Existensia: Chapter 17: Heartful Cry

(Background Music: Pokemon Colosseum OST - Pyrite Building)
(Party: Naoto)

Everyone were gathered in the rec room, as usual.
Naoto sat with her phone.
She tried to get a connection, trough in vain.
-Hey, Naoto. said Hazama.
You look bored out of your mind.
Naoto closed her phone.
-W-well... said Naoto a little surprised.
I-I'm indeed bored out of my mind! said Naoto nervously while hiding her phone.
-What do ya say about taking a breather? said Hazama.
-It does sound like a good idea to take a walk out side. said Naoto.
-Well, I'm tagging along. said Hazama.
Naoto tried to hide her frustration with Hazama's company.
-We see you guys in a bit! shouted Hazama to the rest as he left shortly after Naoto.

(Background Music: SMT: Persona 3 OST - Memories of the City)

Naoto walked outside the massive castle-like building.
She looked at the abandoned streets and houses.
After hearing Sima Shi's tale about Anomia, the loss felt more devastating then before.
-So many lives, ideas, technology, feelings, wishes... All wiped. Dead. said Naoto who sounded depressed.
-Nothing shits down your morning like seeing a dead city and hearing the crying scream of millions of dead people. said Hazama humorously without sympathy.
Let's get out of here. looking at this place make me want to strangle a Baal. added Hazama.
Naoto could not help but to feel a strange sadness while walking through the tattered ruins.
She noticed that the dead buildings thinned out after a while.
-Let's get going. said Naoto.

(Party Switch: From Naoto and Hazama to Kanji and Co.)
(Background Music: SMT: Persona 3 OST - Want To Be Close)(This song can't leave my head for whatever reason)

Nothing especially exciting had happened to Kanji, Cocona or Dingo.
It was hot like a summer day,but with a cool breeze. Perfect vacation weather.
The three had no idea were they were going.
But that's the charm with The Dimensional Bridge.
No matter were you go or how lost you are, you'll find something awe-inspiring.
This was wanderlust at it's finest.
The ground had cool blue lines through the ground and the mountains looked like artsy white skyscrapers.
-This takes me back! said Kanji with his no-indoors voice.
-Were? asked Cocona.
-I were forced to go on a summer camp out last year.
I thought I were gonna hate it, with all the rumoured trash-pikin' and crap like that.
Even trough I had a hard time to adjust to people AND got kicked into a river,
I remembered the trip in a good light. I got more in touch with the dudes that later would become awesome bros.
-Bros? Really? asked Cocona with a cynical expression.
-What's the hangup with saying bros??? asked Kanji somewhat flustered.
-No no. Go on. That wording just caught my attention. said Cocona.
-That was it. said Kanji.
-I wish I could have spent my teen years having as well as you did, making friends for a lifetime, fall in love for the first time. I missed out completely. said Dingo.
-L-love? mumbled Kanji.
I m-mean, HELLS NO! shouted Kanji.
AND IT AIN'T LIKE THAT! ME AND THE GUYS WERE JUST FRIENDS, SERIOUSLY! shouted Kanji at the top of his lungs desperately, completely red in his face.
Kanji took a deep breath.
-I'M INTO CHICKS, OKAY?
-Hehe. laughed Cocona.
That's great Kanji, but if you're trying to make people believe that your not into guys, maybe you shouldn't say everything in CAPS.
But I'll respect you either way, whenever your into girls or gu-
-SHUT UP!!! roared Kanji.
-Okay, okay. Take a chill-pill, will you? said Cocona.
Kanji stomped onwards.
-Did I say something unintentionally offensive? asked Dingo.
-Nah. Kanji can't apparently hear the words "Love" and "Dude" in the same sentence.

And so the wanderlust continues!

(Party Switch: From Cocona to Naoto)
(Background Music: Pokemon Colosseum OST - Agate Village)

Higher up in the valley stood Naoto, gazing towards the horizon.
-Simply astounding. said Naoto awe-struck.
The sounds of waterfalls could be heard clearly as they poured down the smooth mountain wall.
-And we're lost. THAT'S FUN. said Hazama with sarcastic tone.
-I don't mind it that much. said Naoto.
Another hour at the Capital and I would have suffocated.
-Eh. I always preferred the cities to this. Too damn much water. And there is no restaurant in miles. In which ways is certain starvation FUN?
-I want to head down a little further into the valley. said Naoto.
-It's your starved carcass! said Hazama and shook his shoulders.
Naoto walked a little bit and turned back.
No Hazama in sight.
Naoto took a deep breath of relief and continued walking the mountain side.

Meanwhile at the foot of the mountain...
(Party Switch: From Naoto to Cocona.)

