Disclaimer: Fate and Persona are owned by different companies and I hold no ownership and all that jazz.


7/12

Futaba's awakening could have happened at a better time, with finals coming up, Hakuno didn't have much time to hang out with her friend.

Even though Hakuno's knowledge of being a 'model' student from 14 years in the future helped her, there were a few differences she had to keep on top of.

But Hakuno pushed those thoughts away, and she was currently on the train to Yongen with Morgana, the not-a-cat had joined her as Akira was going to help out Yoshizawa for a bit before heading to their study session.

They did have a few hours before their full study session in Leblanc. For now, introducing Futaba fully to Morgana, and discussing the entirety of what they knew about the Metaverse to their newest possible teammate… Even if Hakuno didn't want her to join.

The Metaverse can be dangerous and… Hakuno doesn't want Futaba to face anything like what they have…


Futaba's room was dimly lit, Hakuno flipped on the light switch, causing the orange haired girl to fall off her chair as she sputtered.

"Haku! Why didn't you knock!?" Hakuno sighed.

"We did, you just weren't listening!" Morgana yowled, "We waited so long I picked the lock!"

"Hehehe…" Futaba chuckled nervously, "So…"

"How bout we go over everything we know about the Metaverse?" Hakuno suggested something simple to ease Futaba into the conversation, as long as Futaba was interested in things she was fairly good at talking to people…

Futaba nodded, "Going from our parent's research," She turned around facing her computer, Morgana perched on Hakuno's shoulder, "What was believed was that it existed in some form, a collective unconscious, and those with heavy distortions can influence the 'Other World.' Those with heavy distortions 'in the other world' would begin to act up in the real world as well. And if the core of the world is removed it should change their cognition. They lacked any method of seeing or interacting with the other world though…"

Morgana purred, "It seems they knew a lot about the Metaverse… Anyone with that information might be able to trace it to what we do…"

"Hmm…" Hakuno had a feeling… "There were two other incidents I recall, I know nothing about the event in 2013, but in 2009 there was the extra hour event."

"I remember you asking about that, I still have no idea about it though." Futaba said.

Hakuno shrugged, "I think it was something similar to the Metaverse, perhaps the Cognitive World has times where it's closer to the real world?"

"That would be possible." Morgana mumbled, "If so then that means that our specific access to the Metaverse might disappear."

"Or," Futaba spoke up, "It could just mean that each instance is a different version of the same world, built for different reasons?"

"Hrm…" Morgana looked in thought, "Your Persona," Morgana looked up at Hakuno, "Mentioned something about a game? Could someone be pulling the strings!?"

Hakuno nodded slowly, "The pure power that the person would have to be able to do would be extremely high." Hakuno did not like that idea… Could it be the same person that gave Akira his Mystic Eye?... Is that person their ally? Or enemy?

With Akira not wanting to talk about the person Hakuno doesn't know… But she will get the information out of him… when they have a moment of peace.

Although, "I think… If worse comes to it…" Hakuno was sure, "The World came to the aid when the Moon Fell in that Extra Hour… At least I think it did. It felt like it did." Perhaps she was wrong? But… Hakuno believes she is right, at least for this.

"Maybe I saw what happened those years ago and that's why my memory is gone?" Morgana asked. "Someone is pulling the strings and I got too close to finding out!?"

Futaba looked over at Morgana, "So Kittie's memories are gone?"

" .NOT. !" Morgana pleaded.

"Futaba…" Hakuno got close to whispering to Futaba causing her to freeze, "He sees himself as a human… And I believe he is one, so let's… not poke too much fun at him ok?"

Futaba nodded vigorously, "Y-yes!"

Hakuno tilted her head in confusion before sighing, "Anyways, It's possible… If the being that is pulling the strings wants you only to know select things, it's possible for you to be someone involved in the previous events."

"That means I must have been their leader or something! Too strong for even that thing to kill!" Morgana purred as he puffed out his chest, "That just means I must be a noble human who protected the world!"

Futaba looked at Hakuno with a complicated expression, "Sure?"

"So… Your dad's stories." Futaba was nervous and even Hakuno could tell that, "Are they all true? You used a Noble Phantasm didn't you?"

Hakuno nodded, "I don't think his stories are true," And she truly didn't think they were… they sounded a bit too far fetched, "But the basis… the Holy Grail War, the Magecraft, and Heroic Spirits are all true. His stories are just figments of his imagination…"

"But! You have a Heroic Spirit!" Hakuno jumped up, standing on her chair, "They can do all sorts of cool things!"

