Phantoms and Reason (Persona 5 & HI3)

Chapter one: The New World

Chatter and laughter spread across the room, it was the celebration of the 'defeat' of the Herrscher of Dominance. A certain white-haired walked in a slow-paced towards a duo who were near the centre table. One was Seele, she is a young girl with short black and indigo-shaded hair with indigo eyes. In front of her was Bronya a small girl who has light grey hair and darker grey eyes and has drill-shaped ponytails.

What caught Kiana was that...Bronya was standing. It was quite rare to see her touching the ground. However, that did not stop her, she was glad that her friend is making progress.

"Bronya, you are here" Kiana spoke with pure happiness, which caused Bronya to turn around and nod, then noticed something off. "Kiana, what's keeping your claws from all the food?" She questions tilting her head and giving a questionable look. Bronya remembers how Kiana would dig into anything. Especially when it comes to Mei's cooking.

Kiana scratched the back of her head "He-he, I had plenty when we were setting the place up" She spoke with honesty. Bronya still with her tilted head gives a poker face towards Kiana. "Typical Kiana." She spoke monotone.

Kiana brought herself straight whilst curiosity struck her expression. "I thought you didn't like the crowd."

Its true Bronya would avoid crowds as much as possible, a habit of some sort? The silver then played with her strands of hair. "It's not bad to mingle once in a while" she gave a calm response then looked back at the white-haired. "Reminds Bronya of the days at St. Freya."

Kiana gave a gentle nod "Hmm, me too." She then went towards Seele greeting her with a smile.

Bronya was then given a moment to herself, she took every moment to look back at herself, and the amount of progress they made...Mei would have been proud. She looked up to see that Kiana was not around. Bronya made her way to the dorms, she noted that Kiana seemed off after the puppet event. When she entered her room she could clearly see that she had a lot of thoughts going through her head, Bronya is Kiana's friend and she is willing to listen to her.

It was heartbreaking, Kiana had many thoughts and non were positive. But what struck Bronya that....where would she be if no one was there to save her? Kiana has changed... a lot. She used to be clumsy before the Herrscher of the void awoken. Her time in Arc City and at the Mountain Taixuan really affected her.

But Bronya...was glad she was still here. Her Kiana, her friend.

Bronya said goodnight to Kiana and went to her own room. As she layed on the bed staring at the ceiling, usually her mind would have full of thoughts but tonight, nothing came to mind. Her eyelids became heavy and before she knew it the land of dreams took her...

Or did it?

The sound of chains rang in her ears, her vision was blurry but the colour of blue filled her sight. She had no strength but then she felt cold it made her shiver.

She then gathered enough strength to sit up straight. Due to her sitting up too fast her head was in pain, but only for a moment.

"Special guest"

A deep voice rang out making Bronya quickly get up and look at the figures before her.

"Please no need to be frightened. Welcome to my Velvet Room" The long-nosed man said unrealistically(?) with a deep voice.

Bronya quickly scanned her surroundings noting that she is in some sort of cell. However, her cell did not have a cell door so she was able to get out. She then noticed two young warden girls, both have yellow eyes with silver-white hair. Wearing blue uniforms, one had a clipboard and the other has a baton.

"It seems that you are not from this reality"

Bronya floated towards the man, there were multiple cells around the room, one of which had chains. "Bronya believes that Bronya is not the only one who has been here" she spoke monotone, she felt off speaking to this person.

"Correct, beyond that cell is where the Trickster is kept. However, he does belong in this reality" He answered

"Trickster? Bronya makes an educational guess that person is gifted." Bronya tilted her head. In return, she reserves a nod from the man. "Then how does Bronya get involved in this?" She pushed forward another question towards him.

"You will act as the Trickster's companion. Moderate and learn. I believe you too are gifted as well. The Trickster is able to wield multiple Personas. Personas are manifestations of the wielders will." He explained.

Bronya nodded showing she was able to understand "But Bronya does not wield a Persona"

"I believe you won't need a persona. As I said, you are gifted as well"

Bell Rings

"It's time to wake up visitor" one of the twins spoke "I will remind you, do not use your flight ability as much in public, your powers are meant to be kept a secret" the other twin pointed the baton at Bronya who was currently floating. But she nodded to acknowledge, "Bronya asks for the Trickster's name"

"The inmate's name is Akira Kurusu, do not forget!" The baton warden warned her. Bronya tilted her head "Bronya is quite certain that the Bronya can remember much more than you" the baton warden froze in pure embarrassment.

Bronya awakens from the strange dream, but it felt too real. Bronya looked around and noted she was laying on a sofa with a blanket on top of her. As she slowly got up, she heard footsteps coming towards the room. "Oh your awake, thank god" a man entered the room carrying a tray filled with what seems like curry.

"Jeez kid, when I saw you there on the ground you gave me quite a scare." The man spoke with worry in his voice.

"Gomennasai" "Don't be, but what were you doing, you were out cold" he questioned putting the tray filled with curry on the table next to the sofa. "Bronya does not remember" the man gave her a worried expression. "Well do you have any parents I could contact?" He questioned again.

Bronya looked down "Bronya has no parents" she shook her head, which caused the man to apologise.

They spend a couple of minutes talking, and while enjoying a nice plate with curry. The man reveals himself to be Sojiro Sakura who owns a Cafe called Leblanc and has a daughter who sat in her room most of the time.

"I guess it will be fair for you to stick around if you wish?" Sojiro looked at her. "Hai, Bronya wants to repay Sakura-san for his kindness in helping Bronya"

She gave him a determined expression which caused him to laugh. He then petted her head. "Well if you are up to it, do you want to help me? I am the owner of Cafe Leblanc in Yongen-Jaya a helping hand would be nice." He picked up the tray which was once filled with curry.

Bronya quickly stood up without problem with an 'Hai'. Sojiro grinned and told her that there is an extra room upstairs, to which Bronya nodded she then headed upstairs and saw an empty room, it was not that big not like she wanted one, it was just right for her. She also noticed that across the small hall was Sojiros daughters room, Futaba.

Bronya set up her bed and prepared herself for bed.