Disclaimer: Fate and Persona are owned by different companies, and I hold no ownership and all that jazz.
Forgot to name and describe the Mystic Code in the last chapter as well as Morgana's:
Celosia Aspida: The Shield can survive up to one Severe attack, the recharge rate is determined by the amount of Magical Energy given. While active can convert weaknesses into normal strikes.
Battle Mode!: Fusion of two, a plow to protect and charge and a Minigun to shred and pierce, each taking a separate amount of Magical Energy. Can be used as one or separately if required and can be fueled by those inside.
8/5
Murderous Cannibal Ran Rū has been captured. This picture was given to us by a dedicated viewer it shows her entering a local police station. Hakuno looked down at her phone as the digital newspaper lit up her screen. No confession, no interview with Ran Rū just a single photo of her entering a police station. In a way she was grateful, not hearing anything about her for two days and last seeing her clutching her head after compressed Shadow gunk changed her Shadow made it seem like she died.
At least in this way, they have confirmation she was alive.
Hakuno took a moment, flicking between the digital newspaper as she switched to a news outlet that showed a grainy video showing the clown's body slumping down as she walked into the precinct, incredibly faint she could hear the woman crying.
Putting away her phone she looked up as the announcement of her stop echoed in the full traincab. "Hmph, this is perhaps the worst way to travel." Justine's voice sounded stiff as they exited the train.
Hakuno had only asked the twins a single question, which led them to ask her to take them to see 'The false den that lets you capture the monsters of the deep.' It only took her a moment to figure out exactly what they meant.
Her time with N-
Hakuno shook her head.
Hakuno was mildly glad that the Twins chose to make themselves visible, as the bored Attendant gave the group a critical eye and only made her pay half for her 'little sisters.'
"Was that the Master of this land?" Justine's eyes sparkled.
"He is the Attendant, more like a guard?" The Twins nodded in respect.
"Perhaps his lanky form and relaxed stature were to keep us off guard?" Caroline's voice grew an edge, "Maybe we should show him exactly-"
"Enough of that." Hakuno placed a pole into their hands. "You two wanted to do this right?"
Caroline looked at Justine.
Justine stared at Caroline.
The twins stared at her, their yellow eyes boring into her, "We thought you wanted to be here?" Hakuno blinked. What had brought that along?
Hakuno tilted her head slightly, Caroline became flustered.
"The Inmate said this was a place of reflection… was he wrong?" Hakuno pondered for a moment, before pulling up two small crates for the pair to sit on.
"No?" Hakuno was sure that some people valued this pond as one of reflection, the small faux rocking of the pool, the calmness of staying still it almost reminded her of meditation… Hakuno cast her line.
"You asked us, 'What is a Seeker'" Justine mimicked her action as Caroline fought with the fishing line, "The Seeker is different from other Arcana, you are a different type of Confidant for the Inmate than the rest…you are simply the one who Seeks."
Caroline finally got the line untangled, "You asking questions which is good! But! You need to find the right questions."
The… right questions? Hakuno felt a simple tug on the line.
"Can you tell me them?" Hakuno felt Avenger stir at this, while the twins shook their heads.
"We don't know." Caroline's voice was quiet. "Even if we did we wouldn't."
"Answers are only good when you find them naturally, same with the Questions. I believe our Master would say the same." Justine's voice was slightly harsher than normal but Hakuno could feel something in them… uncertainty? "We ourselves don't know what you will find at the end… only that it will be beneficial to the Inmate-" Her eyes grew wide.
"Hakuno!" Caroline dropped her rod as Hakuno felt the tug. Caroline's rod flew into the water causing her to look at the waves.
Hakuno was barely paying attention as she looked at her pole, it was halfway bent and Hakuno didn't know what to do. The line was taunt, she tried to reel it in but it wouldn't move.
