Disclaimer: Fate and Persona are owned by different companies and I hold no ownership and all that jazz.
6/20
Hakuno was patiently reading a book, and for some reason Kawakami had left the room and had everyone take an unexpected study hall…
She heard some slight whispers, some about how hard their next test is going to be and even some talking about some sort of maid service? A few even mentioned the Phantom Thieves…
That reminds her… didn't she see a maid come out of the hotel when she stayed the night? Perhaps it's related?
Hakuno shrugged as she got around halfway done with her book before class ended.
Hakuno had a possible idea of how to get access to the flying bank… Not 100% foolproof but a possible one that might let them access it.
What she had noticed though was that Makoto seemed… off today though, her normally perfectly done hair was slightly off, her uniform had creases in it. Her mind seemed heavily distracted. Maybe she could convince the rest to rest for the day and come back tomorrow so she could talk to her?
Hakuno took a glance around them, she wasn't too sure why they chose an Accessway… but perhaps they are betting on the vast amount of people to hide from cameras?
"Are we out of luck?"
"It's not fair, it's so high in the sky."
"Akira, could your grappling hook reach it?"
"Ryuji it's way too far and… I would be shot."
"Can't you like, switch to a Persona immune to guns?"
"If… I am able to get to where his Palace is based off of… I might be able to shut off the power." Hakuno nodded to herself…
"If the power is cut off then he would have no reason to think he is untouchable! The UFO should fall! You're a genius, Hakuno!" Morgana yowled.
"Now we just have to figure out the location… Hey Makoto." Hakuno waved as Makoto came over… she seemed slightly better?
"Having problems with Kaneshiro?" Akira idly nodded.
"I see… anything I can help with?"
"Don't worry bout it, you can't do anything."
Hakuno shook her head, "Do you have any ideas that wouldn't get someone killed?"
Makoto tensed "What if we used one of those bugs you have? We did see that one guy, didn't we Akira?"
"Yes… But Hakuno, do your bugs send location?"
Hakuno shook her head, "No… but… I know someone who might be able to help with that…Give me a day, I'll talk to her…" The thieves agreed and they broke off, with Hakuno heading to the Sakura Family Home… Trying her best to stay out of sight from their leader.
"Hey Taba? Can you help me with something?" Hakuno placed her hand on the door, "I need a tracker… You do still do that stuff right?" Hakuno's phone buzzed.
Futaba: Phantom Thief business?
"... I'm not surprised you know, but yes."
Futaba: Ok, go to the bathroom leave your phone. You owe me.
"Thank you Taba…"
6/21
"So pretty gal, you're back. Hmm… I thought you had different hair before.. No matter though." Makoto nodded robotically. She could barely see Akira down the road, his glasses gleaming was the only reason she knew it was him.. She was wearing a cheap blond wig that was scratchy.
She chose to be the distraction…But she didn't think they would force her into a wig…
"Y-yes, I thought it over and would be interested…"
"Cool cool, so all ya gotta do is take this envelope," He held up a large manila folder, "And bring hold onto it tell tomorrow and then drop it off in cubby 13 down by the trains. Ya got it?"
"Yes." Makoto nodded as Morgana dashed before rubbing himself against the man.
"Oh wow aren't you an affectionate stray…"
"This is so humiliating…" Morgana choked out, "Go on Makoto I'll catch up."
"Loud one to… I always wanted a cat." The man picked up Morgana before he shrieked and dashed out of his hands. Makoto was already out of the alley before she heard the man mutter…
"Damn it…"
"Can I please take this off now…" Hakuno idly nodded as she helped Makoto remove her wig.
It was a good wig… They were at their typical hideout above the Shibuya platform watching the people go.
"The tracker was planted, now all we gotta do is wait and follow him…" Hakuno's phone had the app Futaba made already loaded. Makoto placed her signature hair band back…
"I knew it was a hair band.." Ryuji muttered before being elbowed by Ann, "Just sayin!"
"Going in such a large group would be a bad idea…" Akira looked over at the group, "Me and Morgana will go with you Hakuno."
