Chapter 4: Amaterasu
11/23, Outside of the Diet Building
Shinya Oda and Toranosuke Yoshida, those were the two people who texted Akira today. The latter she heard of, a former politician who was caught up in some shady schemes back in the day. Apparently he was trying to turn a new leaf and gave speeches in Shibuya, with the assistance of Akira. He was deeply troubled by the confirmation of Akira's death, but was glad the Phantom Thieves were seeking justice for him.
The former...she had no clue how Akira got into contact with this elementary school kid. The only note Akira left for him was "King of Gun About". He was extremely disheartened by the confirmation of Akira's death, so much so she could feel the bond nearly break. With some clever reassurance, she promised the boy that the Phantom Thieves will change his mother's heart.
Right now, however, they needed to begin their infiltration of Shido's palace.
"I see we're the first ones here" Hifumi greeted.
"They will be here soon" Makoto said, "How are you today?"
"I'm well, but the left side of my face tingles" Hifumi admitted, "It feels like something is there, calling to be ripped off."
"Ripped off?" Makoto thought to herself, "Oh, perhaps it's because she hasn't summoned her persona yet? That would make sense given the unusual nature of her awakening."
"Good afternoon" Yusuke said.
"Good afternoon, Kitagawa" Hifumi greeted.
"Since you decided to join us, there's no need for formalities" Yusuke replied.
"Yo, what's up?" Ryuji called as he walked besides Ann, Haru, and Futaba. A black cat was inside the bag that Futaba carried.
"So, you're Togo aren't you?" Haru asked.
"You can call me by my first name" Hifumi replied.
"We heard about your request to join us" Ann said. "Although hearing about you awakening to a persona in reality was more shocking."
"She hacked into the system" Futaba spoke up, "Not even I could do that."
"Thanks, I suppose" Hifumi said while flicking her hair. She heard the cat meow a few times, which got everyone's attention.
"I know right?" Ryuji said to the cat, "That's hella amazing, if you ask me."
"Pardon me, but did you just talk to the cat?" Hifumi asked.
"Uh..well yes" Makoto muttered, "There's a reason for that but you won't understand until after we head into the metaverse."
"I see" Hifumi answered.
"Let's get close to the wall and then use the app" Makoto instructed. Everyone followed her and huddled by the wall. Makoto then proceeded to utter the key words and activated the navigation.
Beginning Navigation
"Did anything change? We went in, right?" Ryuji asked.
"The security guards seem to be gone, but it's difficult to tell" Makoto said.
"Oh, the gate is gone" Haru noted.
"And Morgana's appearance is different though, so we must be in the metaverse" Ann exclaimed.
"So...that black cat's name is Morgana and it became...a mascot?" Hifumi asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Mascot?!" Morgana shouted as a few laughs escaped the other thieves' lips.
"Morgana the mascot" Futaba giggled, "It's a perfect fit."
"He can also talk?" Hifumi asked.
"Yes, actually" Makoto replied, "And once you leave the metaverse, you will be able to understand him in reality as well."
"I see" Hifumi said while placing her hand on her chin, "And this place is outside of reality, yet it looks the same-the air here is salty." Turning behind her, she gasped at the sight.
"We're on the ocean?" Hifumi said in an almost whisper. It was then the other thieves turned around.
"Wha-what on earth is this?" Yusuke blinked.
"Though this country may sink, he alone will survive. That's what this cognition is about, isn't it?" Haru said.
"This...is how he sees the world? How grotesque" Hifumi said with a hint of venom.
"This is bullshit" Ryuji exclaimed, "If someone like him becomes Prime Minister, then this country is done for!"
"This goes beyond ridiculous" Ann fumed.
"The same goes for Akechi" Yusuke said, "He should've seen this sight too, yet he worked with Shido…"
"Akechi? As in the Detective Prince?" Hifumi asked.
"Akechi is no detective" Haru furrowed her eyebrows, "He's a murderer who was going to kill Akira, all of it under Shido's orders." Hifumi's eyes went wide at the statement.
"The police drugged and beat him up, leading to his death" Morgana admitted, "That's why we're here, to make the mastermind confess his crimes."
"We should be heading in" Makoto said. Everyone else agreed and followed Makoto in. Once inside, the thieves immediately transformed into their attire.
"Huh? What's with the sudden change of outfits?" Hifumi asked.
"When a palace ruler sees us as a threat, we change into our phantom thief attire" Makoto explained, "...Seems like you will acquire one when you rip that mask off."
Hifumi suddenly blinked, realizing there was a half Kabuki theatre mask on her face. Recomposing herself, she ripped off the mask off her face with a barely audible grunt.
"What was that noise!" a shadow called out, "It's those thieves, what are they doing here?"
