disdainful wrath as it looks down as the smoke-choked Laurent. Blue flames burst and then funnel down into the long thin spiral of a whip at her hip. She grabs it -- but does not quite yet unfurl it, as Joker strikes.
She really wants to give him the business right now, especially as he speaks, and that condescension just doubles upon itself. Blue eyes narrow dangerously.
But it makes it all the more important that she stay focused.
He moves. And, eyes widening, Panther springs just as that spear of seething dark ruptures the air in a screaming path towards her. She can't help the gasp of pain as it rips past her side, clipping her viciously enough to send her into a briefly uncontrolled spiral through the air: she only barely recovers, hitting the ground in a skidding squeal just in time for those rattling chains herald the scarlet light of fatigue that seeps into her.
"Ngh--!" Her teeth grit. Her shoulders sag briefly.
"You've got -- no idea what you're talking about--! Adults like you, who act like they're so above it all even though they're just as clueless as the rest of us--"
Ann's eyes widen. She grips her mask.
"Are the ABSOLUTE WORST."
Carmen rears back. She puffs her cigar and exhales again -- and it's just smoke, pure smoke, that billows towards Laurent, saturating sulphur that seeps into his clothes and fills him with the odiously eggy stench of sulphur.
Making him so much more susceptible to the mounting heat that surrounds him.
"I don't care what you think! Because here's what I know!"
But it's not for her. No: Carmen is yanking the leashes of her servants with constrictive force, inspiring sudden, throbbing pulses of heart-shaped light to ripple from them both and wash healing love (???) across both her and Joker. No--
"You aren't going to touch a single hair on her head! Joker -- NOW!"
It's not for her at all.
AS: Persona! Ann Takamaki has used the Almighty skill Fire Break on Laurent Fontaine!
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
"Yes. We saw the way Futaba-chan suffered... and she sought us out. If no one else can help her change, then that's very least we can do." Noir answers Vivienne. At the same time, one must know when to stand aside. "I can agree with that as well. And yet, neither of us are willing to stand down... neither of us can give up on Futaba-chan, right?"
"A trade secret... then I'm afraid if you cannot trust our method, then we cannot trust yours. It's regrettable that we must come to blows like this... but between us, I savour the challenge!" Despite her calm composure and kind words, Noir's smile doesn't quite match.
Nonetheless, Vivienne has proven herself a challenge indeed. Queen comes up with a strategy - she focuses on offense, while Queen focuses on support. They complement each other quite well, don't they? "Thank you, Queen! I'm feeling better already~" She calls out, as Johanna's healing magic soothes that feeling of weakness. Now she can put her full efforts towards going on the offensive!
Vivienne compliments their teamwork, even as Milady's bullets push her back. As she summons her wintery Persona and fires off a blast of chilling wind, Milady's barrier reforms, pushing back the storm enough to catch Vivienne herself in the blast - creating a fog of war for both sides alike. "Well done, Milady!" Noir grins. "It's time to press the advantage. Triple Down!!" Just as hail and snow rains down in the Palace, so too does gunfire.
"Queen! It's your turn! This is the best chance we'll get!" Noir beckons to her teammate.
AS: Persona! Ann Takamaki has used the Recovery skill Media on Ren Amamiya and Ann Takamaki! AS: Take! Ann Takamaki takes 88 Recovery healing from Ann Takamaki's Media. AS: Haru Okumura spends Limit on Shift! Makoto Niijima can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Persona! Haru Okumura has used the Pierce skill Triple Down on Vivienne Sournois! 3 Hits! | Pressure: Haru Okumura gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Haru Okumura has used the Pierce skill Double Shot on Vivienne Sournois! 2 Hits!
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
"And you'll be a Picasso masterpiece," Fox bites back as Isabeau threatens to make him an impressionist piece.
... He means he's going to rearrange her face.
Isabeau's immediate calling upon that incandescent flame in response to his aquatic attack has his eyes widening, though. He'd normally throw himself aside, but it's so bright and terrible that he can only shield his eyes as the white flame orb descends upon himself and Ogre.
Coughing, he adjusts his mask, brushing soot off it. His cognitive armour - his Phantom Thief guise - is similarly charred and blackened.
"So your answer is to - silence the Shadow? Destroy it?"
He picks up his sword, fallen on the oddly-metallic floor underneath them.
"'The help she needs' - tell me. Who would you find who would help her instead of blaming her again?"
Once more, Goemon appears over Fox, great pipe wielded like a blade as the Persona matches its wielder's stance.
"No."
Persona and Thief move as one, pipe and blade ablur in a whirling slashing assault to press Isabeau back.
AS: Persona! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Slash skill Arm Chopper on Isabeau Fontaine! | Pressure: Yusuke Kitagawa gains 1 Limit!
AS: Weapon! Yusuke Kitagawa has used the Slash skill Katana Combo on Isabeau Fontaine! 2 Hits! AS: Avoid Neutral! Isabeau Fontaine takes 80 Slash damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Arm Chopper. AS: Block Best! Isabeau Fontaine takes 14 Slash damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Katana Combo. AS: Block Worst! Isabeau Fontaine takes 72 Slash damage from Yusuke Kitagawa's Katana Combo. Critical Hit!
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
She asked--and you should have said no.
If Joker weren't already furious at Laurent and the Wild Hunt, this would have sent them over the edge. As it stands, even they can't maintain their composure anymore as they bare their teeth in a grimace and their eyes flash beneath their mask. What Laurent said hit a nerve. No, not just a nerve, but their biggest trauma--the one that caused them to Awaken in the first place.
That theatrical cadence and manner of speech they adopt as Joker temporarily gone, they snarl, "You're saying we should've ignored a girl who needed our help?!"
An image of a woman struggling against a drunken, belligerent man--her desperate look as she begged them for help--flashes through their mind.
"I will NEVER abandon someone who needs me!!"
On some level, they do know that there is a level of miscommunication going on here. It's clear the Wild Hunt misunderstands The Phantoms and their methods, and it's also clear there's some level of painful personal experience behind what they're misunderstanding their methods to be. But what else is new? Besides, Joker's already been convinced it won't do any good to tell them that they aren't forcing their will on anyone, that they're instead removing distortions from others so they can see the world clearly. Why waste your breath trying to convince someone who already thinks they're right?
(They at least don't begrudge Vivienne's coy little shushing finger... much. They do know how it is. They've already chosen not to share their own methods with anyone, let alone these people. That smug-seeming way she says it does not do much to convince them she's reasonable after all, though.)
Laurent calls up his Persona, roaring in pain with a noose and bloodied antlers, speaking with eloquent force to that painful personal experience Laurent has clearly experienced and that Joker doesn't give one single fuck about right now. Once Herne unleashes those needles of darkness, Joker once again dodges, this time in a side roll. Once again, a long and painful slash is left in its wake, and when Joker lands on one knee, they turn a sharp look of concern over to their friend.
"Panther!" they call--but she's not so easily downed herself. She tells Laurent the business, as Joker agrees he so rightfully deserves. They don't even need to add anything to it. Because of that, it lets them lock in despite their rage, and turn back to the leader of the Wild Hunt as Carmen's smoky breath roils over him.
Their hand is already on their mask by the time Panther prompts them. "Arsène!!" they roar, deep and wrathful, as a black-winged entity with a tall hat, tall boots, and a wicked grin materializes above them in time for those hearts to wash over User and Persona. The Great Thief gestures clawed fingers at Lauren and Harpe, and green and blue light glitter around them, sapping both their speed and defenses.
Joker shoots a sharp look Panther's way and gives her a precise nod. "Together," they intone, their composure partially restored. This was the only set-up; next will be the punchline--only Laurent won't be laughing.
