Disclaimer: Fate and Persona are owned by different companies and I hold no ownership and all that jazz.
Double Post~
4/30
"Morgana, how can you stay calm?"
"Don't you three remember the resolve you had with Kamoshida!? What if she was in a similar situation!?"
Ann was listening to the two argue…She couldn't believe that the girl she shared an apartment with… killed people. And that trauma led to her.. Developing a palace? Or something similar. She was just as confused about that part as Ryuji.
Akira was quiet about the whole situation, "Ryuji… I think Morgana is right, we need to hear her … if her Palace is the result of that trauma…"
"Isn't the Phantom Thieves job to stop people from hurting? To save people?"
Akira made good points… He always did. "We should be on the lookout for her Will Seeds, it should give us her viewpoint…asking her directly might cause her to back away from us."
"I agree it's the best thing to do… let's. Sell the medal and wait for Kamoshida to see what happens first. The deadline is tomorrow for the expulsion, So let's wait a few days. We can go during Golden Week."
"Luckily Hakuno's Cognitions seem to be defeating the Shadows as they appear. We should only need a day or two. Let's just hope that Archer is able to keep Shadow Hakuno safe enough. Her Shadow doesn't seem to have any actual malice or control over things."
Akira sighed, "I did want a break before the next Palace… But it should be a quick one."
"Are we all going to gloss over that he called her an AI?"
Ann forgot about that part… "Artificial Intelligence… She is weirdly smart and observant… so it does make sense."
"And she mentioned a few times being told what Earth was like, not her actual experiences." Morgana pointed out.
"Her being an AI doesn't matter, she is our friend." Akira stated.
"Maybe… once we get her Treasure she could open up to us about what she experienced."
5/2
Ann and her friends were avoiding her the last few days.
It hurt. Then again… she hasn't really made any connection to either Ryuji or Akira.
Perhaps she should work on that. They can't be bad people if they're Ann's friends right?
Hakuno sighed… maybe they are afraid she is going to tell on them about their Phantom Thievery thing? She wouldn't as they know a dangerous truth about her.
But she did understand… in a way they were making sure she stayed safe. The less she knew what they were doing at the exact moment made it safer for her..
She reached for her phone as she called one of her few friends "Hey Makoto."
"Hey Hakuno, what's up?"
I was wondering if you wanted to see a movie together?"
Hakuno could feel the nervousness from her ruby-eyed friend.
"Sure! Can we go tomorrow? We have a rally so school will be out earlier."
"Sounds like a plan."
Hakuno sat and listened quietly as the man that tormented and assaulted her friends and family cried his eyes out. His suicide attempt stopped by Ann telling him to face his crimes in jail.
She wishes she could've found evidence earlier.
Maybe it would've stopped Shiho from jumping…
Hakuno watched as almost a dozen police came in, the principal's attempt at sending everyone back to class failing miserably. Hakuno saw the three responsible for it, high five each other and take… Mishima.. If she remembers right with them.
"I can't believe it… he turned himself in." Makoto had walked up to her, "The guilt… Shiho jumping must have made him finally realize how terrible he has been.."
Hakuno nodded, knowing it wasn't the case. Ann had told her… that Kamoshida didn't care about the crimes and only did it because his heart was changed.
Hakuno was still slightly unsure if she was comfortable with it. She understands the use… as long as they stick to people with bad intentions she guesses it's fine?
Not like she could judge with her hands dripping red
Hakuno shook her head, "I hope… I hope things calm down."
Makoto nodded, "Hopefully…" Her eyes grow wide for a moment before she whispers, "I'll get those things back."
"To take our mind off of it… wanna go see that movie?"
Makoto smiled softly, "Sure I would like that."
"Master~ Are you ready? This is the final moment, the Holy Grail is right down this hallway… Are you sure of your wish?"
"Of course she is! Our beloved Praetor can do anything when her mind comes to it! Look into her eyes and tell me Fox that she isn't prepared!"
"I'll distract the Security Programs! Saber take her to the Core and make sure she stays safe!"
"Of course Fox! Now come Master~ let's end this war!"
Hakuno was in a dream… She could see and hear the two bickering one red one blue.
"That's not the case is it?" A man in red stood behind her, she could feel him just as he broke apart and reforged himself with his Magecraft.
