Chapter Text
2 / 3 Leblanc: Morning. Pov: Sumire Yoshizawa
Today was the day she would take her life back.
Sumire walked into Leblanc, ready to get her life back once and for all. Ready to take down Takuto Maruki and return to the true reality. Ready for a fight, a fight to truly be herself again. Ready to end this nightmare of a reality, once and for all!
As she walked up the stairs to Akira-Senpai’s room, she felt nervous. Nervous, yet ready, she knew that today would be her freedom, and she knew that the phantom thieves would be by her side as Maruki’s reality came crashing down.
Only for her hopes to come crashing down instead.
“We’re accepting the offer.” Akira-Senpai announced, in a stern yet emotional tone she had never heard from him, one offering little to no room for argument.
What. How? Why?! After forcing her to confront herself, after securing a route to the treasure, why would he accept it?!
“No! We cannot allow ourself to fall to the whims of the madman!” Ella shouted within Sumire’s head. Sumire agreed, of course. But what can she even do? Nobody else seemed to be objecting to their leader’s command! Had they all truly preferred to stay in a reality like this?
Someone had to object then, even if she felt like nobody would listen to her. Given that Akechi-Senpai wasn't here, maybe he had already heard his decision?
“What? Why?! You can't be serious, Senpai!” Sumire protested, hoping Akira-Senpai would return to his senses and they would all snap out of it.
They didn't though, and Akira-Senpai lowered his head, a miserable expression plastered on his face. “I-Im sorry Sumire, but at least you can be happy! But if we stop Maruki, then-”
“I'm not listening.” Sumire blurted out, in a rare moment of confidence, of anger, of betrayal. “I won't live my life as Kasumi!”
The cafe was dead silent, as everybody was left speechless. Sumire didn't know what to say next, so she simply left. And ran off.
“Sumire-Chan!” Okumura-Senpai cried out, but she knew if she faced them again she wouldn't be able to handle it. She would give in, and end up spending her life as her sister.
Sumire didn't know what to do, how to take this, if she could do anything about it, as she sprinted through Yongen-Jaya and into the train station, a train conveniently waiting for her arrival.
“Another simple issue fixed by Doctor Maruki..” She thought to herself, desperate to think of anything else, yet failing. As she sat down and started to panic.
Why now? Why? Why?? After everything they had done to help her, why now?! Did she do something wrong? Was she wrong? Is this a sick form of punishment?! Maybe she should have never tried to begin w-
“Get ahold of yourself, dear Violet!” Ella abruptly interrupted, snapping Sumire out of her depressive spiral. “We cannot give up hope now! Surely there must be some way to prevent this.”
Sumire doubted Ella’s claim was true, none of the thieves were willing to oppose their leader, and going in alone would be a death wish.
“We have to try! Even if it ends up in vain! Will you really surrender so easily? What about Crow?” Ella called out.
Right as usual, Ella was. Personas usually were though, to her experience. Even while she was actualised to be Kasumi, Cendrillon had often tried to snap her out subtly. It never worked, but now that she was free, she refused to give up her freedom so easily.
She steeled her courage and took a few deep breaths, calming herself down in the process.
“Right! Crow-Senpai could probably help! He’s in Kichijoji right?”
“Usually, yes.”
“Then let's get going. Maybe he knows what to do..”
And get going to Kichijoji she did. Stepping out of the eerily empty train, she knew she had to locate Akechi-Senpai. Her only chance to live as herself was through him. She searched and searched but no matter where she looked, he was nowhere to be found. Was all hope truly lost? With no other options, she started checking the shops, until she stumbled across a set of stairs, soft jazz music coming from below. She stepped inside, hoping for the best that Akechi-Senpai was there.
2 / 3 Jazz Jin: Afternoon
Sumire perked up the instant she saw Akechi’s familiar scarf and brown hair. Without hesitation, she walked up to the older boy.
“Akechi-Senpai!” She shouted, running to him, earning a few glances from the other people in the club? Bar? Sumire didn't know, and she supposed it didn't matter.
Akechi-Senpai sighed as he turned to face her, a deep scowl forming across his face, his blood red eyes piercing her very soul. “Let me guess, you’re here to try and convince me to accept this hellscape of a reality, right?”
Sumire was taken aback, surely he didn't want to give in? He had been the most vocal about his disdain for Maruki’s reality! “No! I don't want to accept it!”
“Then save it, and let me spend m-Wait. What?” Now Akechi-Senpai was the one to be surprised. “You don't? Even with Kurusu and his lackeys refusing to fight?”
