Persona 5 Strikers – From Light and Dark
By Tayla Drago
Episode #17 - Sojiro's Featherman RV ride
Welp, another person believes in them to be a cop and is Akechi's teacher to be an adult—Zenkichi Hasegawa 'Zen'. Since his powers awaken a bit to hear Morgana talk in the real world to believe on how the Phantom Thieves do their jobs. That was easy, so far that is...While Zen heads back to work and for Akechi to keep him posted from time to time—as he, Keiko, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, and Sophia headed back to the Leblanc Cafe hideout. For they needed to plan on how they needed to get to Sapporo next to find a Jail and stop another Monarch and Jail in the area 'by Hans and Ellen once again'. The first they need to get around to not be on a plane but by driving since Makoto's was the oldest member and Haru to drive. Now getting a vehicle to drive around in will be harder to do.
Ryuji: Talk about an effin' buzzkill...
Akechi: We did gain another member, but asking for us to get to work in a week is a lot to do.
Of all places to drive to somewhere else.
Ann: I mean, Hokkaido? Really? There goes our vacation down the drain.
Keiko: Hey, you guys. Look at it this way...It'll be a vacation for us to do some fun vacation time while working.
Ryuji: Ain't this stuff happenin' all over Japan anyways? Even if we do solve this one, we're just gonna get sent off to some other city...
What other choice do they have?
Yusuke: A traveling venture in cooperation with Public Security...I admit it doesn't sound all bad. We should stop by Kyoto as well.
He really wants to go to Kyoto so badly, huh?
Futaba: Find that silver lining, Inari...
Makoto: This trip isn't for our enjoyment. The case will still be our primary objective.
Ann: But, it's still summer vacation? Can't we have just a little fun?
They should do it since things will be fair.
Ryuji: Yeah, the 8th is way off from now! We can still do all kinds o' shit before then!
Akechi: We have until the week of the 8th to do some of the fun things. I don't see why not.
Keiko: I agree with Akechi-Cun, we should.
It's not so bad if they do so.
Haru: Ooh! I'd like to experience some regional cuisines.
Morgana: Yeah! Yeah! Sushi for me!
Keiko: Yeah! We can still focus on the case, and have some fun too. Phantom Road Trip time!
I think they can do just fine on this, little at a time.
Makoto: I guess so, but oh dear...We can cut loose AFTER the case is closed. Work comes first.
Morgana: That being said, we should go over some things before we move on to the trip...First up is EMMA. It seems like an ordinary app at first, but now we know that it has a hidden function that can access Jails.
A lot to still look up on and solve this type of case.
Keiko: A bit dangerous of this EMMA app, it's also like the Meta-Nav.
Ryuji: Yeah, Keiko, totally the same thing.
Makoto: To think something like that is being used nationwide...It sends a chill down my spine.
No threat going on with the EMMA app, so it should be fine.
Futaba: The app itself is fine though, right? I mean, you can just delete it if you want. Plus, all the keyword and friend list functions work fine. If the app just let everybody slip into Jails, wouldn't the whole country basically be pure chaos already?
For others did, to be taking people's Desires. Just not the Phantom Thieves by luck.
Haru: We've all registered as friends on it, but that didn't do anything strange in and of itself...
Ann: Where did this app come from, anyway?
From a powerful company to make something like this. Geeze, I wonder who it could be...?
Futaba: It's run by a Japanese company called Madicce. They're an international IT firm-we're talking tens of thousands of employees.
Keiko: Like the IT company again? Only these guys are called Madicce...
A very big one like IT, it was called Madicce.
Haru: That's quite the large-scale operation. With those numbers, they have to be a top-tier international enterprise.
Ryuji: So is this some evil mega-corporation makin' Jails, or somethin'?
Akechi: Sounds like we have both our first few suspects and clues so far.
They couldn't do anything at all that the fallen victims could do.
Makoto: But we can't use EMMA the way Alice did.
Ryuji: Well, maybe that's 'cause we all got pure hearts or somethin'?
Ann: Moron.
I don't think that was close...
