The clock strikes midnight, a bell tomes in the distance as an Aria is sung.
Mao felt her bed be replaced by a familiar long cushioned seat; she sat up upon realizing her return to the Velvet Room and thier attendants.
"Ahh, so our fated paths do cross again. It's truly a pleasure to be acquainted with you once again, my dear," Igor smiled.
"Indeed, but with it will come great calamities as well Wanderer, do be more prepared from now on," Lavenza cautioned.
'They know about that already? Can't say I'm surprised,' Mao thought as she relaxed more than last time. "Right, this unknown crusade you were talking about. From the moment I freaked out and carelessly threw my anger out at you, I'll be honest, I didn't want to believe nor wished to carry such a responsibility on my shoulders. I'm still kind of afraid of it, but I'm more willing now to accept it and to take this journey step by step."
"We're all delighted to hear such renewed resolved our patient," Igor nodded, "honesty to oneself and growing from mistakes are the key first steps towards becoming your true mind."
Mao smirked at the familiar phrase, hoping to hear sensei say something like that with that old vigor soon. Her attention turns to a glow from Igor's desk as he pulls out nine cards from the deck.
"My my, already so many new faces met since our beginnings," Igor said as he snapped his fingers, causing the cards of the Sun and Tower to hover up and flew in their respective directions. Two of the broken windows to her right were hit by these cards and slowly began to repair some pieces, resulting in the numbers sixteen and nineteen to be seen and for them to have a light blue glow. "However, much work still awaits in stringing together these souls, building new bonds as well as rekindling old ones."
"So that's what they were," Mao realizes, "by building these bonds, I'll come closer to completing my journey?"
"Correct, it's through the strength built upon these genuine bonds that true power is found and can be used both in the Anima and the Animus," Lavenza answered.
"That moves to my next few questions. What are the bracelets and Safie specifically, and what are the Animus origins?"
"Ah yes, why did Lavenza have fun making those two, wearing a smile that warms the heart," Igor chuckled.
"M-master! Not in front of the patient and stop saying like I'm still a kid!" Lavenza whispered, only to hear a brief chuckled and smile from Belladonna and Nameless, mixing it in with thier song. "Ahem! As embarrassing as they put it, I am quite proud of the two, Safie especially. To answer your question, the bracelet is actually the Animus Transmitter Device or A.T.D. for short; only through wearing it can you personally transport yourself to the Animus. A singular bracelet is limited to carrying one other passenger through contact; however, for as hard as I crafted it, that was the best I could do. Safie is what she explained herself to be, an entity to aid in navigating and analyzing the Animus."
"As for the Animus," Igor explained, "It was your world would call the Collective Unconscious. More specifically, this version of the world is the very root of it all."
"This version? So there were others before this?" Mao asked.
"Correct. Through these aspects of humanity's desires, others like you have sprung at the call," Igor said before nameless seamlessly transitioned to the Ballad of the Fools.
"A young girl whom battle rekindled the love of the tormented Emperor, may shall he rest forevermore
a boy who by the string of fate saved their love, may their hope stay strong,
tormented lovers against a fated prophecy, pray our sinner one day returns to us,
messiahs versus death itself, the seeker of truth against the fog of lies, and a trickster whom defied the wrathful god of control!"
may these memories last forevermore..."
Mao paused in awe of this performance, Belladonna's beautifully haunting voice conveying the brief emotions behind each story. "Why tell me this story?"
"A little myth telling can go a long way of explaining the daunting world around us, perhaps even aspiring a keen listener to make a change," Igor smiled.
Mao smirked before returning to the subject, "So with these dark facets gone, that essentially just leaves the Animus, the very root of them."
"It'd be simplifying matters to exclude the good born from the Animus. Never see the world through pure black and white lenses, my patient, for though such facets do exist, so does a spectrum of humanity's ethics and morality you must consider," Igor advised.
"Alright, but right now, there's an imbalance, correct?"
"Sadly, yes, to the point where the root of the unconscious world has extended its influence to your world in uncontrollable and dangerous ways."
"Those disappearances," Mao recalled, "and I'm guessing our meddling of that world isn't helping either."
"Humanity's curiosity and ambitions can be it's greatest strengths and pitfalls," Igor stated. "Right now, the pillars of these distortions in the form of palaces have been born not only from distorted souls but around cracks of the Animus that empower the shadows closely connected to them."
"Thus, these cracks make them an even more dangerous hotbed of anomalies," Mao deduced, " making them so strong their influence can seep into our reality, making them suddenly just as real as us."
"They have always been real Wanderer. It's only now that your world's eyes can see it in thier twisted glory," Lavenza corrected. "This one palace of many will be your first mission in closing these rifts, stopping your world's machinations concerning the Animus, and discovering the true source of this imbalance."
"So Emi and I against the source of humanity's imbalance," Mao sighs before chuckling at herself, "and while I'm at it might as well solve world peace as well." Suddenly, her last question pops into her head, "Hold on before I go, who's Emi Aoki and why she single me out, and for that matter...what'd you see in me that was like these others?"
Igor and Lavenza glanced at each other before Lavenza answered, "Forgive us, but confidentially of matters concerning other visitors is absolute."
'Oh right, forgot about that. Aoki-san did say her reasons were between us anyway,' Mao thought before asking, "So she's a guest or patient like me then?"
"Not like you, no, but we've made her acquaintance before," Igor answered just enough to satisfy her curiosity. "Think of her duty as simple as offering a helping hand who decided to partake on this journey long before even you."
"That's my duty, and as my duty, I take it with utmost seriousness till it's completion."
'That certainly sounds like her,' Mao thought as Igor continued.
"As for why we picked you," Igor smiled as he tapped his fingers on the cards, "well, perhaps we felt the same potential many before you carried with them upon entering this room...or, perhaps you hold a different kind of potential, that could inspire the many out there like you. Regardless of either choice, a small flame ready to glow brightly for the sake of the world burns within you, and that alone is enough. So always remember that we believe in you, and our services are open at all times."
The bell echoes in the distance as heavy sleepiness begins to overtake Mao once again, the plead of Lavenza being the last she hears.
"So please, believe in yourself and others as we do to you, cause if not...then the Great Calamity shall come to fruition."
Case File#1_3: Hindrance
(4/26/20XX - Thursday, Early Morning)
Moments pass till Mao opens her eyes again to the cloudy but bright light from her window. She looks at her trembling hand but takes a deep breath as Filibus waited for her return.
[Morning Mao Nijima]
"Whoa! Hey, hi?!" Mao yelled out, surprised as she jumps out of bed and the bracelet lands on the floor.
[Hello to you too, Nijima-san. You got an incoming call from Emi Aoki]
"W-wait, give me a second to prepare myself-"
[Sorry, Aoki-san says it's urgent. Starting Holo-call]
'Holo-call?' Mao wondered as she quickly fixes her hair, and her bracelet on the floor projects Emi's hologram and a bit of the surrounding environment.
"Aoki-san?"
"Morning Niijima-san, forgive me if you were expecting a normal call, but I felt I owed you a face to face answer," Emi explained while in her modern living room, already prepared to leave.
"No, it's okay, if anything, I still owe you for yesterday," Mao smiled, "Also, is there any other 'unique' features Safie has that I should know?"
"None that I've experienced, also; you look tired, had trouble sleeping last night?"
"Err actually, I saw them again," Mao answered.
"I see," Emi muttered as she had a pondering look, "and what did they say?"