“Of course I don't! I refuse to be Kasumi again!” Sumire exclaimed, looking Akechi-Senpai in the eyes. “I'm here to ask if you would be willing to fight Doctor Maruki with me, even if it's just the two of us.”
A moment of silence spread throughout, as Akechi-Senpai processed her words, before looking at her with a serious expression “You are aware fighting without the others would be a death wish, correct?” He said, eventually.
“Yes, but I would rather be dead than become Kasumi again! I have to at least try!” Sumire countered.
Another moment of uncomfortable silence passed over, but left as quick as it came when Akechi-Senpai flashed a feral grin at her. “Would you look at that? Me too.” He growled out, grin fading into another deep scowl. “Very well, it's nice to know that I don't have to submit peacefully after all. But if we're really to do this, however, we need to prepare the best we can.”
“Right!” Sumire perked up, letting a satisfied and relieved smile overtake her. “We have a chance! Let us not waste it!” Ella cheered in her head, and Sumire couldn't agree more.
2 / 3 Shibuya: Late Afternoon. Pov: Goro Akechi
Goro was having a bad day. Well, that statement wasn't wrong, but before now it was the worst day of his life. Maybe except the day he saw his mother’s lifeless corpse, but it was up there. The impending doom of being brainwashed for all eternity wasn't exactly good either. Somehow, Yoshizawa-San of all people had managed to give him hope. Hope that he’s ashamed he lost in the first place, but whatever. He’ll just have to unleash it as rage and spite when they get to Maruki.
That's later though, right now he needed to get any gun and weapon upgrades he could. Both for him and for Yoshizawa-San, if they were to stand a chance.
“Why not just use your real weapons, Prince Of Fools?” Loki snarled in his head. While he had a point, they would be much stronger and wouldn't risk Maruki knowing about fake weapons, Maruki had proven to be an idiot though. A powerful idiot, but an idiot nonetheless. Fakes could probably fool him. Besides, he had learned that fakes usually had some form of benefit within the metaverse that real weapons had lacked. He had no clue how that worked, but right now, all that mattered was that it did work.
So that's how he ended up here, inside of Untouchables in a frankly stupid disguise that likely didn't fool the owner in the slightest, if the glare was anything to go by. The owner, Munehisa Iwai, was one of the many people Kurusu had helped out, and thus revealed his identity to, so hopefully he could put on some charming words, sweet smiles and maybe a little bribery, and be well on his way with the best weapons Goro could get his hands on.
Goro walked up to the counter where Iwai sat and contorted his face into a charming smile, something he had done many, many times as the detective prince. While annoying, it was a practice that fooled almost anybody.
“Except for Kurusu” Robin Hood said, yes, except for Kurusu, but that wasn't important. Iwai wasn't Kurusu, anyway.
“Hello sir, would you happen to have any laser swords, blasters, rapiers or rifles?” He asked politely, as his detective prince mask slipped back on effortlessly. From his time stalking Kurusu, Iwai was clearly a man who hated when his clients were indecisive, so going straight for it would appeal to him. That and the sooner he gets out the sooner he can stop being the detective prince again.
Iwai chuckled, “Glad you know what you want, unlike everybody else. You only get the cheap shit though, you clearly ain't a regular”
Not good, cheap shit couldn't do, so he pulled out a stack of 15 10,000 yen bills and placed them on the counter, not like he would need the money after today anyway. “Would you please reconsider? I'm an…acquaintance of Kurusu-San, you see.” He said, propping up his voice to sound naive yet well-meaning, like one of Kurusu’s lackeys.
Iwai stared at him for a moment, before sighing. “Well would you look at that, seems the full stock’s been opened to you, what would you like?”
Good, his plan was successful. As always. He spent some time searching for ideal weapons before picking up a beam sword that seemed to have a white beam, fittingly called the Excalibur. And he then searched the blasters until he found a blaster called the Mothershot. While he had no uncanny ability to find out everything about anything like Kurusu did, it was clear that the Excalibur boosted almighty elemental damage and light resistance somewhat. And the Mothershot would bolster his defences, even if only slightly.
With his own weapons sorted, he then went to search for weapons that would suit Yoshizawa-San. He had a little more issue than with his own weapons, mostly due to not being as familiar with them as he was his own, but it turned out okay when he picked out a rifle called the Chassepot, that provided some extra endurance, Somehow. And a rapier titled The Sword Of Boabdil. While he didn’t understand the name, it provided extra efficiency to healing skills. Given that it would only be him and Yoshizawa-San, any way to increase their odds would be key.
