Persona BLEACHED 2: Part 18

Chapter 18: Riddle me This
January 13, 2029
"..."
"........"
"....ey..."
"Ca...ou he..r me?"
Natalia blinked. She was on the floor, surrounded by debris from the explosion. Her ears were ringing. She could hardly make out who was speaking to her, much less what they were saying. She looked around the room, most of which had been heavily damaged. 
"Hoodsie! Hoodsie, snap out of it!" Natalia looked to see Kitty crouched over her.
"What...what's going on...?"
"Sparky's already called for help, it'll be here soon. What the hell happened?"
"I...I don't know...I was just opening something from my parents...then I got tackled by..."
Natalia realized something. "Where...where's Carrie?" 
"Sparky took her outside to wait for the ambulance."
"I have to--"
"Don't, Hoodsie. She took the brunt of whatever just happened. It...it isn't good. Please, you don't need to look..."
Natalia struggled to her feet. She nearly tripped as she ran outside, still in a good deal of pain. Kitty tried stopping her, to no avail. She took notice of the card on the ground, and picked it up. "'Sphinx of Thebes'? The hell--"
"Carrie!!!"
Outside, in the hallway, a horrified Natalia ran to where Max was knelt over. On the ground was the burned, unconscious body of Carrie. She was laid out on her side, to keep her off of her badly burnt backside. Natalia fell to her knees. Tears fell from her eyes as she froze in shock.
"Why...why..." she weakly repeated.
Students attracted by the noise began gathering in the hall. At that moment, Jugo walked in. "Alright, people, nuthin' to see here! Back to your caves, c'mon!" he ordered. Once the crowd was dispersed, he turned his attention to Carrie.
"Shit."
"M-Mr. Officer..."
Jugo put his hand on Natalia's head. "It's gonna be alright, darlin'. It's gonna be alright." He got up and headed for outside. "Where the hell are those goddamn medics?!"
The medics filed in, and began the process of moving Carrie out. Kitty motioned along Natalia, still overcome with shock.
"Why..."
---
At the flower shop, Rin sat behind the counter, writing, while Rose helped out a customer. Suddenly, Rin's phone began blaring. She picked up.
"Jugo, what's up?"
"Boss. We've got big trouble. One of your students got hurt."
"Hold on, what do you mean hurt? What's going on?"
"A package exploded in one of their dormrooms. Van Damme got banged up. Blackthorne got the brunt of it. She's out cold and her backside's been torched. I'm not gonna sugarcoat it, it ain't good."
Rose took notice of Rin's increasingly concerned and pale face.
"We're taking 'em over to Karakura General. I'd let the rest of your kids know what's goin' on. A couple of 'em were close by and they're comin' with me."
Kitty walked over to Jugo. "I found this in their room."
Jugo read the card. "Boss. Looks like someone's proud of what they did. Sent a card boasting about it. They signed as 'The Sphinx of Thebes'."
Rin's expression grew more dire. 
"They call themselves the Theban Six. These are the Master's best generals. The biggest fanatics. Really, really scary."
"Boss? You still there?"
"Keep them safe, Jugo. I'll meet you at the hospital." Rin hung up.
"What's happening?" Rose asked.
"What we were afraid of. I'll explain later, I have to hurry. Kenji, come with me."
Kenji, hanging out in the corner of the store, perked up. "Has something happened?"
"Yes. Something terrible. Carrie and Natalia are hurt. And I think I know who's responsible. Rose, stay alert. And if you see a package, don't go near it. Call Tenko and tell her the same, and to not let Shizuka out of her sight. I'll call you when I can."
Rin rushed out the door, Kenji following behind. "Father above, what is happening?" Rose mused.
---
A few hours later, the remaining students were in a hospital waiting room. Outside of it, Jugo and Rin were talking.
"So, it's the hand freaks again? Bastards..." Jugo grumbled.
"Mimi told me about their elites. Everything she said matches up with what we've seen."
"And you're just gonna take the two-timin' witch at her word? She could be playin' you like a damn fiddle for all you know."
"We put an ankle monitor on her this morning, and she couldn't leave without Tenko noticing anyway. This wasn't her."
"Pardon me if I'm not so quick to forgive."
"Jugo. You're a police officer. You're supposed to follow the evidence, right? I get why you wouldn't trust her, but being guilty of something doesn't mean she'll be guilty of everything. I've got a student lying in a hospital bed, hanging by a thread. This isn't the time for headhunting."
"Shit. You're right." Jugo rubbed his eyes. "Of all the ones this had to happen to..."
Inside the waiting room, the students were all silent. "Two minutes." Kitty finally said. "We walked away for two minutes and their room gets blown up. We should've dragged them with us..."
"Wouldn't have mattered. That box still would've been waiting for them when they walked in." Max replied.
"Maybe we walk in with them, maybe we pick up on it quicker, maybe it goes off without them in the room..." Kitty said.
"Or maybe you two get caught up in it. Not every alternative is a positive one." Kenji retorted.
"And not every word that comes out of your mouth hole has to be cynical bullshit, Kenny."
"It isn't cynicism. I'm a realist. There's no use in wracking your brain with what-ifs when the current reality is so dire. There's enough to worry about without considering other possibilities."