Hakuno shook her head as she sat on Futaba's bed, "Avenger is my Persona, like your UFO is."

"Necronomicon." Futaba replied instantly. "And he is non combative."

Morgana huffed, "Though you can do some crazy stuff with him…"

Hakuno nodded, "My Od can convert him into something closer to a Servant… But he is closer in strength to a normal Persona than… an actual Heroic Spirit."

Futaba huffed before sitting down. "That sucks."

Hakuno sighed, "How are you feeling Futaba?" Futaba blinked before smirking.

"I can think a lot clearer now…" Futaba yawned, "Tired a lot though…"

"Why did you give up the Medjed name by the way? I thought you said it was cool?" Futaba sighed, turning around as her computer hummed to life. Hakuno liked the name Medjed over Alibaba personally.

"Too many people kept using the name cause I never revealed myself, it got to be a hassle so I stopped, I'm Alibaba now."

"Medjed?"

"Oh… It was an old name I used online when we were kids."

Hakuno's phone buzzed, "Sucks that you got exams…" Futaba's computer beeped, showing that the others were coming into Leblanc.

"Do you mind keeping track of the principal? Just in case he mentions anything?"

Futaba grinned, "Of course! I'll have a program setup to listen to his speech. Now… make like a tree!"

"You sure you don't want to come with?" Morgana asked, bouncing off the bed, "Those numbskulls could use your brain."

Futaba shrugged, "Maybe later." Hakuno was now debating with herself…

Should she tell Futaba her past? Futaba was her oldest friend, while being forced to not see each other for a few years might have done some harm to their friendship…

Hakuno's belief in the orange haired girl never wavered, and… Hakuno thinks Futaba's trust in Hakuno hasn't either… so… she deserved to hear the whole truth.

"Morgana… can you head on without me? I'll join in a few hours…" Morgana looked between the two, Hakuno couldn't tell what expression the not-a-cat was making as he sighed and left the room.

"Futaba… how about I tell you a story," Futaba turned around, a look of confusion across her face, "One about a Cyber Ghost and her journey in the Eye of God…"


Futaba didn't want to believe the words that she heard. Hakuno's story was outlandish, insane, and yet… Hakuno didn't lie like this. Sure Hakuno has told small white-lies to cover up a few of Futaba's mistakes as a kid… But this was something else altogether.

A super-computer inside the Moon? And she was originally an AI built to be a perfect student before gaining her own free will? Sounded like the bad plot of a B-Movie… But It's Hakuno. Futaba's brain went into overdrive as she thought back to all the slightly strange occurrences; from Hakuno's constantly beating her or equaling her in school, her ability to actually cast Magi-Magecraft, and her tattoo that she had since they were babies..

"I made the wish to stop the ceaseless killings for a device that could grant any wish… instead of saving the world, I hid the Moon Cell."

Futaba drummed her fingers on her knees, staring into the brown eyes of her friend she didn't know what to say. Futaba fully believed the girl now, it sounds like something she would do. Take on everyone's wishes? Be as stubborn as possible? That's completely Hakuno.

"I figured you should know, Magecraft is dangerous, Rin told me… To be a Magus is to walk with death. And while, the Metaverse isn't the same thing... it is equally as dangerous.

"Why are you telling me this?"

"I don't want you to join the Phantom Thieves…" Futaba's brain skidded to a halt, "I don't want you to be in danger. Our first true exploration of Kaneshiro's Palace, Me, Makoto and Morgana were stuck far into the Palace, if Makoto didn't awaken we would have died."

Futaba's voice cracked, "I want no…" Come on! She can do this! She felt Necronomicon stir inside of her very soul, "I need to find out who killed my Mom Haku, and I'll be doing it with or without you." Futaba was lying as a flash of panic appeared in Hakuno's eyes.

Futaba always knew how Hakuno was feeling from her chocolate-colored eyes…

"I… understand… I just want you to stay safe."

Futaba nodded, "I know…" Futaba had thought about the risks, the danger, she turned around, her gaze focused on her screen, hearing the door click behind her she slumped into her chair.

"Darn it Hakuno…"


The study session went normal for the group, Ryuji and Ann had written as many notes as they possibly could and looked half dead. Hakuno saw glimpses of Ryuji attempting to write notes on his pencils…

And the best way to learn is to teach… at least that's what Makoto was saying as she attempted to divide the sections into learnable parts for the Thieves.

