Aqua is nearly ready to begin infiltration of the Palace just a few final things to do.

Disclaimer: I own nothing in this

Persona 5 Royal Fanmake Gaston Arc Chapter 19

Training with Uzi

As Aqua left for school she did a bit early and checks the Second-hand shop and saw a DVD player that was pre-owned and a very old model but it still works, it was only missing the remote which she didn't mind and she bought it.

She walks to the school after arranging to pick it up on her way back home with the store owner. She approaches the gate and see two male students talking.

"I thought I'd get a girlfriend once I was in high school, but I'm not having any luck at all…" The Dull student said sighing "Is there something wrong with me?"

"Maybe self-improvement is the answer." The Calm Student said "Try reading some books. You'll get more that just some Knowledge out of them, and it'll make you better in conversation. You'll be more desirable if you're more intelligent. It'll take hard work, though won't happen overnight."

"Yeah, but books make me sleepy…" The Dull student admits "Guess I can give it a go, though if it'll help make me more popular with the ladies! Uh, is the library where you go to borrow books?"

"Reading books is an important way to expand your mind." Gatomon said to Aqua.

"Yeah, books can be great." Aqua said smiling.

"I totally agree." Gatomon said nodding. "As we know you can read for free at the library so take advantage of that. We also saw on Central Street was a bookstore."

Aqua nods and heads to school and enters class. Today was a lesson with a new teacher for Biologuy class. There teacher seems to be a fluffy primate teacher wearing hippie attire

"Hello their students…I'm Mr. Steve Small, your biology teacher." The teacher said smiling "You must all be in shock by what happened with Asahina. It was a shock to me too…But I can relate to how she felt."

"Her eyes were devoid of life as they looked upon this sad, hopeless world." Mr. Small explained. "Well, I suppose everyone views the world differently. Let's have a test." He looks at Aqua "You there…! Take a look a this."

"Huh?" Aqua said and Mr. Small shows an image of 2 lines A and B in a symbol, the B line more inside it.

"Between A and B…. which line seems longer…?" Mr. Small asked Aqua.

Aqua thinks and said "They appear to be the same sir."

"That is correct." Mr. Small said smiling "It seems your eyes see the truth." He shows the image again this time with lines indicating A and B were the same length "This is an optical illusion. Some people see it correctly, and some do not."

"Isn't it strange that they view the same image differently?" The teacher asked "People don't see the world as it is. We simply process visual information with our brain."

The students mumor to themselves on Aqua getting it right while Gatomon said how smart Aqua was and she feels she has gotten smarter.

"How you see the world is nothing more that a trick of the mind…It is all mere cognition." Mr. Small explained "There is no proof that the world each of us sees is the same."

"How you see the world depends on your brain's cognition, huh…" Gatomon said thinking "Optical illusions and the Metaverse might be more similar than you'd think."

Soon it was after school and Aqua gets a message from Uzi on her phone saying "Hey, where are you right now?"

"I'm still in the classroom" Aqua messages.

"I'm still at school too." Uzi replies "I'm by the staircase outside your classroom. Think we should head into the Palace today?"

"I haven't decided yet." Aqua replies

"Hey, I thought of something the other day when we were running around the Palace." Uzi messages "Maybe it's cause I haven't been moving around as much lately, but I feel like I'm theoretically getting weak."

"We're probebly gonna run into some pretty tough Shadows sometime." Uzi continues "We should try to get stronger too. It's sunny outside. Perfect for training! So, you wanna get your organic blood pumping?"

"It appears Uzi has a lot on her mind…" Gatomon comments "It's true that training your body will let you be able to move when it counts. She when to the trouble of inviting you, so why not listen to what she has to say?"

"I agree" Aqua said and replies to Uzi saying "Sure."

"Nice. Let's sweat it out behind the gym." Uzi said "And yes, I can't sweat don't ask me why someone would program that I have no answers. Be sure to change into your gym clothes first."

Aqua nods and heads to change and meet up with Uzi.