"'Realist' is just a nicer way of saying 'asshole'."
"Enough!" Kibō ordered. "Bickering won't help anyone. We're all frustrated, I get it. But we can't take it out on each other. We'll just be doing those bastards' work for them."
"Hey..." Sahir piped up. "Care and Nats are gonna be fine, right?"
"Nats was awake when we found them. Physically, I think she'll be alright. Carrie, on the other hand..." Max said.
"She'll be alright. She has to be. She's basically a marine. There's no way something like this could take her out..." Barbara added.
"You didn't see what I did, Sis. There's a reason I had to lay her out on her side. Her back was..." Max didn't finish the thought.
Rin walked into the room, a serious look on her face. "I just spoke with the doctors."
"How are they?" Kibō asked.
"Natalia's awake. She's still in shock. She keeps asking for Carrie. They're trying to give her medicine to get her to calm down and rest."
"And what about Carrie?" Barbara asked.
"They've managed to stabilize her, for now. Her back's been severely burned, and the force of the explosion broke one of her arms. They're still trying to fully assess everything going on with her. She still hasn't woken up."
The students all looked downtrodden.
"So what's our next step?" Kibō asked.
"Oh, no. I'm not letting you all sprint around trying to dig up leads now. I won't let you all end up strapped to a ventilator. You're staying right here." Rin insisted.
"Teach, please! They hurt our friends. We can't just sit around doing nothing!" Sahir protested.
"We don't even know who we're looking for. I just got done telling Jugo this. I want to hunt down the people that did this just as much as you all, but if we run around with revenge on the brain, we'll be wide open to another attack. Cooler heads need to prevail. Leave the investigation to Officer Oda and myself. If my hunch is correct, we're dealing with people just as powerful as us, with none of the regard for humanity. I've told you all to follow the compassionate path. Natalia and Carrie both need you here, helping them through this." Rin dictated.
She sighed. "You'll be able to see Natalia in a little while. I have to make a very difficult phone call to Carrie's aunt and uncle. If you'll excuse me." She exited the room.
"Ugh. Now what?" Kitty asked.
"We do what she said. The girls need our support. And our protection in case the monsters that did this come to finish the job. The Professor is right. Cooler heads need to prevail." Kibō replied.
A short while later, Kitty and Barbara entered Natalia's room. She was laying in bed, bandages over her scrapes, and a dull, tired expression on her face.
"Hey, Nats." Barbara said.
"We'd ask how you were doing, but I think your face says everything." Kitty added.
"They gave me all these meds so everything would stop hurting...they still won't tell me what happened to Carrie..." Natalia weakly replied.
"Tell me the truth...is she..." Tears began to fall from her eyes. "Is she...dead?"
"No, no of course not. She's too strong to die like that. She's just...resting. They still need to do some work with her. Just relax...the sooner you get better, the sooner you can go see her, OK?" Barbara reassured.
"Hoodsie, I know this is a rough time to ask, but--"
"They knew my parents' names." Natalia interrupted.
"Hm?"
"I only opened the package since it had my parents' names on it. They even knew that my parents call me their little Danish. How could they possibly know that...?"
"Carrie, she...she knew something was wrong. She knew even before I did. If she didn't tackle me away, I would've..." Natalia grasped the pendant Carrie had given her.
"It's a special bond you two have." Barbara said. "To risk her life to save yours...it takes a lot of courage. And a good deal of love."
"Love..." Natalia thought back to one month before. When she had broken down in the rain. To the one who offered her comfort.
"Please, believe me. I love you. I want more than anything to be your friend. If I made you feel horrible, I'll never forgive myself for it. So please...don't say that you don't want to live. I've lost everyone I loved before. If I were to lose you, too, I would..."
"I would...I would..." Natalia lost any composure she had left.
"Felt this coming. C'mere, Hoodsie..." Kitty leaned in and let Natalia bury her face in a hug. Kitty gently patted her on the back. "Go on, let out as much as you need to. We're not going anywhere. Don't need to hold anything in..."
---
In one of the intensive care rooms, Carrie was laid out on a bed, her abdomen and right arm completely wrapped in bandages. She was unconscious, a ventilator placed over her mouth.
This is what she saw as she found herself standing next to the bed, looking at her prone body.
"What's going on? I was just getting Natalia away from that package...and then...mmm. I don't remember anything except...pain. Why am I staring at myself in a hospital bed?"
"No...it can't be. I haven't...I'm not dead, am I? No, I must still be alive. The heart monitor hasn't flatlined. Perhaps that means I'm in the process of dying, and this is me hallucinating...?"
"Oh...I look horrendous. What about that box could've brought me to such a state? And Natalia...oh, dear, Natalia! I hope I wasn't too late, I--"
Carrie took notice of a figure sitting in the chair closest to the door. It was a bespectacled woman, garbed in expensive-looking, indigo colored clothing, with long, dark hair. She smiled at Carrie.
"It can't be...Mama...?"
"Hello, amethyst. It's been a long time, hasn't it?"
Carrie began to move towards her mother.
"You don't want to do that, dear."
"There's nothing in the world I want to do more, Mama! I miss you so much...take me in your arms one more time, please..."
"I cannot. Unless you believe there is nothing else to be done with your physical form."
