Catch-22: The Plan of Action
By: M14Mouse
Summary: It is like getting the old gang back together.
Disclaimer: Don't own them. As always thanks for my wonderful beta, AKatsinTcups.
"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them." – Ralph Waldo Emerson
It is like getting the old gang back together.
Yu stared at the detailed map of the palace in front of him hanging on a cork board that Naoto "borrowed" from her department. It was very impressive. She had different strings leading to different notes and pictures to other areas on the board.
It almost made him wondered if she did the same thing for the murder case.
"You have been staring at this map for some time. Thoughts?" Naoto said behind him.
"Morgana described pretty well. This palace is like two different puzzles forced together to make one puzzle. I'm not sure what to make of it. All of the palaces had a theme…a castle, a bank, a pyramid. This? This doesn't make sense," He said as he waved his hand toward the map.
"Maybe, it isn't supposed too. You and Morgana told me that it had same representation as past palaces. Sewers made references to his human trafficking activities. The houses on the bridge could be referring to his wealth. From our research, houses on the bridge were a sign of wealth during those times."
"But the houses are burning," He pointed out.
"It could be what you and Morgana stated…his losing cognition isn't as strong as the others, or he is losing his wealth," Naoto said.
"Your research into his bank statements say otherwise."
Naoto laughed softly.
"I told you that you should have been a detective."
He smiled slightly.
"Too much paperwork."
"Sensei is right. This doesn't make sense. Palaces form from intense desires…not half ass ones," Morgana said as he jumped on the table next to him.
"True…and the sewers reflect those desires of ownership." Naoto added.
The group stared at the board before Lila and Teddie came into the room.
"Sensei! Are we going soon?" Teddie said as he bounced over to the group.
"Soon," He said as he watched Lila stand in front of the board. She made a face then turned to him.
"This palace is boring. No fun stuff. Sewers? We have that at home. Now, the casino was fun! It didn't have fuzzy pencils, but it had fuzzy dice! So, many people too!" Lila said excitedly.
"A casino?" Yukiko said as she came in the room.
"People?" Yu said.
Lila nodded eagerly.
"Oh…that does sound exciting," Yukiko said.
"Yup! There is a giant scale, slot machines, and tables! Oh! OH! A lot of lights." Lila said.
"OOoo…I want to go!" Teddie said excitedly.
Naoto and Morgana shook their heads.
His eyes widen slightly as a thought popped into his head.
"People."
"Sensei?" Morgana said.
"People, to some extent, drive the palaces and Mementos. Yes, strong cognitive desires are the heart of them but people…"
"But Futaba wasn't driven by people. Wait…wait…." Morgana said as it dawned on him.
"She was. Her mom and those people who said those awful things…if you call them that. Sensei! You are totally onto something!"
He smiled softly at Morgana's excitement.
"That would make sense. Didn't we notice that some of sewers were falling apart? Maybe, the scumbag is losing his power," Yukiko said.
"The raid," Naoto said excitedly.
"The raid?" He asked.
"Yes, before you came, there was a huge drug raid. They found drugs and guns, but no people. So I thought that it had no bearing on this case but apparently, it does. It is quite possible that they are linked somehow. I will have to research."
Naoto went to her bag and pulled out her laptop. She opened it up and started to get to work.
"Why research? Why don't we just let the palace destroy itself? It seems to be doing a fine job by itself," Yukiko said.
"Because it could easily build itself back up," Morgana said.
"Once Naoto get the information we need, we might use it to build the palace up ourselves," Yu said.
"Right. Dangerous, but we have to do it to make sure that it is gone for good."
"True. Once we do build it up, we can steal the treasure," Naoto added as she typed away on her computer.
"Crush the scrum bag," Yukiko said.
"YAY!" Teddie shouted.
"You know…Yukiko, you sound innocent and sweet, but you sound really scary when you talk like that," Morgana said.
"Oh, I didn't mean to scare you," Yukiko said as she patted Morgana's head.
"YOU DON'T SCARE ME!" Morgana shouted.
Yukiko just smiled.
Naoto sighed at the pair.
"I'm sure that you can talk to Mitsuru-san to get the resources we need," She said.
"Yes."
"YES! We get to take down a palace! That means…I get to ride the Mona-van!" Teddie said excitedly.
Morgana mumbled something under his breathe. Yu probably didn't want to know.
"Oh, Lila, before I forget, I got you something," Yukiko said as she stopped patting Morgana and pulled something out of her pocket.
"What is it?" Lila said curiously.
"What every good planner needs, highlighters!" Yukiko said as she handed Lila a pack of highlighters.
Lila made a happy sound and hugged Yukiko suddenly.
It looks like Yukiko might have moved up on Lila's list.
It is always nice to see his friends get along so well.
End of The Plan of Action
Next Chapter: The Story Goes Like This…
A/N: Annd…:D More bonding and more fun especially in the next chapter. I will totally switch to hard mode on my second replay because this is getting too easy for me. And my beta kept telling me to be patience. I am. Although, I am at Mona's emo part. I am keep telling myself that Yu isn't there to knock sense into him but it is hard! Thanks for the reviews, kudos, favorites, etc. Anyway, read and review if you wish.