A while later Aqua meets with Uzi, both in gym clothes in the courtyard behind the gym. Uzi was smiling.

"Man, this place brings back memories…" Uzi said stretching "This is my secret training sport. Or…it was. Back when I was on the Drone track team. I was actualy been thinking about trying to run again."

"Really? Why is that?" Aqua asked.

"Fighting in that other world was a complete shock." Uzi explained sighing "I couldn't move like I used to. It felt really…lame. So, I started thinking, maybe I need to build up my robotic joints again. Anything got to be better than how my circuits are right now, right? Plus, maybe then I'll be able to help out a little more."

"Yeah, after all I'll be counting on you." Aqua said with a smile.

"Heh, I'm totally going to wreck your expectations!" Uzi said smiling "Um…I mean that in a good way!" She then added "Anyway you act like it's only me who's going to be doing this, you're getting in on it too."

"What?!" Aqua said in shock.

"Whoa, don't look so surprised!" Uzi said to her "Why'd you think I had you go and change into that?!" She point to the gym clothes Aqua was wearing. "It'd be pointless if I was the only one getting super fast, right? All right I'm going to do some knee lift sprits. You're stuck with normal ones!"

"Alright" Aqua said nodding.

The two then ran around the school together. Soon they finish where they started and Uzi was panting exhausted.

"Ughhh…" Uzi groans a bit. "Damn, my legs are all tight…" She then stands up straight and looks at Aqua and sighs "Before Gaston came along, the Drone division of the track team was the biggest thing this school had going for it. But it all changed after he got our coach fired and took over as the sub."

She clenches her fists "That jerk…Right from the very start he was trying to get rid of us. He'd give us crazy workouts, then when we couldn't do them, he'd add even more on top of that…Day after day was nothing but BS…" She looks down "He was going after me especially."

"He knew…He knew I was the kind of drone girl who'd fight back." She explained "If my time dropped even a little, he'd cuss me out. Then on top of that, he brought up my parents…"

"What about them?" Aqua asked.

Uzi sighs as she held her head "Truth is, my dad's the only one I got. My mom was a kind woman when she was still around. But she got hit with a computer virus that forced her have to be taken for an indefinite stay are a home for robots with crazed virus. My dad also runs the small Doorman Doors corp which takes most of his attention which I think he does to hide his sadness over mom."

"I don't know how that jerkward Gaston found out, but he told the whole damn team…" Uzi continued and sighs "And you can guess, I lost it and hit him. It was like he wanted me to do it though. He called it an 'act of violence' and shut the team down…" She looks down "Thanks to that, the other Drones on the team treat me like some kind of traitor…"

She looks away "And they aren't wrong. Because of me, they all lost their shot at the championship." She remains silent sighing.

"Do you want to go back?" Aqua asked her.

"To the track team? Nah…" Uzi said shaking her head. "How could I after that?" She thinks "Come on, don't ask me tough questions like that. I'm smart in some things but not stuff like this, you know!"

She then smiles "Anyways, it doesn't matter now. That's all in the past! I'm only thinking about the future now! That's what we're gonna do build the future! We got to think positive thoughts, sister!"

"Yeah…" Aqua said sweat dropping and the two high five, as she feels the bond with Uzi grow deeper. She then sees the card in the card book glow as one of the black stars turn yellow. Now she feels she knows Punk Talk

"Come on, we're all warmed up, right? How about another run?" Uzi suggests and thinks "By the way, you're actually pretty good at running. Not as good as me though!"

The two continue to run and train till they couldn't anymore.

"Oh…. man…My leg's shaking…Don't collapse on your way home now…" Uzi pants exhausted "See ya."

Aqua arrived back at Metru-Nui safely, she grabbed her DVD player from the and was about to go into LeBlanc when Uzi called her.

"Hey! You get home alright? Didn't trip or anything right?" Uzi asked on the phone.

"I got back safely." Aqua said.

