Working With Phantoms

Unfortunate Circumstances

October 7th

After much deliberation and a lengthy discussion over lunch, Madran and Akira had decided that they could meet up together with their groups an hour after school had concluded. The location had been decided to be Leblanc Cafe, which happened to be the safest place to discuss anything about the Metaverse. As the time quickly approached, Madran was in the Velvet Room discussing what would happen during the meet.

"Alrighty, so, are we all listening?"

"Yes, please, carry on."

"Ok, so, we have about 20 minutes to go until we head out."

"No, it's polite to be there on time."

"Ok, fine, whatever. Anyways, the meet will go like this: we gotta see what they have to say, because it's very important in order for us to know what to do next. If we have to go after another palace after this, then so be it."

"Question, uh, do you have any idea what a possible new palace candidate could be?"

"Well, maybe one of the other palace holders that I came across whilst searching for Shido."

"Yeah, but that'd be too easy. I mean, it feels like we're slowly being penned in."

"I agree. Madran, look at the situation. We just started getting active with our own new target again, and suddenly, we have to stop and get involved with Akira's group again, which is under great scrutiny by the public."

"I also agree with that. It's all too suspicious."

"I see your points, Philemon and Sheila. Those are very valid concerns, and I'm having them too. However, this seems to be the only option. We can pull away at any time and go looking for ourselves, but the quickest way to figure this shit out is if we confer with Akira and his gang."

"Definitely. You're really good at taking the quickest route, and while this may be risky, it's probably our only choice."

"Yep. Well, anymore questions, guys?"

After Madran addressed a few more concerns regarding the timing and location, the group set out via a door Margaret had created. Once they arrived in the area, they quickly made their way to the cafe and entered in to find Akira's group already there.

"Oh, hey there. What's up?"

"Nothing much. We're a bit early, but I guess everyone's here."

"Yep. Hey, take this booth right over here, we've been saving it for you."

"Oh, thank you, Ryuji. So, anyways..."

Madran's group sat down with Akira's as they began to discuss the past few events in the empty cafe.

"So, Madran, why did you want all of us here today?"

"Well, normally, we don't talk about our palace expeditions unless if you find out about it, but, well, there's been a development. We're going after this, uh, politician, uh, Masayoshi Shido. The thing is, in his palace, to advance, we've had to pass through these walls that correlate to the palaces you've been to."

"So? What's the deal about that?"

"Well, you see, Futaba, we're at the final barrier, and yet, we don't know what to do with it. You guys have only done five palaces, but there's six blockages, so..."

"You're saying that you need us to go after another palace to continue?"

"Well, I wasn't saying that, but I guess."

"Uh... guys? Isn't Shido, like, the leading candidate?"

"Yeah, he is, but for all the wrong reasons. We have heavy proof to believe that he's, in fact, running a conspiracy in order to attain office. Look at the proof! Not only has almost every running candidate against him been removed due to a scandal, or their health failed, or both, but that black masked man, well, he appears to be working with Shido, too!"