Aqua has to live life as a normal student until a new target shows themselves, but what awaits her.
Disclaimer: I own nothing in this.
Persona 5 Royal Fanmake Lysandre Arc Chapter 2
Night Time Freedom
Soon the school day was finished and Aqua got ready to go and as she goes to leave she sees on the back chalkboard an image of Uzi's Phantom Thief logo
"Wait is this supposed to be the Phantom Thief logo?" Gatomon asked surprised "It looks kind of dumb…"
"Yeah could use some workshopping" Aqua said and leaves the classroom and she sees standing in her usual spot Carly. "Hey Carly"
Carly looks at her weary but less nervous said "…What did you need? Being seen with you makes me feel nervous but I can talk for a little bit."
"I wanted to know how things are with Gaston?" Aqua asked.
"I'm not sure…The police troopers won't tell me anything." Carly said sighing. "Maybe they don't expect much from a high school reporter, but I'm trying to do my job seriously. I want to get more info about it since everyone's so confused about what's going on…"
"I guess so, how are the students?" Aqua asked
"Some students are taking time off because of the emotional shock. As for the volleyball team…" Carly said and sighs "Some members are still sticking with the team, but that doesn't mean they forgive Mr. LeGume."
"Make sense the team were just as much victims as well." Aqua said nodding "How about the other teachers?"
"They keep telling everyone not to cause any trouble" Carly told her "I get that they're busy, but…I feel like none of them actually care about us students."
"I am sure some do, but thanks Carly." Aqua said and leaves
She was walking around the school and got a feel of everyone on edge especially with the Purge Trooper detectives and Police troopers on the scene. Another thing that is concerning some of the students was the fact the Student Council President J is not in her usual library spot and people feel she is doing something for Principal Lionheart. On the third floor she goes into the library.
"…Oh it's you…" Ami said and waves Aqua to come over.
"Hm? I think she's call for you." Gatomon whispered
Aqua goes over to Ami, the girl had been avoiding actually wanting to talk to her outside of handling the books she borrows so what did she want to talk to her about.
"Yes Ami?" Aqua asked.
"Um…I'm so sorry for what I said." Ami said looking down "…I judged a book by it's cover. I've failed as a librarian assistant. There may be times when other students give you a hard time…But please don't mind them." She smiles at her "Feel free to use the library whenever you want."
"Thank you" Aqua said nodding and goes to leave
"Well I certainly don't sense that hostility I was feeling from everyone before." Gatomon said concerned.
Aqua nods while she can hone her Knowledge here but feel like her Guts won't raise when it's crowded. She heads to the entrance and sees a Purge Trooper and regular stormtrooper detectives at the entrance.
A Hard-Boiled Trooper sees her looking at them and asked "Hm? Did you need something?" He sees she is a student "Oh, right can I ask you something?"
"Sure, I guess." Aqua said approaching.
"Have you received any physical punishment, threats or verbal abuse from Mr. LeGume?" The Hard-Boiled Trooper asked. "Even if it's something minor, let me know if you happen to know anything at all."
"Well luckily I was a girl he didn't hit on but he did threaten me subtly on my first day." Aqua told the two trooper detectives.
"You two, huh…?" The thin Police trooper asked and Aqua nods he looks at the Purge Trooper partner and said "Based on what we've heard, it seems a large number of students were victimized by him"
"So he used physical punishment and threats on the guys and girls he didn't like and sexually abused the girls he took a liking too." The Hard-boiled Purge Trooper said and shakes his head "That monster…"
"Thank you for your cooperation." The thin Stormtrooper said to Aqua "Please notify the police right away if anything else happens."
"Will do, thank you" Aqua said nodding and leaves the school.
She catches the train to head to Central Street. On the way she sees a Young homeless man stitting by the lotto stand who said "I use I could paint again…It's his fault I have to live such a lousy life…"
"Who do you mean?" Aqua asked concerned
He looks at her "…It's got nothing to do with you. He's fooled everyone. You're all idiots…"
Aqua leaves and goes to the underground and sees the homeless man from before he was a robot looking figure known as Vezon. He looks at her "Hm? Did you need something?"
"Just curious, is it hard living like you do?" She asked concerned.
