Part 109: December 22 Part 2: Showdown

-Studio Backlot-


Not much longer until our time's up...At this rate, we're playing into his hands!
Ahh...Let's end this!
The deadline's almost up...We're in a tight spot, huh? Alright, let's go!
The day he set for us is coming up...We have to catch him before then!
...All right. Until this case is over, I'm in your hands.
What a screwed-up deadline...
We gotta catch him before something else happens! I'm ready to go! Let's catch the killer and end this!
The smells from here and there are all mixed up and cluttered...Not good! We need to catch him quick!
I'll be useful until the end! Treat me nice, okay Sensei?
There are only a few days until Adachi's deadline...We must find him post-haste!
Let's solve this case, once and for all.



Adachi's the reason for the season. The time has come to wassail on his ass.


I changed, but this costume's so hot right now. This was a bad choice.
It's probably just because you don't wear something like this every day. It's normal for these types of costumes.
Yeah, you're right. I can deal with it.
Wait. What exactly is the reason I'm supposed to cope with this? What's the point of me dressing like a reindeer!? *sigh* Wait, you've changed too, Sanzo.
You're too young to be Santa! But, your desire to constantly have fun blows me away, man.
Umm, I changed, but...Why'd you pick this outfit? It's not really me...
Though, I guess it's okay from time to time. Oh yeah, you changed too, Sanzo-kun.
Hey, looks good. It's a Christmas costume, right?
You definitely know how to have a good time. I gotta respect your devotion to fun.
I'm finished changing, but...A reindeer costume? I didn't even realize that this costume had a girls' version. The size of the antlers, everything...There's so much meaningless detail.
Uh...Oh, you've changed outfits, Sanzo-san.
I see, you're Santa Claus. I think it's joyful and fun and all, but...Doesn't that outfit hinder your range of movement?
Oh, Senpai, you changed. Hahaha! You look good as Santa! You deliver dreams to people, just like you do in real life! Maybe I'll dress like a reindeer...


Uh, I changed, but this outfit seems wrong...This Santa outfit is missing a lot of parts. There's no present bag, my shoulders are uncovered for some reason. There's no way Santa could be in the snow like this...
And most importantly, it's missing the beard. How will I have a thrilling Christmas without Santa's beard?
No, no, Yuki-chan! That's not supposed to be the fat Santa! That outfit's a different Santa who gives other presents! Sheesh! I get that, and I'm not even part of your world. You should be embearassed.
Oh, how do you like your new outfit, Sanzo-kun? That's a Santa outfit. I'm sure kids would love it.
Oh, I have a sleigh at my house, so I'll let you borrow it!
Whoa!? Is this for real!?
Senpai, this is perfect! I'm a cute reindeer!
Why are you looking at me like that? Oh, you got changed too, Senpai.
You're Santa Claus. I guess it's a Christmas costume.
Then I'll be your reindeer! I'll plow through any obstacle and take you anywhere you need to go!
Ooh, ooh! Look at me! I'm a reindeer! Double the fur! Double the fluff! The red nose is the best part! You changed outfits, Sensei! Wow, it's the real Santa! I want a present...
But, not weapons or items, or anything like that. A real present!

Sanzo Claus has a nice ring to it, but let's get one thing straight: there are no jolly old elves in this group today. Just eight angry Krampuses.

-Long Way-
Embedding has been disabled on this track, but I felt like the non-extended version is just too short. I didn't see any big spoilers or anything on the page, so it should be okay.


Ahaha! I told you to come after me, and you actually came!? Don't you guys have anything better to do? What a bunch of losers..."Let's find the culprit ourselves! Let's meet up at the special headquarters today!" Am I right, or am I right? Man, it's embarrassing. How old are you guys? Ahahahahahahaha! Oh crap, my stomach's hurting...C'mon...You're all students, right? Shouldn't you be studying instead of wasting your time with this? Study hard, get into a good college, work at a respectable company, marry a cute girl...Why are you guys so desperate when it comes to something so useless? Won't you regret it once you're adults?
What's up with this guy? Out of all the things we've dealt with in this world, he pisses me off the most! We're not letting him get away!
I can't forgive what he did...I'm going to knock that bastard flat!








GO! SUSANO-O!






That's my true strength!

















Mada, the intoxicator.


Yeah, I'm not scared. You guys are with me! I'm confident we can bring peace back to Inaba...Now, let's go!
That stupid Adachy-baby...He sure talks big for such a lame cop! We'll pursue him like, raaawr! And then we'll crush him like, squaaash!
Alrighty! I'm gonna do everything I can! I'm gonna give it my all! I'm ready on so many levels!
Ahaha, you seem serious this time, Teddie. You're much different than when we first met you.
Hmhmhm, have I become a dandy bear? I'm an elderly gentleman now!
That's...a lot different.
People say that there can be no true friendship between girls and guys, but I don't think so.
...Are you and me just friends, too?
Ummm...
N-Never mind, don't tell me! I've gotta keep my hopes up!


