Disclaimer: Fate and Persona are owned by different companies and I hold no ownership and all that jazz.
5/20
Ann sighed as she got off the phone,she wasn't too sure why but Hakuno's parents bought their lie as fast as they did that Hakuno was out sick and Takemi gave an estimated recovery of three weeks.
Though… She does mildly wonder what Akira had to do for the doctor to get the note. The pained expression he had when he handed it to her made her worry.
Though one thing she wasn't expecting was Makoto Niijima at her door.
"Oh… Hi Niijima-san, why are you here?"
"Um… I wanted to see if Hakuno was doing ok?" She looked nervous.
"Sorry… Hakuno will be out for a few weeks, doctor's orders."
"I see… Well please tell her I wish her well." She then reached into her bag, "This is her school work for the next week, it won't be due until she gets back."
Ann nodded, "Thanks." She then closed the door as Makoto began to leave.
5/21
Ryuji was tired. The last few days have been constant Palace exploration. Though with Yusuke and his sword tricks it's going a lot smoother than before.
Who knew being able to tag out for a break would be so relaxing. Though the walking into the Painting bit was really fuckin strange.
But watching Ann burn, nice, down as much as she is is gettin him worried. "Panther?"
Ann didn't reply, drinking more of that coffee Joker keeps bringing.
Way too bitter.
Ryuji gave Joker the look.
Joker blinked in confusion.
He tilted his head as he motioned his head towards Panther.
"Skull… do you need the bathroom?"
"NO! I think we should take a rest."
Panther gave him the look.
"I get it, I get it! But we can't burn ourselves out before getting to Hakuno's Palace, we need at least a day to send the calling card. Just take tomorrow off, get some RnR and then we take out Madarame."
"That's… Probably the smartest thing you have ever come up with." Damn you Mona.
"We have the route Secured… And the plan with the crane… It should be fine to take a rest day."
"Hakuno is trapped. And who knows how long the fake sick note will take before people start to ask questions. We need to hurry up with Madarame and then rescue my cousin."
"... We could hold off on sending the calling card." Yusuke piped up.
"Do we have to send it as soon as we secure a route?"
"No… As long as nothing happens…" Mona spoke up. Good Cat.
"A day off will let me gather enough medicine to keep going. So we will have a rest day." Joker looked over the party, and Ryuji felt their leader's gaze warm up slightly as he nodded, "Ok, let's head home."
5/22
Makoto was no stranger to people lying to her.
And watching Ann Takamaki lie straight to her face about Hakuno's 'illness' made her worried. Ann seemed… nervous.
Even more so than when she caught them on the school roof. Then again, that might have been anger.
She does need to figure out how to correctly say what she means, implying that the Phantom Thieves, who Ann has to be along with Sakamoto and Kurusu, was horseplay might not have been the best thing to do to the actual Phantom Thieves.
So Makoto did what she knew was good and followed them. Spending a bit more time following Takamaki then Kurusu for a change, she followed her until they reached the Hospital… The one Shiho was at?
Maybe Hakuno is in the Hospital?
But why did her note state she was being taken care of by a Tae Takemi? It doesn't add up…
If only she still had those bugs… Then again Hakuno didn't ever teach her how to use them.
Knowing it would just give away that she was following her, she decided it would be best to go home and study…
She should look into this… Tae Takemi though.
"Patient Confidentiality." The Goth? Doctor replied as Makoto sighed. Just finding Tae Takemi was a trial, she ran a tiny clinic in Yongen-Jaya.
"I just want to know if my friend has been here." The doctor sighed as she brushed her off.
"And as I said, Patient confidentiality, I can't say whether or not they have been here, why don't you ask her yourself?"
Makoto took a deep breath.
Exhaled.
Another breath, "I would if I could…"
The door's bell jingled as someone walked it.
It was Akira.
Hakuno's words flashed in her head for a split second.
'Little crush!?'
Makoto felt warm. She shook her head, "I'll be going."
"Good luck~ And helllo my little guinea pig." Makoto felt her face flush even harder.
MAJOR DEAD END
"I've noticed you have been getting home late." Her sister noted, Makoto's back straightened just a bit.