He quickly purchased the weapons from Iwai before heading out of the store, as he had one more stop before they went to fight the madman, and it would be closed if he delayed any longer than he already had.
“I still believe we should use your real gun instead.” Loki growled.
“Or we could bring both? We would have more ammo that way!” Robin Hood replied
Akechi decided to bring both. Just to be safe.
2 / 3 Yongen-Jaya: Late Afternoon
Stepping into Tae Takemi’s Medical Clinic felt as sterile as he expected. While he had never been in here personally, Takemi had been another one of Kurusu’s confidants, and while she seemed cold on the outside, it should be easier to convince her to help than it was with Iwai. Which wasn't saying much, but the more money he had for items instead of bribing, the better.
“Welcome to Takemi’s medical clinic, how may I help you?” The woman asked him. Well, best to get straight to the point, he could use the fact that she knew Kurusu was a phantom thief to his advantage.
“Hello, I’m here on behalf of the Phantom Thieves, would it be okay if I could purchase some of your supplies? We have a big mission coming up, you see!” Akechi explained, the pleasant smile associated with the detective prince forming once more. Hopefully for the last time ever. Takemi sighed before responding.
“I told Kurusu not to tell anybody about this, but I suppose I could help you out.” She said, sternly.
Well that went well, and whatever consequences Kurusu might face from being snitched on that he talked about it to other people he would face were well deserved. Admittedly, Akechi had never heard Kurusu talk about it to anybody, but what Takemi doesn't know won't hurt her.
He made his purchases quickly, mostly buying Takemedic items that healed both of them, revival items, Kaja/Kunda items that Akechi had no clue how Takemi could make, or if she knew their strength in the metaverse. And items that formed barriers, that made him wonder if Takemi knew more than she was letting on.
Well he’d rather spend his last day on earth fighting instead of pondering what some goth doctor knew about the metaverse, so there was little point in speculating it now.
As he left the clinic, he noticed Kurusu leaving Leblanc with the rest of his parasites following him. Akechi stayed behind to watch them leave before walking to Leblanc. Sakura-San wasn't inside, and the door was locked. Akechi easily picked the lock and went into Kurusu’s excuse of a room. While it was filled with useless trinkets, he did have a box full of elemental items, which Akechi gladly took as much of that would fit into his bag. While inventory always came out of the pocket in the metaverse, it wouldn't be the same if he couldn't bring it in at all.
2 / 3 Odaiba Stadium: Evening. Pov: Sumire Yoshizawa
Sumire had been waiting awhile in front of the entrance to Maruki’s palace when Akechi-Senpai finally arrived, she was starting to worry he wouldn't show up.
“Akechi-Senpai!” She called out, relief flooded into her voice, gaining his attention.
“Hello Yoshizawa-san. Are you ready? Once we go in, it's either his life or ours.” Akechi-Senpai replied coldly, his eyes concealing a fury that Sumire could only begin to imagine.
“..Yes. I'm ready. Do you have everything we need?” Sumire responded.
“Yes. Healing items, Protective items, Offensive items, and all of my best stock that i had left, and two new weapons for you, Yoshizawa-San” Akechi-Senpai said, as he brought out the Chassepot and Sword Of Boabdil, and passed them to her.
“Thank you, but could you please just call me Sumire. It’d be a little awkward to go into a suicidal mission on last names” She asked as she took her new weapons.
Akechi-Senpai barked out a laugh at that, unhinged and genuine. “That’s really what you’re worried about, now of all times? But deal. But only if you drop the ‘Senpai’ talk”
“Deal, Goro!” Sumire smirked
“Not like that! Wait- Behind you.” Goro warned, glaring at something behind her.
Sumire turned around to see the rest of the thieves walking up to them, a mix of anger and sorrow on their faces. Instantly, she tensed up, and turned her gaze away from them. She heard a growl beside her from Goro, as he glared through their souls.
For a moment, all was silent, words were no longer needed, but surprisingly, it was Futaba-Chan who spoke up first.
“Dont do this, Sumire! You’ll be happier like this!” She cried out, and for a moment, Sumire felt small, and weak.
Then Takamaki-Senpai practically begged “Come on, we can just go have fun! It’ll be better than this!” And Sumire felt her heart crack into pieces.
Then came Sakamoto-Senpai “Come on, dude! You don't need to follow the orders of someone like Akechi.” And Sumire felt something snap, not break, but snap. She could deal with the pressure from the others, but insulting the one person still by her side? She felt a fury foreign to her.
