Fandom Persona 5: The Meta War CLOSED

[Nellancholy]

Countess was tenacious, that was for sure. Like a parasite or tumor that you just couldn't get rid of. Fear and contempt mixed in Heartbreak in equal measure as she eyed her for a moment, taking in her maniacal speech. Was this in itself some kind of attack? It could be considered no less than an assault on reason in so few words. More baffling still that Tragedy would play along with her ridiculous role. Perhaps...only a twisted mind like hers could be so cruel.

Was she going to persist as surely as Phoenix did? Heartbreak had fought him to a standstill (or so she would think), but she was in no shape to offer the same resistance again, certainly not against a foe who nullified her main means of attack.

But she had to persist, for the sake of Tragedy, and the others. A cornered rat would bite, and she had lived as a rat for long enough.

Countess resumed her assault, Bathory slashing with her fan at Tragedy while hurling crystallized blood at Heartbreak. It looked like she would have to split her efforts as well.

"You declare this romance? You know little of what love is." Thrud bent one wing and turned, using it to shield herself. The shards of blood shattered on impact, though hard enough to damage Thrud's metallic wings. But she could work with that. With both hands, Thrud grabbed the falling fragments of her own feathers, infusing them with what power remained from the Megido. Her posture resolute, she leapt towards Countess valiantly, holding the irradiated metal fragments like daggers aimed straight at her chest.

Heartbreak, for her part, could thank her own foresight in making sure that she had reloaded her gun. This would have to count. Taking advantage of Thrud tying up Countess herself for the moment, she held up her heavy weapon again and clamped down the trigger, aimed at Bathory. A stream of bullets plinked off her expanded fan, potentially exposing her to attack and throwing her off balance, making her far less likely to complete her sweeping slash.

Anthem Maeve Valor

 

[Azurian Dream]

~Disturbing the Disturbed~
Maeve Valor Anthem Nellancholy

Cryptic could only watch out in the distance as Tragedy, and Countess continued their bloody dance. The smaller boy was still pretty far away, and with such constant movement he wasn't going to catch up anytime soon. Quickly this was becoming a problem as more, and more he watched the matador girl bleed Tragedy while he in turn did the same showing signs of chaotic nature that in turn fueled the Kuchisaka-Onna's drive to chase him back. Just like in her legend if Tragedy didn't say yes to her beauty she would kill him. Yet the bizarre nature of her taking Tragedy's bullet was a perplexing sight... why would she take damage?

"I think we should immediately implement some sort of kickstarted cease and desist from her allegations of infatuation," Cryptic yelled out to Tragedy letting him know he was closing in on the scene. Thankfully.... no horrifyingly Countess would not register the boys presence as Countess proceeded to steal the upper hand gouging a straight line into Imato's cheek. Pure fear, and adrenaline filled the smaller boy witnessing the gory intent of this yandere in action as she acted like this was her declaration of love. Were the legends of Kuchisaka-Onna infectious? Would Imato become one of them... would the internet tolerate a male Kuchisaka-Onna as proof of zombie like spread of disease? These were the thoughts Isao had to concentrate as the brutal display of self harm, and harming another swayed back and forth between Countess and her trapped ichored love Tragedy. The limits of pain seemed to not exist for the girl mixing into a sense of pleasure created a gut wrenching sick reaction that made the small boy want to puke, but he had to keep watching as he tried to close the distance picking up more speed.

Someone had to pull Tragedy out of this madness..., and fast. The showers of blood seemed to freeze before vacuumed onto Countess's body some form of extra layered armor making itself known as Countess revealed her perfected style of monstrosity. Her moves skills were now beyond what they knew as she threw out new attack measures. Prior notes on her were now useless.

Not to fair away above the road farther ahead Isao noticed in the distance a familiar wagon bulleting for the fight as at first he was in fear of it being reinforcements, but upon the sight of Heartbreak things quickly turned around as that sickening feeling in his stomach lessoned. They now had the numbers on this vampire wannabe.

"Alright... quite the protector complex you got their shield maiden....," Shadow Takeshi hesitantly laughed a bit scared by Heartbreaks resolve. Yet even in the wake of overuse the shield was still ready to arms as the three shadows watched her without a doubt in her mind reloaded her gun with extreme intent as the cart came to a aggressively halting stop. Like a hip shot bullet they watched Heartbreak blitz onto the battlefield as Thrud arose again on the field of battle like a true Valkyrie.

Her war-cry was a thing to witness as her attacks begun pulling Tragedy out of the madness he was seeping into. Cryptic could only thank her later for making the distance before something worse had happened. The fight continued to move away from him, but he was making the distance enough to stay out of Countesses sight. As the duo fought with Almighty infused weapons Cryptic closed in further on the fight waiting for the ample moment.

"Vampire on sight," Cryptic, cryptically called out as he started to speed up more not towards the distracted Countess, but straight at Elizbeth Bathory herself.

"Time to file a thoroughly filled restraining order, and gavel it into approval. Count of Monte Crisco... Iceborne Hammer," Like a spinning speeding saw blade Cryptic summoned the Counts ghostly gloves as it sent a chilling wave up from Bathorys right side encasing it in ice. Using his tanto like a Ice Pick Cryptic spun like a shuriken shattering the ice multiple times all over the vampiric persona before reaching her face sending him hurdling up above. The gloves of the count came together in finger lock as rest of the ice magic expanded around them fusing them to the tanto's blade turning them into a imposing block of bufu in the form of a hammer fit for someone fighting monsters.

"HUH??? LOOK TRAGEDY I TOLD YOU HE'S DEFINITELY THE MOTHMAN LOOK LOOK SEE I TOLD YOU WE NEED TO CATCH HIM FOR STUDY," Unfortunately at the apex of the speedsters combo, and even with the metaverses increase of strength Isao wasn't able to keep his composure as he was distracted by the flaming events out in the distance as Phoenix fed into Isao's delusional theory's with the Mothman chasing him burning up in a extremely devastation attack. To excited at the worst time instead caused gravity to catch up pulling Cryptic with the falling hammer fast in a path to collide the makeshift weapon straight on top of Elizabeth Bathory's temple.

"CHARGE," the three wagon bound shadows suddenly came rolling in unleashing a torrent of firework rockets that proceeded to explode on, and all around Countess creating a major smokescreen effect. Along with taking out very few of her ichor needles that were intended for Heartbreak while also assisting in distraction the Valkyries brutal gun totted charge.

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~The Prize Delivered, & The Prize Yet Claimed~
Maeve Valor

Arachnee watched Prophet with calculating intent. The boy was troubling, and quick witted thus the longer she watched him the more she was tempted to simply take him out instead of guarding him... yet she had annoyingly promised her favorite water toy money maker this favor. Thus she couldn't do much, but wait in annoyed silence with the lumps she had earned from their shared fall.

Prophet wasn't one much to talk either given the more he was stationary the longer he kept the problematic spider out of the field. This wasn't a method one would normal attain to as the longer he held to it the potentially worse it could get. For now though it gave the operation breathing room costing both sides numbers. Oddly enough Oracle hadn't checked in on him, and that was the part currently eating at him as well furthering his silent thoughts. His stationary placement on her scans should have bothered her, but he had received no such signals of concern. Something was eating her attention, and that worried him more than anything else... had something gone wrong?

Moving now would only trigger Arachnee to act, and given his current tied up condition he would come out of it only worse for wear which helped no one. No, patience he had to be patient until a opening presented itself... unfortunately that opening wouldn't come any time soon as a very familiar voice exuded charmed delight his way. Though he could barely see it the side sight of Syren forming seemingly out of nothing was now a major concern.

From what he could gather someone had been delaying her, but had been escaped by the slippery girl. Panther came to mind meaning hopefully she would arrive herself soon if he was lucky. For now he would have to bet on a strategy built on luck as the girl he had little original interaction with gave her full attention to him.

"Another sin to confess," he asked trying to keep hold of the scenario knowing there were many unfavorable ways this could play out with her trident pointed right at him. Her fever pitch for what he had done to Fixer someone clearly important her well laced in his memories of that first encounter... she was hurting in a emotional way. Meaning she was currently unpredictable.

"Not sure yet haven't gotten to know you. Seems you plan to fix that though... I can only assume this was all for you," he spoke eyeing Arachne's intentions now visible in its reasoning. He had been routed on purpose..., but again this was a positive negative. Two of the Meta Mercs had concentrated on him meaning the rest had less to work against, if the cost of success was himself than he would play the part flawlessly.

"By all means you have my attention I am just hanging around after all," he expressed staying rather calm all things considered. Arachnee however was a bit unnerved by his attitude looking at Syren.

"Just be... careful. This ones to clever for my liking. So make sure you get what you want, and weed him out alright keke," her laugh was short as she was hesitant to leave her friend, but given what Syren had spoken of early it meant another annoyance was on their way to this location giving Arachnee another fly to swat into her webs.

"Have fun, but not to much kekekeke," Arachnee smiled before jumping onto the walls before climbing up onto the rooftops disappearing from sight.

"You two seem to be close," Prophet noted aloud.

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~No Risks Past This Point~
Maeve Valor

As the disorientation finally started to clear, and the screen finally locked on back to proper projections Oracle found her headache beyond bearable as she winced trying to hold Necronomicon together. The static around the persona only lasting for a moment as Futaba fought past the pain. Stabilization resumed as Mona got up finishing his revival of Swan before declaring his totally not simp reasoning to leaving the girls to save another not in danger... girl.

"Duuuuude not cool," Oracle groaned in pain plopping onto her control board as she looked at all the fixated locations. Seemed things had gotten a little out of hand, but she could tell two of the meta merc's for whatever reason were gone only leaving three on the board. That was a positive start to the reboot from her last check at least. As she looked out into her screens visual something was clearly happening to the mental wall. As such with regret, but much needed intent she had Necronomicon lift itself up into the air heading towards it to see what else may need work.

That was when the projection caught onto the bigger fight with Tragedy, Cryptic, Heartbreak... and... some shadows? Yep even after rubbing her eyes she was indeed seeing shadows fight along side the three Phantom Thieves against the Matador nutso chick. Yet before much else could be checked Swan approached the board locking on the sight of Tragedy who seemed to have been brutally...

"HOLY SHIT WHAT HAPPEN TO HIS FREAKING FACE WHY IS IT MATCHING HIS NAMESAKE," Oracle yelled completely creeped out getting a quick glimpse of something rather disturbing as his lip flaps moved with unnatural intent. It was than Swan proclaimed her intent to join the fray which caused the girl to pause and look her over... she was serious.

"What? Hell no you are in no condition to assist anymore," Oracle immediately argued locking Swan with all understandable intent as the sealing of Mona's exit trapped Swan inside.

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~Two Cats In A Web~

As Panther took her leap away form the tentacles taking a moment to breath a onlooker would watch Mona joining the fray. Both Phantom Thieves would find their path overwhelmed with webs all around the area extremely limiting their chase until eventually... Syren slipped completely away. The amount of webbing grew in numbers making their forward paths extremely limited, and narrow until.

"Hello little treats. Come to join my webs with your friends? I already got one of you so two more will definitely be a delight for a night kekeke," Arachne's boastful taunt would echo all around as a tension of position suddenly saw many of the wires tighten up into a cage like trap. Numerous solo weaves of webbing would latch onto them pulling them up before they were tossed around like a spinning hurricane.

"GARULA," the webs would get vortexed in vacuuming the sticky trapped Mona, and Panther into a spinning disorienting ride as they were pulled through a few builds in a funnel carnival of madness before crashing into each other conjoined by the webs as Arachne high on her rooftop perch upside down pointed, and laughed at them.

"Kekekekekekekeke.... huh.... oh well look what the cats dragged in... little miss red back for a rematch," Arachnee hissed in delight fixating on Panther in particular the girl that had caught her off guard saving Heartbreak, and Tragedy from her combos before Abyss took all the fun. A deviously enticed smile spread from ear to ear as she slowly lowered herself flipping onto her feet upright as her extra limbs reformed into her scythe.

"Well than lets see who the better predator is shall we," she spoke not moving strangely almost unnervingly waiting for the conjoined fighters to make a move.
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[That Weird girl]

Panther was relieved to see Morgana coming towards her as opposed to those mercs. The cat’s words made her smile and she was happy he was here. Syren couldn’t stop both of them! But she was instead greeted by spider webs only meaning one thing…Arachne.

Well, this was certainly a surprise for the red clad thief. She didn’t expect to be caught in a bunch of webs with Morgana. Her path was clearly limited by the various webs scattered about. Out of all the meta mercs she met, Arachne was perhaps the most interesting because of her spider abilities. Of course, Panther had yet to meet more of the Meta Mercs since they seemed to get in the way of their goals. The only one that wasn’t that bad was Roadkill but he wasn’t here right now.

Panther couldn’t react in time as the webs weaved around them like a cocoon wrapping them together. “Shit, Mona!” Panther yelped but it was too late as the pair was wrapped in a web. This was worse and worse every second for the pair. Panther truly felt like this was the closest her and Mona had ever become, literally. She had a feeling the cat would enjoy this.

The spider mercs voice would of course make Panther angry since she knew the person she was talking about was Prophet. The red clad hero wanted to save her new found ally but she couldn’t in the current predicament. Unfortunately for her things would take a turn for the worse.

“GARULA!”

Panther felt herself being violently spun around in a vortex of webs with her cat companion. They were both pulled through a funnel and crashing into each other. Panther groaned as she tried to get up but found she was stuck to Mona with webbing.

“Just shut up!” She glared at the spider merc and tried to take out her sub machine gun but her arm was stuck to Mona’s back. Panther internally panicked and tried to get her arm unstuck to no avail.

“Mona, we are going to need to do something about this, any ideas,” Panther said to the cat as she attempted to separate from him.

Anthem Azurian Dream

 

[Anthem]

- Tragedy

A romantic moment? The thought made Tragedy smile a touch, but now wasn’t the time to worry of such things as the bloodied royal before them grew ever more a threat to their plans. His strike had hit true, which was surprising to the boy at the end of the day… perhaps the extra training he had done with his weaponry had paid off in the form of deadly accuracy? Bathory would be sure to bring an end to the calm feeling spreading through his chest as she approached, blades extending to clash with both user and persona. Heartbreak couldn’t protect him this time as she was dealing with the girl of the Empress arcana herself. Tragedy would take a deep breath as he would close his eyes, Loki faded back into the ether leaving only the user as he clutched his threaded cane tighter than ever.

Crimson digits darted open as he brought the weapon into its cane form, the shots from Heartbreak’s firearm would strike against Bathroy’s fan allowing the boy just enough leeway to lock weapons with the persona, entering a mighty clash. “You’re past your prime… you damned hag!” Tragedy yelled at the Bathory, keeping the bloodied royal in place as ice from Cryptic encased the cognitive form, allowing the fool to jump back and catch his breath. In awe, the albino teen would watch as the speeding bufu user cut through the ice like a fine blade before rising high… high into the air. Named moves huh? Now this was something he could get on board wi-

“Wait what-” Tragedy’s attention would be taken to where Cryptic’s was, beholding the sight of a burning sky as there was something… someone was escaping to who knows where. That wasn’t important, the fool quickly spun on his back foot to look at Cryptic who was now falling via the mighty iced weapon he created, just for gravity to take hold instead. “Shit.” Cursing under his breath, the brute would put his weapon upon his back and prepared to burst forth. And when the ice weapon shattered upon impact with the persona, Tragedy launched from his position to catch Cryptic before Bathory was given the chance of counter-attack “Nice one! But make sure you finish the attack before you start fanboying next time, aight?” The fool quipped as he put his ally on his feet, turning to bear witness to the shadows creating a mass smokescreen to cover the battlefield… leaving a wicked idea in the mind of the fool.

