This is Cross-posted from Archive of our Own, but certain scenes could be edited and may come out different for both sites. Also just wanted to say that though this story is an AU, it will still contain SPOILERS from the original. You have been warned!
Author's Note: I know that this is no longer the most original of ideas as a retelling of the main game has been done by quite a decent number of fascinating writers already- but hey, thanks to that I've been inspired to write my own variation of it using a few fan theories and/or ideas that were scrapped from the final game with an added personal twist.
I would also like to mention beforehand that I won't be using any main characters/persona from the previous Persona games- at most, I could only mention past characters as some sort of Easter egg in the TV or such like in the game- If I would even add them that is- and this story will focus solely with the P5 cast. Most characters/confidant routes will undergo minor/major changes but I'll keep the details about it a secret for you to figure out as I drop hints.
I think that would do for an introduction? Thanks for giving this story a try. Let's us proceed with the story now, shall we?
Disclaimer: I'll just say this once for formalities sake; Persona 5 and it's characters (c) Atlus and their respective creators. I'm in no way affiliated by them and this story is purely just Fan Fiction I write for fun and for practice purposes.
~~~ Twist of Fate ~~~
[ Arc I: Prologue ]
Chapter One: Society's Infidelity
- xX/Xx/20Xx ( Monday - Evening ) [ Hometown ] -
A young teen let out a soft sigh as he walked down the streets that lead towards his way home.
After walking in silence for a few moments, he runs a hand through a handful of his dark, frizzy hair as he can't help but feel somewhat tensed with the scene before him.
Despite that he was living in this small town... there were still supposed to be a few people passing by this way with him at this time.
Apparently, that isn't the case for tonight.
Then the teenager thought, 'Was it already late?' With that, he took out his phone and checked the time.
Curiously enough, it was just a quarter past seven in the evening. 'It's still fairly early...'
After putting his phone back to his pocket and adjusting his hold on the bag over his shoulder, he proceeded on surveying the area around him once more.
...There were still no signs of people.
'Where are the people usually loitering this place?' He wondered to himself, 'Was there some trouble-' He shook his head to cut off that line of thought and soon decided that it was all just in his head before he proceeded on making his way down the streets in silence.
...But turning around a corner and still finding himself alone couldn't stop himself from being unnerved.
Now, He was even beginning to doubt about going home so early.
With that, he soon considered taking a nice stroll at a park or go back to check out some items on sale at the nearby convenient store he had worked part-time in for a while when school was out.
'School, huh.' However, he began having second thoughts about taking a detour when he realized that the break would be over soon.
With the new school year approaching, maybe he should head straight home and start reading some of his old textbooks for a refresher and perhaps search the net for a head start?
He needed to study. After all, he knew that his first year in High school wasn't really that productive.
Technically speaking, he wasn't doing bad- but he wasn't doing well either. Now in his second year, his parents were encouraging him to do better.
He honestly had no direction on where he wanted to go with his life. But not wanting to disappoint the few people who even give him a moments notice- he then finally decided against the detour.
As he proceeded on going home with a brisk pace, The teenager then thought of a new objective; Read reference books they had at home.
'I could probably increase my knowledge with that.' He thought to himself as he tightened his hold on the sling of his bag.
But further thoughts about his studies were pushed back and his brisk pace almost came to a complete stop when he heard a couple of people shouting from a distance.
He had thought that he'd be glad to know that some people were around again, but... not like this.
With a slight tilt of his head in a mixture of curiosity and apprehension, the teenager soon walked cautiously.
He carefully surveyed the area to find out where the arguing voices were coming from;
"Get in the car!"
"Stop it!"
A few hesitant steps later, his shoulders quickly become tense upon seeing the source of this ruckus.
Trouble was rare in this usually peaceful neighborhood and he knew first hand that this few times of dire circumstances could be life-changing.
He also knew that a wise decision he could take would be to turn around and look some other way home, but... he couldn't help it as he briefly strode towards the arguing adults.
Because some time ago during his childhood, He had needed help when he was in trouble himself. 'What if this was no different?'
'And maybe this time, I'd be the one to lend a hand...' With that thought in mind, he then took a few steps forward before coming to another hesitant stop as he stood a few meters away.