Mao made her words clear, "They have thier full faith in me beginning this strange journey, right to the very end."
Emi was silent for a second before saying, "Which means my hunch is correct; you are ready." Emi looks Mao straight in the eyes as she gives her answer, "I'll accept your offer. Together we'll destroy this ruler and restore the imbalance of this world."
Mao smiled, "and I'll promise to take up your guidance and become someone you're proud to fight shoulder to shoulders with, as equals." Having someone dependable and robust as Emi on her side quells the remaining self-doubt within her. She holds out her hand, much to Emi's puzzlement.
"You realize this call projection isn't physical, right?"
"Just thought we make it formal, something your more familiar with," Mao quipped to make light of the silly gesture.
Emi smirked at this before shaking her head, "Let's save this after our duty's done."
"If you say so," Mao shrugged.
"Remember, rooftop after class this time, don't show up, and I'll kill you, got it?"
"I will, till then Aoki-san," Mao nodded with a nervous sweat before the projection vanished.
[Call Ended. Time to University will be faster given traffic predictions as well Niijima-san.] Safie informed her.
After a quick thanks, she clipped on the bracelet and got ready. By the time she was out the door, Nea barely came down dressed but having to eat along the way there. Not wanting to ask so quickly and abruptly, Mao waited till they were in a secluded spot at school before asking her. "Hey, still groggy from yesterday?" she asked.
"No, I'm fine, just nervous, I suppose," she yawned.
"About the Animus?"
"That's definitely been on the top of the list."
"But you're still committed to joining, aren't you?"
"I can't stand around and do nothing while you two are out there risking your lives," she figured, "if this place is so strong that even Aoki-san has to be wary, then we need all the firepower we can get, right?"
Mao smirked, "You have an admirable dedication sometimes, Nea."
"Thanks, even if your the only one who really knows it," she chuckles, her tired eyes looking off the side. "Speaking about going back in, did Aoki-san give you her answer?"
"She did, and we're going in immediately after class," Mao told her before looking out to the rooftop. "You know, just the thought of fighting and strategizing with her in the name of others is kind of exciting. It's weird cause up until Monday, I didn't even know she existed. Odd coincidences, huh?"
"Sure," Nea mumbled.
"Kind of makes me wonder if I would've confronted this scandal or my problems so willfully without meeting her. Ah, but I'm rambling at this point, sorry for having you listen," Mao smiled.
"Yeah, she sure left an impression in just three days, huh?" Nea muttered, a slight distaste in her mouth.
"Okay, the same routine as last time, then we're heading straight to Aoki-san," Mao lead, unaware of Nea's sudden tone.
(Noon - Roppongi Hills, Minato City)
The Mori Tower is seen in the cloudly distance, thier car is parked nearby as they walk down the empty street lined with flashing signs advertising a variety of products to any passing customer. Koichi was walking beside his young partner, who was unsurprisingly displeased with the news over the phone.
"They're doing what again?!"
"You heard me," Saikawa said, "From what my people at Kirijo picked up, it seems the upper echelons are talking of postponing the investigation for the killer of Ren Niijima. Likely to cite a reevaluation of the nature of the case."
"Yet they haven't said a single word to us or any of the team of exactly the reason behind this reevaluation, let alone help find any leads," Koichi expressed, shaking his head. "Let's not beat around the bush here; they're eager to let this story die in the mainstream and let people see it as just another tragedy."
"But's it's only been a month."
"And what progress was made since then, huh? Folks move on from a lot of things."
"Then we remind them we have special written orders from Commissioner-"
"Former Commissioner Niijima Sasaki-san," Saikawa clarified, "as unfortunate it is to say, in the eyes of the institution and the public, the one running the show in Tokyo is Hideki Kamiya."
"Figures they use that tactic," Kato sighs, his mind rationalizing and questioning what options were available when one name stuck to him. "I know I'm asking this pretty late, but what do we know about Kamiya? I barely heard of him at headquarters."
"Geez, Naya-san's right, you really do bury yourself in cases," Saikawa snickered. "From what I gathered, he enlisted into the military at eighteen, receiving an honorably discharged after five years as a second lieutenant before becoming a member of the Commissioner General's Secretariat staff. Served for four years as the head of the Security Bureau before suddenly becoming Commissioner."
"Gah, of course, they pick a guy like him," Koichi scoffed, "I don't know the guy personally, but those Security dudes are another level of assholey, paranoid too on top of that."
"Actually, Kamiya's track record contradicts this. As far as I'm aware, there's no sign of internal corruption, bribery, abuse of power, and even slight restructuring of the Bureau last year. Compared to others, at least he seems clean cut."
"If that's correct, then perhaps we can get a meeting with him, perhaps even show him our plan to factor in Cognitive Psience given the evidence," Kato suggested.
"Suppose it's worth a shot, but we need to be careful," Saikawa cautioned, "back here at the station, a lot of these guys have been giving my people and I a hard time."
"I can vouch for that," Koichi backed, raising his hand, "had to do my research in some dingy office so to get some peace and quiet."
"How'd that go, by the way?" Kato asked.
"I'll tell ya after, we gotta meet our next lead soon."
"Alright, thanks again, Saikawa-san. See what you can do about that meeting if you can."
"Will do. Good luck you two," Saikawa wished before signing off.
"At this rate, I'll be back looking for lost kittens," Koichi sighs.
"Losing the few state resources we have would severely detriment the case. I still don't understand why they feel compelled to do this."
"Hey, I just thought of something," Koichi posits while tapping his partner on the shoulder, "maybe that's why you think you feel good about this Kamiya guy; both of you don't know what these old suits are doing."
"Heh, perhaps so, yeah," Kato admits, "as well as looking for as many allies as we can. If he's half as clean as Niijima-san, then we need to open up talks."
As they around the corner, they pass a flower stand with the older woman offering a unique bouquet of black and red flowers. Both waved no, but she at least wanted to give a free sample and handed one to Koichi, whose fascination grew the more he gazed at it. "Weird almost looks natural," he said before putting it on Kato's pocket on his jacket, "looks good on you."
"Something tells me it won't change this informant's view."
"Oh, I think you'll be a bit surprise," he chuckles before spotting a staircase towards a quiet hidden restaurant. "We're here, now remember Sasaki, this guy can easily take control of a conversation. So stay quiet for this one."
"Just who is this informant? You haven't told me his name yet."
"His pen name is Ōtsuka. He's a long-time weapon trafficker for Yakuza and other gangs, one of the best in the business, in fact."
"What?! And you just know this even to where he eats his lunches?!" Kato reeled back in shock. "If's his crimes are so well known, why haven't thier been a warrant for his arrest?"
"Cause's he's deep in police money," Koichi revealed, "see, as far as anybody else knows we're just customers strolling in for a quick lunch, but in reality, he gives us the inside scoop of criminal activity. Even ones outside of Tokyo. You'd be surprised by the arrests made from this. Even Niijima relied on the info once or twice."
"She wouldn't do that!" Sasaki objected, "she's the prime example of what the law should be and would arrest this man for still contributing to deadly street violence."
"And in a better position, she probably would, but you gotta understand something Sasaki-san, and that is you gotta outweigh the good with the bad in a shitty situation," Koichi imparts. "If he was a sex trafficker, she would throw him in the same day of his arrest, but he's not. He's a businessman who's good just really good with guns, who even worked with M.O.D. himself. So long as he keeps making his bucks and we get our criminal of the month, we get more than relying on someone worse."