"Mama...am I dying? Is that why you're here? To take me with you?"
"If that is what you want."
"I...I don't understand."
"You are teetering precariously between life and death, dear. Your sacrifice for the sake of your friend may yet be a sacrifice. Whether it is so is entirely dependent on you."
"So you're here to see what I choose to do?"
"In part. To tell you the truth, I had to be at your side no matter what. A mother's love for her baby transcends all. Even death itself. So I will wait here, patiently, watching while you decide."
"Mama, I...I miss you so much. You and Papa, and Boris...I've relived that day countless times. I've wondered why I was the only one to survive. What purpose I could possibly have. But when I saw the danger Natalia was in...I didn't hesitate. Seeing what's happened...maybe this is why I had to keep going. Maybe I was meant to offer my life in exchange for hers."
"Is that truly how you feel?"
"I...don't know. I want to be with you and Papa again. But, Natalia...my friends...I don't know if I can leave them. This burden I've been carrying...if I were to die now, I would be giving that burden over to Natalia. I would never want anyone else to carry this feeling. But I...I don't want to feel this way anymore either."
"Think it over. I am in no hurry. Take as long as you need to. In the meantime, allow me to just observe...to truly take in the young lady you've become. Whichever decision you make, I will accept it with a smile."
Carrie stood over her sleeping body, pondering the most important decision of her life. And whether said decision would be her last.
---
Outside the hospital, Rin sat on a bench, talking on her phone. "Any luck from their room?" 
"Nada. No bomb fragments at all. Tells me that either they all vaporized in the blast, or it was magic. No signs of forced entry, so I'm assuming the shitbag teleported in. Only physical evidence we have is that card. I'll give the hand freaks this, they know how to cover their tracks." Jugo answered. "Any info from Rosie?"
"Nothing. Her tracking apps haven't picked up on any abnormalities aside from us. Whatever those people have done to themselves, it's blocking us from tracking them in the real world. Even Mimi. She shows up as a normal human. And she showed up as a Shadow in the Metaverse. These people...they're deliberate. Any advantage we could've had has been rendered moot."
"Damn. Guess that means it's detective time. Ain't no such thing as a perfect crime, Boss. How's it over on your end?"
Rin sighed. "Heartbreaking. Carrie still hasn't woken up. The doctors said she was so close to the blast, she's lucky to still be in one piece."
"She was trained personally by an Israeli soldier, Boss. They're as tough as they come. Doesn't surprise me that she has an extra bit of toughness."
"I realize that. I'm terrified that she hasn't regained consciousness yet. Even the doctors have no idea which way she'll go. She's just...lingering. I know this sounds crazy, but I think she's waiting for something...or someone."
Rin looked at her watch. "Visiting hours are almost done. I'll be taking Barbara and Kitty with me. No way I'm letting them stay in that building by themselves overnight. The boys'll be going to JoJo and Hiyoko's. They've got guest rooms to spare. I just need to know everyone's safe."
"I hear ya. Me and a few of my guys are gonna be on-guard overnight. Those bastards won't lay another hand on those girls. You've got my word."
"Thanks, Jugo. That calms me down a bit. I'm going to go get the girls. If you find anything else, let me know."
"You've got it. And if, say, some outlaws decided to show up..."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that. If it does, I know you'll be prepared."
Rin hung up. "Prepared. Yeah." Jugo started placing another call.
---
Later that night, Jugo stood guard in front of Carrie's room. Elsewhere, two other officers stood guard in front of Natalia's. Jugo hummed the tune of Kenny Rogers' "The Gambler" to himself.
Shadows moved across the walls and ceiling. For a moment, Jugo thought nothing of it. Just another trick of the light. Then the shadows began to converge. Jugo sighed. He placed his hand close to his gun.
A figure rose from the shadows. He was garbed in a violet-colored suit-and-tie, same-colored pants, dress shoes, beret and gloves. His face was shielded by a dark purple, laughing opera-style mask, and he held a gold-and-purple cane. A pair of glowing yellow dots appeared behind the eye slits.
"Guess it was too easy to pass up, huh?" Jugo asked. "You got a name, freakshow?"
The masked man removed his beret, and took a bow. "That I do, officer. You can call me the Sphinx, he of the Master's Elite."
"So, you're the piece of shit that hurt the girls. That make you feel like a man? Nearly killing a couple of kids in their own room, then coming to finish the job? Y'all might as well call yourselves the Lonely Loonies Club."
"Sticks and stones, officer. Nothing wrong with a little anarchy to spice up things. You lot were getting way too comfortable. The Master doesn't like being ignored. So, if all we need to make you take us seriously is blasting a couple of anklebiters to Hell, I'm all game."
"God damn, the double hit of bein' a scumbag and a voice that's like nails on a chalkboard."
"My good sir, it's going to be the last thing you ever hear. Oh, but before we get started, I have a riddle for you. What has two eyes, but can't see that he's left someone very unguarded?"
Elsewhere in the hospital, the two officers guarding Natalia were on the ground. Standing over the slumbering girl was a Death's Hand assassin, armed with a dagger. He raised it, preparing to strike. As the dagger came down...
He found a revolver pointed squarely at his head. Before he knew what was happening, the gun was fired, killing him instantly.
