"Tsutsui-san, this is bad...!" Yusuke shouted into the darkness.

"Just trust me, Kitagawa-kun." Mikono searches blindly for a light switch after releasing the boy. Her hand brushed against a string. Wondering what it was, she tugged on it. When the storage room lit up, she realized she found the lights. With their surroundings now illuminated, the two were able to see what was inside the room.

"What the-?!" Yusuke gasped in bewilderment.

"Are these...copies?" Mikono looked around the storage room at the numerous of painting. "This is "Sayuri," right? There's so many of them. Why?"

"I have no idea," Yusuke responded, eyeing the copies of the famous painting.

Madarame entered the storage room, glaring angrily at the two. "Get out!"

Yusuke turned to face his teacher, desperate to find out the answer. "Sensei, what is the meaning of this...?"

The old man sighed sorrowfully. "I suppose I can't keep quiet now that you've seen this. Truth be told... I'm in severe debt. I handmade these "Sayuri" copies and have been selling them through a special connection of mine."

"But why...?" Yusuke sounded disappointed as he questioned the man.

"The real "Sayuri" was stolen by one of my pupils long ago. I assume they begrudged my strictness. That moment was quite a shock for me. Since then, I've been mired in a terrible artist's block. Because of this distress, some of my pupils handed their ideas over to me from time to time."

Mikono's eyes narrowed. She wasn't buying Madarame's story as it had too many missing pieces. She crossed her arms, continuing to listen to his explanation.

"I knew I couldn't keep that up, so I attempted to recreate the "Sayuri" a number of times. However, it resulted in nothing more than replicas. That's when someone came to buy the paintings, knowing well they weren't original." Madarame closed his eyes, dismayed at his actions. "It's all my fault. I couldn't pay the price for being famous. As expectations for me rose, it reached a point where I had no choice but to keep making them. I...needed money to further your talents. I ask that you please forgive your cowardly teacher..."

Yusuke shook his head. "Please don't...!"

"Wait a second," Mikono interrupted the boy. "There are quite a few pieces missing from your story. In order to make replicas, you have to have access to the original. How did you make so many copies without the original?"

"I...happened to find a finely detailed photograph of it in an art book," Madarame replied.

The girl knew it was a lie the second he opened his mouth. "I've read plenty of art books. The pictures don't do the original pieces any justice." She walked over to one of the copies and examined it. "But these... The finer details are on point and there are no inconsistencies. Still, you manage to sell copies you created by simply looking at an image in a book. And now that you sell these copies, more are circulated around. People who buy paintings know how to differentiate between an original and a replica. You're lying."

Madarame glowered at her. "What would you know?!"

"Your defensive nature, how you're trying to avoid eye contact, and the fact your story is missing crucial parts is proof enough. You're not very good at lying."

"Lady Mikono!" Morgana pokes his head from behind the shelves. She looks toward the cat as he nods his head to a blanket. "This one seems different!"

Mikono walked toward the blanket, grabbed it, and tugged on it to reveal what was concealed underneath. She stepped back, eyes wide as she stared at the painting the old man was trying to hide.

Yusuke gaped in shock at what painting was underneath the blanket. ""Sayuri"...?" He stepped closer to the art piece and examined it closer. When he analyzed the details closer, he became dumbstruck. "This... This is the real "Sayuri"! But you just said a moment ago that it was stolen!"

"That's a replica!" Madarame hissed.

"No," Yusuke shook his head. "It's nothing of the sort! This painting kept me going... It's the reason I made it this far. Sensei... Don't tell me...?"

"It's fake... Yes, a counterfeit! I heard there was a counterfeit spreading around, so I bought it!"

Mikono shook her head with a dismayed sigh. "This makes no sense... Why would you have any business buying a counterfeit? No artist would buy a counterfeit of their own artwork."

"You're lying, Sensei," Yusuke accused his teacher. Now he was finally able to see through Madarame's story. "Please just tell us the truth."

The old man sighed in disbelief at seeing his own pupil doubt him. "You too...?" He revealed the phone hidden in his sleeve and flipped it open, pressing a sequence of numbers. "I've reported you to my private security company!"

Mikono's eyes widen. "What?!"

A victorious grin appeared on Madarame's face. "I had it set up to deal with some problematic paparazzi, but I'd never thought it'd come in so handy."

"Please, wait!" Yusuke begged. "Let's talk about this!"

"You can talk all you want to the police. That includes you, Yusuke."

"Lady Mikono, let's run!" Morgana shouted. The girl nodded and ran out of the storage room after the cat.