"Sorry… My…. friend is sick."
"Your friend?"
"Um… yes, Hakuno Kishinami… She is top of her class and is a freshman."
Sae nodded to herself causing Makoto to swallow some spit.
"That's good. As long as it doesn't take time out of your studies, is she able to keep up?"
Makoto could see a bit of the irritation in her eyes, 'She is always irritated now…'
"Hakuno is able to keep up, admittedly the only thing she is weak in is Social Studies, but she ranks in the top 10."
Sae nodded, a small smile on her face. "That's… good, As long as you two are able to stay out of trouble. And keep your grades up. But… As she is sick, stay away from her."
Makoto paused, "Stay away?"
"Yes. You missing any school at this time would be inconvenient to your education. Once she is better… you can bring her over here, I would like to meet her."
Makoto's only response was to nod, 'Inconvenient?'
Sir Ichiryusai Madarame,
A great sinner of vanity whose talent has been exhausted. You are an artist who uses his authority to shamelessly steal the ideas of his pupils. We have decided to make you confess all your crimes with your own mouth. We will take your distorted desires without fail.
From The Phantom Thieves of Hearts
5/23
The Palace felt alive, the thrum of energy coursing through them told them that their Calling Card worked amazingly.
Joker was at the controls of the crane, ready for the signal from Ryuji and Ann. Yusuke was with Mona tying him to the crane to grab the treasure.
The lights went out.
It's Showtime!
The crane lowered. He waited a single moment seeing Yusuke wave at him until he flipped the switch back, as the crane began its rise as Ryuji and Ann entered the room.
"Let's go!"
Joker tied the painting onto Morgana's back. He was sitting out of any fights, filling his role as a Navigator and temporary Treasure Holder.
The first door they tried was locked. It was the door that they just came in… Not good.
Plan B
Joker led them on top of the rafters, jumping with ease over each one as he went towards a specific window that had the same blue glow of the portals from the previous rooms.
He motioned for the team to follow as he had an inkling on where it led. The Courtyard.
"Mreow. Meowwww." Joker knows that meow.
Joker sighs as he makes sure no Shadows are coming this way as Morgana pries the painting off his back.
"I can't take it anymore! TREASURE!?"
It was a fucking Henohenomoheji.
What the fuck.
"Kuhahaha! Pesky thieves. Thinking they were a step ahead." Madarame's Shadow spoke as guards on either side of him. One of them is carrying a painting.
"More fakes huh!? Is that all you can do!?" Skull yells which Madarame scoffs at.
"Counterfeits are accepted in the world of Japanese art."
"What made you change like this!? Is it because you became famous!?" Fox shouts, "Can't you understand how much it pains me to inquire about the crimes of my foster father!?"
"The only reason I took you in was because of your Mother Yusuke. She never lost her passion. I had hoped to milk you like I did her in the end. Afterall." He motioned for the guard with the painting to unveil it.
"She made the Sayuri afterall."
The Sayuri looked like all the others, except it had a baby being cradled by his mother.
"Your mom was The Sayuri! A portrait of herself and she only wanted you to have it! She refused to allow me to sell it! She knew she was dying! I knew it would be a success so I refused to help her."
"... Help her?" Fox barely managed to squeak out.
"She was lying on the ground, we were all in debt at the time I knew the Sayuri was a masterpiece! So I just watched as the final string connecting to the Sayuri was gone!"
Fox went rigid and took a deep breath. "Art… requires a soul. One that you no longer have! I thank you, Madarame! Every reason for me to forgive you has disappeared without a trace at this moment! You aren't some rotten artist… You're a despicable fiend who wears the skin of an artist!"
"I MAKE THE RULES! I HAVE THE CONNECTIONS! I RULE THE ART WORLD! AND. I. AM. A. GOD!"
The two Shadows and Madarame bubbled up their skin turning to mush as they turned to sludge. Four paintings rose up, two eyes, one nose and one mouth.
"I'LL PAINT ALL OVER YOU!"
Yusuke dodged a bolt of flame sent by the Nose(?) as he used it to jump into the eye, his blade coming down on the vile excuse of a man.
