A Fool's Study into Witchcraft
Chapter 6: An Invitation to my Heart
A burst of light flashed from inside Cognitive Luna Nova's dorms as Akko, Sucy, and Lotte found themselves back in the replica of their room. They've long since changed back to their Luna Nova uniforms.
Akko stretches her back and lets out a satisfied sigh. "Ah~! That was fun wasn't it?"
"Yeah," Sucy nods, "it's like Luna Nova is just an ordinary school now. So much for the boarding fees."
"Totally!" Akko agrees. "During the summer breaks, maybe I'll go with you both back to your home countries. That way next year both of you can visit your homes whenever you want!"
"Thank you so much Akko! I am sure my family would love to meet you both!" the blonde cheers, "although... you might have to help me explain it to them so they don't think I lied about going to England..."
Akko scratches her head, "oh, right. We, uh… we'll talk about that when it comes around!"
"Don't bother with my place," Sucy shrugs. "I don't feel like bothering her unless it is absolutely necessary."
"Her…?" Akko asks. "Are you talking about your mom, Sucy?"
Sucy pinched the bridge of her nose and groaned. "Something like that. I don't want to talk about it right now, would you mind?"
Akko sends the girl a worried look, but drops the issue with a nod. "Okay…" She then walks to door and attempts to open it. However, to her surprise, the door is locked. "Eh?" "Why is it locked?"
"Why are you going that way? Why aren't we teleporting out?" Sucy deadpans, "we are not fighting our way back to the entrance."
"... Sorry! Aahaha…" she laughs and rubs the back of her head, "force of habit that's all!" She apologized as she rises her hand, manifesting the Magician arcana. "Here we go! To the entrance!"
Sucy and Lotte link arms with Akko as Pixie casts Traesto. In another flash of light, the trio is transported back to the front of the fallen memorial tree.
"Alright! Let's go-"
"Hey… Akko?!" Lotte warily says as she tugs on the brunette's uniform, "w-what happened to the Cognitive World?!"
Akko turns around to see what Lotte was talking about, and gasps in awe at what greets her.
Where Luna Nova once stood was now a massive castle. Stone walls towered over the trio, guarding the castle on all sides. In place of the forest that surrounded the school lay a large moat. Where everything was once a single shade of drab yellow is now tinted in excruciatingly vibrant colors, making the world around the girls feel like an eccentric painting of an imaginative artist. Even the sky had changed, the harsh red and black replaced with a beautiful night sky littered with stars. The trio and the memorial tree stump now sat at the west corner of the property, dwarfed by everything.
"WHAT HAPPENED?!" Akko lets out a cry of disbelief, Pixie besides her expressing her disbelief as well.
"Whoa…" Sucy asks, somewhat amazed, "what could've happened to cause this?"
Taking another look around, the gears in Akko's head started moving. She then backs off in horror. "No... That's impossible! Here in Luna Nova!?"
"If you are freaking out so much, this is something major, isn't it?" Sucy asks, "what's the situation, Akko? A little explanation would be nice."
"... This is really bad, we have to go check this out," she responds, clutching her hand. "Berith!"
Pixie shatters as the towering knight takes her place. Without warning, Akko wraps her arms around the waists of her friends, and with a powerful leap, carries them on to the stallion with ease.
"OW!" Both of the girls cry out as they are placed before the blue knight protectively while Akko hitches a ride on his back.
"Hold on tight!" she declares, pointing forward. "Let's go Berith!"
The girls didn't even get a chance cry out in shock before the Goetia demon sped off, aiming to cross the castle grounds as fast as his horse could gallop.
"Akko. Slow down," Sucy calls out, "just what is going on?"
"Yeah, Akko. You look really unnerved right now. Just what happened to the Cognitive World?" Lotte asks, holding down her hat.
"A Distortion has overtaken the Cognition," Akko explains with worry.
"Distortion? What do you mean by that?" Sucy questions.
"A Distortion is what happens when a person in the real world has a desire so strong, their own Cognition overwrites everyone else's," the brunette clarifies. "It's a phenomenon that's common throughout the Cognitive worlds."
"It sounds like you've encountered one before. Just how bad are things going to be if one appears?"
"Well for starters, Shadows encountered in the Distortions are really powerful. I'm talking red auras everywhere," Akko states, a grimace on her face. "They serve the ruler of the Distortion and are far more intelligent than wild Shadows. It makes them really hard to deal with," she frowns, "I've never successfully reached the deeper levels of one. They always send me back home with a lot of injuries…"
"Okay, distortions make the place more dangerous. Is there anything else they can do? "
"If we leave the distortion alone it will start to affect reality. Everyone in Luna Nova will start to feel what the owner wants them to feel. It is affecting everyone's Cognition after all," Akko shakes her head uncertainly, "that's just from what Aradia hypothesized and personal experience though... Truth to be told, I don't really know, but I'm certainly going to deal with this before anything does happen!"
"So, the owner is a person in the real world?" Lotte asks, "... I wonder who it could be."
"Definitely someone with a distorted heart," Akko answers, "it could a teacher, drunk on power or a criminal committing unspeakable crimes under everyone's noses… we don't know yet. That's why I am going in and finding out."
With Akko's declaration, both Sucy and Lotte shoot each other a worried look.
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Berith shatters away upon nearing the entrance. Lights shine everywhere, illuminating the gates, making it almost blinding to look at. A luxurious and vibrant red carpet covered in glitter glistens in the light, leading directly to the gate. Golden stanchions border the sides.
"What is this…?" Sucy rises an eyebrow, "is this one of those high rise, upper-class parties or something?"
"Weird… No guards?" Akko takes a step forward-
Suddenly, dark and murky liquid burst out of the ground and forms into a Shadow, blocking her path. It is completely different from the Shadows Sucy and Lotte had seen before. The Shadow is properly humanoid, bearing only one green mask with the roman numeral "X" printed on the cheek. It has blonde, plastic like hair and dons the type of suit often seen on bouncers, complete with an earpiece. The red aura emanating from its form makes everyone tense up.
"Oh there it is."
"Hold it," the bouncer like Shadow demands, crossing its arms, "show me your invitation."
"Invitation?" Sucy rises an eyebrow.
"I-Invitation…?" Lotte shakily gasps.
"We don't have one. But you're going to let me in any way!" Akko demands, "I'm going to find out who caused this!"
"DREAM ON!" the Shadow roars back, "no invitation, no entry to the party!"
The bouncer violently explodes into black goo, and a towering silhouette coalesces from the liquid darkness. Standing at least three meters tall, a grotesque fusion of man and bull looms over the girls. Its muscles ripple and tense in preparation for a fight. Its humanoid face is nothing more than a skull fused into the snout of a gigantic bull head, rendering the eye sockets into its nostrils. It wears a belt and a necklace lined with round mirrors, alongside a red loincloth.
"I am Minotaur! And for as long as I am here, you shall not enter without an invitation! My Mistress demands it! BEGONE!" The Minotaur lets out a massive roar. The air current alone was able to blow Sucy and Lotte away like they were tumbleweeds while making Akko flinch a few steps back.
"Guys! No...!"
A brief silence lingers over the trio before Akko swiftly turns tail and runs as fast as she could go, taking Sucy and the utterly terrified Lotte with her, and away from the bull of Minos. Berith reappears to rush them all to safety.
"WHAT IN TARTARUS WAS THAT!?" The Minotaur roars, angered and confused. "DON'T YOU DARE RETURN YOU PESTS! I WILL TEAR YOU ALL LIMB FROM LIMB IF YOU DO-"
"What's with all the commotion?"