"A cat?! Where did it-?" Madarame watched the two dash out of the room before shouting, "There's no point! They'll be here within two minutes!"

"Tsutsui-san!" Yusuke hollered, chasing after her.

Once outside the house, Mikono ran down the street. She could hear Yusuke was close behind, but prayed she would activate the Meta-Nav without dragging him along. She pulled out her phone and followed Morgana around a few corners before opening the app. As she chose her destination, she felt a hand grab her wrist. A gasp slipped from her lips as she looked up to see Yusuke had caught up to her. She tried to break free from his grasp as their surroundings warped.

When Mikono felt nothing below her feet and began falling, she screamed in horror. As she fell, her clothes changed. When she saw the floor quickly approaching, she prepared herself for a painful impact. However, she was surprised when Yusuke pulled her closer by the wrist he hadn't relinquished as they fell. He pulled her into his arms before he adjusted his body and landed on his feet.

Unfortunately, Morgana collided with Yusuke's head and knocked the boy to his knees. They both cried out in pain from bashing their heads against each other's.

Mikono placed a hand over her racing heart, sighing in relief with a shaky breath. "Th-Thank goodness..." She realized she was still in Yusuke's arms and called out to him. "K-Kitagawa-kun, could you put me down?"

Yusuke fought through the surge of pain in his head and glanced down at her. His eyes widen when he recognized the girl behind the mask. "Tsutsui-san...?"

"I-I can stand on my own."

The boy released Mikono, allowing her to stand on her own two feet. She pushed herself off the floor before helping Yusuke back to his feet. When he turned and saw three other figures surrounding them, he stepped back in alarm. "Who are you all?!"

The girl placed her hand on his shoulder. "It's okay, Kitagawa-kun. They're my friends."

He then noticed Morgana standing beside her. "I don't recall ever seeing this cat costume before though..." He rubbed the top of his head, feeling a small bump forming. After looking around, he was puzzled as to where they were. "What is this place?"

"I doubt you'll believe me, but... We're inside Madarame's heart."

"Inside...Sensei's heart?" Yusuke met the girl's gaze with his worried one. "I'm sorry, Tsutsui-san, but are you sure you're feeling okay?"

"She ain't lyin'," Ryuji spoke up. "This is what that bastard truly feels. He's nothin' but a greed-filled money-grubber."

The insult angered the navy-haired boy. He scowled at the blonde. "Enough of this rubbish!"

"Kitagawa-kun!" Ann shouted. "Didn't it cross your mind that something wasn't right about Madarame?"

"That's..."

"I know you don't want to believe it because of how important Madarame is to you, but this is another plane of existence created through his own twisted desires. What you're seeing now is what he truly sees," Mikono explained.

Yusuke looked around the museum in disgust. "This repulsive world?" He looked away from the scenery and back at the group. "Just who are all of you?!"

"I guess you could say we're a group that changes the hearts of rotten crooks," Ryuji said.

"If everything you say is true, then the sensei I know doesn't exist..."

"You gotta snap out of it," he hissed.

"Still..." Yusuke looked away from the group. "He has kept me safe these past ten years. My gratitude for that won't just disappear."

The blonde balled his hands into fists. "You're gonna forgive him?! At this rate you'll-!"

"Ryuji," Mikono growled. "That's enough."

All of a sudden, Yusuke collapsed. Ann kneeled beside him, worried. "Are you okay?"

"I'm trying to be rational about this, but my emotions are overwhelming me," the navy-haired boy responded.

"Sorry, but we don't have time to dawdle," Morgana intervened. "The security level's gone through the roof! We need to get out of here, at once!"

Akira took a step toward the boy, offering him help. "Here, lean on my shoulder if you aren't feeling well."

Yusuke shook his head. "No, it's all right." He pushed himself off the floor, his back hunched over in pain as he followed the group away from the central garden. They followed the path they trekked through the museum. Arriving in the large room where they were trapped by electrical barriers during their first visit, the artist looked around at the various portraits scattered around the room. His wide eyes were focused on a single portrait of a young man, failing to hear the Shadows approaching from behind.

Before the Shadows could attack the defenseless boy, Mikono spun on her heels and summoned her Persona. "Sekhmet!" The lioness appeared behind the girl, waiting for her command. "Scorching Crescent!" The goddess swung her golden khopesh, targeting the Shadows before they could transform. The burning flames enveloped the enemies, leaving no trace behind.

"All right!" Ryuji chanted. "Secret weapon: activated!"

