We now begin Mid-Term Exams and also a new Confidant appears

Disclaimer: I own nothing in this.

Persona 5 Royal Fanmake Lysandre Arc Chapter 6

The School Councillor

The next day Aqua arrived at school, she knows it was the first day of the Mid-Term Exams and she was confidant she'll get a passing grade at least. As she walks into the entrance all of Citadel Academy but sees many of the students crowding the notice board and goes to check.

"I can't believe this….A school assembly?" A listless-looking student said "During exam week? The hell are they thinking?"

"It's the day after tomorrow, right?" A serious-looking student asked "I wonder if it's gonna be about Mr. LeGume again…"

"Ugh, I can't believe the school is messing with our schedules like this…" The listless-looking student groaned.

"I don't care what it's about it's gonna have nothing to do with us students." The serious-looking student said "I wish they'd stop dragging us into their mess."

"A mandatory assembly during exam week, huh?" Gatomon said from the bag "Sounds rough for all of you."

"Yeah." Aqua said nodding and heads for class.

When she got there, Takanuva greets them and had them settled down and hands out the first test of the exams which was history.

"Now then, let the first day of exams begin!" Takanuva said to them.

Aqua begins to read the first question which read "What historical figure inspired the idiom of 'favoring the magistrate'?"

'Oh I know this it's Minamoto no Yoshitsune' Aqua thinks as she puts that in the answer box. Gatomon nods in agreement.

"Oh, the next one is an essy question" Gatomon said in a low voice. "This looks tough, but let's calm down and think it though."

Aqua nods and reads the question which read "Provide the reason why Minamoto no Yoshitsune is viewd as a hero."

"If I recall, Yoshitsune had a brother, right? Uh, I think his name was…" Gatomon said thinking.

"Minamoto no Yoritomo." Aqua said in a very low voice as she thinks to remember.

"Yeah, that's the one." Gatomon said with a nod. "Yoshitsune worked under Yoritomo. He did a lot for his brother. But they ended up coming into conflict. And in the end, when they had to oppose each other…"

"Yoritomo won." Aqua said quietly sadly.

"Yeah. Yoshitsune committed suicide after being exiled by his brother." Gatomon said nodding "But even though he lost, Yoshitsune's the one who went down in history as a hero. That's probably because people tend to sympathize less with figures in power, and sympathize more with…"

"The weak." Aqua said quietly smiling. She writes down the answer

"Yeah. Not just any weak person, though." Gatomon said nodding. "People love rooting for an underdog who stands up to powerful oppressors. And Yoshitsune did that to his brother. So, the reason Yoshitsune is treated as a hero is because he stood up against the powerful Yortiomo!" He checks the time "You finished in time!"

"Time is up." Takanuva said to the class "Put down your pencils and put your hands under your desk."

Aqua nods and does so, day 1 of the exams was done.

The next day the one overseeing the class' test today was Mr. Smile.

"Today is the second day of exams. You may begin." Mr. Smile said smiling.

The first was a science question which read "Which brain function is responsible for the phenomenon of seeing an illusion in this figure" There was a familiar diagram shown.

'Cognition' Aqua thinks and fills that which Gatomon agrees with.

The next was a Math question which read "Which of the following maps can you paint without any adjacent areas being the same color?"

'Both' Aqua thinks answering that.

She keeps working till the test was over. The next day the one overseeing the class' test was Benson.

"Does everyone have a test?" Benson asked the group "Then you may begin. Also remember after the exam we have the school assembly."

Aqua begins, the first question as Social Studies which read "Name the book that defined 'malefactor' as the chief factor in the progress of the human race."

'The Devil's Dictionary' Aqua thinks as she fills that out, she sure Miss Finster will be happy she remembered.

Next was a Japanese language question which read "What character archtype refers to a mysterious and seductive woman, typically with ulterior motives?"

'Femme Fatale' Aqua remembered and answered that.

She keeps working till the exam was done. She then walks the halls and hears people talking about the school assembly, the fact Gaston is in jail and also they need to study more for the remaining exams

Soon everyone gathers in the school auditorium for the assembly, on the stage stood Principal Leo Lionheart by a microphone.