AS: Take! Ren Amamiya takes 88 Recovery healing from Ann Takamaki's Media. AS: Persona! Ren Amamiya has used the Almighty skill Sukunda on Laurent Fontaine! | Ruin: Ren Amamiya gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Ren Amamiya has used the Almighty skill Rakunda on Laurent Fontaine!
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Queen frowns, as Vivienne seems so... unreasonably understanding. Makoto's used to enemies that are utterly irredeemable, and... well. Vivienne even seems to have to have confidence they can help Futaba while the Phantom Thieves are flying blind.
What if they *do* do more harm than good?
The doubt clearly flickers across Queen's face, even though the mask hides a lot of it.
"...You're right. It's a risk. And if we fail..." The consequences are horrible. Futaba-chan could end up even worse. "But... without knowing your methods, without knowing your history- I can't let you past. I have no reason to trust your methods, like you don't have any reason to trust mine. But if we're keeping trade secrets, then this is our only option."
Queen's eyes turn fierce. "And... Futaba-chan is stronger than those men. She wouldn't have made it this long if she wasn't."
Queen... really hopes she's right.
Skadi's spear lashes forward, and Queen shifts, letting the shaft of the spear hit her so that the tip does not, and she takes much less damage as a result- as well as evading the deadly poison. Noir, on the other hand looks to be having a rougher time, and Queen grimaces. "Noir, are you okay? She knows she shouldn't pass up that opening, but at the same time she's worried about her teammate.
Who is just her teammate. And not more, certainly.
"...Got it. Keep up the pressure! Johanna!"
The Personacycle emerges from behind Queen and she backflips onto it, taking the momentum to turn her movement into a 180-degree turn and send a gout of green exhaust flare toward Vivienne, nuclear flames billowing toward her. "Frei!"
And then, she hits the accelerator and Johanna, moving with a turning circle and acceleration no real bike could replicate, drives her alongside Noir, and Queen focuses her persona's power again. "Diarama!" She shouts, and Johanna's face plate and engine glow while the green light of healing falls on Noir.
"...You heard them. We're not giving up on her- even if we have to go through you first. Futaba-chan asked us for help, and we're going to get it to her, no matter what."
AS: Persona! Makoto Niijima has used the Fire skill Frei on Vivienne Sournois! AS: Persona! Makoto Niijima has used the Recovery skill Diarama on Haru Okumura! | Support: Makoto Niijima gains 1 Limit!
<Pose Tracker> Futaba Sakura has posed.
Meanwhile...
The pain on the soles of her feet from running across the sunbaked plaza is fading, and Futaba Sakura has almost gotten used to the figure who met her at that door.
'Good. You're here,' she had said. Futaba had been shocked by the quality of the cosplay as well as that strange sense of seeing herself directly. 'Come,' the other-her had said then, and turned and walked, and Futaba had no other plan and no stronger ideas.
"I didn't think it would be like this," Futaba says, as the sandstone blocks facing them flicker occasionally, showing distorted text. The distorted-screen to stone-block ratio is increasing.
Futaba looks over her shoulder - looks back, and the other-her is gone. "Ah...?"
She is silent for several seconds. Megatons of stone and over a hundred meters away, fire screams against blades.
Futaba runs to catch up, or at least move towards that light, and she emerges in a coruscating cavalcade of those flickering screens. And to one side, she sees with a sudden startle, is a frieze.
She recognizes the scene immediately. It helps that she knows enough hieratic script to recognize the nature of what the three figures say.
"Do you remember?" speaks a voice, and Futaba flinches again, eyes wide behind the lenses. She stares in astonishment for a silent second, and then says, weakly, "It's... the suicide note. When the men in the black suits read it... right after... Mom died."
"That's correct. Look at the next one."
What will it be? Futaba suspects. Soon enough, she sees it, the car, her other self, the caution tape, the cruel sun, the DON'T WALK light, and in the center of it all,
"... It's... This is when Mom jumped in front of that car."
The Shadow nods. "That's right. Now the next."
Futaba's arms wrap around each other. She looks at the ground. A little tremor runs through her legs. "No..."
The Shadow steps closer. "Don't run from it." A pause. "I thought you had made your mind up once you had contacted the Phantom Thieves. Will you stop here?"
"Alright..."
Futaba raises her head, slowly, like she's touching a hot stove, and sees what she expected to see. "... Yeah." Her head slumps forwards. "I knew it."
"It was me," Futaba says. "I was awful. I was weighing her down, and she hated me for it. Just like I remembered." Futaba's eyes shut.
"Are you sure?"
AS: Take! Haru Okumura takes 145 Recovery healing from Makoto Niijima's Diarama. AS: Avoid Best! Vivienne Sournois takes 19 Pierce damage from Haru Okumura's Triple Down. AS: Avoid Best! Vivienne Sournois takes 19 Pierce damage from Haru Okumura's Triple Down. AS: Avoid Best! Vivienne Sournois takes 19 Pierce damage from Haru Okumura's Triple Down. AS: Avoid Neutral! Vivienne Sournois takes 40 Pierce damage from Haru Okumura's Double Shot. Critical Hit! | Bind (Magic and Avoid Penalized!) added!
AS: Avoid Worst! Vivienne Sournois takes 73 Pierce damage from Haru Okumura's Double Shot. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Worst! Vivienne Sournois takes 85 Fire damage from Makoto Niijima's Frei. Weak! Avoid Fire! | Blast (Magic and Block Penalized!) added!
AS: Take! Laurent Fontaine takes 0 Almighty damage from Ann Takamaki's Fire Break. | Fire_Break (Fire Affinity Down!) added!
AS: Take! Laurent Fontaine takes 0 Almighty damage from Ren Amamiya's Sukunda. | Spd_Dn (Avoid Penalized!) added!
AS: Take! Laurent Fontaine takes 0 Almighty damage from Ren Amamiya's Rakunda. | Def_Dn (Block Penalized!) added!
<Pose Tracker> Alain Wakamatsu has posed.
It's obvious he's getting to him. Especially to Alain. It's not as if he's trying to hurt him- he just wants him to think. And it's clearly he's not able to engage with him right now.
He's too mad.
So he's happy to give him a target to vent his frustration- after all, he would never turn down a good fight, as he takes another punch on the chin.
His attitude does not get to Alain- what does get to him? Ogre's words, shouting them across the room.
'Fuck--YOU!'
'Save her from yourself,'
'You're just another in a long string of people telling a girl what she can do with her life.'
That one irks him. "She's suicidal." He says bluntly, "Are you saying if she told you to kill her, you would do it because it's what she wants? Because it's her choice?" There's a hint of anger, "Spare me the self-righteous talk. You know as well as I do- there are some choices that cannot be honored in her current state of mind."
Skull had been down on one knee, so he had not been paying too much attention, but then he sees the glint of a skill card. And he sees it- the cannon arm being aimed in his direction.
He suddenly gets low- but he's not going to make it. At least until his Persona charges up, and takes the cannon shell head on, knocking it out of the way, but at great cost.
The Persona shatters, as the shell detonates.
Another phial appears in his hand, as he places a hand to his head, suffering the intense pain of a Persona break- one he hadn't felt in a very, very long time.
"Mmph- I do not think it works as advertised." He quips to Skull.
He breaks the new phial. "Bayard." The horse Persona appears again, then gets down on all fours- then slams down in front of Skull, beginning to buck and kick wildly.
As he does, shock waves of force hit out again, and again, and again in a terrible rampage.
"Merde! Learn to quit while you're behind!"