"No." Makoto shook her head, "I can handle it. I know how to do Aikido, and can get us out if it comes to it. Besides, it would look bad if someone on Probation was seen near a known mafia location."
Akira grimaced before nodding, "True…"
"You don't have to be so pushy Niijima-san." Ann said, "When it comes to what we do, you just can't do it."
Hakuno shrugged, "There won't be any Metaverse fights… Makoto and Morgana should both come, you would protect us wouldn't you Morgana?"
"Of course who do you think I am! Some dumb blonde monkey?"
"Shut it cat!"
"I still don't like it…"
Worse comes to it… Hakuno could summon Avenger to get them out of a sticky situation.
"We got this, I won't be useless."
They had to resort to cutting down empty alleys to keep up with him, Hakuno was tired, it was late and she was fifty percent sure she stepped in someone's vomit.
She lifted her foot up just a bit, "Gross." Morgana huffed from his perch on her shoulder, turning the fifty percent to a hundred.
Great.
She summoned Avenger in his spirit form a handful of times to check out the places he stopped, other than some… inappropriate things, nobody matching the small description of Kaneshiro was found, nor anyone even remotely close to being 'the boss.'
"He just… won't stay still." Hakuno was lucky that she had a portable battery as her phone already almost died once, "If this last place isn't it then we will have to go tomorrow."
Makoto nodded as she yawned, "It is getting late… I'm lucky Sis won't be home tonight…"
Low music was heard from the current location Hakuno kicked her shoes to get some of the gunk off as they stood near the electrical box, barely out of sight from a camera.
At least she hoped they were out of sight.
"Avenger." Blue lines spread down her body as the spiritual form of Avenger flew into the building as Hakuno channeled her Od into viewing from his eyes, something she barely understood from the Regalia… Perhaps another version of her figured it out?
"I think… I think I see him." A large portly man sat on a purple sofa with several girls in his lap… she feels like she is going to need to wipe her memory of this day clean…
"Way to go Hakuno!" Morgana's tail swished as the cat smirked.
"Really!?" Makoto's tired red eyes gleamed as Hakuno senses came back, slightly stumbling as the lines receded back into her skin. "You ok?"
"Just… tired, it takes a lot more to do anything in the real world than the Metaverse." Not counting she is using Od instead of Spiritual power…
"You can take it easy, now that we have it we can shut off the power!" Hakuno nodded as blue lines spread across her arms.
"Hey who's there!"
Hakuno's eyes grew wide as several men came from around the corner. "Text the group!"
The men started to run towards them, clicking her tongue Hakuno pushed "Hack (16)" static erupted from the electrical panel; lights turned off, the music stopped as they ran.
"After them!
"Quick follow me!" Morgana was dashing forward as Hakuno stumbled, Makoto grabbed her arm as they turned down an alley the men on their trails. "Into the Metaverse!"
Familiar waves of black and red covered her vision.
Turns out, running into the metaverse from a different place after causing an electrical blackout on the Palace was not the brightest of Hakuno idly realized this is the second time she has tripped into the Metaverse like this.
The Palace was a flurry of sounds, Shadows barking orders, static coming off of damaged machines, and low power sirens coming from all around them.
"Here…" Hakuno brought her Pulse Gun out of the Regalia as well as a few smoke bombs, handing them to Makoto.
"If worse comes to it… use the Pulse Gun and if we need to run throw the smoke bomb at your feet." Makoto nodded grimly.
Mona was acting as their lead as he was able to see normally. Makoto was clinging onto Hakuno as they used what little stealth the three of them could do. They believed they were underground, not sure how far but from what Mona said they were around a quarter of the way to the treasure…
With just the two of them and Makoto it would be stupid to go after the treasure.
"No safe room… around here either, at least one we can reach…"
"Hopefully the rest of the thieves come in soon…"
A crunch was heard as Hakuno slowly looked down, her boot had crushed a fallen camera.
Red eyes glowed in the dark.
Akira was stressing as he slowly placed the playing card in the perfect position using his Third Eye to help see the ultimate spot. Gently, gently…
The castle came crashing down.