"Ever since that specific incident, many of you have voiced concerns that I could not bear to ignore" Leo began to speak "We believe the mental heath of our student body is absolutely vital, so we've acquired the services of a therapist. The floor is yours, Doctor…."

Leo steps aside and one stage came a woman with light purple skin with purple hair with a blue streak going through it. She wore a aquamarine shirt, grey pants, pink white star beanie hat, black shoes with pink laces and wore a purple lab coat.

"Isn't she cute?" A carefree school boy whispered.

The woman clears her throat and said smiling "It's nice to meet you all."

"Whoa, her voice is beautiful." A calm school boy said smiling

"My name is…" The woman began but noticed a bit a feedback on the mic "Huh?" She fiddles with a it bit and once sorted she smiles and continued "My name is Starlight Glimmer. Thank you for welcoming me to your school."

She bows and bangs her head on the mic which made most of the students laugh, Leo sweatdrops at that as that just made her look a bit like a goofball. Starlight recovers and continues.

"No need to be formal with me though." Starlight told them. "I'm just here to counsel anyone who's interested. You can even call me Doc, if that would help you feel more comfortable. Any assistance you need, I'll be-Oh…I guess I'm not really any good for helping with money problems…"

This made the students laugh more and Leo decided to end this before this was made more a joke gently pushes Starlight aside and said into the mic "….Thank you, Dr. Glimmer."

Soon it was the end of the assembly as Aqua and Alexis walk to them.

"Hey." Uzi said stopping the two and they talk in the courtyard walkway. "You ever expect this place to actually give a damn about our mental health?"

"Well, our school's made national news. Maybe they figured they'd look even worse if they didn't do anything for us." Alexis points out to the drone girl.

"Yeah, that make sense" Aqua said nodding.

"And Doctor, uh…. Doctor Whatshername." Uzi said thinking.

"Starlight Glimmer." Alexis told her.

"Yeah, wasn't that girl just basically clownin' it up onstage?" Uzi asked nodding. "You really think she'll do us any good?"

"Uzi…" Alexis said in a whisper concern and for good reason as the doctor in question comes up behind Uzi.

"Hey there." Starlight said smiling as the three look at her, she look at them and said "Uzi Doorman and Alexsis Rhodes, right? And that must make you…Aqua Strife."

This surprised the three and Uzi asked concerned "How do you know our names?"

"Well, I was informed of certain students before beginning my tenure here." Starlight admits to them sighing "Those that had, ah…previous interactions with Mr. LeGume." She looks at Aqua with a small smile "Aqua, it must've been especially tough for you after having just transferred here."

"Yeah, it was a little tough" Aqua said nodding, any hope of her having a normal school life was ruined when her criminal record was leaked, it was calm now, but she was aware other students was still weary of her.

"I can definitely believe that." Starlight said nodding sadly.

"So…what do you want with us?" Uzi asked her.

"Oh yes, I'd forgotten…" Starlight said smiling "I know I already offered my services to the student body earlier, but would you three be interested in counselling?"

"Nope, not at all." Uzi said flat-out.

"Huh?!" Starlight said shocked.

"How's that surprising?" Uzi asked confused.

"You were just a touch more emphatic about it than I'd expected…" Starlight admits and thinks "Ah! But, if you come to my office, you can have free snacks! All you can eat…. would be nice, but there's still plenty to be had. So, how about it?"

"Hmmmm…tell me more of these snacks…" Aqua said thinking.

"Hey, don't fall for that!" Alexis said to Aqua.

Starlight then said "To be frank, I've been explicitly ordered to provide counselling to the students directly involved with Mr. LeGume. It's in the school's interest…for its students."

"Ahhh, the school's interest, huh?" Uzi said sarcastically.

"I know that asking you to be open with a complete stranger like myself is a lot." Starlight admits to them "Making this mandatory wouldn't do you any good, either. Might as well turn it into a worthwhile experience…Ooh, I know!" She said smiling "If you attend my counselling sessions, I'll teach you different ways to improve your mental acuity. Like, ways to hone your concentration before exams, or not getting nervous on dates. How's that sound?"

"Uh…" Alexis said thinking.

Aqua also thinks on it but more practical sense 'Mental training…If I make good use on this, it may aid in our Phantom Thieves activities too...'