-Damn... said Kanji when he saw the sheer size of the mountain.
We're gonna walk up on that?! he added in disbelief.
-Why not? asked Cocona.
We have no idea were we are, what's the point in NOT walking?
-Fine. Let's go up! said Kanji.
Dingo stood still in concern.
-What's holding,Dingo? asked Kanji.
-I need to get something. I'll be back before you know it. said Dingo who then proceeded  to run away.
-...OK? said Kanji dumb-folded.
The mountain pass wasn't without mystery trough, with many forks in the road and weird loops.
-Let's split up. said Cocona.
Both roads probably lead to the top! And then Cocona ran up one of the steeper paths.
-I SAID WAIT,DAMMIT! shouted Kanji to no avail.
What's up with everyone running in random directions? he muttered.
After going on another path for a while, Kanji had seemingly found the most awesome overlook on the whole region.
Kanji tried to do a whistle but failed miserably.
He looked around and saw a shorter figure barely visible.
-HEY! IS SOMEONE OVER THERE? shouted Kanji.

(Party Switch: From Kanji to Naoto)

The figure reacted to the loud shout.
The figure happened to be Naoto.
-I only know one person that talks that loud... said Naoto in concern.
Tatsumi? said Naoto quietly.

(Background Music: Persona 3 - Troubled)

Naoto braced herself and started walking towards Kanji.
She took on her iconic blue hat.
-Tatsumi. said Naoto slightly surprised.
-Wait. Naoto? Is that really you? said Kanji.
-What an odd coincidence to see you here Kanji-kun. said Naoto politely.
-Y-yeah... said Kanji who looked slightly flustered.
The awkward tension got worse.
-...I really need to get going. said Naoto as she started to walk away.
-Don't walk away on me! said Kanji sternly.
What the hell's going on? asked Kanji.
If something weighing you down, we can talk about it.
So, what's wrong?
-I can't really describe it. It will probably go over, but I really need to leave. said Naoto nervously determined.
Hazama stood on a higher cliff looking down.
-You can tell me. said Kanji.
I won't judge you or anything'.
-I-I... Naoto was at a moral crossroads.
She knew she were being watched.
If she told Kanji about the SVCP, things would just get worse.
She could almost feel her head ringing.
Hazama started to grin while seeing the bad tension building up.
-A death threat will probably get this started... said Hazama with a disturbing smile.
Naoto could almost feel Hazama's knife hand skilfully throwing a switchblade towards her head if she said anything else.
She had to get out of this conservation.
She couldn't lie to her friends.
Hazama looked happy about the way Naoto were about to resolve the situation.

(Background Music: Persona 3 FES - Heartful Cry)

-Then I have to force you out of my way! said Naoto with a passionate but sad tone.
-I ain't moving! Can't we just talk about this!? said Kanji.
-I'm so sorry. Naoto almost sniffled.
A floating card appeared in front of Naoto.
She took up her gun and shoot the card.
-Persona! said Naoto and entered battle stance.
A floating white creature with a weird helmet and general cloths appeared.It wielded a light sabre.  
-You serious!? said Kanji.
Well, I won't move!
I understand if you have any pent up anger to take out on me, so go for it!
-Go, Yamato-Takeru! said Naoto.
Her alter-ego reappeared.
Yamato-Takeru used Tempest Slash!
It flew towards Kanji and slashed towards him.
He made no effort to avoid it.
-Argh! shouted Kanji.
Kanji took 2671 damage!
-*Cough* That's it? You're pulling your punches on purpose. said Kanji who were more badly hurt then he admitted.
-Kwhahaha! laughed Hazama a little further away.
Seeing friends fighting each over to the death is hilarious!
Especially when one of them tries to "Sacrifice" themselves so the other one won't get hurt. It's so frakkin' stupid and I LOVE IT!
See how Naoto just mauls the one she used to call friend!
It's hilarious! What a HOOT!
Kanji just stood there, taking hit after hit with little resistence.
Naoto thought she had lost it completely, madly attacking one of the ones she usually called close friend.
-I love my life sometimes! said Hazama.
-Hey, asshole! said a female voice Hazama didn't recognise.
-Who the hell sa-
*PUNCH*

(Background Music Stops)
(Party Switch: From Naoto to Cocona.)

The fight stopped.
Kanji and Naoto noticed Hazama falling down a few cliffs.
Cocona jumped after.
The cliff was close to Kanji and Naoto, but out of jumping distance.

-When are you going to get up? asked Cocona.

(Background Music: BlazBlue: Continuum Shift - Nightmare Fiction)

Ohohoh, ya little shit! said Hazama.
You're MESSING with ME?
DAMN, you're stupid!
Didn't your parents teach you any mountainside manners?
OH WAIT, YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OF THOSE! Then Hazama started to cackle insanely.
-How do you know that? asked Cocona who sounded pained.
-I have seen enough orphans to recognize that "Wah, my parent are gone, I'm so lonely" look.
Hazama took a butterfly knife out of his pocket.
-I'm gonna mess you up, good for pushing me off a cliff!
You ruined my frikin' nose!
DIE!

Boss Data:

Name: Hazama
Arcana: XV The Devil
HP: 16000
Skills: Ouroboros, Venom Sword, Rising Fang, Falling Fang, Bloody Fangs ETC.
EX: Hungry Darkness of 1000 Souls
Info: One of the most twisted and corrupted souls you can imagine.
He lives only to see people suffer. Also, Fan Nickname: Trollzama.