"I had forgotten a few of these things…" Makoto mumbled as she nursed her coffee, "How about we call it here?" It was getting dark, and Sojiro had closed the café down less than an hour ago.

"Thank god." Ryuji sprawled over the table, "If I have to try and memorize one more formula…"

"I got a few movies…" Akira suggested, "Why don't we watch something before you guys head home?"

Morgana perked up, "Ooo didn't you rent that Journey to Venus movie?!"

Akira nodded, "It's sci-fi, is everyone ok with that?"

Hakuno nodded, everyone was more or less just tired of studying…

"I'll go get snacks!" Ann perked up at that, half dragging Yusuke and Ryuji with her, the door slamming as the three left for the nearby grocery store.

The four remaining members made their way up the stairs, "Boss has some spare chairs over here…"


The bell jingled as the rest made their way back, each carrying a few bags… Except for Ann who was carrying nothing.

"Hakuno~ Someone's here!" Behind the group was Futaba… at least… Hakuno thought it was Futaba, she was wearing an overly large older lady face mask…

"Muhahaha!"

Hakuno sighed as she moved to remove the mask from Futaba, who began to fight.

"Nooooo!" Futaba ducked under Hakuno's arms as she ran up the stairs, Morgana made a long yowl as he dashed down the stairs.

"She stepped on my tail!"

"Sorry kitty!" Futaba shouted.

Hakuno felt tired… Motioning Morgana over her Magic Circuits came to life as Recover was cast.

"I'm sorry Morgana…" Morgana pouted as he hung behind the group as they walked up, Futaba had made herself a nest on top of Akira's bed in the few minutes she got up. Akira just looked confused.

"I believe I'll be taking this spot." Yusuke said as he pulled the chair and sat next to the window… very far away from the screen. "Can we keep the lights on? I wish to observe everyone's reactions." A sketchbook appeared in his hands… Hakuno wasn't even sure where he kept it at this point.

"Sure?" Akira said, his hand was resting on the switch as Yusuke spoke, everyone else finding some measure of comfort in the attic bedroom.


The movie was boring…

Ann was asleep, spread out over the laps of both Makoto and Ryuji on the couch, while Yusuke was just focused on his drawing..

Makoto nudged Ann as Hakuno stood up and stretched, "Ann…"

Ann was in a daze as she turned, "Five more minutes mom…"

Ryuji laughed which caused Ann to open her eyes, Makoto loomed over her as the blonde shot up embarrassed.

Hakuno could hear Futaba lightly snoring. "Come on Taba… Let's get you home." Hakuno gently shook the smaller girl.

"Mkay…" Futaba groggily escaped her nest with a blanket still wrapped around her, Hakuno grabbed her hand as she teetered unevenly on her feet… Hakuno made sure that Futaba's mask stayed behind.

Akira waved them away, "You got some time before the last train, Ryuji's going to crash here."

"Morgana…" Makoto's eyes narrowed, "Make sure these two get some sleep."

Morgana sat upright, his paw going to his head in a mock salute, "Yes Queen!"


7/13

"Is this seat taken?" Hakuno shook her head as Haru sat down next to her. "Is… she ok?" Haru pointed at Ann who's eyes were glossed over as she forced herself to keep reading.

Hakuno sighed, "Last minute studying…"

Haru nodded, "I see… I hope it goes well." Hakuno noticed just how calm Haru was about the exams…

"Aren't you worried?"

Haru blinked, a small smile on her lips, "Studying is one of my few hobbies…"

Hakuno understood that… "How did your talk with Makoto go?"

Haru's eyes shined, "You were right! Mako-chan is so nice…"

Mako-chan?

Hakuno felt her phone go off as she quickly silenced it… Ryuji was asking for last minute advice and…

Futaba sent pictures?

Hakuno sighed as the train pulled into their stop, a horde of students filed out of the train as she braced herself for her Exams.


Author's Note: Shorter chapter, but as their tests are coming up the characters are going to be a bit focused on the tests to do much of anything substantial. Will properly zoom through the next few days as they focus on their tests. Not 100% liking this chapter, but it serves its purpose...

I do have an idea on one of Hakuno's Showtimes… not too sure on the other one debating on one with Panther but not 100% confidant in it.