*Yu is already standing outside looking out into the empty streets, reflecting upon his prior actions.*

*He looks over to the brawny man and the vials he's holding.*

Oh, you came out. Did you figure anything out?

*Makoto stretches as she walks out of one of the living spaces. As she walks out she notices the Brawny Man with the vials*

What is that stuff, if I may ask?

*Kazuya and Cerberus join the group, the young man walks with his hands inside his pockets.*

Now to learn something new...

*he holds up a vial to the sun*
While I was gathering the Nexite yesterday, I found a yellow variant of Nexite. After much testing I have been lead to believe that this one possesses medical properties and as such I have made a solution for medical uses.

*Makoto is intrigued*

Medical uses? So, if could it help with broken bones?

*She looks down at her bandaged arm*

*Mona licks himself in places that cats lick themselves in*

Yes it could... what I have learned is that the serum is capable of accelerating biological processes exponentially. The problem with that is you will need a very precise procedure so that we don't also hasten your own death.

*Makoto nods*

So what would this procedure be? How high is the risk for it all? I certainly don't want to die...not now...

This Nexite...I never even heard of that while inside the Nexus...

*Kazuya is deep in thought, paying attention to the explanation.*

Maybe there are other types of it then, for other uses...?

*But after the sudden remark of the Brawny man, the young man stares at him.*

Precise procedure? Is it dangerous?

If you need something to test it on, try me. After all, I've already died once.

I must gain access to the afflicted area itself. A wide spread application would ,among other things, cause a cancer to develop.

*Mona stabs himself in the leg*
Alright, will this do?

*he squeezes the bridge of his nose with his forefinger and thumb*
I don't believe that was the best idea, but I suppose it will have to do.

*Makoto looks at her arm once again*

If you can fix my arm...that would be a good thing not just to me, but for the group. If my arm is fixed I can be useful for the group.

*She looks at the brawny man*

Though it's scary what could happen...I feel that not being able to help my friends is far scarier.

*he pulls out the cork on one of the vials and retrieves a swab from within his jacket and begins swabbing Mona's wound with the mixture*
Hold still for a moment.
*he finishes his operation and the wound begins closing quickly before becoming scar tissue*
As to how long the scar may last I have yet to see.

One should not become a guinea pig just like that...

*Both Kazuya and Cerberus sit on the ground, shaking his head at Mona's antics.*

*Mona makes light hissing noises*
Augh, that stings a little.

*he looks over at Makoto*
In order to heal your arm... I will have to perform... surgery. Are you sure you are fine with this?

*Makoto looks the Brawny Man in the eyes and nods*

If it means I can be useful for the group and help out...I'm fine with this. I-I don't want to be sit on the sidelines of fights and watch my friends get hurt...

*She unwraps her broken arm and looks at it*

I'm ready for this.

I-I hate that kind of injury...!

*Kazuya immediately turns around with his eyes closed.*

Let's just hope it goes well...

*he motions to a building with a concrete marker outside . The front half of the marker is smooth but the other half has the words hospital inscripted.*
The plan was to sustain a large populace so one of the mes had a hospital placed here. In his tape he wished that whichever me that broke the cycle would name it.

*Makoto looks at the hospital*

Well, shall we get going?

*She walks towards the Hospital*

*he ushers her into a room filled with medical equipment and an operating table*
You will be under anaesthesia for this operation. I fear as though the Serum will cause the anaesthesia to process more swiftly in the area afflicted so you may experience immense pain until the operation is complete. Are you sure this is what you want?

*Makoto looks around, closes her eyes and second guesses the situation, but then she nods and looks at the Brawny Man*

I'm sure of this...I want to help.

*he gestures to the operating table*
Then... lay down here while I fetch the proper equipment.

*As Makoto lies down on the operating table she closes her eyes, remembering back before she was a Phantom Thief, where she couldn't do much, when she was useless. She shudders a bit at this thought*

I won't be useless, never again...

*she sighs as she opens her eyes back up to look around the room once more.

*he comes in with a cart of medical tools and a gas tank*
Are you ready?

*Morgana looks at Makoto smugly*
Heh, you're one to talk.

*Makoto looks at Mona*

Yeah, sorry Mona. Looks like we both thought the same way...

*She then looks the Brawny man and nods*

I am ready.