He does not want to seriously hurt him. It does not mean he won't have to if he continues being stubborn.%
AS: Persona! Alain Wakamatsu has used the Strike skill Rampage on Ryuji Sakamoto! 3 Hits! | Defense: Alain Wakamatsu gains 1 Limit!
AS: Block Best! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 19 Strike damage from Alain Wakamatsu's Rampage. Critical Hit! Block Strike! AS: Block Neutral! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 28 Strike damage from Alain Wakamatsu's Rampage. Block Strike! AS: Block Worst! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 73 Strike damage from Alain Wakamatsu's Rampage. Critical Hit! Block Strike!
<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
"It is easy, isn't it, to blame everything on adults?" Laurent says to Ann, keeping his voice level -- but it's growing colder, as he puts more effort into it as anger settles in. "I know something about being in a terrible place." His eyes narrow.
"And I know something about wishing I was in no place, at all, ever again," he finishes. "So don't speak to me as if I can't understand."
The smoke shoots across him. His eyes widen, slightly -- realization kicks in. Making him more susceptible to fire. And--
"No, I'm saying you have picked a way that isn't a monstrous violation of human dignity," Laurent spits back at Joker. "To change someone's heart with supernatural means? That makes you no better than the quarries we hunt!"
Perhaps he wouldn't be so easily corrected.
Arsene's spells lance through him. Laurent hisses, then he looks sharply at Ann. She used the healing spell earlier -- he knows, then, what his priority must be. But the, he considers Joker. There is something strange with this one. The leader. Then...
He might be...
Laurent's eyes narrow. He lifts his hand, and Herne thrusts out his empty hand. Blue-grey light washes up across Ann and Joker both.
"Herne!" he calls out. "Forth, my companion!"
Herne throws his head back and screams. His antlers gleam, the blood on them shining red. Then Herne lunges forward, between them both. His great, bladed spear swings back -- and then comes forward, slashing brutally across both of the Phantoms.
AS: Laurent Fontaine spends Limit on Exploit! Laurent Fontaine can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Persona! Laurent Fontaine has used the Almighty skill Slash Break on Ren Amamiya! AS: Persona! Laurent Fontaine has used the Almighty skill Slash Break on Ann Takamaki! AS: Persona! Laurent Fontaine has used the Slash skill Blade of Fury on Ren Amamiya and Ann Takamaki! 3 Hits! AS: Ryuji Sakamoto spends Limit on Exploit! Ryuji Sakamoto can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Take! Ann Takamaki takes 0 Almighty damage from Laurent Fontaine's Slash Break. | Slash_Break (Slash Affinity Down!) added!
AS: Avoid Best! Ann Takamaki takes 20 Slash damage from Laurent Fontaine's Blade of Fury. AS: Avoid Neutral! Ann Takamaki takes 46 Slash damage from Laurent Fontaine's Blade of Fury. AS: Block Worst! Ann Takamaki takes 69 Slash damage from Laurent Fontaine's Blade of Fury. AS: Avoid Neutral! Ren Amamiya takes 0 Almighty damage from Laurent Fontaine's Slash Break. | Slash_Break (Slash Affinity Down!) added!
AS: Avoid Neutral! Ren Amamiya takes 38 Slash damage from Laurent Fontaine's Blade of Fury. AS: Avoid Worst! Ren Amamiya takes 99 Slash damage from Laurent Fontaine's Blade of Fury. Critical Hit! AS: You have 1 more attack in queue! AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 16 Slash damage from Laurent Fontaine's Blade of Fury. AS: Ren Amamiya spends Limit on Shift! Ann Takamaki can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Ren Amamiya spends Limit on Shift! Ann Takamaki can use another Weak skill this round!
<Pose Tracker> Vivienne Sournois has posed.
Vivienne listens as Noir explains further. Their hearts ache for poor Futaba, and they wish to help her change. But, Noir turns her own words upon her. Neither of them are willing to stand down - neither of them can give up on Futaba.
"As you say." Vivienne agrees with a bow of her head - and then a grin, as Noir points out that if she can't trust their method, they can't trust hers... and says that she savours the challenge.
"As do I!" Vivienne agrees. "Ah... a clash between souls, driven by equal purpose yet opposing ideals in the heart of an ancient tomb... now that's cinema, darling!"
Queen admits that there's a risk - but without knowing, she still can't let them past. She has no reason to trust her, like she has no reason to trust them.
"I suppose I can't begrudge you that." Vivienne says. Then pauses, as Queen states with fierce eyes that Futaba is stronger than those men. "Is she, now...? Let us hope so."
It's not a refutation, or a disagreement - she seems more curious, than anything.
Milady's barrier reforms - and Vivienne finds her own chilling wind recoiling back at her. Even she can feel that chill intensely. It's hard to see in the wintry fog, but as she hears Noir call out 'Triple Down' Vivienne begins to weave through the gunfire almost instinctively -
- up until the point that Queen calls nuclear flame down upon her courtesy of Johanna. The exhaust blasts outward, forcing her to backpedal as it sears across her, striking her where she's weakest and blasting away the fog - and leaving her open to Noir's follow-up, as Milady unleashes more gunfire onto her position. She's blasted backward, off her feet - but with a mid-air flip, she lands upright.
Queen insists they aren't giving up on her, even if they have to go through her first.
Vivienne's looking winded - but that insistence, if anything, makes her grin widen further. She adjusts her glasses.
"Such passion, darling. ...Let's put it to the test, then." She says. Skadi reappears behind her and exhales.
Mist, like the sort that appear from Milady's reflection, begins to unfurl around them all. This time, however, it coats Vivienne completely. Light gleams off her glasses - those big, round lenses now appearing much like the lantern eyes of a nocturnal hunting beast.
They drift toward Noir, and there's a gleam off of her swords. The hook of one catches the handle of the other and they're swung overhead at high speed, combining them for greater reach and power. The linked blades lash out twice toward her within the mist.
Queen, meanwhile, may hear the sound of something massive approach from above. Skadi descends, thrusting her spear downward with a single powerful strike.
AS: Vivienne Sournois spends Limit on Exploit! Vivienne Sournois can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Persona! Vivienne Sournois has used the Almighty skill Shrouding Mist on Vivienne Sournois! AS: Take! Vivienne Sournois takes 0 Almighty damage from Vivienne Sournois's Shrouding Mist. | Crt_Up (Critical Up!) and Spd_Up (Avoid Improved!) added!
AS: Persona! Vivienne Sournois has used the Pierce skill Cornered Spear on Makoto Niijima! AS: Weapon! Vivienne Sournois has used the Slash skill Linked Lash on Haru Okumura! 2 Hits!
<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
"Where is your postdoctorate degree?" Isabeau demands, of Ogre, when she insists she's not an expert. (Oh, sure, she knows a complicated word like THAT!) "Where is any credential you hold? You, who hides behind an ugly mask, as if you can hide your ugly insides. No -- I am not yet expert. Pain me to say it, and I must. It is my father who is expert, my allies who have fought since you or I were young. I am learning, still. Mise en garde," there's that phrase, again!, "I learn quick."
With a harrumph, she insists, on being able to enhance her killing power just as well: "You are not special, is my point." WHY IS SHE SO PETTY!
... and Isabeau is special?
Of course she's special. She's living at a higher vibration.
Isabeau's lips curl upwards, baring her teeth, hearing Yusuke threaten to make her a Picasso. "I am more liking Duchamp-Villon," she insists, haughtily, invoking another Cubist sculptor -- a Frenchman, obviously. (Picasso was denied entry to Club France, on account of all the communism...) "He studied at the Sorbonne. I will escape this Hell to learn there, too." It's a significant boast, especially for anyone who recognises that the Sorbonne is one of THE universities in France -- and Isabeau is one of the absolute worst students in Shujin's halls.