Kato seems quiet for a moment; Koichi felt like ending the conversation there and begins descending down only to stop at the door. "Cases like this are why most criminals get off as free men," Kato declares, "the police should work in the public's interests, not greedy scum like him."
"I'm just telling you what everyone at the station thinks of this sort of thing," Koichi shrugs. "We're just here to gain insight on the killer through the murder weapon. If anyone can spot a lead, it'll be him. Now come on."
Kato hesitated but followed his partner into the crowded restaurant. With some staff help, they're lead to an upper floor where this Otsuka sits comfortably in a lone booth overlooking the restaurant and its customers. He stares at eating his plate before spotting the two men. "Gentlemen, a pleasure to meet you this fine day," he smiles, "ah, a new face Naya-san? Forgive me, I'm terrible in remembering these sorts of things."
"Just my relatively new partner, don't mind him."
Otsuka inspected the young man with the black glove. He carried a professional demeanor, with his expression looking as if he's putting on a good poker face. "Huh-uh, and does he so happen to be the same partner who solved the Arakawa case awhile back."
Koichi was silent but surprised; however, Kato simply asked, "How'd you know about that?"
"I know my products down to the spring, keeps me in touch what's consider IN these days for my customers. For your culprit, it was a shiny old Eagle pistol that would really blow their target's brain open, like POW! Hmph, easiest hundred thousand that month, speaking of money, is there anything on the menu you-?"
Kato suddenly sat himself down across from Otsuka and grabbing the complimentary water. "No, I'll stick with this, but thank you."
Otsuka stared off, a quiet annoyance in his eyes. "You," he points to Koichi, "have the worst luck ever, always getting the ones with a stick up their asses, eh?"
He laughs, sitting himself down next to Kato, "Yeah, well, they also make work for these old bones easier too."
"Of course, work these days are more efficient than they've ever been and ironically harder to come by than when you and I were his age."
The man grabs the large cup of high-class wine just brought in. "However, so long as the business is booming and the money flows," he pours less than a quarter into Koichi's cup, "then all their hard work comes pouring back in…eventually, doesn't really matter."
"Then perhaps you can similarly help us," Koichi smiles, not touching the drink. A loud thunder is suddenly heard even from down here.
"Storm clouds are still the norm here, gentlemen, to a point where I fear my safety the moment I even step outside, despite the million to one odds."
"The law will protect you," Kato spoke up, "as it should to every civilian, correct?"
"I've seen these clouds before," Otsuka smiles, "you certain that holds true?" Kato leans back, surprised by the ominous response before the man started chuckling again. "Hehehe, I'm only pushing your buttons, boy! Of course, I know I have my protection. I just like hearing it from you new guys." He cleans his plate before pulling out a leather briefcase, "Now, show me."
Kato does as he unlocks his steel briefcase, delicately handling the weapon and cartridges over to Otsuka. With his professional tools and expertise, he examines and disassembles parts of it for several minutes. Once done, he simply handed it back and answered, "Not my gun."
"W-what?" Kato stumbles.
"Not my bullets either," he added, "these are old, decades old."
"Y-you sure about that?"
"Well, certainly the bullets, but to clarify, it's not entirely my gun. As you reported, most of these parts were handmade, masterfully, I must say. Only M.O.D. could do better crafting. This person received at least a decade of firearm training and crafting."
"Yes, we figured something like that," Koichi nodded.
"Did you also figure they're likely European?"
The two glance back in surprise, "How'd you trace that?" Koichi asked.
"I've inspected many kinds of hands and tools that crafted my weapons, every one of them a bit different," Otsuka explains, "That gun tells me it was built by European hands and other foreign tools with a bit of ours. Though whether those were the hands of your killer, or someone else, I cannot say."
'So the killer is foreign-born?' Kato questioned.
"Then what of the parts not handmade?" Koichi asked, "we know you specialize in selling new and exciting parts for buyers to use."
"No need for flattery, Inspector," Otsuka brushed off, "I do recall records saying these parts were sold. It was online, which normally would be reserved for only the most persistent & well-paying customers. Believe me when I say this one was very much both. I wasn't there but know of an employee who did...before he ended up disappearing."
"Could've it have been by these rumored rifts?" Kato asked.
"Can't begin to tell you, I found out from the workplace that he also wasn't the most streetwise. So he could've easily pissed off the wrong Yakuza or some other gang."
'So either way, there isn't a body to be found to link to anything,' Kato sighs. "So what did he say before disappearing?" he asked.
"He said the video call was completely dark with shades of red in the back; the voice was modulated, so nothing to find there."
"Is there a recording you have archived?" Koichi asked.
"Nope, that's against our policy; we take pride in ensuring privacy. It wouldn't surprise me, though, if they had someone monitoring us to ensure they're not be tricked."
"What did they say then?" Kato demanded, his fist clenching in growing frustration. "When was it, and was it just the one call? Where were the parts sent?!"
"Kid, settle down," Koichi whispered, wincing at Otsuka's blank expression.
After seeing Kato quiet down, he told them, "Nothing much. Your killer said they already have what they need and only asked for the parts as a replacement. Like I said before, it was built long ago." He ordered the check as he finished, "It was a last-minute call too, nothing else from them before or since then, with this one call taking place two weeks before the killing. The location was way out of the city, in an abandoned site at Niigata at night, then the next day the package was gone."
"Doubt that was their HQ's front door," Koichi expressed, "we at least now have a clearer timetable on their activities. They're likely a foreigner of European descent, they've been operating in Japan between a three to two week period to have most of their plan already set by then, and they're keen on covering every possible track left by them."
"Which makes the murder weapon dropped on the site all the more confusing," Kato whispered, "this was also likely premeditated longer than we assumed. The gun itself is older, but so are the bullets, like they've saved them for this moment. To them, it's as if using any other weapon would've been…unfulfilling."
"Man does find odd fascinations with peculiar objects, don't they?" Otsuka asked before standing up. "Well, I think our business here is about done, now if you may excuse me."
"One last question Ōtsuka-san," Kato stops him, "who do you think did this?"
"What kind of dumbass question is that?" he whispers, "I never even thought twice of this customer till your people called me over, and I had to scrounge up the record. So I hardly have a clear answer, let alone a guess."
"Doesn't hurt to ask; you colluded with them after all," Kato coldly told him.
"I'm just a humble civilian, don't you remember?" Otsuka mentions, giving him an equally threatening glare.
Koichi was about to step in when the older Otsuka chuckled yet again, "Hehehe, kidding! Of course, you know that, so stop with the tough guy act. I must say though Naya-san, he's definitely a keeper." The air lightened as Kato backed off before Otsuka left them with this, "but if you really want my two cents, I say you avoid those with a vendetta like this one."
The two waited till Otsuka was long gone before they left. Both were quite the way back, not saying a word till they're in the car.
"Pardon my language," Kato said, "but that guy's an asshole."
Koichi began to howl in laughter, "Hahaha! Yeah, what a real piece of work that old fart was." Once calmed down, he shares, "at least we got some useful info for once, and that the killer isn't just some criminal or even member of a local crime syndicate."
"That is true, but it doesn't bring us closer to who they really are. There's something else Otsuka said that caught my attention," Kato said. "I think we're not dealing with a lone killer after all, but a group of at least two or three members, if not more."
"You're certain on that?"
"Yes, specifically him using 'they' to describe the killer having everything planned already. Planning an operation like this takes more than one, even with a two to three week period. We're still talking about two influential figures, targeted through unconventional means on top of that."