Keiko: Maybe something far different on how's done. Others were attacked by Shadows to become victims. This one wants to gather energy on those who are famous.
Futaba: Good point, Big Sis. There's a possibility that Alice had a special version of EMMA.
Another point on how it might work?
Yusuke: What makes you say that?
Futaba: Eh, just an idea. I'm graspin' at straws over here.
Morgana: But it is a possibility...
Akechi: Maybe...
Still left unsaid for now but without giving up.
Futaba: If I got a hold of Alice's phone somehow, I should be able to see if her version of EMMA's anything special.
Makoto: Really? We should ask inspector Hasegawa if he could confiscate it for us. I'll reach out to him later over it.
How did Makoto get a hold of Zen's phone number? It's all thanks to Akechi who had one already.
Akechi: Allow me to help you out, Niijima-san.
Makoto: Any help is great, Akechi-san.
Now to continue talking about the next topic at hand.
Morgana: All right, next topic-the Jail. Each Palace collapsed after the Treasure inside was stolen, but the Jail is still in Shibuya. Not only that, but the Palaces after the manifestations of their rulers' cognitions...But that's not true at all in Jails. Humans can have their Desires seized firm their Shadows there and become those Gegasites of slaves or deadly weapons in battle to take form of other Shadows.
Makoto: And that would cause terrible things to occur to them in the real world.
Keiko: Slaves for power gathering, liking something to not be a big deal, finding a powerful weapon, and having one app use people's Shadows to have power cores in other areas in Japan. There's so much on how this whole thing works.
Ryuji: When you put it all together like that, doesn't it sound even worse than the Palaces?
Yeah, this one is from the last thing they all did since last year.
Morgana: If these other bizarre incidents across Japan are genuine changes of hearts, that means there are probably more Jails out there.
Haru: There could be quite a few of them, considering how impossible it is to report on every incident.
Some luck and help with Akechi and some with Zen, they have to have him help him out and Zen doing the same for them.
Ann: ...So...We're working with the police to try and clear our names, but...Is that really enough?
Akechi: Anything's better than getting arrested. Having Master aid us, is our only hope we have left.
Makoto: I get what you mean, Akechi-san. But Ann, what do you mean?
What was she trying to say?
Ann: If the Jails are as dangerous as we've seen, then wouldn't it be bad to just leave them alone? If stuff as awful as what happened in Shibuya is happening all over, aren't we the only ones who can stop it?
Keiko: We're the Phantom Thieves, it's our job to do what's right.
Yusuke: That's right. You're absolutely right.
Makoto: Yes, it's our job to save people suffering helplessly...
Haru: And give people courage.
They were ready for this new type of job then.
Keiko: It's what only we can do, as always. Is there anything else? Sadly, no. Yeah, there's my Phantom Thieves.
Morgana: Yeah, you said it, Madame Keiko!
Akechi: Princess, you're amazing as always.
From working hard and knowing of the right path to take.
Morgana: Great speech there, Lady Ann! You've got us all fired up!
Ryuji: That's my hot babe!
Makoto: If that's the plan, maybe traveling by car will actually work to our advantage.
Haru: Right! We might find some more Jails on the way to Sapporo.
Ryuji: That works for me-a little bit of a Jailbreak spree along the way!
Ann: But, how do we actually find the other Jails?
Thinking here...
Yusuke: ...
Makoto: ...
Ryuji: ...Guess?
But none of them had anything in mind, this one was hard.
Futaba: It'll only take us about a million years.
Leave it to Sophia to do her part to aid the others.
Sophia: [I believe it may be time for the Sophia Show.]
Keiko: Do you have a plan, Sophia?
Futaba: Ooh, check the super-AI!
Sophia: [I can detect any Jails in the vicinity by scent.]
She wasn't a dog, but her AI skills are very handy with this special equipment programming.
Ryuji: For real?!
Ann: By...scent?
Akechi: Different from a dog's scent, correct?
Sophia: [Much different, correct. A Jail emits a distinct signature. When I enter a Jail's range, I can sense it.]
