The air deepened into a suffocating fog as the Phantom Thieves descended further into this unexplored layer of Mementos. The tunnels twisted unnaturally, lined with jagged glass and flickering monitors that displayed corrupted hospital data—heartbeats, vital signs, and flashing red alerts.
"Definitely not a normal part of Mementos," Makoto said, scanning the environment. "It's reflecting someone's cognition. But whose...?"
"Mine," Tae said softly.
The others turned toward her. She had stopped walking, eyes fixed on a large, pulsing doorway ahead.
"I recognize those records. They're from when I was under investigation. My clinic was raided. I thought I buried all this." Her fingers tightened around her syringe-staff. "Apparently, Mementos didn't forget."
As they stepped forward, the corrupted gate opened with a grinding screech. Inside, a shadow figure waited—monstrous and cruel, with a bloated surgeon's coat dripping in ink-black fluid. Its face was masked by a mirror reflecting Takemi's own.
"You abandoned your patients," it growled."You gave up when it mattered. You're not a healer—you're Dr. Death."
"Shit," Ryuji muttered. "That thing's her Shadow... or at least a twisted version of it."
"I have to face it," Tae said.
Mini-Boss Battle Initiated: Malpractice Manifest
Phase One: Distorted Guilt
The boss unleashed a barrage of fear-based psychic attacks, paralyzing several members. Ink clouds spread across the field, reducing visibility and causing damage-over-time.
Tae gritted her teeth. Her Persona, Apotheka, shimmered behind her. "I won't run from my mistakes."
She called out a new skill:
"Neurotoxin Wave!"
The battlefield surged with a wave of purple energy, lowering enemy resistances and breaking their concentration. The boss howled, its mask cracking slightly.
"You still poison people with your lies."
"No. Not lies. Choices."
Phase Two: Awakening
The shadow unleashed a devastating AoE attack, and Futaba called out over the comms, "We need a counter! Fast!"
Suddenly, Apotheka shimmered and evolved—her robes growing into armor plated with medicinal glass, her wings extending into fractal syringes that floated around her.
New Persona Form Unlocked: Apotheka Σ (Sigma)New Skill: Salvation Surge – Cleanses all debuffs and heals moderate HP to allies, increases defense.
Tae's voice rose clear:
"Everyone, on your feet! It's not over!"
The surge of cleansing light bathed the team, instantly reviving their spirit. Ren surged in with a Blade of Rebellion combo. Makoto and Ann followed up with coordinated skills, striking at the shadow's mask.
Final Phase: Fusion Drive
As the Shadow began its last desperate attack, Tae called out to Ren.
"Together. Let's combine."
Ren nodded.
Fusion Ability Unlocked: Dual Extraction—Takemi & JokerA paired finisher where Joker traps the enemy in a web of chains while Takemi injects a series of rapid serum strikes that explode in a cascade of elemental toxins.
They activated the move together.
Chains erupted, locking down the Shadow. Takemi leapt forward, her syringes glowing with every element—fire, ice, electricity, nuclear—and struck in rapid succession. With one final injection, the boss convulsed and dissolved into data.
Silence.
Then: cheers, laughter, and relief.
Aftermath: A New Phantom Thief Truly Born
Later, as they rested in the quiet echo chamber of a cleared room, Takemi sat with her hands resting in her lap.
"I didn't think I deserved power like this," she said. "But maybe... it's not about deserving. It's about what we do with it."
"You helped all of us today," Ann said gently.
"And you cured something in yourself too," Makoto added.
Ren stepped beside her, quiet. "You've always been strong. Now you're free."
Tae looked up at him with something softer behind her glasses. "Then let's see what else this strength can do."