"I see your point, so perhaps one of them is a foreigner and the third possibly being that hacker he mentioned?"
"Yeah, and given this group's track record, I don't think they'll just hire anyone off the street. They're tightly connected and will dispose of anyone in their way."
Koichi starts the car as he thinks to himself, "damn, what the hell did we rope ourselves into?"
/-/-/-/-/-/
(Afternoon)
After another round of endurance from most of the surrounding staff and faculty, Mao and Nea quickly made thier way to the Shozan Auditorium. As they climbed the stairs up, she looks back to Nea, trudging behind, "Want me to help carry your stuff?"
"Y-yeah, thanks for that, Mao," Nea sighed as she fixed her back after carrying the extra load.
"We could've taken the elevator if it was that heavy."
"It didn't really hit me till hallway up here," Nea chuckled embarrassedly.
"If you don't mind me asking, what's with the extra stuff?"
"Oh, those? It's my assignments this weekend...what a pain to deal with in the middle of all this, right?"
"I'm no expert on design or color theory, so I can't help you there, but I'm sure there are groups outside or online who might help," Mao suggested.
"Hmmm, I guess," Nea mumbled before running up the door and getting it ready, "man, standing here now about to asking Aoki-san of all people is giving me butterflies in my stomach."
"Pft! G-good one," Mao snikered.
"With what?"
"Nothing, nothing," Mao waved off, "She definitely has a no-nonsense attitude, but she's still a rational and understanding person, heck even pretty kind in certain circumstances."
"We're early, actually," Nea noted, checking her watch, "think she's here?"
"Yes, and she can hear you from back there!" Aoki-san shouted from outside, causing the two to slowly open the door and shift thier way to her.
"Hehe, it's good to see you again, too, Aoki-san," Mao smirked before switching to her serious side, "haven't run into any trouble today, did you?"
"No, I've long gotten used to dodging shady patrols. Now, if I may ask a question," Emi stated before walking up to Nea and asking sternly, "why is Sakamoto here with you?"
"Uhhh..." Nea shyly mumbled.
"Because no normal person would just forget what we just witnessed yesterday," Mao explained in a defensive posture, "and after sleeping on it, I felt she deserves to be in on what's going on, at least."
"Couldn't you just share this afterward? Why let her see us off and be left alone?" Emi asked insistently.
"It's because," Nea spoke up, "I want to join you two, people are being hurt, and I can't just ignore-"
"No."
"N-no?" Mao and Nea both stumbled at the sudden response.
"That's unacceptable. You saw how dangerous and fortified this Palace is, but you still wanna jump back in any way?" Emi asked before turning to Mao, "surely this was the first thought in your head when she suggested it to you, right?"
"Of course it was, but she's tougher than she looks Aoki-san. She faced death head-on and helped out in a fight even."
"And I don't deny your accounts. What I'm wanna get through is it doesn't matter how tough a person is. The Animus is far too deadly for any regular person to enter," Emi argued.
"Then do what you were planning for Mao and awaken my Persona!" Nea interjected, "I know I'll be protected by you two, so just tell me what I need to do, and I'll-"
"Don't treat Persona's like their something given away for free," Emi stopped her, "Mao's circumstances were different, but you are a complete unknown, and there aren't any instructions to facing your inner self, Sakamoto!"
'I-inner self...?' Nea thought, 'So did Mao had to face...'
"Aoki-san, I think she gets that."
"No. The fact that she's still insistent shows that she doesn't 'get it,'" Emi stated, quelling any argument on the matter. "Is there a possibility she'll be fine, yes, but her chances are slim at best. If done wrong or she fails, Sakamoto could just end up emotionally and mentally shattered facing her shadow. At worst, it could go berserk and end up killing her, and depending on how powerful it becomes, even both of us may be too slow to stop it."
"We...we don't know that," Mao stumbled, though she knew everything Emi fears is valid, she also swore to Nea and knows she can fight back. "I trust Nea's resolve and will. It'll carry her through," she defended.
"Niijima-san," Emi sighs, her tone calmer now than strict. "It's not a matter of trust; you need to look at the bigger picture and see we're simply not in the position to do this now. We must focus on advancing in and getting stronger for the coming battle against our enemies. Time is our enemy, the palace guards and its numerous security cameras are our enemies, and the last thing we need is more setbacks hindering our plan."
'Setbacks...hindrance, huh?' Nea thought as she saw her hands suddenly shaking again. 'Why? I-it's just a shadow, isn't it? I-I-I know I'm rea-.' She couldn't find herself finishing her sentence, 'Mao, she'll be by my side like always, right?' This doubt and fear grew the longer she remembers her lack of real help since that day, how their personal talks were more about her's than confronting Mao's. If these roles were reversed, then what does that say about her? Is she that dependant? Nea looks up at the two, standing their respective grounds but not raising thier tones, acting as mature adults would.
She looks down at herself, feeling like that loner kid again who can't seem to grow up, dragging everyone else down.
"We need the firepower, don't we?" Mao argued.
"More amateurs mean more accommodations needing to be made and adjustment to strategies, so unless we find someone else whose experienced, then it's best we stick to the two-person infiltration," Emi reasoned. "If you truly have her best interests, then tell her no yourself."
"I do have her best interests-"
"Forget it!"
Both Mao and Emi stopped in surprise at Nea's sudden choice.
"Mao, she's right. My selfish request is only making things harder than they need to be," Nea uttered, her gold locks covering her eyes. "What matters most right now is the students and facility being manipulated, and if leaving me out of this will help free them quicker, then so be it...I don't want to be a hindrance anymore."
Emi stumbled at the phrase but stayed silent.
"What do you mean selfish?" Mao asked, "you said you're doing this for sensei and everyone here. Where's the selfishness in that?"
"Cause I'm sticking my nose in what's clearly isn't my business, it's both of yours, and I don't want to ruin it for you, Mao."
"Nea, you-"
"Mao, we're wasting enough time as is, and this discussion isn't going anywhere," she said, firm on ending the conversation now. "We've asked, and the clear answer was no, so both of you do your thing and leave me behind already, alright?!"
The three stood silent, Nea's face red in a gross embarrassment in front of Mao's new friend and deciding not to ruin it any further, "Sorry, I-I'll just go, stay safe, you two." Before Mao could say anything, Nea was already out the door.
She slaps herself in the face, sitting on a marble bench thinking about what she did wrong here and what she can do to fix this.
Emi was silent. Seeing Mao conflicted and how bad Sakamoto took this refusal makes her reconsider something. "Niijima-san," she says gently, "I stand by what I said, but I do apologize if I might've come across as rude to either of you. Especially Sakamoto-san given how she took my word choice."
"I doubt either of those are the root of the problem," Mao sighs, "maybe I haven't been paying real attention to what Nea's been through, and now she feels like I'm pushing her away." After several moments of planning, Mao stood up and told Emi, "I'll go talk to her about it at home, give her the time and space till she's comfortable to talk again. Perhaps even, when we're done here, see what we can do to help confront her shadow."
"I suppose that's worth considering," Emi admits, "If that's your decision, then you ready to move on the matter at hand?"
Mao looks at the exit one last time before nodding, "Yeah, let's go." Then simultaneously, both press the flower icons as the world they knew begins to disappear.