And that's how it is done.
Ryuji: Sophia, that is nuts!
Keiko: That's amazing!
This makes Sophia very happy to hum again.
Sophia: [Praise accepted.]
Yusuke: Hm...There is still much we do not understand, but at least we now have a course of action.
Morgana: Yeah, this is gonna be...
Keiko: I know! A great time with you guys. A job for the Phantom Thieves to do. And...A trip will reform all of society, because we're back.
All set to do what they all do best.
Ryuji: Hell yeah! I am psyched!
Morgana: We will get the other four medallions to get Pandora's Box weapon before the real mastermind and his goons too, whoever they are. And killing off the leader of the Gegasites. All that's left is to secure our transportation.
Yes, how and where can they get or borrow a car of some kind?
Akechi: I doubt the police headquarters won't let us borrow one.
Ann: Not a good idea to do anyways. So if this is going to fit all of us, won't it have to be pretty big?
Anyone have any ideas on this one?
Ryuji: We'll just hafta rent something...Who knows what it'll cost us.
Akechi: A lot...?
Yusuke: Money is not subject to us! The prize funds for my most recent contact entry have finally come!
Yeah, only to get some food and drinks.
Futaba: Oh, keep your snacks money to yourself.
Ann: Well, we cut a deal with someone in the police, maybe they'll help pay for our investigation? ...Nah, no way.
Akechi: I wish I had that type of power on me.
Soon, Futaba remembers something that could be quite useful.
Futaba: Some pretty big transportation...Hmm, I'm getting this feeling that Sojiro mentioned something along those lines once...Let's go ask him!
Keiko: Mr. Sakura's our only hope now.
Going downstairs for Futaba to tell Sojiro what they needed to do and knowing of something owning a vehicle to use. Hopefully, by any luck.
Sojiro: Huh? A ride that could fit all of you?
Futaba: Weren't you talking to someone about "big transportation" or something the other day?
And finally, he remembers one.
Sojiro: Ohhh, you mean that guy I know with the camper. He was whining about never having the time to use it and how it's just collecting dust.
Futaba: Sojiro! That's it! Please go borrow that camper for us! Pleeeeease?!
Think he can do it for this person to allow them to still use it?
Sojiro: ...Does this have anything to do with what you guys are getting blamed for?
Makoto: Yyyes...
Akechi: We're so sorry about this, Chief.
I think he was already aware.
Sojiro: Then I guess I don't have a choice. I'll give him a call-sit tight till tomorrow.
Keiko: Thank you so much, Mr. Sakura.
Morgana: Now there's our chief! So considerate.
Just another advice to give to all of them before heading out real soon once it does happen.
Sojiro: But listen up-no getting too wild out there, all right? And are you all set with travel funds and whatnot?
Makoto: Yes, we'd all been saving up for summer vacation.
Yusuke: *chuckle* Once art drove me to rags, but now it has propelled me to riches!
He has enough on his end for the trip, we get it already!
Ryuji: Yeah, we gotcha...
Akechi: Both Keiko and I've been saving us, so we'll be all set.
Keiko: Then let's all be ready if it happens tomorrow.
Now all they needed to do was to wait until tomorrow to get what they needed and such...The waiting begins to move out for their work/summer break. While back in the Metaverse of the other Jails for more power was growing a lot of people's Shadows to their Desires bing taken out, use as a powerful energy, turning them in Gegasites to be locked up, and slaves in the real world to like someone's work. One was a man of a Shadow King to know what he needed to do next while hiding in the shadows and taking off.
?: Leave this to me, children. I have this gift for a reason. I'll get more fans to like my work to draw them here with the app and the energy to find your weapon search shall continue on. Excuse me, but I have to get to my Jail. Good day, milady. And...brother of yours.
He turns into a dragon to fly out of headquarters for the mastermind 'who was also hiding in the shadows' to use its hands to give Hans and Ellen the sign to keep on working and leaves the room for now. So who was the next victim to have a Jail and where at...? Who's to say yet.
Hans: He was nice. This one should do well in Sapporo.