The gate behind the Shadow opens, revealing a petite figure bathed in a blinding radiance. The rage clouding the Minotaur's mind subdues almost instantly and the were-cow kneels down at the person in reverence.
"... It was nothing," the Shadow explains calmly, "just a few pests trying to enter the party that is all. Not to worry, I have already chased them off. I apologize if I was too loud, Mistress."
The Shadow's master grins to herself. "Is that so...? How interesting."
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"That…was a Minotaur?!" Sucy exclaims, her muscles hurts from having rolled harshly on the ground. "No way was that a Minotaur. A real Minotaur doesn't look like that! We even have some working at the school!"
"T-That was close..." Lotte pants, still shaking uncontrollably, "t-that was terrifying. I thought I was going to die…!"
Aradia whispers inside Akko's mind, "to think the bull of Minos would be reduced as the enemy's pawn so easily. What a troublesome Distortion we got here."
With a deep frown on her face, Akko summons Pixie to cast Dia on her friends.
"So what's the plan, Akko?" Sucy asks, standing back up after the healing magic done its work.
"Let's just head on back for today…" the Japanese girl sighs, "I'll come back here by myself tomorrow... I don't want to fight with you two around. I can afford taking heavy injuries, you two can't."
"What?! Akko no!" Lotte objects, "you're going to try to beat that thing?! Alone!?"
"That's one of the dumbest things I've heard you say," Sucy replies, crossing her arms, "didn't you say Shadows eventually come back after you kill them? What's the point of fighting that thing if it can just come back? What exactly do you plan to accomplish with that?"
"I am trying to see who the owner is. If I can get into that Distortion and find who it belongs to in the real world, I can get rid of it," Akko replies with confidence, "I've done this before. And it'll work!"
Sucy rises an eyebrow, "explain." Her glares demanding.
"Ahaha…" Akko looks away, waving her hand in dismissal. "Don't worry about it. Just trus-
Sucy steps forward and stares down on her friend. "I said explain."
Lotte stands up and joins Sucy. "Yeah, Akko. I agree with Sucy, please explain."
Akko sighs in defeat. "Because I know from experience... I once encountered a Distortion in the Cognition of a subway station in Shibuya. It belonged to a… ahm… Train molester."
"What…?"
"Yeah. It was as sick and weird and perverted as it sounds…" Akko adds, shivering at the uncomfortable memory. "The Distortion turned the subway station into some kind of weird zoo, but with high school girls instead of animals. All they had on was either underwear or animal cosplay, and the owner took the form of a zoo keeper that would… ahm… wash and groom them."
"Would he actually wash them, or are you just sparing us the disgusting details?"
"The latter."
"Thank you very much."
"Anyways, after leaving the Distortion and washing my eyes, I took a few days to gather some info in Shibuya. I managed to find the molester in the real world. I caught him and took some pictures of him trying to go after some students, then reported him to the police. The Distortion vanished afterward."
"Interesting," Sucy ponders. "If you can't beat them in the Cognitive World, go after them in the real world?"
"Pretty much," Akko frowns. "That's why I'm trying to find the owner of this place. But that stupid cow wouldn't let me!"
"See Akko, that story wasn't so bad," Lotte reassure. "You don't have to hide things from us. We're your friends now, right? Promise us that you won't keep the details of this world to yourself, ok?" the Finnish girl looks at Akko with a smile on her face. "You don't have to explore this place by yourself anymore, you have us to back you up."
"You guy's…!" Akko steps forward and brings Sucy and Lotte into a hug. "I'm sorry…! I just didn't want to scare you guys!"
"That story wasn't even scary, just messed up," Sucy deadpans.
"It's okay, Akko…" Lotte pats her back, "remember, we're a team, your friends! Let's find the best way to get rid of this Distortion!"
"The faster this place is free, the better," Sucy adds, "I have ingredients to collect."
Akko smiles and nods, feeling the warmth and support from her new friends.
*Shatter*
Thou art I... and I am thou...
Thou hast acquired a new bond...
It shall aid thee in thy journey to inspire.
With the blessing of the Fool Arcana, thou shalt ignite the fires of inspiration in the hearts of the people...
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [0] Fool Rank 1 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
"What?!" The startled brunette exclaimed, taking a few steps back, "w-what was that!?"
"What?" both Sucy and Lotte ask in confusion, "nothing happened, are you ok Akko?"
"Akko!" Aradia comments. "They can't hear that. Wave it off so they don't think you are crazy!"
"N-Never mind… it was probably nothing. Sorry about that." She rubs the back of her head and laughs.
"Aradia! What was that?!" she whispers in her head.
"AHAHAHAHA!" the Persona's laughs reverberate through Akko's mind. "YES, YES, YES! THE POWER OF THE ARCANA AT LONG LAST! I AM FREE OF THE STAGNATION THAT BINDS ME!"
"EH!?"
"That was a Social Link, what Residents of the Velvet room spoke off! And it feels wonderful!" she explains. "Your heart has grown from the bond of those two and formed a link! All future Personas of the Fool arcana you welcome into your heart shall be empowered by it! After an entire year, you have finally taken the proper steps as a Wild Card! I don't know whether I should be proud of you or relieved that you have finally reach this point!"
"Oh gee… thanks…" Akko puffs up her cheeks and grumbles
"What's wrong, Akko?" Lotte ask.
"It's nothing… Aradia just said something annoying… Never mind her." Akko shrugs. "Anyway. Let's go back to reality and think about what we're goin-"
"GAH!"
Suddenly, a figure tumbles out of the tree stump and lands in front of the group, her red hair, green eyes, and athletic figure is unmistakable to the trio.
"Ow…! Stupid tree!" Amanda O'Neill cries, rubbing her hind side. She froze upon seeing Akko's group. "Ah! It's the demon girl!"
"A-Amanda!?" Akko exclaims in shock, "how did you get in here!?"
The Irish-American picks up herself and dust herself off. "What else? Was forced to help everyone look for Miss. Perfect." she explains.
"What…?"
"So dumb. I thought it will be a piece of cake since I saw her wandering into the forest earlier. But what I find instead? Just her wand just lying by that tree stump," she complains, pulling out a wand. The handle of the casting tool is embroidered with the Cavendish emblem.
"What."
"Then I see that weird red glow, so I went to touch it and it frickin sucked me in! I thought it was some flesh-eating plant, thought I was a goner-"
Akko rushes up and grabs Amanda by the shoulders, violently shaking her out of her mumbling. "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!"
"Hey, hey! No shaking!" The red head reaches up to pry Akko's arms off her but they are not budging, "god damnit, you're really strong. What's your secret?"
"Amanda focus! Did you just say Diana disappeared?!" Akko questions.
"Yeah. You didn't hear all the teachers freaking out?" Amanda asks, "her sidekicks made everyone search the school from top to bottom-"
"That settles it," Aradia reasons, "I was suspicious on how a Distortion was able to overtake Luna Nova's Cognition so swiftly. It should be a gradual transition, not instantaneous. Now it all makes sense. That child entered the Cognitive World with a distorted heart and affected it directly."
Akko lets go of Amanda and massages her temples in disbelieve. "How?! How could she have gotten in here?! I thought she didn't have the potential!" She screams, surprising Lotte and Sucy.