[Navigation Activated. Beginning Transition to Animus]
A flurry of wind and flower petals swirl around them; a moment of weightlessness came as wind chimes echo in the distance before suddenly landing on the cold cement. Mao stumbled, trying not to fall as they completed the transition, "I don't know if I'll ever get used to this." After some deep breaths, she felt the dark mask back on, "We're back in these clothes. What are they for anyway?"
"They're practical as disguises as well as providing basic defense, most importantly though, they represent another side of ourselves," Emi explained as a holographic map of the place glows from her device. "Right now, we're located at the main south-eastern F.O.B. As a reference, the building you two came in would be far in the west."
"Is this the first place you came to upon entering?"
"Nope, started all the way back at the entrance," Emi admits, " where we're standing is the furthest I progressed, and the launch point to the next phase of the plan." The map centers to the building they're on and a diagram of the inside, "We'll be entering through the ventilation system; our target today is to strike at the security room."
"Makes sense it'll be here, looking to disable the camera's in this sector then?"
"That along with the lights," Emi specified, "next Safie will access the Hanger security system from there and shut it down, then we'll be using these metal wires to sneak above them."
"That's quite the distance, though. What's wrong with the bottom level? We're cutting thier light & power off anyway," Mao asked.
"The only reason for that is because the Hanger and this Sector run off the same grid. It's also crowded with patrols still running, lights or no lights. Rule number one with infiltration, always take the path of least resistance," Emi taught.
"Alright, we'll do it your way then," Mao approved.
"Hold on, we still got two things to settle."
"What are they?"
"First, codenames," Emi pointed to her mask, "names and faces of outsiders could easily slip into the person's mind if revealed, so as a precaution, we best stick to codenames."
"Alright, so my codename...hmm," Mao pondered, long enough to feel a bit awkward standing there, "man, this is harder than I thought."
"Perhaps, Enigma?" Emi suggested.
"That's okay, but it doesn't say much about me. I mean, it could apply to either of us."
"Then how does phantom sound?"
"Better but," Mao murmured, thinking long and hard before announcing, "Okay, I think I got it. From now on, I'm Scarlet!"
Emi stared blankly, "like your scarf and eyes?"
"Yeah, but it also historically been associated with Courage and Passion, as well as Immortality and Sin," Mao explained, "no better description for a thief doncha think?"
"It's alright," Emi shrugged as she kicked open a vent.
"Pft, what's yours?" Mao asked, arms crossed.
After a moment, Emi turns to her, saying, "you may call me Velvet."
"Yeah, big surprise there," Mao smirked, till Emi pulled out a Walter PP and loads it, "you uh, carry guns quite loosely."
"I carry them knowing what they're capable of. This, for example, carries 8 rounds of .380, making it perfect for light recoil and self-defense, but even then, don't underestimate its power." Emi finishes arming the weapon and holds it to Mao, "you a pistol person? It was the quickest one I could obtain in such short notice."
"It's perfect, actually. I could never get used to bigger B.B. guns."
"So you know how to fire one, right?"
"Y-yeah, bullets can't be worse than B.B.s, just point and shoot, right?"
"Just don't point and shoot that at me, and you should be fine," Emi sighs as Mao holsters the weapon. Emi checks ahead before gesturing to Mao, "So, you're ready to go in, Scarlet?"
"Yeah, let's get started, Velvet."
-/
Nea stood across the block from Jiyu, chewing down on her second candy bar while sitting on a public bench. "Urgh! Not even my favorites are helping," she sighs. "Alright, then just don't think about it! That should work!"
It did not work, for as much as she thought of work or getting lost on her phone, she kept thinking about her screw up back there and this unpleasant feeling she has in her stomach. 'This is ridiculous. You should be happy for her, Nea,' she thought. 'So what if it means less time between the both of you, Mao's happy, and that's what matters...I'll be fine by myself...I...should focus on completing these first.'
A memory flashed in her head, of her last year coming back from counseling with a crumpled up paper in hand.
"Sakamoto-Kun, we should've been talking about this two weeks ago. This big hit on your midterms will make progressing to next year difficult, but not impossible."
"It's what I get for being a damn cowardly idiot."
"We've also discussed ending these harsh words too. Sure there's a humble side to self-deprecation, but doing so in this manner will seriously hurt you, Sakamoto-Kun. If you wish, I could inform the school's psychiatrist."
"I...don't feel like talking to anyone now, sorry. I'll try harder next time."
She tears up the test and throws it in a nearby bin just as a familiar face appears.
"Nea, there you are. You doing something? I tried calling you but got nothing."
"Yeah, I'm fine!" she said with a fake smile, "oh, I almost forgot, how'd you do on your exams?"
"Not the best score, but top ten ain't bad either. Honestly, I'm more glad it was fun. Going over obscure legends in Japanese mythology, learning about the artwork and variations made it exciting."
"That's freakin' awesome! If that ain't the ideal college life, then I don't know what is," she smiled and chuckled, with only a slight twitch from her brow. "Hey, then how about we celebrate with some noodles? Heard of a nearby restaurant that's quite popular."
"Sure, but what were yours? I feel bad if they were any less than mine."
"They were just fine, now let's go before it gets crowded and stuff our stomachs like the old days!"
"Like the old days...why can't things be easier like before," she mumbled, recalling the similar hardships those years had too. "No...It was always like that...I was always this way. Some adult I'm turning out to be...not even half the person they were in high school."
She suddenly felt exhausted, even getting a headache. It was probably best to head home and rest.
She saw the world before vanish and turning to a familiar red desert the moment she stood up.
"Wha-" she uttered before a powerful searchlight spotted her and the sounds of guards rushed to detain her.
"No! Get away!" she panicked but was too late, as she somehow ended up returning to the Animus and was now thier prisoner.
In the distance, a small creature observed this new development, "Oh, no...and she was with them too! Gotta follow her and find them quickly!"
-/
Encounters were low, and security continued to be tight as the two neared thier target. They entered a large room and hid behind two columns as two guards discuss something up ahead with the security room door past them. Both nod to hold off a bit till one of them leaves past them, and the other goes inside and locking it behind them.
"The room is completely sealed unless we get that key card off him," Emi whispered.
"How about I bang on the door and impersonate his buddy? Then we'll swoop in for the key," Mao suggested.
"Wait, look again," Emi pointed to the three cameras on the opposite side. "The moment we're spotted, they'll automatically blare an alarm."
After some thought, Mao then asked, " order Safie to disable them then. He'll notice something's up and come out to investigate."
"She can only pause the feed for 10 seconds, so let's be quick getting into optimal position!"
"Got it," Mao nodded as she readied herself. Then at Emi's command, the feed glitches, and the two hide under thier view, behind the walls to the small hall to the room. Even past the heavy metal door, they can hear the shadow notice something's up.
"How limited is her range anyway?"
"Only a couple of feet," Emi answered, "so best to use her skills on analyzing combatants and short-range, quick hacking. Remember, use thier disorientation to your advantage." At that moment, the shadow walked out and was quickly in thier sights.
"Gotcha!" Mao smirked as she jumped on them and ripped his mask off, triggering the arena and the enemies appearing dizzy and confused.
"Seven Spartoi's and, damn, I guess an Occult entity?" Mao guessed.
"That's a new one, huh?" Emi pointed out as she readies her weapon, "remember, any action your Persona takes reflects your body or spirit. Use her too much, and you'll end up too exhausted to fight."
"Then let's make sure each hit count," Mao readied her stance, "Safie, analyze!" At the command, thier bracelets glow as thier masks show them the data gathered.
