Disclaimer: Fate and Persona are owned by different companies and I hold no ownership and all that jazz.
Side note: I'm just going to change Hack (16) into just Hack. Hakuno won't be getting a stronger version of it so it'll just stay as Hack.
6/23
Tricky&Kitty: Palace today, Makoto, mind meeting me at untouchables first? Gotta get ur gun first.
Makoto: … Ok, Hakuno's gun didn't fit me well at all, sorry Hakuno.
Catburglar: She hardly uses it tbh.
Hakunon: Magecraft is easier.
Pirateboi: Ya just can't aim, Maybe we should head to Penguin Sniper to get practice.
Hakunon: MagecraftGun
Hakuno stretched as the flames became her outfit once more, the bank was still grounded on top of Big Bang Burger, but now had a long staircase leading up to it.
"So… what will I be called? You were using code names weren't you?"
"Perceptive…"
"This time's a hard one… Maybe somethin' like 'Shoulder Pads'?"
"Why in the world did you focus on that?"
"How about Prez?" Hakuno idly answered.
Makoto shook her head, "No…"
"Queen?" Joker said as he was fixing his gloves…
Queen?
"Queen… It has a nice ring to it. I like it. Let's go with that. Now… What is your strategy for this mission?"
"...Strategy?" The other thieves looked at each other…
"Please… tell us you had a strategy?" Hakuno asked… they did plan how they tackled Palaces right? She knew Joker did well with directing them in combat… But she herself hasn't seen them in a full Palace…
"Uh…" Mona looked bashful, "We pretty much look around the area, I provide navigation when needed, and then…"
"If we run into Shadows we beat the hell out of them!"
Hakuno sighed, to be fair… it's about the same thing she did in the Moon Cell…
"I typically lead in combat, being able to switch Persona's give me the ability to overcome weaknesses easier than the rest."
"I see… I guess I will be the one in charge of the non combat planning then? Any objections?"
"N-none Queen."
"... I bet Skull's definitely the type that'll be under a girl's thumb…"
"Mona, will you begin navigation?"
"Y-yes Queen!"
"Him too, it seems…"
The guards had calmed down drastically. Now fixed in regular patterns all the group had to do to avoid fights was memorize their short patterns and dash to the other hiding spot.
She still couldn't wrap her head around that, but Cognition apparently played a big role, sense they think they are stealthy, the world thinks they are stealthy then in the Cognitive World they become stealthy. Or something.
Hakuno idly watched the four face off against a group of Orthrus, she knew it was a by-gone fight as the group had fought them in the past… she only really paid attention when the world shifted. The hairs on the back of her neck raised as she felt the cognitive world pulse. Mona dashed from the backlines and stood next to Panther as something happened.
Flowers bloomed, a hill emerged as the world bathed in light. Mona pulled out a bouquet and inside were guns? Spinning around Panther released far too many bullets, while Mona pulled out a comically large bomb.
The explosion was deafening. The Shadows turned to black dust. Hakuno was amazed.
"What… was that."
"That… was a Showtime. Something me and Panther figured out!"
"That… was a reality marble. Or… at least close to being one?" Hakuno muttered.
Reality Marble. The pinnacle of Magecraft, the ability to overwrite the world with your own inner world… Or at least something close to it.
Hakuno shook her head, it was closer to Nero's Golden Theater than a true reality marble…
"Hehe… I did feel inspired by that Red Cloaked Archer from your Palace…" Mona looked bashful before continuing his navigation.
They continued on as normal, slowly and surely they were making progress in this bank.
Joker seemed to be able to handle three others at a time in a fight, more than what she could do to… Hakuno was good at directing a one on one fight and she likes to think she is decent at a free for all. But Joker's focus on a group of four really aided their current lineup.
Keep some people always ready to fight, give some people a break. Her, Queen, and Mona were keeping up behind. It did make sense; it let Mona focus on Navigation and Queen to focus on figuring out how to bypass all the cameras and security doors. They didn't want her to just break them every time they had to go through, so they had to find their controllers… She would sometimes send Avenger to block an attack that couldn't be avoided.
But overall she hasn't used too much energy. They were resting in a 'safe room' they had found after going down the elevator that they had found the previous trip.
"Mona, Skull, Fox head to the backlines, Queen, Mona and Magus let's head on out."
"Avenger!" Avenger's claws raked into the 'Queen's Necklace' and did minimal damage, Hakuno watched as it just stood there.
"Matador! Psy!" Psychic energy erupted around the necklace as it fell to the ground as it did, it chuckled and transformed into Joker's mask.
These… treasure demons are strange.
Hakuno still wasn't sure what it meant for him to be able to take in new Personas… But it was helpful. He nodded to himself, "Can't use it in combat but… Hey Magus, can't you make your items with gems?"