The four of them were sitting in the small diner right off of Central Street, Ann was asleep as Ryuji was surfing the Phan-Site while Yusuke was sketching in the notebook he always carried around…
"Crap…" The gang was bored and the waitress seemed annoyed that they were taking up so much time... Checking his phone he realized just how late it was.
"You think they found him?" Ryuji muttered.
"Nothing yet… They will probably be calling it off soon though…"
Akira prodded Ann who barely moved, "...Five more minutes…"
Yusuke was framing Ann as he was sketching, her moving her head slightly caused him to frown as he took another sip of his tea, "Waiting this long has made me quite peckish… Shall we place another order?"
"Dude…Are you even going to be able to get home?"
Yusuke froze as he checked his pockets, "I seem to have forgotten to bring my wallet…"
"You said that the last time!"
Akira heard the slight jingle of his phone, as the group chat they had with Makoto showed a new message.
Makoto Niijima: Caught, Palace.
Getting up quickly he stated, "Let's go." Grabbing his wallet he quickly paid as the thieves burst into action.
"Avenger!" Claws of terror slashed against the Oni as Hakuno Makoto panicked and fired a shot from the Pulse Gun. The Oni ignored both attacks as Hakuno took the hit.
"Zorro, show your might!" Wind whipped and pushed back against the growing horde of Shadows.
"Makoto Aim for the high-pixies! Mona avoid Orthrus! Guard!" Avenger appeared in cerulean flames behind Makoto as one of the Orthrus circled them, their teeth coming close to biting down onto Makoto.
"We have to escape! Mona, look for a way out!" Hakuno slammed her staff into an approaching Nekomata, knocking it back. The cat-girl Persona smiled widely as waves of wind washed over the group. Avenger blocked it for Makoto while Hakuno took the full force of the attack causing her to stumble.
"Up top! Vent!" Hakuno shook her head as she nodded, Avenger coming forth as they cast Maeiga, her mind racing to find a way over. Seeing the stacks of file cabinets Hakuno had an idea.
"Makoto smoke bomb!" Makoto fumbled and smashed the smoke bomb at her feet, Avenger grabbed Makoto as they jumped towards the vent. Closing the vent behind them barely fitting close to each other they waited.
One beat.
Two Beat.
The smoke cleared and the horde of Shadows reformed into their Security Guard form… Their Masks eerily focused.
Hakuno had her hand on Makoto's back as she was trembling. "Mona… do you think you can ambush them?"
The Not-a-Cat looked pensively at the guard, "Yes…Magus, can you pass me some medicine?" Hakuno nodded as a few pill bottles came out as well as a strange plastic looking blob that Mona shoved into his mouth. "Give me a moment, Makoto, stay here and wait for us to clear them."
Makoto was tense but nodded begrudgingly.
Makoto was angry she could do nothing as her junior and a cat fought the demons that appeared from the security guards.
Her Aikido training would do nothing against a monster three times bigger than her. She hated feeling so useless.
The bank had crash landed on top of what was Big Bang Burger, spotting a low hanging tree branch Akira braced himself as he fired his grappling hook as the rest of the thieves appeared around him.
Akira shook his head 'It was a stupid plan, they should've planned it better!'
The security level was stupidly high, he could feel the palpitations of the metaverse as Kaneshiro was on high alert. They entered the bank through a broken window as they could hear the thundering footsteps of the Security Guard Shadows. Akira was lucky that only a single guard was in the room they were entering.
"Tamamo!" A wave of sleep inducing magic came from his newly acquired purple fox as the security guard fell asleep. With a quick removal of its mask and an execution-like shot to the Prankster Leader the Shadow turned to ash.
"Evacuation first, try and avoid drawing too much attention. We are on another Rescue mission." The seriousness in his voice made the rest of them nod grimly.
We will rescue them.
Author's Note: So, a slightly shorter chapter, but this felt like a good place to end, it's weird having to think like characters smarter than you… I figure that shutting the power off from the 'Bank' aka the nightclub would at least temporarily cause the bank to crash into the ground. Originally I was planning to do the same as it was in canon but I figured Hakuno's ability to cast Code Casts irl would let them have a slight alternate entrance..