“My turn!” Tragedy would run towards the dazed Bathory, putting out his arms as he tried to carry some of the smoke towards the bloody royal. Jumping around in the same movements of an all-out attack, a sphere of smoke started to surround Bathory as the boy could help but let out a sinister chuckle. “Say your prayers! Critical… IGNITION!” The fool yelled out as he whipped his threaded can forward, the metal of the weapon clashed against itself creating sparks… igniting the unburnt fuel within the smoke’s fumes. The sphere of smoke around Bathory ignited in an explosive flame, leaving the persona wounded and Tragedy’s weapon enchanted once again. “I guess paying attention in science was worth the bore..!”

---

- Mona

Webs… Webs could only mean one thing. Mona grew dreadful as he ran alongside his fellow thief as they attempted to catch Syren though to little avail as the fish was able to slip from their reaching grasps completely. Instead, the blondie and the faux-neko had been ran into the wicked clutches of a different merc entirely as winds started to whip and howl, coming to life all around them. Thanks to his own affinity to the winds, the lucky thief wasn’t damaged harshly by the sudden Garula but that didn’t stop him from being caught up within the webbing as he was stuck to one of the ladies he admired… though not in a way he could say he was particularly fond of.

The spinning had heavily disoriented Mona, causing his usually blue eyes to be replaced by comedic swirls as his head felt like it was going to twist off his little body. “Panther…. close…” Mumbling under his breath due to still being rather dizzy, it would take a moment for the baka-neko to finally come back to the situation at hand out of the daze. Mona struggled against the webbing for a few moments with no signs of ripping, he wasn’t nearly as strong as Shiro or Imato so there was no way he could simply just bust out of these confines. “I don’t think I can do anything… Wait…” The cat’s hands were confined, yes, but that wasn’t a problem as he differed from his fellow thieves in one amazing way. He hadn’t the need to rip off a mask to summon his persona.

“Zorro!” In a flash of blue flame, the masked gentleman would appear and use his rapier to dice through the webbing that entrapped him and his latex-clad ally so tightly. With a deep breath, Mona would take his scimitar and slice away at the webs nearby to open up the tight passageway a bit so Panther could hopefully summon Carmen. “You hold her weakness, Lady Panther! I’ll do all I can to assist you!” Violent winds started to surround Zorro’s saber as the baka-neko spoke, readying himself for whatever lay ahead. Perhaps if Panther started a flame, he could fan it into a great wildfire…

 

[Maeve Valor]

Surprisingly, the young man didn't seem fazed in the slightest that he had a sharp weapon pointed down at him as he was defenseless. This only got more on her nerves as she pulled her trident back as if she were about to fully plunge it towards him, but instead stabbed it into the ground. Syren then began to pace in front of Prophet from side to side as she continued on by saying, "Yes, we're pretty close. Why do you ask? Do you plan to banish Arachne as well? What's one more person close to me going to do, right?"

The agitated merc suddenly stopped to obviously feign a change of heart by placing the back of her hand over her forehead dramatically. "Oh, but I should be more understanding, shouldn't I? From what WarSong told me, she believes that are still pretty new to the Metaverse despite still having been able to defeat Fixer. Tell me oh Prophet blessed by such strength..." With a honeyed tone to her voice she climbed onto the web and cuddled up next to him over one side of his outstretched arm. "Do you even know what happens to a persona user after they've been killed in the Metaverse?"

Without even waiting for an answer, the seductress flipped her leg over to sit on top of him while simultaneously letting one of her armbands quickly restructure itself to the shape of a gun, creating something similar to a small sleeve handgun. "They get banished, and when they are banished, they forget everything that they've said and done for the duration of their time in the Metaverse. When you have been a persona user as long as some of us, if you get banished I'm sure you can guess how the details of your real life can get mixed up with your Metaverse life. Fixer is most likely confused with his living situation in the real world and along with that, he's forgotten everyone... that includes me!" The girl noticeably shook as if she were actively trying to keep herself from pulling the trigger.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Swan attempted to make a full-on dive out of Necronomicon right up until Oracle closed off the exit, causing her to lightly bump into where it once was. In frustration slammed the side of her fist onto the inside of Necronomicon. "Damn UFO, you aren't helping your case on why I should ever trust extraterrestrial shit! I don't care if you're just a persona, I don't like you!" Swan yelled, making it clear that she was oddly speaking directly to Necronomicon before then kicking the wall(?) with a metallic clink.

"Oracle, I'm warning you, you have about thirty seconds before I start cursing the fuck out of this place!" Swan demanded, holding no water to that statement. She did not have enough energy to even do an Eiga attack at this point let alone forcing another persona to do as she says. For the duration of the time that Swan had been aquainted with Oracle, she has presented herself as calm. As well as a person that thought before acting. This was seemingly out of character for the Phantom Thief. It was evident that Swan cared deeply for her comrades since she all but abandoned her collected demeanor.

It only took Swan a moment to think her empty threat wouldn't hold weight against the intelligent girl so Swan tried to be more convincing by going on to say, "We are on our own, no help is coming, and we are getting our asses kicked. I can't just sit around while everyone else is fighting for their life. I rather go out there and risk banishment alongside them, than play it safe by staying in here. If Prophet was on the verge of banishment, wouldn't you want to do the same?"

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

When the Valkyrie stabbed into Countess, she reflexively extended out her claws to attempt to embed them into the wings of Thrud to prevent her from stabbing into her heart as well as using the enchanted weapons to pour every bit of desperation she could muster into this move. She then dragged her claws downward to try and shred the wings. After which once her claws got towards the bottom of the wings, she headbutted the persona while simultaneously pulled away, striving to rip at least some part of the wings off.

In the meantime, Bathory took significant damage from Heartbreak's maneuver that caused a chain reaction to one side of her getting frozen by the Count of Monte Cristo. As Cryptic did consecutive unrelenting blows on the restrained persona Bathory, she tried her best by stabbing into the ice to set herself free, but of course it was a futile attempt as the amount of wounds she received grew. Then with Cryptic's Iceborn Hammer, Bathory arched back as blood poured from the top of her head, down her forehead, and around either side of her nose. Following this was Tragedy's Critical Ignition which, much to Countess' surprise, caused a blast strong enough to blow off one of Bathory's forearms.

Countess reeled from feeling the damage done to Bathory in response to this attack as Bathory intriguingly looked down at her arm which revealed a starch white interior showing that Countess was not the only one who has a secondary layer while a crack formed up the rest of her arm. Bathory suddenly shot a look at the only one who has not bled during this fight, Cryptic. Now turning her attention to him, the "blood" that came from the end of the open wound formed into something similar to a thorned whip that wrapped around Cryptic before she pulled back with what was left of her arm back that was attached to the whip, trying to make the thorns scratch around him. With her other hand still grasping her fan, she threw out more blood from the bladed parts of the fan towards Countess who was far on the other side of the roadway.

As soon as Countess stabilized herself she held out one set of her claws to link the blood to the appendages. The look on Countess' had now become serious as she stated, "It seems like you all aren't fucking around, so I guess it's only fair that I don't either!" The strands of blood linked up then hardened to create a sharp side. The two then ran at the opposing forces at each side of the street with long, bloody razors in tow between them seemingly about to slice them all up horizontally.

 

[Nellancholy]

"Rrrrgh...!" A guttural snarl escaped Heartbreak's throat as she pulled all her fading strength into Thrud's struggle with Countess. A cornered animal would risk every last chance it had to claw and bite, and Countess was probably rarely pushed to this point. Even so, her bloody claws and sadistic strength were able to barely fend off Thrud's attacks, rending her resilient steel armor to pieces in the process.

On the other hand, Heartbreak's diversion gave Tragedy a far better opportunity, faring well against Bathory and landing a few decisive blows on her. In her desperation, she grabbed onto Cryptic, no doubt aiming to draw more blood from his wounds while donating some to heal her main body. Thanks to those efforts, Bathory and Countess were barely able to rally, forming up for a final assault.

This would be the clash that determined the day's confrontation: and if victory did not fall to the thieves, the Mercs would be nowhere near as merciful as they would. The two came at the Thieves with bloody razors, stretched wide. It was an attack that would be fatal against surrounded, weakened opponents. But an unfortunate oversight against an opponent who could maneuver in the air.

Thrud turned, the remains of her armor splintering as she grabbed Heartbreak and blasted into the air. With that single, massive exertion, her metallic wings reached their limit, shattering into tiny metal shards at the peak of her flight. It would be impossible for her to fly any further today, but this position may have been sufficient.

"This is it..." Heartbreak had nothing more to say at the moment. From her elevated position, she had one chance to attack as they closed in. In this moment, she chose to focus on Bathory, more damaged still than Countess' own body. No one here could choose to ignore damage to their Persona for long.

As she reached the peak of Thrud's ascent, she leveled her machine gun, dumping the remainder of the ammo belt at Bathory in a stream of hot lead. And then: the fall. Separating from Thrud, Heartbreak did a somersault, building up momentum, and...letting her lance loose, hurling the heavy shaft of metal straight at the blood-soaked Persona.

Regardless of the success of the attack, she could use a landing strategy, and quick.

Maeve Valor Anthem

 

[Azurian Dream]

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~Interrogation or Confession~
Maeve Valor

At first it seemed she aimed to end it all rather quickly, however, while most would be in a panic on the spot Prophet in particular simply watched her body language. If it had been that Arachnee girl he would have believed the realm of the threat her body language screamed someone willing to go for the kill if not torture, but this newer one? The one that had gone straight for him in their last excursion here? She had full control last time to yet she faltered upon his original answer... she was conflicted on how to go about this. It was bizarre even for Prophet how this Syren was acting she seemed to want some form of revenge on him specifically for the Meta-Merc FIxers downfall, yet when she was close something held her back genuinely like moral conflict it almost seemed. As such her trident disappeared, and again she was conflicted moving side to side with Prophet following her movement like a swaying clock before finally she spoke.

"Curiosity really. Know your enemy, and such," he spoke to her first question acting as if he was the one running the actual interrogation at hand. She was getting sporadic with her next few lines accusing him out for blood, to hunt, to get even, and such with what she was doing now. Agitation blooming in her words... she wanted a reason to strike now at the moment? Didn't she have enough to already do so? Why was she reaching for kindling to a fully formed flame? What would she do if she had it?

"Well it would allows us more time to talk wouldn't it," the rather dark answer was hard to interpret. Was it a threat? A joke? Hell it could have even been taken as a bizarre flirtation really, or even a hand of companionship reaching out to someone in a struggling bind. For all these things it could be though it was both what Syren wanted a trigger, but at the same time a major distraction for thought to its meaning without anything else to follow. Prophet watched the girl stage her play chastizing Prophet in the realm of a greek tragedy... it was actually pretty impressive a performance. For all its mockery it held its wait with her words as her voice sweetened the performance with a tone well practice.

To his best bet Prophet imagined she had to entice or convince people quite often to switch like that so fast. Who was War Song? Before he could make his own questions prominent he felt the twist of the web tilting him for a moment the other way as Syren climbed up asking her next question as she laid against his upper side. Yet again he wasn't allowed to speak as she answered for him her legs flipping to sit atop him in a very suggestive manner... this was definitely not how one usually took to interrogation. He watched as she pointed her transforming firearm at his rather clever a device... he was impressed. However the impression was short lived as she started to tremble... she wanted to pull the trigger... with every detail she wanted to pull it. The pain behind her voice was very evident just like last time, Prophet took someone from her that was her world, that probably took care of her like no one else had. Yet it was with that he knew how to answer her...

“There is love in me the likes of which you've never seen. Yet there is rage in me the likes of which should never escape. If I am not satisfied in the one, I will indulge the other," just as Syren had taken her lines to mockery of a playful act he had instead made a serious read on her actions with his own act quite.

"Frankenstein. I have a odd habit of matching people to books I like to which for me have been about monsters. Frankenstein faced a level of rejection, and dissociation having boundless love for the world but rage towards the rejection of man. No one suffers worse than them. The ones people ignore, yet use just to throw them out, shunned from once they came, now broken from the abuse in the end. I would know, I consider myself one as well in truth. A rejection, and in truth it allows me to see the pain in others though I can't understand it myself," Prophet expressed no tricks no maneuvers just blunt honesty... that was the best way to keep her here away from the others.

"I don't really know the Phantom Thieves all that well. Yet, I can tell you each suffers in one way or another thanks to societies envy's. Stripping away what little they had as a original safety net. Leaving them to be the messes others want them to be.... malleable, and corruptible like the rest. I see that same pain in your actions, that same cry in your voice... so forgive me," Prophet spoke not of hostility, nor of resistance he was reaching out a understanding to how much hatred Syren had form him, and that he was willing to accept it.

"I had to play the monster to your story, but when that all went down... I realized something. I had no choice, but to do it," the webs started to shake, and tighten all around as Prophets hand started to pull against the strings all over his left arm the tension growing with each inch threatening to cut through his outfit probably even cut through own skin at this rate.

"Not because he would have killed them by choice, but because he would have to upon the same understanding I came to about them. That... that broken little group understands the pain better than most ever will," the strings started to cut though his cloth.

"They are the rejects, but they are the one trying to do something. Rather than let the system bleed along with those that abuse it to rot them or others to the core... they wouldn't stop throwing themselves at Fixer until they were dead... cause if they can do just one right to save another to not end up broken like them? They will die in that mission... just like me their broken, but not out," the strings started to cut into his skin bleeding him slowly as his hand neared the barrel of her gun.

"In the one unique strand of pain I can share with them... is that I will help them reach that goal even if it means I might die to let them live. I wont let them go to my extremes, but I wont let you end up like me... so forgive me," Prophet spoke still calmly almost completely insane as his hand gripped the barrel of her firearm halting the shaking allowing her to have a straight shot without jamming the gun in the process. Was that his idea... to let her go through with it? No he let the tension of his hand go forcing Syren into a extreme tug of war with the gun against his own strength, and the tension he had made with Arachnee's webbing.

"Because I have a lot of catching up to do to be even a inch near their level of worth. So I wont let you taint yourself over the mistakes of my existence," was this a distraction... not even Prophet could tell anymore, but he fought her for the gun as insane as it was to think this couldn't stop her with another weapon. He could have taken it in the direction of Fixer as the vocal point, but that didn't matter he was gone nothing would bring that version of him back. Prophet couldn't fix that, that was part of life... the lose. Yet in this moment she was concentrated with that single firearm on that single person meaning just possibly he could steal the upper hand if she was as distracted with her emotions as he thought she was.
.....................................................................................................................................


~The Necromatic Mad Truth~
Maeve Valor

Oracle watched with unexpected wide eyes as Swan went for a full on dive attempting to escape thankfully catching her at the beginning of it causing the curse user to lightly bang against the door. Though, the simplicity of the matter went right out the door as the rejection of exit caused the older girl to punch the Inside of Necronomicon's walls making Oracle flinch a bit as Swan yelled out some oddities even flat out directly speaking with to it before kicking at it aggressively causing Oracle to bite her lip. She couldn't let Swan out, not in this condition though she paused as something started to feed into her comms. Her attention was pulled only a for a moment as she closed her eyes in an unexpected formation of frustration.

"PULL YOURSELF OUT OF YOUR OWN ASS," without warning a tentacle swiped left snatching Swans arm restraining it in full grasp yet no other tentacles came to add to the restraint no it wasn't that... Oracle saw through the veil of Swan's lie her ability readings Swans data... Swan was completely spent even with items it wouldn't change the mental fatigue, and blood loss she had suffered at Crows hands. The one tentacle was all that was needed.