"Good, but wow, I'm so out of shape in the robot kind of way." Uzi said "Felt like I could baely drag my damn legs up the station steps…This wouldn't have happened back then. Ugh…I should've kept up my running."

"Well, you know it's never too late." Aqua said reassuringly.

"Heh! Ain't that the truth." Uzi said cheering up a bit. "We're only getting started! Let's keep on running towards tomorrow!"

"Right you got it" Aqua said smiling.

"I'll admit I'm pretty rusty, but even if it got kind of rough, I had fun." Uzi said nodding. "And with you jhere, I get some friendly competition too. Plus we get to talk. So yeah, I'll catch you late. See ya!"

"Bye" Aqua said and ends the call and heads inside

As soon as Aqua enters Vito said to her "Just because you're taking school seriously doesn't mean I'm not keeping and eye on you. Understand? I'll know what's what as soon as I see your grades."

"Want to prove you're turning over a new leaf? Make studying your second biggest habit, after breathing." Vito said.

"Understood." Aqua said and heads for upstairs and sees Leo here again.

"Oh, I apologize if I overstayed my welcome." Leo said nodding "I finished some work so I am partaking in a moment's rest. The ambiance of my favourite café as closing time…This perfect silence sooths my very soul."

"But the TV's on Leo." Vito points out.

"Then I will be going home then." Leo said and leaves.

Aqua shrugs and goes upstairs. Gatomon gets out the bag and said "This rooms looks so desolate since there's nothing in here…I have a good idea. Bring me that chair, the one in the corner."

"Okay" Aqua said and does so placing it in the middle of the room.

"You can reach that beam on the ceiling if you stand on this chair, right?" Gatomon asked.

"I should be able to." Aqua said confused.

"All right! Let's train your body using that ceiling beam!" Gatomon said "I'll be leaving you in charge, but you'll need to train your body too. I'm going to whip you into shape, so you better be prepared."

Aqua nods and places the DVD player with the CRT TV and plugs it in, now she will just need to get some DVD's to watch. She then feeds some Bio-Nutriants to her plant then crafts some lockpicks before going to bed.

The next day Aqua got a seat, Gatomon notes she can use this to read something. She nods and reads Pirate Legend. Arsene noting that this book is mostly accurate as Kidd would put it on his exploits. She got halfway through the book by the time they reached the station.

Aqua walks to school and sees two female students talking the fashion loving girl said sighing "Ugh, I spent way too much on new clothes this month. Now I'm broke…"

"Guess you're getting yourself a job." A Mature looking girl said "Those job magazines they have at the train station are useful."

"Maybe I'll swing by the Vale Underground and pick one up after school." The fashion loving girl said thinking "Then again works for losers. I hope I find something easy."

Aqua thinks on it and if she was allowed out she would look for a job but she was restricted to LeBlanc still.

In class Uzi messages the group saying "Man, we need cash."

"Sure, but why bring this up now?" Alexis asked.

"Well, we can get all sort of weapons and meds and stuff now..." Uzi explained "But we can't actually buy any of it without some dough."

"In that case, we'll earn some." Aqua messages.

"Oh, like it's that easy." Uzi said, you could feel the sarcasm.

We could get part-time jobs?" Alexis points out.

"I'm not sure…Do we have to?" Uzi asked "Oh snap…Finster's looking this way. Sorry got to drop out of chat for a sec. Bye!"

Soon it was After school and Gatomon explained selling stuff found in Palaces is another way to make some quick cash for funds. Knowing now was the time Aqua calls a meeting for on the roof where they stood by the door since it's raining.

"I hope you all understand that our time limit is May 2nd" Gatomon explained.

"We're basically just have to go to that castle and steal the Treasure from Gaston, right?" Alexis asked.

"But wait, what even is a Treasure?" Uzi asked confused. "I want to know that before we do anything."

"A Treasure is the physical form of the Palace ruler's distorted desires." Gatomon explained. "In other words, it's the core of the Palace. Once we steal it, the Palace will crumble…I think. Having said all that, even I don't know what Gaston's Treasure is going to be."