"I am just as confused as you," Aradia ponders, "either way, she has entered this world. Just like the old tales that bear told. What once transpired in Inaba is now happening here. That child's life is on borrowed time," the Persona groans. "So much for my warning for keeping thine eyes on that child. Thou should've taken mine warning to heart. Now we have a massive problem."
"I took my eyes off her for only two hours! How was I supposed to know this would happen!?" Akko replies with frustration.
"D-Diana is trapped here?!" the blonde exclaims, "how?!"
"So the honor roll student got herself stuck in here, huh? Oh, how the mighty have fallen..." Sucy chuckles, "can we just leave her here...?"
"That's not funny Sucy!" Akko yells, "her life is on the line here!"
"Whoaaa! Is that tree a red Ley Line or something?" Amanda ask curiously, looking around. "How did we ended up here?!"
"Amanda, you can see the entrance?" Lotte asks.
"Oh, you mean that red hole in the tree trunk? Yeah, I can see it clear as day," Amanda replies. "What's the matter?"
"She definitely meets the criteria," Sucy grumbles, annoyed. "I don't have that potion with me right now, so do any of your Personas erase memories? I am against keeping more than one loud mouth around."
Akko shakes her head. "Sucy… I think at this point it will be better to let her in. We need as much help as we can get…" she frowns, scratching her head in confusion, "what am I supposed to do? I guess for starters I could just go kill that stupid cow and then go from there…"
"Akko please..." Lotte pleads, laying a hand on the brunette's shoulder, "don't forget about the talk we just had so soon…"
"Actually I have an idea," Sucy suggests. "There's an easy way to kill the Minotaur, and we've had it right in front of us this entire time."
"Huh?"
"The ZhènNiǎo poison!" Sucy responds, a grin spreading across her face, "I spent an entire night extracting it! While I still don't know most of its properties, I found that just a drop is potent enough to kill four hundred Indian elephants!"
"Ah… Sucy? Can you not keep something that dangerous in our room?" Lotte pleads.
"Anyway, what I am saying is, we have the tools to kill that Shadow already. The problem is getting it to drink it," Sucy ponders. "Its hide seems too tough to cut through, so injection is out of the question."
Akko mulls over the idea a bit before nodding. "Yeah…! This could work! I can stun the Minotaur, then you can go feed him the poison while he is down!"
"Perfect, we have a plan. Let's go back to the dorm so I can get that baby prepped. kekekeke!" Sucy rubs her hands in anticipation, showing her rare moment of absolute joy.
"And while you're doing that, I will use this opportunity to let Professor Ursula know that I'll be a little late with our meeting…" Akko frowns, "Lotte, Amanda! Let's head back for now!"
"Okay…?" the redhead replies annoyed, "I seriously have no idea where "here" is. All I heard was stuff that didn't make sense and Diana this, Diana that..." she huffs, grumbling, "I feel like I've been left in the dark here!"
"You are in the dark," Sucy taunts, "just be on standby until we have time for you."
As the group crosses over back to the other side, Akko and Sucy left Lotte and Amanda by the entrance to finish their business. The Finnish girl tries to fill their new member in, but without Akko, she can't quite explain it well enough for Amanda to understand.
On their way back, Akko takes out a stack of sticky notes and begins to write on it with a fancy ballpoint pen.
"You've got everything in that pack of yours, don't you?" Sucy deadpans.
"It's always good to be prepared!" Akko smiles, clicking her pen. She tears the page off from the stack as the Magician arcana appears in her hand. "Pixie, go! Take this to Professor Ursula!" The blue fairy salutes her summoner with great enthusiasm before flying away, taking the sticky note to the library.
"There we go! Now let's go get your poison prepared, Sucy!"
A wicked smile spreads across the gloomy witch's lips.
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After a few minutes of preparation, the girls are riding Berith back to the castle.
"Whaaa!"
"Whaoooo!"
"WHAO!-"
Sucy grabs Amanda by the arm. "If you make one more sound, I will hit you."
Amanda huffs and frees her limb from Sucy's grasp. "Sorry, but I'm just super confused right now. Seriously! Where the hell are we?! How come entering that tree stump get us here?! Why does this place look the same as the Cavendish Manor?!" she looks at Akko behind her, "and c'mon! You have a personal knight?! No wonder everyone is calling you the demon girl!"
Berith glares down at the impudent child before him as tongues of flame dance across his trident.
"BERITH! NO!" Akko cries in distress, holding down the Goetia demon's spear arm, "no burning people, even if they are rude!"
"I see Lotte wasted her breath for nothing… Wait, how do you know this is the Cavendish Manor?" Sucy asks, somewhat amazed.
"Some relatives took me to their lame party once," Amanda frowns and puts her hands to the back of her head, "it looked nice and all... but damn, what a joyless place. Everyone there was so goddamn serious. The kids there were lame too, all rule following goodie two shoes without a single fun bone in their body. That's why I hate hanging out with nobles."
"... Sounds like Diana's family was pretty strict," Akko frowns, "I wonder if it has anything to do with how this Distortion looks."
"Well if you want some details on Diana's life, I know a few things," Amanda offers. "Wanna hear it? It'll cost you though..." she says with a smirk, rubbing her fingers together.
"I didn't take you for that type," Sucy deadpans.
"Hehe! Don't underestimate me! I get around you know!" The redhead cockily replies.
"Here," without batting an eye, Akko hands Amanda £30 from her belt pouch. "Is this enough?"
The redhead's mouth drops, taking the cash in disbelieve. "Ah... Thanks. But you do realize I was just messing with you?"
"Just take it," Akko shrugs with a reassuring smile, "as long as you promise to tell me what you know truthfully."
"Well... if you say so. For starters… Her aunt is a total bitch! I remember meeting her when I was younger and she was one of the most condescending people I have ever seen! It pissed me off!
"Her aunt…? What about her parents?"
"Dead," Amanda answers. "Rumor has it that her dad died in a car accident while her mother died of illness. I don't exactly have confirmation on either those, but it's what I've heard."
Akko's expression sours, "who would've thought...?"
"Oh it gets worse. The entire Cavendish house is in hot water right now," Amanda frowns. "I've heard that currently they aren't doing too well financially, and if the rumors are true, they've been doing some pretty shady crap to keep themselves afloat."
"Define "Shady"," Sucy asks.
"The works. Black market dealings, gambling, money laundering, you name it."
"... I think I am starting to see why Diana reacted so badly," Lotte frowns, "she must've worked herself extra hard if her family is like that…"
"..." Akko looks away with a frown, "... Thanks, Amanda. That was very helpful."
"... You're welcome?" The redhead rises an eyebrow. "All I said are the kind of stuff you'd find in magazines. I have no idea how that info will help you, definitely not worth £30. But thanks for the cash anyway."
"It will eventually… Anyway, we're here, get ready everyone," Akko warns. "Follow me and make sure to be quiet."
The girls hop off the Goetia demon as he shatters away. They head toward the front gate, staying as close to the walls as possible. Just as they reach the entrance, Akko calls forth the Chariot arcana and hands the floating Tarot Card to Sucy. "Keep it close, for your safety in case of the worst."
Sucy accepts the card. "Wait! You are going to fight it without your Persona?!" she questions.
"Just trust me!" She says while pulling out her metal bat. Once the weapon is in her hand, she turns towards the Minotaur. "Hey! Stupid cow! We're back!" she yells and leap out of the cover.
The Shadow faces Akko, a wave of sheer malice and hatred directed at her. The Shadow stomps forward, releasing its true form as the bull of Minos.
"Holy Sh-"
Both Lotte and Sucy managed to cover Amanda's mouth and forces her back down before she could draw attention to them.