Natalia got out of bed, and seemed to fade out. Taking her place, holding the revolver, was Jugo. Natalia herself was crouching in the corner.
"What was that...?" the Sphinx questioned.
"I've got a riddle of my own, spooky." "Jugo" said with a distorted voice. His image faded out, replaced with the smirking visage of Jin. "What looks like an eggplant and doesn't know he's just been had?"
"What...? The Fractured Demon, here?! But our intel--"
"First, that's a rather insulting nickname, don't you think? Second, if me being here is so shocking, then I guess your spy networks aren't all they're cracked up to be. But enough chit-chat. Your angel of death awaits." 
Jin produced his chain and lobbed it, the sharp end of it grazing the Sphinx's shoulder. "Rabid beast! Don't you know how much this suit cost?!" the masked man griped.
"Don't worry about it. I'm sure the mortician will stitch it back together for you." 
"Wishful thinking, you bloodstained creature. I'll be taking a commercial break now..." The Sphinx produced three tiny, black orbs, and tossed them on the ground, creating a smokescreen.
When the smoke cleared, the Sphinx had disappeared. "Dammit. These spooky types and their parlor tricks..." Jin grumbled.
He got an alert on his watch, and picked up. "Jugo. Is everything alright?"
"Everything went the way I thought. One of those freaks tried to stab the girl, but I shut that shit down quick. Any trouble on your end?"
"Trouble. Yeah, you could say that. The Sphinx weirdo showed up himself. I tried to get him, but he got away. The Blackthorne girl is fine--well, as much as you can call someone in her present condition 'fine'."
"Well, that's the important thing. Wish we could've gotten some hint about who the bastard is. I hate bein' in the dark about this..."
"Hm. About that." Jin peered at his chain. The sharp end had a thin streak of blood on it. 
---
January 14, 2029
Late morning. Natalia, now out of hospital clothes, stood nervously outside of Carrie's room. Barbara had her hands on Natalia's shoulders. "Remember what I always tell you. Be brave."
"Mmhmm."
"I get it. It's terrifying. But there hasn't been a change since yesterday. If she's going to wake up, I think she needs an extra push. Maybe she just needs to hear your voice. Let her know that you're okay. I've said it before, Nats. There are some things only you can do. Maybe this is one of those things."
".....okay. You're right. She's had to save me so many times. I have to do this for her."
With a hug, and a deep breath, Natalia, her stomach fluttering, walked into the room.
She froze at the sight of her best friend, lying in bed with a tube over her mouth. Her legs grew heavy. "....." She moved slowly to the side of the bed, almost as if being pushed by invisible hands. Grabbing a chair, she took a seat next to the bed.
"Care...it's me. I-I-I'm okay. I've got some scrapes and bruises but I'm okay. You saved me."
"I...I'm so sorry this happened. That box had my parents' names on it, it should be me lying there...You're so strong, and beautiful, and kind. And you've been through so much already. You didn't deserve this happening to you..."
"Care, if...if this is really it, then...I wanted to thank you. You helped me change how I see myself, made me believe that I can be helpful. You're..." She grasped her pendant. "You're the first real friend I've ever had. I don't want you to leave, but...I know how much you miss your mom and dad. I want you to do whatever makes you happy. If being with your parents is what you really want to do, then that's okay."
"I've been too sad for too long. I'll be okay. I'll be okay because you helped me. You saved my life, Care. If this is goodbye, then...just know how much I love you. You know that, don't you? It'll make me sad if you go, but I'll be alright knowing it was what you wanted. But I...I still want you here. I want us to be friends forever. Please, just...let me know that you can hear me."
Watching the entire scene play out, Carrie's spirit couldn't contain her emotion.
"What a lovely girl she is. Finding such a loving friend is a rarity. You know this, don't you, amethyst?" her mother asked.
"Mama, I...I can't..."
"I know. I knew from the beginning. No need to feel guilty. I want you to live a long, fruitful life. Now, go on. It's unbecoming of a young noblewoman to sleep for so long. It's time to wake up."
"I love you, Mama..."
"And I love you, amethyst. I will be with you, always. Until we can meet again..."
At that moment, Carrie's eyes opened.
"Care...ah, hey! She's awake!" Natalia called for the nurses. Her face full of tears, she smiled. "I want to hug you so badly right now. You...you could hear me, right?"
Carrie nodded. She tried lifting her right arm, but was hit with a jolt of pain.
"Careful! The doctors said your arm's broken. Don't worry, I got the intent. Just sit tight. I'm not going anywhere..."
---
A short while later, Barbara and Kibō came into the room. "Hey, Care. How are you feeling?" she asked.
Carrie, now without the ventilator but wearing a cast on her right arm, was lying on her left side. "Dreadful." she weakly replied. 
"I can only imagine. You were out for almost a whole day. Between the burns and the arm, it must be excruciating." Kibō said.
"Hence why I'm off my back on this side. I've gotten my share of sunburns from the beach in Monte Carlo, but nothing like this."
"They've got the room temperature down to help ease the heat. That's not even getting into the painkillers." Natalia added.
"I'm sorry this happened to you, Care. It was a very brave thing you did. Have they given a timetable for how long you'll be here?" Barbara asked.