“BE QUIET!” Sumire shouted “You don't understand a thing! All of you refuse to fight for your freedom! All of you are compliant in the world being brainwashed! You don't get to talk to me like that!”
“Yoshizawa-San-” Kitagawa tried to get out, but Sumire interrupted him before he could continue
“NO! You’re even more of a hypocrite, Kitagawa! For all you claim to pursue true beauty, you’re willingly embracing a world lacking it!” She snarled, breathing heavily. Just as she was about to continue, she felt Goro’s arm touch her shoulder. While he looked somewhat surprised, he had a pleased smirk on his face, and he chuckled darkly. The contact calmed her nerves. And she took a deep breath.
“Well, you heard the girl. Go grovel in a corner for all we care. We won't back down.” Goro stated, taking over the conversation whilst Sumire gathered her thoughts.
“But you’ll be unable to get out without us!” Morgana cried, “So there’s no reason to go!”
Goro and Kurusu both flinched, although it was barely noticeable, before Goro scoffed, not even bothering to turn to look at the cat. “And? If reality will truly revert to how it was before, then we have no reason to attempt an escape, assuming Maruki’s death. Or are you really so stupid you hadn't even thought about that?”
“Akechi-” Kurusu-Senpai blurted, walking forward towards Goro.
Only to be met by the barrel of Goro’s gun. Kurusu-Senpai backed off instinctively, but refused to look away.
“I wouldn't do that if I were you.” Goro said. “I won't miss this time. After all, if we lose, you’ll just be brought back, right? Back off, before you do something you’ll regret. The first time I told you I hated you, I didn't mean it, I will admit. But now? I really do hate you, Joker.”
The rest of the thieves all backed off in fear, and Sumire felt a shiver go down her spine. Goro let out a pleased huff.
“Exactly. Let's go, Sumire. We have better things to spend our time on.” He said, before taking out his phone, and opening the metaverse navigator
“R-Right, Goro!” Sumire chirped. The last thing she saw before she entered the metaverse was Kurusu’s face contorting into one filled with pain.
2 / 3 Maruki’s Palace: Evening
As Crow and Violet entered the palace, the place felt intense, a red aura radiating around, and the air itself felt still. The security was as high as it could get.
Oddly enough, Lavenza stood outside the main building, and while Crow could see the outline of a door, it had chains around it, barring him entry even if he wanted to go in.
“Lavenza! What are you doing here?” Violet asked, as the duo walked up to the attendant, who bowed in response.
“Im afraid I am unable to offer any help to either of you, so I merely want to wish you good luck” She replied.
“We don't need any help anyway.” Crow responded, “Unless you have anything you can do, we’re kind of busy here.”
“Thank you, Lavenza! But he’s right, we are a bit busy. We’ll do our best!” Violet said, to make up for Crow’s rudeness.
The two ran through the start of the palace, avoiding enemy shadows despite the halls teeming with them, they safely made it to the first safe room. where they used it to teleport straight to the end of the palace. Despite this massive shortcut, an already transformed shadow awaited the path to Maruki’s so-called garden of eden room. Its body was made entirely of metal, with heavenly garments and silver wings. Its very presence felt dangerous, and it stared at them silently.
When Crow and Violet approached it, it spoke up.
“You who dares to defile the sacred land! This is your last chance to accept salvation. Continue to rebel, and God shall not be merciful!” It stated, already posing up for a fight.
“Sorry, but you’re getting out of our way, alive or dead!” Crow shouted, as he and Violet got into offensive positions
Before the angel could attack, Crow hit it with a debilitate, whilst Violet summoned Ella to boost crit chance.
“Whats the plan, Crow?” Violet asked, dodging a blast of wind it threw at them.
“Focus on physical attacks! It likely repels bless so leave the magic to me!” Crow commanded, launching an eigaon at it, while it didn't get knocked down as expected, it got knocked back more than he expected, so it was likely somewhat weak to curse.
His hunch was proved correct when Violet hit it with a sword's dance to follow up Crow’s hit. While it was still a respectable attack, it didn't react with anything more than a grunt as it launched a blast of light.
Crow got hit full force and was downed by the blast, but before the messenger could hit a second blast, Violet shot at its wings with her gun, then ran up to pierce one of its wings with her rapier. A small hole was made but it seemed to impact the shadow very little.
“Not on my watch!” Violet shouted, blocking another blast of light that was aimed at Crow. She then used the opportunity to heal him up with a Diarahan.
