Here we go, the chapters where Aqua continues her daily life
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Persona 5 Royal Fanmake Lysandre Arc Chapter 20
At the Gym
As Aqua was relaxing in her room she got a notification on her phone on the Dragon Gems group chat and checks it, she noticed that now officially Zane was added in.
"Hey, good job guys." Uzi messages
"We all did our best." Alexis messages.
"Allow me to express my thanks once again." Zane messages and adds "Because of you, I was able to retrieve the painting that had been filled with my father's love."
"Having you say that makes the whole thing worth it, Zane!" Uzi messages.
"Seriously. I wasn't sure you'd really want to change Lysandre's heart." Alexis messages admitting.
"I'm sorry to have worried you. I have no regrets about it now." Zane messages.
"And the change of heart WILL happen this time, right?" Alexis asked in the messages.
"It'll be fine." Aqua messages.
"Yeah. We did it just like with Gaston." Uzi messages in agreement.
"By the way. I'm curious about what he and Matadormon said at the end." Alexis messages.
"You mean about the other intruder besides us?" Uzi messages "It was something about a red insectoid mask, yeah?"
"That may have been nothing more than a lie." Zane messages "Lysandre was quite deragned at that point, after all and Matadormon may still be under his corrupting influence a bit. For now, we should wait for Lysandre's change of heart in peace."
"Ok" Alexis messages ending the chat thread.
Aqua works on making some lockpicks before heading to bed to increase her proficiency.
A while later Aqua wakes up once again in the velvet room, she gets up and goes to the Cell Door to talk to Yen Sid, Gardine and Galla. She also saw among the Shadow Hengeman now was the Shadow Basherbots as well so some found their way here too.
"You have expelled one who was stained in vanity." Yen Sid said smiling. "You are now one step closer to your rehabilitation. It's a delightful thing indeed."
"Our master is please. You should be honoured, Inmate." Gardine said with a nod.
"However, that man and his shadow selfs remarks are concerning." Yen Sid said thinking "It seems another has made their way into the Metaverse."
"Who could this person be?" Aqua asked.
"That is beyond my knowledge…" Yen Sid admits to her. "But your rehabilitation is progressing smoothly…That is for certain. May the devotion to your rehabilitation grow even deeper." He smiles "I have high hopes for you."
Aqua could feel her bond with Yen Sid grow deeper and sees her Fool Confidant card rank up to 4 and nods to that. She then feels sleep take her again.
The next day Aqua had gotten dressed into her uniform and was about to head downstairs when her phone rings and she answers saying "Hello?"
"It's Zane." Zane said on the other end. "I'm calling about Lysandre's state. For the time being, he hasn't suffered a mental shutdown. Other than that, his demeanour seems to have softened a bit. Is that the change of heart?"
"It could be but not 100% sure, we never really saw how Gaston was effected as he put himself on temporary leave of absence after we stole his treasure." Aqua said thinking.
"I see…" Zane said nodding. "I was curious and looked into Gaston as well. It's as if he was an entirely different person. Will the same be true for Sensei? …I'm sorry to have taken your time. That's all I wanted to tell you. Good…" He then remembers and said "Oh, I'll try asking him about he red insectoid maked intruder from the Palace when the time is right. Goodbye then. This time for sure."
"Bye" Aqua said and hangs up and heads down stairs.
A while later after getting her back and Gatomon, Aqua was on the train heading to Citadel Academy. On the way their she hears two officers workers talking.
"I saw someone famous in Beacon yesterday." A Young Officer Worker said. "That parliamentarian Cybertronian from when I was a kid…Optimus something."
"Oh, Optimus Prime. Or as most folks know him, 'No-Good Orian.'" A Glasses-Wearing Worker said. "He hangs out at the train stations giving speeches these days, no one pays him any mind. He used to be a rising star in politics, but wound up involved in scandal after scandal."
"Huh…Yeah, I saw him in line for Energon." The Young Officer worker said nodding. "It was weird seeing a politician eating at the same place as we do."