Yet its what Swan said next that finally triggered Oracle as she ran right for the bigger girl jumping her like a freaking spider monkey slamming them both into the ground as Oracle fought to be on top of Swan with the tentacle extending its reach to keep a hold of the older girl. Oracle proceeded to pull Swan up by the neck of her outfit as she hissed in frustration blood finally seeping from how much she had bitten her lip. Though instead of saying anything the screen swapped from the Countess fight to a rather different type of intense scene... a gun in someone's face... with a bloody arm holding onto it in a deranged struggle.

"How much? How much have you gained from each other? How better are you all for having each other. Soldiers die on the battlefield together, but family struggles to live together no matter what so which one is it," Oracle demanded of Swan to think about in her delusional situation as Prophets struggle played out fully on the string for Swan to bear. He was willing to die, but at this moment he was struggling to live... for them.

"Do you want to lose the part of them that made you better? Want to erase all that which you never knew you could have... cause I don't. Cause I can't save him without you all. He's so enamored with you guys you gave him a road he never consider... rebellion. So don't you dare insult the part of you that makes us want to care about you all by throwing it away. Cause if I let one of you die or be banished that will just stack on his conscious," Oracle's frustration with Swan death wish was in full bloom how could this cool big sis be such a idiot right now? This wasn't any of the way she had been before: Calm, collective, strategic, knowledge, badass none of that was present she was a complete insult to herself, and Oracle wasn't having any of it.

"My big bro will pull through no ones taking him down, and that's how you should be for them so no I wouldn't do the same I would flip the script right on its ass. You can't fight right now, but you can guide cant you. So I say again Big Sis pull your head out of your ass cause I reject to believe any banner of defeat is near us. You should to cause out off all these wackos your the most sane. So no you don't get to be the one being suicidal like them you need to be the one pulling them out of it so help me find this creepy hoes weaknesses. Cause I am your navigator so I will make sure to help you lead them to victory you got that," Oracle demanded of her big sis as he screen swapped back to the Countess as numerous piles of data collected onto the screen on Necronomicon's scans of Countess thus far.

.........................................................................................................................................................................................................................

~Webbed Orbital~
That Weird girl Anthem

"Kekekekeke someone's in a foul mood," Arachnee jabbed stifling a notable laugh at how hilarious the two looked webbed together as they were. Panther was very willing to jump right back into their prior exchanges shoot out though again the webbing turned the scene comical as Arachnee unable to contain the torment of the divine comedy in front of her interrupt into a series of laughs pointing at them like a child overwhelmed by a clown. Surprisingly though she didn't halt the cats strategy to release them from their combined prison. As she snorted a bit at the end regaining her composure she sighed smugly as she spun her scythe around before pointing it at the duo.

"Neat little trick, little neko. Though you seemed to be confused on my weaknesses," Arachnee taunted as her mask burned With Jorogumo appearing above her like the stalker's predatorial monster it was with its limbs extended out ready to leap at them at the beck of its master. With one small pull back the arachnid taur monster launched above them.

"ABYSMAL SURGE," Jorogumo landed on the roof of the duo feline thieves unleashing a purple wave of despair energy. It was clear she wan't out for a all out fight like usually she was in it to capture them alive. Though the didn't stop her spinning around the second forefront leg of her persona to spin kick wildly at Panther while ushering another spell.

"Terror Claw," Jorogumo's hand expanded out into a terrifying set of bladed hands as it slammed down its hand aiming to squash Mona, or better slice him with fear. Arachnee was aware of their tricks, and figured if she didn't keep them at a distance they could turn the tables so for that she was going to make it hell for them to work off each other. Spinning atop to her Persona abdomen she proceeded to take pot shots at Mona, and Panther dancing around her larger persona using it like playground like shield.

.......................................................................................................................................................................................................................

~Systematic Beatdown~
Nellancholy Anthem Maeve Valor

"I don't like that smile are you sure she didn't infect you," Cryptic mumbled as Tragedy caught him before chastising him on keeping his head in the game which felt very pot calling the kettle black. Indeed the following attack went into overkill mode imploding the materials at hand into a massive wide spread explosion. The attack was extremely flashy, and as Cryptic had suspected way overkill to the point it may have killed... yet Bathory still stood yet appeared heavily damaged at least. Something told Cryptic's senses that wasn't a good thing as that Critical Ignition should have been enough to top dispelling Bathory... they were a lot deeper in trouble than original thought. Cryptic turned to watch Thrud potentially turn the tides of the situation, but to everyone potential horrified sight Countess just like Abyss tussled the jet mecha persona. Attacking it like a wild animal Countess resisted.

"Count of Monte Crisco," Cryptic whispered summoning the duo hands prepping for a counter attack to assist the struggling persona as Countess began to rip into its metal work. Unfortunately that concentration gave Bathory her open as before his persona could act the strange boy was snatched by a whip of thorns before spun wildly like a pincushion with multiple puncture holes making their debut all over the smaller boys body. Cryptic yelped in pain burning in his voice as ever since the fight with Fixer/Haze/Slayer he had never taken this much damage all at once. Since that fight he had been way more cautious realizing his defense stat in this world was not as high as the other made up for by his speed, and magical attack/defense. Yet even through the pain as the gloves of the Count shot after their master he was able to pinpoint understand what Bathory's follow up would do.

"Halt the hemophages recovery," Cryptic scowled in pain spieling blood from his mouth as the gloves stopped at the half way point before turning around, and rocketing towards Countess. At first it seemed the duo arm wear would join the fray, but as the gloves blasted forward meeting a bit above Countesses height the expanded out interlocking fingers their mission became clear as they caught as much of the Bathory's shower of blood as possible from making its target. Unfortunately at best it may have snatched about 1/3 of that given, but any downgrade to fuel that hags recovery was much needed for the Phantom Thieves even at the risk of further damaging which Cryptic received as he was flung about by Bathory. Unfortunately it seemed Countess still had enough material to work with as in follow up to the madness of it all the blood demon unleashed a razor wire bladed attack

Yet Cryptics attention turned to Heartbreak, she was aiming to double down on Countess it seemed. Made sense if they could break Bathory, Countess would enter a shutdown phase for a moment giving them maybe a few seconds to strategize how to exorcise this monstrosity to bulls from hell. Agreeing upon the solution Cryptic once again gave command to The Count. The gloves broke their interlock jutting upwards towards Thrud before unleashing bufu energy imbuing a upgrade to Heartbreaks Lance a shiny yet chilling hue of blue before rocketing with her in the finale attack assaults. The Gloves of the Count formed fists protecting Heartbreak from counter actions especially the razor wires as they caught Heartbreak upon her attacking descent whisking her away from Bathory.

"Tragedy get me out of this thing fast," Cryptic called out having no defense of his own to protect himself from the razor wire attack while he was still trapped in the thorny whip. During all this chaos the wagon carrying the three shadows had been torn apart flinging the shadow trio about wildly as a series of explosions as the attack triggered the rest of their supplies minus the ones they were still carrying.

Yet even upon their crash with the ground Shadow Takeshi, Shadow Oppai, and Shadow Tabano were stubborn they wanted that ticket more than any other unaware of the falsehoods set by the Phantom Thieves their passion for their boss blazing with unnatural loyality as they got up scrambling from behind Bathory's blind spot making them come into view of Countess no doubt.

"SUPPORTIVE FIRE...um.... FIRE," Shadow Takeshi called out as the trio taking the best weapons they had brought. Festival theme firework rocket launchers with Oppai hilariously tanking two of them. With steady aim matching to professional respect they unleashed the four last shots they had. In a surprisingly spectacular via of sparks the rockets fly towards Bathorys' back making impact with the persona right as the Lance made its mark a intense spray of Bufu shards ignited off the lance hail marying Bathory in a combo attack as if the lance had turn into a chaos grenade.
...............................................................................................................................................................

 

[That Weird girl]

Panther

"Good work Mona," Panther applauded as she could free herself go free and suddenly bounced to life as she debated on what to do. Summon Carmen and combo with Morgana or should she try to attack her. Panther could tell that she was trying to keep them at a distance but there were two of them and one of her. They could turn the tables in this fight if they could work off each other...

Panther braced herself for the attack by Joroguma as the persona the best she could. The despair energy hit her like a cold wind and caused her SP to drop. Panther couldn't respond as she was kicked back by one of the long legs across the roof. The latex Thief was ready to give up since the despair was hitting her. Panther stood up and stumbled a little bit as she struggled to keep her balance.

Panther ripped off her mask to summon Carmen and the persona would raise Morgana's defenses before the terror claw would hit him. Panther was out of luck since she did not have a very good typing against Arachnee. She summoned a flame and hoped that Morgana could turn it into a wildfire, and it could at least get her off of the persona for a moment.

Panther attempted to doge the potshots and some of the bullets ended up hitting her. A thought hit her as she thought that this might be the end for them. She was aware that Arachnee could easily end it if she wanted but didn't. Panther assumed that she wanted to capture them alive for whatever reason.

"Mona, I don't know how long I can do this," Panther admitted to the cat as she shot at Joroguma's legs to try and get the spider persona to fall down. This was her only option. left...she was growing weaker by the minute and without help she and Morgana would fall.

Azurian Dream Anthem

 

[Anthem]

~ Tragedy

This was it, this battle was soon to reach its apex as the end grew closer and closer in sight with every passing blow. The combination of attacks onto the bloody royal and her persona were truly pushing everyone around to the edge as every second resulted in multiplying the brutality. Tragedy’s eyes widened as he saw the underlayer of Bathory revealed by his on the spot special move, so there was something laying underneath the persona they had been bled dry by. A new secondary goal came to fruition in the fool’s mind, to see just what Countess had hidden underneath the blood disguise, but ripping away the facade would have to wait.

Panic was slowly starting to settle within his heart as this final push rose the heat higher than any other moment within this battle. His breathing was heavy from the strain upon his physical form, and the adrenaline slowly started to take its toll. The damage they dealt was promptly countered as Thrud lost her wings, and Cryptic was ensnared… and if nothing was done they’d all be cleaved into two. The overload of information was causing his mind to spin as crimson eyes flickered between all the variables in play, luckily the Bufu-User calling out to the horned thief brought him back to the scene at hand from his entranced status. “Right… I can’t falter now…” A rise to action, the Fool spoke to himself as he gently slapped his cheeks before bringing his eyes to where Cryptic stood ensnared.

“Let’s rock.” The albino thief dashed to his ally and grabbed the bloody whip, forgoing the damage and pain it caused him as he tore it away. The spiked bindings pierced through his gloves, causing a dark ichor to drip from his hands but nothing too serious. Cryptic would have to tend to his own injuries as there was still an approaching guillotine that had to be halted before those along the ground were cleaved, so Tragedy would set his sights on Countess as Heartbreak aimed her devastating weapon to pierce Bathory.

The heat of combat and uncertainty of survival caused the Fool’s heartbeat to quicken, Loki’s laughter deepening in the back of his mind as blue sparks crackled to life in his bleeding hands. That infamous cyan energy pooled in Tragedy’s palms before expanding around his hands and crackling up his forearms, acting almost as a starting pistol as he launched towards the bloodied royal. Dodging and weaving around the sharp ichor littering the battleground, the Fool’s movements had become some form of deadly dance as he approached his target. A few meters from Countess he would plant his feet, bringing his hands forward and pointing his palms towards the Merc. “This skirmish ends here!” Within his veins a new power awoken, deepening his nuclear prowess as the sparks in his grasp started to crackle like New Years fireworks. With a yell from the core, the ground trembled as the energy shot forth. “FREIDYNE!!!” A concentrated field surrounded Countess before imploding with great intensity, causing destruction to the terrain underneath it. A new powerful spell, but unlocked at the cost of leaving him unable to move after casting such an ability… Should his and Heartbreak’s attacks not stop the guillotine, he was first on the chopping block.

~ Mona

Confused of the spider’s weakness? But didn’t her weapons falter last time due to Panther’s magnificent flames? Mona would shake his head and grit his teeth, trying to remain unwavering against Arachnee though with her terrifying Persona it was hard for the little neko to remain brave. Unable to escape the incoming surge, his already low mental stamina was drained further by the first trick in Jorogumo’s playbook. It felt like this arachnid was made specifically to make them falter, as if she had honed her moveset just to make them suffer in a prolonged combat scenario. Carmen was good as always when it came to buffing allies, as Mona felt as if his skin gained a likeness to iron so when Jorogumo’s Terror Claw was choreographed he didn’t reel back in fright.

Instead, the bakaneko would put up his scimitar and grind the metal of the blade against the yo-kai’s claws to block the slashing damage. A prompt roll was performed to avoid being crushed under the weight of the attack, after all the only weight he really had compared to the spider was his comically large head- Closing one of his eyes in pain from the potshots, Mona tried his damnest to keep his focus just long enough to… “Zorro! Magarula!” The flame created by Panther was consumed by the winds emitted from Zorro’s saber to create a spiral fire-storm that shot towards Arachnee and Jorogumo to decimate both spiders and turn them to ash.

Though a gut-wrenching feeling struck the neko as he heard his teammate call out, she had taken heavy damage at this point and they needed some way to decommission the arachnid so they could get away. Genius struck Mona’s mind as he had remembered they were on a rooftop… If he could bring Arachnee down, the Metaverse’s natural regeneration of structures may trap her just long enough for them to get a distance away. So as the flaming tornadoes struck the spiders, the cat would take a leap of faith to go high above the duo before transforming into his vehicular form and descending upon them… hopefully it was enough to bring the bug down a level.

 

[Maeve Valor]

One of Necronomicon's metallic appendages wrapped itself around Swan as she struggled against the unsettling persona despite Oracle's crass demand. Attempting to wriggle out of its grip was challenging enough, though it became significantly harder when Oracle leap-frogged onto her with enough force to almost cause the back of her head to hit the ground. It wasn't until Oracle had pulled her by the front of her outfit that she stopped struggling and instead glared at the younger girl. From the corner of her eye, Swan saw how the screen changed and took note of how it was yet another person that needed her help. At least, that was what she though until Oracle began to speak again and judging by the way she worded her sentence, she assumed that Swan thought of this group as family.

"Family?..." Swan echoed that word back. The Phantom Thieves to her had become people she considers good friends, but family? It was a word that was heavy yet at the same time had little substance to it. She had a general idea of what a supportive family should be like, but was being with the Phantom Thieves really what it's like?

Oracle continued on to make remarks that ended up ringing true to Swan. Oracle was correct. The part of her that is a Phantom Thief really had made her better. She was no longer cursed to be a charlatan, she no longer forced herself to be selfish, and most of all she no longer felt lonely. This journey she was on felt like the correct one to be on and she absolutely did not want any possibility of going back to the thief she was in the past. Not after working so hard to make up for the wrong she's done and the headway she's made to being a better person. Was she already going back on her vow to be a stronger Phantom Thief? Hell no.

When Oracle had mentioned her brother and was answering Swan's prior question, Swan now fully looked over to the screen as she watched Prophet fight off a merc while taking in all that Oracle had to say. Once she was done and the screen had switched over, Swan closed her eyes from a moment and nodded. When she finally opened them, her eyes shined with determination. "You're right, Oracle. I apologize for the way I have been acting. They need my help, but not from the battlefield. The place I would be most optimal at this point is here. Now, can you bring up the map of the area and indicate where all known people are? Include all structures, topography, and.... would you get this fucking thing off me already?!" Swan struggled again to get away from the tentacle.

Suddenly Tragedy's explosion was heard and not long after that another one was heard followed by the sound of the Necronomicon getting pelted by something. "...what the hell was that?"