“I’ll make you pay for that!” He shouted as he got back up, launching another eigaon at the shadow.
“I am Metatron! Voice of God himself!” It declared, boosting itself up with a heat riser, and then assaulted the duo with a hurricane, followed up with a strobe of psychokinetic power.
While the damage dealt was less than an actual hurricane would have been, the force was easily strong enough to throw them all the way to the wall.
“Take this!” Violet cried, throwing out an Arc Magatama, it struck Metatron, and a bolt of lightning zapped the archangel, while it still didn't get knocked down, it was stunned long enough for her to follow up by using a Rasetsu Ofuda to boost her and Crow’s attack, to hopefully offset the defence boost from heat riser.
Crow had a similar idea, commanding Loki to wipe down Metatron’s buffs with a crippling debilitate.
They kept throwing their strongest attacks at the angel, but it refused to fall, until a lucky shock magatama thrown by Violet managed to inflict it with shock.
“Now’s our chance! Hit it with all you’ve got!” Crow shouted, launching a riot gun at the same time Violet hit it with Masquerade.
With the technical damage, Crow and Violet surrounded it.
“All out attack, NOW!” Crow commanded, and the two did everything they could to lay waste to Metatron, but after the onslaught, it still rose up, albeit weakly.
“My lord. Give me the strength to smite these sinners down to where they belong!” It shouted, glowing up with the dangerous aura from heat riser once more, followed by a blue hue from concentrate.
“It’s gonna attack! Guard!” Violet warned, as both she and Crow went into defensive stances.
“Now. For your sin, YOU SHALL FACE ETERNAL PUNISHMENT! Burn like the demons you are!” Metatron stated, as its eyes glowed pure white, and several surges and blasts of almighty beamed out of them.
The sheer power of Metatron was enough to send the burning, crippling force of almighty into their bodies. Despite their guarded postures and stances, it was still more than enough to send the two to the floor.
Crow’s body felt weak, but he refused to give up. Not before he even got to Maruki! He needed to finish this off, and now.
“Violet! Let's shut this thing up once and for all!” He ordered, forcing his body to stand up.
“Y-Yes Crow!” Violet responded, as she got up too.
Suddenly, the arena darkened and transformed. A light came up in the middle, illuminating the shadow. For a moment, it was alone, before another one shined on Crow. He charged in with a scream, slashing at the angel with his sword and persona.
Shots were fired from above during his onslaught, timing each shot with his slash. Lights shone up above them, revealing Violet with her gun out, aimed from a perch.
“Sorry! We won't give up so easily!” She stated, jumping down from her perch with her rapier in hand. She cut through the middle of Metatron, landing in a split, before getting up swiftly, performing a cartwheel as she got closer, slashing at it a few more times.
“Die!” Crow shouted. Then, both Violet and Crow stabbed at the shadow with their respective weapons. The angel disintegrated with a groan, and the two made dramatic poses as an invisible crowd cheered and the lights faded to black.
The lights faded back up, returning the two to the hallway they had been in before, no more foes in their way.
They healed up using their items and restored their stamina using the weaker sp restoratives they had. Small restoratives, while useful, had little use in the heat of battle, so it was best to use what they did have accordingly.
“I suppose that was a fine use of our talents, Violet. I'm impressed.” Crow admitted, as they continued onward.
“Thank you, Crow!” Violet responded, smiling brightly. “But you did most of the work.”
As they reached the room fashioned similar to depictions of the Garden Of Eden, it was as blissful as it was the last time they saw it. Although the cognitions of people ascending towards the sky had dramatically increased. A sound of static was heard for a brief moment, before a voice rang out.
“So. You’ve made it. I see. Then climb the stairs towards paradise, I'll meet you there.” Maruki said, a somber edge in his voice. Violet and Crow nodded at each other before climbing the stairs.
The climb was long, and awkward. As if a last ditch effort to prevent anybody from facing the doctor directly. Or to at least wear down any who dared to oppose him to such a degree. But they persevered, their wish for a brighter, free tomorrow stronger than any flight of stairs.
As they climbed, the bright, colourful garden faded away to the cold, mechanical core, a sense of tension washing over everybody as Crow and Violet came face to face with Maruki.
Maruki let out a sigh. “So. It's just you two? What about everybody else?” He asked.
“Let's just say they bailed at the last moment. We don't need them to claim victory.” Crow snarled, drawing his sword, pointing it at Maruki.
“We won't allow you to convert reality to your wishes!” Violet shouted, also drawing her rapier. “Im sorry, but you need to be stopped.”