"WHAT DID I SAY, PEST?!" the Shadow bellows, a red gleam filled with fury and bloodlust appearing in the empty eye sockets. "IF YOU DARE TO RETURN AFTER MY WARNING I WILL TEAR YOU LIMB FROM LIMB!"
Akko locked eyes with monster that towered above her. With a confident grin she bellowed back, "well too bad! Here I am! And I am going to kick your oversized butt and get into your party whether you like it or not!" she pulls down her eyelid and sticks out her tongue. "Nenenene-!"
She backflips away from the massive arm that would've smashed her into a pulp, "woah! Nice try! Catch me if you can!"
"YOU. ARE. DEAD!" Minotaur roars, creating a burst of air current. He follows the Japanese girl out onto the open lawn. Akko easily dodges a few more of his ground shattering attacks before landing on a spot two meters away from him.
"You keep saying you are going to rip me apart, but can't even catch me~!" Akko taunts. She puts her hands behind her back. "I will go easy on you! But I bet you still wouldn't be able to touch me even if I just stood still! Go ahead! Give me everything you've got~!"
"YOU WANT TO DIE THAT BADLY? !" The Minotaur roared in fury as as an aura of power burst out from him. Every muscle in its body tensed and bulged as veins popped out across its chest, arms and neck. Its skin reddened from the sheer amount of power it was gathering as steam started to waft from its form.
"She's making it even angrier? Is she an idiot?!" Amanda cries in shock.
"Either she is going to do what I am think she is going to..." Sucy replies in a worried tone, "or yeah, she's an idiot."
"BEGONE IN THE NAME OF MY MISTRESS! RURGHHHHHHHHHHH!" With a battle cry the Minotaur shoots off towards Akko, leaving a crater in the spot where he once stood. His massive form speeding towards Akko like an eighteen-wheeler.
"AKKO!" Lotte desperately cries.
Just before the Minotaur gets within a foot of Akko, a triumphant smirk stretches across her face.
"Hehe, you fell for it~! Go, Attack Mirror!"
From her pouch Akko retrieves a small red mirror covered in archaic runes and symbols. As she holds the mirror out in front of her, it flashes red, encasing her in a protective crimson barrier. Being unable to change its course, the Minotaur smashes into the barrier. A loud ping reverberated across the yard as all of the force behind the Minotaur's attack is redirected back at it. Launching it rocketing across the yard and into the manor gate, smashing it open with a loud bang. The scarlet shield surrounding Akko fades away as the red mirror crumbles to dust, its energy spent.
Akko runs toward the downed beast. "Go Sucy! This is your chance! Use your poison before he gets up!"
A grin spreads across Sucy's face. "Got it," the gloomy witch musters all of her athletic ability and dashes out of cover, racing through the dust cloud to reach the stunned bull of Minos. Getting to the downed foe, she carefully pours her poison into the Shadow's open mouth from the test tube.
"... Urgh…! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Unfortunately, the Shadow seems to have regained consciousness. His massive arm reaches up, going for a strike at his poisoner.
"Protect her! Slime!" Akko clutches her hand, just in time for the green blob of goo to manifest and absorb the strike. The "face" of the gelatinous Persona glows red, hitting Minotaur in the face with a blast of curses, causing him to roar back in agony.
"Sucy!" Without any delay, Akko wraps her arms around her friend and pulling her away from further danger with huge leap backward. "Are you alright?!"
"I'm fine," Sucy says trying to stay calm, but is having a hard time due to her rapid heartbeat, "that was a bit close, but we got him." She slaps Akko's hands away when she realizes they are around her waist, "watch where you are holding, idiot."
"D-Did she just blush?" Akko wonders with astonishment.
The front entrance explodes as the injured Shadow stomps out in fury, "PESTS! ALL OF YOU! ONCE I GET MY HANDS ON YOU, I'LL- Urgh!?" Suddenly, Minotaur drops to his knees. His hands clutching his chest as he begins to heave in anguish.
"W-What is happening to my body…?" the Shadow continue to growl. His flesh are beginning to melt! "This is… not pain… but… intense pleasure…?!"
"Hehehahaha…!"
A malicious smile splits Sucy's face as she marvels at the effects of the poison and fingering her empty test tube playfully, "... this is wonderful! No wonder ZhènNiǎo poison was used to assassinate people in legend! The victim would have confused the effects with intoxication from the wine!" Excited, she bursts into even more wicked laughter, "hmm... Probably went a bit overboard with the processing… It doesn't seem to mix very well with anti-spirit toxins, but it is all the same in the end. I can't wait to see the other poison collector's faces when I show them this!"
"CURSE YOU, WITCH...! AURGHHHHHHH…!" the Shadow groans in agony, attempting to keep its focus on the two witches before it, "I-I refuse to fall here! Before I succumb, I will kill you both where you stand!" He kicks off again with his melting body, ready to destroy his targets on his limited time.
"STAY DOWN ALREADY! ARADIA!"
The Fool arcana shatters, bringing forth the bloodcurdling visage of Aradia. With a wave of her scepter, dozens of curse spikes erupted from the ground, pinning and disabling the Shadow for good.
As was depicted in ancient legend, the poison of the venomous bird is absolutely fatal once ingested.
"No… I have failed thee... F-Forgive me, o great Mistress…"
With one last murmur escaping from his dying breath, Minotaur perished to the poison, his body liquefying into blue slurry, and melting a hole into the ground. The smell was surprisingly sweet despite the horribly gruesome death.
"Whoa!" Akko exclaims in disbelief, "that was Maeiha wasn't it?!"
Aradia burst into laughter. "Indeed. This is what the Fool Arcana has granted Thee. The freedom to use higher tier curses; truly a wonderful feeling!"
Amanda and Lotte emerge from their hiding spot with expression of shock and astonishment. The redhead swallows her breath, fear and awe the welling up in the pit of her stomach. "Ok… that was really awesome to watch... but remind me to not piss her off."
"Sucy wouldn't do that to people she knows... I think," Lotte remarks shaky, uncertain.
Sucy sniffs the air. "Hmm... I need to bottle this. I think we created the world's first beef wine."
*Clap* *Clap*
"To think you'd manage to dispatch my bouncer… I am very impressed."
"Who's there?!"
Spotlights flash from the entrance as the master of the manor walked out from the gate's destroyed opening. On either side, two Shadows garbed in suits and pink masks with the roman numeral "VI" follow her. Shock spreads amongst the group as they lay eyes upon her.
"You are kidding me!" Amanda yelled, speaking out what was on everyone's mind. "That's where you went?!"
Diana Cavendish(?)'s yellow irises glance at the group with interest. The girl was garbed in a simple yet elegant, light green midi dress, matching the green tint of her hair. Her emerald mascara was done absolutely perfectly, her blush, grey-purple lipstick, and eyeliner giving her an air of cold perfection. Her arms were covered in light green long gloves, and ankle wrap high heels elevated her feet. On her head sat a hat far too big for her, decorated with furs and a skull. A fur coat two sizes too big for her covered her bare shoulders, render it a cape. The fur of her hat actually connects to the back of the coat. And furthermore, both oversized clothing are seemingly levitating, so her movements are not hindered. Her entire getup screamed nobility and her very presence had an aura of authority.
"What did you just say to Mistress Diana, you ruffian?!" One of the towering security guards bellowed as it stepped up, growling. Its hair was styled suspiciously similar to Hannah's…
"Totally! Don't you dare speak like you're on Mistress Diana's level!" The other one had Barbara's hair style...
