(A/N: Annd... LET THE FUN BEGIN!!!)

-----At The Exhibit-----

"Well, it's because the world can't wait for your next masterpiece."

"No, no, it's not like that." Madarame laughed politely.

"Sir, can I speak to you a moment?" One of the workers approached Madarame.

"What?" Madarame asked as he was looking at the card before widening his eyes completely.

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"'Sir Ichiryusai Madarame, a great sinner of vanity whose talent has been exhausted. You are an artist who uses his authority to shamelessly steal the ideas of his pupils. We have decided to make you confess all your crimes with your own mouth. We will take your distorted desires without fail. From, the Phantom Thieves of Hearts...'" Madarame read the card before crumbled the paper, "What is this?!"

"I-I don't know." The worker said nervously, "But the same message has been posted all over the venue."

"Take them down now!" Madarame command angrily.

"Y-Yes, sir!" The worker rushed away.

And suddenly Madarame's Shadow appears and saying, "It's those damn brats' doing, isn't it? Well, it means nothing... They'll only be able to do as they please until this exhibit is over..."

Yusuke; who was there the whole time. Witness Madarame's shadow appeared before leaving his spot and walked towards his friends who were waiting for him.

"Will that do?" Yusuke asked.

"Yup! It was perfect! The composition was way cooler too!" Ann exclaimed.

"The treasure should appear right about now." Morgana added.

"All right! Let's let 'im have it!" Ryuji exclaimed as well.

"I'm ready." (Y/N) responds.

"Let's go!" Akira spoke.

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OPENING 1

https://youtu.be/zcpt1u6n8Rk

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"So you finally carried out your plan?" Sae spoke, "So... How did you steal it? Would you tell me?"

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-----At Madarame's Palace-----

"Let's review the plan. The treasure is protected by a security system. Madarame and bunch of guards are also there. Our only approach is... Directly above. We'll use a loading hook. Since I'm the lightest, I'll be the one to steal it. Fox will support me, and Joker will operate the crane. (C/N) will guard Joker's place if anything happens, Skull and Panther, you'll need to take over the guard room and shut down the power." Mona reminded their plan.

"Easy for him to say..." Panther watched the guard inside the security room.

"We ain't got a choice. I'll try and draw it out. Then the switch is all yours!" Skull stood up.

"Wait--!" Panther tries to stop Skull.

"There's a weird guy out here! Come on!" Skull bang on the door before running away.

"Idiot--!" Panther called Skull but he was too far away.

"........!" Then Panther quickly hides behind the plant as the guard exit the security room.

"Hm!? What's the matter!?" The guard he looked around him before leaving the spot causing Panther to sighed in relief.

"You better come back in one piece or else I won't forgive you!" Panther mumbled to herself before entering the room.

From the window far away from the security room, Fox can see Panther from afar giving her a thumbs-up meaning it's secured as Panther nodded in response.

"All right, here I go!" Panther pressed the red button causing the main power to shut down completely exempt from the lasers.

"What's this? What happened?" Shadow Madarame shouted.

"Joker, now!" (C/N) shouted-whispered on Joker who pulled the lever down.

Mona was getting lower and lower as he was tied on a rope towards the Treasure which has a purple blanket on it, he quickly grabs the treasure.

"What are you doing? Get the lights back on!" Shadow Madarame aggressively commands his guards before the light turns on again.

"Lord Madarame! Th-The piece is gone!" The security guard pointed. 

"Ngh... How dare those vermin... But now we'll corner them like the rats they are! Lock all the doors at once! They have nowhere to run!" Shadow Madarame looks angry.   

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The Phantom Thieves ran back towards the entrance museum because their mission is completed as a victory smiled upon their faces with Mona tying the purple blanket that the Treasure was inside.

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"I see." Sae held her chin, "And then Madarame had a change of heart?"

"No." Akira response.

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"They're not following us." Skull stop running so as the others.

"Are we in the clear?" Panther asked.

"Mweheheheheehehee..." Mona suddenly giggled.