-Ouroboros! shouted Hazama as he threw a green-glowing chain.
Cocona avoided the chain!
It got stuck in the mountain wall!
The chain suddenly pulled Hazama towards Cocona very quickly!
-Venom Sword! shouted Hazama as he conjured a green, hazy blade and struck Cocona with it!
Cocona were it and flew into the mountain wall!
Cocona took 3173 damage!
-I can take it! said Cocona.
-Oh, really? How about this?!
Hazama used Bloody Fangs!
He garbed up another knife and started to hack away!
Cocona blocked all strikes with her double-sided baton!
-Huh?!
-This will shut you up! said Cocona.
Cocona used Photon Baton Y!
Cocona hit Hazama with baton on both ends and then summoned a fire ball which flew into him!
Hazama took 5231 damage!
-Oh, I'm going to  kill you really good! shouted Hazama with a slasher smile.
Both of them started to exchange fast attacks!
Cocona took 918 damage!
Hazama took 1085 damage!
Cocona avoided a knife swipe and kicked Hazama in the knee!
Hazama took 1054 damage!
-I tried to be nice, but now I'm pissed! said Hazama.
I won't kill you. I'LL MAKE YOU SUFFER FOR ALL ETERNITY, YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF CRAP!

(Background Music: Tales of Vesperia OST - The Final Showdown)

-Restriction 666 released! Blazblue, Activate!!! shouted Hazama as his hipster hat flew of and his eyes opened wide.
A green barrier appeared around Hazama.
Hazama entered UNLIMITED mode!
-HAHAHAHA!!! Let's get on with the killing!
-You talk too much! said Cocona.
Cocona used Photon Baton X!
Hazama avoided easily.
Cocona felt sick inside the barrier.
-Rising Fang! roared Hazama as he swung a energy blade of some kind which sent Cocona into the air!
Cocona took 535 damage!
-And this! shouted Hazama.
Hazama threw his chain, Ouroboros, towards Cocona!
Cocona heard a disturbing screech when the chain hit her.
Hazama whiped her down with the chain!
-Not so cocky now, huh?!
What's wrong?
Too DEAD to say something.
Cocona stood up, breathing heavily.
-Almost out, not dead. said Cocona who tried to do a smug smile.
-I have run out of mean things to say about you, so I'll just get it over with!
Hazama used Eternal Coils of the Dragon Serpent!
Three green energy snakes appeared, charging towards Cocona.
She cut one of the heads but were caught off-guard by the other two.
One were about to bite when it were suddenly cut to half.
-Dingo! said Cocona relived.
-I came as fast as I could. Stand back! You're to hurt to continue! said Dingo.
He now had a new green glow to his armour.
-Nope! I'm not standing down now! Let's finish this together!
-Oh, please! It's only double the kills for me! said Hazama.
Dingo ran towards Hazama.
Dingo used Gauntlet!
His arm started to shine.
Dingo punched the green barrier!
It shattered instantly!
-What the fu-? gasped Hazama, completely baffled.
Dingo grabbed Hazama and threw him into the air!
-
Let's finish him! said Dingo.
-Right! said Cocona.

(Background Music: Persona 4: The Ultimate in Mayonaka Arena - Instant Kill Theme)

-Begone, Monster! said Cocona.
-You don't belong in this world! quoted Dingo.
Cocona and Dingo readied their own laser blades!
-Orbital Blade Crescendo!
Dingo and Cocona slashed Hazama incredibly fast and formed a symbol of slashes!
-GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! Hazama's losing cry could be heard loudly!
And then the symbol exploded!
Hazama flew and disappeared into the sky, Team Rocket style!
Fatality!

(Background Music: SMT: Persona 4 OST - Period)

-Dingo! Your a life saver!
By the way, what happened to your suit?
-Let's say that I got in touch with a old friend again. said Dingo.

(Background Music: Persona 4 - Traumerei)

-So it's over... said Naoto.
My only link to the SVCP is gone, huh?
In the end, I have only lost things today...
Kanji walked towards Naoto, dragging his left leg behind.
-Who was that asshat? asked Kanji.
-No use hiding it any more. said Naoto.
That was Captain Hazama of the obscure organization, SVCP.
Why I couldn't tell you earlier was because-
-...That asshole threatened to harm you right?
-Spot on.
-But why are you hanging with that douche?
-His my connection to the SVCP, a organization with knowledge of going on around here.
And, Tatsumi, I don't believe we're in Japan anymore.
-WHAT?!
-I'm just... so sorry for what I just did.
I have never wanted to hurt you.
-Don't mention it. said Kanji.
It was 'cause that Hazama dude were going to kill ya, right?
-Yes. I was afraid. But he's gone now.

Kanji and Naoto meet up with Dingo and Cocona.
The four of them managed to travel trough the valley.
Naoto gave her farewells to the group.
-I hope we can meet again meet again under better circumstances. said Naoto with a genuine smile.
And, Kanji-kun, take care.
With those words said, she walked towards the sunset horizon, towards the ruins of Anomia.
 
Were would Kanji and CO. adventures go next?
Will Naoto meet them again?

Do stay toned...