"And where can we find it?" Alexis asked curious.

"There's no way of knowing that until we go in and find out." Gatomon replied "But if I had to guess, I'd say he has it locked up somewhere in the depths of the Palace."

"Eh, I think I get it now. We just got to find the Treasure, right?" Uzi said thinking.

"Pretty much. There just a lot we won't know until we go in..." Gatomon said nodding. "In any case, our objective is to find the Treasure's location somewhere in the Palace. Make sure we go about this with time to spare so we can avoid any unforeseen circumstances. I expect great thinks from you guys."

"Then let's go it" Aqua said and the other three nod and they get the Meteverse Navigator ready and head on in.

They appear outside the castle all in the Phantom Thief attire and Gatomon was no bipedal again.

Uzi looks at Alexis in her attire and said "But wow…"

"Huh? What's up?" Alexis asked confused.

"Oh, nothing. I was thinking we should choose a code name for you too." Uzi said nodding.

"Wait, a code name?" Alexis asked.

"I'm Circuit, she's Waterwave and that's Gaon." Uzi said to her.

"Judging by your costume…" Gatomon said thinking.

"I mean, she's got a mask with feathers and has a dancer looking appearance, so…" Uzi adds in "What do you think Aqua?"

"Dancer?" Aqua guessed

"Hold on! Is that what you're going to call me from now on?" Alexis said surprised "I am definatly not down for that!"

"So what do you want to be called then?" Uzi asked.

"Something less generic then dancer…" Alexis said thinking "Maybe…Prima? That sounds a lot better, right?"

"Huh? Why that?" Uzi asked.

"Well this costume appearance resembles one of my duel monster cards Cyber Prima so why not take her name." Alexis said thinking.

"She's a beauty on the dance floor." Gatomon said dreamily.

"Hey, snap out of it!" Alexis said to him. "More importantly: Gaston!"

"Oh, right. Let's go." Uzi said nodding. They cross the drawbridge to the courtyard "All right, let's start frest and get going!"

"It's game time from this point forward." Gatomon said with a nod. "I'll teach you girls the basics of infiltrating a Palace as we go."

They begin to move to the vent, but Aqua sees a blue flash making her stop but the others keep going, she looks and sees Gardine standing by blue doorway with a cell door.

"My master would like a word with you." Gardine said to her motioning to the doorway.

"Oh…okay" Aqua said and goes through the door.

She appears back in the Velvet room cell, in her prison clothes. She sees her gathered Persona hanging around while Yen Sid sits at his desk.

"The prisoner Aqua Strife has returned." Galla said to Yen Sid.

"Well done. It seems you have remembered my words…" Yen Sid said smiling "You truly make it worth rehabilitating you."

"What does that mean?" Aqua asked confused.

Yen Sid chuckles and said "I am not attempting to withhold information from you. The essence of rehabilitation that you must complete will be explained in due time. Once you encounter allies who share your ideals and discover you place in reality…Only then, will I explain it all."

"I see" Aqua said thinking.

"Such a day should not be far off." Yen Sid states "This time, I wish to introduce you to the aid we are providing."

"Aid?" Aqua asked

Yen Sid nod and motions to Aqua's Persona's in the room "Due to your potential in wielding the power of the wild card, you can handle more that one Persona. That power holds infinite possibilities. We will assist you in nurturing that potential."

"Is it really that unique?" Aqua asked.

"Indeed sonny, it's rare to meet someone who has this power" Bicorn said.

"True and to nuture it to that end, we need to execute your Persona." Yen Sid said.

"What?!" Aqua said shocked.

Yen Sid chuckles "Do not be alarmed. Personas are personalities that exist within you…Thus you will only be discarding old personalities to have them be reborn as new ones."

"And do not worry, we will still exsist within you and in here" Pixie said smiling. "So, if you gain us back or resummon us. We will return."

"Alright then" Aqua said nodding.

"By discarding your old identity, you give way to a new one." Yen Sid said "Hence, we call that process 'execution.' Think of it as a fusion of your Personas. To start, select your Peronas you wish to fuse."

