Chapter Text
Zenkichi had already hung up the call with Monsta X, informing them that the others may have found the place they're all looking for.
"Alright, they should be on their way now." Zenkichi signaled.
"Sophia, are you sure that this is the place?" Maruki asked.
"Yes, I have no doubt about it. If Jackie's phone had remained active, then it's a telltale sign that Kuragari did not know about it being on." Sophia deduced.
"I guess we'll just have to wait for them to come here, so that we can show them what we've found." Sae said.
The group had finally arrived as promised.
"You're just in time." Ichinose said. "You won't believe what we've just found."
"We can assume that you have located the area?" Kirby said.
"Yes. Come on, this way."
They were lead to what appeared to be an abandoned building, but there's guards patrolling the area everywhere, ranging from grunts, snipers, and even tanks roaming around.
"What's with this place? It looks heavily militarized." Ken observed.
"You got that right. I'm not an army man, but I know for sure that he's got enough funds to hire a private group like this." Zenkichi rubs his chin.
"And according to Sophia, this must be the laboratory where Lynn-chan is held captive." Maruki nods.
"There has to be some kind of story behind their acquisition. How did he even get to know them in the first place?" Shulk wondered.
"That's what I've been wondering too. If we can at least figure out his backstory on why he's like this today, it should answer our questions." Ike thought.
"I like your way of thinking, Ike. I was thinking the same thing too." Robin concurred. "It's not just his criminal record that will be answered, but also his connection with Lynn's past."
And that got Ryu thinking. "That's right. We never asked her about her past. We just accepted her into our group so easily because she could summon a Spirit like the rest of us, and we didn't question her about it. That is, until we ran into that man that she told us about her being a test subject."
"So that's why…" Akane finally understands. "I think I understand everything now."
"Well, that too, and another thing in mind." Jackie spoke his mind.
"What's that?"
"When I was talking to the other guys, I couldn't help but think about the example Sophia gave us. When you boil it down, if me being a Monarch has already happened, then the same could happen to Lynn."
"Yeah, and we can trace it back to when the Phantom Thieves were Palace rulers, even though they're Persona users." Soren remembered. "It's like the trajectory of this scope is still running, all slowly coming together at the final point."
"At this rate, I think we can all attest to that theory since it already happened once." Mac says. "I think it's highly possible if there is a Jail around here, then Lynn could possibly be the Monarch of that Jail."
"Then all it takes is to get a keyword to enter that Jail." Sae nailed it.
"That's the one, and we'll need to get one fast if we want to get her outta there." Richter looked back.
"Then a plan is called to action!" Sophia declared. "We'll go in and infiltrate the facility quietly, to survey and gather information. While you, Monsta X, find a keyword to infiltrate that Jail."
"Are you sure about that? It could get dangerous here, even for you guys." Ike said.
"Guys…" Akane spoke up. "Look, we appreciate you all for looking after us. We really do. And even though we have the option to turn back like my dad said, we've come so far to not turn away from this. And I for one am not going to sit back and let that man do whatever he wants to Lynn-chan."
"Akane…" Zenkichi whispered.
"She's right. Just like you and everyone else here, I will not turn a blind eye to the atrocities he wreaked to her, and the other people before her." Sae's eyes lit with determination. "I- no, WE will bring him to justice, and we'll do this together."
"We may not have the same abilities that you have, but with our own skills, we can pull this off together." Ichinose said. "Me, you, Zenkichi, Akane, Sae, Sophia and Takuto-san. We're all in this together, and we'll see it through to the end with you."
"Ichinose…" Sophia's eyes glow.
"And we will save her, no matter what." Maruki pumps his fist. "Just like them, I want to save her as well, and we'll do it. Your way."
"Everyone…" Ryu smiles. "You're right. We've all come this far to back down. Lynn needs us, and running away will mean that we've abandoned her. We will not leave her behind."
"Right you are, pal." Ken slings his arm around his friend. "All 11 of us started the trip, and we're gonna finish it with all 11 of us here, with the 6 stalwart friends of course."
Ike does the same. "And we'll be there for her like she did for us."
"And one real, hard ass-whooping is in order for the scientist guy." Jackie walked forward.
"Hmm. Then I got your confirmations already." Soren hums. "So, y'all know what to do from here, right?"
"I'll go with Sae-san again. We actually make a good team together." Maruki answered.
"I agree. After all, we'll need at least one person that knows how to fight to protect them." Sae brushes her hair away for a bit.
"In that case, then me and Sophia go with Zenkichi-san and Akane-chan. That should even things out." Ichinose volunteered.
"Don't worry about me. I may not be able to travel from phone to phone, but if there's any valuable data, I can send them over to Maruki and Sae so they can be up to date. I can make it work both ways." Sophia smiled.
"Then it looks like the rescue mission's a-go. Alright guys, we all know what to do from here. Good luck out there." Just as when Soren was about to turn around.
"Wait." Akane interrupted. "Before we go, can we do this one really fast?" She places her hand out. "I know it'll give away our hiding spot, and we'll probably get shot at in the process, but I want to make this count since this will be a team effort."
"You know what? Why not?" Zenkichi places his on hers. "If we're gonna do this, we're gonna do this right."
"Hmm. Ain't that the truth." Soren places his next. "There won't be any half-assing for this. We're gonna go whole-ass on it. For Lynn's sake and ours."
Everyone agree wholeheartedly as they place their hands on one another, especially Jackie and Kirby who got their small limbs stack on the pile, and Ichinose place Sophia upwards before placing hers on.
"Alright guys, this is go time. Once we give our shout, we're gonna go in, bust his ass and get her out of there. This could be our toughest fight yet, but we're gonna give it everything we got. Y'all ready?"
Everyone gave their hums and words of agreement.
"그럼, 하나 둘 셋- 후 몬스타엑스!"
They raise their hands up, voices loud, as this is the beginning of their mission.
"What's that sound?" One of the guards had already caught on.
"Okay, let's split up. Good luck, everyone." Maruki said.
"And the same goes to you." Kirby responded.
Then they all split up, knowing what their objectives are. They said they're going to rescue Lynn, and they'll make it happen.