(It's not her fault. She can't... read the questions and answer them in the time they give her. She's not stupid if you give her an exam written in French...)
And so, she ignites reality...
"Why are you still standing?!" She demands, hotly, when the air clears, and Fox is charred and Ogre is screaming but they're both still upright. "You--!! BAH!"
She gestures, sharply, turning to Ogre. "Will I bow to your alternative? To let the girl put knife to throat and slice? She is weak. I am strong. I will carry her through this darkness. She will become strong, in time. Listen to Alain... or else kill her yourself, coward!"
To Yusuke, she scowls: "We will settle it. Quiet it. Our solution is kind. We ask no change of these victims, no washing of their brains. In reality, they will become strong. Wounded girls should not know about the dark... let them forget, and rebuild without the poison of the Supernatural."
Speaking of poison, Momiji comes for Isabeau -- and Isabeau is smart enough not to block a Persona directly. Instead, she leaps backwards, to perch on a stone pillar and spring away as those claws close in. Those claws clip her, rather than tearing through... but only the tips need to dig into that Victorian armour of hers.
She feels the poison flood her veins, as she lands. There is another breath, pained, as she straightens.
As she moves, again, at once -- dodging behind something in the background, as Goemon offers his own rebuttal. Stone showers her where his blow lands, though she's able to avoid a direct hit. That katana, though? That she meets with her targe, bringing it up to intercept his blows. And at first, she abjures him without effort --
-- but he swung twice.
The second blow, perhaps learning from the first, stabs at her other flank -- and she crashes down, knocked prone by the critical hit. "Do you think," she snarls, as she pushes herself up again, sweat beading from her pale flesh thanks to that poison's efforts, "I do not know very well how little help she has? Fool." Isabeau's vocabulary just isn't that deep, generally speaking; that's a straight-up baka. "For years... I spent every day, every hour, every MINUTE on finding my father... for lack of your country's help!"
She's...
... actually angry about that.
Real angry, actually.
"When I was lost, and my mother could no longer find me, and my father did not know to look... there was no one. I saved myself. If she were not so weak, she would do the same!" Isabeau roars, as she grasps another vial, from her belt. "She is not! She is weak! Small! You do not see? I will save her! We will save her! We will find a way forward which does not desecrate her soul! MIELIKKI!"
This time, Isabeau doesn't crush the vial.
She tips it over... and drinks it.
And it is not just poison, running through her veins, now.
Blue fire erupts along her, throat to belly to hands to blade, as that waspish fairy rises -- and Isabeau dives alongside her, in a hurricane of horrific violence which is only underscored by more gales.
What's the next step up from Megido? It seems like it's power which burns through her body just as grievously as Momiji's poison. This is no birth of the universe: only a bastard's anger.
Withstand it, and you might just be able to take advantage of that opening, even though she's got back up... because she was knocked down emotionally, too.
AS: Isabeau Fontaine spends Limit on Exploit! Isabeau Fontaine can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Isabeau Fontaine spends Limit on Break! AS: Isabeau Fontaine spends Limit on Blood! AS: Persona! Theurgy! Isabeau Fontaine has used the Wind skill Prendre la Tête on Yusuke Kitagawa and Ichika Kawase! 3 Hits! | Isabeau Fontaine takes 60 damage from Stress! | Defense: Isabeau Fontaine gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Isabeau Fontaine has used the Wind skill Magarula on Ichika Kawase and Yusuke Kitagawa! AS: Isabeau Fontaine's turn has ended. It's time for an All-Out Attack! | Isabeau Fontaine: Loses 67 HP from Poison! Poison and Break removed!
AS: Avoid Worst! Haru Okumura takes 72 Slash damage from Vivienne Sournois's Linked Lash. AS: Avoid Best! Haru Okumura takes 28 Slash damage from Vivienne Sournois's Linked Lash.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
"The hell you talking about? ARE YOU SENILE TOO? Who said we'd kill her?" Skull is a little too into the fight to perceive where Alain got that from. No, this fight was all that mattered to him right now...even as it was not going his way...again.
The Absolute Fatal End didn't do it. No. As Skull watches the man tend to his wounds with whatever blood juice he's using, he can't help but start to feel that this is all hopeless. They were going to get past them and do something unspeakable to that girl. All in the name of their stupid naive pride about how this should go.
Skull clenches his teeth just as Bayard appears and begins to buck. The Phantom Thief begins to use the bat to block what he can but it is still tearing him up. For each blocked kick, the next two come in contact with Skull and send him side to side. He can feel the sense being kicked into him.
As his eyes lose focus, he can see Kamoshida. All those times he pushed him until he broke. All those times he smiled smugly at his pain. That was how it had to be, right? According to his adult, the Phantoms methods were wrong so that meant fixing that bastard's heart was wrong. It was right that he broke his leg and all of his dreams. Maybe his dad was right to beat him.
NO.
NO, even if he can't win this was all fucking wrong and he knew it.
Skull's body hits the ground when the kicks stop, laying there for a moment before the boy gets to his feet again. He is bloody from cuts on his forehead and battered all over his body. There were no words. This time the punk just lets out a yell, consistent and building in volume.
The skeleton pirate person roars silently as it aims an electrical shot toward the man, blasting him from behind Skull. With no warning, the punk makes one last dash, swinging the bat wildly as he attempts to do one of those Samurai attack passes. This was the end of this fight.
AS: Persona! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Strike skill Street Justice on Alain Wakamatsu! 3 Hits! | Aggression: Ryuji Sakamoto gains 1 Limit!
AS: Persona! Ryuji Sakamoto has used the Elec skill Zio on Alain Wakamatsu! AS: Alain Wakamatsu spends Limit on Brace! AS: Avoid Best! Alain Wakamatsu takes 5 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Street Justice. AS: Avoid Best! Alain Wakamatsu takes 5 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Street Justice. AS: Avoid Neutral! Alain Wakamatsu takes 32 Strike damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Street Justice. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Best! Alain Wakamatsu takes 6 Elec damage from Ryuji Sakamoto's Zio. | Paralyze (Physical and Avoid Penalized!) added!
AS: Block Best! Makoto Niijima takes 61 Pierce damage from Vivienne Sournois's Cornered Spear. Critical Hit! AS: Haru Okumura spends Limit on Shift! Makoto Niijima can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Avoid Worst! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 99 Wind damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Prendre la Tête. AS: Nemesis! Yusuke Kitagawa can take another Weak action this round! AS: Avoid Neutral! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 69 Wind damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Prendre la Tête. AS: Avoid Neutral! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 99 Wind damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Prendre la Tête. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Neutral! Yusuke Kitagawa takes 104 Wind damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Magarula. | Yusuke Kitagawa is unable to continue fighting!
AS: Block Worst! Ichika Kawase takes 124 Wind damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Prendre la Tête. Critical Hit! AS: Nemesis! Ichika Kawase can take another Weak action this round! AS: Block Best! Ichika Kawase takes 48 Wind damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Prendre la Tête. AS: Block Neutral! Ichika Kawase takes 95 Wind damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Prendre la Tête. Critical Hit! AS: Block Best! Ichika Kawase takes 72 Wind damage from Isabeau Fontaine's Magarula. | Ichika Kawase is unable to continue fighting!
<Pose Tracker> Ichika Kawase has posed.
Blaming her, again and again. Ogre has seen it, now; she's seen the truth she couldn't grasp before. And Fox seems to have realized it for longer. "We can't just leave this to 'someone else'," Ogre agrees with Fox. "We have the power to do something. We're going to do it."