Azurian Dream
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

In unison, as the Persona and Persona User were about to shear in half the whole group the lance had embedded itself into Bathory and had it not been for Cryptic's added spell, it would not have penetrated. Though it was because of this that Countess too halted her charge as she felt some of the pain that was dealt to Bathory. This led to a direct hit performed by Tragedy in which this too cracked her outer layer of armor. And then, as if on cue, both their armors shattered. Countess reverted back to her original Metamerc outfit as the armor collapsed into blood on the ground, but with Bathory the image would not be familiar.



The blood that was around Countess seemed to be drawn slowly to Bathory like a pulsating heart seeking ichor to claim as their own. Soon afterwards it wouldn't be just Countess' blood that Bathory was collecting. Heartbreak, Tragedy, Cryptic, all of the blood that they had accumulated as well slid off in a stream, all pulsating towards a levitating Bathory that was conjuring an orb of the collected substance. Even all the shadows that had been injured within the vicinity were having their black blood being pulled from them.

As all eyes were on the persona, suddenly a blade appeared coming out of Takeshi's stomach only to then disappear. It was Countess who was seemingly disappointed as she scoffed, "that didn't cause nearly as much blood as I had hoped. Luckily... I have two more times to get it right~" Countess sang, setting her sights on Oppai and Tanbono. She stabbed a claw into Oppai's side and dragged it from one side to the other and then pulled them out in an upward motion, causing further damage to his abdomen. Then before Tanbono had the chance to escape, Countess quickly ran her claws through her hair so that she can the top of her head and in one swift motion, slit her throat with the other set of claws. "There, that should be enough blood Bathory!" The insane merc showing no signs of remorse, yelled to her persona as she threw Tanbono to the side as the orb had now grown to look like one huge bloody, pulsating moon in the sky. Until finally, it burst, creating multitudes of tiny, red bullets.

Anthem Nellancholy
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

His ominous words confused Syren with what it could possibly mean and the point he was trying to get across. Was he being a smart-ass? Was he taunting her? Lecturing her in some manner? She ever so slightly lowered her gun as her stare intensified, trying to make sense of it all before he began to explain himself and likened her to Frankenstein of all things. Is he seriously calling me the monster here? Wait- Frankenstein was the monster, right? I always get them mixed up. And yeah I have plenty of love to give but what does he mean by the rejection of man? Very few men have ever rejected me. Then when he pointed out how she was in pain, it threw her for a loop and only one word was what she managed to get out at that point. ".... What?"

In the next instance as he admitted to being the cause of her distress in regards to defeating Fixer, he also clarified how he had no choice but to do so. It was an extension of the last time they spoke. Previously, he had said that he did it to protect them and Syren had to admit, knowing Fixer as well as she did she knew that under the circumstances of what she heard, she knew he wouldn't have backed down. Especially if Prophet wasn't showing any signs of retreating either. Fixer always did well in matching the intensity of any fight, no matter if it was a light-hearted match or a dangerous one.

Within the same speech, he explained why he was willing to go to such lengths on behalf of the Phantom Thieves. It wasn't knowledge that she had asked for, yet he still got his point across as Syren noticed how he was practically hurting himself by trying to get out of the web unflinchingly. Shocked by how he wasn't reacting to the webs, she slightly leaned away from him as he was getting closer to her gun and she was unable to comprehend what she should do at this point. She couldn't being herself to shoot still and couldn't find the words to interject him. It was all so baffling until he started mentioning things like not letting her end up like him and potentially tainting her with mistakes. Could he tell that she was not accustomed to banishing/killing people? In Syren's mind, this was just another person that thought they knew her and this angered her once more though this reaction came a bit too late as her pause had let Prophet take hold of the gun. "Ya think your little band of vigilantes are the only ones who has taken up the mantle of bringing justice to the world? There's been over dozens of freelancers just like you newbies who wanted to change the world," Syren argued as she pulled on her gun to get it out of his grasp.

"Experiencing pain is nothing unique, especially among Meta-Users. So don't be so naive and don't act like you know me when you don't even know the extent of the predicament you've put yourself in!" Syren was able to maneuver a finger back on the trigger and pulled it to go off and graze Prophet's arm. To settle this, Syren then had her other armband turn into another sleeve gun into her other hand and pointed it at his forehead. "You have broken the unspoken rule of the freelancers. When you banish someone, you are basically challenging the other faction into starting a rivalry. You threw down a gauntlet at the MetaMercs, and that will not slide by easily. I refuse to let it. So no, I do not forgive you."

Just when Syren was about to make the decision of whether she was going to pull the trigger or not, she saw behind Prophet a very large, red orb above the buildings and knew exactly what was coming. Instead of pulling the trigger, Syren instinctively pushed Prophet aside and yelled, "Bufula!" Normally, this command would be an attack but in this case, she used her ice capabilities to create a thick sheet of ice above her and Prophet as the ice took all the damage of the bullets that they both would have received otherwise.

Azurian Dream
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

[Azurian Dream]

~To Be Overwhelmed~
Anthem That Weird girl

Things rapidly kicked off as the duo charged the spider with Panther unleashing a bright flame before taking a few hits from suppressive fire. Arachnee smiled at these Phantom Thieves as they were already near depleted ripe for the taking to snatch into a web. The struggle would only bring them that much closure to be ensnared to her whims. However they were clearly not going down without a fight which meant this struggle would not be without its fun before the finale snare. The equally red Meta Merc kept concentration on Panther as the girl attempted to blast through Joroguma's legs trying to trip it up it seemed.

This fixation on Panther gave the neko Mona a perfect opening as the cat came to a solid execution of attack. Upon hearing the suddenly sizzling, and popping flames behind her Arachnee had only a moment to turn as she landed atop her arachnid persona to see the hell tornado coming right at her like a funnel. Joroguma turned its whole body to have its front shield Arachnee crossing its arms ready for impact as dodging even for her was impossible at this close range. In a bizarre transfixed situation the bells of a move being blocked showered the eardrums of all present as the enamored immunity of Archnee's powers block the wind half of the attack.

Showcasing her equal immunity to Garu like Mona that did however not stop the force of the flames that continued forward in their hellish pursuit. Overtaking Jororguma like a wild fire the Spider Persona was impressively being pushed back by half of the attacks damage output as distortions appeared all around it. Archnee seethed as she felt mental pains from both her persona taking damage, and at the realization that with just a little more force she would have been flipped as Joroguma barely avoided being pushed off the roof with its numerous legs digging in to stop its momentum.

When the elemental damaged ended Arachnee immediately heard the sounds of the purring engine from above as Mona went in for a pile driver. This time however there was enough time to react as with a twitch of a single reflex the spider spun itself away making Mona whiff its attack as Joroguma, and Arachnee ended up on the other side of the roof. Staring at her opponents Arachnee scoffed a bit with an amused smirk.

"Here you both are acting all run ragged, but look at you. Being all clever throwing out unexpected gut punches. Kekekekekekeke there really is nothing like you guys you just act, and yet some how sync up. Must admit I am starting to get the groups fixation on you as of late. Rules be damned is literally your motto it feels like... kek hell of a way to live," Arachnee chided with bizarre small talk out of the blue as a powerful explosion sounded of in the distance from Tragedy's Nuke finisher... yet not long after the mushroom cloud was consumed by a massive blood orb.

"Welp Countess is about to mop up the rest of your buddies, and I am sure Syrens about had her fill kekekeke. So... guess its time to snatch the stragglers and call it a nig...," Arachnees confidence in the situation being over was overwhelming as she talked as if it was fact they were all finished, and as she raised a hand to point at them her next move a voice much more domineering blasted throughout the entire palace as the very ground shook.

"HOW DARE YOU TAKE WHAT IS LOYALLY MINE," the building the three were on started to rumble, and violently shake before spinning like a cork screw as the literal building was lifted up its foundation ripped, and gutted from the ground as a ungodly swarm of clothed tentacles spun like tentacles drillings and ripping the build apart up towards them.

"WHAT DID THAT DUMB BLOODSUCKER BITCH DO," Arachnee spoke for the first time with a emotion other than glee as frustration took over her facial features. Her smile turned upside down as she witnessed the incoming mass destruction realizing her ability to handle this situation was out the door she took a blank expression turning to the Panther, and Mona.

"...Time to go...," immediately turning to her persona she grabbed onto one of Jorogumo's hands as the spider demon threw her off the roof before being pummeled into a forced return to its masters mind. The duo would only get a moment to watch Arachnee spiral out in the sky away before thousands of tendrils broke through the roof latching, snatching, and gripping onto them with overwhelming force. Even Zorro, and Carmine would be tied up as one by one they got pulled into the glob mass forcing them to shatter and return to Panther, and Mona as they to were dragged into the swarm of murky cloth...

...........................................................................................

~Blink & They Will Be Gone~
Maeve Valor

Prophet watched the swirl of emotions play out against Syren lips. She wasn't sure how to gauge what he meant, and was overwhelmed by the potential definition. Seemed Prophet had overestimated his opponents ability to string in psychological talk as she lowered her gun a bit in her confusion. Though it seemed she was not a fan of being compared to a monster it also flipped again how she was planning to take it... Prophet was starting to get a feel this woman was perhaps... a bit of a air head to put it gently. However things got back on track the moment she uttered a word against his claim to her pain.

She surprisingly became transfixed on him listening rather politely as he gave his merit to the situation a moment of glance told him she understood what he meant. Neither Fixer nor Prophet planned to give quarter in the situation it was against their natures at that moment in capsulated time. The girl of water never interrupt a sign of negotiability, or rationality that Prophet had not expected from her. She was different than the other Meta-Mercs Prophet had studied thus far... very different in fact... she seemed to have a more conscious stance.

When it came to him resisting his restraints though that's when the bubble started to pop. It was her turn to state her mind on the matter, but as blood dripped through the web from his hands it seemed se developed a lump in her throat. Of course it seemed she had no idea about his gun immunity as she kept to the fire arm approach... that or she was baffled at this point to even consider such. With each twitch of the lip, and turn of the head Prophet was starting to realize... this girl couldn't take what she aimed to do.

It was at this point a particular word seemed to trigger her as she found her voice again arguing with him in a misconception as she started to struggle over the gun. She talked as if he knew her, and while that was something he could correct as not being his case he was halted by the next string of words to come out of her mouth. He for a moment interrupted:

"Justice is a loose word... justice failed quite a long time ago for them, myself, and I dare say even you," Prophet expressed watching her now with a better understanding. So that's how the Meta-Mercs saw them? It made sense they had done quite a bit in that string of thought. Kajik was a drug peddling lout who harmed others in the school, The Matriarch was a manipulative cult runner, and even Kamoshida was a monster who preyed on the weak for his own lust. Yet it wasn't about stopping them in the name of justice it was about saving the people ignored by the rest... the victims no one wanted to save.

"I think you misunderstand the Phantom Thieves. Its not about justice, its about rewriting the ending of those wronged by society, about those ignored. Justice had a chance to fix things, and when justice fails the numbed? Has now become the job of those scorned to give it a reality check back into place," Prophet expressed he clearly didn't like that word... justice... it rang false... for if there was justice... things wouldn't have gotten to this point for anyone. Before this could turn into a debate however what Syren said next... ironically numbed him.

It wasn't the predicament she laid out to him over his own actions nor the pain of knowing another's experiences. Those were valid takes... no, it was what was between the lines that got his brain gears halting for a moment, even the part of her unwilling to forgive him went over his head momentarily. This unspoken rule... the words she spoke of it formulated a immediate question. Something Prophet had missed when gaining information from the PT's past exploits yet now found itself at the forefront of his mind in full force. Even as Syren pulled the trigger grazing Prophets arms protected by his immunity being revealed to the bufu user bufu infused bullet. Instead of struggling more the green monk started to let go of his resistance pulling his arm back to his side which in turn with the webbing strength started to pull Syren much closer mask to mask with him as he asked in notable baffled voice.

"If that's the case... than shouldn't this have already kicked off when Baron did so to that Haze fellow," the question was straight forward creating a numbing effect to this male ignoring his own predicament over something that would not doubt trigger confusion right back into Syrens face as she pointed her other gun at Prophets now conflicted head. Something wasn't right here at all...this strangely reminded him of another situation with another bufu meta-merc. He started to think back to the Frostbite encounter... there were so many similar elements to than and now. A ice user had him on the ropes, was carrying a strange weight of conversation, and had a element of Barons oddity in interaction...this was a strange moment that felt off than that equally felt off now as well.. off. During that situation there was something that had stuck out near the end as well.

.......................................
(Post 570 Flashback)
"Second coming of Kaiser?" He muttered sarcastically, watching the two(Phoenix/Aureus Rex) scramble towards the body of their ally(Frostbite), checking his vitals while slowly backing away from Baron and the thieves. "Get out of my sight." Baron scoffed, turning away from the mercs that wasted no time in leaving the scene using a train.
.......................................

Back than it felt like nothing, but the bizarreness of it had been Barons words. They had made no sense as if it was said in reflection to something that offended him that no one else mentioned nor knew about. Why had he said it? It seemed so trivial at the time, but now suddenly their felt like so much weight of mystery was now behind it. Prophet was only pulled back into a contradiction as a powerful bullet storm came raining down at them. Rather than run away Syren instead got off him, and constructed a wall of ice apparently all to well knowing the incoming attack. In that moment Prophets arm swung as he triggered his grenade launcher device shooting out an agi grenade right at the perfect angle ricochet twice before exploding on Prophet himself.

During his prior fight with Arachnee Prophet had loaded up a Agi grenade intended to counter her next web hair trick. Instead now as Syren went against what she was about at this time that grenade now found itself responsible for blazing its owner. Prophet hissed at the feeling of the flames as immense amount of pressure was removed and the hair webs turned to ash. Prophet dropped to the ground stumbling into the wall ahead of him turning to blue haired stilettoed girl. There was many ways this could go now... a confrontational fight, a chase sequence, however Prophet only cared about proceeding in one particular way...

"What makes Baron immune to that rule?" He asked Syren dead on while standing in front of her as a bloody mess.

"HOW DARE YOU TAKE WHAT IS LOYALLY MINE," the voice of the palace ruler rippled in echo with rage as the whole palace shook underneath Prophet, and Syrens feet... something massive had changed in the environment as the deconstruction of something could be heard off in the distance. It was quickly followed by the sound... almost without a doubt a volley of... cannon fire?

Before anything else could be initiated between the two a detrimentally destructive wave of cannon fire ruptured the whole area around them both throwing them through the building wall next to them and riddling them with waves of shrapnel damage. Prophet would be the luckier of the two as the gun damage deflected off him in wave luckily shielding Syren as she had been throw first. As the two were ragdolled through the building the echoes of additional volleys could be heard shot off.

For a moment disorientation ruled the mind of Prophet as things took their time. From his comm line he could hears different waves of panic as it seemed Oracle was trying to get ahold of everyone. As things cleared up Prophet found himself on a massive wooden table with Syren at his feet. Whether she was functional at the moment or not was not something he could gauge as a new more ominous type of vibration started to resonate throughout the whole building. Turning to the left Prophet was met with the closing in sight of a torrent of clothed tendrils. At full tilt he turned back to a dazed Syren, Prophet efficiently came to a conclusion as his feet folded towards his stomach.

"Lets add further to the Molotov Cocktail of conflicted emotions here shall we," with one aggressive double kick Prophet kicked Syren square in the stomach sending her right through the window next to her as the Tendrils engulfed the room before pulling back leaving nary a spec left of the Green Monk.
.....................................................

~From Fear of Tentacles to Fear of Tendrils~
Maeve Valor

Oracle was a bit surprised for when she had uttered the word family Swan had taken a rather odd approach to it. From everything Oracle had seen, and heard these Phantom Thieves bickered, and fought like a legit family. Got on each others nerves, argued but had each others back for the most part. So why was Swan repeat of the word... so... disconnected from the word much more the concept of that being the case? The frog girl looked at Swan in equal confusion though still held tightly to Swans feathered collar. Its like she couldn't actually categorize her thoughts on how she felt about her teammates even though to Oracle it was pretty clear...