“I see.” Maruki said plainly, letting out another sigh. “Dont apologise, this just means we both have something we can't allow to happen! This is my own rebellion! Persona!”
As he finished his words, a wave of energy came out from himself, as a flash of light overtook him, transforming his clothes. He had gold everywhere, appearing as a prophet with a staff in his hand. Behind him, his persona appeared. It had a similarly golden body, and rose to the air, held up by many creeping tentacles.
“It's time, Azathoth. Our final battle is here!” He declared, raising his staff above him.
Before he could do anything, Crow and Violet both launched blasts of curse and bless magic at the persona, although they were blocked by tentacles coming to protect it.
“Focus on the tentacles!” Crow ordered summoning Loki again to hit one with another eigaon. It landed against its weakness, so he shot at the other two. One of them repelled the laser blasts right back at him, but the other struck its weakness, he quickly passed the baton to Violet.
“Got it!” Violet responded, launching another Kougaon at the tentacle still standing. It dropped when hit, so she took it as a chance to lay into Maruki’s persona with a masquerade. It recoiled twice at the damage, but didn't look any worse for wear.
Maruki chuckled. “I should warn you that our strengths differ significantly!” He warned, as one of the tentacles buffed his persona’s attack. It then fired nuclear energy at the two, hurting them with searing pain, but they kept standing easily.
Violet focused on keeping herself and Crow alive with healing, while Crow focused on keeping the tentacles down with Eigaon, Riot Gun and Maragion. As he managed to finish all the tentacles off with a Megidolaon, he followed up with Debilitate onto Azathoth.
On the other hand, Maruki kept blasting them with a range of magic, from intense thunder to freezing ice. He healed himself with Diarama, then turned towards Crow.
“Akechi-Kun! In my reality, you have a chance to atone! To be with your friends! Would you really throw that away?” He asked, in a futile attempt to convince him to stand down, and then unleashed a swarm of blue and black eyes. They all looked around for a moment before staring at Crow, then blasted him with light, knocking him to the floor.
Crow scowled, forcing his body back up, he felt the glow of Diarahan from Violet supporting his body. He glared at the doctor. “Enough with your high and mighty bullshit! You’re just pissing me off!”
His body lit up in an orange glow as he cast Charge. Violet followed up with a Brave Step. She followed up with a Kougaon, using the chance to pass the baton to Crow as the tentacle dropped.
“Persona!” Crow roared, summoning Loki. It twirled its sword before spinning. The sword grew significantly larger as it cleaved through Azathoth brutally, sending it dropping to the floor.
“To me!” He continued, summoning Loki again for a hailstorm of bullets from Riot Gun. Carnage was set loose as they flew everywhere, many hitting their mark but also some reflected back at him. He grimaced through the pain, determined to make his damage stick.
Maruki shook his head, raising his staff to heal his persona. “Huh. You’re stronger than I thought. But this has only just begun!” He declared. As more tentacles emerged from the back of the persona, lifting it higher into the air.
He then extended his arm out, as an odd wave washed over the room. Violet and Crow felt an air of suppression around their personas.
“Ella!” Violet shouted, attempting to knock one of the tentacles down, but her persona didn't come out, her mask stayed on her head despite her attempts to take it off and summon it.
Maruki let out a chuckle, before extending his arm again. Azathoth shook wildly before unleashing a large blob of Almighty energy. As it hit the ground, it expanded significantly, engulfing Crow and Violet in a painful Megidolaon.
Crow grunted as he took the force of the megidolaon, his ears ringing from the intensity. He heard Violet let out a pained cry next to him. When the blast cleared, he noticed that Maruki had to focus to keep the air of suppression up.
“Stay on the defensive!” Crow demanded, tossing out a bead chain to recover both of them. “He can't keep this up forever!”
“Alright!” Violet nodded, tossing out a Kongou Ofuda to raise their defences.
Maruki’s persona and its tentacles kept up the assault while Crow and Violet kept playing defensive, taking hits with their weapons when possible to chip away at the persona. Occasionally using items to keep themself from death while Violet couldn't access Diarahan with her persona.
Eventually, The intensity of Maruki’s suppression weakened somewhat, and while the pressure was still felt, the two could feel their personas available to use once more.
Violet looked at Crow, who nodded back.
“Now!” Crow ordered, as both he and Violet summoned their personas in sync. Their respective spells of Eigaon and Kougaon combined to spread across, dealing good damage to both Maruki and Azathoth.