Diana(?) raised her hand, making both guards pause. "Stand down, both of you. A ruffian she might be, but she deserves my tutelage like everyone else."
The guards back off, bowing, "yes! O great Mistress Diana! Your kindness truly knows no bounds!"
"Wow, those two hours did something to you didn't it? How is it possible that you're even more insufferable than before…?" Amanda grumbles angrily.
"Amanda back off!" Akko orders, "that's not Diana!" Akko pulls out a revolver from her belt porch, surprising the redhead and causes her to take a few steps back. The brunette ignores the Irish-American's loud reaction and appoints her gun at the yellow eyed copy. Shooting a hardened glare at Diana(?) she calmly demands, "answer me, Shadow. Where is your real self?"
"Oh?" Diana(?) looks at the threatening brunette, an amused smile gracing her lips. "I see, you are familiar with the situation, unlike your ignorant friends."
"MISTRESS DIANA!" the guards rush in to shield their mistress. "How dare you-"
"Stand down, both of you. I will not repeat myself again," the doppelganger gestures, her polite tone filled with fury.
The Shadows hesitatingly nod and back down, returning to the flanks of their mistress.
"Since you know the situation, you should also know what would happen should you injure me..." Diana(?) taunts, spreading her arms in welcome, "you are free to shoot me if you don't care about the weak girl that I'm forced to admit as my real self."
Akko grinds her teeth and lowers her gun.
"Good girl..." Diana(?) smiles victoriously.
"... Please, stop this and return this Cognition back to the way it was!" Akko demands.
"Why should I?" Diana(?) laughs off the reply. "Whose fault do you think it was really?" she points at Akko with a grin, "it was you that made me doubt myself. You were the one that exposed my dear secret to the school. I was in perfect balance before you came along and ruined it!"
"No… But I…!" Akko's eyes widen, her shoulders drops in denial. "But I was just trying to defend Chariot's name…!"
"Why the long face? I'm actually thanking you, you know." Diana(?) chuckles and shrugs. "It's clear now who is the superior aspect of me. If the mere laughter and rumors of ants beneath my feet can shake my will, then that self is undoubtedly weak! If I am envious of some Japanese peasants knowing some unknown spell, then that self is just an insecure and petty child. Neither are qualities the next head of the House of Cavendish should have! I am truly grateful to you, Atsuko Kagari, for making me realize this!"
"Tsk," the Hannah security guard huffs. "Be thankful at the gratitude of the great Mistress!"
"Yes! Be grateful that the great Mistress said such kind words to you losers!" Barbara security guard joins in.
"Shut up. The real things are already annoying enough," Sucy grumbles.
"That is why… I want you to come into my party," Diana(?) offers.
"Party?"
"Yes. My beautiful home is having a party where I will be educating all of my guest the proper way of witchcraft," the Shadow pulled out an envelope from thin air and tossed it onto the ground by Akko's feet. "The Cavendish Mansion hereby officially welcomes you all as our guests. And I know you will not refuse, since you all will surely to come for my weaker half," she nicely nods, "I am eager to educate you all in the big event. All of you need to learn of your place. Ahaha... If you'll excuse me, I have work to do… May we meet again very soon." She turns and heads back into the manor. Fake Hannah and Barbara follow by walking backward and glaring at Akko's group, making sure Diana(?) has returned safely back inside the manor before turning their backs.
Sucy steps forward and picks up the invitation. "She's inviting us straight into the mansion?" the gloomy witch deadpans. "That totally doesn't smell like a trap at all."
"I am so confused! WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON!?" Amanda roars. "What did you mean by that's not Diana?! Why was she acting this way?! What were you even talking about?! Was that Hannah and Barbara?! What the hell happened to them!? Why do you have a gun?! Are you good with machines like Constanze or something?!" Amanda claws at her head. "JUST WHERE IS HERE?! NEED SOME ANSWERS PLEASE, DEMON GIRL!"
"Akko…" Lotte walks over to her friend, "are you ok…?"
Akko sniffs her nose and holds back a tear, "... all I wanted to do was to have someone to share my love of the Chariot with… I never would've thought that I'd end up hurting Diana like that…!"
"Akko…" Lotte frowns, "you can't blame yourself for this. All you wanted was to make a friend and things just didn't work out that's all." She smiles, "but hey, when we get Diana out of this, you can tell her what you really meant!"
"Yeah, crap happens," Sucy deadpans. "Rather than blaming yourself, it's more productive to use our energy to fix this mess."
Akko eyes her friends and nods, "yeah...! Both of you are right. Let's go save Diana from herself!"
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"So… let me repeat this one more time." Amanda scratches her head as she processes the flood of new information. "We are essentially inside Diana's head right now? And that copy of her was a representation of her negative emotions?" she states, "she is currently in trouble because she somehow ended up in this place, which is filled with monsters made of human emotion and it is up to us to bust her out before it's too late?" she asks, slowly, "and, what you summoned aren't demons, but things called Persona, which are the manifestation of your personality, the masks that you wear when facing reality. And since I can see the hole in the tree stump, I can get one some day too?"
"Bloody finally," Sucy grumbles, palming her face. "Seventh time's the charm. I was beginning to think that you would never get it."
"Whatever…! Get off my back already!" Amanda bits back, angered, "aside from the Persona stuff, which makes no goddamn sense, I get most of what you guys are saying!" She smirks, "join you guys in secret and go save Diana's ass before it is too late right? Sounds right up my alley! I am in and you ain't kicking me out!"
"Are you sure Amanda?" Lotte asks with worry in her tone.
"Hell yeah!' the redhead pumps her fist. "Luna Nova was boring as hell! I said to myself that if nothing interesting happens before summer break, I am kissing this place goodbye! But this…! This is what I have been waiting for!" she laughs. "Besides, as far as I am concerned, no pain no gain!"
"Thank you so much Amanda!" Akko cheers, "the more help we can get, the better! Let's reintroduce ourselves! I am Kagari Atsuko, call me Akko for short!" she politely bows, "welcome to the team!"
"Lotte Jassion. Just Lotte is fine," the Finnish girl nods. "Let's have a nice time working together!"
"Sucy Mambavaran. Sucy," the gloomy witch groans. "Great… Another loud mouth…"
"Amanda O'Neil! Just Amanda will do!" the redhead beams, "so what are we doing right now?!"
"We're going back to the real world," Akko answers with a smile.
Amanda slumps over as the fire in her eyes is extinguished. "Whaaaaaaa?!"
Akko shakes her head. "It's getting pretty late... Not to mention that we're all tired. We'll come back tomorrow after school with everyone at their A game and fully prepared."
"Ah…" Amanda sighs in disappointment, "but aren't we on a timer?! Are you sure it'll be alright to leave Diana in this world until tomorrow…?"
"My friend told me that a normal person can usually last about two weeks in the Cognitive World. His group usually took about a week to save their victim…" Akko frowns, "not much we can do about it so let's just hope he is not wrong. We'll try our best to get her out within the next few days."
"Tsk. Fine…" the redhead huffs, "actually, that's not that bad of an idea. I'll see if my roommate will build me something to fight monsters with. I know she has a few cool weapon ideas up in her little head."
"Is that girl, Constanze A… Ama... Ah..." Akko tries to remember, but fails.
"Constanze Amalie von Braunschbank-Albrechtsberger, but nice try," the redhead stated casually. "Just call her Constanze."
"-Is Constanze that small girl that's good with machines?"