Mikono went to retort, but more Shadows appeared. Sekhmet remained behind her as she addressed the others. "I'll deal with the Shadows. The rest of you head to the exit."

"We're not leaving you behind," Akira proclaimed.

"You're not. I'll catch up with you all as soon as I'm done here, all right?"

"Tsutsui-san..." Yusuke muttered, puzzled at the whole situation.

Mikono turned her focus back to the Shadows. She grabbed her dual khopeshes, twirling them around in her hands. "Fight alongside me, Sekhmet." She then heard the goddess' voice inside her head.

With pleasure, my child.

She charged forward, the lioness following her every movement. She nimbly dodged one of the many Hua Pos present and targeted a single Apsaras. As she avoided its attacks and slashed into its flesh, she glanced toward where her friends once stood and noticed they were gone. With them no longer present, she was able to focus solely on the Shadows.

With the power of Sekhmet and her own abilities, Mikono made quick work of the Shadows, but she was exhausted. Her mask returned as her Persona vanished. She checked for more enemies, relieved to see there were none left. Without sparing another second, she stormed after her friends. She ran through the hallways, turning corner after corner and weaving through any obstacles blocking her path.

The moment Mikono entered the SP Exhibition Room, she crouched down behind the glass railing just behind the sculpture. Through the glass, she noticed a man dressed in a golden hakama with Shadows standing on either side of him. Moving down the ramp without being spotted, she got a better look at the person's face and realized it was Madarame's Shadow. She avoided drawing eyes to her position as she listened to the man's speech.

"Foolish child. You still don't see? The painting being stolen was just a false rumor I spread! It was all a perfectly calculated staging!" The old man grinned.

"What do you mean?!" Yusuke demanded.

"Let me see... How does this sound? "I found the real painting, but it can't go public. You can have it for a special price, though..."" Madarame bursted into laughter. "How's that for preferential treatment?! Art snobs'll eat it up and pay good cash at that!"

Yusuke placed a hand against his head, wounded by his teacher's words. "No...!" He fell to a single knee, holding himself up by one arm to keep himself from collapsing entirely.

Mikono activated the Eye of Horus after sensing a strange energy resonating from the boy. Her eyes widen in shock when seeing the same blue aura surrounding his body just like her friends. What surprised her the most was the golden speck located near his heart was blooming brighter and brighter by the second. She then turned her gaze to Madarame's Shadow, noticing his entire being surrounded by an eerie crimson aura. Unlike the man she saw in the museum in the real world, the roots sprouting from Shadow Madarame were a bloody red and branched outward in all directions. They even webbed across the walls and ceilings.

"The worth of art is purely subjective. Thus, this is a legitimate business transaction! Though I doubt a brat like you would ever come up with such a brilliant scheme!" Madarame scoffed.

"You keep goin' on and on about money this, money that," Ryuji growled. "No wonder you ended up with this disgusting museum!"

"You're supposed to be an artist, right?!" Ann snarled. "Aren't you ashamed of plagiarizing other people's work?!"

"Art is nothing but a tool. A tool to gain money and fame!" Madarame declared. "You helped me greatly as well, Yusuke.

Ryuji gritted his teeth. "God... Pisses me off..." He looked at the navy-haired boy. "That's your teacher."

Yusuke managed to lift his head, meeting the Shadow's golden gaze. "But what about the people who believe in you? Who think you're a master artist?!"

Madarame looked down at his pupil. "I'll tell you this alone, Yusuke. If you wish to succeed in this world, I'd advise you don't rise against me. Do you believe anyone could find success with my objection holding them down?" He laughed manically.

"To think I was under the care of this wretched man...!" The boy winced.

"You thought I took you in out of the goodness in my heart?" He sneered. "Plucking talented, yet troubled artists allows me to find promising pupils and take their ideas. After all, it's much easier to steal the futures of children who can't fight back."

"I can't believe this..."

"Livestock are killed for their hide and meat! This is no different, you fool!" Shadow Madarame sighed, "But I tire of this little chat. It's time that I-"

Yusuke hung his head, muttering, "You are unforgivable."

"Hm?"

"It doesn't matter who you are..." The boy's head shot up, focusing his sharp glare on the man. "I won't forgive you!" He pushed himself off the ground, fighting against the pain.

"So, you repay my keeping you around for all these years with ingratitude?" Madarame hissed. "You damn brat! Men, dispose of these thieves!"

Mikono stood up as the two Shadows behind her friends and the two by Madarame's sides stalked forward. She went to intervene, but stopped when she heard Yusuke chuckle with mirth. "How amusing..."