"Well, that's probably his new gimmick, right? Pandering to middle-class people." The Glasses-Wearing worker said shrugging.
Aqua sighs and shakes her head.
She soon makes it to class and sits behind Alexis as it began with Homeroom with Yor Forger.
"Sometimes I see people writing exactly the same things on their essays." Yor said as she began the class. "Don't think you can get away with copying stuff from some website. I'll know. Got it?"
"Stealing someone's ideas is plagiarism. It's as much of a crime as stealing anything else." Yor explained. "It's so annoying dealing with copyright stuff these days…Oh yeah, did you know this? You know the Arsene Lupin series by Maurice LeBlanc? Leblanc once had a famous detective character from another series appear in one of the Lupin stories."
"Now then…. Aqua." Yor said looking at the girl who sits up at attention. "Do you know which author Leblanc borrowed from?"
"This should be easy for you." Arsene said to Aqua
Aqua nods and said "The answer is Arthur Conan Doyle, Miss Forger."
"Oh, do you like mystery novels?" Yor asked with a nod and smile "Yes, the answer is the author of Sherlock Holmes, Arthur Conan Doyle. It was the ultimate showdown between the definitive gentleman thief and the famous detective. Apparently, Leblanc changed the name of his version of Sherlock Holmes when Doyle complained. He changed it to 'Herlock Sholmes.' He should moved the S to the start of his last name."
The class murmur to themselves impressed with Aqua's answer as was Gatomon. Aqua feels her knowledge increase to a new level going from Learned to Scholarly.
"Both Lupin and Holmes would o on to appear in a number of other works…But those were homages, not plagiarism." Yor explained "Now, Arsene Lupin is synonymous with the idea of a 'phantom thief.' He's recognized all over the world."
"Wow, it looks like some phantom thieves never go out of style!" Gatomon said smiling
"Got that right." Arsene said smiling.
A while later it was after school and Aqua was getting ready when Gatomon said "Oh yeah, something happened to me the other day."
"What happened?" Aqua asked.
"I almost got kidnapped!" Gatomon told her.
"I'm glad you're safe." Aqua said smiling.
"Who do you think I am? As if anyone could ever catch me!" Gatomon said proudly. "…It was kind of a close call, though. Some girl had this crazy look in her eyes, and she was chasing me around, calling me a 'charcoal' or something…I wonder if she's been going after other cats and snatching them up like she tried with me…Try checking the Phan-Site and see if anyone's saying anything about it."
"Right" Aqua said and checks on her phone "Don't seem to be any relevant posts on it."
"Hmm, maybe it's just not a well-known problem, yet? The only victims are cats, so I suppose that could be the case…" Gatomon said thinking "Let's try asking around Metru-Nui and see if we can find the culprit.
Aqua nods and logs the mission in and heads for Metru-Nui. On the way she sees Carly.
Carly sees Aqua and said "What do you need? I'm busy covering the Mr. Legume story."
"Oh, well work hard." Aqua said smiling.
"No need for you to remind me…" Carly said "Don't worry. I'll be sure to uncover the truth they're hiding at this school! But maybe I should've covered that artist, Lystandre, instead. Everyone's talking about him…"
Aqua continues on her way.
When she arrives, she does notice there was a lack of cats around and began her investigation. She approaches the mother and daughter out but not with their dog this time. She listens in on them.
"That lady looks really happy now! Is it because she got a bunch of cats?" The Dog-Loving Girl asked her mother.
"I suppose…I personally think it's a bit too much." The Gentle-Looking Mother said thinking. "With that many, it gets so loud I can't sleep at night…"
"A bunch of cats…?" Gatomon said thinking "Hey, she might be talking about that catnapping case. Let's ask her for more information."
"Yeah." Aqua said and approaches the mother "Excuse me."
"C-Can I help you…?" The mother asked her.
"I'm concerned too." Aqua said to her.