"Ya... family...," Oracle simply repeated her grip loosening a bit studying Swan. She had a strange feeling that her big sis was potential broken in a sense, and while she would normally push Oracle bit her tongue as it was none of her business. Atleast the rest of what the little gremlin had said seemed to pierce the mark so much though that Swan's mannerism and body language seemed to return to the more confident stat as Oracle let her go watching her big sis fix herself.

"Oh right my bad... also stop acting like my persona is going to do something to you... dirty minded weirdo. Atta girl lets... THE FUUUUUUUU," Right as the deadly sisterly duo was going to give that Countess strategic hell as the Necronomicon let Swan go Tragedys nuclear impact sent a shockwave wiggled the UFO persona a bit. As stability returned Oracle could feel her headaches increasing she would need to be careful at this point as at this rate she couldn't take another hit to her persona. At Swans request the information started to flood the screens as Necronomicon moved towards the space of the fight keeping at safe distance.

However forgotten by many the key transition of the Mental Block finally finished its transformation. From the view of Oracle, and Swan in particular they would see the Mental wall start to warp, and ripple. Oracle gave a wide smile as this confirmed they had succeeded in their mission. Everything up until this point had now officially paid off. The Girls would get a first row view as the Mental wall started to erode revealing...

"WHAAAAAATTTTT THHHHEEEEEE FUUUUCCCKKKKKKK," Oracles eyes went wide as a massive black whole was revealed expanding from the area where the Countess fight took place all the way to the port of the town itself. Even more bizarrely was that the water floor that shifted down the canals wasn't falling into the hole but instead seemed to be teleported to the canals on the other half of the port section of the town... it was like one massive gap in the mind. Splitting the palace in half almost Oracle turned using hand gestures to point at Swan to than point at the imagery available... how did one... respond to this. This went beyond what the Phantom Thieves had experienced in the cognitive world up till this point it was a unique dilemma to consider for sure... however if one paused for a moment without a doubt they could just use Thrud, and Necronomicon to...

The screen fixated on the fight below as Oracle, and Swan got a front rate show to the gleeful murder spree Countess took off on. Takeshi, Oppai, and Tabano were easily gutted, cut, and ended by the disturbingly excited Countess like lambs to the slaughter. Oracle clasp her mouth at the horror of the executions even going wide eye at the level of enjoyment the deranged Countess had in her performance... it was done with flawless effort. As if it came so natural to the matador meta-user to do harm to others and even though they were shadows with what she had done to Tragedy someone she was flirting with so casually, add with the fact on what she had also done to Thrud a person so easily as well... it painted quite the dark picture that this meta-verse user was someone real... out in their world... capable of willingly harming people like this.

Countesses follow up bullet hell thankfully was not in range of the UFO and with a quick screen flip thankfully it was revealed Prophet, Panther, and Mona were safe for now. The realm of thought and safety were both thrown out with the book on the two developing problems... how were they going to deal with Countess, and what did this massive blank space in this Palace Rulers mind mean? Though before any action could be taken the storm brewing only grew as a voice was picked up by the Necronomicon.

"They were mine," the palace started to rumble eerily as the voice hissed in the Necronomicon's speakers. The voice was that of the Palace Rulers without a doubts as the canals all around the palace started to erupt violently raising geysers of water as Oracle, and Swan would watch through multiple screen angles of massive amounts of clothed tendrils sprawling out violently collecting into massive herds of tendrilled funnels.

"Pearls of perfection... that I rightfully took... to remember him... you so casual slaughtered," this time the voice that entered was clearly that of the watery vagabond wretch. One of the screens quickly caught her on screen atop another roof top overlooking the Countess fight. At first it wouldn't be so odd to see the creature again, but side by side in time it was strangely noticeable that the two voices... sounded... awfully alike.

Yet the words behind it? There was something equally strange about them. A few more garbled elements were to far or quiet to hear, but all at once the whole palace shook as right at the point of where the massive began by the Countess fight the Pirate Queen her self warped into existence. Her face was that of someone beyond enraged with a look of death gleaming in their eyes as they pointed their musket at Countess before screaming.

"HOW DARE YOU TAKE WHAT IS LOYALLY MINE," she, and the watery vagabond screamed like banshees as the UFO radars went nuts. On all sides massive amounts of incoming dots revealed to many tendril collective to even keep track of before long the tracker dots fixated on Mona, Panther, and Prophet started to move sporadically to fast. Even with her persona higher tracking power Oracle couldn't get a image on either of the three starting to cause her to panic as the tendrils started to close in on the scene on the Countess Fight. Though near Swan two miniature screens popped up showing Arachnee, and Syrens locations.

.....................................................................................

~Contemplation... No Breathing~

Anthem Nellancholy Maeve Valor

(Minor collab with Anthem )
"Jackpot..." Tragedy mumbled in his vulnerable stance as the bloodied duo were struck dead on by the combined efforts of the thieves present, causing the tainted guillotine to be halted completely. The young fool was able to move shortly after his paralysis, prompting him to look at his hands with a rather devilish grin as the realization struck him that a new level of power had been obtained. But the newly found confidence was for not as the battleground grew bloodied than ever before via the shedding of shells from Countess and Bathory alike, the new albino Persona causing a shiver to slowly creep it's way down Tragedy's spine. There was a screaming feeling in his stomach that told him to run, this wasn't the same duo that they were brawling moments before.

Cryptic himself would find himself falling with the destroy whip like appendage that Tragedy had manually surgically removed post hast. Upon the collision with the ground finally freed from his eldritch prison as he sprawled out on the ground for a moment dazed, and without a doubt suffering from acute blood loss. When he got a chance he would list out the legal draft of all the crimes against humanity, and torture illicit actions to send as a scathing letter to the one known as Countess. Though before he could blurt out such... he watched as his own blood started to arise, and flow towards the new problem ahead of them.

Soon enough... the trio of shadows that had come to their aid had their existences plucked away as if they never existed. Such a screeching stop...The blood spill was a trigger for something new from the bloodied royal and her Persona, the collected ichor molded into a type of sphere before formulating a new moon in the sky. Tragedy's crimson digits started to race around, this wasn't good and something had to be done now.

The three shadows themselves were unable to even utter a peep as there eyes went dead upon each of Countesses attacks

"I'm trusting you here Cryptic, you've shown creativity with that ice before... do it again!' The fool clenched his teeth before racing to aid the plummeting Heartbreak, with a flick of his wrist his grappling hook shot out into one of the nearby buildings.

"WAIT WHAT HOLD ON A SECOND THIS IS COUNTER INTUITIVE," Cryptic yelled out in a proverbial panic as neither he nor Tragedy surely could pull off anymore insane moves. Trying to push himself up though Cryptic watched Tragedy do just that going off in one of his insanely demented boss rushes.

With that, Tragedy launched into the air and caught Heartbreak in his arm not long before the bullet hell started to rain down upon the thieves. Forgetting his role temporarily, the Fool used his own body as a sponge for the bullets to protect the ally in his arms as they made proper contact with the ground. The whole body blocking, it was a noble action but a stupid one at the end of the day so moments after landing the body quickly ripped off his mask.

"Loki! Cleave it all away!" The twinned blade in the trickster's grasp lit up with that bloody red glow before slicing away at the ground in front of Tragedy and Heartbreak, allowing him to kick up a chunk of flooring to use as a barrier against the bullet hell. It was very makeshift, but it would have to do...

"Count... MABUFU," with what little SP resources he had left Cryptic unleashed a consistently forming ice barrage that appeared in the same pattern as Tragedy's/Heartbreaks descent unfortunately the spell came in clutch only have way requiring Tragedy to eat the first wave of bullets, but thankfully the second half would be intercepted by ice configurations. Clapping his hands together Cryptic had The Count mimic the action as the two person gloves came together shielding Tragedy, and Heartbreak in addition to the tragedy made barrier like a wall from the rest of the ichor attack. Cryptic himself would feel debris, and shrapnel launching all around him as he ducked for cover behind the whip appendage.

When the scene cleared out the three shadows that had been slain burst into the murky black mist like any others following that was a massive rumble that shook the entire palace Cryptic peaked over the appendage to watch the massive mental block wall started to deform, and disintegrate. Even in these bleak moment a sudden realization that they had succeeded in their mission would wash over them as the wall was no more... until the sudden erosion revealed a new problem.

A massive black whole was revealed expanding from the area where the Countess fight took place all the way to the port of the town itself. Even more bizarrely was that the water floor that shifted down the canals wasn't falling into the hole but instead seemed to be teleported to the canals on the other half of the port section of the town... it was like one massive gap in the mind... splitting the palace in half.

"We have gone from a writers block straight into the realm of forgetfulness I feel at this point," Cryptic muttered unable to fathom or even connect a cryptid to this phenomenon. He was just as caught off guard as anyone else for once... which didn't bod well when even the one who stretched for answers couldn't fine a branch to pull on. The ice user found himself drained slumped on the ground as he pulled out a sp recover item shattering it as he attended to his mental drain as something slithered towards him from behind.

"They were mine."

A sudden voice echoed around Heartbreak, Tragedy, and Countess. Without a doubt it was the Palace Rulers as more seismic activity shook the palace while the The Count dissipated in front of Tragedy, and Heartbreak. Numerous tremors caused much of the debris to shift, and roll down hill falling into the void newly created unlike the water flow.

"Pearls of perfection that I rightfully took to remember him you so casual slaughtered," this time the voice was different yet similar. All those present would find the source from the watery vagabond atop of a building close by staring at where the three shadows had been. Suddenly the sounds of footsteps could be heard from behind Countess as someone had warped into existence. If one only looked they would see her... the Palace Ruler: Captain HoSaOn right behind the Meta-Merc glaring into Countesses being. With a single motion she pointed her musket at Countess with one hand as the levitation pearl behind her furiously started glowing a consistent change of colors from its black depths. In perfect unison the Vagabond Watery Wretch, and Captain HoSaOn screamed in rage.

"HOW DARE YOU TAKE WHAT IS LOYALLY MINE," as the two voices melded together in prefect sync Tragedy, and Heartbreak would be able to see the massive pirate ship off in the distance at port release a relentless series of puffs of smoke as the crackling sound of gunpowder exploding signaled a devastating volley of cannon fire that proceeded to absolutely rip, and tear the whole structural integrity of the palace apart. Buildings, streets, and all other manner of creations were exploded upon causing everything to fall into pieces.

Atop that Tragedy, and Heartbreak would also witness massive collections of those watery tendrils erupting from the canals forming into clothed tentacles that started to direct themselves at everything that moved. A flood of shadows screaming could be heard all throughout the palace like a symphony in the night a bloody encore for a bloody matador.

As debris flew obscuring the view Tragedy, and Heartbreak would find themselves snatched, and pulled up into the air. Tragedy would quickly find himself dangling next to Cryptic as Heartbreak would find herself atop of the Necronomicon. In the chaos Oracle had flown down to snatch them all up as she started to pinpoint where Mona, Panther, and Prophet had ended up. With frantic cameras it was evident at this altitude they were in danger of not only the tentacle, but of the falling debris along with the nonstop cannon fire. With the current weight though Oracles couldn't raise her persona up into the sky any further. Frantically she turned to Swan as she made sure all comm lines between the Phantom Thieves were reopened for them to communicate with each other.

"What should we do?"

..............................................................

~A Matter Out of Control~
Maeve Valor (Mind you Tragedy,Cryptic,Heartbreak,Swan, and Oracle can definitely see this going on.)

"DIE DIE DIE... I WONT HAVE ANYTHING TAKEN FROM ME AGAIN. I TOOK IT ALL... I WILL HAVE IT ALL," the Palace Ruler went out of control as she took a shot at Countess with the fire arm right as the black pearl gained a hue of blue. The blunderbuss of a shot that immediate came out like a wave of icy breath all around Countess, and on her freezing anything that got hit to explode. Pulling the Musket blade back Captain HoSaOn swung diagonally with her hook hand like a cleave attack resonating with despair energy.

At the same time numerous tendril tentacles shot out wrapping around Bathory's waist, neck, and wrists trying to restrain the persona. Luckily for Countess while her persona was busy others were not. Before the hook could meet the matadors face a rope of white hair webs snatched the hook itself pulling it a bit back.

"Kekekekekekeke we get first dibs on beating OUR LOVELY MORONIC MATADOR'S ASS YOU CREEPY WEEPY WENCH," Arachnee scowled from the left side of the battlefield. From quite a distance away she was trying to reel in the Palace Ruler more, but starting to feel herself get pulled from the difference in strength as the enraged Ruler even with a double handicap swung the Musket blade as the orb turned red causing the blade, and hook to ignite with flames.

"KEKEKE THERES NO WAY ONE BOY DRAINED YOU GET YOUR ASS IN HERE YOU BEAUTIFUL BIZARRE MERMAID," Archanee yelled as the sudden loss of tension caused her to fall backwards as she was forced to start moving as Tendril Tentacle started to slam into the ground around her trying to snatch her as she sent a web out trying to snatch Countess away from the Palace Ruler.

 

[Nellancholy]

The situation had changed irrevocably, the ordered and secretive mind of the palace master suffering severe stress due to the assaults of the Thieves, the mercs, and the Shadows that had been previously distracted by the ruse. At least at this exact moment, her palace was warping and collapsing due to the chaotic events of today, though without a way to reveal her treasure, the Thieves had no way to put a firm stop to her plans and dismantle the palace for good. But the way things were playing out, her mind would invariably become troubled in the real world, and that would be the chance the others have to strike at her psychologically.

But all that would be for naught if they didn't first get out of here safely and (mostly) intact.

Lowering her helmet's visor back down, Heartbreak concentrated, feeling every muscle in her body pull from the exertion of summoning Thrud in her fractured armor.

"Oracle...I will have to ask you this boon if we are to live. Stay aloft till the last, locate a path on the ground that Panther and Mona can take to escape on their own if they must. As for us..." Her jets having been destroyed in the ferocity of the earlier battles, Thrud had no chance of taking flight on her own. Standing on Necronomicon, she focused the remains of her strength and launched into a flurry of motion, straight punches and spinning kicks shattering each and every mass of falling brick or cannonball that got anywhere near them. But that was not all...

"Cryptic, the tentacles!" Thrud's own blows would do little against the watery appendages. "Let your chilling gaze loose upon them!"

Azurian Dream

 

[Maeve Valor]

Did she just accuse me of being a pervert? Swan briefly pondered right after the girl had the strange persona let her go, but Swan decided right then was not the time to defend herself on the allegation and instead averted her attention to the source of the shock-wave that had just occurred. Now looking at the screens, she was already shocked with the acts that Countess had committed, yet the palace's reaction to it was even more unpredictable. The black hole of the Captain's psyche was worrisome due to its unknown nature of what this could possibly mean. Furthermore, the appearance of all three entities all in accordance with one another was also interesting. So far from they had seen, whenever they had seen any of these personified fragments of the palace ruler they had always operated independently from one another. Yet in this one instance, they were all unified for some reason. What had triggered this unique response to happen? What detail am I missing?

Within quick succession, the Necronomicon had managed to pick up Heartbreak, Tragedy, and Cryptic before Oracle asked what to do at this juncture. Swan took a moment to look at the screens showing the whereabouts of everyone and spoke aloud, "We accomplished what we came here to do. I say we hightail it out of here. Oracle lead us to the outskirts to escape. Heartbreak you continue destroying any debris that might fall on us from above. Cryptic listen to Heartbreak and keep the tentacles off of us. Mona grab Panther and Prophet and head our direction. Prophet, you steer while Panther protects Mona. Tragedy clear a safe path for them as they follow us out. Let's show these low-lifes what a tactical retreat fucking looks like!" Swan shouted while balling a fist in front of herself with newfound ambition.