...Huh? Uh, where are we? Sorry, give me a sec...*gasp* Senpai, I can't find any exits! Oh no...What should we do...?
See? I told you. Students should go home and study. Why can't you listen to me...? You'll never become well-behaved members of society if you keep this up. Oh well, have fun in there.
This is really the end, right? C'mon, Sanzo-kun! Let's do our best!








NOW, Suzuka Gongen!








Don't think...feel!

















Futsunushi, the divine sword.


Ahaha! That's right! As you have guessed, I'm waiting for you just beyond here. But did you really think I'd just let you through?
Grrr...! There has to be a way to open this! Let's look around for clues, Senpai!



The only way out is down...into the mandala.


Oh, you were able to escape! Not bad, not bad! You guys are better than you look.
...This place seems different from where we were before. It feels like Adachi has complete control over the area, just like that door we couldn't open...I have a feeling this won't go that easily. Be careful, Senpai!
This is it. Let's all end this. I'll do my share!








Hear me, Amaterasu!






Please come again! *giggle*

















Scathach, the mentor.


Urgh, we can't find him at all! I'm gonna stomp all over his face when we finally catch that guy!
Yes, you're right...We can't let him slip away in our haste. I must calm down a bit.
I feel as though the search is completely different now. There are so many clues and things to discover...I'm painfully aware of how aimlessly I had been searching through this place until now.
Naoto-kun keeps getting this twinkle in her eyes, talking about the structure of this wall or that floor...I bet it won't be long before everyone knows her as a great detective.
*chuckle* I'll do my utmost to make that happen.
Yep! And only we can do it! Don't push yourself too hard, okay Leader? I'm right here for you! Good ol' super dependable Chie!
Thanks to Chie-san, it's much easier for the rest of us to continue on...I wonder if something happened.
Ummmm, it's Friendship Power!



















Ongyo-ki, the shadow-dweller.


What are you trying to accomplish, putting yourselves in danger like that? Trying to see "justice" done?...Is that really justice, though? Aren't you just doing this because you want a little spice in your boring lives? What's the difference between that and a criminal who gets his kicks by murdering people?...You see what I'm getting at? There's still a lot of time left. Give it some thought...
...To be honest, I can't completely deny what he said...But that doesn't justify what he did...Right, Senpai?
"Man, is he STILL talking?"
So we were being used the whole time, huh? Son of a bitch! I'm beyond pissed! I'm no Chie-senpai, but I'm gonna bash in his face with everythin' I got!








Crush 'em, Rokuten Maoh!








I've proven my manhood!

















Odin, the god of storms.


This place is surprisingly boring, you know...Why don't we play a game to pass the time? Let's see...How about this!? You can't encounter the Shadows here. Try and reach me without the Shadows catching you! Ready, set, go!
What the? Ooh, he gets on my nerves! I'll never forgive him for this!

You can outrun Shadows easily, so this is no trouble. Just beeline for the northwest corner and don't open any chests, in case Shadows are hiding inside. If you do get into any fights on this floor:


Didn't you listen to the rules I made? I told you that you can't get caught by the Shadows here, remember? Better luck next time!


Oh, that jerk! That makes me angry! Senpai, stay focused, geez!


Fine...I'll explain the rules one more time, okay? You're not allowed to encounter any Shadows. Try and reach me without the Shadows catching you! That's it. Good luck, haha!


As your reward, I'll fight you!


The only thing you deserve is to fight against Shadows.

The Chaos Fuzz have only one special ability: duplicating themselves.





You have to kill them all in the same attack.












But how long can you keep it up?
Hmph, like that had any chance of stopping us. Let's go, Senpai!


Who really wants it, huh? Isn't it just you guys? What good is the "truth" if you're the only ones satisfied by it? See, you just want to satisfy yourselves...
I'm not sure what he's getting at, but the murder victims won't be able to rest in peace like this...Isn't that right, Senpai? I'll find him no matter what! We've got Teddie and the others with us! Let's all take him down together!








Finding your weaknesses...








Is everyone ready? Get set!
Bear-fect!


Go! Knock 'em out!










Here goes, Kanzeon!

















Ishtar, the goddess of love.


Everyone's fiercely latching onto it. Let's say you guys catch me, and that "truth" is proven false...What do you think will happen then?...You don't get it? It's simple. They'll simply latch on to that instead. Nothing about them or the world will change. That's the "truth" you're all looking for...
Gee, what a smartass. What's with this guy? He can blabber about logic and try to dodge the truth all he wants, but what he's done can't be forgiven! We'll make him pay for his crimes! Let's go, Senpai!
That Adachy-baby! I'm gonna get him good!








C'mon, Kamui!






What a Teddie-ous fight! Heheh.



















Helel, the light bearer.


Hm? There's something in the center of this area! Ready, Senpai!?
We could've reached this conclusion much sooner...The clues were all there...But there's no use fretting over what's been done.
Let's go, Sanzo-san. We'll solve the case for sure this time!








Come, Yamato Takeru!






Elimination complete!



















Norn, the triple goddess of fate.




Let's go, Senpai!







The Envious Giant uses Megidolaons and panic. He resists everything except Physical, which he has a good chance to repel.







Don't do what I'm doing here. Use your own Megidolaons instead.










Let's go back, Senpai!

