"You're concerned about that household as well?" The mother asked. "She suddenly brought home a massive number of cats. I wasn't sure if she was all right…It's terribly noisy at night, and they shed everywhere! I'm worried that it's not the healthiest environment to raise those cats."
"Hmm…maybe there's a reason for it." Aqua said thinking.
"Even so, I'm worried for the cats." The mother said sighing "I even told the landlord about the situation at Miss Kyle's home, but it looks like nothing's changed…"
"Do you know her full name?" Aqua asked her.
"Huh? Her name?" The mother asked and thinks "I'm not sure…I only say hello to her every now and then, so I don't know her that well."
"Hmm…Doesn't look like we can learn anything else from her." Gatmon said to Aqua. "Let's get out of here and go over what we know so far."
"Right, thank you." Aqua said and moves to a secluded area after leaving.
"So here's what we learned from that mother and child…This 'Kyle' lady suddenly adopted a lot of cats. There's concern about the noise at night and shedding." Gatomon said thinking "The cats might be acting that way because they're stressed. Okay we might be able to find some other clues. Let's keep investigating around Metru!"
Aqua nods and walks around and soon finds the Old Man neare the bathhouse and Café with the radio, but he looked sad and the radio wasn't on.
"…Is the cat not here today, either?" The old man said sadly "Maybe that woman really did take him…"
"A woman…?" Gatomon said thinking "Hey, he might be talking about our catnapping case. Let's ask him for more information."
"Hm? Did you want to listen to the radio?" The Old Man asked seeing Aqua approach.
"I was wanting to know more about that cat" Aqua said to him, she usually did see a black and white cat close by the old man during the days.
"Ah, yes…There's this woman who nabs all the cats around here and calls them 'charcoal.' The Old Man explained "A few people I know have been victims. The same thing probably happened to the cat here…"
"Have you gone to the Police Troopers?" Aqua asked.
"Of course I have." The Old Man said sighing. "They turned me away because I didn't have any proof though. But I did get her name. It's 'Selina Kyle.' I made sure to ask while I was there, so there's no mistake. The Police Troopers just treat cats like objects…Those little guys are family to me. I wish there was something I could do about this mess. You ought to be careful too, since you're toting a cat around."
"Not only are other cats suffering, but she's also hurting people, too…" Gatomon said sadly. "The Kyle household was one that suddenly got a lot of cats, right? That's got to be our target. We should discuss this with everyone at the hideout.
Aqua nods and goes to the hideout gathering a meeting with Alexis, Uzi and Zane. On her way she notices the homeless man who stays in the underground.
"I found money in my pocket again." The Homeless man said to Aqua as she approaches "The problem is, I have no idea how I got it…"
"What happened?" Aqua asked concerned
"A while back, I started to have this problem. I just wouldn't be able to remember things." The Homeless Man explained "My memories of what happens at night are especially hazy. I'm pretty scared about it, to be honest. It might be interesting if I requested that genius detective to solve this mystery…"
Aqua nods and continues on her way, wondering if that is why he seems so different at night. Once everyone had gathered at the hideout the meeting began.
"Well then, we have some new intel on a Mementos target today." Gatomon said "This intel is on the cat abductions incidents occurring in Metru-Nui. Our target is Selina Kyle, who lives in Metru-Nui. It sounds like many cats have fallen victim, and the neighborhood's residents have already made complaints."
"You almost got abducted too, right, Gatomon? It seems super dangerous…" Alexis said thinking. "And I heard that the Police Troopers aren't willing to do anything about it either…We've got to help out the cat owners in any way we can."
"Yeah. But there is something that I'm confused about…" Uzi said thinking "Why the robot hell would anyone call Gatomon a charcoal? He hasn't got any black fur."
"I was wondering the same thing." Gatomon said nodding "We may be missing a piece of the puzzle here, but…I've already sent out the calling care so we're all ready to go. Let's solve this one for all the cats in Metru-Nui AND their owners!"