Despite the distance, the teenager could now clearly make out that there was this man in a suit forcing himself on a woman...
He couldn't control the scowl that formed on his face as he stared at the sight before him;
"How dare you cross me!"
"Stop it, let me go! No!"
That man was clearly drunk. 'It was obvious with how slurred his voice came out.' The teenager thought.
It became even more apparent when he cautiously took another step forward as he could faintly smell the pungent scent of alcohol with every word the man spoke.
Apprehension came immediately and his legs refused to take another step. A drunk man might be helpless, but this was a dangerous situation as he noticed that both these adults were unfamiliar to him.
He, unfortunately, has no idea on what they could be capable off so he first considered his options;
There were no other people around to witness what was happening and frankly enough, he saw that his phone's reception was weak.
As this point, he kept wondering to himself if he really does still want to get involved...
Though apprehensive, hearing the aggravating drunk man's words and hearing the woman's desperate plea was echoing in his mind like a mantra;
"Don't give me that shit..."
"Ow! Please stop...!"
Time seemed to have slowed down a fraction as he felt his inner sense of justice slowly resurfacing deep within his soul.
But a question still holds him back- What will a teen like him do to stop this fight?
Then a grim memory quickly came to his mind. What would his father and his friend do?
His father was a loyal police officer who once had the same sense of justice.
It was inspired by a superior officer that was a close family friend, who sadly had to transfer to Tokyo in where it was said that he had his family.
He mostly just heard stories- great stories about him- but he did have the opportunity to actually meet with his father's mentor once and he truly was admirable.
The teenager could even recall his father's friend said something to his younger self and it had always stuck with him;
'Life as a police officer isn't easy... especially when you're an honest one.' Then a smile came, 'My daughters don't like me saying this and I think you will too since you know how stubborn your father is as well. But, we'll do our best to help anyone in need regardless of risks that come with it because we can't help but tend to fight for what we believe in. Why? Because that's the right thing to do.'
A hand soon came to pat his head softly, 'Even if justice could be flawed and though it could easily be corrupted, we still have to try, no matter the danger because who else would stand against the bad people, right?' Was all that his father's superior said to him when they visited the big city when he was young to see his mother who worked there as a scientist.
A few years past that, his father confirmed that it was never easy and those 'bad' people were everywhere.
His father had a resigned look on his face as he added that he learned the truth behind the conspiracies that came with their job the hard way.
Because he experienced the cruelty of it all- his father loss his career and with it, he even nearly loss his life in the process.
His father's superior had heard about it and he went out on his way to lend a hand to their case for some time as well.
But things in Tokyo were said to have gone in disarray all too suddenly so he had to drop the investigation to focus on some suspicious group lurking around somewhere near the lab where his mother used to work and to make matters more difficult, another gang was causing trouble in downtown Shinjuku.
The teen came to wonder if one of those groups were also responsible for his father's attack- but they, unfortunately, couldn't confirm anything anymore since all communication with his father's friend suddenly cut off approximately three years ago...
All they could make out was some report that there was a police officer in Tokyo who had died in the line of duty that time. No name was given but... it was too circumstantial.
Still, he hoped that the worse wasn't the case.
With all that being said and done; his father didn't want to take any more chances and had warned him, his one and only son to be careful and stay away from trouble. And usually, he heeded that request.
Back to the present where time then seemed to proceeded back to its usual pace;
The young teen found his thoughts back to his dilemma and he could clearly see that this drunk man was serious in getting his way;
"What a waste of my time. You think you're worth causing me trouble huh?"
That woman was in danger. Was he just going to watch?
"I-I'll call the police!"
'No matter the danger... Who else would stand against these kinds of people, right...?' The teen gripped his right hand to a fist.
He couldn't ignore this. He had to save her;
"Heh, call them if you want! The Police are my bitches. They're not gonna take you seriously."
"No... Stop...!"
He furthered steeled his resolve upon hearing the man go on about how he controls the police, 'Had the police really stooped so low since then?'
Angered, he made another rush towards them and stood only a few meters away from the pavement before all three accounted for stopped on their tracks in surprise as they heard police sirens echoing from a distance.