Should she pull? Hakuno yanked the pole as the line screamed in protest, a twing of the line sounded as it snapped knocking her slightly back. Hakuno watched as the line went under, deep into the deep water…
8/6
"You ready Hakuno?" Hakuno nodded as she shifted her bag, they were all going to meet up at Shibuya Station and head to one of the many beaches that Ann and Makoto had figured out would be one of the somewhat quieter ones…
Hakuno nodded to herself it will be fine.
Hakuno flinched as the sun bore down on her she smoothed out the skirt on her top and the one on her waist, it was too hot. Hakuno didn't care too much for the beach, the sand got everywhere- static clung to her mind as a woman in a red slingshot bikini stood in front of her, her golden-
Although… she was slightly worried about how Futaba seemed nervous although with Ann shooing her away it should be fine?
Did Futaba even have a swimsuit?
Hakuno looked at the boundless sea, still far enough away that Hakuno couldn't reach out and touch it, but close enough she could feel the salted air, and hear the slow waves crashing against the shore.
It was… nostalgic.
She can fully believe the Chimeric Sea was based on the true version that lay before her, the majesty of the sea was the exact same. Perhaps if she had performed her summoning ritual here she would have summoned-
"Hey, Hakuno over here!" Ryuji's voice echoed snapping her out of her thoughts, the boys only taking a moment to find. The trio had finished changing a lot sooner than they did. Although… no Morgana?
Almost as soon as she thought that Morgana jumped onto the table the trio was sitting on. "Found a nice spot! Far away from everyone!"
"Thank you, Morgana." Hakuno nodded to the Faux-Feline. Hakuno hoped he wouldn't get sunburned… Sunscreen for cat bodies was something she didn't make a habit of keeping on hand.
It felt strange not having her Regalia, the ring was too precious to lose in the water so Hakuno made sure to hand it to the Twins after their disastrous fishing trip to safeguard it.
"Hmm…" Yusuke's fingers were framing her. Hakuno was curious about why he was wearing his jacket and hood at the beach at this temperature.
"Aren't you hot dude?" Ryuji took out an ice cream.
Yusuke shrugged, "I have fair skin, I would prefer not to burn in this sunlight. And it is light enough to keep me safe." Hakuno did wonder if it was naturally a light jacket or if Yusuke had it for a long time…
Thanking Akira as he passed a bottle of water to her the five of them sat in silence for only had to wait for a few moments as Ann and Makoto exited the changing rooms.
Hakuno and the guys stood up, Hakuno could only roll her eyes as Ann moved in to grab Ryuji laughing as he made a weird face at the duo. Hakuno did grab the float that Ann dropped, "Gota a better opinion on me now? What Cat got your tongue? Come onnnn say something!"
"Where's Futaba?" Makoto glanced back, "She just needed an extra minute…"
Hakuno sighed at the sight in front of her.
Although… Futaba's pineapple swimsuit did look new, Hakuno for sure didn't remember it…and… the additional aspect on her head she for sure would remember "This is perfect!"
No.
Not it's not.
An overly large beach towel suffocated Futaba as she stumbled out of the stalls, her head completely covered as she held her hands in front of her.
Hakuno knew it wouldn't be that easy.
Makoto began to unravel the mess as Hakuno grabbed one of Futaba's arms, "Remember you trained for this." Hakuno could hear Futaba gulp as Makoto freed her head from the towel.
Futaba's eyes adjusted to the light, luckily she wore her glasses… Makoto did not have to remove her protection! She'll get back at her… some-
Oh wow.
Teal was really good on Hakuno…
Her face flushed as she looked at everyone.
Everyone was staring.
But…
She didn't feel the need to hide.
Maybe she did level up?!
She was fine in Akihabara with just Akira! And Makoto was hanging out a lot at Leblanc! And sometimes she did text Haru...
Futaba was strong enough for this encounter!
Her eyes looked past the Thieves… into… a large crowd…
She gulped.
Morgana led them to the small section of the beach where while still having a decent crowd there was an actual place to set up their stuff. "Good spot Morgana," Akira commented as he placed down the ice chest.
