SMG4: The Royal

Chapter 25: Fall of Vanity

Joker: Is everyone in position?

Skull: Panther and I are waiting for your cue.

Fox: I have Mona safely secured.

Joker: Very good. One my cue, three... two... one... It's showtime.

As you say that, you pull the lever, activating the winch and lowering Mona down to the Treasure.

Joker: Now Skull.

A few seconds after giving Skull the go ahead, the power went out, leaving the room in complete darkness. Unfortunately, that didn't last for very long and the lights go back on.

After a few tense seconds, Mona came back up with the Treasure in his little hands.

Mona: Got it, now let's go!

Going back down wasn't an option as it was now littered with guards, so you leapt onto the railings and ran along them to the window at the other end and hopped out. You then climb down the building and find yourself back in the lightning fence area.

Mona, excited at the Treasure in his hands, was too excited and placed it on the ground.

Mona: Oooh! I can't take it, I have to look at it!

He pulls back the sheet covering it and was confused at the painting.

Mona: Treasure! Huh?

Skull: THIS is the treasure!?

The "treasure" was simply a painting that a child in elementary school could paint. Fox heard nearby pylons coming out of the ground.

Fox: Get back!

You all get away as electrical fences surrounded the treasure.

Shadow Madarame: Meddlesome vermin.

You turn around to see Madarame and two of his guards.

Shadow Madarame: Is this what you're looking for?

He holds up another sheeted painting.

Mona: What nonsense that you used a mousetrap on me!

Skull: So you had a fake prepped huh?

Shadow Madarame: Counterfeits are accepted in the world of art.

Fox: What made you change like this!? Is it because you became famous!? Can't you understand how much it pains me to inquire about the crimes of my foster father!?

Shadow Madarame: Now that I 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 the only reason why I decided to look after her. Your mother and the artwork she created-They're all MY works of art!

Mona: How low can you sink?

Shadow Madarame: I suppose before you die, Axol, I can show you a glimpse of your mother's final work of art: "Sayuri"

Madarame took the sheet off the painting and showed the Sayuri.

Fox: That's... Sayuri...?

Shadow Madarame: Indeed it is, and that's not all. This is also a self portrait, of herself and her precious son. A woman who knew her death was coming painted her last wishes, for the son she would leave behind.

Joker: You stole something THAT personal!?

Shadow Madarame: 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! If I painted over the baby in the painting the woman's expression would become a mystery. That is what the public is drawn to! Each of those parasitic critics wrote the same thing!