"Yeah. What's the matter?"
Akko reaches a hand into her belt pouch. With some effect, she pulls out an impractical looking pink-white bow that somewhat resembles the Shiny Arc, only with a bird theme instead. There are scratches and chips all over its surface, the arch is bent, and it's string is snapped, "do you think she can fix this?"
"Wha…?" Amanda took the weapon. Much to her surprise, it was ridiculously light. "Wait! This is a toy!"
"Yeah," Akko answers, her face sad, "it's limited edition, so I have no way of fixing it. A Shadow broke it months ago… Do you think she can do it?"
"No idea," Amanda replies, "I think she'll either be pissed that I give her some toy to fix or she'll just shrug and tinker with it until it's her own thing. Either way I can't guarantee."
"Please ask her anyway..." Akko groans, "I am so sick of using guns!"
Everyone raise an eyebrow at the statement.
"Either arrows are better in this place or you're crazy," Sucy deadpans, "I think that at this point you know what you are doing, so I won't question it."
"You are a weird girl…" Amanda laughs, "style over substance... Stupid, but cool! I think I can respect that!"
The girls exit the Cognitive World and part ways. The rest of the day was spent in preparation for what's to come. Operation "Save Diana" is now a go.
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"Professor Ursula!" Akko yells, rushing into the empty library, "I'm sorry for being so late...!"
"It's okay. I haven't been waiting long. Your message helped..." The young teacher nods, "I had a lot of paperwork to keep me busy anyway. I'm just glad you came, Akko..."
Akko takes a glance at the large stacks of paper sitting on the teacher's table, "whoa! So much!"
"Haven't you heard? Diana disappeared…" The teacher says with a frown, "the staff is in a frenzy right now and most of the teachers have dumped their work on me so they can go look for her…" The teacher mutters with worry. "I don't mind though. It's not like this is new for me… I just hope that nothing bad has happened to Diana..."
Akko scratches her cheeks, guiltily looking away from the teacher's face, "m-me too…!"
The young teacher nods, finishing off the last few documents before putting them in a stack of finished work. "I'll finish the rest tonight…" she mutters as she stretches her back, relieving some of the built up tension from sitting for so long. "Excuse me, Akko. We only have about half an hour to talk so we'll have to make this meeting quick."
"That's ok, Professor Ursula. That's more than enough. Thank you so much." Akko cheers and bows, "I am under your care."
After a brief pause, Professor Ursula begins the session. "So, Akko. I've heard the report, and it is pretty clear that your proficiency with magic is… not very good."
Akko frowns as she scratches her head. "You don't need to hold back, Professor Ursula… I know." she with a faint smile on her face continues, "I have no idea why… But that will not stop me! I'm just starting out after all! I'll just keep at it until I'm as good as Shiny Chariot was!"
Mulling over Akko's words Professor Ursula continues, "...the thing I find most confusing right now is, while you have a lot of trouble with traditional witchcraft, you don't seem to have any trouble with your summons. In fact you seem to be very proficient in the art. Which brings us back to the conversation we had the day before…"
Locking eyes with Akko, she asks, "just what are they, your Personas? They just don't fit any known summoning styles, and they are definitely not magical creature. They are an unknown in the Magical world. Can you give me an explanation on them, if at all possible?"
After a brief pause, Akko nods. She rises her dominate hand as blue light coalesces around her body and in a burst of cerulean flame, the Fool arcana manifests itself in the palm of Akko's hand. She brings the card closers to Ursula, allowing her to see the glass like card in detail.
"I'll be honest... Even now I still don't fully understand everything behind my ability…" Akko says, "but I guess I should start with a confession. Personas are.. uhm... not really magic."
Ursula's eyes widen.
"I know! Shocking right?!" Akko frowns, "I know it sounds crazy, but don't let the fact they can cast magic trick you. They aren't magic; or at least not the kind of magic that witches use." she explains, "Aradia, that's my Personas name, told me that having a Persona is closer being a psychic then being a witch."
"That… makes a lot of sense really. No wonder I couldn't sense any magic from them." Ursula nods, "so I guess your documents weren't lying when they said you're from a non-magical family."
"Well, that's what they should say. I haven't told anyone except certain people that know me. I told you that, originally, I was going to hide the fact I had a Persona right? It was only due to circumstance that the cat got out the bag…" Akko frowns, "in front of the entire school too…"
"That raises another question… Why? Why were you hiding your ability?" Ursula asks, "Even if they're not really magic, I doubt the school would've rejected you."
"It has nothing to do with Luna Nova. Trust me, I would've loved to learn magic with my Personas around supporting me. The issue was... related with something back home. I was supposed to keep a low profile and avoid attention…" Akko sighs, "which I've completely messed up. Oh well, I'll just try my best to keep everything contained in Luna Nova… I doubt anyone in Japan watches British TV..."
The young teacher eyes her new student with worry. "Honestly, why does it sound like you're hiding from something? I recalled that you said something about fighting… just what was that about…?"
Akko flinches at the mention of the topic, the girl's subconscious rubbing of her right arm has not gone unnoticed, "i-it's honestly nothing! Ahahaha..."
Realizing how tense and fidgety Akko was, Ursula's imagination runs rampant with all the possibilities that her students demeanor could imply. The expression on her student's expressed a sort of trauma that no child her age should have, making her realize that Akko too has terrible secrets to hide. Just Like herself.
How ironic.
"Ah… you don't seem to be very happy at the moment… I apologize for overstepping my boundaries…" she replies regretfully.
"Oh! It's okay! It wasn't anything bad, really!" Akko denies but frowns again. "Well… maybe it was. But, what happened is in the past now. The only thing that matters now is the present, which is focusing on my goal of being the next Shiny Chariot!"
What an upbeat and positive mindset, to be able to move forward despite the pain she's felt. Maybe I should take a page from her book, but with what I've done… do I really deserve to?-
Professor Ursula rubs her temples in an attempt to ward off the sudden jolt of pain she felt. With a groan, she shoves that line of thought back into the depths of her mind, "...yeah. Akko. You're right."
"Hehe!" Akko nods happily.
"Anyway, let's focus on the topic at hand," Professor explains. "As you've explained, Personas are not magic, and therefore out of my field of expertise. Would you be willing to explain them in depth for me? Maybe we can better understand them if you explain them to me in detail?"
Akko mutters to herself and nods once more. "Ok, but I'm not very good at explaining it. I'll call out Aradia so she can explain it better," the floating Fool arcana lazily floats back to Akko's waiting palm. Clutching her hand, Akko shatters the card, unleashing waves of blue fire that coalesce into the haunting form of Aradia.
In a blur of motion, Aradia lashes out with her claw at the young teacher. Surprised by the sudden attack, Professor Ursula quickly and narrowly dodges the swipe, the tips of the sharp appendages slicing off a few strands of hair. Back-flipping once and landing a meter away from the Persona, she glares at her assailant, tensing her body in preparation.
"W-WHAT ARE YOU DOING ARADIA?!" Akko roars in fury, pulling on the Persona's dark cloak, "WHY DID YOU ATTACK HER?!"
"Akko, she was the one that attacked you back at that forest," the Persona points down at the teacher, "I am merely replaying her back."
"YOU PAYED HER BACK WITH THAT KOUHA ALREADY!" Akko bellows furiously, rushing to her teacher's side.
"Thou must know that any offense toward you is worthy of eternal punishment from thou," Aradia replies, "but fine. If thou wishes for me to stand down, Thou shall stand down."