"Haha, I'm touched that you're concerned about me." Vezon said smiling "Don't worry, I'm used to it. I'll be just fine. I was living this kind of life before I can even remember. My memory's a little foggy though. I actually have trouble recalling anything that happens at night…Well, I guess it's not that big a deal."
That concerned Aqua but she carries on using the shortcut in the underground walkway to get to Remnant central street. First place she went to was go to Untouchable to give the package back.
She walks over to Soundwave after entering "Hey Soundwave."
Soundwave looks up at her "...Hey. You can at just the right time. Slight change of plans. That paper bag from the other day? All yours."
"Wait…what?" Aqua said surprised.
"You picked it up somewhere. Nothing to do with me. Understand?" Soundwave told her and Lazerbeak screeches at her. "I didn't see it, I didn't touch it, I don't know about it. We clear?"
"Right, got it." Aqua said nodding and smiles as she now has the Riot Police E gun.
"..If that's it, then go home." Soundwave told her "You can go window-shop somewhere else." Aqua nods and goes to leave
"That modified model gun should be a powerful weapon to use during Palace battles." Gatomon told Aqua. "Let's ask him about what was inside the bag. Don't freak out, Aqua! Just ask him!"
"I'll wait till I am a bit braver" Aqua said sweatdropping.
"I guess. Maybe taking on the Big Bang Challenge would help you get more gutsy..." Gatomon said sighing.
After leaving she enters the Velvet Room via the nearby gate and using Bicorn and Angel fuses them to create a new Persona a snowman in blue jester clothing and due to having Acarna boost from Magician it will get bonus power. Aqua nods to that.
"I'm Jack Frost, ho!" The snowman said jumping in excitement at Aqua "I know I'm just a mask, but take good care of me-hee, ho!"
"Sure thing Jack Frost" Aqua said smiling accepting the mask and resummons Angel before leaving.
Other things she did was buy all available books at the book store which were Medjed Menace, Tidying the Heart, Buchiko's Story and The Art of Charm. She also returns Wraith at the video rental and took out Bubbly Hills, 90210. She then goes to meet up with Alexis.
"Hey Alexis, you okay?" Aqua said meeting her at the train station
"Yeah but…it felt like someone was watching me this morning…" Alexis said and sighs "What should I do…? Maybe it wouldn't hurt to at least ask…No but then…"
"Lady Alexis seems depressed…" Gatomon whispered to Aqua.
"U-Um…never mind! It's nothing!" Alexis said to Aqua. The blue haired girl think it's best to ask her out to help with her problem "I'm fine, seriously! Besides, I wouldn't want to trouble you…"
"Come on Alexis, tell me about your problems" Aqua said to her smiling.
Alexis looks at her "…Are you sure?" Aqua nods to that "You're so reliable. I guess it wouldn't be so bad talking to you about this stuff." She nods firmly "All right, I heard the diner on Central Street has reopened so lets go there."
Gatomon decided to let the girls have some private time and go for a walk
The two sat in a nice simple diner that had a nice atmosphere. Aqua feels someone could study in a place like this but now she was here to talk with Alexis
After ordering some drinks and got them Alexis said "Hey, um…There's something I want to talk to you about, Aqua…. It's Hina." She looks down "Well…I went to visit her in the hospital. She…She said she was sorry. Sorry for not telling me about Gaston…about all the things she was doing to her…"
She shakes her head and says "But if was my fault too. I didn't realize how much trouble she was in…I wasn't there for her…" She looks firmly "So, I apologized as well."
"She's so strong" Aqua said nodding.
"I agree, she truly has a strong heart" Pixie said nodding.
Alexis giggles and said "Isn't she? Hina really is a great girl. I'm glad I finally got to tell her everything I couldn't bring myself to say before. And, um…remember how Gaston threatened to take Hina off the team if I didn't sleep with him?"
"Yeah, what about it?" Aqua asked
"I had only agreed to it so that I wouldn't ruin Hina's dreams…." Alexis said looking down. "But now that I think about it, he never would have put her on the bench and cost his team games…I seriously should have dared him to try and take her starting spot. But in the end, maybe I just didn't believe in her ability."
"You might be right." Aqua said nodding
"Yeah, Gaston seems like the kind of guy who cares about winning just as much as his lust." Pixie said nodding.