[Shadow: Choronzon. Higher than average threat level, with an unknown Fire and Physical arsenal]
"Choronzon, of course," Emi whispered as a game plan formed, "Scarlet, take out the Spartoi first. They're weak to gunfire."
"Already on it, let's try this out then," Mao exclaimed as she flanked around to the back, blasting down the Spartoi's with Choronzon too dizzy to aim his fire correctly. She ran out upon taking down the last Spartoi, now all collapsed bones and armor, and somehow this victory fueled her spirit.
"Tag me in!" Emi shouted as she sees the Choronzon fire another blast at her. She swiftly jumps over it and lands next to Mao as they high fived, causing a sudden power shift to Emi with this spirit now stronger.
"My power grows, unleash it, Irene!" she commands as her Persona forms and fires a powerful beam of light, striking at his weak point and putting him down like the rest.
"Don't move," Mao ordered as both she and Emi pointed thier guns at the blue mass of heads, "Now give us the keycard!"
"Wha-what? You mean this, right? Argh, how did this happen, and what's with this headache?" he groaned, confused and irritated.
"Answer the question," Emi demanded.
"Grrr, fine, but we'll give ya a bit extra if you just let us leave this annoying place for good!" he offered.
"I rather peel them off your cold dead-"
"Deal," Mao suddenly agreed, surprising both parties. "Now cough up and get out of here before they see you."
"Tsk, greedy yet merciful, humans truly are as odd as the stories told," Choronzon murmured before they dropped everything and the group vanished into the dark.
Mao had most of the winnings and card in hand as they returned, but Emi wasn't so happy, "Why'd you let them go?!" she asked.
"Saw a good deal and took it, save us the extra leg work taking them out," Mao explained while holding out the key card.
Emi sighs as she takes it, "sometimes making deals with shadows can be beneficial, yes. Next time though, if you have an opportunity to destroy a shadow, I suggest you do. We're here also to make you stronger, remember? They're dangerous being left alone as well and will not hesitate in tricking and killing you."
"Yeah, I got you," Mao acknowledge as Emi took the lead in unlocking the door.
"Still, you know when to take advantage of an opportunity; that's good."
Mao appreciated the comment before taking a moment to ask something, "Hey, so where they get this money anyway? It looks like the real thing."
"Every human dream of being a billionaire, right? Makes it real enough to work even in our world," Emi reasoned as the card was accepted only for something else to come up. "Gah, even with the key, we need to pass the password lock. Then again, it seems electronic. Safie, think you can bypass it?"
[Affirmative. The deciphering process will be complete in five minutes.]
"Lucky us, then this block will be empty for a while," Emi said as she laid back against the wall, "you showed decent infiltration and battle skills back there. Take this chance to rest."
And this they did for close to a minute in utter silence. Mao felt it was a bit too quiet even for her tastes and saw Emi's eyes closed to keep her mind cleared. It's this scenario that a realization pops into her head.
"Soooo," Mao groaned.
"Soooo?"
"Er well, I just realized this is the first time where we're just sitting around. No fighting or anything serious going on, and it's pretty weird being this quiet."
"You wish to talk then?" Emi asked as she opened her eyes.
"Well yeah, we're partners now, so it'd be good to at least start the process of knowing each other."
"I already told you the context behind my duty yesterday."
"I mean personally, you know as friends would, right?" Mao specified.
"We're barely acquaintances, Scarlet."
"I know, i-it's just err..." Mao mumbled as for a moment it seemed her suggestion was shot down.
Emi tried to concentrate again but found it suddenly difficult. Seeing it's almost done anyway, she reluctantly asks, "umm, is red your favorite color?"
"Huh? Oh, well, I guess so. Suppose it had to do with my eyes," Mao chuckled before recalling some memories, "you know, my mom actually told me when I was young that only a few families have these kinds of eyes, sort of left an impression on me since then."
"I can see why, they're...nice, and I don't think that just because they're unique," Emi complimented.
"T-thanks, yours too," Mao smiled.
"Okay, I think you're supposed to say something next?" Emi awkwardly asked.
"Ah right, so is fencing your hobby or something? You're very skilled with it. I usually just swing this thing wildly around like my old umbrella."
"It is actually, ever since I was eleven," Emi shared, "I'm mainly self-taught but have studied several books and incorporated dozens of techniques since."
"Sound like it takes a lot of discipline."
"That's with every sport, only this is with a bladed weapon, one mess up and its sharpened tip turns against you," she says with her palm on the sheath.
"I think I know what you mean. My mother and aunt raised me under thier martial arts since I was little," Mao shared.
"Not surprising given the rumors; what forms?"
"Aikido and Kick Boxing, of course, I never was the most disciplined student with the former," she reveals, "mom would always warn of the ferocity behind my strikes. Which I get, and I swore to solely use them when danger is present, but with how far scum is willing to go to win, I feel I can't hold back and risk others' safety."
"Aikido centers on overcoming oneself if I remember. Perhaps thier is another way, but you haven't found it yet."
"Yeah, well, can't exactly ask her about it now...hope she's doing well," Mao sighs with a tired look in her eyes.
"You know," Emi suddenly said, "your weapon matches closely with mine. If you like, I could offer some training; perhaps it might help." Her gaze was away from Mao's, but her offer was genuine.
"Really?!" Mao excitedly asked before calming it down, "Ahem, it would be an honor, thank you."
"It's only for work, got it?" Emi emphasized, not that it particularly mattered to Mao, it was a new way to know about each.
"Oh, actually, I have another question."
"Good cause I couldn't think of another," Emi sighs from conversation exhaustion.
"Hehe, um, so why did you pick me out?"
The question hanged for a second as Emi stared off to nothing, before turning her head away, "...That's a secret..."
"Oh come on, first the long nose guy and now you? What's with you two and giving straight answers?" Mao groaned.
"A little mystery makes life interesting, don't you think? Besides, will my answer really satisfy you, as if it'll justify you accepting the deal?"
That was never Mao's intention, but she understood how it could come off that way to some.
"Besides, you still got a long way to go before proving my choice was right, so don't start slacking, okay?"
"Fine, you got it, Velvet," Mao gave up as the door opened for them.
-/
In the heart of the Palace stood the dictator himself and his highest-ranking officers, his treasure just beyond the vault behind him.
"So they're here, yet you don't know where they are?!" he yelled.
"Forgive us, sir!"
"Grr, leave and fine them immediately, or they won't be the only ones being executed," he commands, and the group leaves the large room. Shadow Ichikawa threw his work desk, scattering its contents, "Dammit! This little thief gotta steal my work as he did. This wasn't part of the plan," he huffed. He looked again at the mess and looked at the dark paper letter given, and the consequences it read if this operation and thier deal are ruined, "Why does nothing ever go according to plan?! Even with thier help...oh god, they'll hunt me down, won't they?!"
He trembled, still being spooked by his radio receiving a transmission.
"Sir! A new prisoner was caught at the front gate! It's the failed recruit, Sir!"
"U-unless it's one of those thieves, then don't waste my time with-" he said till an idea formed in his head, "Oh...yes, this just might buy the time I need."
-/
"Man, this place really is huge, and these just cover a quarter of this place," Mao expressed, gazing at the numerous screens as Emi handled the control board.
"And soon it'll go dark," Emi said with a proud smile, "Actually, at this rate, it'll probably be best if we head straight to the hanger today. What's your experience walking on wire anyway?"
An alarm suddenly tripped before Mao could answer, and they saw the main screen turn static.
