Catch-22: The Almost and The Possibility
By: M14Mouse
Summary: Haru gets her persona. Lila gets to use her vase (almost). Ume gets to chop someone into pieces (almost).
Disclaimer: Don't own them. I have to claim the shadow friends.
The most important kind of freedom is to be what you really are. You trade in your reality for a role. You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask.-Jim Morrison
"Are you ready?" Yu asked.
"Yes, I am," Haru said calmly.
He nodded his head to Ren, who got out his phone. The world started to change around him.
"We didn't have any problems last time until authentication device. We should head there," Makoto said as they stood under the glowing sign.
"Good idea," Ren said.
"A moment, please. I can fight too! Please, let me join the battle," Haru pleaded.
He and Morgana shook their heads at the same time.
"Your persona is still too weak to fight safely," Morgana said.
"It is dangerous at the moment. Leave it to the others. Once you have your awakening, you get to join the others in battle. Trust me. There will many of those," He said mildly.
"Sensei is right. We have plenty of those ahead of us," Yusuke said.
"What is the point of giving Support Buddy a codename if we are going him Sensei all of the time?" Futaba mumbled.
"You call him Support Buddy. I don't see why that matters if I call him Sensei or not," Yusuke said.
"Stupid Fox…the point is…"
He coughed and then lowered his glasses. He looked at the pair and rose his eye brow. Yusuke instantly shut his mouth. Futaba looked between wanting to say something and shutting up.
"Enough of this. We need to move forward," Makoto said.
"Good idea," Ann mumbled.
He turned around and headed toward the elevator.
"That is remarkable. Sensei didn't say anything," Haru whispered behind him.
"He doesn't need too," Makoto whispered back.
"You just have to make sure that you don't disappointed him," Ann whispered.
"Yes, he gives this look that makes you want to hide under a table," Ryuji said.
"I would never disappointed Sensei Mona and Sensei Gambler. I don't want that look ever," Haru mumbled.
He glanced over at Ren, who smirked at him a little. He turned to Morgana, who was starry eyed at Haru.
He sighed.
When they are done, he is going to call his uncle. He would have remembered if he was this way when he was a teenager.
Veles and Lucifer were cracking inside of his head.
Ren pulled the lever then the elevator went down.
They were greeted to a projection of a floating frisbee?
"I was wonderin' this last time…but what is this thing? A frisbee?" Ryuji asked.
"Looks like a hamburger bun to me. I mean, we're dealing with Big Bang Burger here…" Futaba said.
"I'm sure it'll become clearer as we proceed. Come on. Let's go," Makoto said.
The group moved to one of the doors with the authentication device. Once Haru stood under the scan, the door opened.
"YES! We didn't need the alien!" Futaba said happily.
"The alien?" Haru asked as the group moved into next room.
"Yup…your pops totally have a version of Support Buddy."
"So, Sensei is an alien?"
"Yup!"
"It actually makes sense."
"I agree," He said mildly.
"What are you doing here?" A familiar voice said.
He turned around to see to see Okumura-san in a space suit. It fits with the theme.
"Huh…Huh…?" Haru said in shock.
"This is insane on so many levels!" Ann said
"I thought I told you not to associate with vulgar people! And you!" Okumura shouted at Haru then at him.
"Yes?" He said.
"I thought that you were better than this?!"
"Not really. I am, who I am," He said with a shrug.
"That bastard…." Ryuji said as cognitive version of Sugimura appeared next to Okumura.
His eyes darted to Sugimura then Haru.
He watched as Haru straighten her back and started walking toward the pair.
"Do you recall what I said before? That I would do my best for you? This is my answer to that!" Haru shouted.
Okumura glanced over at the others.
"To think…the rumored Phantom Thieves…I see! You're handing them to me as a plea for forgiveness! "Overcome failure at any cost, even if it means betraying others" You truly embody the Okumura motto! Very well, Join me!"
He shook his head as he watched Okumura's face morph from shock to excitement. He truly didn't see his daughter at all.
"Why do you only see ever think about gains and losses!? That's why the company has a bad reputation. All because you treat like they're tools!" Haru said passionately.
"To gain, you must give…One must be resolved to give even more if they wish to stand above others. I realize now that we are on vastly different levels…and soon, I will rise to a new stage-the political world! The cold reality of kicking people down is a part of business! Virtue and sentiment are for losers! Okumura Food shall be the foundation of my victory!"