Ellen: But a dragon type of fantasy story Jail...? Eh, he's not my type. Brother, hold me...
Trying to hug her brother, Hans moves away from his sister Ellen to tell her of the next plan to do.
Hans: Calm down. Listen to me, Ellen. Mommy and I have a job for you to carry out.
This made her happy to move up and hear more about it. With Ellen loving Hans, he still had some Shadow girls to keep for himself to be right for him, what a man whore!
Ellen: Really?! What is it?!
Hans: I want you to go to watch the Phantom Thieves when they go after their next target, I can tell they'll go after him next. I know it. Can you do that for me?
Ellen: Oooh...I would run all over the face of the Earth if it'll have you fall for me! Yes! I'll get to it for you and Mommy! I'm off! Also...I need some shopping to be done if we're working hard. So, don't wait up please! Love you.
Taking off to go out shopping and doing her job 'once Hans gives Ellen the word', she takes off in a hurry. The brother gets to work on the Phantom Thieves data he has gathered on what they do in a battle, powers, Personas, weapons, and such.
Hans: I never thought the Phantom Thieves would try to stop us. Well, it doesn't matter now. Joker my dear, show me what you got. I'll be watching.
Seeing Akechi and Keiko looking happy together, Hans uses his powers to blast a hole in the picture of Akechi. Same with Ryuji, Yusuke, Morgana, and Loki. He hates all of the males but some of the girls and Keiko the most...Man, this guy's a sick person and not to be messed up. Seeing Ellen Guyver stop them first, she might be twice as scary too once she comes across them in this coming Jail thing, all the way in Sapporo.
7 – July/31st/Monday
The next morning with Morgana waking up, Akechi tells Keiko about something else he saw within the dream past of the children again...
Akechi: Keiko...I had the same dream again, but it showed me more. The other twin Kaguya who were human once, I think the other two other twins, the boy and girl might be involved who also knew Picaro and Kaguya.
Keiko: No way...Where are they now?
Akechi: They're alive to still be human, but nothing on the mysterious red hair girl...There was a case of a broke out fire which only five survivors of children to loss their family, but they were sad to have each other with one other girl falling ill...The other four would do anything to save the girl's life. For two women in lab coats offer their help and a place to all live together to save their friend; in return of doing something for them on a work in some lab for them to take it. And that's it. The two girls were the oldest ones in the group, while the other twin brother and sister always stood together to never leave their own side. Damn...Master and I are working so far on this case, I wish I could remember more.
Hard to remember the rest from the murder case and what else.
Keiko: Hey, don't let it bother you. Did you tell this to Zen?
Akechi: Little at a time, yes. After the event we all went through last year to understand how our powers work. I also got a text message from him saying he'll be over later today. Whatever we can find from Alice's phone or the EMMA app and other things on how it works, we might have another lead.
Right, they needed to get any leads to maybe have Makoto and Akechi asking Zen to borrow Alice's cell phone to gather some data for Futaba to do.
Keiko: Oh right, he is. With any luck to get anything and Mr. Sakura giving us the RV to get around to find other Jails and Sapporo.
Akechi: I hope so. Thanks again, Princess, for always cheering me up.
Keiko: Anything for you, Akechi-Cun.
The two hug and kiss a lot in bed before getting up to get ready for another day with a lot to do before another job starts off. For Morgan to overhear the thing to keep in mind.
Akechi: I love you a lot.
Keiko: I love you too. (A lot to solve this past Akechi has been having. We can do this, we'll find out the other three kids soon enough.) Come on, we better get clean up to have the others over again.
And for the others to be in this together too...A few hours later – Keiko, Akechi, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, Haru, Sophia, and Zen all gather for Zen got the whole thing on what they're trying to do in order to help out one another for this case to be solved 'by camping out sort of', and then on others thing as well. If they're working for someone like Zen, then they need to inform one another on what's going on.
Zen: A camper?! This is turnin' into some kinda coming-of-age flick...
Akechi: We're getting a RV to rent for us to get around, headquarters already know I'll be going out a lot. Just not without my friends and fiance.