 

[That Weird girl]

Nothing was worse than being strung up like a puppet upside-down. Well at least Prophet was not banished, but panther wished things would have played out differently. She heard Masami giving out orders and she had to agree with the statement. As much as Panther wanted to get back at Arachne, she couldn't be selfish right now and had to think of everyone as a team. The feline thief had to make sure that she still had friends left. Panther knew that Mona would transform into a bus and wondered if he could to it while upsidedown. Panther tried to free Mona first with her whip as she aimed for the tendrils that held him.

"I am so sorry if I hit any of you," Panther apologized to both Prophet and Mona, "Mona, can you get out? Ugh I can't even summon Carmine! This is the worst..." One thing that Panther was not looking forward the way back and defending Mona from lord knows what. Hopefully the Kraken would not make another appearance and chase them out of the palace. Panther began to move her body back and forth to try and lessen the tendrils on her. It probably wouldn't work but she kept trying and would likely vomit. She was totally over this! Panther was beginning to get irritated with this situation.

 

[Anthem]

~ Tragedy

As the ichor rain finally reached it's end, Tragedy would feel the fatigue on his body setting in as the adrenaline from battle was slowly reaching wits' end. Blood dripped from his injury, the pain returning as he felt the torn flesh and muscle, his teeth and gums exposed to the world now constantly thanks to it. Though soon enough that was the least of his worries as the division was displayed to the group, just as the environment around them started to shift and become increasingly destabilized. "Son of a bitch..." Cursing under his breath as the voice called out, the deadly glare of the vagabond as declarations shook the ground with word alone. Alongside the appearance of the captain? Things were quickly going from bad to an all new circle of hell for the thieves, the unified screeching of the two powerful shadows caused him to clutch his weapon tightly. What was they're way out of this? Could they even run, sure the shadow seemed more insistent on tearing Countess apart but what if the rage were to be cast upon the bystanders as well? An escape plan was needed, one they could-

Oh.

Like a guardian angel, Necronomicon swooped past to acquire the three thieves as they bolted towards their exit from this flooding reality. A scent of ocean water and gunpowder stained the air as they flew, Tragedy's crimson eyes closing as he took the flight as a moment to regain any semblance of breath he could in a moment such as this. Though it finally hit them that they were missing allies, the two felines and the holy man. Before the Fool could voice his concerns, Swan came over the comms giving out orders like this was all according to a non-existent plan. The resolve in the girl's voice... it caused a grin to slowly stretch across his damaged visage, a mix of madness and determination glinting in his eyes. "Alright... one last dance..." Grabbing the tentacle of Necronomicon that held him, Tragedy released himself from the persona's grasp to start his descent.

Landing on the ground, a few coughs forcibly upped their way from the teen's throat as he wearily started stepping his way towards the path to be cleared. Debris caused by the flying iron, fallen cloth and a few watery tendrils blocked the way causing a mild grumble from the Fool. "Loki... if you would..." The mask burned away as not the persona but it's weapon flickered into corporeality in Tragedy's hand. A deep breath circled it's way through his lungs before he started running towards the battlegrounds, ripping through the fabrics, shattering debris of all sizes were made much simpler thanks to the twin-blade weapon of the God of Mischief. The assault was cut short as the guarding tendrils snapped towards the boy, causing him to back-step to his starting point as he was panting, completely winded at this point. The tendrils would make escape difficult, the path needed to be cleared for his allies... "The things I do for those idiots..." Tragedy talked to himself, another tainted smile stretching across his face as his final decision was made. The weapon was disappeared as the teen approached the remaining wreckage, the air around him sparking to life as a crackling noise started to fill his ears. "Enjoy oblivion..! Freidyne..!" Nuclear energy spiked once more, Tragedy used himself as the focus point, blasting everything around him to dust in a beautiful cyan display, thunderous sound shaking the air in the realm.

After the light show, Tragedy stood in the middle of the impact area as steam slowly drifted off his form and dark ichor dripped from his wounds. A smile would be on his face as he fell forwards, exhaustion finally taking it's toll on him as his stamina was depleted.

~ Mona

Struggling was all the bake-neko could do as he wriggled and squirmed within the grasp of the tendril. The damn thing was made of water, didn't the vagabond know that cats and water don't mix?! This had to be some sort of punishment, and he couldn't put the blame on Lady Panther... so blaming Prophet was a good idea! Didn't the holy man have a gadget to bust them out of the grasp? He had one for a bunch of other moments, why not now?! "I swear when I get my hands on that- Huh, Lady Panthe-" Before rejection could leave his fangs, Mona felt himself struck a few times by Panther's whip causing him to scream like a child but the worse part of the situation was the tendril's reaction to being attacked. In response, the tendril started to spin Mona around like a top, completely disorientating the feline. "WweEeeEeeEEeee-" The garu-user had dizzy-eyes straight out of a cartoon as he took a few moments before finally snapping back into their reality.

"H-Huh? Oh uh, I can try one thing..." With a bit of focus, Morgana would shift into his bus form causing the tendrils to drop him due to the sudden shift in weight. Using the opening presented to him, the cat would shift back into his thieving form, using his scimitar to cleave through the watery restraints, freeing Panther and Prophet. A grin would be on Mona's visage as he proudly stood with his arms crossed. "You can thank me later!" A snicker emitted from him before he shifted back into his vehicular form, ready to speed out of the palace ASAP.

 

[Maeve Valor]

It was starting to become the norm to be confused around this stranger names Prophet. The negative impact he had to the word "justice" as well as his explanation to his take on it had only complicated her understanding of these Phantom Thieves and their goal. He claims that they have taken matters into their own hands because justice failed them, but isn't that in of itself a sense of justice on their part. Ugh she was starting to get a headache just dealing with this nutjob. Though if she had to choose between having a headache and speaking of the next topic that was brought up, she would have chosen the former rather than the latter. In response to her mention of the unspoken rule, Prophet uttered the name Baron in which Syren's face tightened into a frown at the mention of someone she hated nearly as much as Prophet.

Within the moment was when she shielded them both from Countess' large attack, but what shocked her further was how Prophet escaped from the web. After her threw the Agi grenade and the web began to burn up along with Prophet, Syren backed away to get away from the flames and now stood face to face with this insane man on fire as he further questioned her about Baron. "So he hasn't told you all. Frankly I'm not surprised that bastard hasn't indulged that much about his past. Although even if he did, no one should trust a single thing he ever says anyway. Also what the hell is wrong with you?!"

Suddenly the palace reacted to something presumably having to do with whatever Countess just did. Cannon fire started ruining the surrounding buildings, causing some debris to topple over. Syren had tried to make another ice barrier but there wasn't enough time to create a thick enough barrier to prevent parts of the buildings from falling on them. Among the rubble, she tried to gather herself until saw Prophet, heard his quip, and was promptly launched right through a window. Syren quickly got back up, but when she checked the room and saw that Prophet was no longer there, she stomped a foot down in frustration neglecting to notice a stray tendril. The tendril quickly wrapped around her and dragged her towards the area where she saw Countess' attack come from as she seemed rather annoyed than worried, "I am so not in the mood for this." Wrenching an arm out, she slapped the hand down onto the captor and ice flakes began to form on it as it became chilled to the bone. She then summoned her trident and stabbed downward to break through it. Another tendril quickly approached her, but this time she was ready. She stabbed the end of it with her trident and pinned it to the ground while stepping on it. It was able to fight back by lifting back up, sub-sequentially also catapulting Syren into the air. Syren went along with it as she saw where Countess from the air and saw the fight she was currently engaged in. She then heard Arachne's odd request for assistance to Countess and said in the comms "Way ahead of you, there's no way we're gonna let someone else take down our hot babe."

As the multiple voices surrounded Countess and the other two Metaverse users, she looked around as she was unable to predict what could possibly transpire in response to her actions until she fixated onto the Vagabond. Right when she was about to take off in that direction, she heard the footsteps from behind her. She quickly turned around and the once intrepid blood manipulator was surprised when her eyes looked down the barrel of a musket. She was able to move away and barely dodge the shot although the direction she went to dodge placed her in harms way of an incoming cannonball, hitting her square in the stomach. Throwing her back at quite a distance Countess got the wind knocked out of her as she coughed up blood and held onto the heavy cannonball. "You have to be... fucking kidding me!" Using her power, she coated the cannonball in blood and then threw it towards the palace ruler in such a way that it was almost like a red-marbled bowling ball. At the same time, this was when HoSaOn made her frozen blunderbuss attack.

In the meantime, Bathory tried her best to break free, but unlike her normal form in this one she seemed to lack in physical strength. Sensing this, Countess dismissed her persona to conserve energy as she tried to evade the frozen bullets. One of them did end up hitting her and exploded. While she did get thrown off balance and obviously took damage, it was evident that she was determined to get back at this palace ruler. With her total focus now being on HoSaOn, she once again used her blood to shoot bullets while approaching the ruler. "You're just some nobody shadow, how are you giving me this much trouble?!"

As the captain swung her hook, Countess brought her own claws up to clash with her weapon and was unable to hear what was said on the comms yet somehow felt that it was something she should be annoyed about. A purple aura thickened the surrounding air with a faint trace of rivaling energy as the two weapons felt as if they themselves were arguing with each other, trying to envelope the other's owner in despair. As this happened, Countess glanced down at her own arm to see her scanner, "What? The threat level spiked at some point?!"

It was then that Syren's trident came down at the captain's hook. "Probably cause of whatever you did, now look who's the dumb one!" Syren yelled as slid sideways with her feet down a tendril that was draped over a building. She saw more coming so she enhanced her trident with Bufu and threw it out. It sliced threw one as Syren followed up by bringing out her sleeve guns and with also using Bufu energy she shot a bullet to change the trajectory of trident, making it slice through another tentacle. Unlike her performance with her guns earlier against Prophet, she typically was extremely skillful in this area of expertise. She moved quickly to position herself wherever she needed to be in order to shoot two more times, each time resulting in her trident slicing through a tendril until on her third time she angled the trident to come at HoSaOn.

 

[Azurian Dream]

~Where The Sun Sets On The Ocean~

Nellancholy Anthem That Weird girl Maeve Valor

With Swan's orders given out in full a trigger clicked within the group as the Necronomicon shot off at full speed ahead.

"Trust me I am trying to," Oracle yelped to Heartbreak fighting the mental stress that came with holding up Necronomicon in its current damaged state as it weaved aggressively past the collapsing structural integrity of the palace port town. The falling buildings were followed by waves of dust, splashing of waves, and the debris of metal and wood buckshot in a trail of explosive madness. The mass of tendrils, the unpredictable cannon fire, everything was happening so fast that it truly felt like it was straight out of a three-part pirate movie working on its lead-up to its best action scene of them all. Tension, panic, MADNESS it was all there, and the girl was having a hard time registering it all.

The help that came from Heartbreak's upper assault allowed the Oracle to not concentrate as much on anything above and below quickly fell onto Tragedy, and Cryptic. The latter of which was empty on mp, and getting barely by with ice item infusions to his gun. Mumbling a thousand words per minute Cryptics was taking shots at building parts with his ice shots causing minor delays by the tentacles that would get bashed by the suddenly spiking ice shards from being too close to the buildings.

"I think we need to get an HR department structured going forward. Maybe someone who knows how to squeeze people dry? Some Hazard pay would be nice... maybe some on-the-demand hobby assets? I wouldn't mind a full recorded proof of Baron being part of some science experiment for time travel by Ronald Mallett. What would you ask for Trage.... and I am talking to myself," Cryptic in his overactive attempt to calm his nerves down in this scenario discovered quickly that Tragedy had long since jumped the tentacle ride.

"Well that's just rude," Cryptic mumbled as Oracle could be heard screaming profanities at Tragedy for his madness.

"Success is a stretch, given we traded a wall for a hole. You don't suppose the supernatural has coverage for this sort of false advertisement. Maybe we can reach out to a cognitive court to overrule this turn of events," Cryptic spoke through the comms finally responding to Swan's directive directly as the blood was going straight to his head from being upside down... then again was it all that different? Would anyone else be able to joke yet mean it so straight at the same time in the same situation?

....

"So you felines hang around here often? OW OW OW," Prophet half joked as Panther, and Mona ended up in the same spot hung upside down like pieces of meat to be processed later. Unfortunately, the joke never got much of a response as without much warning Prophet who didn't hear Panther's words over Swan's execution of orders proceeded to be whipped wildly about slapping Mona, and Prophet a bit silly before upon one well-placed lucky shot cutting Mona free or so he thought at first until Prophet watched the cat go back, and forth between his mobile and cat form.

"You know I am surprised Cryptic hasn't tried to experiment on you yet. I am glad he hasn't... yet," Prophet spoke as he jumped into the driver's seat with Panther getting in opposite the blood loss starting to kick in as well for the holy-garbed individual. As they started to take off out in the distance a tendril mass burst into small tendrils chasing after the Mona-Mobile causing Prophet to floor the gas sending both him, and Panther deep into their seats. However worse for wear quite a bit a ways ahead of them was an amassing pile of tendrils making a blockade.

"Oh this day keeps getting better, and better," Prophet's voice carried some unexpected frustrations as he had quite a bit of time to think about the oddities present while he was upside down in an accumulating bubble on what Syren had said to him.

"So he hasn't told you all? Frankly, I'm not surprised that bastard hasn't indulged that much about his past. Although even if he did, no one should trust a single thing he ever says anyway. Also what the hell is wrong with you?!"

Prophet had barely known the Phantom Thieves much less Baron for only a few weeks now, but now he was starting to piece together a very sketchy puzzle that was starting to bother him big time. However, as his mind raced on whether or not to push his mental mind with Panther to the limit with Rasputin & Carmin into a massive MaPsio/Maragion combo someone else decided to show off instead with a massive Freidyne. The nuclear energy burned away the tendril blockade in style in front of the three as out past it a collapsing Tragedy was seen falling in place.

"What.... kek... well done you crazy lot," Prophet spoke as confusion turned into an impressed nature. It's like he told Syren... they were insane... and if he was lucky? He would prove himself up that very slope.

"Going to need you to temporarily take the wheel Panther. Also, I am extremely sorry about this Mona," almost as if in an ironic turn of favor Prophet spun the wheel completely to the right causing the cat-mobile into a wide birth in said direction before insanely spinning it all into the left causing it to perform a strong roundabout turn that went straight for Tragedy as the tires burned rubber onto the road with such intensity that heat came off the very trail it left behind.

"NOW.... MAPSIO," letting go of the wheel with one hand latching onto the door handle Prophet stuck almost his whole body outside the car with his free hand extending out as wide as it could after ripping off his mask to summon Rasputin with blue flames bursting around his facial features as the Mad monk appeared on top of the vehicle. With that same extended hand as the car spun in circles Prophet snatched Tragedy at the halfway point of his fall before with every ounce of mental and physical strength he had left pulled himself, and the fool right into the car throwing Tragedy right onto Panther's lap.

The multi-shot psio blast energy exuded off both of Rasputin's arms as he closed them to his chest before opening them wide like a preacher at the apex of their sermon unleashing it all out at the buildings around them creating a fleet of debris to crush and delay the tendrils that had been chasing after them. The delay wouldn't halt the chase, but it gave Prophet just enough time to breathe and get back to driving. With Raputins part done, it chuckled, "Hopefully the lady is impressed," The persona humorously flirted to Carmin through Panther's eyes as he faded away.