Aqua nods and ends the meeting and sees a bit later a message from Uzi about finding a place for her to practice and asked Aqua to come check it out. Apparently the gym is cheap in in Beacon and agree to meet up again.
Once they do, Uzi shows Aqua the way to the Beacon Sports Gym.
"Here we are…Protein Lovers gym!" Uzi said proudly "It's pay per visit, so you don't got to worry about any stupid contracts or nothing. The equipment's kind of lousy, but they got tons of variety. Plus it's real damn cheap. Totally worth it, even without a pool or hot tub." She thinks and said "Oh yeah! You bring your stuff?"
"You mean…Protein powder?" Aqua asked.
"That would be my guess" Shiki-Ouji said
"Heck yeah. If you want to beef up those organic muscles you got to…Wait, that ain't it!" Uzi said shaking her head "I'm talking about spare underwear! Getting back into your sweaty clothes after a nice hot shower be it water or oil is like, really gross kind of thing…Oh, but don't go getting your hopes up. No way I'm going to let you use mine and even if I wanted to, I doubt you're a child's small."
"Don't worry I'm covered" Aqua said.
"Anyway, let's head in." Uzi said smiling.
The two enter the gym and got into some sprots clothes and did some work out, a while later Uzi pants and wheezes when she was done on the treadmill.
"Phew…My forms…coming back…but I don't got…any stamina…" Uzi pants hunched over and coughs a bit.
"Yo, is that you Uzi?" A male voice said. The two look to see a male drone with green eyes where a baseball cap and jersey and sneakers.
"Thad! What's bonkin'?" Uzi said surprised.
"'Bonkin'? You still say the strangest things." Thad said laughing "Is that how you greet an old friend?"
"Oh I've been trying to come up with some cool new slang. Maybe it'll catch on!" Uzi said smiling.
"You can't just do that." Thad points out. "Through it has been a while since I transferred to attend that sports program." He then looks to Aqua "Hm? I haven't seen you before…Were you on the human track team?"
"Her? She's, uh…a friend!" Uzi said thinking
"I'm Aqua Strife, a new transfer student." Aqua said nodding.
"Yeah, by the time she showed up, the track teams were already…well, you know." Uzi said sadly.
"Oh yeah. Speaking of which, how's your leg?" Thad asked Uzi concerned.
"Eh, I'm managing with it…" Uzi said shrugging. "How about you, Thad? You still running in that program?"
"I actually joined up with a professional track team." Thad said smiling "You'd think I would've quit entirely after what happened…"
"About that, I'm really sorry…" Uzi said looking down.
"No, I should be the one apologizing." Thad said sighing and Uzi looks confused "I was supposed to be the leader of our team, yet I just resigned myself to Gaston's will…"
"That's because you needed him to write your recommendation letter, right?" Uzi asked. "You were just looking out for your future…but I still managed to eff it up anyways."
"Gaston clearly never intended on writing my letter of recommendation. You were just his excuse not to." Thad told her. "And honestly, I enjoy where I am now. The track team isn't anything special, but it's perfect for me. So in truth, I should be thanking you for what you did, Uzi."
"Thad…" Uzi said, and blushes embarrassed.
"I've always regrestted not doing more to protect you guys…" Thad said looking down. "But I heard some good news recently…The Citadel Drone track team's being reinstated with the possibility the other track teams will follow!"
"For real?!" Uzi said in shock, this was news to her.
"I mean, Gaston confessed all the horrible stuff he did, right?" Thad asked "I guess the school got the old team together and told them they want try starting it up again."
"…Nobody told me about that." Uzi said sadly.
"Huh, odd…The rumours got as far as me, and I'm not even a student anymore." Thad said thinking "Anyway, I heard they're going to get Mr. Hans as their new advisor."
"Hans…?" Uzi said thinking and her LED eyes widen "Hold up, THAT Hans?! As in self-proclaimed Prince Hans?!"