Zen: Really, Goro...? Wait, are you guys and girls actually gonna sleep in that thing together?!
Not completely like it too much.
Futaba: No worries. The boys are sleeping on the roof.
Ann: And we've got Makoto and her first of justice with us if someone tries anything funny!
Haru: Oh, and I'm very handy with an ax!
The girls can fight back. For Keiko to hold her Akechi by her side.
Keiko: Not for Akechi and me, we can sleep to use a nice looking motel sometimes to shower and have our alone time. Other than everyone else can use the bathroom and laundry mat rooms when needed.
Akechi: Then it's Ryuji, Yusuke, and Morgana who should be more careful.
Now he tells the other boys.
Ryuji: Uh-Yeah...
Yusuke: But you have Ann, Ryuji. And I have my Ms. Makoto. I would never!
Makoto: I know, Yusuke, but just in case.
Ann: I still love you, Ryuji.
Everyone still loves their lovers no matter what, to also not do anything bad too just in case.
Zen: For Goro and Amamiya, I get. Also these sisters are really doing it for themselves...Fine, whatever you gotta do.
Now to work on one thing at a time first...
Makoto: So, about what I asked for...
Zen: Ah! Right, Alice's phone. Here you go.
Akechi: Thanks to my help from my Master, we managed to sneak it out to use it for a bit today. Make it count, Futaba.
Futaba: Nice score, Zenkichi and Akechi!
Time to get to work. Remember, this phone was to use it only, nothing else to be returned later.
Zen: Hey, that's important evidence! No breaking it, got that?
Akechi: She knows what she's doing.
And Futaba gets to work to gather the data from Alice's cell phone into her laptop. While she's doing this, the others ask how Alice Hiiragi was holding up.
Ann: So, how was Alice, anyway?
Zen: She was pretty upfront about the whole heart-changing situation...When people registered her as a friend on EMMA, she noticed they'd suddenly grown obedient to her. At first, she was just curious what was going on...But she says she got such a thrill from making people do her bidding, she couldn't stop herself.
So the mastermind made it happen with Ellen and Hans' doing the rest of the work. For Alice to make the mess come to life.
Yusuke: It began with the friend registration, hm?
Akechi: She didn't know how it worked, it just happened. To the real person behind everything. I know, it's left out unknown for Alice's Shadow went along with it.
Those were a few things for what Alice said about it so far.
Makoto: Was there anything else?
Zen: The only other thing she did was apologize. That's all we got, but it does seem like she was telling me the truth.
Keiko: Right. As bad as it is with no answers so far...
Zen: Something about the missing kids case from years ago. The fire, five of them, one was sick, others were brother and sister to sister twins to do something with a group of scientist of women on something...And then it turns out to be a murder case. If Goro is having those dreams from the past and those Kaguya sisters are one of them, this might have something to do with all of this.
I guess Akechi kept Zen posted about it so far, with other answers left unsaid so far.
Akechi: If the other two are on our side and one is unknown, I wonder who the brother and sister are...
I feel like Keiko and Akechi might no, even Arsene and Loki too. A connection?
Morgana: So of the other siblings, Alice still didn't actually know anything about the Jails or Desires to power and weapon of Pandora's Box...
Zen: Well, I hafta say, I wouldn't have bought one bit of it if you hadn't shown me what you did.
Keiko: I'm glad you believe in us. Others with no powers can't see or hear from Shadows or go to the other world. (Still, I felt something different from Zenny being able to go into the Metaverse to now hear Morgana talk in his cat form.)
Hmmm...Maybe some luck maybe? Who's to say for sure, it must be lucky...Soon enough, Futaba finds something big from Alice's phone to put on to her laptop, something big.
Futaba: Hmmm? What in the hell...?
Everyone gathered to see and hear what Futaba had found out.
Ann: What is it? Did you find something?
Futaba: I thought I'd find some unique aspect to Alice's version of EMMA...but nope. This is just the standard commercial version. It hasn't even been tampered with.
Ryuji: So we go nuthin' outta all this?