"There's also snacks…." Starlight said smiling.

"Alright, alright, enough with the snacks!" Uzi said annoyed shaking her head and looks to Aqua "So, which way are you leaning?"

"I think I'm going to do it" Aqua said thinking.

Uzi sighs "I guess it'd just be more trouble for us if we didn't go."

"Hmmm, yeah." Alexis said nodding.

"Really? Then, I guess it's a deal." Starlight said smiling "I'll be in the nurse's office feel free to come by whenever it's convenient for you."

"Well, we should get going." Uzi said to her.

"Okay, I'll see you later." Starlight said smiling. Uzi and Alexis walks off and the councillor said to Aqua "Thanks for taking my counselling into consideration. Now that we have a deal, I promise I'll do my best to help you."

Aqua nods making a deal with Starlight.

We come back to the present time with Aqua in interrogation with Windblade and her two Law Troopers Jess and Jacob.

"It's hard to believe an ordinary high school student could accomplish sunce grandiose heists." Jacob said pacing. "Agreed, one would need a heart of steel, unaffected by outside influences and prepared to act without hesitating."

"There has to be someone who helped strengthen your mental state." Windblade said nodding. "Sound like somebody you know? Give us a name!"

We return to the past as Aqua feels a bond forming with Starlight Glimmer

"I am thou, thou art I…Thou hast acquired a new vow." The Female voice said "It shall become the wings of rebellion that breaketh thy chains of captivity. With the birth of the Councillor Persona, I have obtained the winds of blessing that shall to freedom and new power."

Aqua looks at the Councillor card with Starlight's name showing a bearded sun beam down on people with one star like all the ones that form.

"Councillor, rare for this Arcana to be known and be around, well done" Arsene said nodding.

"What's the hold up, Aqua?" Uzi called out to the blue haired girl.

"Sorry for keeping you like this. Well then…" Starlight said smiling.

"Yeah see you soon." Aqua said nodding and leaves.

A while later Aqua and Alexis are back in their class room where Yor was there to talk with them.

"All right, settle down." Yor said to the class "I have an addendum to the earlier assembly, regarding the counseling you've all been offered." She takes a piece of paper to read "The counsellor will be available to you starting after school today, in the nurse's office."

"Dr. Glimmer will only be posted here through November, so be sure to speak with him soon if you feel the need." Yor continued to read and then looks at the class. "For the majority of you, it's your choice wheather or not you see him, but…. there are a few students I'll speak with later…The school's decided: visits to Dr. Glimmer will be mandatory for these individuals."

Soon the IM messager dings on Aqua and Alexis' phones and they check it from the Phantom Thief chat from Uzi who said "Hey, you guys gonna go for it?"

"What the counselling?" Alexis asked in the chat. "It kinda sounds like we're being forced to."

"I told Starlight I'd do it, but…" Uzi messages. "I don't know if I'm really that into the idea, you know?"

"Let's do it" Aqua messages.

"Yeah." Alexis messages nodding. "Probably better not to draw more attention to ourselves anyway. I think I'm gonna try going today."

They get off the phone and Gatomon said from the desk "Counselling, eh? Lady Alexis's righ. Make sure you visit her so you don't draw any attention to yourself, okay?"

"Right." Aqua said nodding

We then come to the nurse's office where Starlight Glimmer was sitting on a chair when she hears a knock on the door.

"Yes?" Starlight said looking up.

Alexis walks in looking awkward as she said "Ummmm…"

"Welcome. Are you here for a counselling session?" Starlight asked smiling.

"Yeah, is now a bad time?" Alexis asked.

"Not at all!" Starlight said with a smile "It's always a good time, so long as I'm not already listening to a student." She stands up "I'm so glad you're here. Would you care for a snack?" Soon both were sat down after getting some drink and Starlight gets a clipboard and asked "Shall we get started? Oh but first, just relax, all right? I'm only here to listen to whatever you wish to talk about."