Maruki looked down sadly as he shook his head. “Im sorry. I had hoped not to have to do this. I promise it won't hurt more than necessary."
A surge of blue energy flowed out of Maruki, and his stance straightened. Azathoth rose higher into the air, charging a deadly attack.
“We should attack while we can, then guard after!” Violet said, noticing the power radiating from the palace ruler.
“Agreed.” Crow responded.
The two kept up their assault on Azathoth as it charged up further and further, until a huge spike of energy washed all across the room.
“End this, Azathoth!” Maruki commanded, as it unleashed its enormous charge of energy. Crow and Violet both guarded just in time, but as Violet didn't have the time to heal her ally beforehand, Crow was sent flying across the room, being knocked unconscious.
“Crow!” Violet cried, as she barely stood the storm from the madman. She healed herself with a Diarahan.
Maruki winced slightly at the damage Crow had taken, but turned to face Violet. “Yoshizawa-San! You don't have to live with your pain! It must be impossible to move on. You can live free from it, just please stand down!” He pleaded, as he charged up for another brutal attack.
“No! I am myself! I will never forget that! And I won't let you force me!” She shouted, using a Strength Up Ofuda. Crow was too far away to be brought up with an item, so she had to fight until there was an opportunity.
As Maruki was charging up, the tentacles didn't do much other than attempt to trip her over, but since they were slow and weak, Violet easily dodged them as she set up further with Brave Step.
Azathoth had almost finished charging by now, so Violet had to attack while she could.
“This is my soul!” She declared, tearing into Maruki’s persona with a Masquerade. The sheer damage was enough to break its focus, stopping it from using its ultimate attack a second time. It was so strong that Maruki winced, feeling the pain his persona felt. The redhead took the chance to follow up with a vorpal blade, causing Maruki and his persona to drop to the floor.
Taking the opportunity, she ran up to Crow’s unconscious body and used a balm of life, bringing him back up.
“Appreciate it.” He groaned, getting back up. He used a soma to fully restore his and Violet’s sp before the two ran back up to Maruki, who was still on the ground.
“How..even all that wasn't enough?” The doctor cried.
Crow snatched Maruki’s staff from his arm, and tossed it aside. He walked over and grabbed the treasure, a golden torch. He glared down at him. “We’ll be taking this. We refuse to be your puppets.”
Both Crow and Violet paused and tensed up as the palace started to rumble and shake.
“What’s going on?” Violet asked, looking around nervously.
“It's starting to collapse, let's get out of here.” Crow explained, turning back towards the stairs with the treasure in hand. Violet followed him out.
The palace was falling apart faster than any palace he had been in before, but Crow was used to the issue enough to navigate the way back towards the entrance, even as parts of the main palace crumbled, revealing a distinctly different area from the main palace. It was filled with rooftops, which could easily be jumped over.
As Crow and Violet tried to escape, they noticed a wall of tentacles blocking their only way out. They turned around to try and search for another way, only to see Maruki standing behind them, on the rooftop.
He chuckled as he extended his arm, the treasure flying back to his hand. The instant he grasped it, the palace stopped falling apart. “I'm sorry, but I can't let you do that. I was chosen to guide this world! I refuse to let you crush my dreams!” He declared. Raising the torch to the sky. Azathoth appeared and rose into the sky, tentacles forming a colossal new body. As it finished, a golden plating covered it from head to toe.
“Dont resist! Accept it! With the power of Adam Kadmon, our reality is nigh!”
Crow and Violet tensed up, but started to attack Maruki with their personas. The presence alone of Adam Kadmon granted Maruki increased defensive properties, but the two kept the pressure up with constant uses of Laevateinn and Masquerade.
Eventually, Adam Kadmon attacked, draining the energy of Violet and Crow, revitalising Maruki.
“Dammit! Keep attacking!” Crow growled, charging up.
Violet nodded, tossing out a bead chain before continuing her efforts to bring the doctor down.
It was a tedious back and forth, but slowly, they were making progress against Maruki, as he slowly lost focus the longer the fight went on.
“Enchant us, Ella!” Violet cried, letting out another Masquerade. With the hit, Maruki finally dropped to the floor.
“I won't let you fool us again!” Crow snarled, shooting at Maruki with his blaster, but tentacles rose from the ground, protecting him.
“Even now? No..I refuse to give up! With a better reality within my grasp!” Maruki shouted, looking at his persona. It turned to face him too, extending the palm of its hand for Maruki to climb on to.”
“You too, huh? I see. Please, use me as you wish! To guide humanity!” He asked, standing on his persona’s hand. It raised him to its face, and the doctor was warped inside.