"Mona?" Panther questioned.

"Crap, he's gettin' excited again!" Skull warned.

"I can't take it anymore! Treasure! Treasure!" Mona got lose on the character again before throwing the blanket in the air.

The Phantom Thieves puzzled their heads especially Mona upon seeing that the treasure is a painting with a weird looking face on it.

"What is this??!!" Mona shouted.

"What the... A doodle of a face?" Panther bent-down.

"This is the treasure?" Skull looked at the painting.

Joker also looked at the painting as well however he heard an explosion sound, he then notices that a fire was coming to them before shouting, "Get back!"

Joker quickly wrapped around his arms from (C/N) in other to protect the girl while the others jump away from danger, however, Joker wasn't able to jump from the explosion instead he tightly hugged (C/N) closer to his chest in order to protect the girl from danger and not letting her to have injuries. Joker was ready to sacrifice his life even though they still didn't much know each other well before the fire shoots them Joker plays a memory inside his head.

"Akira..."

"I'm... Sorry..." Joker saying 'sorry' inside his head, both of the teenagers thought the fire is gonna hit them, luckily the fire shoots a meters away from them technically their both safe from danger.

"It appears some rats were scurrying about my museum." Shadow Madarame appeared, "Is this what you're looking for?"

"So you had a fake prepped, huh?" Skull gritted his teeth.

"...J-Joker..." (C/N) tries to catch Joker's attention who seemed didn't notice that they're safe he slowly opened his eyes just right now noticing that both of them are safe. He then also notice that he's hugging the girl for an amount of time now and thus decided he let go of her.

"S-Sorry I didn't..." Joker was flustered.

"........." (C/N) remained quiet as she looked down to avoid having an eye-contact while blushing at the same time, but both Joker and (C/N) just shook off and stood up.

"...Now that think back, the only reason why I took you in was due to my ties with your mother. That woman never lost her passion for painting even after her husband died. Her skills and talents were quite astonishing... That's why I decide to look after her. Your mother and artwork she created--they're all MY works of art!" Shadow Madarame said. 

"How low can you sink...?" Panther got pissed.

"I suppose I can grant you a gift before you die--a glimpse of the genuine 'Sayuri'...!" Shadow Madarame said.

"Genuine...?" Fox's eyes winded widely.

The guard; who was holding a painting the whole time, shows the painting revealing a portrayed of a Sayuri but it's a bit different.

"The 'Sayuri'? But it's a little different." Panther trailed.

"That's... The real 'Sayuri'...? This can't be... Mom...!" Fox winded shockingly.

"Indeed it is. This was painted by your mother. It's a portrait of herself. A woman who knew her death was coming painted her last wishes, for the son she would leave behind. That is the truth behind the mystery of 'Sayuri's' expression!" Shadow Madarame said. 

"You stole something that personal?!" Joker shouted angrily.

"I knew at first glance. I knew it'd be a huge success if I added a touch to the painting and announced it under my name!" Shadow Madarame said.

"But the baby in the picture... Why did you overpaint it...?" Fox asked.

"...It was all to stage it. If the baby is erased, the reason for the woman's expression will become a mystery...! That is what the general public is drawn to! Of those parasitic critics wrote the same thing!" Shadow Madarame said.   

"I always felt something was off about all this... Now I know what it is. If you really treasured that painting, you wouldn't even think about replicating it for profit! You don't love art at all!" Panther shouted angrily as well. 

"Though you have a real treasure, your true skills are nothing more than those scribbles on that fake!" Mona said.

"It makes me laugh, asshole!" Skull got pissed off. 

"So you'll defy me no matter what... Well then, since you're my work of art, Yusuke. I'm going to reap you for the sake of my future... Along with those insolent friends of yours there." Shadow Madarame said.

"I can't believe you're treating both mother and son like they are objects... You're inhuman!" Panther added.

"......" For remained silent.

"Fox?" Mona called. 

"I've heard that you destroy your 'art' once they outlive their usefulness... Did that include my mother as well?" Fox asked.