"Perhaps a month, maybe longer. The effects could last for years. My backside will undoubtedly be scarred for life. And my arm strength could be deeply affected by this. Putting it simply, this is life-altering." Carrie uttered.
"I'm so sorry, Carrie. I wish there was more we could do." Kibō said.
"There is nothing to be sorry for. I would do it again without a moment's hesitation. I've spent so much time longing for the family I've lost...only now do I realize what I would do to keep the family I have now." Carrie assured.
"Oh...we are a little family now, aren't we?" Natalia moved to hug Carrie, before remembering and holding back.
"I hear the dastard who staged the explosion tried to finish us off last night. I would feel better knowing he was properly dealt with." Carrie said.
"Officer Oda and Mr. Mirai drove him off. But, we did get something from it. They have his blood. Once we find out who he is, then we can hand down our justice." Kibō explained.
"I would be glad to hear it. My only regret is that I won't be able to partake in it. I have much to vent upon him for this." Carrie replied.
"Don't worry about it. I'll be sure to get enough payback for both of us." Natalia assured.
"Wait, you? But you're still hurt...are you sure?" Barbara asked.
"I have to do this. He violated our safe space, and nearly killed both of us. I...I'm done being afraid. I'm done feeling powerless. Scaredy Cat Nat can take a backseat. You guys built this team to stop things that we can't allow. Well I can't allow this. It's time to be strong. For both of us."
Kibō took notice of something. He witnessed a vision of Natalia's Persona hovering behind her. Its wings, previously closed, had now opened. Eyes once hidden by the shadow of a hood now glowed. "What's this...something's changed. Her Persona opened up...is it responding to her resolve? Was her power hidden behind her fear all this time?" he thought.
"That look in your eyes...I've seen it before, when you were making our uniforms. You look more...alive. Either way, I'm happy to hear that, Nats. When the time comes, we'll help you get your justice. Until then, get some rest. You've been through a lot. Oh, and don't worry about schoolwork. We'll make sure you two can keep up. Just focus on getting better. Especially you, Care. We've got a trip to take in a couple of months. Don't want you to miss out on the fun." Barbara said.
"Ah, the lovely streets of Barcelona and Madrid...you'll have to strap me to this bed to keep me from going. I will be right by then. I swear it." Carrie declared.
"Keep that attitude going, and you will be. We'll leave you two to your rest. C'mon, Keeb." Barbara said.
"Be well, ladies." Kibō added, and the pair walked out.
Natalia immediately went to her phone. "Something the matter?" Carrie asked.
"I'm getting the boys to get me my tools and fabrics. That jerk messed up your jacket, I'll just make you a new one. Even nicer than the last."
"You're still fending off your own injuries, are you sure you should be doing this?"
"I won't let those creeps keep me from spoiling my best friend. Until they find the guy who did this, I'm not leaving your side. We're getting through this together. If I'm gonna send my parents cute pics of me in Spain, I need my BFF there with me. I'll take nothing less."
"....."
"Care? You alright?"
"I'm fine, love. I'm just marveling at how far you've come from the stuttering and fearful person you were when we met. It's been half a year, but you've grown so much."
"Hehe. It's all cuz of you, y'know. I've spent my whole life torturing myself over what was wrong with me, cuz everyone that called themselves my friend made me feel worthless. You helped me see everything good I can do. I'm gonna return the favor, I promise." Natalia took notice of Carrie's discomfort with her pillows. "Let's start with making you comfortable. I'll tell the boys to get yours from your room. Sound good?"
"That would help a tad, yes."
"I'll let them know, then. Until then..." Natalia took off her hoodie, then carefully wrapped it up into a pillow-like shape. "Lift your head up. You know I specialize in soft and huggable materials. Feel better?"
"Like a dream. Thank you, Natalia..."
"No, Care. Thank you. Now get some rest. You've earned it."
Carrie closed her eyes, and drifted off. 
"I'll take care of everything, so don't worry. Just keep counting the days...until I can hug you again." Natalia whispered.
---
"Ryōta Kagami. That name ring any bells?" Jugo asked, outside the hospital.
"Kagami...that name sounds familiar. Is that who the blood belongs to?" Rin responded.
"That it did. Certainly fits the bill for the type of scumbag we're looking for. Check out the list of offenses."
Rin looked through the file Jugo had handed her. "Aggravated stalking, robbery, battery, sexual assault...my God."
"Attempted murder wouldn't be too much of a reach, would it? Most of his victims were young girls, too. Everything fits. Except..."
"What do you mean 'except'? We have his blood, he's a serial offender, what's the issue?"
"The issue is he's been under lock and key for the last fifteen years. They've got him held up in Karakura Max, under twenty-four hour surveillance. Unless he's some kinda master escape artist, he can't be our guy. And if he is a master escape artist, why would he still be sitting in jail?"
"That's...but it has to be him. DNA doesn't lie."
"That's why we're gonna do a thorough search of his jail cell. Try to find any sign of weakness that would make it easier for him to escape. But Boss, I'm gonna be honest...my gut's tellin' me somethin' else is up here."
"I've got the same feeling. Seems like nothing around here is ever how it appears. Well, let me know what you find out. I've got to head home. Shizuka's starting to wonder if I'm going to leave her with Aunt Tenko forever."