Not really...
Futaba: I didn't say that. I DID find traces of some snooping in her phone.
Another search to be done all over again, with one big clue they did get.
Keiko: Did you found something, Futaba?
Ann: What do you mean?
Futaba: Someone was monitoring Alice's activity-either her smartphone usage in general, or her EMMA usage specifically.
Ann: So, like...
The mastermind must've given it to Alice for her to make a change, and then both Ellen and Hans use their powers to give her things she wanted while aiding them. But who was the real mastermind? Now that was still left unsaid.
Keiko: Someone's keeping tabs on her? A stalker...? No way!
Akechi: The mastermind with the other members. We know it's more than PubSec from what Masterworks is for.
Zen: As if! Anything were to break the rules, I'll be teaching the traitor a big lesson.
I think they get it, it's not the Public Security group.
Yusuke: If it wasn't Public Security, does that mean there's still someone out there involved with this incident?
Makoto: Do you see anything revealing the monitor's origins?
Futaba: Somewhere within the country...That's all I get from this.
It's a lead so far.
Zen: Getting even that's quite the feat. You're real good, kid!
Futaba: Never underestimate the techie of the Phantom Thieves.
Makoto: So someone was tracking Alice...Who could it be?
Does the dream of Akechi's showing about the sad past must be one of the four out of five kids? Since Kaguya and Picaro aren't the bad guys, they're off the suspect list.
Akechi: Maybe one of the three other missing kids?
Keiko: The red-haired girl, or the brother with his sister, and sister twins? (I wonder if the Kaguya twins knew about this?)
Well, for one thing...
Zen: Aw, one thing at a time. Goro, we'll solve the other case too. I want to get into it in between mine while we're at it.
Akechi: Really, Master? I guess we should do one thing at a time then.
Zen: Yeah, we'll get there. This isn't our only case to work. I'm sure we'll find more leads as we investigate the incidents.
Keiko: If this is leaked to the others, then we'll have our answers yet.
They'll get there...So to get back Alice's phone once Futaba gathers her data, Zen heads out for him and Akechi gets their part done and the rest help out each other.
Zen: Well, I'll see ya August 8th in Sapporo Central. Don't be late, got it? Goro, keep me posted from the dream and this case too Maybe the other three kids as well. I'll reach out to you guys on that day with the meetup location.
Akechi: Understood, Master. We'll keep in touch and see you again real soon.
Zen: Now it's time to return this phone to its rightful owner.
Off he goes for now. All's left now is to solve the case and get a VR hopefully to their next Jail to find in Sapporo. A lot to do and to start packing for.
Ryuji: So, Alice could put people in her Jail 'cause she was a Monarch-is that about right?
Keiko: Along those lines, yes it does.
Haru: Since it didn't seem to be her version of Emma's doing, that seems correct...
Just the twins and the mastermind doing the other things and giving Alice or other people the power. Gegasite slaves, Fake Shadows, Desire power ups in other Jails, and finding Pandora's Box.
Morgana: I get where you're coming from, but we still shouldn't jump to conclusions. Like Zenkichi said, there's still plenty to look into. And Akechi's dreams...It might be connected to this whole event. All of it.
Akechi: I won't let this bother me. Little at a time, I will solve this case from many years ago.
Makoto: Good point and that's true. If we don't know enough about what's happening, we should gather more intel.
Good idea. Soon, Sojiro calls up on Keiko's phone for some good news.
Keiko: Hello, Mr. Sakura?
[Sojiro: Hey, you guys still together?]
Keiko: Yes we are.
[Sojiro: Then come on outside-check out your wheels.]
He has it? Looks like Sojiro got it as promised for the Phantom Thieves to drive around the other areas, what luck. Park at the back side of Sojiro and Futaba's house, it was the real thing.
Akechi: The RV?
Keiko: You got it?
Sojiro: Well, here's your wheels.
The one and only camper VR to borrow.
Ann: This is the camper?!
Ryuji: Whoa, it's like three times more badass than I expected...
And there goes Yusuke with art capturing looks.