"Huh?!" The entire group gasped.

"She just so happened to have a seizure in front of me. That's when I thought crossed my mind... If I don't call for help and leave her be, I could obtain her painting without any strings attached." Shadow Madarame said.

"Wait, you let her die?!" (C/N) winded her eyes.

"She was physically weak. No one would doubt if she just dropped dead because of a seizure. Above all, Yusuke, didn't you think it was odd--that I discovered your talent when you were only three? The reason why I kept you around was to keep you from realizing the truth behind 'Sayuri.'" Shadow Madarame said. 

"You killed her...!" Fox got pissed off even more.

"The artistic talents you inherited from your mother were a delightful miscalculation, though. If I'm to steal ideas, it's much easier robbing the future of brats who won't talk back than adults. It's thanks to you that I came up with the idea. You have my gratitude." Shadow Madarame said.

"*Chuckles*" Suddenly Fox chuckled.

"Yusuke...?" Panther looked at Fox.

"I thank you, Madarame...! Every reason for me to forgive you has disappeared without a trace at this very moment! You aren't some rotten artist... You're a despicable fiend who wears the skin of an artist!" Fox said.

"All you good-for-nothing...! Barging into a museum and doing whatever the hell you want..." Suddenly Shadow Madarame's surroundings crumbling and a red/black mist surrounded the room.

"This isn't good. Get back!" Mona warned.

The Shadow gone berserk and slowly turning into a formed of four paintings showing--two eyes, nose, and mouth-- as the Phantom Thieves guard themselves.

"I'll paint all over you!" Shadow Madarame laughed.

"You used others for your own despicable desires, Madarame..." Fox said, "You aren't even worth the art you 'create'!"

"Eat this! Carmen!" Panther summoned her Persona who followed her command to shoot a spell called 'Agi' on the Shadow.

The Shadow took damage however his both eyes regenerate again and the whole face of the painting is still looked okay.

"What?!" Skull step few backward.

"No way!" Panther also took a step backward.

Joker immediately runs towards the Shadow then slicing the mouth which causes a bit of damage but it regenerates again.

"Our attacks aren't working!" (C/N) gritted her teeth.

Suddenly the Shadow perform a spell called 'Flame dance' aiming the fire at Panther causing her to fly back while yelling in pain.

"Panther!" Skull cried out.

"Dammit...!" Panther tries to stand up but the Shadow spill some kind of black ink towards Panther who react quickly by hitting it with her whip which causing the ink to spill all over her.

"What is this?!" Panther freaked out.

"Mwuahaha!" Shadow Madarame increased his attack then attacking again another fire on Panther.

Panther was about to stand up however she felt that her entire body was very weak at that point, so she just helplessly stayed at the spot while the fire was aiming at her. However, Skull quickly pushed her aside in order to save her from danger.

"Are you okay?" Skull worriedly asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine but..." Panther attempt once again  to stand up but her foot trembled, "Why do I feel so weak?"

"Ahh!" Mona runs towards the Shadow slicing the mouth again but once again it regenerates himself then spit another black ink on Mona.

"Grrrr... Dammi--" Mona suddenly trembled.

"Mona, too?!" (C/N) rolled a cold sweat on her face, "Don't tell me..."

The Shadow spits another ink aiming for Joker however he dodges the attack very quickly.

"His attacks saps our strength! Be careful!" Mona warned everyone.

"Hahhhaaaa!" The Shadow continued laughing.

"Nekomata!" Joker summons his Persona and commands him to attack Madarame a 'Historical slap' who followed the orders, both of the eyes and nose got damage except for the mouth.

"The eyes got damage but why not the mouth?" (C/N) asked while dodging the attacks of the shadow.

"I think the weakness of the eyes and nose are psychical while the mouths are elements," Mona said.

"Here some more!" The Shadow then spits many back ink all over the room which causes the group to hide in a safe place and being separated from each other.

"His cognition covers things with paint." Mona explained, "Because of that, Madarame is convinced can control anyone!"

"Dammit!" Skull growled.