He shook his head.
"DON"T SHAKE YOUR HEAD AT ME, NARUMKAMI-SAN!" Okumura shouted at him.
"I only shake my head at fools, Okumura-san," He said.
"His company is just a stepping stone," Makoto said.
"Mr. Okumura, we don't need a girl who've been spoiled by thieves. Unless you make some compromises, I can't introduce her to my father," Sugimura said.
"She needn't be your lawful wife anymore…Take her as your lover, or whatever you desire," Okumura said.
His hands tightened around his cane. He wanted to do something but Haru needed to hear this.
"Very well…I accept."
"A lover? I was raised under this company's wealth. I even accepted a political marriage for you. This is not what we discussed! Father! You want me to be that man's plaything just to satisfy your own ambitions?" Haru shouted.
"You don't look too surprise by this, Sensei," Makoto whispered softly to him.
"I had enough conversations with the man to know," He said as he shook his head.
"Hmph, why fret? You should be overjoyed that you're fulfilling your role as an Okumura daughter. This is the only value you're had from the very beginning," Okumura said.
"So…even his own daughter's life is commodity to him," Yusuke said.
"Can I punch the asshole, Sensei?" Ryuji mumbled softly.
"Normally, I would be there with you but she needs to hear this…all of this," Morgana mumbled back.
"Agreed," He said.
"I…," Haru said as she fell to the ground.
"Now, why don't you come…to my place? Let's have fun! I'll play with you until I get bored. A high school fiancée…What a turn on," Sugimura said as the shadows twisted around him to change him into a robot.
"What a creep. Scratch that…can I punch him?" Ann mumbled.
"So vulgar…" Haru said. He watched her fist tighten around her need.
"No…! Haru's Persona won't stand a chance against that-" Morgana said as he tried to rush over.
"Don't worry…She got this! She hadn't awakened to her real power, that's all!" Futauba shouted.
Lass is getting stronger. Maybe, watching that anime did something.
He chuckled as he watched a fan appear out of thin air. He tilted his head to examine Haru's persona. Well….it definitely fits her. The overflowing grow, the fan, and the mask. Bob will be disappointed. No hat.
Guns too. This lassie has some fire power. I wonder if tiny lass will be jealous since she is working on cannons.
Guns? Interesting.
"How dare you..!" Sugimura shouted.
He watched as Haru's fingers cling to her head.
"My heart is set. You should know," Haru said as she stumbled to her feet.
Haru's persona's dress open to reveal guns and a cannon. He was impressed.
"Geez," Ryuji said as he stumbled back.
"Farewell, dear father. I am no longer your subservient puppet!" Haru shouted toward her father.
"Then so be it…You're worthless. Hmph. Deal with them as you wish," Okumura said as he turned around started to walk away.
He looked toward his students. He was positive that they had this fight. He tapped his cane on the ground and wrapped himself in shadows.
He wanted to catch Okumura-san before he disappeared into his palace. It only took a moment to find since he didn't go far.
"Okumura-san," He said as he appeared before Okumura-san.
"Narumkami-san." Okumura said as he stopped in front of him.
"You disappoint me."
He shrugged his shoulders.
"I actually do that a lot," He said.
"I thought that you were a wolf among sheep. I see that I was wrong."
"What am I then?"
"A rat let in with all of the trash. A sheep to slaughter."
A small smile formed on his face. He knew that he speaking to a wall. Okumura will not listen. Not to him or Haru. Neither in this world or the real world. He knew that he tried but now, it has come to this.
"I am many things but a sheep isn't one of them. This is your last chance, Okumura-san. Turn away from this disastrous path."
"Never!" Okumura snarled at him.
He sighed as he tilted his hat toward the shadow.
"Then we will take your treasure and change your heart. Hopefully, you will become the man that you once were. From what Haru told me, I would have liked you. Good bye for now," He said as he tapped his cane on the ground. The shadows twisted around him.
That was worthless.
No, it is a sense of closure. I tried and I will do it my students' way.
He reappeared where his students were. Haru looked over at him sadly and he shook his head.
She nodded then turned her attention back to the others.
"Before we go forward, I need to tell you something. Everyone. Can we leave? Just a little bit, please?" Haru said softly.
"Okay…," Ann said with a concern look.
It didn't take them long to get back to real world. Everyone stood in front of the building. He had Lila and Theo wait nearby but knowing Lila…
"HARU! ANN! EVERYONE! You are back so soon!" Lila shouted as she run toward them. She hugged Haru.