The fight with the paintings was annoying. They covered for each other's weaknesses, but so did they with Morgana pointing out their immunities they have gotten into motion. His Ice was to be avoided by the eyes but his Katana and Gun? Perfect answer to the abominations.
He felt something snap as he was covered in black paint. It will take forever to remove it. He noticed shards of ice come his way.
His instinct told him to dodge and he only got severe frostbite from a tiny scrape. "Avoid the Paint! It weakens you!"
…
He took a glance to his left, multiple Black Paint Buckets.
"I have a plan, Joker!"
Fox saw the feral grin on Joker's mouth as he dove into a nearby bush. "Oh did the fox run away? He was always destined to be a failure." Fox grit his teeth as he focused. Mona had rushed to take his spot.
He waited.
He calmed his breathing.
The paintings were close to his position.
He grabbed the paint cans and threw as hard as he could.
The paint covered the paintings enhancing the patheticart on them.
"What… Did you do!?"
Fox felt a familiar rush of power as the Metaverse headed his resolve. "ALL OUT ATTACK!"
Joker's announcement sent them in a flurry as each strike of his blade cut through the paper and wood of the shadow with ease.
Joker rolled his shoulder as the paintings turned to sludge and Madarame appeared again with a scowl on his face. "You brats! If you can't understand, I AM THE GREAT MADARAME! I WILL SHOW YOU MY MASTERCRAFT!"
He held up his hand as three clones of himself appeared each wearing a different color, one blue, one red, and one in green. Each of the now Elemental Madarames had their respective element dancing around them.
'This is… so annoying.'
"Go after your element! Keep yours focused on yourself!" His team nodded as they engaged in a quick battle.
He was expecting more resistance but there was one more of them then there was of him, and he covered all the clone's weaknesses.
"Stop, please! No one cares for true art… All they want are easy recognizable brands… I'm the victim in this too! Wouldn't you agree!?"
Akira sighed as Fox approached Madarame.
"Excuses now?" Skull mumbled.
"The art world revolves around money. You can't rise up without any money! Yusuke you understand, don't you!? Being a poor artist is truly miserable! I just didn't want to return to that life!"
Fox picks him up from the ground, "Because of you dozens of Artist's lost their spark! Several have died! And a girl is missing! ALL DUE TO YOUR Vanity!"
"A … girl?" Clarity was in Madarame's eyes for a moment, "The one stolen by that demon? She isn't human!"
"Oh shut up!" Panther was angry. "Hakuno is human! And we had to do your damn Palace before saving her!"
"Return to the real world and confess your crimes! All of them!"
…
Madarame looked relieved?
"You're… not going to kill me like that Black Mask said?"
Black Mask?
"Who?" Joker was on alert now scanning the area around them.
The ground began to shake and rumble
"There is no time! Hurry!" Ryuji yelled, grabbing the painting, the True Treasure and began to run for it.
"Goodbye… Sensei."
5/25
The temple was ancient as Makoto noticed. She wasn't too sure why they were going to a temple in the middle of Kichijoji but she did notice them pick up another person? A new member of their group of thieves? She wasn't able to find them the last two days… One of those days was when the Calling Card went out for Madarame…
…
What was she even doing anymore, following a group of friends trying to figure out what happened to her friend? She is probably just sick and can't text.
They were all huddled up… She should just leave, while suspicious it isn't illegal to hang out at an old temple.
A wave of nausea assaulted her, her mind flickered red as she blinked.
Opening her eyes she realized it was dark. The moon barely hung overhead. 'It's still the afternoon!' her mind told herself as she could barely make anything out with her phone's light.
"What's happening!" All around her were tombstones.
Makoto's pulse quickened and her head felt dizzy as she began walking to where she knew the others were. She looked and saw the group staring at her.
She clung to the nearest person finding a small amount of comfort at their body heat.
"Imsorryimsorrysispleasesaveme"
Author's Note: Woohoo back to Hakuno's Palace. Sped through Madarame's Palace cause I am trying to get back with our Hakuno. And Makoto came along for the ride!
Hint Number 2! Blue!