"Safie, were we spotted?!" Emi asked.
[No, this is a transmission being broadcasted across the Palace.]
The screen soon clears to show the Shadow Ichikawa himself; he stands on a podium with the palace flag behind him, surrounded by cognitions of his other self's entourage.
"Greeting roaches, wherever you may be, it seems after much fighting we still can't come to an agreement over the fate of this institution. Any crueler man would recklessly throw thier resources and manpower at you till your nothing, but I am a man of diplomacy and reason and spit on the concept of total war. Recently, in fact, I've stumbled upon a new trump card that'll open up negotiations between the both of us." He snaps his fingers, and two guards throw to the ground a defiant Nea.
"Nea!" Mao cried, running closer to the screen and seeing her be held down by the shadow guards. "How'd they get to her?!"
"She must've been sucked in by a rift distortion. She likely never saw it coming," Emi reasoned, staying cool-headed and thinking what to do now.
"You two take a good long look and sink this all in, don't even pretend to be tough. I saw with my own eyes how hard you fought to protect Sakamoto; losing her to the hell that is war would be tragic, don't you think?" he condescendingly mocked with his sharp tongue.
Emi eyed Mao who's fists clench tighter on the panel. "Safie, can you reach her?"
[Negative. My connection to Sakamoto-san's A.T.D. is incomplete and is distorted by the Shadows' presence.]
"But enough with small talk, here's my ultimatum. Leave my domain at once through the front gates for everyone to see; you have my word that not a single shot will be fired. I'll at least recognize your skills enough to know such a trick won't work nor get us anywhere. Afterward, you'll decide whether to agree to full unconditional surrender and enlist yourselves to my army and if you refuse, then I'm afraid you'll be destroying the rest of my base with blood in your hands. Oh, and don't even think of sneaking in early cause I will find out; the moment I do, I'll gut her like a fish."
"Then why don't you stop the showboating and get it over with you, pig?!" Nea defiantly yelled through the screen, "Guys, don't even consider this nobody's offer, just focus on crushing his plans and fixing this world! Forget about me!"
"Quiet!" he shouted. The guard immediately dragged her away as he recollects himself. "Forgive me for my outburst; that was unprofessional. As for your deadline, I'll be giving you two days. I feel I don't need to explain what'll happen if you arrive late. So if I don't see your faces ready to finally accept my authority, it'll be clear that we're more alike than either of us thought, that we're both willing to do anything it takes to reform this society."
"Deplorable filth," Emi whispered.
"So accept, and I'll give you two anything you want, and your friend gets to walk away free. I swear she'll be fed and not hurt...much, now get out of my sight," he coldly commands before the screen becomes static.
'A rescue operation, just what we needed,' Emi groaned. She looked back to Mao; her head was down and was dead silent.
"I've learned from both worlds that this scum is a lot of things, but he doesn't break his promises. He knows harming her will only ruin his advantage; she'll be alive and kept to herself at least. In two days, we must have a plan of action by then." Emi wanted to at least assure Mao, but Nea still being a prisoner didn't help in that as Mao kept silent, "Keep a straight face Scarlet, it's best we follow his first demands and leave now before he turns desperate. We can't show any more weakness."
"Your right..." Mao whispered, much to Emi's surprise as Mao swiftly destroys this sector's security and turns to her with a collected but determined face. "Freaking out about it won't get us anywhere, so let's focus on how to get to Nea so when the day comes, we break her out as soon as possible...then, I'll break his fingers."
As Mao walks out, Emi looks back at the shattered screen, 'I swore as Executive to protect all my fellow students. Forgive me, Sakamoto-san, for my mistake.'
The two proceeded to the agreed-upon exit, jumping off the main building and walking to the tall metal gate. Emi kept her focus while Mao glanced at the tower lights and guns surrounding them.
Tension eased breaths as they activated their devices and returned to the real world, now close to nighttime. Mao stomped her foot and immediately asked, "Aoki-san, they got to have a dedicated detention center, know where it is?!"
"Sorry, but no, Safie and I did a thorough recon of the Palace but couldn't see anything resembling a prison. Even if we did, we still would need to find her cell and how to break in under thier nose." Emi then offered a workaround, "perhaps if we stay outside the palace parameter, we can investigate further."
"We can't take that risk. If we stay too long, we'll be spotted, and Ichikawa will kill her."
"Then we'll send in Safie to a nearby device and access thier main system. We'll instruct her to find any records on Nea and get her location that way."
"I-it might work, but you said yourself in her state the further she is, the weaker her signal and abilities are. Thier security would spot her more easily."
Emi grows more frustrated, scrunching her brow as she says, "then perhaps-"
"I know where she is!" a tiny voice says.
Mao suddenly felt something on her causing her to freak out and fall as Emi soon spots the figure and summons her Rapier. "One of them slipped by!" she said, slashing at it before it flew high above.
"Whoa whoa whoa! Stop! I'm not an enemy! I'm here to help!" it pleaded before revealing itself to be a tiny human-like creature with short red hair wearing a blue leotard outfit and wings flapping on her back.
"A pixie?" Mao recognized, much to her surprise.
"Yeah, and you two are humans! See? We understand each other now, which makes us friends, so please stop swinging!" Pixie shyly smiled as she cautiously flies down.
"If it's a pixie, then all the more reason not to trust her Niijima-san," Emi advised, "she's more of a trickster than any actual help, and even if she's weak, we can't let her go loose in our world."
"I am not weak!" Pixie retorted to the offending comment, "I'm also your ally in this. Please, you have to trust me on this! I know stories say humans are distrustful and paranoid, but you haven't been any of that since coming here."
"So you've been spying on us?" Emi asked in suspicion.
"Y-yes, I admit I was, but just you and your friend," she explained herself, "and I saw not only how powerful you two are but how much you cared for each that blonde girl as well. Like how I cared about my clan, until..."
The Pixie turned quiet, her cheerful attitude vanishing and giving a sorrowfully look Mao saw before on Nea, the day they split off from old friends. "...I'm listening," she says, getting back up.
"Really?!" Pixie gasped.
"Yeah, really?" Emi groaned, "Niijima-san, for all we know, this is part of Shadow Ichikawa's plan to misdirect us."
"I don't think so," Mao asserted, "Pixies are tricksters, yes, but they also know when to swoop in to help those in need. If those stories are at least a bit true and she knows where Nea is, then we can't pass up on this."
When Emi saw thier limited options and Mao standing in between her and the Pixie, she relented. "Fine, you clearly know more about her stories than I do. Still, she must go back after explaining herself; the moment people see her, it'll attract more attention than we need now."
"Thanks, Aoki-san," Mao bowed her head before turning to Pixie, "Okay, so where is she, and how do you know?"
"They're holding her in the building in the north-eastern part of the base, past the training grounds," she explained, "It looks unmarked, but it's actually a prison for those to receive the cruelest of punishments. I know this because I was scouting the gated area trying to find you two when I saw her pop in and get captured. I followed them and overheard where they'll be holding her before heading straight to you guys. I had to hide under your coat, though by the time I did to avoid capture."
"Alright, that's believable enough, but why were you scouting the place, to begin with?" Mao insisted, "what's your relations with him or this place?"
"Cause that bastard who took my sisters away from me," Pixie angrily said before elaborating. "Humans don't know this, but it's a decades-old practice for shadows of either the same race or interests to form clans to stay strong. Ours were once large, well-regarded, and even feared by some. Then our queen fairy died, the rest of us were forced out into the Yinjian Wastelands and had to survive in there since."