The boy looked back when he heard the drunk man yell at the struggling woman to get in his car and soon further aggravating the teen as the man went on with a slurred, cocky voice;
"Incompetent fools like you just need to shut your mouths and follow where I steer this country!"
The teen couldn't help but let out a grunt in aggravation upon hearing that declamation.
Hearing that caused the drunk to look back at him with a threat, "...What are you looking at? Get outta my face!"
Then the man fully turned to him with a menacing scowl on his face, "This ain't a show. Get lost, kid." He added with a sneer and soon, the teenager watched the drunk turn his back on him, scolding and again ordering the woman to get in his car.
Fervently shaking her head, the woman looked at the boy with moist, pleading eyes as she tried reaching out to him, "...Please help!" Hearing her strained voice was enough to spur him to action and the teenager quickly made his way in between them.
The drunk noticed the teen's descent and he immediately responded on roughly pushing the boy away from him while he tightened his hold on the woman.
In retaliation, the teenager's sight became blurry; partially blinded by a mixture of adrenaline, desperation, and surprise- he had unknowingly pried the man away from the woman with more force in his haste.
The sudden action caused the Drunk to stumble backward, struggling and soon completely losing balance as he fell face first to the rough pavement floor.
While the teen was surprised at himself as he stared at his own two hands.
Even though it was an accident, He had hurt someone!
But before he could even form a response, the man slowly staggered up to his knees with a hand on his face that was partially bleeding from the impact. His glasses thrown askew and was now abandoned to the ground beside his feet.
The man soon turned to look at him with a glare so threatening, the boy's blood run cold, "...Damn brat, I'll sue!"
He then faintly heard the police car's sirens coming from behind him, but before his mind could even process what was happening, things seemed to have escalated so quickly that he didn't really put on much of a fight as he would have like.
The Drunk pushed the blame on him- the one who seemingly did the right thing and the police who seemed to recognize the man actually acknowledge it.
Clenching his hands to a fist, The teenager then thought angrily, 'Couldn't they tell from that slurred voice and that damn pungent smell that the guy was completely wasted? Hell, even his actions were enough to warrant him suspicions.'
He had tried to protest- but it completely went to deaf ears. Because the police simply stated that the man was injured and he was not.
'Really, what?' The boy then turned his attention to see the Drunk man deviously sneer at him from behind the cops and the teenager glared back with gritted teeth.
'Just who was this guy?' It was too dark to fully make out any unique features, '...But he looked just like any bald-headed dude in fancy, black suit.' He further thought to himself angrily.
Then the cops turned to the woman who was hiding behind him to ask her side of the story.
For a moment the teenager was relieved. 'Surely her input would prove my innocence, right?'
He had second thoughts however upon seeing how frightened the woman seem to be. He then wondered if she could come up with a proper response that could hold a semblance of credibility...
But it turns out that it came even worse for him since the cowering woman behind him easily caved from the threat with the Drunk just looking at her with a glare.
She turned against him, stating that he suddenly assaulted this fine gentleman and the young teen could only just looked back to her in shock.
The woman he basically saved from a very dangerous situation had easily been swayed with a single, dark look.
'Why? Why had she done that?' Had she forgotten what this drunkard was doing to her a few moments ago? There was no guarantee that she'll be safe from the man either after all this.
This was her chance to get back at the man.
Yet why did she let that chance go? 'That drunk, bald man was the one at fault!'
But regardless of all that... He was the one being arrested by the officers.
The teenager resisted them for a moment and desperately tried to look back to the woman, calling out to her- but all she did was shook her head with tears falling from her eyes, as she slowly fell to her knees on the ground in defeat.
The teen then told the officers to turn back, stating that the woman was being threatened to lie about the situation- but all they did was yell at him to be quiet and they continued to pull him back towards their car.
As he was forcefully shoved inside the rear seat of the police car, the young teen stared out from the window and watched as the woman scrambled forward.
Leaning in closer, he saw her getting something from the ground -Probably just something she might have dropped earlier- and watched as the Drunk grabbed her by the arm and roughly pulled her back up. Ordering something to her with a snarl on his face before she was promptly forced to get inside his car.
He glared at the officers who just casually entered their vehicle. 'Didn't they see that rough exchange? What is wrong with them?'