Ann stared in disbelief at the boy's sudden laughter. "Huh?"

"It seems the truth is stranger than fiction, hm?"

"Kitagawa-kun?"

The boy clenched his fist tightly, feeling his nails dig into his palm. "I wanted to believe it wasn't true. I had clouded my vision for so long. My eyes were truly blind... Blind, and unable to see the true self behind this one horrible man!"

Suddenly, Yusuke's eyes widen as he cries out in pain. He collapses to the floor, scraping his nails against the tile and creating strands of blood. He continued to wail in pain until a mask appeared on his face. Slowly, his pushed his body off the floor and muttered to himself, "Very well..." His hand reaches up toward the mask, his fingertips wrapping around the edge. "Come, Goemon!" Ripping off the mask, he was engulfed with brilliant blue flames before they surged outward, destroying the Shadows and leaving only Madarame. When they dissipated, Yusuke's clothes had changed and his Persona stood behind him.

Mikono stood up, eyes wide as she now understood the auras detected by the Eye. "It all makes sense..." The golden specks near her companions' hearts were their Personas. The blue auras represented her allies while the red and black represented twisted desires and/or enemies. She then remembered the time at the museum where she gazed upon the tablet of Amun and detected a golden aura. That was the only part she still couldn't comprehend. When she heard Yusuke speak, she broke free from her thoughts.

"A breathtaking sight..." He extended his hand outward. "Imitations they may be, but together, they make a fine spectacle. Though the flowers of evil blossom, be it known... Abominations are fated to perish!"

"Whoa, this is impressive!" Morgana gaped at the sight of Yusuke and his Persona.

"Hmph. Who do you think you are?! The price for your insolence will be death!" Shadow Madarame looked around frantically. "Where are my guards?! Kill them all!" More Shadows appeared by the man, ready to defend him with their lives.

"The children who adored you as "father," the prospects of your pupils...." Yusuke glowered at the golden-eyed man. "How many did you trample upon? How many dreams did you exchange for riches?! No matter what it takes, I will bring you to justice!"

Akira glances at Yusuke before smirking. "Let's see what you're made of."

"Very well! Bring it on!"

The Shadows stepped forward, showing their true forms. Mikono remained where she was, grabbing her khopeshes and waiting for the perfect opening. While Yusuke and the others were focused on the koppa tengus, she entered the fray and targeted the ippon-datara. With her weapons in hand, she charged at the enemy from behind and plunged one of her blades into its back. It cried out in pain and swung its hammer around blindly in an attempt to hit the girl.

Using her blade imbedded in the Shadow's back, Mikono hauls her body upward and toward the assailant's head. With her other khopesh, she pierced its bronze helmet. Yanking her blades out of its back and head, she jumped off its body just before it could swing its hammer. Exhausted from her earlier battle, her movements were slightly sluggish even with the Eye activated. When the ippon-datara reaches out to attack her with its blacksmith tongs, a surge of fear courses through her body.

The Shadow's movements suddenly halt as a gurgle of pain emitted from its mouth. Mikono blinked in confusion until she saw Yusuke had used his sword to slash through the enemy's body before it could attack her. Its body vanished and she sighed in relief, thanking the boy for coming to her aid.

The moment Yusuke set his sights on Madarame, he collapsed before he could reach the man, breathing heavily. Madarame glowered down at him. "Yusuke, you've just thrown your bright future down the drain. I'll destroy every chance you've ever had of becoming an artist!"

"Madarame!" The navy-haired boy hissed, trying to fight against his exhaustion.

"You'll forever rue the day you dared defy me." With those final words, the old man vanished.

"Get...back here!" Yusuke tried to stop the Shadow. He manages to get to his feet, but he collapses again before he could take a single step forward.

"Kitagawa-kun!" Ann shouted worriedly.

"Why can't I move?!"

"Listen, you're totally drained. You can't do much even if you wanted to!"

"What a disgrace I am...!"

"You're not a disgrace, Kitagawa-kun." Mikono squatted down in front of him, placing her hand over his and healing his injuries from the battle.

Yusuke lifted his head. "Tsutsui-san...." When he locks eyes with her, he notices her left eye was golden. "Your eye..."

"Eye?"

"The Eye is still activated," Akira stated.

"Oh!" Mikono deactivated the Eye of Horus. "Sorry. Forgot I was using it."

"I'm terribly confused..." Yusuke sighed.

"It'll take some explaining. For now, let's find a place for you to rest," Mikono said.

"Right..."