After glaring at her Persona for a few more seconds, Akko turns her attention to her teacher. "Oh my god. I am so sorry, Professor Ursula!" Akko says guiltily, almost tearing up, "Aradia can be very trigger happy sometimes!"
Aradia glares at the teacher, pointing two fingers at her eye markings and then down on the young teacher.
"ARADIA PLEASE!" Akko bites back in anger, "STOP ACTING LIKE KAA-SAN!"
"It's alright, I understand why she attacked me," Ursula nods, "I really should be the one apologizing here. I am truly sorry for trying to attack you back in Arcturus Forest… I thought you were a threat to the school." She bows her head low at Akko and Aradia, almost in reverence, "please forgive my ignorance, o daughter of sun and moon."
Hearing that Aradia's grin widens further. "Oh~?"
"Professor Ursula…?" Akko's eyes widen.
"Aradia, the great messiah of witchcraft," Ursula mutters. "The daughter of light and dark, sent down by the great night goddess to teach the first of the witches. She is the very goddess we of the Umbran clan idolize. I am Ursula Callistis, the last of my kin."
Aradia burst into laughter, her voice echoing through the room. "This truly must be fate! To think that everything would converge here!"
"Aradia!?" Akko exclaims in confusion. "What's all this about!?"
"Akko. Remember how Thou once told you that I was worshiped by a cult of witches, witches that did not follow the teachings of the nine hags?" the Persona explains, reaching a claw and gently cupping Ursula's chin, picking up her head, "they called themselves the Umbra."
"I remember. You said they were like the Amazonians of the Magical World right?" The brunette nods, "they would fight demons and monsters and stuff with their bare fists and kidnap priests to be their husbands-" Her eyes widen as she whips her head around to look at the French woman, "OH MY GOD! You're an Umbra, Professor Ursula!?"
"Ah…" Ursula turns to Akko embarrassed, "I am a descendant of an Umbra Witch, Akko. But really, the Umbran clan doesn't really exist anymore in the magical world. I just happen to be related to one."
Her explanation didn't do much to quell the absolute awe Akko's eyes however, "Ohmygodohmygodohmygod…! That's so cool! When's the next time you'll go fight monsters?! Can I come?!"
"Akko… I don't think I'll be fighting monsters anytime soon… I can't exactly fight." With a sigh, the teacher turns to Aradia, "when I first heard the name Aradia, I thought it sounded familiar… It was only after a bit of late night research did I realize why that was so." She responds, curiously glancing at the Persona. "To think I would met the goddess of my ancestor. Are you truly Aradia, or something else?"
With a flick of her scepter, the Persona weaves lines of dark energy in the air, forming sharp letters before the young teacher's eyes.
The Persona signs: "It is Thou, Aradia. The daughter of the morning star and the great night. The teacher of the first Witches. I graced mankind with mine presence once more. Young Umbran witch, your eyes have not deceived you."
"Truly…?" Ursula asks in utter disbelief, "how is this possible...? Even now, the magical world has never proven the existence of the divine…"
The Persona flicks her scepter again: "Gods and devils only dwell in the hearts of men. Searching for them in reality is all but doomed to fail. I have come forth from the Sea of Souls as the mythological archetype closest to Kagari Atsuko, Manifesting myself as her mask, her Persona."
"... Can you elaborate on that?" Ursula requests, "I don't think I understand."
"Welcome to my world!" Akko laughs, "Aradia's explanation don't make a lick of sense as always!"
The Persona puts a hand to her forehead, seemingly groaning, as she writes another message.
"I will keep it short to save time. Just know that the entirely of humanity is linked by what is known as the collective unconsciousness, which in turn is connected to a place known as the Sea of Souls. That place is where gods like myself are conceptualized."
Ursula's eyes widen as she reads text, "how does all that relate?"
"All humans have an ego, which are all based off or influenced by the mythological archetypes that dwell in the Sea of Souls. To manifest forth one's ego is to bring forth that very archetype. My dear Akko has faced unspeakable pain. She has come to terms with her suffering and obtained her very own mask to face hardship with. She is I, and Thou art she. As her Persona, Thou shall strike down any that seek to do her harm."
The Persona's glare is almost suffocating.
Ursula takes a breath, "...once again, I offer my apology."
Akko puffs up her cheeks, "just ignore Aradia's shot temper. To this day, she still wants to go… uhm... beat up my old school's homeroom teacher for hitting me with a chalk," Akko sighs. "She really needs to learn how to let go of a grudge."
"It makes sense. The legends surrounding her describe her as a vengeful protector of her followers," the young teacher states. "... That was a lot of information to take in. I don't even know how I am going to report my findings to the school…"
"Eh… Report?"
"Akko… One of the biggest reason I was able to tutor you privately was because I took responsibility in researching your summons," the teacher explains, "I'm not the only one that's curious about your unique ability after all. So I am asking you now, is it alright for me to disclose our conversation?"
"Ah… C-Can I think about it?" the brunette frowns and looking the other way.
"Of course. It's your choice. Not every school of magic is free to the public after all," the young teacher nods.
"-Oh right!" Akko points out, "I said I was going to show you the limited edition cards right?!" She happily reaches into her belt pouch and pulls out her treasured case, "here they are!"
The brunette opens the container and sets each card out on the table. Just seeing them makes the young teacher's mood visibly fall, confusing the excited girl.
"Is there something wrong?" Akko asks with worry.
"I-It's nothing," Ursula shakes her head, "you've managed to collect them all, huh?"
"Yeah!" Akko replies happily, "well… all but one… I'm missing "A Believing Heart is Your Magic"... The most important one of them all… I'm sorry."
"Why are you apologizing? It's very impressive that you've nearly collected them all. I didn't know they even had cards to begin with…" the young teacher confesses. She reaches for the card depicting a fairy like butterfly, "this is… Pappiliodya right? I can't read Japanese."
Almost immediately, Akko recites the description like she is a recorder. "Papillio Fillio Nymphodya-The butterfly that travels the world. They emerge only once every 120 years, and legend says they bring hope to the hearts of all who behold them."
The young teacher's eyes widens, "this must be it!"
"M-Must be what?" Akko mutters in confusion.
"... Just something I believe is causing an issue in the school." Ursula reassures. "Thank you Akko, for showing me this. They… really take me back."
"No problem, Professor Ursula! That's what fellow Shiny Chariot fans should do for each other!" Akko cheers.
The student, teacher and one Persona continue to chat for a while, and before long the meeting time is over.
"Here are the books on flying and method to regulate your magic," Ursula says, handing Akko the books, "I hope they help… I wish we could talk a bit longer, but I really have to get my work done if I want to sleep tonight."
"Thank you so much Professor Ursula." Akko responds, accepting the books, "I'll be sure to work hard on it!"
The smile the Professor sends her way is warm, gentle, and oh so kind. The time Akko spent with Professor was enjoyable, and she felt that she had made a genuine connection with the teacher.
*Shatter*
I am thou... Thou art I...
Thou hast acquired a new bond...
It shall aid thee in thy journey to inspire.
With the blessing of the Hermit Arcana, thou shalt ignite the fires of inspiration in the hearts of the people...
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [IX] Hermit Rank 1 Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
"A Social Link with Professor Ursula!" Akko grasps in joy, "I can't believe this!"
"You look happy, Akko. Did Aradia say something?"
"Ah-No!" Akko waves and bows, "I am just happy with our conversation today! Thanks Professor Ursula! Have a good night!"