"Aw heck, that's the last thing that girl needs. I'll leave ya to it, then." Jugo departed.
"Should let everyone know..." Rin took out her phone.
Inside the waiting room, Kibō got an alert on his phone. "Hey...looks like they found a match for the blood."
"Oh, awesome! Who's the creep we're gonna wreck?" Sahir asked.
"Well, there's a catch to this. It came back to a Ryōta Kagami. A convicted felon currently being housed in Karakura Max. Somewhere he couldn't leave without someone noticing."
"How's that even possible? Unless the 'maximum' part is a complete lie." Max said.
"Doesn't make a whole lot of sense, does it? Looking at his rap sheet, he's the kind of career criminal you'd expect to do this. His blood matches. It could only be him, but the ability to do it is nigh-impossible." Kibō said.
"Hold on one moment. You said 'Kagami', yes?" Kenji asked. "By any chance, did the Professor send this man's mugshot?"
"Hang on..." Kibō brought up the mugshot, showing a man in his mid-30s with short, light brown hair and a distinctive, circular birthmark on the left side of his neck. 
"Hm. So I'm not insane after all." Kenji said.
Kitty opened her mouth to say something, only for Barbara to put her hand over it. "Have you seen him before, Kenji?" Barbara asked.
"Yes and no. In my time here, I've taken to binging the Game Show channel. It's lowbrow entertainment, sure, but it's entertainment nonetheless. There's one show in particular that you all might be interested in..."
Kenji brought up a video, showing a typical over-the-top intro to a quiz show, "The Ten Questions". In the background, were large images of the Pyramids at Giza. "And now, here is the host with the most know-how...Shōta Kagami!" The host appeared from behind a curtain, and was identical in appearance to the inmate, only with slicked-back hair, and his birthmark being on the opposite side of his neck.
"Shōta Kagami?" Kibō pondered.
"And he looks just like the guy in the photo. Then, what we have here is..." Barbara added.
"Identical twins. This is how an imprisoned man's blood winds up on Mr. Mirai's blade. Someone with his exact genetic makeup still running free. One who's managed to avoid run-ins with the law, unlike his brother." Kenji explained.
"A quiz show, and even pyramids. It's like he's flaunting how clever he is." Kitty said.
"And here's an added bonus. I've read through a few forums regarding who the Ashen Artisans should target next, and Shōta Kagami's name has popped up more than once. Seems he and his brother aren't so different after all, at least when it comes to their views on women. Rumors abound that he's harassed more than one female guest on his show. Some even claim that he's offered guests the correct answers in exchange for...'favors'." Kenji said.
"So prime scum material, is what you're saying." Sahir said.
"To think someone this creepy was in Carrie and Natalia's room..." Barbara shuddered.
"The show is filmed out of Ikebukuro. If we want him to get the warning message, placing it there would be most effective." Kenji said.
"Well, we can get to work on that as soon as we leave here. The Academy's shut down for the next few days after the bombing. Let's make sure to take advantage. I'll let the Professor know about what we've found." Kibō said.
"I'm going with you."
Everyone turned to see Natalia standing by the door. "Hoodsie! When did you come in? How much of that did you hear?" Kitty asked.
"Enough to know what you guys are doing. That Kagami guy...he's the one that hurt Carrie and me, right? You have to take me."
"Are you crazy? You're still hurt from yesterday. You don't have to--" Sahir started.
"You're not convincing her otherwise, Sahir. I've already seen her resolve. I won't be the one to tell her no." Kibō retorted. "If you are coming with us, then I think it'd be best if a few of us stayed here to guard Carrie. And if the worst were to happen to us..."
"It won't. We'll kick the creep's butt just like we always do. I'll kick his butt so hard he'll be tasting my boots!" Natalia exclaimed.
"Hoodsie! I dunno if I'm prepared for perma-badass mode from you..." Kitty replied.
"This jerk tried to hurt the best friend I ever had. And he's been hurting people for years. So I'll take him off the air for good. I'm gonna put the life Care saved to the best use, I swear it..."
---
January 15, 2029
Early morning. Sitting still on the crowded train, Natalia's expression was one of focus. "With that hood over your head, you look like you're preparing for a title fight." Kenji, standing next to her, said.
"That's how I'm taking this. I don't care how scary or powerful he is. He's a monster. If what they say about him is true, then I don't want to think about him being in my room. All I can think about is what I'll do when I see his stupid face..." Natalia replied.
Barbara, standing next to Kibō, noticed something. "Hey, Nats...is your hair down?"
Natalia's dirty blonde hair, normally tied up, was indeed down, going past her shoulders. "Oh, I guess I forgot to tie it up this morning."
"You should have it like that more often. I didn't even realize how long your hair is."
"I'm still struggling to believe that you're the same Natalia we've known up to now. Not a hint of fear or reservation about you." Kibō said.
"I've finally decided to be free. Back home, all the girls around town wanted to be my friends so I could do favors for them, or to get discounts from my parents' store. Then they'd go behind my back and say all kinds of mean things about me. They always made me feel like I wasn't pretty or good enough to be anything worthwhile. My parents would always tell me it wasn't true, but I just thought 'they're my parents, they're supposed to love me'." 