The teen was about to speak his mind when the officer on the passenger beat him to it, "Sorry, kid. But you shouldn't have gotten involved in matters you have no chance of winning."
Hearing that, he could only gape at the officers, "You knew...?" They knew that the drunk man was lying and they still arrested him?
The other officer just scoffed at him and started the engine, "...This is how society runs now, kid. It's either you follow or get trampled down by the strong." He took a critical look at the boy, "Kids these days are so naive. You should've just minded your own business and you should be at home right now."
The teen then let out a soft grunt as he leaned down on his seat in surrender.
They were right. If he had just gone along with his usual path home and ignored the commotion, he wouldn't even find himself in this situation.
Protesting now wouldn't do him good anyhow.
He would probably just add insult to injury if he spoke at the police in defiance and they claimed that he was resisting an officer of the law.
The teenager scoffed at that title as he thought that they didn't deserve it. He knew his father wouldn't bend so easily as them.
But his eyes grew wide as he recalled about his father's condition... How he couldn't stand up to himself anymore and his face suddenly looked grim...
His Father fought for what he believed was right and as he didn't comply to their bribes, society kicked him hard on his knees- figuratively and quite literally, making him bend to their demands by force.
While he, on the other hand, fought for the same justice his father and his superior once believe in.
Defending a woman from a man who was probably a syndicate- but said victim casually just turned on him and now here he was, sitting on the back of a police car like some sort of criminal.
Like Father, Like Son. They were both fools.
The young teen then let out a frustrated sigh and let his head fall to the car's window to his right with a soft thud. 'What was the point of all this then?' He thought wistfully in silence.
Should he really just ignore it? Turn a blind eye and just watch as the weak and hopeless get trampled upon the strong and the powerful?
'Was there... Really no way in beating the injustice of the world we live in now?' He then smiled a sad smile as his eyes drifted to the shifting scenery outside.
He silently watched the lights illuminating from the houses and columns of street lamps, absentmindedly pondering to himself, 'For change to truly happen, we need to reform society as a whole.'
Just a few seconds after he thought of that, his eyes grew wide and was slightly taken aback when he suddenly saw this glowing blue, white butterfly right in front of him.
Then the teenager felt time seemingly slowing down as the shifting scenery outside almost came to a stop.
A soft ringing on his head came as he watched the butterfly passed by the window.
Shortly after that, his eyes felt inexplicably heavy and without control, sleep soon quickly came to him.
[...?]
He didn't know how long he was out, but by the time he had managed to open his eyes- he quickly finds that he wasn't inside a police car anymore.
By the looks of it... he was seemingly in a small, confined location.
Save from a lone light atop him, it was mostly dark in this seemingly velvet-colored room.
Pass that, the teenager couldn't see a thing.
He shook his head to stave his stupor and thought, '...Where is...?' His vision was still blurry, "Is this... a dream?" He thought out loud.
"I normally would have welcomed you to the Velvet Room in a more formal matter, but alas, we, unfortunately, haven't got that much time." A kindly old man's voice came from behind him.
Surprised, the teenager tensely looked back to see the person who just spoke.
Then his eyes narrowed as he noticed that he can't see who it was... Other than a thin, scrunched up form of a man in a black haze that is.
"...Society had been wishing for someone to take lead, choosing to have someone else make decisions for them. The cognition of man can be a powerful force... Distorted human ideals gave birth to a dark being wearing a husk of a man." The elderly man continued, causing the teen to look bewildered at the whole ordeal before him.
"I'm sorry... But, what?" Was the only thing he could say as he stared at the form in disbelief.
Then another presence soon came forth at his side and this time, a soft-spoken young girl greeted him with a warning, "An impending force is trying to take control, even here in this location where you could say is also where humanity's last stand lies. If all were to give in to the path of self-devaluation and gave up their will to those who would cruelly take advantage of others- it will lead the world to eventual ruin as they've been robbed of their future."
The teen then turned to his left and saw a soft haze of bright azure light in the form of a young girl, its light promptly reminding him of the butterfly he had seen earlier.
There were so many questions racing on his mind- but as he was overwhelmed, he could only find himself voicing out a baffled response, "...An impending force?"