Aqua nods and begins looking "Let's see…"

"Oh and I need to tell you something important." Yen Sid said "Remember our talk on forming bonds with confidants? Persona's are the power of the heart…The stronger those bonds, the stronger your Persona's will be. When you fuse a Persona that forms to one that shares it's arcana with one of your bonds, it will gain great power. Try not forget this guiding principle."

"Understood." Aqua said nodding

"One last warning. Your current power level of your heart dictates how powerful a Persona you can summon via fusion. Anything higher then it currently will be unavailable for you." Yen Sid finished saying

Aqua thinks on it, it was a tough call. But she picks Pixie and Jack-O-Lantern the two were upset they were happy and she saw that the form they will take is Incubus, the devil creature Aqua first met in the prisons. Aqua also select it to inherit Jack's Agi skill.

She then watched as Galla and Gardine ready a guillotine, cover the two up and stick them under itand then execute them and there essences form together revealing Incubus.

"I'm Incubus!" The Persona said cackling "Now that you've got me within your mask, you're never gonna get a wink of sleep again!"

"Goody" Aqua said accepting it into her face mask plate

She looks and See Pixie and Jack-O-Latern's presence was still around in the Velvet Room waiting for her to call on them if needed

"Ah, how impressive…" Yen Sid said smiling. "A stronger Persona has been born from the body and blood of the old. It shall be your new strength."

"What do you mean?" Aqua asked.

"It's worth will be made clearer when you return to the field of battle." Gardine said.

"Gather Personas and bring them here." Yen Sid said smiling "Gather a great many, execute them, and continue to give birth to even stronger Personas. Developing your powers as such will play an integral role in the stand against ruin."

"So that your rehabilitation goes well, we have a variety of rituals to choose in regard to executions" Gardine said.

"And depending on the effort you put in, our master might consider furth development of new rituals." Galla added. "Cry your tears of joy, inmate!"

"I am good" Aqua said nodding

"Your heard is steadily gaining the strength of rebellion." Yen Sid said smiling "It seems you rehabilitation is proceeding smoothly a joyous fact, indeed…In anticipation of this, I have prepared a gift for you. I hope that you shall accept it."

Aqua nods and felt a deeper connection with Yen Sid. She sees the Fool Card get a 2 yellow star and felt she now has a Third Eye ability to see normally invisible stuff.

"That's a thief's skill, allowing one to tap into their sixth sense and see what is hidden in the dark." Yen Sid explained "I believe you can handle it now. May you continue devoting yourself to further rehabilitation."

"…Now then. If you have any requests, we will heed them." Gardine said nodding.

"I am good for now." Aqua said nodding and leaves the Velvet Room.

When she appears back she was back in the Phantom Thief outfit. She then sees her friends approach looking concerned.

"Something wrong? You were just standing around all of a sudden." Gatomon asked concerned.

'So to my teammates, it looked like I wasn't moving…' Aqua thinks.

"Make sense, I guess Yen Sid wants to remain an anonymous ally in this" Arsene said thinking.

"Why are you spacing out like that?" Uzi asked "It's kind of hard to tell when you're thinking sometimes."

"Let's just say she's a woman of high caliber." Gatomon suggests. "We're counting on you Waterwave!"

"Right." Aqua said nodding.

"So, where do we start?" Uzi asked curious.

"Let's head to the safe room we found last time." Gatomon suggested "It's in the first floor of the west building. That's pretty close to our usual entrance. It should be pretty decent starting point."

"Safe Room…?" Alexis asked confused.

"It'll make sense when you see it." Uzi told her "Well, let's head out!"

"Yeah, let's move guys" Aqua said and they head to the ventilation shaft.

Some rank ups but now we begin the Inflitration which will probebly be 2-3 parts at least depending. Also yes Gumballs Mr. Small is the bilogy teacher, couldn't thnk of anybody else who could fit.

Please Read, Review and Suggest. Thank you.