5/3
Hakuno had a strange dream last night. She can't remember them which alone isn't weird as the last few years her memory has been getting closer to a normal human and not the AI she was in her previous life.
Which is fine as she is now Human.
Hakuno dropped a plate as she saw a Man in Red sitting on a red blanket covering countless tables. His dull gray eyes speak of kindness.
"Hakuno!" Ann brings her back to the real world as she notices the broken plate at her feet.
"Sorry… I just thought I saw something."
After a few moments in silence Ann's phone began to ring, answering it led Hakuno to see Ann's expression brighten up drastically.
"Shiho is awake!"
Catburglar: We should check out Hakuno's Palace soon. Cant today Shiho woke up tho
Tricky&Kitty: We will need Archer's help. Tell her Hi
Catburglar: I think he wants to help.
Pirateboi: THE DUDE IS A TSUNDERE! And ill go w/ to see her.
Catburglar: Shut up Ryuji. Cya in a bit.
5/4
Makoto didn't have any special duties to attend to so they finally got a chance to go to the movies with Makoto.
The day of Kamoshida's confession turned out to be too busy for Makoto dealing with some Student Council Fallout regarding the situation.
Makoto also mentioned she was to investigate the 'Phantom Thieves'. Hakuno didn't want to lie to her friend but she will have to at least dance around the issue with her friend.
"Sorry miss, but the movie stopped airing yesterday… We do have the Cake Knight Rises if you want to see that?"
Hakuno sighed, they missed the new Doctor Cone animated movie she was looking forward to, Ann liked Romance and Hakuno liked to watch animated movies.
Maybe it was a type of nostalgia…
"Sorry Makoto…"
Makoto sighed, "It's ok… We can always come back here later. If you want.. I got some movies at my house, sis won't be home until tomorrow, we can hang out there?"
Hakuno nodded, that sounded perfectly reasonable and fun to her.
"Your back~" Hakuno hugged the four as they appeared in the cave.
"I see your back."
Archer stood up from where he was resting, his body creaking slightly, "We will need to perform a raid on the Fox and Tyrant to get the rest of her… once they are gone.. You guys know what to do."
"Are they all as strong as you?"
Archer nodded, "Stronger. I am perhaps the weakest… Mana is in short supply here."
"Are you going somewhere Archer?" Hakuno looked up at him with confusion in her eyes.
"Yeah.. Just stay here and get some rest… Don't leave the cave ok?" Hakuno nodded, a pang in his mostly destroyed heart.
"We will be up against the Blue Caster and Red Saber. The Caster will need more work as she holds the second largest Shard… So we will go after Red Saber first."
"Wait, you're joining us?"
Archer looked at Skull like he was an idiot.
"Of course."
"Aren't you almost dead?"
"So? I am still a Heroic Spirit in a sense…. This is to help my Master obtain her wish. Even if she doesn't know it."
Archer liked the one with blood red gloves, at least he stayed quiet.
Archer grunted as he led them through the crack in the side, it seems to be getting bigger.
Won't be a problem much longer.
Getting to 'Red Saber's' Area was annoying. Ann was tired of walking the empty halls, at least once the paths split to three Ann was able to see something other than endless water.
Though it looked like it could've been pretty once upon a time. Half of it was demolished, and it looked to have zero upkeep; demolished fountains were everywhere and shadows moved.
Not actual Shadows, but it was as if the sun was following them.
"True Name is Nero Claudius and yes.. She is a girl. She uses flames, but she isn't immune to other sources of fire. She is also incredibly physically strong. Be careful and we should be able to lure her out. She shouldn't have enough Mana to summon her Noble Phantasm."
"What the fuck is that." How little did Hakuno tell them?
"If you hear anyone here start to chant Run and don't look back."
Ann just knew Ryuji would argue back but she took his arm and shook her head, "let's not piss him off ok?"
Akira was tense, she could see his eyes glint as he scanned the shadows... and he kept an eye on Archer.
They slowly made it up to a small dilapidated castle? The fact that it was so quiet was unnerving mixed with the fact half of it was missing…
"Archer… Why are you here?"
All Ann saw was a woman in a long flowing red dress, the front completely visible with golden grieves laying her head on Hakuno's arm… Wasn't she back at the cave?