Good luck, Makoto.

*Kazuya, still outside the hospital just looks at the sky, and remains there in silence.*

*he puts a mask over her before turning a valve on the gas canister. After being sufficiently convinced that Makoto is completely under he makes an incision in her arm to the point of fracture.*
I apologize for this...
*he begins setting the bones in alignment before swabbing them with the serum. the bone begins to grow and fuse back into place. the anaesthetic begins to wear off. after being convinced that the bone is healed he swabs up the incision with the Serum.*
Operation complete.

*Yu returns to observing the empty streets.*

Guess this really is our life now.

*Makoto gets up clenching her arm in pain. Her screams are loud and could be heard all around the hospital. The pain was more extreme then when she originally made a contract with her Persona. Beads of sweat roll down her face as she clenches her teeth groaning in severe pain still tightly gripping her arm*

*he loosens the valve on the tank releasing more anaesthetic, he mutters under his breath*
I-I said this would happen... she agreed of her own will.. th-this pain w-was voluntary.

You get used to it...

*Kazuya lets out a sigh and turns to Yu.*

You should check out my world sometime, it's a really fun place, to say the least.
People are nice there, but we don't have Shadows or Persona there...hell, I couldn't even use mine the time I was out of the Nexus.

*As the anesthetic goes in Makoto, she calms down a bit, though the pain still there, its not as extreme. She breathes heavily as she lays back down looking at the ceiling*

S-So...It should...be all better now...right?

*he looks over some papers from his workshop*
Yes though I suggest that you rest and gradually adjust.

*Makoto nods as she slightly moves her arm up and down and lets out a sigh of relief*

Finally..I can help out...

I recommend for the time being you shoot left handed.

*Makoto lets out a small laugh*

Yeah, I guess I should.

*Kazuya then stands up and decides to take a look inside the hospital. "Maybe it woulf be best if I get to know more about my new teammate" he thought. After a while of nothing, he manages to find the room Makoto might be in.*

Let's see then...

*He knocks on the door, hoping somebody answers.*

*Makoto leans up at the knocking*

Oh, come in!

Right...!

*Kazuya opens the door slowly and takes a quick look inside before going in. He then walks towards her while waving.*

Hey, I was wondering...how is your arm doing? Is it okay now?

*Makoto sighs*

Well, its not broken anymore, but when the Nexite was put into me...the pain was unbearable. The pain is still here but is significantly less now with the anesthesia.

*She gives a brief smile*

But other than that, everything is fine.

*Mona creates a portal*
...leblanc

You really are devoted to your friends, that is something I have to admire, even in our position as "Enemies of the World".

*Kazuya reaches out for a chair and sits down, with his arms crossed.*

I'm glad you're fine though, now let's hope none of us run into much trouble...I don't really want to fix my body with that thing...!

*He laughs briefly at his own comment.*

*Makoto smiles*

yeah, it's a painful process, but it works.

*She looks at the ceiling*

I had to do this though. I mean, like you said. I'm devoted to my friends. If something were to happen to them all because i couldn't do anything...I don't know what I would do.

*She briefly sighs*

I don't want to lose anyone close to me again.

I understand that feeling...

*Kazuya's expression then turns much more serious.*

You keep talking about "not being useless" and now you mention losing someone...if you don't mind me asking, Makoto...what happened to you?

*She closes her eyes*

Well...When my father died...My sister had to take care of both of us. Our Mom died when I was little, so we were all alone. i felt like a burden to my sister. I couldn't help her in anyway. All I could do was work to get into a good college and career and then help my sister. In that Time I was used by my principal all so I could get a recommendation for a good college. He used me to investigate a problem at our school at the time.

*She Smiles*

That's when I met them. My friends. At first I couldn't do much to help but then I gained powers from my Persona. I was able to do something. I helped to reform society. I was useful to them and it made me happy. They are some of my best friends.

*She sighs and takes a breath*

Then I came into the Nexus...got caught up in this investigation where a bomb exploded causing me to break my arm. Since then Crazy things happened and I haven't been able to contribute due to my broken arm...

*She Then looks down at her arm and makes a fist*

But now I can help...I can help to make sure my new friends are safe.

You are very determined, it's good to know we someone like this around, and not some like...well, as assholish as Gamma, but man...I can't blame him for anything.