Not too far ahead Prophet could see the Necronomicon out in the distance as Heartbreak, and Crytpic held off the tendrils and debris. Thankfully the group was all back together as the car got right under the UFO.

"So anything crazy on your end?"

"Well funny you ask that everything went to shit fast as that burning bird brain pulled some sort of Excalibur sword trick on us. That Crow guy is an outright dangerous psychopath who plans to murder us all for his hard-on for Baron. Swan as a tentacle perversion. Uh, we took down a wall that turned into a massive HOLE, and that Countess chick is fucking HORRIFYING. HER PERSONA PEELED ITSELF INTO ANOTHER FORM and pissed off the palace ruler big time by killing off some cognitive shadows... OH DID MENTION THE PALACE IS FALLING APART IN TRANSFORMATION WHILE SHE FIGHTS SAID THE PALACE RULER," Oracle explained getting more frantic by the second as her head started to hurt more and more to the point she knew she couldn't keep this up.

"Oracle breath. 1,2,3... 1,2,3...1,2,3," As the panic attack happened Prophet in a lot of damage himself started to count for her taking her through some breathing circulation exercises in a very brotherly tone continuously keeping at it as the Frog girl started to calm down, and Necronomicon started to stabilize more. There was a bigger knot of trust between the two than the group had seen before from them hinting at much for a later time.

"Wait... what was that about Swan?"

"SHIT STOP," Oracle broke out of the pattern as Prohet reacted slamming don't the breaks as the Necronomicon finally gave out dispersing as it drop Heartbreak, Swan, Oracle, and Cryptic right on top of the Mona-Mobile. At first, there would be confusion, but it would quickly answer itself as right at the palace entrance was a figure sitting on the steps... the Paace Ruler herself HoSaOn smiling as wide, and excited as one could be. The front of the Palace was still in pristine condition it seemed to be completely protected by everything else going on in fact. The way she sat was as if she had been waiting for them the entire time.

Her legs crossed like a moviegoer perfectly relaxed in a well-worth moment of a scene that was worth the price of admission itself as her hands raised from her sides cupped as they clapped in rhythm slowly echoing out amongst the destruction that was now finished as tendrils all around watched the thieves from behind. The Pirates and The Masquerade folks were all gone... now all that was left was emptiness, no signs of life just a port town half destroyed as the waves receded into the canals leaving the streets once full of party, and merry... empty taking all but that which still stands. The eerie silence only amplified the Palace Ruler's dark smile as she stood up giving them an encore as she laughed.

"Ooooohhhhhh. So wonderous you all are, SUCH A PERFORMANCE," She laughed while doing a twirl of the steps landing flawlessly as she took a step forward her energy only rising at the sight of them. As her hook hand landed on Swan.

"Quite an unexpected show of leadership. Amid chaos, our heroes dangle at the threads of despair, until one voice cries out that they will not go out as a whimper into the night," Could... could she see, and hear everything that took place in the Palace? It was extremely different from what the PTs had dealt with before every palace ruler was never aware of what was going on unless things were in front of them... yet this one... she hinted at being aware of it all like some sort of person in charge of the display set.

Yet something also was off she called them the heroes but hadn't she considered them the Villains last time? Prophet watched the palace ruler his hand at the ready to pull out his shotgun at the first sign of conflict the eerieness of her disconnection to herself was creating a dangerous vibe. He had half a mind to hit her with the Mona-Mobile and book it. As this went on on top of the vehicle Oracle whispered to Swan in confusion.

"Isn't she a little too calm, and excited given how we left her?"

"Originally I thought you an act of a crew, but now I appear wrong. A crew very much you are I must say such a display of ploy to trick those ahead of you. Scarring yourselves for one another. Quite a feeling to belong, surrounded by those like you isn't it? I wouldn't trade it for the world, but I might just murder for it hahaha hahaha," The Palace Ruler sung as she twirled again her half-red pirate dress shirt jingling as she halted on a half step as she turned to them amused. Some of the tendrils started to etch closer as they snatched pieces of debris pulling them back into the canals she watched the process for a moment as she hummed.

"The same we are. Deny it if you must but you have met my requirements with splendor preparation. I never turn away hard-working talent after all... so what do you say we place it all on the table? Take what you can, and give nothing back. Your lives... for our treasure," her smile almost looked like it would snap her face as she extended her hook hand which pointed out to the ends of the town... right at her ship docked to port.

..........................................................................................
(A Few Minutes Ago...)

Captain HoSaOn started to pull against Arachnees webbed grip as the flames ate away at the webbing before she could break completely free Syrens voice rang out. Looking upward the captain would see the watery harlot coming to as Countesses returning fire with the blood cannon ball hitting her hook hand forcing her back. In that staggering moment, the loss of Bathorys physical form slammed the tendrils against themselves muting them as a problem in this fight. This allowed Countess to counterstrike with her blood ammo, but in quick session, the Black Pearl behind her changed from black to a grey as the bullet hit a sudden wave of blocking energy that whiffed all the shots mute.

"Me a nobody? No deary I have killed that part off of me a long time ago," The Pirate Queen seethed with fevered eyes as she swung her musket blade again slamming it against the Countess's arm blades as the matador realized what had happened. This was when Syren interjected calling out Countess as she slid sideways at them. Proceeding to eliminate the new waves of tendrils that had arrived the Pirate Queen found herself further annoyed as her trident forced HoSaOn to break the stalemate forcing her back as a powerful voice boomed in excitement.

"SPLENDID LADIES, BUT THE TIME FOR BELOVED TEAMWORK IS NEIGH. ICELANDIC MACED CRUSHER," The Pirate Queen could feel the power as she was forced to jump back as Abyss came down with his hands encased in two massive spheres of spiked ice the shattering against the ground sent the ice out like a wide web of shrapnel as the orb behind HoSaOn turned from grey to blue. As the Shrapnel hit the four Meta mercs would watch as a wave of blocking energy shields dispersed the shards. Abyss was not surprised by this, no it was clear he was aware of this trick.

"MY SUCH A PERCULAR PEARL... QUITE THE MOXXIE TO CREATE SUCH A THING EVEN IN THE METAVERSE," Abyss chuckled as he went into a strong man flex. Yet it was evident this was to give the girls time to collect in leave which Arachnee did so as she grabbed Countess by the arm.

"Young lady we're going to have a long arduous talk about this right Syren? The hell are you thinking killing cognitive shadows in this palace DO YOU READ THE MISSION DETAILS AT ALL," Arachnees voice trailed off as she and Syren pulled Countess away unwillingly from the area until they were nothing, but a lost thought.

"Why... thank you," Capt. HoSaOn scowled. "Do me a favor though. You and your kind stay off my stage, I am getting the finale ready, and you lot are throwing off my lighting," she hissed. At first, Abyss seemed ready to continue to throw down, but as she seemed to lose interest he noticed her orb was gone... and weirdly enough... he could no longer sense her presence even though she was right in front of him.

"PERCULAR INDEED... IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE THE HEIGHT OF YOUR CREATIVITY," Abyss responded as the Palace Ruler walked away from him waving her hook hand lazily as her interest in the area had died out. Abyss turned away thankful to know nothing had come of his subordinate's health but felt that many things had indeed taken place that had not been accounted for. A call to Maestro was indeed... overdue...

....................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

 

[That Weird girl]

“Thanks Mona!” Panther yelled as she and Prophet were freed by him. She couldn’t help but snicker at Prophet’s little joke though, since it was funny. Perhaps the monk man wasn’t as standoffish as she once perceived. She would have said something in response to Prophet, but now they were in the Mona Mobile with him as the driver and her in the passenger seat. She didn’t have time to fix her hair as Prophet floored on the gas, sending them back into their seats. There was an amassing surprise for both of them coming up.

“Yeah,” Panther chimed in, “what's the plan Monk Man?” Carmine was ready to have to blast through with Rasputin. Before they could act though, of course Tragedy would show off. The tenacle was taken care of in style. Panther didn’t quite like the look of him falling and being knocked out. Being out for the count did not suit Imato!

“Wait WHAT?! I CAN BARELY DRIVE!” Panther yelled as Prophet spun the wheel to the right and then a hard left in a roundabout way. That was really cool actually! Panthers wanted to applaud him for it as the vehicle headed straight for Tragedy. Of course, the Mad Monk would be daring and get out the door and hang there as he ripped off his mask, summoning Rasputin. Panther made sure to grab ahold of the wheel and make sure they didn’t kill themselves.

Tragedy was pulled into her lap by the Mad Monk, causing the feline to blush. She never thought in a million years that she would have Tragedy on her lap. Rasputin unleashed a psio shot that would help delay the tendrils a little bit by causing debris to crash onto them. Good thinking Prophet!

Carmine enjoyed the little show Rasputin put on for her. She shot a flirtatious smile at him, “that was amazing darling.” The persona then turned her attention to the knocked-out fool, who needed some healing of his own. Panther would command her to heal Tragedy’s wounds, so he wouldn’t be so hurt when he woke up. She also was hoping that he wouldn’t wake up on her lap. That would be awkward.

“Jeez, you’ll definitely fit in,” Panther said to Prophet. After his stunt, she knew that Imato and Sougo both would approve. She then handed the wheel back to him with no desire to drive the cat mobile.

Well, it seemed like it was time for the Phantom Thieves to make their escape now. Prophet was cheering up oracle, which was nice to see, Panther could see that they were close enough for Prophet to care about her. Panther wondered if they were siblings or something, which would explain them being close and Prophet helping her do breathing exercises of all things right now...

It seemed like the rest of the Thieves were back on the Mona Mobile, so that was good. Heartbreak, Swan, Oracle, and Cryptic were here and could escape with them. But perhaps the strangest thing was that the DAMN palace ruler was right there and seeming to be happy? What the actual fuck was this?! Panther placed her hand on her gun in case Hosan was planning to hurt Swan or any of her friends. She did not and instead was gushing about them like a fan, which was really weird.

"Uhhhh ok," Panther responded as she pointed to the exit of the palace. The feline was a little weirded out by Hosan's words and that she would be expecting them again. Were they just actors in her movie then?

Azurian Dream Nellancholy Maeve Valor Anthem

 

[Maeve Valor]

Swan watched the screens intently as she saw the thieves follow through with their valiant trek to escape. Aside from Cryptic and Oracle, she was glad to see that most were in good spirits despite each having gone through near death experiences. The fact that the overall morale was positive meant that they had enough energy for them all to make it out. Though with each passing moment Swan noticed the rising panic that was overtaking Oracle. In such a pivotal moment, Swan didn't want to take her focus off just to calm her down though on the other hand at this rate Oracle could possibly make a mistake. As she was debating on what to do, she listened to Oracle speak to Prophet and thankfully, the problem seemed to have solved itself.

After Oracle once again alluded to the prospect of Swan having an affinity to tentacles, Swan reflexively was about to punch Oracle but held back any further motion when she noticed Prophet was able to deescalate Oracle's emotions with seemingly no effort. The two indeed looked to have an extensive history in order for her to be brought back to a state lucidity. In light of this, instead of taking a swing at the frog-like girl she patted her back supportingly with a grimace and only said, "you got this Oracle" right before everyone had come to an abrupt halt and the Necronomicon had reached their limit thus leading to its dismissal.

When Swan landed on Mona still in his vehicle form, Swan rubbed her tailbone with a wince and looked up. There at entrance blocking their path was Hosaon though how she was in front of them now was more like how she was the last time the team had infiltrated the palace rather than how she was moments ago. As the deranged captain placed her hook hand on Swan's shoulder, Swan straightened up about to go into fight or flight mode until she realized that is was only a friendly(?) gesture. As the woman went on, she too noticed the slight change in how worded things in terms of referring to the group. It had seemed that in witness of the operation this time around, she had deemed that their acts of supporting each other directly translated to them being the heroes of some story she was playing in her mind. While listening to the Captain so outwardly speak of her enthusiasm, Swan heard Oracle's question and quietly responded with, "sh, she might get angry if we interrupt her monologue since she is a theatrical person."

As suggested, Swan herself listened intently and found her next words very strange and telling. What did she she mean by how she wouldn't trade it for the world but she might be inclined to murder for it? Swan felt that she was just on the cusp of figuring out this Captain's dead man's tale, but for now she had to tuck this thought away for a different time. Swan waited until Hosaon formally requested a final showdown and looked to the others to gauge how they all seemed currently. For those present in the conversation, they didn't seem to back down at this notion so Swan took it upon herself to answer Hosaon, "Seeing as we though we cannot settle this without a skirmish, we are inclined to acquiesce to your request. A grand final battle should decide the fate of this venture. We accept your challenge but we request temporary clemency for the time being so that we can all be at our peak capabilities the next time we meet."

 

[Nellancholy]

Heartbreak, for her part, was spent. The chance for Thrud to recuperate after being dismissed was welcome, though the injuries she herself had incurred in this all-out battle (though by no means fully reflected outside the Metaverse) would require some time to recover.

As bold and brash as she was, even she had her limit, for now. She slumped down in her seat, letting the others lead the conversation, particularly Swan. My, how she had grown. She had to wonder, past her own rough demeanor, how she could be so persuasive.

As Swan set the terms of their next battle with Hosaon, Heartbreak lifted her tired arm, resting it on Swan's shoulder with a firm grip, signalling her trust. "Don't worry, we got this." She suggested, without speaking.

An imperceptible breath escaped her lips. She'd never be comfortable being inside Mona.

 

[Azurian Dream]

~Whats to come, Will be Seen~

That Weird girl Nellancholy Anthem Maeve Valor TreasureSniper

................................................

Captain HoSaOn smiled an extended grin pleased with Swan's response as she hopped off the Mona-Mobile with a pep in her step as she seemed to skip with joy turning to the entirety of the Phantom Thieves. Prophet paused mid-blink as something changed, right beside the palace Ruler was that strange Orbed Jewel. A moment ago it had been non-existent but now there it was within a blink of an eye swirling with numerous dark shades of colors.

Oracle nodded as Swan warned her about interrupting yet there was a spike in energy three times that of the original reading. A small rumble was followed by a haunting mist behind HoSaOn as from the exit portal a slimey hand reached out that of the Wetched Vagabond. It was a slow process as it was like a ghost phasing for the first time through solid matter painful and crooked in movement as it wrenched itself out in unnatural movements through the swirling red, and black. Water started to ooze out of the portal, but this time it was not like that of the clean waters of the canals but of oozing black like tar. It passed by Captain HoSaOn's feet her smile still plastered venomly sweet across her cheeks almost as if it was unnoticed as it bent around the wheels of the Phantom Thieve Van, and her feet.

The Wretched Vagabond finally pulled herself through her decayed tendriled rags like chains pulling through the portal as she hobbled down the steps of the entrance/exit as a noticeable shadow started to eclipse the light. Way above the thieves were now notable storm clouds formulating a fate of change masquerading its final scene it seemed.

"You wish to strike an accord? Very well..."

"We have an accord."

Before Prophet or anyone could register everything going on the Pirate Queen's voice disturbingly echoed as their sights were met with not one but now two of the same Palace Ruler as an exact duplicate of her walked past the Mone Mobile on the driver's side tapping her hook hand on the vehicle nonchalantly multiple times. The original leaned to her side extending her hook hand out as the duplicate did the same a lack of better words "hooking" their hands as they spun around laughing all the while.

"I... I can't sense anything from her... either of her... everything coming only from the one at the door now," Oracle warned the crew pulling at Swan's side as the Navigator's original scans were gone almost as if they were not there anymore, or like they never were to begin with. Yet here they were, but now all the readings were coming from only one spot... the wretched vagabond. The Palace Rulers laughed in their spinning dance before within one particular spin when neither of their faces could be re-emerged covered in masks one of a pirate covered in gunpowder stained in red crimson with black pearls adorned around the eyes, and another of a masquerader brilliantly stunning in its Wynorriffic design being fractured in three designs mimicking a third of the pirate mask, a third feather masquerader, and the last... was dripping with oozing water wrapped in the tendrils of the wretched Vagabond.