Yusuke: This retro design-so simple, yet so elegant!
Futaba: Thanks, Sojiro!
Keiko: It's awesome.
Anything's better to travel with anything to help them get around much faster.
Sojiro: Welcome, Keiko. Heh, just make sure you don't wreck it.
Then Sophia had something to say.
Sophia: [I've found the make and model online. This is a Volgen Retrolife. It has four beds and a rooftop tent. There are enough power outlets for everyone, as well as cooking appliances for any culinary needs.]
Akechi: Nice information there, Sophia.
Lots to look into for this AI to talk about.
Morgana: We couldn't have asked for anything better! That's our chief for ya!
Now they all check out inside of the RV next. For Haru, Ann, Ryuji, Futaba, and Yusuke to be doing.
Haru: Wow...I love the interior, too!
Yusuke: Yes, it reminds me of American diners in the 1950s.
While Keiko, Morgana, Sophia, Akechi, and Sophia already looked in there too.
Makoto: I hope I can actually drive something this big...
Sojiro: It's got its little quirks, but I'm sure you'll get used to 'em quick enough. Until then, though, make sure you drive carefully, okay? Well...I guess I can't really park this here, can I?
Akechi: I'm afraid not. Leave it and I'll have to write you a find.
Making a little joke there.
Sojiro: No I won't. I'll go move this to the nearest lot-you go finish your packing.
Keiko: Okay, let's get packing.
Bring as much as they can for this trip to make it count.
Morgana: All right, let's disband for now and regroup once we're ready to roll out!
Time to start packing for a job and summer vacation fun. From Keiko getting her clothes, bathroom needs, shoes, some food, and drinks 'with money', the same with Akechi to be all set to go 'with his police work files to bring'; along with Morgana to brush up for this event to happen and use the bathroom too. With Sophia excited to see through the phone on the entire trip. Ryuji was good with his shoes, Ann with her clothing, Yusuke with his small...art work box to carry around, Makoto's books to study on college things, Futaba's laptop, and Haru cooking gear and other food to add in. They were all set to get going now. With Keiko reporting back to Lava to tell Picaro, Kaguya, and Loki everything to find their next Jail to look into on their end, while the Phantom Thieves did the other way around it. From tasty ramen for Sophia to see and research on it for Keiko, Ryuji, and Ann enjoy it – with less eating contests.
Ryuji: Mmm! Damn, so good!
Ann: Yeah, it's still favorable.
Keiko: And this is ramen food, Sophia.
Learning a lot of udon and ramen to enjoy a lot.
[Sophia: I see...From udon and ramen all look tasty and amazing on how it's made. I like what I've seen today.]
Ryuji loves to eat regularly and run really well so far, and less stuffing his face. With some items, Personas, weapons, armors, accessories, and such all set to bring along the trip; it was good to be ready for anything. With Keiko all done for Sojiro, give her some food to use for cooking and make coffee in between – pork, rice, and egg.
Sojiro: Here, you're going to be needing those things. You're welcome.
Keiko: Thanks again for all of this, Mr. Sakura. We'll be back later, we'll have fun, do what's right, and I'll text you from time to time.
That's our Sojiro Sakura for you and his once Confidant he had...
The Hierophant
In many modern packs, the Hierophant is represented with his right hand raised in blessing or benediction, with two fingers pointing skyward and two pointing down, thus forming a bridge between Heaven and Earth reminiscent of that formed by the body of The Hanged Man. The Hierophant is thus a true "pontiff", in that he is the builder of the bridge between deity and humanity. In his left hand he held a triple cross. The Hierophant is typically male, even in decks that take a feminist view of the Tarot, such as the Mother peace Tarot, The Hierophant was also known as "The Teacher of Wisdom".
In most iconographic depictions, the Hierophant is seen seated on a throne between two pillars symbolizing Law and Liberty or obedience and disobedience, according to different interpretations. He wears a triple crown, and the keys to Heaven are at his feet. Sometimes he is shown with worshipers, as his alternate title is the Pope or, sometimes, Jupiter. The card is also known as "The High Priest", as a counterpart to "The High Priestess" (which itself is also sometimes known as "The Papess", as counterpart to "The Pope").