"I knew it…I was so stupid to believe that." Alexis said covering her face. "All of this happened because of how weak I am…That's why I believed Gaston's authority outweighed Hina's own ability to earn her starting spot." Alexis calms down and looks at Aqua "Aqua, do you remember the last time I talked to you like this? When I got that phone call from Gaston…and cried."
"I felt so alone…. scared, even…But because you were there for me, I decided not to go." Alexis continued nodding "I was a little surprised at how pushy you were about it…but I see now you just wanted to help…. Thanks."
"No problem, but I couldn't just ignore you." Aqua said smiling.
"Yeah, it wouldn't been right to leave her like that." Pixie said nodding.
"You're so kind, Aqua." Alexis said smiling and sighs "Back then, people used to call me all sorts of names… 'Smart Blonde' 'Gaston's girl'…I got tired of it pretty quickly. But to tell you the truth, someday I want to be able to take like that in stride."
"Say, remnind me…Personas are the power of the heart, right?" Alexis asked. "That means if my heart gets stronger, my Persona will too."
"They are." Aqua said nodding
"So…I want to strengthen my heart." Alexis said thinking. "And I want to use that strength to help the people around me. I hope we can save people from trouble, just like we did when we changed Gaston's heart." She looks down "Though honestly…I don't even know what 'strong' is. But I'm going to find the answer, I promise."
"Let's find it together." Aqua said determined
"Yeah, finding the answer is easier with others." Pixie said smiling.
"Huh? Really…?!" Alexis said surprised but smiles "Thanks, I feel like I'm a little stronger already!" She giggles "I guess that doesn't really count through, huh?"
Aqua giggles and nods "It's alright."
"Well…I'll be relying on you." Alexis said smiling "Let's train together and make our hearts super strong!"
Aqua nods as she senses Alexis' heightened motivation and feels the lovers card rank up to rank 2 and gained a new ability known as Girl Talk, negotiations with female shadows will earn another try.
"A strong heart…Hmmm…" Alexis said thinking. "Unfortunately I don't know where to start with it, but give me time I will come up with a plan."
"Alright." Aqua said smiling and the two ready to leave
"Well, see you later" Alexis said.
Aqua reunited with Gatomon and headed back to LeBlanc but as she nears the door her phone rings and she answers it.
"Oh hey, it's me!" Alexis said on the other side "Thanks for listening to what I had to say earlier. Now I feel like I have a better idea of who I want to be. Also I'm going to think of how I can strengthen my heart. If I think of anything, I'll let you know. I hope you'll join me again next time!"
"Leave it to me" Aqua said nodding.
"Yeah, I'm counting on you!" Alexis said smiling "You're such a nice guy! Oh! How about you help me come up with ways to train my heart?! Just let me know when a really good idea hits you, okay? Bye"
"See you" Aqua said smiling and enters the café.
"Here catch." Vito said as soon as Aqua walked in and tosses something at her which she catches, it revealed to be a key "That's the key to this place."
"Wait…what does this mean?" Aqua said surprised
"You get to lock from now on." Vito explained "I can't keep waiting for you to come home. Plus you been behaving so I have letting you off the leash but don't start any fires or I will put that leash on again, got it?"
"I will prove you can trust me Vito, thank you." Aqua said goes to get dressed out of the uniform before heading out. As she changed she saw on TV news covering a famous artist Lysandre Flare "Interesting"
Arriving back at the Underground Walkway Aqua goes to check the job listings and decided to apply for the Beef Bowl job now she was allowed out at night and makes the call.
"Hello." A voice said "This is Kermit's Beef Bowl and Ramon shop on Central Street. How many people are you ordering for?"
"Actually I am calling to reply to that wanted ad." Aqua said
"Oh, you're calling about the job opening." The voice said excited "This is great timing. We're in need of some extra hand. I'd take just about anyone at this point especially since my spin off only has four episodes."
"Sorry what?" Aqua asked
"Nothing." The voice said "You don't mind working at night, do you? Stop by any time you're free to work. I'll be waiting! We're right by the entrance to Central Street. Hope to see you soon."
"Tat settles it. You'd better work hard, okay?" Gatmon said as he nod
"Yeah, but the owner sounded like a muppet I think." Aqua said and heads up and sees Vezon again only he was less calm and more crazed. "Err…sir?"
Vezon looks at Aqua "What do you want? Go home, if you don't want to get hurt."