"Sure." Alexis said nodding "Although I really only have one thing on my mind right now, anyway…"

"Yes, I'd say that makes perfect sense." Starlight said nodding "But don't force yourself into talking with me. You could even just grab some snacks and be on your way, if you wanted! Haha…"

"No, it's…it's all right. I know I need to talk to someone about this, anyway." Alexis said sighing. "That is, if you're willing to listening to the super-long story…"

Starlight nods and said "I absolutely am. Take all the time you need."

Alexis nods and time passes as she tells the councillor her story about her situation with Gaston and what happened to her friend Aoi Asahina.

"…I see." Startlight said a bit angry. "That's such a horrible thing to do to someone."

"Yes. That's why I wanted to get even with him…For Hina." Alexis said nodding.

"Mmhm…And?" Starlight asked her.

Alexis remains quiet for a bit then answered "At first, I thought Gaston ought to face the same fate Hina was going to put herself though…But…"

"But?" Starlight asked.

"…Later, I realized that wasn't right." Alexis said nodding "If he did take his own life, it wouldn't undo Hina's suffering in fact, it'd just give him the easy way out."

"Is that so?" Starlight said smiling "You know, you are quite the wise, level-headed young woman, Alexis."

"Huh? Uh, I think you've got the wrong…" Alexis said concerned

"Nope in fact, I think you're wiser than I was at your age," Starlight said smiling "I wasn't anywhere near as mature as you are now."

"…It's not like I did anything special, though." Alexis said looking down. "If I hadn't gone though my own share of hell, I don't think I'd be so mature either."

Starlight nods writing the stuff down and said "I see…So, what's on your mind now?"

"Right now? Hmmm…." Alexis said and thought "I'm just hoping Hina will get better quickly. We both suffered a lot, but…I just want to get back to laughing and having fun together like we used to. At this point, I don't give a rat's behind about Gaston!"

"Now there's a healthy outlook!" Starlight said smiling. "You can't change the past, but you still want to keep your chin up and press onward is that the gist of it?"

"Yeah, that sounds about right." Alexis said nodding smiling "I mean, it'd defiantly be better if none of this had happened at all, but…"

Starlight chuckles and said "I definitely agree with you there. But, it's impossible to wipe every tragedy, from history."

"If only, right?" Alexis said smiling. "Everyone would be so much happier if we could actually do that."

Starlight nods and looks at the clock "…Oh, it seems I lost track of the time. We should wrap things up here for today, thank you so much for coming to see me."

"Oh no, thank you! I feel a ton better now that that's all off my chest." Alexis said smiling

"Heh, good to hear it you deserve it." Starlight said nodding "Feel free to stop by again anytime."

"Will do! See you around!" Alexis said smiling getting up to leave.

Aqua was still in the class room where she gets a message from Alexis on her phone which read "Well I went in for counselling. You're going soon too, right, Aqua?"

"Yeah, how'd it go?" Aqua asked

"Hmmm…Well, it honestly wasn't as rough as I was expecting." Alexis messages "I think you should just go and give it a shot. Dr. Glimmer's easier to talk to than you'd think. Okay see you tomorrow."

"See you" Aqua said and closes the phone

"Didn't you have a counselling appointment?" Gatomon asked from the bag. "That's in the nurse's office in the practise building, right? I'll just pass time in the area until you're done."

"Right" Aqua said and leaves for the building.

As she approaches the nurse's office and sees Starlight Glimmer talking with the brown spikey haired boy called Uchiyama who see here approach.

"Ah, hello" Uchiyama said smiling. "Are you here for a session as well?"

"Yeah, that's right." Aqua said nodding.

"Is that so?" Uchiyama said "Dr. Glimmer is a wonderful counsellor. I've actually been seeing her for a while, before she even came to Citadel."

"Oh? I didn't know you two were acquainted." Starlight said smiling. Then said concerned "Don't go overselling me too hard thought, young Uchiyama I'm really nothing special."

"Well, I need to get going. Please excuse me." Uchiyama said smiling and bows respectfull and leaves

"What say we get started?" Starlight asked Aqua.

"Okay" Aqua said going in to the nurse's office with her.

"Welcome! Thank you for coming." Starlight said smiling.

"Well, we did make a deal" Aqua said nodding.

"Ahaha, well…I'll try to make sure it's worth the trouble." Starlight said nodding.

They go to the seats and talk, Aqua talking about what has happened since transferring her, leaving out all the Metaverse stuff of course.