The Wretched Vagabond herself wept like a banshee disorienting all that heard her cry as the two Captain HoSaOn laughed maniacally out of control spinning again as the acid trip went further into the madness with the clouds releasing a thunderous clasp of a boom showcasing their growing storm like gun shot into the night... like the very one that had echoed when Asahi had been shot. Numerous tendrils shot from the Wretched Vagabond's body trying to pierce and rip apart the two HoSaOn as her ghastly wail got close to ear-rupturing levels synchronized with the bellowing thunder above.

Worst of all though was as each tendril hit the HoSaOn they would burst into an unfathomable amount of water rushing past them and towards the Phantom Thieves quickly becoming a torrent as Prophet hit the gas fighting with the car as it swerved left and right in danger of becoming hydroplaned at any moment. Oracle clung to Swan screaming as the Mona-MObile fought to not be carried away by the new torrent of waves produced by each failed attack by the Wretched Vagabond. Though as this went on the duo of Palace rulers continued to laugh as if mocking the wretched creature as they sung in turn dosed into a watery mess with eerie glee.

"We shall prepare for you, a scene worthy of your name Phantom Thieves."

"So let's poetically meet again at the world's end."

"When everything changed."

"And everything truly began."

"In seven days at the docks..."

"We will end this."

"Or sail away never to be caught again."

"Ho... The Beginning."

"Sa... The Middle."

"On... The End."​

With their pageantry done the two unhooked from each other spreading out to the side with their hands grandiosely spread wide inviting the Phantom Thieves to run over the wrathful wraith in front of them. Unfortunately at the speed met to keep them from hydroplaning the Phantom Thieves, the Mona Mobile would bullet forward with no water pressure left holding them.

And as the black van sped right at the watery misery for a moment they would see behind the hood into a face of pure destrate that for Swan, and potentially an awake Tragedy would seem... rather... familiar. Within a blink the wretched was replaced by a curtain followed by nothing else hit, Prophet continued to floor it right out of the palace, and back into the metaverse not slowing down until they entered the bubble vanishing into Oracle's safe space uphill.

After that, the Prophet held onto the wheel for a moment as his mind raced with everything that had happened. Things were again more complicated than thought, and atop that, he called up to Oracle. "Diagnoses?"

"... I think that tendril-matted one is the real palace ruler," Oracle spoke going over her thoughts, and confusions as she still clung to Swan.

"So what is Captain HoSaOn then?" Prophet sourly mulled tapping the wheel with his fingers.

"There was something else. That Orb thingy the moment it popped up it was like the illusion of their existence to the first one was gone, and with the second not having any readings suddenly my scanning was able to pick up on the legit existence of power behind that tendril... chick," Oracle mumbled not sure exactly how to explain it.

"So more likely than not that second one was the first one we ran into during the play, and it could somewhat steal the limelight in a sense. Like it stole the state of existence in a sense? And the first one was more like a jammer," Prophet asked trying to help her find her wording.

"Something like that, but once the jig was up it was also in reverse suddenly instead of that thing feeling like the projection... the Wretch one. It was instead the real one and was projecting onto the orb its energy which then fed into those Captains. Like it's like it's siphoning off her to make them real, and in control, and making her fade in and out of existence like some sort of battery. There are layers or extensions on top of her thriving as she decays almost. Maybe it's better to explain it this way. The tendril is the original program, but it's like someone slipped in that orb as a virus meant to duplicate and rewrite in additions to exert control on top of it using the original as resources to make the others. Yet the more perfect the duplicates the less of the original remains," Oracle rubbed her head it was indeed hard to explain it was untested theories against something they didn't have the scientific understanding to break down it was no man's land, and they were taking the first steps in. Prophet was about to ask the Phantom Thieves their thoughts, but as Cryptic slowly fell off the side of the van mumbling a soft "ow" along with the sight of Tragedy koed still atop Panther's lap? He realized this wasn't the best time to go over psychology theories in an extremely advanced state.

"I think I have an idea of a potential lead that can help make some sense of this. I'll need two days though to get it situated," he spoke looking up to Swan as he offered to help pry off the still visibly shaking Oracle off her. After dusting the smaller girl off he thought again for a moment turning back to the others still conscious once more.

"We will reach out with whatever we can find in the meantime, and see about handling Kouga's threat as well. If you need us we're simply a text away," Prophet nodded to them as he and Oracle headed off with the younger girl waving at them as they faded out.

......................................................................................

Night Time Two Hours Later At Leblanc... a group of some very exhausted teenagers sat with much to go over.

..............................................

 

[TreasureSniper]

With the looming threat of an impending clash with the Meta Mercs, Baron took it upon himself to secure superior equipment and firepower for the phantom thieves. Based on their current trajectory, it was only a matter of time before they would come face to face with the righteous indignation of a lord. He estimated that they would have a month or two at most, assuming nothing else happens to quicken the process.

Returning from his campaign of carnage, after crossing a good amount of names from a list, Baron walked into the metaverse “Untouchable” greeting the vendor, “Gecko”, as he entered. As always, Baron chose an appropriate time when no other clients were visiting, his notoriety within the metaverse was not something particularly appreciated by Gecko, but nonetheless, the goodwill of the past is not so easily erased even in these trying times.

“You arrived earlier than expected,” the older gentleman replied. Dressed in a garb that resembled a stylized highwayman, the man exuded an air of intimidation toward the uninitiated. Though to a select few, he was an ally like no other.

Acknowledging his statement with a nod, Baron, pulled out a list that was given to him earlier in the week and presented it to the store owner. “Drug dealers have been neutralized, gangsters are hospitalized with an expected recovery time of 6 months, incriminating evidence has been erased with a backup only existing in your desired servers.. And the cat-abusers have been arrested and cats adopted by the students of Shujin.”

Gecko seemed pleased by this outcome, even if it was to be expected, though he did not remember asking him to do the last portion. “Didn’t think you had a soft spot for cats.” Gecko smirked, teasing the young man as he brought out a few crates onto the counter. “I finished putting together your order. Costs went slightly above the budget, but knowing you, you a few extra thousands shouldn’t make a difference. After all, quality is everything.” Opening the crate, Gecko unveiled and assortment of weapons, gadgets, and armor, all carefully crafted based on Baron’s specifications. Even Baron couldn’t help but feel excited at procuring all these tools for the thieves, eagerly looking forward to what they will be able to achieve with them. “You have done well indeed, gecko. I will make sure to include a bonus in your payment.” satisfied with the arm’s dealers work, he was ready to transfer the funds.

“All in a days work. But…” The arms dealer spoke up, feeling conflicted and reluctant to continue his sentence. “Those phantom thieves of yours, they are…a bit juvenile aren’t they?” Gecko stated, sounding much different from his usual tone. “Ah so you’ve noticed. Even so, their latent potential cannot be understated. As expected, the theory of age correlating with potential adds up." To Baron, their age was irrelevant since their growth rate either matched or exceeded the Meta Mercs.

“Thats not what I am getting at.” Gecko paused for a moment, choosing his next words carefully. “Look..I have known you from the first days you started metaverse adventures. From your dirty business with the meta mercs to your current escapades…” Gecko trailed off, knowing that such things were a sore subject for Baron, but nonetheless he continued as there are certain things which are just that important. “In short, you know the type of shit you’re getting into.” This line of thinking earned Baron’s full attention, with him turning to face he arms dealer.

“But these Phantom thieves… they seem like reasonably good people. People who don’t know much of this world yet. They have garnered a lot attention in short amount of time they have been active.” So far, nothing Gecko has said surprised Baron. Any experienced metaverse user could see that these individuals were very different from the usual rabble. While the metaverse had some good samaritans here and there, just like real life, many denizens of the metaverse were mainly out for themselves, using the metaverse for mostly selfish reasons, whether it be, information procurement, pleasure-seeking and criminal activities.

“And at the rate they are going, nosing around that vacation palace, and regularly duking it out with the mercs…it’s not going to end well for them. But then again, most people who hang with you don’t tend to last long….” Gecko tone became more somber, hoping that Baron would understand what he was trying to imply.

“...They know what they are getting into...” There was a hint of hesitation in Baron’s reply, a small sense of doubt in his answer. Baron has already made it clear that this was dangerous business, and yet they still press on. This was either a sign of the unwavering resolve or perhaps ignorance to the true nature of the consequences.

“ I have a kid you know.” Gecko paused for short moment before finally speaking, seemingly changing the subject. This confused Baron at first, but he knew that the arms dealer was trying to get to him. “And if I could hazard a guess, he’s probably no older than any of those phantom thieves”

“What I am trying to say is if something were to happen to him, I don’t know what I would do. And I would imagine these phantom thieves parents would also feel the same.” Gecko stood firm with his statement, because although he was an arm dealer, it didnt mean that he didnt have a conscience. And currently from his point of view, these phantom thieves were like lambs being sent to the slaughter.

“That…is none of your concern.” Baron replied, his voice sounding as cold as ever. Whatever friendliness in his tone and cadence had left. All this was too him right was business, or at least thats what he would want it to be. “Deliver these packages to the usual spot. We are done here.” Baron spoke, preparing to leave the store.

However, the armsdealer manage to squeeze in one last reply. Words that would stay in Baron’s mind for the next few weeks. “Perhaps, but they should be yours. And if anything were to happen to them. It would be on you.”

—---------

"Swan. Report." Baron voice boomed through the green head communicator. "I'm getting irregular readings on everyone's vitals. What is the situation?" His voice sounded calm but there was sense of urgency in his tone. "Do you need assistance?"

Maeve Valor

 

[Maeve Valor]

As Oracle clung to Swan, Swan grabbed onto the side from atop of Mona to keep them both from falling off. The water splashing off of Mona made it increasingly difficult to hang on as Swan looked to the source. Though for a brief moment the image of the ruler became someone she recognized though she could not quite discern who exactly it was. The feeling was like how one might know someone in a dream but when they awoke later on, the face cannot be recalled. How strange. Within the next moment they were all carried off and ended up at Oracle's safe area.

Swan let Prophet and Oracle speak back and forth on the matter as she followed along taking in all the information. Towards the end, Swan was thankful for Prophet's assistance in prying Oracle off her as it was a joint effort. "If this theory is correct, that means we potentially have another player at hand here. Could be the MetaMercs or even a different faction entirely. My guess is that the MetaMercs might have planted it in order to keep her in check somehow. The other possibility is that she planted this orb within in her subconscious somehow which isn't totally out of the realm of possibility either. Regardless, branch out all the avenues available in your research as we will as well and indeed text you both if we have or need further intel. Until then, we'll patiently wait to hear back from you both."

While the two of them faded out, Swan was surprised when she suddenly heard Baron's voice into the comms. Realizing that once Oracle and Prophet left, they would soon be kicked out and brought back to reality so Swan quickly responded. "No assistance is required, but we do need to have a debrief meeting. Meet us at Inokashira Park, our energy levels are too low so we need to exi-" the disappearance of the safe room soon also dissipated forcing the thieves into the real world, specifically within the Le Blanc. With a soft thud, she landed on the floor of the cafe and immediately stood up to look around. It occurred to her, that she had never been there in reality before. It was an odd feeling that she decided not to dwell on in case the owner happened to question them and their arrival. "Let's hurry over to the Park," Masami looked to the rest of the exhausted team.

 

[Anthem]

The depths of the mind were an oddity when one was cleaved away from consciousness, Tragedy felt like he was floating in an endless abyss. Surrounded by the muffled sounds of speech, it sounded like his allies but all of it was distorted to hell and back. His head was rested against something, he couldn’t tell what but at least it was comfortable and a gentle mix when he felt energy slowly seeping into his wounds. A small, pained groan fell from his lips as the brute slowly started to open his eyes. They were in the Mona-Mobile, which meant they must’ve been escaping… right? Though his mind was taken aback temporarily, quickly realizing that his head was resting in Panther’s lap. This position was embarrassing but… oddly nice.

Though as a chill went down his spine, as the hairs on his arms stood the thief was quick to rise to his feet despite still being heavily injured and exhausted. A shaky grip was placed onto his ranged weapon, he was in no condition at this point to make any stand but crimson eyes still bored out the front of their entrapped vehicle as Swan finalized a deal with the palace ruler. That type of tenacity was certainly something he didn’t expect from Swan after the hell they all had gone through but it certainly brought a distorted grin to his injured visage.

Though as the scene of insanity started to unfold around him, Tragedy’s smile slowly faltered as everything was spinning in his mind. The scene before him whirled his thoughts into an ever-winding maze with no realization in sight. It reached the point where the fool simply stood in thought as chaos embarked upon them once more, as cascading waters threatened to send them back from where they had escaped. Mona was screaming bloody murder as he tried to rev his wheels against the tides, and partially from the fact of how harshly Prophet was trying to maneuver his steering wheel. The star-struck boy was only awoken as Mona was finally able to rip free from the watery torture, driving the lot of them past the wretch… but not without the two faux actors getting a glimpse. A glimpse of a memory, just out of their grasp.

The theories made by Oracle’s observations and Prophet’s add-ons… something just didn’t sit right in the Fool’s stomach, like they had missed something but he couldn’t say what. Soon enough, none of the team was left in the Metaverse, now instead making their way to Inokashira after one of the most hellish raids they’d put themselves through. Unlike his loud-mouthed nature, Imato remained quiet as he mulled through what they had heard… what they had seen while within the Envious Palace. It wasn’t till this moment his brain started to overclock itself, and his mumbling began. “The Captain… The Wretched… and another mask had appeared during the accord-making. There were two figures… But why is there two when everything else seems to come in acts of three. Three parts of a mask, three parts of a name, but only two that opposed us. Ho, the Captain. Sa, the Performer. On, the Wretched… what does it all mean…” Mona, drudging along behind the rest of the group looked at Imato before groaning out in annoyance. “Can someone calm him down before he re-opens that mouth wound with all that mumbling..?”

 

[Maeve Valor]

The group as a whole looked as if they had just gotten into some sort of street fight with some thugs. Each had a look of exhaustion on their faces and each had their own set of cuts and bruises, some more than others. It was evident that this would not be a pleasant meeting as Masami downed the rest of what looked to be some sort of coffee infused energy drink that had bought from a vending machine on the way to the park and then threw it in a garbage container as the teenagers walked passed one. Normally, she'd want to be prompt with their meetups, but stopping to buy a drink to keep her energy up a little longer was absolutely necessary. She wanted nothing more than to collapse on something comfy but the thieves were not done yet on this day.

As they all began walking through the park, Masami decided to break the silence first with some optimism. "You all know that we did well right?... We completed the task that we set for ourselves and we gathered more intel on what we're dealing with as far as the captain is concerned. So I would consider that a success. As for the mercs... we'll get stronger... all of us," though acknowledging that their battle against the some of the MetaMercs could be considered a defeat, Masami looked to them with the same level of intensity that she gave Oracle earlier. Masami was determined to get stronger, not just to fight off enemies but to protect her friends as well... even if it means protecting them from themselves.

At this thought, she looked to Imato, now unfortunately taking a clear observation of the cuts on the corners of his mouth. Seeing him now held an uncertain ominous feeling that she was not comfortable with. Reluctant to show her concern for condition mentally and physically, she turned her gaze away and continued on the leisure walk through the park in search of Sougo. She then wondered what he was up to prior to reaching out to them, but then again he was usually shrouded in mystery so it really wasn't so out of the norm to be not in the know of anything regarding him. "Where is he?" she mumbled.