"We're getting nowhere like this!" Fox said as he was running and dodging Madarame's attack.

"What are we gonna do?!" (C/N) asked as she was hiding in the bushes so as Joker who was looking around the place in order to make a plan.

"That's..." Suddenly Joker spotted a bucket full of black paint.

"A black painting..." (C/N) said.

"The same stuff Madarame is using?!" Mona said, "If we can use it to paint over him..."

"Leave it to me." Fox walked over to them.

"Please." Joker gave a smile to the newest member, "(C/N)." He then called.

"What is it?" (C/N) responds.

"Can you shoot both of the eyes?" Joker asking if (C/N) can shoot the painters both eyes.

"Why is that?" (C/N) asked.

"So that Fox can throw the pain. Don't worry will distract him." Joker explained.

"Roger that." (C/N) puts ammo inside of her ranged weapon and start aiming from the eyes.

"Giving up already?" Shadow Madarame laughed.  

Joker, Mona, and Fox ran towards the Shadow who created another fire element from his eye, however, Skull shot his eyes immediately from his shotgun at both of the eyes painting. Mona jumped and hit the nose with his sword, then followed by Joker who also jump and attack the painter's right eye, but the Shadow knocked Joker back with his mouth causing Joker to fall over to Skull.

Mona freaked out looking behind him before he got knocked down as well by the fire shot.

"Is that the best you've got?! Time to finish you off!" The Shadow continues laughing.

"........." (C/N) was still finding a good aimed to shoot both of the eyes.

"Hm?" The Shadow felt someone was about to shoot him, he then gazed from his left side seeing (C/N) was aiming at him. He immediately spits another black ink towards (C/N) who quickly hid in the bushes.

"Dammit..." (C/N) noticed that she got a few inks on her body which she felt weaker but with all her might left, she quickly stood up and performing to shoot Madarame's eyes again.

"If I can be useful for once... Then I'll do it." (C/N) pulled the trigger without hesitation and the hit was successful. She aims for the other eye and did the same thing from the previous one but this time it missed.

"Crap!" (C/N) swears under her breath. The other eye that was shot was slowly recovering to prevent this happen, Joker quickly stabs both of the eyes and cause him to not see what was going on. Fox quickly splashes the paint around to make his attacks weaker.

"I'm losing strength..."

"All right! Come, Leanan Sidhe!" Joker summons his other persona and Leanan Sidhe attacked Madarame.

"Zoro!" Mona was next to attack, same from the last time, Zoro attacked.

Skull, Panther, and lastly (C/N) attacked all in once causing Madarame to be losing even more strength, his form eventually went back to his shadow form.

"You vermin... I'm the great Madarame! Who gathers a full house whenever he opens an exhibit!"

"Madarame!"

Madarame looked at Fox who has a deadly look on his eyes which cause him to freak out.

"Watch out, Goemon!" Fox finish the battle by summoning Goemon and attacking his last strength.

After losing the battle, Madarame was crawling to the floor and picked up the Sayori painting. Fox approached him with a death glare and it made Madarame freaked out.

"W-Wait! I'm a victim too!" Madarame defended himself, "Art is about money! They only care about recognizable brands! You understand it, don't you Yusuke?"

Fox didn't believe his words and grabbed his collar, "It's all over for you. Along with this ambitious world!"

"N-No! Please spare me!" Madarame keeps begging.

Fox didn't have mercy and he threw Madarame on the ground, "Go back to your real self and confess your sins."

"You're not going to kill me?"

"Swear it!" Fox yelled.

"A-All right! All right!" Madarame promises.

After that, the palace begins the shake meaning the palace is about to collapse.

"Uh-oh! The palace is about to collapse!" Mona warned.

"We have to get outta here, Fox!" Skull called the boy.

Fox grabbed the painting that Madarame was holding and suddenly Madarame stops him.

"Yusuke wait! What should I do after this?"

Fox looked at him and said, "Put an end to this and use your own artwork for once."

After that, they immediately escape the palace.

End of Chapter