Alain speaks up to her, blunt and angry. Ogre can handle blunt and angry.
"No, I'm not," Ogre answers Alain, raising her voice from across the battlefield. "You're right--if that's what she wanted, too bad. ...But it isn't. She asked us to save her. And that's damned well what we're going to do!"
"She's not WEAK!" Ogre roars, drawing up to her full, considerable height. "'Weak', 'Strong'! Just labels people throw on so they know who they can PUSH AROUND! She's strong. She was strong enough to ask for help! And YOU'D throw all that away because you KNOW BETTER!"
'Coward' just makes her even angrier. "...Tch," Ogre says. The poison of the supernatural, is it?
"I don't think you'd know kindness if it bit you on the ass."
"FUCK OFF!" Ogre calls, and lifts her shield to defend. "Stop calling her WEAK!"
...But despite her best efforts, that first hit gets in under her guard, and no matter how well she defends from the others, it's just not enough. "Gh--"
"Damn... it..."
"...You're just another bully trying to justify pushing your will on others."
Ogre spits on the floor, and there's blood in it. "But Joker will stop you, even if I can't."
And she can't; she's out of juice. Not completely unconscious, but definitely not able to fight just yet. ...If she can just get a second wind...
<Pose Tracker> Ann Takamaki has posed.
It is easy, isn't it, to blame everything on adults?
Blue eyes narrow.
But anything she might say is interrupted as Laurent and Herne moves; light suffuses her, weakening her -- but to --
Herne! Foth, my companion!
--what--
The spear flies.
Blue eyes widen.
"Oh crap--!"
And she springs. She rolls - mostly - under the first sweep of that spear; the subsequent lunge doesn't go nearly as well. And as it swings forward in that singularly brutal slash--
"AAAA!"
Carmen's manifestation between Ann and that weapon is a brief flicker of a thing before the sheer force of it, with those shorn defenses, makes the pink-skinned ur-femme fatale literally shatter into a hundred hundred gouts of blue flame, the subsequent kinetic force hurling Ann through the air until her back SLAMS against the dust-crusted walls of that pyramid. She slumps, head sagging slightly. She can smell iron in her nose.
Her gaze lifts briefly, staring at shards of light jutting through the cracks of the tomb, illuminating the motes of dust. Just like...
... like...
Futaba's room...
It is easy, isn't it, to blame everything on adults?
"It isn't," she seethes quietly. "It's not. Why do you think it's easy?"
Panther drags herself up. She wipes her mouth, a spark of flame in her glare.
"Why do you think it's easy feeling powerless, feeling helpless, while people - people like you - just -- just -- decide you get to dictate every moment of our lives, and to hell with the consequences?!"
Gloved fingers grab that whip.
"What do you even know about Futaba Sakura?! Do you know what she likes?? What makes her smile, or laugh, or what scares her?! Do you know why she needs help?! Or did you just see her and decide you knew what was best for her because YOU 'knew something about that'?! If you know, you should help us. Try to understand. But you don't care about that. Joker's right. We're not abandoning someone who needs us."
And with a snap of her wrist, that whip unfurls. The tip slaps into the air with a crack!
"And we're sure as hell--"
... whereupon the lit end of a cigar taps upon it, igniting the entire whip in flames.
Carmen lounging behind her on the backs of her servants, Panther -pounces-, flaming whip snapping towards Laurent in one vicious, fiery blow. The moment it does?
Carmen snaps her fingers. The heat amplifies -- and then EXPLODES.
"--not abandoning her--"
A second whipcrack. A fiery lash.
"--to YOU!"
The snap of fingers.
B O O M
AS: Persona! Ann Takamaki has used the Fire skill Agilao on Laurent Fontaine! AS: Tandem! Ann Takamaki has used the Fire skill Firebrand on Laurent Fontaine! 2 Hits! AS: Persona! Ann Takamaki has used the Fire skill Maragi on Laurent Fontaine!
<Pose Tracker> Haru Okumura has posed.
"Well said, Queen," Noir agrees, as Queen asserts that Futaba is stronger than those men. "It's my hope that with this... perhaps the Phantom Thieves can do more than simply steal the desires of others." She smiles.
Vivienne, meanwhile, accepts their challenge. "I'm glad to hear it. Then, shall we dance? We'll show you the extent of our resolve... and Futaba-chan's as well!" Noir grins. Vivienne almost doesn't seem like the others, so sure that their way is the only correct one. Instead, Noir almost feels as if her resolve and Queen's are being tested.
Despite her differences from the others, Vivienne is no less sharp a Persona user, weaving through Milady's storm of gunfire even with the limited visibility of the ice storm. She's certainly not to be underestimated. It's not without Noir and Queen combining their attacks together that they're able to land a hit on her. "Good timing, Queen! We just need to keep this up~" Noir chimes.
Vivienne puts the two of them to the test, shrouding herself in mist. "Where did she go...?" Noir's eyes widens as her opponent seemingly disappears, only the shine of her glasses marking her in the fog of war. Without being able to detect her movement in time, the first of Vivienne's blades lashes against Noir as she recoils in pain. Still reeling from the first, as the second blade sweeps forward, Haru uses the angle of the first to narrowly move out of the way, avoiding the worst of it.
Noir takes a deep breath, seeing the spear of ice stab into Queen. "Queen, are you all right? We won't last much longer if she keeps up like this... we need to figure out where she is!" Calling Milady to her side once again, the musketeer Persona aims each of her sights into the misty field ahead of them. "Milady... snipe her!" Haru orders, looking for the reflection of the glasses...
All she can do is predict where Vivienne will go next and fire onto that spot. And then from there... "Queen, now!"
AS: Persona! Haru Okumura has used the Pierce skill Sadistic Cruel Attack on Vivienne Sournois! | Pressure: Haru Okumura gains 1 Limit!
AS: Block Best! Laurent Fontaine takes 45 Fire damage from Ann Takamaki's Agilao. | Haze (Physical and Block Penalized!) added!
AS: Avoid Worst! Laurent Fontaine takes 131 Fire damage from Ann Takamaki's Firebrand. Critical Hit! AS: Block Best! Laurent Fontaine takes 27 Fire damage from Ann Takamaki's Firebrand. Critical Hit! AS: Block Neutral! Laurent Fontaine takes 100 Fire damage from Ann Takamaki's Maragi. Critical Hit! | Haze (Physical and Block Penalized!) added! <Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
"Speak plainly," Fox retorts, as Isabeau insists their solution is 'kind'. "You call yourselves Hunters, after all, and you've marked her Shadow as your prey."
Before he can elaborate, though, Isabeau has her own assault for him to weather, as that spear falls again and again. Fox's bladework is deft, as he tries his best to deflect thrust after thrust, but it is not good enough - and certainly insufficient to turn aside such a dreadful windstorm.
Collapsing next to Ogre, Fox stubbornly refuses to fully collapse, propping himself up on his katana.
"What is..." he grunts out, "The purpose of a tomb...?"
<Pose Tracker> Alain Wakamatsu has posed.
"No." His head turns to regard Skull, with a matter of fact tone, "You're just not listening enough to even understand what she said - or what I said. Because you're too fucking-" Yes here he uses the Japanese, "-angry."
Ogre however reengages him in the conversation, and he listens, then answers her with a quiet resolve, "Then you are no different from us. If her choices only matter if they are acceptable to you. Do you not see your own hypocrisy, Phantom Thief?"
As Skull is sent to the ground, laying there. As he gets up- as Skull yells at him. The pirate appears, and an electrical burst descends- as he simply steps out of the way, meeting his Charge, as he backsteps- one swing after another.