"And that's how you came across his palace," Mao put together.
"Y-yes, it's built on top of the only oasis for miles, and we were desperate...so it was decided we go in and see if what we can get out of it." Her painful expression forced her to continue, "It became the biggest mistake we made. He tricked us and forced us to work through his supply of purified Genshi, and those who didn't become brainwashed were thrown in cells to break thier spirits...I'm the only one to have escaped. Been trying to find some way to fix this since, and that's when you humans showed up."
Mao saw her face turn hopeful, looking at them, "and so we're the only ones now who can help your cause," she figured, which Pixie nods. "You mentioned Genshi. Is that what the black goop is?"
"Oh, right, you humans wouldn't know. Yeah, it's just a shortened form of Genshitekina Kage," Pixie explained, "it's our lifeblood, a purified form of the more primordial red stuff you see. Though somehow, he must've tampered it within those factories to make the solid forms of it brainwash us."
"The same effect he's doing in this world's inhabitants as well," Emi put together.
"Yeah, of course, even if they weren't, humans still shouldn't consume them."
"Yeah, that's just gross, no offense," Mao muttered, "so for your plan, you want us to free your clan members imprisoned next to Nea?"
"That's the idea and to knock some sense of those brainwashed, they're still going through training so they should occupy most of the camp," Pixie elaborated," it's a win-win scenario, you free your friend and wreck his stuff while I release my clan!"
"By using her as leverage for us to do most of your work?" Emi asked.
"W-well when you put it like that...," Pixie stumbled, "alright, it is as shitty as you say, but it's not like my plan relied on her being captured. I just wanted to ask you guys, then I saw her and figured you probably wouldn't listen to some random shadow, so..."
"We accept," Mao announced, "and I get it. You're only looking out for our sisters trapped in a tough spot, the same way I am with Nea...and how I should've helped her the same way she does with me. I trust you, Pixie."
"Really? You...trust me?" Pixie blushed as a hopeful smile, formed, "thank you so much, I won't fail you!"
Emi stayed silent as Pixie looked at her, only nodding in reluctant agreement.
"I know you won't," Mao smiled back, before turning to Emi, "so are there any obstacles in our way before entering?"
"Well, the obvious would be the training ground, the path I originally didn't want to take."
"Sad to say she's right. It's like that goop gave them a power boost, so you need to be careful there," Pixie confirmed. "There's also the leader of that camp who holds the keys to enter, sort of like a secret warden, and she ain't a pushover. After that, though, it just becomes a matter of finding them and getting past inner security."
"You think he'll have a trap waiting for us?" Emi asked.
"Given the countless booby traps I dealt with, I wouldn't be surprised," Pixie nodded.
"Should've figured, I faced my share of traps as well."
"That's why he specifically requested two days, that bastard," Mao cursed before declaring, "then we'll just gonna have to turn the tables! Pixie, stay low, and save your strength for the mission. Aoki-san and I will prepare and sort out any other details before heading in. Neither of us has class on Saturday, so we'll start the rescue at the crack of dawn."
"Okay, I'll keep an eye out for any changes and examine more of the prison. They won't touch her under my watch!" Pixie vowed.
"Thank you for helping us," Mao bowed with great respect.
"No, thank you, Niijima-san!" Pixie bowed in return before Emi quickly took her back to outside the Palace.
Returning, she said, "It's getting late; as hard as it may be, try getting some rest tonight. You need the energy for the mission. Tomorrow we'll dedicate it to a supply run and have Safie check on Pixie, perhaps even-" Emi stops upon seeing Mao's hands shake as she keeps tapping her foot. She stays silent before telling Mao, "We'll rescue your free- no, your sister, I know we won't fail," Emi comforted, "I swear it."
Mao only nodded, forcing herself to move to retreat for now.
-/
Mao approached the empty house, silent yet peaceful with the homey feel still there despite the mood. Mao suddenly lost her appetite and headed straight upstairs; she glances to Nea's room's slightly open door and saw how messy it was. This helpless feeling dug a hole in her stomach, and she looked to at least clean it up for her when she comes back.
'Yeah, when...don't even think of the other possibility, you will get her back!'
As she sorted everything, she stumbled to one photo of them together in junior high, smiling in front as they began thier first day. Mao recalls her father taking the picture as Nea's was too busy crying tears of pride. Right next to it was a peculiar notebook; Mao figures it must've been new as she grabbed it, as she did, a torn page fell out. She sees it was a list of goals for this year, yet since being written four months ago, almost everything was scribbled out, some with painful side comments as to why.
"Nea..." Mao whispered till stumbling upon one new list labeled: "Help Mao."
She covered her mouth in reading and recalling all the little things she offered or did since her father's sudden death, from the offer to let her join them & excitedly talking about finding new bracelets to what food or snacks would best brighten her mood that day. Never giving up or slacking off on any of them.
A phone rings in Mao's pocket. She quickly recollects herself upon seeing who it was. With a deep, shuddering breath, she answered, "Hello?"
"Hey, Mao!" Ryuji answered, "just wanna let you know everything is set for our train back on Saturday, so you two just pick up by then after some crazy college partying, okay?"
"Heh, o-of course," she answered shortly so as not to sound off.
"Also, is Nea with you? Ann tried calling her earlier but couldn't get through. Did she get a sudden call from work or something?"
"Y-yeah, she's too tired now to talk, but she's here."
"Alright, I swear she earns an effin promotion at this point. I don't want to intrude on her work, but I also wanna see her move up; she's been a big help to the staff there, you know."
"Yeah, I get you."
"Thanks for your understanding. Well, I'll leave you two alone; see ya then!"
The call dropped, and Mao tosses the phone aside. Sleep suddenly felt unattainable tonight. 'Nea, please hold out knowing I'm coming for you. You're stronger than you give yourself credit for,' Mao hopes as she commits to an all-nighter and makes a quick call through the A.T.D.
"Can't sleep then?" Emi asked.
"I can't, Aoki-san thier has to be something I can do tonight, so to save us time tomorrow, I swear I'll sleep by then."
Emi sighs before asking, "Does the place you reside in have a tool shed with a standard set, and are you alone now?"
"I am, and it's in the back."
"It's best, for now, to teach you about infiltration tools. I have listed quite a few, and since this is your first time, I'll go over them step by step, which should occupy enough of your time. Think you'll have it all down by then?"
"I'll try," Mao nodded as she went out back, "I can't thank you enough, Aoki-san, I'll leave you alone after the first set is done."
"Just keep your word of sleeping tomorrow, alright?" Emi yawned, "Alright, let's start with lockpicks. First, grab some pliers and a wrench, then proceed to this next step carefully..."
A/N: Alright, keeping consistency with chapter lengths really helps to format these. Sorry for the slightly late update, playing Yakuza 7 & processing crazy world events takes a lot of time away. It was also difficult continuing Kato's plotline, more specifically where to place it and making a natural development, but I think it worked out well enough. Hoped the rooftop conversation felt natural too, having a character normally more positive argue without sounding OOC is head. Also, we get more insight on combat and between our two thieves, hopefully, thier partnership is strong enough to bust Nea out within the deadline. Pixie's here too and man was her inclusion worth it, I'm really happy committing to giving shadows more ego since I feel it's a natural progression from what we learned in the games.
Next chapter we'll see the preparations before the big escape, along with an interesting meeting between two agents of justice.