Adam Kadmon faced down at Crow and Violet.
“I am the light that guides mankind!” It declared, its voice booming, as its arm went back, charging for a punch. Before its targets could react, it went in for the kill. As the punch hit the rooftop, a huge surge of energy was released.
“Agh!!” Crow and Violet both screamed in pain, the sheer force of the crushing, giant hand dropping them to the ground. Despite the agony their body felt, somehow neither of them had died on the spot.
Violet felt too weak to summon her persona, so she weakly pulled out the last bead chain the duo had. She and Crow stood up once they were healed.
“What do we do?!” Violet panicked. Was she going to die? She was going to die. She didn't want to die. But she was going to.
Crow, meanwhile. Felt something inside his head. Something burning, something furious. He knew he couldn't die now. He refused to accept this fate.
Both Loki and Robin Hood laughed warmly inside his head. Their voices ringing out in unison.
“It's time. You know what you must do, Prince. Do you have the strength for it?” They challenged.
Crow nodded, if they could help, he would take it. He felt the burning feeling turn into an inferno. He dropped to the floor, gritting his teeth.
“Crow?!” Violet stressed, feeling her panic take control of herself.
“Tear it to shreds, Hereward!” Crow roared, at the top of his lungs, ripping off his mask. Behind him, Hereward appeared, looking similar to robin hood physically, but with a black and red colour scheme and sleeker bow. He drew it back and fired at Adam Kadmon’s face.
As the arrow hit the target, a blade appeared, spinning around multiple times before piercing the persona’s face, leaving a red trail as it caused a massive gash to appear.
Crow smirked at the damage, pleased. “Im fine, don't worry.” He reassured Violet. “Let's keep up the pace! Focus on keeping us alive, I'll deal the damage!”
Violet took a deep breath, steeling herself once more, nodding. “Leave it to me!”
Violet looked up at Maruki’s persona, gulping in slight fear as she saw it preparing to attack again, but used the last Kongou Ofuda she had on her to raise defences. She pulled out the bottle of weakener spray. It felt rather stupid to try and spray the hand as it crashed into them for a second time, but if it worked it would help. And she had nothing else to do until more healing was needed.
As the fist closed in on its targets, she closed her eyes and sprayed the bottle rapidly, she could hear Crow let out a roar as he summoned his new persona once more, but then both of them felt the damage of the fist at once. It still hurt far more than anything else she had ever suffered, but with the items used, it didn't feel as horrible as before.
“Ella!” She called, healing herself up, and then Crow.
This happened a few more times as Crow tore Adam Kadmon apart bit by bit with Hereward, and eventually, despite all odds, the colossal titan of a persona fell, with Maruki being dropped out of the face, dazed, with the treasure landing next to him.
“Did we do it? We did it!” Violet cheered, beaming.
Crow nodded, picking up the treasure again. “I suppose we did.”
As they turned to leave, Maruki cried out one last time. “Wait!”
Violet and Crow turned around, both pulling out their guns. Crow pointed his gun at Maruki, but Violet didn't.
“Get it over with. You lost.” Crow snarled.
“So, you’re really okay with your death? Does Yoshizawa-San know?”
As the palace started to collapse, so did its hold on keeping the metaverse alive. The masks and outfits of all three people started to fade away, and so did the tentacles guarding the exit.
Sumire let out a gasp. “Goro, you’re going to die?” She asked, her voice stressed.
Goro let out a nod. “That I am. It's nothing you should concern yourself with. We won. You get to be free. And so do I. I chose this fate myself, and I refuse to let anybody take it from me.”
With that, he shook his head and started to walk towards the entrance of the palace, Sumire following him behind.
As the two walked silently, Goro’s body started to fade just like their metaverse outfits.
Sumire looked at Goro with a sad smile. “Thank you.” She said.
Goro shook his head with a frown. “What for? I never did it for you, you know.”
“Still! You basically just saved my life. I will never forget you, Goro!” Sumire responded.
The boy was stunned for a moment, before sighing. “Yeah yeah, whatever. Stay safe out there. Steal the glove I gave to Kurusu if you can.”
“The glove? What about it?” She asked.
“I gave it to him as a promise for another duel. But with this, I've already won against him. I’d rather it be in your hands than his.” He stated, and then he was gone.
“Goro..” Sumire trailed off, as her friend vanished for good. “Thank you.”
Sumire shook her head, exiting the palace. She saw reality as it was in December, cold, and free of any reality altering palaces.
She was free.