Side-stepping them by rolling with the momentum of his wild, enraged blows.
"Do you see me as some barrier to overcome? Some 'shitty fucking adult' like your Father, or this Kamoshida? Because you cannot hit either of them now?" He asks bluntly. He could try to claim he's a better man than either of them, try to justify that.
But right now, beating up a teenager who thinks he's doing the right thing- he does not feel that.
Because he knows as bad as he feels about it, he won't stop. He can't stop. And so he advances, one pace at a time.
"Then- I'll be that for you. Go ahead. Try to hit me. As many times as you need to work it out of your fucking system."
Then he swings his warhammer forward, with a quick arcing strike that there's little time to react to, with a blow that tries to send a shockwave through his system, with great force.
AS: Weapon! Alain Wakamatsu has used the Strike skill French Fold on Ryuji Sakamoto! | Defense: Alain Wakamatsu gains 1 Limit!
AS: Counter Best! Ryuji Sakamoto takes 122 Strike damage from Alain Wakamatsu's French Fold. Critical Hit! | COUNTER! Alain Wakamatsu takes 128 Strike damage in return for his attack! | Ryuji Sakamoto is unable to continue fighting! | Alain Wakamatsu is unable to continue fighting! <Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
"Then don't speak to us as if we understood nothing," Joker tells Laurent coldly, though he addresses Panther. A part of them, though, truly hears what he says. It takes in once again Herne's agonized form as he casts a magic to sap Joker and Panther of certain defenses--that agonized form, including and especially the rope hanging from his neck like a necktie.
This is a man who has suffered deeply, perhaps because of some mistake he himself committed along with his friends. He wants to stop others from making the same mistakes, or at least in suffering in the same way; he wants to save Futaba and get her professional help, however misguided he is about it in all the ways Panther eloquently explains in her own fury. He is not, Joker suspects, inherently a bad person.
Unfortunately, he is an INSUFFERABLY ARROGANT person who just stabbed them in the trauma AND in the torso, and so Joker, teenager as they still are for all their usual level-headed unflappability, remains firmly stuck in the Go To Hell phase. Maybe later, after they've had a chance to calm down, they'll give it due consideration.
Maybe.
"Panther's right too. You don't care about Futaba Sakura. You only care about being right," Joker states, staring Laurent down. "Otherwise, perhaps you wouldn't jump to conclusions so eagerly about how what we do works, all so you get to proclaim moral superiority."
But not so far away, there is an inutterable blast of wind, following Isabeau's own screams of emotional pain, and Fox and Ogre are both dropped to their knees. Skull too is on his last legs, only a heartbeat or so behind them. Alain might go down with him, but that doesn't matter. Joker's heart leaps into their throat in fear for their friends, and that fear connects back to fury.
As Panther unloads fire upon fire upon fire on Laurent, Joker raises their hand to their mask anew. As blue flames burn around them, though... It's as Laurent suspected. Instead of that black-winged thief, what rises above them is an armored man wielding a great spear.
"Setanta!!" they shout. In response, the secondary Persona lunges forward at Laurent and his Persona, his spear lighting up with a violent plume of pale blue nuclear fire.
AS: Tandem! Ren Amamiya has used the Fire skill Nuclear Wrath on Laurent Fontaine! 2 Hits! AS: Block Best! Laurent Fontaine takes 39 Fire damage from Ren Amamiya's Nuclear Wrath. AS: Block Worst! Laurent Fontaine takes 95 Fire damage from Ren Amamiya's Nuclear Wrath.
<Pose Tracker> Ryuji Sakamoto has posed.
Even as Alain talks to him, Skull is just in a trance. One of violence. One of determination. One of the need to be right about this.
Does he see this guy as some kind of barrier? A proxy to take away his pain? Maybe he does. Maybe he just saw this guy as another part of the system that wronged all of them. Another shitty adult who told him how things were going to work.
Thoughts are becoming harder as all he has is that anger and determination to keep him standing.
As Alain advances, so does Skull, feeling more blood run down his face and down his neck. It's almost making him start to see red.
The Warhammer comes down and it almost seems like that is it. The screaming just stops but the boy doesn't go down. The Shockwave surges through his system and he just stands there with the hammer in his gut.
Suddenly, Skull cranes his head and stares at where the man's eyes should be. "CL..nch....ur uck..in..teeth" He mouths the words and sends one last punch to the man's face before falling to his knees, breathing heavily as he is officially done with this fight.
"I...ain't about...to give you...da.. satis...faction you want...Get..bent."
Right now, he just needs rest because that was a lot. Hopefully the others could handle the rest. He shuts his eyes to rest, probably giving someone a heart attack that he just threw his life away.
<Pose Tracker> Alain Wakamatsu has posed.
Alain takes the blow to the head as Skull's last hurrah, his riposte, then- falls to his knees.
"You... just did... kid."
And then he falls over himself, not quite unconscious, but not exactly in a thinking or acting or anything sort of mood.
<Pose Tracker> Makoto Niijima has posed.
Skadi's spearthrust is strong and deadly to be sure- but if Vivienne wanted to test Queen's passion, she's getting it: Queen raises her hands, her tekko gone from her hands and she *grabs* Skadi's spear as it drives toward her, and with the combined force of her own strength and Johanna revving her engines burning out pushing back against it, Makoto, Johanna and Skadi start to become engulfed in the etherial tiresmoke , the tip of the spear still digs into the metal plate on her shoulder- and through it. It hurts, it bleeds- but it doesn't become the killing blow it could have, and she holds it back from getting worse until Haru can break Vivienne's concentration. Noir may be willing to treat this as a dance, but even as she focuses on the spear, Queen's eyes scour the battlefield. Fox, Ogre and Skull are down- so are one of the opponents but it's not enough. Panther's releasing her rage in a glorious fashion, and Joker similarly is prepared to tear through Laurent.
And Noir remains under attack from Vivienne. For all she acts jovial- there's still too much at stake. There's still too many at risk. "Noir! Are you okay?"
It seems the two are on the same page.
There's an upside at least- while she's gripping the Spear, Queen knows where *Skadi* is, roughly, if not exact.
Fortunately, Milady's got all sorts of weapons, and Noir is smart enough to know them. And that it turn-
"Understood. Let's do this, Johanna! Full throttle!"
For all Johanna looks like a motorcycle, she doesn't have to be ridden like one- she's simply the ideal of Makoto's rebellion, her freedom. And even with a spear in her shoulder, Queen's rage can keep her going. Without touching the handles, Johanna's engine flares to life, and her exhaust flares- and while Skadi can break away at any time, if it does not, Makoto is prepared to drag it with her even if it means the spear pierces through muscle and bone in the process.
"I told you... I'll go through you, if I have to! Not just for Futaba-chan, but for all of them! I am sick and tired of people like you threatening and hurting people I care about!" Queen's voice gets more raw as she shouts, the anger rising higher and higher.
The flaming trail left by Johanna trails through the smoke toward where Milady's shot went, as Queen puts all her power and strength into her speed.
"So get the hell out of my way, or face the consequences!"
tHer persona and her body wreathed in nuclear flame, Johanna goes hell bent for going through or over Vivienne, as the case may be, all thoughts of mercy put aside right now, replaced with Queen's efficient brutality. If she has to tear all the hunt apart to save her friends, she will.
AS: Tandem! Theurgy! Makoto Niijima has used the Fire skill Full Throttle on Vivienne Sournois! AS: Avoid Neutral! Vivienne Sournois takes 59 Pierce damage from Haru Okumura's Sadistic Cruel Attack.
