IC || THE LAST CASE || VIDEO

[incriminating]

[From the moment the video feed rolls, the audio is distorted with static and a tinny, dual-toned laughter that lacks any real warmth or cheer. No, the sound is instead cold and cruel, cutting through the tranquil silence of night like a knife, as sharp as the smile that now twists its owner’s lips. Crowing, Tohru Adachi stares straight-on at the

Comments

[heavyheels]

[this isn't over.

chie joins the group as soon as she can. she's already had one round with adachi, and another with link, who'd apparently been possessed with adachi's monstrous persona; she's running at half her usual strength, maybe less, but she'd had enough time to more or less pull her wits together in order to start fighting a little smarter, if not necessarily harder.

armor. she needed armor. adachi was much stronger than he should've been, and she'd engaged him in combat earlier with only bare fists, plain shoes, and her persona. she'd made a quick stop at the forge on her way to meet the others and cobbled together from the scraps she'd been able to find what would have to pass in these circumstances for a breastplate and a set of greaves. it wasn't daidara's finest by a long shot, but it would have to suffice.

as she jogs her way toward the crowd gathered, makeshift armor lightly clinking with her movements, chie scans for signs of her friends. she spots kanji, but no one else (not souji, not her leader, where was

[toplay_thefool]

[He arrives shortly after, with hair still mussed from sleep. His communicator is in his hand - ]

-- Adachi! Damn it!

[ - He looks over his shoulders, then shoves the device back into his coat. Catching up to everyone else now, he offers a nod, hand on the hilt of his sword. Tense as he looks, he still seems calm, steady - he has to be. He let this start, now he has to make sure it ends.]

[heavyheels]

[chie can't help but gasp when she catches sight of her friend, finally.]

Souji-kun!

[she's at his side in a flash, worry and relief battling for control of her expression.]

You're OK? Where - where's Yosuke? Is Nanako-chan OK?

[toplay_thefool]

She's safe. [He knows that much. Adachi wouldn't harm her. Not her.]

Yosuke was gone when I woke up. [But he'll be okay. He'll show up.] He won't leave us to fight Adachi without him.

Are you alright?

[heavyheels]

[she exhales, audibly relieved.]

Thank goodness.

[and then, her runaway emotions catch up with her, and she's near tears.]

I'm ... I tried to stop him, but ... He was too strong, and I -

[chie shakes her head and inhales sharply.]

I'm OK. I'm glad you're here.

[toplay_thefool]

[He puts his hand on her shoulder.]

We're going to stop him.

[heavyheels]

[she looks up at him, composing her expression to one of stark determination, and nods.]

I know. We have to.

[she inhales sharply once again and steps back to attention, hands planted firmly at her hips.]

So, what's the plan ... Leader?

[dragon_savior]

[Ryu had been as quick to arrive as he could, trying to tend to the more seriously injured as Adachi cut his way through whoever chose to fight him. All the violence had done was incite sheer rage in Ryu. It had taken him time to calm down, think with a clear head. The last thing they needed was a wild dragon as well as Adachi, if he decided to transform.]

Considering what he's already done, we don't seem to have the luxury of holding back.

[The concern in his voice was obvious, casting his own protective spells over those present. He could pull out all the stops, unleash power that even a God would fear... But what of the others? Kaiser was a demanding form, and very short lived. Using that kind of power with so many people around could be dangerous. Ryu was also unaware of just how strong Adachi himself was.]

I'll go with whatever you have in mind, Souji.

[andallforone]

[Yosuke approaches the group and clamps his hand down on Souji's shoulder. He gives a weak grin.]

Right behind ya, partner. We can beat this asshole.

[There's no tone of 'I told you so'. There's no judgement. Whatever anger he feels about Souji having deliberately kept a deal with Adachi, like that scumbag could ever stick to one, well - it's just not there. He's firm and determined and maybe a bit too tired for all of this, but he's going to do it.

It's not the worst they've all been through.]

Senpai's safe. Now let's take the bastard down for everything he's done.

[heavyheels]

[chie's visibly relieved once yosuke joins the group. she nods in agreement.]

Right! Let's do it.

[theeyeoftruth]

[She’s gone. He’d searched for her, knowing what was going to happen, and knowing she’d get involved. He’d had to find her before she ended up in danger. But he’d known before he even started searching that he didn’t need to worry.

She’s gone, and he’ll scorn himself for idleness. Besides, a fight will take his mind off his missing queen.

When he arrives, he doesn’t come too close. He needs duty, and this will be it. There’s been death already, he can tell - he can feel it. But if there should be more, it’ll be Adachi’s.

He’ll do what he has to. Ultimately, that’s always been duty to him.]

[needling]

[ Kanji greets both Jade and Chie with nods, glad that the both of them are there too. Seems like a sizable gathering, and that put him at some kind of ease.

Keyword: some.

If they could beat Adachi with only their ragtag group, then having more people should help, right?

He leaves Aureln's side to wander over to Souji. His presence comforted him too, calmed him down from his previous rage. But he was still fired up and ready to go. ]

Right behind you, senpai.

[toplay_thefool]

[Yosuke's arrival is reassuring - Kanji and Chie bolster his resolve, too, but Yosuke is his lieutenant in all this, and he's confident that they can finish this now. He moves, in order to address everyone present.]

Adachi and his persona are powerful, but they can't hit every direction at once. Spread yourselves out; split into groups, keep his attention divided.

[A pause.] He's going to be focusing most of his attacks on me, but he'll still need to defend himself. Focus on Magatsu Izanagi before him.

Anyone with defensive spells should make sure that they're kept up as much as possible. Likewise, anyone with the ability to lessen the damage he does should use it as often as possible. Sticking to that, we'll be able to wear him down.

[heavyheels]

[chie pipes up:]

He's stronger than we've ever seen him before. A lot stronger. [frowning] I don't know how, but he is. His Persona completely held off God's Hand. I- I could barely make a dent.

[a_la_turk]

[ The phrase 'better late than never' might very well apply to Valeria, who comes to stand some feet behind and off to one side of the group. She's quiet, gloved hands tucked in her suit jacket, but there's a definite sharpness about her, an edge to her features that suggests more than she'd say if asked. She continues to say nothing even as the materia in one of her gloves comes to life beneath the fabric of her jacket and she starts casting Haste on those who have gathered. Her mind's on the mission, only on the mission, and she's heard enough to know. She'll do her part and answer for it later. ]

Second time's the charm. [ Whether that's directed at Chie or no one in particular is as good as anyone's guess, but she lifts her eyes to the others a split second after saying as much. Let's do this. ]

[albinoidiot]

You all gotta be kiddin' me.

[Just as the group was getting on their way, a charming devil-boy joined them guns in hand and a grin on his face. He came to a stop just a bit away from the group knowing far too well he was still the outsider but, with guns like his, he doubted anyone would refuse his help.]

All I want is a bite to eat and I get this. You sure know how to throw one hell of a party. So where's this guy, lead me to 'em.

[He was naturally cocky and he would have asked to be bribed with food but by the look of all of those serious faces, he figured he'd keep the jokes short.]

I'll be open for donations and appreciations afterward's, ladies.

[Okay, so he lied.]