Hakuno agreed, finding a spot large enough for everyone that was slightly out of the way was surprising.
"I got lunch ready." Akira was the resident chef of the group.
Boss's teachings worked wonders as Akira brought out bento boxes which Hakuno was grateful for. Although… Makoto and Ann didn't each as much as they usually did…
Hakuno although worried about Futaba, "Are you doing ok?" Futaba rapidly nodded.
"Yeah! As long as I'm with you I'm fine!" Futaba froze for a moment, "With everyone I mean!"
Hakuno nodded, "That's… good."
"So, whadda we do now? Some beach volleyball?" Beach volleyball might be good… she would prefer to do a sand castle though.
"Sorry, me and Makoto are going to ride a banana boat. It's all they had left." Ann shrugged.
"I thought-" Makoto began to speak but Ann grabbed her arm and gave her a strange look that silenced her.
Hakuno blinked as she felt Futaba's arm around hers, "We are going to build a sandcastle!" She practically shouted as she spoke. A few people around them glanced at the pair.
Hakuno didn't notice the smirk on Akira's face.
"That sounds nice," Hakuno stated, and it would let them watch their stuff.
"Why don't we guys go and hang out?" Akira's voice was reasonable, "Have some dude time ya know?"
"Y-yeah," Hakuno could see something in Ryuji's expression but was unsure exactly what it was, "That… ain't so bad, you comin' Mona Mona? Yusuke?"
"Me and Futaba will stay here."
"I wouldn't mind-" Akira grabbed Yusuke's arm before he could continue.
"Come on Yusuke, why don't we show those two how great we are as Phantom Thieves."
What?
Yusuke paused, an unspoken communication spread through the four guys as he suddenly nodded, "Hmm… Perhaps that is a worthy challenge for us." Hakuno felt like something was off, but she wasn't too sure what as the four guys left followed by Ann and Makoto shortly after.
Leaving just her and Futaba.
Hakuno felt a flicker of warmth in her chest as she glanced at her friend.
Futaba reached into her bag and brought out a shovel and a bucket, Futaba handed her the shovel. "You uh… remember when we came here as kids?"
Hakuno took a moment to think as she began digging, she does remember the first time she gazed upon the ocean in front of her. She was hesitant to touch it, fearing that perhaps…
It would claim her once more, walls of see-though Mana would raise and she would be forced to fight once more. All she could do was stay far from it, away from the tantalizing ocean attempting to call her back to its depths.
Of course, to anyone else, it would have appeared she was just afraid of the water, "Of course…"
"You don't have Thalassophobia do you?" After a brief moment of memory searching Hakuno shook her head.
"It… reminded me of the Chimeric Sea..." Another shovel of sand led to a rudimentary moat in front of where Futaba placed her buckets. "The Moon Cell emulated the Ocean in the arena, and… in a sense, my mind was fully formed less after realizing the truth that the school was fake, and more in those first life and death fights."
Futaba sighed, "Oh… But the Moon Cell isn't here if it was I would've heard something about a Super Computer with how many people landed on the Moon we would've totally heard something even if the government kept it quiet!" Hakuno nodded.
The Moon Cell didn't care much for hiding. And knowing Futaba's skills she doubts most governments would have been able to hide such a massive discovery like that.
All though the Extra Hour of the past and the Television Place should have also been a possible intelligence leak.
"You haven't been in the ocean since coming here… have you?" Futaba's voice was quiet as another pile of sand was added to their growing castle.
"No not really."
Futaba shot up grabbing her arm, "Come on quick trip to get some water touch the water it will be easy."
Akira looked behind him as she saw the two girls run off from their gear, he would have to keep an eye on their stuff from a distance… their 'plan' to steal beach-goers hears wasn't going too well… the only one gaining any attention was Morgana.
"STOP IT!" His hiss as he swatted away another girl was impressive, "I AM NOT A CAT!"
For all the wrong reasons.
"Oh come on Kitty! Don't be mean."