<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
"You misunderstand me," Laurent says. "I don't dictate anything about you. Frankly, I do not care who you are, and I don't care how old you are."
Ann's whip unfurls. Flame explodes across Laurent at its command. The fires rip through him; he is slammed backward with each fiery lash, driven further and further back. And then, Ren summons a different Persona.
He looks at them -- his eyes widen, sharply. His suspicion is confirmed.
The flame slams into him. He smashes back into one of the Egyptian pillars; the sandstone cracks where he strikes, and he wipes a bit of blood from his lip. Laurent hacks, then he coughs. "I know enough. I have seen that Futaba Sakura is in pain. I know that she loves history and learning--and that she has a fascination with death. But what I also know is..."
His eyes narrow. "...There is no excuse for this method of 'helping' her. It is a sin I can't forgive--and you're not children, in my eyes, to guide."
He takes aim with his pistol. "You're a danger, to be stopped."
He shoots the Howdah pistol twice -- a double barrel shot at both Ren and Ann both. The rounds come flying, but it is followed by a roar from Herne. Then, a bead of white light forms between Joker and Panther. It shimmers.
It trembles.
And then it explodes into a dome of all-consuming light rips towards them both.
AS: Laurent Fontaine spends Limit on Exploit! Laurent Fontaine can use another Weak skill this round! AS: Weapon! Laurent Fontaine has used the Pierce skill Double Tap on Ren Amamiya! 3 Hits! | Aggression: Laurent Fontaine gains 1 Limit!
AS: Weapon! Laurent Fontaine has used the Pierce skill Double Tap on Ann Takamaki! 3 Hits! AS: Persona! Laurent Fontaine has used the Almighty skill Megido on Ann Takamaki and Ren Amamiya! AS: Avoid Worst! Vivienne Sournois takes 120 Fire damage from Makoto Niijima's Full Throttle. Weak! Avoid Fire! AS: Avoid Worst! Ann Takamaki takes 39 Pierce damage from Laurent Fontaine's Double Tap. AS: Avoid Worst! Ann Takamaki takes 66 Pierce damage from Laurent Fontaine's Double Tap. Critical Hit! AS: Avoid Worst! Ann Takamaki takes 66 Pierce damage from Laurent Fontaine's Double Tap. Critical Hit!
<Pose Tracker> Futaba Sakura has posed.
MEANWHILE...
Seconds pass. Futaba lifts her head. "?"
She notices, too, that the other-her is partly translucent. She can see part of the screen through the Shadow's head and hair. The stylized shape of Mom's office chair.
"... That's what I remember," she says, uncertaintly.
"Don't look away. When did this happen?"
"... Just a little while before Mom died. I'd been whining about wanting to go on a trip... she scolded me, and said no..."
"Was that all that she said?"
"... She said... 'I'm too busy right now. I need to finish my cognitive research as soon as possible.'"
"And what did you do?"
"I had a complete meltdown. I screamed and cried. Told her she thought her research mattered more to her than I was. That's when she..."
"What else did she say? There was more."
"She said... 'My research is almost over. Once it's done, we can go wherever you like. I'm sorry I've left you alone for so long, Futaba. This is just truly important research. Please try to understand. I need to finish it. Even if it costs me my life, I will finish it.'"
"Did she hate you?"
"She..."
Futaba Sakura's Shadow is not very emotional. The greatest expression of sentiment she had felt came from *her* own pledge, just short minutes ago, to the Wild Hunt. That she would get revenge. That she would not be buried in this tomb. Not when the truth could yet be revealed, and the veils torn asunder. They had buried her mother and buried her and even without touching a single thing, *she had come this far*.
Futaba Sakura looks up and for the first time she sees. "... She... Her voice was just like usual. And she... was smiling. She smiled."
Futaba Sakura's Shadow is made mostly of spite and petulance which has wrapped around something far, far more terrible, but even so she feels triumph. Until, that is, Futaba clutches at her head and says, tears nearer to escaping than they are to being still, "Which... was it...?"
"Your memory," says Shadow Futaba. The Shadow turns her head, steps away, and vanishes. Eventually, Futaba looks up at the frieze once more.
"... she smiled," Futaba says, as if it's something that's dawning on her.
AS: Avoid Best! Ann Takamaki takes 70 Almighty damage from Laurent Fontaine's Megido.
<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
She's not weak, Ogre screams.
"Cry for help," Isabeau lances back, "and one day know the truth: everyone around you will fail. You will watch your loves die, screaming for someone to help, to help, and they will die in front of you, and if you could have saved them yourself, they would be still living. Go on and cry, but do not teach this to vulnerable girls. I will not forgive you."
Her hands curl to fists; she's standing, but she's trembling, still. There are two poisons, threading through her, now; one of her own making. "I come to rescue this girl... still, you see me this way...?"
BGM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqq4C8bXI-k Idina Menzel - No Good Deed (Original Broadway Recording)
"Fine."
Slowly, she straightens, shoulders spreading out, arms spreading in their wake. "I can be cruel. I can be hard. I can push. Yes..." Those jealous green eyes fall on Fox, now. "I can Hunt. These things are true: a Shadow which walks is a monster. A girl's self should be inside. If it speaks, I will silence it. A Shadow's speech, a monster's speech,"
here, her gaze finds Mona, wherever he is on the battlefield, who at least superficially resembles those Humours she refused to humour,
"it is, comment dire, euh... ah, abomination."
She breathes with contempt, through her teeth, as she glares at them.
"A tomb is built to honour the dead... but that girl is still living. This world -- this stone -- I do not accept."
She turns away from them, towards Alain, though she speaks over her shoulder. "... find the strength to stand. I will not strike you again today. I do not want for you to die to those Shadows which have found their teeth while that Shadow still is teething."
It's a cruel kind of mercy, even, as she moves to Alain. "Alain," she says, and her voice is gentler than it ever was, speaking to Fox or Ogre; unfortunately for their understanding of her soft side, she's switched back to French, despite Ogre's protests. Mielikki rising up to offer a salve is, at least, universal. "Papa will be finished, soon. Let's get you up. We're not done, right...?"
One way or another, they'll keep moving...
AS: Avoid Best! Ren Amamiya takes 8 Pierce damage from Laurent Fontaine's Double Tap. Critical Hit! Resist! AS: Avoid Worst! Ren Amamiya takes 21 Pierce damage from Laurent Fontaine's Double Tap. Resist! AS: Avoid Worst! Ren Amamiya takes 21 Pierce damage from Laurent Fontaine's Double Tap. Resist! AS: You have 1 more attack in queue! AS: Avoid Worst! Ren Amamiya takes 169 Almighty damage from Laurent Fontaine's Megido. Penguin Mom has arrived from Staff Lounge.
<Pose Tracker> Penguin Mom has posed.
Isabeau speaks softly, and Alain, eyes glassy- forces himself to start standing, pulling himself up with not inconsiderable effort, like he's a little punch drunk.
And then, it happens.
It could be mistaken for the sounds of their own battle. Dust shifts, tiny pieces of stone fall off crumbling brickwork. Did you feel a vibration? It's easy to doubt your own senses.
The next time the pyramid shakes, the chunks of ancient mortar and stone are far, far larger. The impact wrecks parts of the floor, revealing green circuitry as if from some internal motherboard, the dust becomes a thicker cloud, blinding momentarily through a beam of desert sunlight piercing the particles, reflecting off each of them.
There's a gaping hole in the pyramid now, a glimpse of the frame of enormous spectacles, and an eye, bloodshot with fury behind it.