"Did you get her? What does she look like? Did she have a hat? Bob said she would have a hat. I don't think she would. She doesn't sound like a hat person. Daito said that she would be fluffy. Ivy said she would've guns. Mint said they will all die just the same. She was moody when I asked," Lila said.
Haru giggled softly as she returned the hug.
"Ms. Lila…" Theo said as he caught up.
"I…I have to tell everyone something important. October 11," Haru said softly.
"What happens on that day?" Ann asked.
Haru looked down at the ground.
"October 11 is when me and Sugimura will…." Haru said.
"Ahh…there you are. What are you doing with such trash?" Sugimura said.
Lila hissed.
"Trash. Did you just call me trash?"
"Of course, I did. I must say that you do have the looks. That is why Mr. Narumkami keeps around after all."
"Hold this for me," Lila said sweetly as she handed her pencil and clipboard to Yusuke.
This isn't good.
He moved to get in front of her. Theo must realize it too because he moved as well.
Lila jumped toward Sugimura as if she was trying to claw his eyes. He and Theo were able to catch her before she got near Sugimura.
"We aren't trash, asshole. We are better than you!" Ryuji shouted.
"Please, can I scratch out his eyes? Please?" Lila pleaded.
"Ryuji, this isn't the place," Makoto said.
"Yes, this isn't the place. Come, Haru. We are leaving," Sugimura said as he reached over to grab her roughly.
"Let her go!" Morgana shouted as he jumped onto Sugimura's leg.
"You beast!" Sigimura shouted as he kicked Morgana into a wall.
"Morgana!" Ren and Ann shouted and rushed to Morgana's side.
"That's it! I am getting my vases," Lila mumbled.
He sighed as he turned away from her. He watched the chaos before him. Ann, Futaba and Ren were checking Morgana. Makoto and Yusuke were trying to stop Ryuji. Haru looked froze in the scene.
"That is enough," He said loud enough for everyone to hear. The group paused in their fighting and looked at him.
"Yes, this is enough. Com…" Sigimura said before he cut him off.
"No, she won't be going with you. I will speak to your father." He said coolly.
"My father? My father will do…"
"Your father might do nothing but any future dealings with me or the Kijiro Group will reflect poorly on him and on you."
Sigimura turned pale slightly.
"Leave. I must deal with my students' actions," He turned his attention away from Sigmura and looked at them.
He watched as his students looked down.
Did you teach them that, Izzy?
Nay. He had these skills long before he woke to his power.
Then he turned his attention back to Sigmura.
"Now."
"Yes…yes, sir," Sigmura scrambled away.
"Pity…the tiny robot man is even tinier in this form than the other world," A familiar voice said behind him.
Futaba made a strangling sound as he turned around to Ume and Lila behind him. Lila was holding one of her vases in her arms.
His eye brow rose slightly at Ume's appearance. She looked like that she stole one of his business suits. Knowing Lila, she probably did steal one for Ume's sake. She kept some of her piercings and jewelry from her shadow form. Her dark purple hair was pulled into a pony tail. Her skin wasn't as purple as her shadow form.
"I know, right? I should have warned you about that," Lila said.
"What a disappointment. I looked forward to chopping him into little pieces. He will barely feed Nom Nom. He is skin and bones."
"I wouldn't do that. Nom Nom might get a stomach ache," He added.
"Truly. We wouldn't. Why are you staring at me?" Ume said.
"At least, they didn't scream. They scream for me," Lila said.
Ume eyed the group then her eyes landed on Haru.
"Puppet has finally cut her strings."
"Th-Thank you," Haru stumbled the words out.
"Why are you quiet?" Ume asked the group.
"I think that they are in shock. Perhaps, we should discuss this over chocolate." He said.
"Truly, Sensei is wise."
End of The Almost and The Possible.
A/N: I got my first dose of the vaccine. Luckily, no major side effects but my left arm was so sore that it made it difficult to write. Sigmura will get his…and it will be glorious. :D (Lila and Ume may know how to get rid of a body…or ten). I agree about the final boss…it was unnecessary long and boring (especially if you throw up Haru's Life Wall). Anyway, Royal has no bearing on this story. (Although, a conversation between the counselor and Yu would be interesting.) Thank you for the reviews, favorites, kudos, etc. As always read and review if you wish.