Wait.. this Hakuno has a red ribbon, the one back in the cave has a green ribbon. Are all the shards pieces of Hakuno?
"Saber… You know why I am here." One black and one white blade appeared in his hands as he kept walking up to her.
"Please… leave me be. Hakuno will wake up one day… and she will turn this all around again. Please."
Ann never heard such desperation in someone's voice.
"She is just sleeping! Please leave us alone. She is safe here! She doesn't have to fight anymore!"
Ann shook her head, "Hakuno is safe in the Real World. Making friends, she might even find love one day, she needs to face her past. You need to let her go."
Red Saber stood up. "I see… there is no use in arguing. True name… Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus Germanicus, and I will PROTECT MY MASTER!"
She stuck her hand out as a plume of flame erupted turning into a jagged crimson sword wreathed in nearly invisible flames. The still figure of Hakuno turned to dust and formed a crimson ring on her hand.
"YOU FACE THE LAST TRUE EMPEROR OF ROME! THE FLOWER OF OLYMPIA! AND I WILL PROTECT MY BELOVED'S HOME!"
Ann decided after this she will find a way to have more magic then just fire. Her bullets either missed completely or just bounced off of her dress.
Nero dodged her magic and what got even remotely close was absorbed by her sword. And her whip was next to useless as she didn't even seem to register the pain. Akira was the only one of their group really keeping up.
Ryuji managed to shock her with lightning once before she figured out how to hit their Personas and cancel their attacks with a simple kick.
Ann didn't even know that was possible, sending more Dia spells towards their leader and Archer, while looking for any moment where she can help.
Archer grunted in pain, he could feel his deletion speeding up he couldn't feel parts of his fingers, Kanshou and Bakuya shatter with each hit, he would have to thank the Cat and Hakuno's cousin if he remembered as their magic gave him just enough Od to summon them.
It was a losing battle on his end though. He was only not spending any to summon his swords. Any wound he had couldn't be recovered. But it will be worth it in the end.
The one called Joker was pulling through greatly, constantly switching 'Persona' let him keep up just barely with the raging Saber.
"STOP RUNNING AND FIGHT!" He took a quick glance and concentrated as his Black Bow fired several shots towards the Saber. Her Sword being used to block it sent her spiraling backwards into the Pirate kid.
"CAPTAIN KID!" The ground shook as Nero was hit by an entire ship and sunk into the wall black blood coming from her mouth.
"I… Will not fall here!" Nero stood up, and slammed her fist into Pirate.
Nero got in close and slammed him into the ground, leading Archer to see and hear nothing for a moment.
"CARMEN!" He was saved by dozens of fireballs knocking her back into Joker who brought forth a lady in a red dress…
"SILKY!" Nero was then frozen in ice, her sword had fallen out of her hands.
Archer stood up and pushed a miniscule amount of Od into his two swords, "Overedge!" The blades elongated, gaining feathers as he stabbed into her, the ice then shattering.
"And for the finale!" The Cat swirled some wind and turned into a fucking bus and charged at her slamming into her with enough force to cause a sonic boom.
She grunted, jumping backward still not down, her sword reappearing in her hands, her golden hair flowing freely. "ENOUGH ARCHER!" Her eyes shone with reckless abandon.
Every part of him was screaming and telling him to run as she impaled her sword into the ground.
"BEHOLD OUR GLORY! HEAR THE THUNDEROUS APPLAUSE-'' A Phantom mirage of a golden coliseum appeared before jerking out of existence.
She broke out in a coughing fit, the pure mana released from her stopping as more black blood came out of her mouth.
Quickly moving in, Archer threw Kanshou while holding Bakuya and stabbed it into her chest,"Where did I go wrong, Archer? I'm so sorry…" Kanshou came in from behind and impaled her as she turned into black dust, her ring clattered on the ground.
Author's Note: Yep. They gotta fight both Nero and Tamamo.
Also, to note this is the Servants at their weakest. No real connection to their Master, after years of fighting Shadows and each other they are greatly weakened. I do think end game Persona users could possibly fight regular Heroic Spirits, not too sure on how strong. That's the whole reason why the newly made phantom thieves can fight them. Though the MCs could probably hurt some strong ones, depending on conceptual weaknesses and such.