"I see…Wow, thank you." Starlight said nodding "I think I've gotten a good grasp of the situation you're in, Aqua. Well, full disclosure…The school game me a brief rundown of the circumstances surrounding your transfer here."

"Yeah, but I'm doing okay now." Aqua said with a nod.

"But you weren't before, I take it…? Hmmm." Starlight said thinking "Try not to push yourself too hard, okay?" She thinks more "Now that you've told me more about yourself, I think I've realized something. It seems like your largely been able to reconcile your internal world with your external one. I should not that's really, truly impressive. Even most adults can't reliably manage that."

"Um…what are you talking about?" Aqua asked confused.

"How to put it-You know how everyone has an internal reality? Some conception of themselves they're striving for?" Starlight explained to her "Like wanting to be a model student, or wanting to be loved and relied on…That kind of thing. But that idealized reality and the one in actuality are often far apart. That gap is responsible for a lit of people's pain."

"Not everyone can ace their exams." Starlight continued "And not everyone can be the heroes they wish they could be. You've already been through so much. That kind of suffering is usually enough to twist people up into dark places. But you-you're standing up to it, and confronting a tough, painful reality. To, that's incredibly admirable….Then again, maybe that's a little weird for you to hear from a girl you just met, huh?"

"I guess so, but it sounds right." Aqua said thinking

"Not even any deflecting self-deprecation! You really are strong, Aqua." Starlight said smiling "Well, let's see…Sorry, this went on longer than I expected. Somehow, the conversation just took on a life of its own, I guess…" Starlight thinks and nods and said looking serious "…Hey, I've actually got one last request. Do you mind?"

"What is it?" Aqua asked.

"I'm actually doing certain research along with my duties as a counsellor." Starlight explained. "It's not quite like counselling-more like a type of psychological treatment…Basically, it's a project to learn more about people's metaphorical hearts. What they think, how they feel. If I get far enough with it, I think it'll be able to help a lot of people! So…?"

"I will need more details." Aqua admits unsure.

"Oh sorry!" Starlight said surprised "Uh, I guess my point is…I'd like to ask you to help with that research! All you'd have to do is listen to my theories, and then tell me if they spark any ideas or realization on your end. Please! Any time's good for me-I can work around your schedule. And uh…I've got a lot of snacks, too! You can have them! They're yours!"

"Well, okay I can do that" Aqua said nodding to her.

"Really?! YES! You're a lifesaver!" Starlight cheers smiling "Let's see…I know! Maybe I could teach you some tips for mental training? I happen to know a lot on the subject. I'm sure I can cook up a special regimen for you. If you're dedicated enough, I'm sure you could draw out your full potential!"

"That sounds like a good exchange." Aqua said nodding.

"Okay! I guess that's our second deal." Starlight said smiling.

Aqua smiles feeling her bond with Starlight is growing deeper as she sees the Counsellor card gain it's second star and she learned a new ability Detox X where Aqua if she is inflicted with an aliment she may recover immediately.

Starlight thinking she said getting her phone out "…Oh, right! Would it be okay if we traded contact information? I'll contact you when I've got time, or when I need some input from you."

"Sure," Aqua said and they trade contacts on their phone

"…That should do it!" Starlight said and puts her phone away and Aqua does the same. "Now! I'd better do my part to repay you. Let's talk about mental training and presence. Let's see, first off…"

Starlight and Aqua talk some more and Aqua feels her mind is stronger meaning her Special attacks number increased.

"Oh, and here. Never a bad time for a snack, right?" Starlight said and gives Aqua some gum. "Thank you for your help today. I'll see you around at school."

Aqua heads home and made it back by the evening.

"You really spent a long time talking to Starlight." Gatomon told her. "Look how late it is…Well if you think the sessions are worthwhile, you should try going again sometime. But we should definatly get some sleep for now. Tomorrows your last day of exams, right?"

"Agreed" Aqua said nodding and yawning, she gets into her PJ's and heads for bed, one more day of exams and Mid-terms are over.

Well Aqua now has access to some mental training but will Starlight's research remain safe or will she take it too far? Find out latter

Please Read, Review and Suggest. Thank you.