Hakuno nodded, "Anything would work… as long as it has Mana."
Joker paused and then muttered, "I'll talk to the twins about itemizing this one then maybe…"
Itemizing?
Walls of vines covered a room, Hakuno had a bad feeling from it. "Ah a Will Seed…" Fox muttered.
"I think… I'll stay out here." Hakuno said, "Make sure no Shadows come up." Joker nodded as he led the group inside she could feel something happen inside the room but was focused on the weak Shadow that appeared.
Cursed Flames dissolved it before it could remove its mask. Hakuno shook her head lightly, seeing the memories of someone so heinous would not be something she would like to deal with… at least right now.
They stood outside an electrical fence. Hakuno channeled her Od into her Code Cast, "Hack" the digital energy tore through the wall mount as the fence fizzled and failed. Inside the room the fences were guarding were two yellow security guards.
They hid to the side before being discovered.
"Remember the P.A. System in the Monitor Room from earlier? We can use that to lure one of them away." Queen suggested and they quickly traveled back to the Monitor Room.
"Come in, Security room! We've been ambushed by intruders! Requesting backup, immediately! One person would be perfect!"
Static came from the damaged speaker, "Roger that! On my way!"
"Get in position." Joker stated as they all jumped onto the shelves… Hakuno had Avenger carry her up, much simpler.
"Reveal Your True Form!" Joker dashed from his perch and ripped the mask off of the Security Guard turning it into… A blue oni with a hole for its face.
Hakuno… might have to start rereading popular versions of Japanese monsters…
Makoto's fist slammed into it as soon as it emerged from the black gunk "Johanna!" A burst of blue energy ripped into it as it pushed her back with a double sided blade.
Winds whipped as Hakuno braced herself as blades of wind slashed into her, "Rakshasa!" A red dual bladed Persona came from Joker as green shields appeared around the four of them.
"Avenger!" Avenger waved his hands as Cursed Flames grabbed onto the Shadow knocking it back.
"Zorro!" Wind whipped as the Shadow smiled, as it absorbed the wind and stood up. "Absorbs wind!?"
The Oni smiled as its blade came crashing down on Joker who dodged it barely. "Magus focus on stunning it! Mona switch to support! Queen, let's take it down!"
Hakuno held back as blue lines ran down her arm, "Hack!" The Digital energy only shook him for a moment as Mona pulled out his slingshot and rapidly fired it.
The Shadow slammed its blade onto the ground as Wind erupted with itself as a focus, "It's targeting to heal itself!?"
"Hack!" The digital energy finally interrupted him as it stumbled, leading Queen to smash the top part of its skull into the bottom with Joker's knife stabbing it in the chest.
The Shadow took a step back before turning to black dust leaving a yellow keycard on the ground.
Hakuno exhaled, "Annoying…"
"Guess that went well."
"Alright! Now there should only be one left. We should take it out before it gets suspicious… Let's head on over."
Avenger smiled furiously at the Sui-Ki causing it to stumble back but it quickly got back up and sent out a wave of frost towards the group. Hakuno endured it, kicking off the ice gathering on her boots.
The Shadow dashed forward towards Joker as Avenger blocked the Twin blade as Queen fired nuclear energy at the Shadow knocking it to the ground. Hakuno watched as a red aura flashed from Joker landing on Makoto…
Repeated slams to its head from Queen finished off the purple Oni. "Second keycard acquired!"
"And a map!" Mona smiled mischievously as he rolled the map into his tiny pockets… "This map seems complete… but it doesn't show what's after the last elevator…"
Hakuno watched as the vault door slowly opened leading to a path absolutely full of money.
She picked one out of the air and inspected it… Children's Bank?
Hakuno, Queen, and Mona switched back as they found another Will Seed right above an absurd amount of yen… or at least Children's notes? Hakuno shook her head as the party dashed from hiding point to hiding point waiting for the cameras to turn off and on.
They did find an elevator and went down, finding an absurd number of Shadows and Kaneshiro on the ground floor talking to another one in Yellow. Luring each Shadow slowly back while keeping an eye on Kaneshiro was weirdly easy.
Shadows acted more like Enemy Programs when not in combat… at least the ones that aren't special like the yellow ones it seems…
Making it down Hakuno idly noted the presence of a Safe Room, "Magus… Do you think you can do that thing you did in your Palace?"
Hakuno nodded, "It'll tire me out but I should be able to."
"Good, taking out this Shadow will be the last thing we do before heading out for the day then."
"Do what?" Queen asked as Skull's face broke out in a grin.
"Might be a bit overkill…" Panther said with slight concern.
"I'll be fine Panther… will just be tired."
"Oooo it's hella cool. Just wait an see."
Queen made a puzzled expression as the group slowly walked towards Kaneshiro and the Yellow Shadow. Taking a deep breath Hakuno channeled her circuits to full power as blue lines wormed their way down her arms.