Ryuji sulked while Yusuke framed another couple as they passed by, "Sorry about that Miss… he gets angry when he is reminded he is a cat." The girl with pigtails waved her hand and shooed them away.
Wooo for his planned distraction…
Now where did Yusuke go?
Hakuno's feet were in the water.
She reached down, as water passed through her fingers, no tiny cubes, no rush of information. No hidden items reside.
Just…
Water.
Hakuno didn't know what to think… and Futaba gladly understood her silence as she contemplated it. The pair walked closer to their gear, Futaba holding the bucket of seawater in her arms as if it were a trophy.
She knew it wasn't the digital sea, but.
Hakuno was expecting something to come from it, perhaps a stirring of Avenger? A notion that perhaps visiting the ocean would change something about herself? Or perhaps just the fact that she was visiting what might as well be her old home?
Then she paused her thoughts. A man in a white hoodie was coming to them.
Hakuno blinked.
She had many thoughts come across her brain but.
"Why lobsters?" Futaba's short stature mixed with her inability to jump too high made it easy for Yusuke to keep two large lobsters away from her.
"Ah, well following Akira and Ryuji around I managed to spot these fine specimens on sale, and spent the last of my money on them. As soon as I laid my eyes upon them I fell in love, I haven't felt my core shake so vigorously since I first laid eyes upon Ann."
Hakuno nodded, not understanding at all.
"Do… you have enough to get home?" Yusuke's expression changing to one of pure shock made her sigh.
"Inariiiiii, let me at 'em! Come onnnn! Let's make Akira cook them!"
"Enough of your vile postulations! These are purely for the sake of visual appreciation!"
"Yusuke… do you even have a place to put them in your dorm?" His expression became shocked, then scared, then resolved.
"I shall resolve that situation as soon as I make it back." Hakuno didn't believe the man dedicated to art could.
But she was willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.
Hakuno glanced at their sandcastle… looking closer at it.
Hakuno could for sure say it was poorly built, she could only shrug at that realization.
It was fun.
Hakuno could faintly hear someone call their names.
Her eyes searched the beach, locking eyes with a despondent Ryuji while Akira was talking to a few random people... "Where ya go man?"
"Ooo Lobsters!? Sashimi?" Morgana's tail swished, and seeing him corned Hakuno kind of felt bad for him…
On one hand a small cat-like being and on the other a short red head both attempting to remove the Lobsters who are now also moving in his hands.
Beach volleyball was a mistake.
Once Makoto and Ann's banana boat ride was finished they decided to do the most team-like thing the group could think of.
Hakuno wasn't in bad shape…
Just not as good as Makoto, Ryuji, or Akira who the two boys were doing their best to keep up with Makoto's spikes. Ann was there as well… her time in the gym gave her an actual chance to keep up with the trio.
That… left a large dent in the sand whenever they missed.
Hakuno watched as the two boys nodded at each other, a Joker-like smirk came across Akira's face as…
Ah.
Magecraft.
Hakuno glanced around as Ryuji's 'circuits' came alive, just a tiny bit faster and stronger as he scored a point.
Makoto's gaze could kill.
Hakuno glanced over at Yusuke who was now in the middle of painting the scene his eyes grew intense as he focused.
Hakuno couldn't help but feel herself smile.
At least the day had been enjoyable.
But…
All good things had to come to an end.
The train ride home was slow going, luckily they managed to all get seats, Futaba's batteries long ran dry as she fell asleep on her shoulder.
Hakuno herself… felt the Sandman's lull…
For once, Hakuno dreamed of the boundless ocean.
And.
It didn't hold her captive, nor did it stir a primordial fear.
It.
Was a simple, body of water, with no prison to be seen.
A place of calm tides.
Rejuvenating waves and calming sea...
Author's Note: Well, sorry about being a day late, fire near my work forced everyone to head in and ensure all the documents were safe once the fire was put out.
Long and boring flippin' through papers.
Beach Scenes! Fishing! All things to do in the Summer!
Anyways, see yall later.