The French woman watches as the girl leaves, skipping jovially across the room and out the door. Her own smile however, collapses after Akko disappears from her field of vision.
"It's okay," she tells herself, wiping away some of her tears, "I now know I can make this right… I can atone for this."
She chants that to herself over and over as she turns her attention to the mind numbing task of her paper work.
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"Thy new teacher is lying."
"What?!" Akko exclaims into her mind, "what are you talking about?!"
"I said that woman, Ursula Callistis, is lying to thine face. Or is at least hiding parts of herself from us."
"C'mon, Aradia! You're always so paranoid!" Akko crosses her arms, sulking.
"And I have always been correct."
"... No way!" the brunette shakes her head, "I made a bond with her right? The fact she wants to be close to me should mean she has no ill will toward us!"
"Quick question; what is the Hermit?" Aradia points out.
"Soul-searching, introspection, solitude, inner guidance..."
"Reverse?"
"Isolation, loneliness, withdrawal… Oh."
"There you go," Aradia explains, "Arcana are the means by which all is revealed... That is why the Wild Card's bonds are represented by them. The fact that she is of the Hermit Arcana speaks volumes of her character, and her relation to thee. Even if she is truly kind hearted and wishes for thine wellbeing, that doesn't mean she doesn't have things to hide. She contradicted herself twice during our conversation, do you wish to hear it?"
"..." Akko did not say anything, but silently nods.
"As you wish," the Persona explains. "Thou love how she said she can't fight, yet dodged an attack that would have hit anyone lest they had combat experience. Thou know the Umbra, they were women that value strength and beauty above all else. Even if they no longer worship me, they would never let their descendants continue on weak and untrained in the art of combat. And again with the cards. Remember how she freaked out the day before when you said there were limited edition? So why is she now saying she never knew cards existed to begin with?"
"..." Akko's face continues to sour.
"Still have doubts? The most damning of evidence of all is within thy vest's pocket," Aradia states, "during thy attack, I collected a strand of her hair and stowed it away before you dismissed thou. Take a look."
Frowning, Akko reaches into the pocket of her uniform and pulls out the strand of hair.
"What is this?!" the Japanese exclaims out loud, "why is it red?!"
"I don't know. It's like thy new teacher is a witch or something," Aradia snarks, "so what is the next step? Confront her on her lies like we should?"
Akko sighs, "...let's not. If I just go yelling at her about things that she wants to keep to herself she'll just end up hating me. I've learned my lesson already. I don't want another Diana situation…"
She felt Aradia give her a smile. "Wise decision. You have taken another step towards thy maturity, my dear Akko. Thy Understanding has grown a little more."
"Thanks Aradia, for looking out for me," Akko replies, looking out to the hallway's window and at the beautiful, but scarred moon outside. "Although I wish you wouldn't be so paranoid at everyone I meet... What you did was still really rude."
"Akko. Thy believing heart is rare thing in this cruel, cruel world. As long as Thou art your Persona, I will do everything in thy power to protect you from the darkness of human nature. Even if it means going against your wishes... since you didn't have the best record of trusting strangers."
"Please don't remind me..." Akko goans at the reasoning, "anyway, after saving Diana let's make friends with Professor Ursula so she is not the Hermit anymore. No more playing secret detective alright? I want to know her the natural way."
"As you wish. Thou shalt refrain from interfering during your interaction unless she shows signs of betrayal. Pinky swear."
Contented, the brunette hooks the air with her little finger and walks off. Ready to return to her own room-
"Accused. Can you hear me?"
Akko whips her head around, looking around for the familiar voice. "L-Lavenza-chan?!"
"Yes," the velvet resident replies. "Master Igor and I have established an entrance to the velvet room in the real world. Please come meet with us. The entrance is located in front of the school's Archive building."
"I understand, Lavenza-chan! I will be there in a in a jiffy!"
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Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [IX] [0] Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
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Enemy Shadows:
Minotaur (Fortune)
Repel: Fire
Weakness: Ice
Skills: Charge, Assault Dive, Auto-Tarukaja, Counterstrike, Null Aging, Survive Light
Profile: A fabled creature of Greek myth said to have the head of a bull and the body of a man. Its name means "bull of Minos."
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Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [IX] [0] Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
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The Fool Arcana has empowered Aradia! New Skills have become available to her!
Current Skills: Maeiha, Makouha, Terror Claw, Evil Smiles, Sukukaja, Sukunda
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Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ [IX] [0] Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ
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AuthorNCS: *Having SMT4 flashback* My PTSD… Screw your Minotaur, screw you Walter for showing up 4 times in a row back then! If only I had an Attack Mirror... Oh wait.
Despite my hate for that fight, I do like the demon. So I was pretty sad that Minotaur didn't return in SMT4:FINAL, which is a shame considering the story. SMT4 might have some of the most questionable arts, but his design was definitely one of the best.
Of course, I didn't put Minotaur here just to be a SMT4 shout out, and LWA fans would know this is a LWA Mythology Gag. #SucyUltimatewere-cowslayer
Yep. Everything that comes up in this fic will be mentioned in one way or another. So keep your eyes out for tiny things I put in the story.
Creating Shadow Diana's outfit with Artist741 was a pain in a half. Gone though like 3 drafts before I was satisfied. She originally was going to be a Princess Diana shout out but I scraped it since it will be silly. So when you picture her, keep the image of a young Diana playing superman using Beatrix's coat and hat in your mind (So cute~!)
Diese welt ist grausam...- Oops. Wrong TRIGGER anime.
Bro-manda has joined! Yes! It's time for fix her character!
Now featuring Bayo- Bah... Another thing to be happy about. We have successfully filled the Bayonetta reference quota. I really like the idea of other witch cults in LWA that oppose the 9 Olde. Wicca in this universes has to fight the Roman Catholic AND the 9 olde... Poor religion...
It's also an explanation on how Ursula can fight so well. Because in canon, the explanation for why a rusty stage performer can beat up multiple stone beast with ease was: She's a TRIGGER heroine and a walking Gunbuster reference voiced by Noriko Hidaka, therefore she kickass by default.
So close, Akko... so close. You would've gotten a signature from your idol by now. At least you got a link out of it.
I really wished the Fool would actually empower your Initial Persona and give them new skills. It makes sense narratively and reward you for sticking to your true-self. But oh well, game balance and all that... I will just do it here.
This chapter is a little longer to make up for the last one. We are done with setting up characters, and it's all out dungeon time the next chapter! So thank RiceFieldRenigade for bursting his ass to beta this as quickly as he is allowed. Go send him a PM and thank him or something.
I am having a Night Fall contest at Spacebattle. Feel free to create your Night Fall crazy plotlines and post it in the reviews or at SB. The most interesting of them all gets to appear in this story and I will credit you. Join in the fun if you want to!
Another thing, my friend Krimzon Flygon has updated his SMT story, Megami no Hanabira after a year long MIA. It is THE best Devil Survivor fic I have ever read and it is criminally under visited. So support him unless you don't like Yuri.
Anyway. I am going to take 2 months off from writing. Kancolle Fall 2017 event is coming and I need all the time I can get if I want to beat hard mode. Artist741 also wants to go draw something else to break up his LWA slavery, his Pixiv is losing favorites and he is pissed off.
See y'all at mid-January. Have a nice winter Holiday and Merry X-mas!
12/26/2017 Edit: Thank the people at Sufficient Velocity for grammar checking this. Should be free of grammar mistakes now. Unless you have god's eyes and find something else, this chapter is now grammatically perfect.