"Yup, the one who pretty much acted as Gaston's lapdog after LeFou left." Thad said nodding. "Apparently, he volunteered. He's really enthusiastic about pulling the track team up from the ashes."
"He is?" Uzi said looking like she feels that is suspicious.
"You know, now that the team is being reinstated, there's no need for any bad oil, right?" Thad asked smiling "Why don't you go talk to them? I'm sure they could use someone with your passion."
Uzi looks down and said "…Yeah."
"See you around sometime Aqua, look out for Uzi she acts tough but she means well" Thad said preparing to leave.
"Nice meeting you Thad." Aqua said nodding.
After Thad left Uzi thinking said, "So the Drone track team's coming back…Good for them."
"You seem conflicted." Aqua said to her.
"Yeah, she doesn't seem so excited about it." Shiki-Ouji said concerned.
"Nah, not really…" Uzi said shaking her head "For real though, I'm glad the team's coming back. It's sweet that Lizzy and them can start training again." Her face hardens as she adds "But I'm stll worried about their advisor, Hans. He's basically like mini-Gaston."
"So he's a trashhole?" Aqua asked.
"Heh, good one." Shiki-Ouji chuckles
"Basically." Uzi said nodding. "He's always yell at us at practise, but then be a huge suck up or charmer when our parents were around, one reason why he goes by Prince Hans as he has the charm of one. Ugh, I can't believe a moron like that's gonna be advising the track team. He doesn't even teach PE!" She thinks "…He's got to be up to something."
"I do think it's worth looking more into…the track team is getting a fresh start, it has to go right." Aqua said nodding.
"I'll do some research…" Uzi said with a nod. "There's a chance I'm going to need your help too, okay? You'd be free to lend a hand if I need it, yeah? I'll be counting on you!" She smiles.
Aqua swart drops but feels her bond with Uzi growing deeper. She sees the confidant card of the Chariot Arcana rank up to 5. She smiles as she was halfway done lighting up all the stars on it.
"All right, we don't got time to be messing around here anymore!" Uzi said proudly "Let's head home! Wait, I got to shower first!"
"Agreed" Aqua said nodding.
Soon the two part ways heading home. As Aqua was approaching LeBlanc, she answers her phone when it rang. "Hello?"
"Yo! What's bonkin'?" Uzi said on the other end. "About that stuff today…I can't really let myself be happy about the track team starting up again. Like I said earlier, there's just something fishy about Hans being the advisor. But I mean, if anything happens, I know you got my back. So I ain't too worried!"
"Don't worry, I got you." Aqua said smiling.
"Same" Shiki-Ouji said happily.
"Thanks! I knew I could count on you!" Uzi said sounding happy. "I mean, we don't know for sure if anything's sketchy's going on. But when I get these gut feelings…hyperthetically speaking…they're usually right. Well, if I hear anything, I'll hit you up. Okay, later!"
"See you." Aqua said and hangs up.
Once inside LeBlanc she changes out of her uniform and goes to do the Crossword and also watch the quiz show with Chuck Quizmo.
"Cofessions of crime, like the one we saw that teacher, Mr. LeGume give have this odd appellation: Confessions of crime are the…A: 'Queen' of evidence or B: 'Jewel' of evidence." Chuck Quizmo asked. "Which one is right? You be the judge!"
"That would be Queen of Evidence." Aqua said thinking.
"The correct answer is A: 'queen'.' The contestant on the show said "Yes, that's a very famous expression in the field of law. Confessions are very powerful evidence people used to even resort to torture to get them."
"That's ahigh school prodigy for you." A lawyer on the show said "Today, forcing a confession is forbidden under law, and…"
"I'm surprised you knew that." Gatomon said smiling "Did you just guess? Torture though tha''s pretty brutal…"
Aqua felt her knowledge increase twice from both answering the question and fishing the crossword of the day. She then decides to see Optimus needs any help with his speech tonight and heads out.
Well deepened bond with Uzi anjd a new Mementos mission, but next time we meet back up with Optimus.
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