*He shakes his head with a smile.*

You do know your friends might end up here, right? You might be forced to fight them, and...in the worst of cases, they might die...
Are you really sure about this? I can tell you from experience a lot about this kind of situation we got ourselves into.

*He stays silent for a moment.*

Are you ready to go to hell when this is over?

*Makoto stares blankly at a wall*

I-I'm ready for this...it's either the world or me putting my selfish desires first...and I'm not one to think just for themselves.

*She looks at Kazuya*

I may not want it to happen...but if it comes down to it...I'm ready to have a death on our hands...and if I must go to hell for it...I'm ready for it...

*He then stands up and takes a few steps forward, getting closer to her with a dead serious expression.*

You are not, in fact, I can feel how that determination is just going away.

*He places his right hand on her head.*

I might just be around 22, not much older than you, but I've seen this a lot of times...and the only advice I could possibly give you is this:
"Leave while you still can, be happy in any way possible."
You don't have what it takes to be a villain, or a killer.

*Makoto sighs*

Maybe I don't have what it takes to be a villain or kill somebody...

*She looks Kazuya in the eyes*

But so help me, if anyone wants to hurt my friends...I will fight them until they are unable to fight anymore. I will not stand by while my friends risk their lives.

*His serious expression goes aways as he just smiles at her, patting her head.*

Well little miss, it looks like you do have it in you!
Those eyes of yours don't lie, they show this unrelenting passion, a fiery anger that drives you.
I'm sorry for getting this serious out of nowhere, I may have wanted to test you...!

*He laughs for a moment.*

I'm sorry for that.

*Makoto lets out a brief sigh as she lays back down*

A test huh? Well then...*She smiles and closes her eyes*I'm glad I was able to pass it.

It was to be expected, I mean, I've seen your thief clothing in the past, I will blame other versions of Joker for that.

*He checks his COMP and types for a few moments*

Never thought I would ever see a Mad Max fan again, "Road Warrior".

*Makoto laughs at this remark*

I know that its a joke but...I would be lying if I said I didn't like those movies.

*She thinks for a second*

Is it wrong for a girl to enjoy those types of movies?

What? Of course not!
Seriously, what kind of question is that?

*Kazuya laughs at this.*

Is it really that weird in your world/time?

Well, most girls I know like romance movies, so I usually fell like the odd one out.

*She laughs*

Glad to know its not as weird as I thought.

There's a lot of people you would be able to get along because of this.

*He rubs the back of his head with a smile.*

I was kind of an "odd one" back in school for being in love with computers, although that was around...the 90's...?
I'm not even sure anymore!

Nowadays being interested in computers wouldn't make you an odd one out. Technology is quite big now, many people express their love for it.

*She laughs*

I guess we both are considered odd in our times. But being the odd one is too bad.

After the Great Cataclysm and the ICBMs, most people got into technology, too...

*Kazuya thinks for a moment.*

Perhaps it's the natural course for humanity...?
Could be, but...regarding that not being too bad...I can't really agree there, I still have mixed feeling when it comes to High School, really....

*Makoto looks at Kazuya*

Oh, if you don't mind me asking. Did anything happen while you were at high school?

Well...long story short, I got bullied and alienated by most because of my love for computers, and worst of all I was the only "Nerd" around.

*He sighs with both nostalgia and sadness.*

It didn't help I was a little to shy to speak up, and so...it was really lonely, kind of annoying. At one point I just stoped caring...not even Yuka or Yuriko-Senp....Yuriko knew about it.
But it's in the past, I suppose.

*He shrugs and forces himself to smile.*

I'm sorry to hear that.

*She looks up at the ceiling*

Though I know that feeling of being alienated. People just thought of me only looking out for myself, someone who would do anything to get a letter of recommendation.

*She looks back at Kazuya*

I can assure you now that all of us are with you now. We are in this together.

*She smiles*

So if you ever feel alone, know that we are here with you.

I got used to the "alone" part, It's not that bad...but having friends sure is nice, you know? But if I ever do feel alone...

*He smirks*

Yu will probably use his friendship speeches, Muscle Dude won't really care, and man I can't trust Honoka, he feels...off in a way...man, I should keep quiet around them!