"Are you ready?" Mona asked
A slight haze came off her body as Hakuno gave a nod, "Y-You bastards! How did you get this far!? What about my security!?"
"Gone, taken care of." Joker lazily said.
"Piece of cake for us."
"Wouldn't say it was that easy…" Fox muttered as Avenger sprung forth, appearing more and more solid.
"Finish off these vermin here!" Kaneshiro panicked as he fled to the waiting door of the elevator, dropping something…
"Flames of Love and Hate!" Hakuno channeled her Od into her Persona/Servant as spheres of energy came into life in his hands. The Yellow Shadow turned into a golden oni and met the energy beam coming from the Servant.
"Ughhhhhh!" He Shrieked as his arms were heavily burnt from the attack. Hakuno gasped for air as the attack faded, it was barely alive as it slowly got up to face the rest of the thieves.
Her outfit flickered for a brief moment… The rest of the thieves jumped into the fight sending out waves of elemental energy. It attempted to counter the waves of energy coming from the group with its fists but it fell to their combined might.
"What was that!?" Queen asked as Hakuno took a deep breath.
"We probably shouldn't talk about it while here…" Mona had ran forward and held a journal in his paws…
"Let's see what's inside!"
"Hmm… It's in a code of sorts…" Joker noted, Hakuno glanced at it but couldn't understand it really.
"Let me see it…" Joker passed it to Queen as she began to go over it, "I think… I might be able to crack it, but I would need a day or two to figure it out though."
"Let's go home then."
Hakuno stretched as she took a deep breath as they left the Palace. Her Od level was medium or so, she could probably get back to fighting form by just taking a day off. Patting Caroline on the head as she passed caused the little girl to sputter as Hakuno handed another small treat to her.
"Don't forget to share with Justine." Caroline froze as she nodded quickly.
Hakuno, Ann and Makoto were now sitting in the corner of a small diner off of central street, they were eating slowly. The day was tiring overall…
"So.. what was that." Makoto asked as they were wrapping up their meal, "I know my Persona can't do anything remotely similar."
"Avenger… isn't fully a Persona… At least I don't think he is fully one" Hakuno shook her head, "he still shows signs of being a Servant, as well as well…" Hakuno took off her glove showing her Command Seals.
"You got a tattoo?" Makoto gasped.
"No… Command Seals, they represent the bond between a Master and their Servant." Hakuno looked at Ann who was also puzzled.
"What do they do?"
"They are…" Hakuno took a moment, "Absolute orders? If… for example I wanted Avenger to use his Noble Phantasm or save someone using one would almost guarantee the outcome as long as there is a possibility of the event happening."
"...Absolute?"
"Yes… But I only have three, and… if all are gone." Hakuno shrugged, "Avenger would most likely disappear. A Servant can't exist without a connection to its Master."
"I see… But Avenger is your Persona, wouldn't that connection be good enough for it to stay with you?"
Hakuno shrugged, "I don't know, I don't think there ever was a case like this before."
"And what is… a Noble Phantasm?" Ann's eyes darkened slightly.
"It's a super powerful attack." Ann stated, "We got hit by two of them and barely survived out of luck."
"Not… always an attack." Hakuno added, "It is the crystallized Mystery of the Servant's legend, their ultimate Symbol of existence…" Hakuno thought back to the easiest example she could think of, "Like if you thought of Yorimitsu, it could summon his generals to his side. Or King Arthur and his famous Excalibur."
"I see…so is… 'Flames of Love and Hate' Avenger's Noble Phantasm?"
Hakuno shook her head, "No… he has three separate ones; Monte Cristo Mythologie, which is the cursed flames he uses and Enfer Château d'If…" Seeing the puzzled look on their face Hakuno clarified, "It's French for Tora yo, Kōkō to Moesakare, or Tyger Burning Bright his Flames of Love and Hate is a partial release of it."
"And the third?"
Hakuno shrugged, "I don't know, I can't figure it out."
Makoto nodded, "I see…" She checked her phone, "Oh… sorry it's getting late, we should head home. It is still a school night."
"Boo you're no fun." Ann muttered as she began to pack up as well.
Hakuno sighed as she quietly paid and they all headed home.
Author's Note: Well well well! Hakuno used her Skill, they got bout 50% of the way through the Palace and Makoto has a cipher to read. I just copied and pasted the names from the Wiki, so if the names are wrong then eh people understand them.
Avenger isn't fully Hakuno's Persona… She is still a Master Candidate after all…
It didn't make too much sense to me in the game why it wasn't like an actual cipher, like something you would have to spend a day to figure out like Madarame's door. I don't know any Ciphers and will be glossing over it but Makoto for sure can figure it out while Hakuno does… Hakuno things~