All set to go now. With Keiko and Akechi all set 'and Sophia was waiting to get going...For them, Morgana, Ryuji, Ann, Yusuke, Makoto, Futaba, and Haru were all set. They got what they needed and such 'even phones to their phone chargers' to get going. Leave the driving to Makoto to have the license for it.
Sojiro: You sure you kids gonna be okay on your own?
Aw, he's a very caring man, he was 'as always'.
Futaba: We'll be fine! I mean probably.
Yusuke: Take care, Boss.
Sojiro: Akechi, keep an eye on Keiko for me.
Akechi: I'll do what I always do, Chief. See you later.
Sojiro: Eh, same to you. Be careful out there.
All set to get driving now.
Makoto: Thanks, Bye!
Keiko: Bye, Mr. Sakura!
And off they go so Sojiro sees them driving out. With Makoto driving fine with the VR, Ann sits in the front seat, Haru and Futaba were playing with Morgana with the food in Futaba's hands; Ryuji loves the ride, Yusuke loves the art view of the city life on the road. And...Keiko and Akechi were relaxing while holding each other in a special seat of theirs. All excited to work and have some fun.
Ryuji: Yeah! Summer vacation, here we come!
Laughter, chatting, playing around, and for this to be a fun trip for all of them. With the other three Personas finding the next Jai their way differently and Lava will do her part to help out Keiko and the others, all was good. Well, not all of them so far...Back at police headquarters...Zen waits around the meeting room where he looks at the cases in between 'with something else on his mind'.
Zen: ...
Soon his boss Miyako appears to have a word with her partner.
Miyako: You look unusually serious, Inspector Hasegawa.
Zen: Oh, Commissioner Kaburagi. My apologies-I've been short on sleep. I've not been on an undercover case in quite some time.
Miyako: I wholly understand. Have you liaised with the Phantom Thieves?
What?! He was using Akechi and the Phantom Thieves to report back to his boss? Really!?
Zen: Affirmative. I've gained their cooperation as well as my student Goro felt for it. I feel bad for him, but he'll understand my actions someday. However, proceedings are touch-and-go. Some of them are also very quick on the uptake. Nevertheless, I guarantee you that I will win them over.
I think this will have Akechi getting mad at his own teacher/master.
Miyako: Understood. As expected from someone so dependable, I'm sure Akechi-san will fully understand everything in due time.
Zen: Well, I still owe you for asking me under your wing. I'm happy to do whatever you require.
Miyako: Keep at it until you get to the bottom of this case. But do not get too attached to them, not even your own student. At this point, their arrest is an inevitability.
Well, Zen seems to trust in Akechi a lot for giving him a home.
Zen: Attached? I haven't been attached to anything in a long time but Goro and his fiance to be. But that's all.
Miyako: So you say. Akechi-san to get married soon, good for him. And how's the girl? Go home-at least every so often. Understood?
What girl? Who was this girl Miyako's telling Zen about?
Zen: Ma'am.
Miyako: It'll do you some good.
Leaving the room, Zen had a lot of things on his mind to do right now other than seeing this girl...And why is that?
Zen: No way she's buying anything about that world...I've gotta wring a lead out of 'em...Don't take it personally, Phantom Thieves. Same with you too, Goro. All I want is for this case to be solved...And I'll use them however I have to.
Hmm...Does he really mean it? Part of him is saying those things to be true, but the other half...Not so much to be serious to care about his step-son Akechi for the reason to work together, and in a few cases to come together now. His own from what's happening now and from long ago from the five mysterious children. Yeah...With him to catch up to the Phantom Thieves soon on the road to Sapporo to meet up there, who will the next target with a Jail be? The next Monarch with another enemy waiting for them is one of the other twins. As for Loki, lucky to be a ghost to sense something good about Zen's doing, and yet to still be on the good side other than being a cop.
Loki: Well, something's going to happen soon...