"FUUUUTAAAAAABAAAAAAAAAAA!" Screams a woman, with a shriek that pierces the heavens, feels like it might penetrate eardrums. It's soon after joined- by two others, these ones more masculine, but more restrained, as if they were subordinate to the woman.
"You think you can hide from me? I'll find you! And when I do- you know what will happen!"
"Maternity Neurosis- you did that to her! It was all your fault!"
The wall shatters, in fact, the entire top of the pyramid shatters with swirling air currents that whip faster and strike harder than any hurricane that has ever existed sending their bodies everywhere, as part of the floor crumbles and collapses- taking at least some of the Wild Hunt with them- and ensuring that others will have to follow.
Now they see it.
The body is sphinx-like at a glance. A woman's head, a lion's body, two dark bat like wings of emerald hue. The head is easily recognizable by those who have followed the Palace's thread to be the face of Wakaba Isshiki, Futaba's Mother.
However, it's head begins to extend forward past its body on reptilian neck, and two others are revealed upon the three-headed beast. A man in his thirties, sporting perfectly coifed - slicked back hair, an earpiece and sunglasses. And another man, middle-aged, wearing a dark blue baseball cap, face sallow and red from the signs of heavy drinking.
Within the fur of each paw, strange blue barnacle like protrusions suddenly open wide- revealing that they were never barnacles at all, but eyes. Segmented green scales line her belly unevenly like natural armor.
And more unusually, her tail isn't a tail at all, but instead an enormous tentacle, sinewy and snake like, but without a recognizable serpent head instead merely more of that green segmented tip slithers forward to lash the top of the pyramid with a crack of great force.
Beast that Rules the Palace: Queen Momorah
The three headed creature of horror screams again balefully with its three maws- and all the Phantom Thieves of Heart feel they might be in trouble.
<Pose Tracker> Yusuke Kitagawa has posed.
"Honour." Fox coughs, still trying to stand. "Honour the dead."
Isabeau rejects the tomb, but in rejecting it, perhaps she has missed its message.
"Futaba believes she is responsible for her mother's death." He takes a deep breath. "She believes she is worthless, that she deserves to die.
"... So why is this place a memorial? What deed is worth preserving, for someone who feels that way?"
<Pose Tracker> Isabeau Fontaine has posed.
Yusuke will find, when he says that Futaba feels responsible for her mother's death...
... that Isabeau's hands curl to fists, as she walks away.
"Worthless," she spits, in that space between declaration and affection.
She's not talking about Futaba.
She doesn't tell them that, either.
<Pose Tracker> Vivienne Sournois has posed.
That's their hope, hm? How interesting.
"Indeed." Vivienne replies to Noir, bowing. Her mist leaves her obscured - landing a hit in these conditions is no small feat, much less defending against her own. But they manage it - Noir avoiding her blades, and Queen actually grabbing onto Skadi's spear.
A part of her can't help but be thrilled by the sheer audacity of it. That's the kind of fire she appreciates. Johanna's engine revvs - the snowy mist soon becomes equal part tiresmoke.
Milady's sniper's eyes and Haru's intuition won't be fooled by it, though - Vivienne tries to dodge out of the way, but a blast sends her reeling.
Queen, meanwhile, takes advantage of her own situation. She knows where Skadi is well enough to track her - and keep her out of the way, as Johanna flares to life. Johanna embodies freedom and rage - and she's focused squarely on Vivienne, now, as Queen restates her determination to go through her if she has to.
Johanna blasts forward and Vivienne braces herself - and is blasted backward for her efforts, slamming into the wall behind her. At the force of the impact there is the sound of shattering glass as Skadi, with her spear, vanishes.
Vivienne pries herself out of the wall, looking worse for wear - but still standing, a wide grin crossing her face.
"Magnificent. It's been so long since I've been pushed like this. You thieves really are something." Vivienne says. She starts forward, swords at the ready. It's almost as if she's planning to keep going, even though Skadi is currently broken, even though she looks like she's been through hell and back, still lightly smouldering with nuclear flame and her coat filled with bullet holes - though she pauses to consider the scene.
Alain is down, and Isabeau is tending to him.
She straightens up, adjusting her glasses once more - and returns her swords to their sheaths.
"...Well. I suppose it wouldn't do to keep fighting and ignore the plight of my own people." She says. "I suggest you tend to your own while you have the opportunity."
She turns to walk away, though pauses for one moment.
"Keep those fires of yours burning, yes? You two were quite impressive." She says, and strolls off to tend to Alain and Isabeau.
<Pose Tracker> Ren Amamiya has posed.
For all that Laurent essentially agrees with Joker that he only cares about being right (or so it sounds to their ears), it really isn't satisfying at all. On the contrary, it re-incenses them to a level they simply cannot tolerate. Laurent aims on them and Panther, and in a flash, they trade pistol for knife and slash at the air, swatting aside one of those rounds and deflecting the rest enough to avoid getting shot in center mass.
However, then Herne calls upon the absolute might of a Megido. A dome of light erupts and swallows Joker and Panther up, its roar drowning out the Phantom's screams.
In short order, it fades. Joker is on one knee, panting raspy breaths. They're not out of the fight yet, but they are in pain, and it's clear how this team-on-team fight will go if it lasts too much longer.
But that doesn't stop them. Part of the Will of Rebellion is the will to speak out, even when those who place themselves above you would force you into silence. They force themself back up to their feet and lance Laurent with a white-hot glare. Though their tone remains icy, those flames of rage burn in their eyes and their soul.
"You DON'T know. You don't know anything about our methods. You just assume you do, because you're an arrogant, self-absorbed pustule of a human being too enamored with his own pain and the wretchedness of his own mistakes to listen to anyone else," Joker growls, finally pushed fully into verbally lashing out. "Go straight to hell, Laurent Fontaine, and take your FUCKING posse with you."
For all that their own father ingrained in them growing up that the first one to lose their temper loses the argument--they already have at this point. What's some more?
Before they can retaliate again with Setanta, though, the pyramid vibrates with a force that can no longer be assumed to be part of their battle. With that violent impact, stone falls, and a giant's face screams down at them with a fury all her own.
"FUUUUTAAAAAABAAAAAAAAAAA!" And then, not just her screaming--but two more. The top of the pyramid shatters; as the stones fall, they hurtle down to smash through the platform.
"Fall back! Through the door!" Joker orders, snapping a hand out to their friends in a flash. "Get everyone through, NOW!"
They'll leap to Skull's aid without hesitation and yank him to the far end of the platform, away from the break where the Wild Hunt will partially fall through and be forced to retreat. They'll trust Fox and Ogre to the others. As a team, The Phantoms will head through to the Treasure room, now a pitched battlefield against not Futaba's Shadow, but the three-headed horror, Queen Momorah.
The Phantoms are in a bad, bad spot, battered as they are after their conflict with the Wild Hunt. Even with Mona still on his paws and already dumping as much healing on the others as he can to at least get them back on their feet, with this new enemy literally looming, can they recover quickly enough to take it out?
<Pose Tracker> Laurent Fontaine has posed.
"You're a fool, who excuses the violation of others' minds with self-righteous prattle," Laurent snaps back, heatedly. "I know enough of your methods, damn you! You're no better than the monsters in Foraines!"
He readies his sword, advancing forward. The ground under his feet shakes.
He pauses.
Laurent looks up as the pyramid shakes again. His eyes blink -- before he sees stones fall, and steps aside from some. The circuitry underneath gets a frown; the woman gets a sharper frown. The wall shatters, and air currents and stone come flying. He gets a brief look at the cognitive version of Wakaba Sakura.
"What in the--"
The wind slams into him -- and then a stone smashes into him. Laurent cries out, before he goes flying backward.
And down, down...
And away.