"For the longest, it's how I believed you all thought of me too. But after all this time, and seeing what Care did for me...almost dying just to save me...I finally get it. This is what real friendship looks like. I can finally be free and happy around you all. No more stuttering, or panicking, or hiding and letting you all handle everything. Super Nats is here to stay." Natalia dictated.
"Hmph. Your renewed sense of purpose is encouraging. Let's see if it holds up when faced with the man responsible for your pain." Kenji said.
The four arrived at Ikebukuro Station. "Huge shopping malls, department stores, an otaku haven, an aquarium...this would be such a good place to spend the day." Barbara lamented.
"It's unfortunate. Before the scandal nine years ago, I used to live around here. Would've liked to show you all around. No time to dwell on old times, though. We have work to do." Kibō replied. "The studio where 'The Ten Questions' is filmed should be a couple of miles from here. Kenji, what about the informant you got hold of? The one that made the original forum post?"
"She said she would meet us at the alleyway next to the owl statue closest to the station. I told her there would only be one of us, and that we would be wearing a hood. She agreed to wear a blindfold." Kenji replied.
"I know which statue that should be. There are tons of them around here so it's easy to get confused. Who wants to be the one to meet with her?" Kibō asked.
"I'll do it. I have that voice-changing thingamabob Kitty gave me. I can do this." Natalia assured.
"I believe you. Just to make sure things go smooth, I'll have Nimue hide the three of us inside the wall. Once we have what we need, we can send the warning message to Kagami. Let's roll." Barbara said.
They made their way to the alley in question. "She should be here any moment. We'll be watching everything. Remember, Nats, be--" Barbara began.
"Be brave, I know. You don't have to worry about that. No more Scaredy Cat Nat, remember?" Natalia replied.
"Yeah. Just covering my bases. Good luck. Persona." Barbara, Kibō and Kenji disappeared into the wall.
Natalia tested out the voice changer. "Mimimimimiiii. Okay, good to go." she said with a much deeper voice.
After a couple of minutes, Natalia heard footsteps behind her. "State your business." she said.
"It's me, RiddleBreaker, from the forum? You're with the Ashen Artisans, aren't you?" the young woman spoke.
"Are you blindfolded?"
"I am, just like I said I would. You can trust me."
Natalia peered around, confirming that the woman was indeed blindfolded. She was in business attire, and appeared to be nervous. "What can you tell me about Shōta Kagami?"
"Aside from him being a creep? I mean, surely you know that already. You wouldn't be going after him if you didn't. I used to work in the studio where his show is filmed. I saw firsthand just how he'd treat any woman who'd walk into his line of sight. All those rumors about him getting guests to do sexual favors for him in exchange for correct answers are 100% true. Most people turn him down. Watch any episode where he gives some guests the cold shoulder. That'd be the reason."
"And then there's the girls on-staff..." The woman began to shake.
"You don't have to say any more if it's too painful."
"No...I have to be strong. Most of the women he hires are young. Eager to make it in the industry. He relies on that. He...touches you and fondles you, and he knows he can get away with it because you'll never be anything useful if you make him angry. He has so many connections in the industry. You reject him, he'll make sure you can't work anywhere. You don't work, you don't eat. And you can't go to the cops since in the end, it's he-said, she-said. I was lucky. I was able to find something else. Most of the girls aren't so lucky. He thinks he's smarter than everyone else. He thinks no one will speak out against him. So I have to prove him wrong. I have to speak for the girls that can't speak for themselves."
"Taking up a cause for someone else's sake is a noble thing to do. Trusting us to help you was brave."
"So you'll really do it? You'll make him confess to everything, like you did to that doctor?"
"You have our word. His days are numbered."
The woman began to tear up. "Thank you...I knew this was the right thing to do. All the people decrying you as vigilante criminals have it all wrong. You all are like...like avenging angels."
"I wouldn't go that far. We're just concerned citizens. Fighting for those who can't fight for themselves. One last thing. When we send him the message warning him, where should it be? It has to be somewhere he and as many other people as possible can see it."
"That's easy. At 12:30 on the dot, every day, he goes outside for a smoke break. There's a big TV screen on the building across the street. If it played on there, there's no way he wouldn't see it."
"Perfect. Thank you for everything. We'll get justice for you, and every one of his victims. I swear it."
"Thank you, so so much. You have no idea how much seeing him get what's coming to him would mean to me and the others."
"You would be surprised. Now then, I want you to count to ten. Once you do that, take off the blindfold."
"Oh, okay. One...two..."
Natalia motioned towards the wall. An arm composed of water reached out and pulled her in.
"...ten." The woman took off the blindfold. She looked around, seeing nobody there. "So mysterious...should I really be so trusting of them? No, this was the right idea. Even with that deep voice, they sounded sympathetic. If they can really end this..." She walked away.
A few minutes later, Nimue released the students. "That was...an experience. Suppose I can check 'become a puddle' off of my bucket list." Kenji said.
"Nats, you did so good! That was everything we needed. I'll text Max and Kitty all the info they need to make the warning message. We've got about four hours to get this done." Barbara said.
"The Metaverse app comes with a broadcast option. Once I get the video, I'll be able to get it onto that TV screen. Then the bastard can start to feel the walls closing in on him. Curious piece of data, that..." Kibō added.