*Kazuya chuckles, and then smiles sincerely at her.*

You're nice and sane enough.
Before you asked me for help, right?
I will help you, I will still fight for my own beliefs, but I can also try to make the chance of a new broken arm less possible.
If you ever get hurt like that, I'll just buy you a full collection of action movies as apology.

*Makoto laughs*

Well now I'm almost tempted to get a broken arm.

*She closes her eyes*

But thank you. Its good to know someone has my back.

*He mimics her, and smiles with his eyes closed.*

More like "someone who has your arm".

*He stays silent for a few seconds and facepalms.*

Alright, I'm sorry, that was bad.

*She lets out a slight chuckle*

No, that was funny, well ok a bad kind of funny.

*She yawns and lays back down*

That Nexite serum though, that took alot out of me. It fixed my arm but came at the price of pain.

*an intercom crackles to life and the brawny mans voice can be heard over it*
At this time the effects of the anaesthetic will be wearing off. In your room I have left a bottle of painkillers should the pain persist. If you feel you are physically capable come see me on the eigth floor.
*the speaker goes silent*

I see...well then, I think I should be taking my leave for now, Pascal must be worried.

*Kazuya types a few things in his COMP and stands up, turning to face the door.*

I guess we now have a "contract" like the wildcard like to say. Honestly, I don't want to lose too much money, but oh well, here's hoping you don't do anything reckless for the sake of my wallet!

*He waves at her and opens the door, leaving.*

See you around, don't break a leg.

*As the anesthetic wears off some of the pain returns but not as bad as it was before. Makoto clenches her teeth quickly in response to the pain. She grabs the painkillers and takes some hoping to make the pain down to a comfortable level. She sighs as she looks up at the ceiling*

Hopefully the pain won't be around too much longer...

*Makoto waves to Kazuya as he leaves*

I'll be sure not to.

*She laughs*

*As Makoto lay on her bed some pain comes through*

Damn, its still bothering me. That man did say if pain persists to go see him.

*She gets out of her bed and heads to the 8th floor. When she arrives she knocks on a door*

Hello? You said for me to come if my pain persisted, correct?

No, but since you are up here I can take a look at your arm.
*he finishes writing down today's events in his private journal*
Let me take a look at that...

*Makoto puts up her arm to show the Brawny Man*

So, is it all good?

Hmm it doesn't appear to be in any worse state...
*he adjusts his spectacles*
I'd say the pain will go away in roughly a day... after that it may get sore from time to time nothing major.
*he looks at his desk and his expression darkens*
There... is another reason I called you here...

*Makoto looks at the Brawny Man curious*

Another reason?

*he pulls out a tape from his desk*
This tape was taken from our encounter the other day... during our brief excursion into Leblanc our assailant mentioned our comrade, Yu, to be the murderer. During the night between points of research, I went and retrieved this tape from the bunker. I believe this is the evidence we need to prove our innocence.

*She looks at the tape*

T-Thats great! We can end anything saying we killed anybody. We can even show we tried reasoning. Hopefully this will help to end some conflict.

That's not all I found in my research... During the brief period of time looking through my abandoned notes... I found it

*Makoto looks away from the tape and back to the brawny man even more curious*

What did you find?

The path to the core... I didn't investigate further should my presence be discovered and our adversaries set up a defense. But now all that remains is to secure a path to the core, evacuate everyone, and destroy the Nexus.

Thats another good thing. Setting up a secure path may be tricky, but we may be able to do it. And then hopefully people will listen to us and come to The Rift. Then its up to us to destroy the Nexus...

*She thinks for a bit*

What if our aggressors hide amongst the people evacuating and attack and shut down our escape plan?

*She shakes her head*

I'm sorry for the bad thought, but I worry.

If they do that they are worse cowards than they profess us to be. I intend on saving lives so they'll be coming anyway. Here's hoping we can convince them...

*Makoto nods*

Well sir, this has been alot of good news. I'm hoping for the best with these two things.

Take care of yourself.
*he goes to a room aside from his office*

*Makoto goes back to her room and lies down*

Hopefully good things will come...

*She then closes her eyes and falls asleep*

*tugs on Mona's cheeks* Don't make yourself a guinea pig!

Ooc: Mona left. Also, you have no way of getting tp this location