"What are you doing?" Aqua asked
"What do you care?" Vezon asked "The way I live's got nothing to do with you, kid. In the city, you could get hurt for meddling in someone else's business, you know? Be careful."
"Sure…I will" Aqua said nodding to him and leaves.
She goes up to the surface and looks around and spots Optimus Prime doing his speech and goes to listen in.
"…There have been far too many incidents recently to ignore! Can anyone deny this?!" Optimus spoke "The runaway-train incident, mysterious psychotic breakdown, a school with a corrupt teacher…We have yet to discover the truth of it all! The apathy that permeates society is a direct result of negligence by our government and the media."
Aqua smiles listening to Optimus words, she hung on them all as he was speaking from the heart not just saying it to please people.
"...You're listening quite attentively." Optimus said looking at Aqua. "Are you perhaps interested in politics?"
"Yeah I am interested you could say" Aqua said nodding.
"Are you a student?" Optimus asked and Aqua nods "I'm delighted to captivate the interest of someone your age regardless of their race." He thinks "…Hmmmm, I could use the help of a young person, but I can't hire someone without any experience."
"I'm sorry about that. However, I'd be happy if you stopped by to hear one of my speeches again." Optimus said nodding "Well then, that's all for today. I'm heading to the beef bowl shop…"
Optimus then leaves and Gatomon said "That Cybertronian's speech was impressive…That kind of talk might be useful for negotiations in the Metaverse."
"Yeah I agree, his words moved all of us" Arsene said nodding
"But I guess he's looking for someone with more experience. If you could just show him your dedication…Wait…" Gatomon said as he realized something "He said he's going to a beef bowl shop, right? I bet he's talking about the one on Central Street."
That must be it. Aqua smiles and heads over to Central Street and approaches Kermit's Ramon and Beef Bowl Shop but sees a Transient Man who and stops to not bump into him.
"What's the matter, kid? Don't see too many people like me, do ya?" He asked her
"I'm sorry" Aqua said.
"Heh, scared you. Guess that's no surprise, given the way I look." The Transient Man said "I had a life once, you know. I was an art student. Yeah, I was cool and everything." He sighs and walks off
"Okay then…" Aqua said and goes to the Beef Bowl shop and saw a foreign barker trying to promote a club across the street. She then goes to work.
After changing in the stores uniform she met the owner of the resterant Kermit the Frog of the Devilartmis universe
"Oh, you're the new part-timer, correct?" Kermit asked and Aqua nods "I've been expecting you. No need to introduce yourself. I actually need you to start working right away. Do you have any questions about the job?"
"Yeah, what does this work entail?" Aqua asked him.
"Take customers' orders, prep them, serve them, ring them up, and then clean the store." Kermit explained simply "The meals are all ready-made, so it should be simple. Just make sure you're nice to the customers, okay?"
"Got it." Aqua said nodding.
"Anything else?" Kermit asked.
Aqua looks around seeing no one else asked "Are there any other employees?"
"Not quite." Kermit said shrugging "Our budget's been cut despite being short-staffed…so you'll have to do everything alone. But should be fine, you're a spry young woman, right? You'll be fine. I'll pay you more to make up for the extra work!"
"Alright then" Aqua said mentally sweatdropping
"Okay, I need to head out for a bit!" Kermit said "Keep an eye on the shop until I get back." With that he leaves
"This job is ludicrous, then again it is run by a Muppet." Gatomon said from his bag "But you have to do everything all by yourself from the very beginning? Oh well. Just give it your best shot, I guess. I'll be cheering you on."
Aqua got to work and Gatomon from where he was begins pointing out things that Aqua might miss as she works to keep all the customers happy, one of them there who was watching her work was Optimus Prime though she was busy still by the time he left.
A while later Kermit returned when Aqua's shift was done and impressed said "All right, good work. You can leave now since it's the end of your shift." He hands her 3,600 credits "This is your pay today. Thank you. Well, I hope you can keep it up." He leaves
Gatomon comes out of the bag and said "Th-That was so hard…This job is so demanding…But you still managed all those orders by yourself. If you ask me, you were pretty proficient."
Aqua nods feeling her proficiency improve. The two leave to head back home and get some rest. Until they get a new target she should continue living a normal life and prepare for the midterms.
Well Aqua is now free to go out fully at night and is making a way to get in Optimus' trust. Also yes a cameo of the Devilartimis Kermit the Frog ^^
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