"Let's head for the studio, then. I want to see the creep's face when he realizes he's cornered. Just from that lady's voice, I know this is so much bigger than just me and Carrie. There are a lot of people counting on us. This is what we started this team for. Let's get a move on!" Natalia ran off. 
"Hmhmhmhmhm. That spirit she has...it's as if I'm talking to a completely different girl." Kenji said.
"I'm so proud of her. Oh, Carrie, I wish you could see her now..." Barbara mused.
"Can't let her get too far ahead of us. To the studio we go." Kibō added, and the three gave chase.
---
"Alright, alright, everyone take a ten. I'm going out for my smoke." Kagami ordered. "Oi, you."
"I have a name, sir, it's--" his assistant began.
"Yeah yeah, sure you do. Where do we keep finding these dunces? I swear, they get dumber every week. I mean really, no one knows the half-life of Potassium-40? What are they even teaching these kids?"
"Well, sir, most people aren't that well-versed on exponential decay..."
"And that's why the world's as shit as it is. You coddle these brats, they don't know jack about the world, and everyone else is screwed." He placed his hand on her shoulder. "You aren't that stupid, right, uh...Betty?"
"I-It's Saki, sir..."
"Course it is. I'm going for my smoke." He rubbed his hand across her back as he walked past, making her shudder.
He walked outside the doors, stood in his usual perch, and lit a cigarette. From afar, Kenji observed. "The wanker is in sight. You're on, Kibō." he whispered into his communicator.
At that moment, the giant TV across from the studio flickered on. A pink, stylized letter 'A' against a black background appeared. A distorted voice echoed out.
"Attention, Shōta Kagami."
Kagami looked up, a confounded look on his face.
"Your crimes of lust and destruction have not gone unnoticed. Those of the fairer sex have had to suffer under the thumb of your disgusting behavior for far too long. Indulging your sickness not being enough, you've since escalated to attempted murder. The broadcast shifted to news footage of the academy bombing. This is your doing. Your blood doesn't lie. This was not the work of your CONVICTED RAPIST brother. This is entirely on you."
Completely and utterly dumbfounded, Kagami's cigarette fell from his hand. "Those beasts...!" he groaned.
"Your sins will not go unpunished. And the one confirming these sins will be you, with your own lips. The day of reckoning is upon you, scum. Courtesy of your friendly neighborhood Ashen Artisans."
The warning message switched off. Onlookers began their chatter as Kagami stood in shock, his hand twitching.
"Wow. A creep AND an attempted murderer? What a piece of shit."
"What kind of monster tries to blow up a school?!"
"This is the same group that took down that doctor lady, right?"
Kagami began backing up into the building.
"Hey, isn't that him over there?"
"Hey, bastard! Where do you get off?!"
"Oh, shit." Kagami sprinted inside.
"S-sir? That video..." Saki uttered.
"Shut up! I'm going to my office. Don't let any of those leeches in!" Kagami ordered, pointing to the growing crowd outside. He ran to his office and shut the door.
Kagami began pacing back and forth, sweating profusely. "I was so careful...even with my blood, they should've gone after Ryōta! How could they have known?!"
"Because not everyone is as short-sighted as you are." Appearing in a burst of shadow energy was Creon.
"Creon! Oh, thank the Master, did he send you to help me?"
"He sent me to chastise you for your carelessness, letting your primal impulses override your rationale. Now all of your secrets have been laid bare for the world to see. You only have yourself to blame."
"P-please, we can still fix this. We have those brats' identities! We can leak them to the press, then they'll be--"
"You know what the Master decreed. He is following the rules of the Game to the letter. If their identities are made public, it will be of their own doing. Much as your lack of foresight has brought you here."
"Tch...alright, fine, fine! I'll dig myself out of this. I'm not dumb enough to let a bunch of snooty high schoolers get the better of me."
"Your current state of affairs would tell me otherwise. You are on your own. I needn't remind you of the consequences for failure..." Creon vanished.
"Heh...hehehehehehehehe! Failure, you say? I don't know the meaning of the word. This is just another riddle for me to solve. If I can just kill those brats once and for all, I'll be in the Master's good graces again, and this'll alllll blow over. Hehehehehehe..." Kagami was consumed by shadows, and emerged garbed in his Sphinx attire.
"Now for a special episode of The Ten Questions...'Kill or Be Killed'!" He began laughing maniacally.
Outside, the students were grouped away from the crowd surrounding the studio. "I must admit, your brother and Katherine's craftsmanship is rather impressive. Certainly got the public's attention." Kenji said.
"You're right about that. I wish I could've seen the look on the pervert's face when he realized he's been cornered." Barbara replied.
"Just know that however priceless you think it was, the reality was so much sweeter."
Kibō's phone gave the alert. "And there's the Palace. Ms. Rose was right. Whatever these people have done to themselves, it's nothing like what we went through. Their power might not truly be Persona-based, but they're still highly dangerous. And he'll be desperate. Who knows what he has planned for us?"
"Doesn't matter. He lost the minute he set that bomb off. All the pain he's caused...I'll make sure he feels twice as much." Natalia declared.
Making sure they were out of sight, Kibō pressed the button, and the four were transported.
"I'll get us our payback, Care. I promise." Natalia affirmed.