Loki, the shape-shifter.




Alright, now we've got him cornered! Let's get him!





The end of the line.





-Who's There?-


You had suspicions that this world was dangerous, yet you threw Mayumi Yamano into the TV. Knowing full well that Ms. Yamano died here, you did the same to Saki Konishi.
*sigh*
Not only that, but you duped Namatame into taking over your murder attempts, while you watched like a spectator at a game. When the disappeared stopped dying, you sent a warning letter to ensure more victims. Even when a copycat killer arose, you had the gall as a detective to eliminate a suspect under investigation.
Two people died in the last six months, and a young girl is now in critical condition...But that's not all. If at any turn something had gone wrong, many more would have succumbed...
...All for some foolish "excitement," like a criminal reveling in the chaos he creates!
Naoto Shirogane: stickler for accuracy.


It's the world that really kills them, isn't it? This world reflects people's thoughts...
Which...Oh dear...Does that mean the real culprits are everyone on the outside, including you?
To hell with that! You did that stuff knowing full well those people were gonna die! If that's not a crime, then what is!?
Haha...You're so self-righteous.
How can you say that...!? Aren't you a police officer!? Out of everything you could have been, didn't you specifically choose to join the police!?
Don't make me laugh. Just because someone joins the police doesn't make them some kinda "agent of justice." Y'know why I applied? So I could legally carry a gun...That's all. You'd be surprised how many are like that.
I thought it would be fun, too, but to tell the truth, that was a wash. Everyone around me was such an idiot...I made one tiny mistake, and they all got on my case and sent me out here to Nowheresville as punishment...
I was bored shitless and wondering what to do next...when I discovered this power.


A gift for having to put up with this lame job out in Nowheresville, I guess. I did that stuff 'cause I could. And it got interesting, so I watched.
That's your reason!? You can't be serious...! You really don't care what happens to our world!?


No one accepts that's the way things are...They're just stuck with it because they can't deny it, either. Those who actually succeed in life...They just happen to be born with the magic ticket called "talent." If you don't have it, you can either accept or deny that fact until you die. That's your only choice.
I can't help feeling like Clear Data makes this a little ironic.
Once you realize that, all you have left in life is despair. The ultimate game over.
Wouldn't it be better if that kind of reality was wiped away?
That's complete BS!
Brats like you are so damned naive...You piss me off.
Listen...You might have hopes and dreams right now, but that's only because you know nothing about reality. One day you'll see...You'll be faced with the boring reality that boxes you in, no matter where you go.
You're the only boring thing here! If you wanna disappear, go ahead! Stop dragging us into it!
*sigh* Stop yelling, punk. I understand you're all afraid and gotta act tough to cover it up, but geez...
I'm telling you all this based on my own experience in life.
Think about it for a second. Once everyone turns into Shadows...they'll still keep on living, oblivious to all the things around them...So how's that different from the way it is now? No, this'll make things much easier for everyone.


C'mon! How many people out there actually think about what's real, or what's right and wrong?
Next to none, I bet. It's useless to think about those things in the first place. You don't get anything out of facing reality, and there's no way to change it either. I mean, what could be more boring than brooding over things you can't change?
It's better to just ignore them and believe only what you want to believe in life.
Doesn't that sound a lot easier? It would be awesome if everyone's life could be that easy. No matter who you are, your lifespan is about 80 years or so, right? Then it'd be easier if we all just became Shadows. No need to hold back anything...No more pretending we don't see things. Honestly, we don't need our world anymore. Better to let it be swallowed up and for mankind to turn into Shadows...That's what all those people who're scared to death really want...So it's my duty to see that they get it.
Nobody wants anything like that! It's just you, dumbass!


It must've been enjoying life far more than you!



-Border of Insanity-




These things move on pure instinct! They go wild because you defy them! You annoying little brats are the ones who aren't wanted in the new world!


Living is too painful for you, but you don't want to die...Of course no one would understand! It makes no sense! You're just throwing a tantrum like a kid who can't have his way!


If you give in and sever your ties to human society, it will naturally become hard to live in it.
Yet you refuse to face life and admit your fault, running from your own humanity like a coward. And though you claim to find life troublesome, you caused nothing but trouble for many others! Your twisted logic is that of an immature, egotistic brat!


Stop trying to act all tough...You guys can't even stand on your own unless you deny everything I said! S-Stupid teenagers...! You have no idea what kinda shit I've been through!!


You're just a worthless criminal!


Here he comes! This will probably be our last battle...Let's hit him with everything we've got!

-A New World Fool: Remix-



Time for Adachi to learn the difference between a plea to surrender peacefully, and an offer.




















Dumbass!...AARGH!!





















Magatsu-Izanagi, the tempter of the void.







































The killer is caught at last.



It's been a long, hard road, fraught with mistakes.

Ngh...Oh well...Our world's gonna disappear soon, no matter what...I didn't have anywhere to go back to anyways...Everyone's gonna become Shadows...

The team's first and worst mistake has yet to hit home, though:

Hehehe...Urgh!

-Border of Insanity-



Faced with this world and all its alien horrors, everyone on the team still assumed that the murders were entirely a human problem.