"Crap, we got spotted!" Futaba exclaimed before Hifumi stepped past her.
"Let me take on this opponent" she said with dignity, "I'm not standing on the sideline any longer."
"She looks like a courtesan assassin, fitting I suppose" Yusuke said.
"What the fuck, is that a sniper rifle!?" Ryuji exclaimed.
"It's huge!" Morgana exclaimed. The shadow revealed themselves into a squad of Garuda.
"Time to play" Hifumi said with a colder tone, "Amaterasu, Riot Gun!" With a single attack, the entire squad was down.
"Woah, that's impressive" Futaba complimented, "Everyone, it's time for an all out attack!"
Jumping into action, the phantom thieves reduced the shadows to nothingness.
Concede Your Defeat!
"I understand completely now" Hifumi said with a sigh, "So, am I officially a phantom thief?"
"I mean, you were the one who insisted on joining us" Ann laughed.
"That's true" Hifumi admitted, "Although I don't know how you guys do this, I feel really exhausted now."
"That's because this was your first time summoning a persona" Makoto explained, "We all felt the same the first time we summoned ours."
"Perhaps we should head back to reality for now" Haru explained.
"I agree" Yusuke said, "We know the location now, so we can explore tomorrow."
"Shouldn't we be giving her a codename?" Ryuji asked.
"That's right, she will need a codename now she's a full time member~" Morgana meowed.
"Codename?" Hifumi asked.
"We all go by codenames" Makoto said, "Let's leave and then we can talk about that afterwards." Once out of the metaverse, the gang gathered somewhere they could talk in private.
"So everyone here has a codename, it wouldn't be wise to use our real names while in the cognitive world. I am Queen" Makoto explained.
Fox.
Skull.
Mona.
Noir.
Navi.
Panther.
"And Akira was known as Joker" Makoto said.
"A codename huh?" Hifumi said, "How about Okami?"
"Oh? As in Amaterasu's full name?" Yusuke observed.
"That's right" Hifumi nodded.
"Okami it is then" Skull said while resting his hand on her shoulder.
"You don't have my permission to touch me" Hifumi warned.
"Yes ma'am" Skull backed off.
"Welcome to the team" Ann smiled.
"Thank you" Hifumi bowed, "Akira met so much to me, it hurts thinking about what happened to him. I am glad I will be able to assist in bringing justice for him."
"Agreed" Haru answered, "That's why we can't fail in this mission."
"Let's head home for today and then come back tomorrow" Makoto said.
Everyone nodded in agreement and went their separate ways.
That Night
Makoto once again found herself in the Velvet Room, where Joker was performing cardistry with his cocky smile...and whiter hair.
"So Hifumi has Amatersau Okami as her persona" Joker smiled, "Fitting for the Venus of Shogi."
"Indeed" Makoto said.
"While you're here, let me explain a few things" Joker said, "As I said earlier, you can come here through daydreaming. More importantly, there are points in reality and the metaverse that make this task easy."
"There's...places for me to enter here?" Makoto asked.
"Correct" Joker replied, "When you reach one, you will see a door to the velvet room. Use the key I gave you and you will wind up here. It will be in these moments that we can provide the aid you're now privileged to."
"Such as?" Makoto asked.
"Here in the velvet room, we can fuse personas and summon ones in the compendium" Lavenza explained, "As well as other services such as persona strengthening and itemization."
"Ummm...I don't follow" Makoto sweatdropped.
"It will take awhile to understand," Igor said, "But since you're a guest here, as he once was, you have the same powers as him."
"Speaking of which, I have a gift for you" Joker said as he flicked a card in her direction. Catching it between her fingers, she gasped when she turned it face up.
"This is!" Makoto exclaimed before she heard laughter in her head.
It's good to see you, my...Foolish Queen. It seems a twist of fate has led to this moment, but I am happy to become one of your new masks.
"Arsene…" Makoto asked, "How...is this possible?"
"The same way trading fates with me or how Hifumi formed a contract in reality was possible" Joker tilted his head, "In any case, you will be able to use multiple personas now as well as negotiate with shadows to become new personas. Among other things, of course."
Ring!
"It seems like our time is up for today" Joker said, "A warning...as Arsene is my true other self, you will be exposed to my shadow's thoughts. They can be quite...a handful, though I am sure you can handle it."
She is our Aikido girlfriend you know, or did you forget her 'Fist of Justice'?
"That-" Makoto blushed in embarrassment.
"..Thanks for reminding me, me" Joker sighed, "Well, see you later my dear Queen."
And once more, it was time for Makoto to wake up to a new day. This time with a companion persona...a rather snarky one at that.
A/N: Who doesn't want to hear Makoto scream "Pillage them, Arsene!"? :D
Also, go look up "Phantom Thief Hifumi" to get an idea on what her attire looks like