He then saw the girl seemingly nod before she answered, "If no one fights against society's oppression then all will become a victim to a cruel dictatorship. There will be no true freedom. No more Justice. We will all be prisoners of fate."
Then there was a pregnant pause, causing the boy to think, '...A Prisoner of fate?'
Before he could dwell on that thought, however, he was taken aback by the flash of two bright yellow orbs and briefly considered to himself if those were supposed to be eyes of this young girl who then asked, "Do you have the resolve to challenge the distortion of the world?"
There was another pause before she continued, "Will you help reform society, Trickster?"
'The resolve to fight... Reforming Society,' He thought about that a few moments ago as well.
He didn't know when he harbored such passion nor fathom how on earth could he reform society... He couldn't even tell if this was all a dream or not- but if he had the power to do something about it. He'd be down for it. "...I'll do what I can."
After the teenager stated that, he felt warm inside as the girl spoke in reply, "It greatly pleases me to hear you say that,"
Even though the teen couldn't see it, he could feel the girl look at him with appreciation, "Thank you." Hearing those simple words made him smile back unknowingly with a nod.
Then the elderly man let out a soft chuckle as he proceeded with an important advice, "You have a strong resolve. I do hope you do not forget it as you will experience a lot of hardships in your path to salvation. Society will continually push you down, but worry not as you will not be alone to resist the oppression."
After stating that, a series of cards that were faintly shining with an azure glow flew from the elderly man's hands and it encircled around the young teenager.
Amazed and slightly frightened by what was happening around him, the boy could only stare at the card like objects encircling him in a spiral dance.
Getting over his previous surprise, the teenager eventually then recognize them as Tarot cards thanks to a book he just read the other day out of curiosity.
Most of them immediately went inside him apart from those he could make out from;
'the fool', 'the magician', 'the high priestess', 'the empress', 'the emperor', 'the lovers', 'the chariot', 'the hermit', and soon after, 'the star', he thought that there was another, but it passed so soon that he couldn't make it out even though it swirled around at least a couple of times before coming to a complete stop around him.
Before he could further take another look at the cards though, the elderly man spoke once again to get his attention; "These are the keys that will unlock the hidden strength in the confines on your own and your future companions hearts..."
With that said, the cards slowly went through him, giving his chest a feeling of comforting warmth.
"...Each of us is, at one point, has become a prisoner of fate. Use the strength of your bonds to set the will of rebellion free. It will grant you the power to defeat the powerful binds of society's dark cognition." The elderly man added as the teen held his hand up for a moment and felt his fingers faintly touch the fool arcana's card before it disperses within him as well.
Then he watched as another card went towards him, coming out of the girl's bluish light form, "My time here with you will soon be cut short, but before that, please allow me to bestow upon you a final gift that would soon reveal in time and with it, 'the strength' to find the truth of your journey." As she said that, a couple of cards covered in a black mist began hovering above him.
"...Then what are those?" He subconsciously asked as he hesitantly tried to reach out for them.
The young girl answered for him, gesturing to each card, "Even we do not know what the future holds. To your left is the Judgement in which with your future decision and choices will give you a verdict."
Then came another pause before she added, "Given the right Judgement, and lifting the dark veil of how corrupted Justice can tend to become, I believe that the World will open up to you, upon heading your resolve to fight for what you believe is right."
There were too many questions still on his mind, but all he could do was just nod at the moment and with that, the remaining cards soon disperse inside him as well.
The moment the cards fully disappeared from within him, the teenager could only watch in shock as the form of bright, blue light seemingly just got slice in half all too suddenly, "W-Wait..!" He called out as he tried reaching out to the figure of light that was slowly disappearing from his sight.
Before fully dispersing, she spoke wistfully one last time, "...I hope we can see each other again, my trickster. 'Til then, I'll be watching over you from afar. The game of life could be cruel but fret not, as humanity's last hope will soon also stand by your side." As soon as his right hand faintly touch the young girl's light did it slowly disappeared in a soft burst of blue mist.
Alarmed and confused, the teenager turned to look at the elderly man to ask what on earth was happening- but was soon taken aback when he saw that the man was experiencing the same fate.
"You've got to be kidding me...! Dream or not, You can't seriously be leaving me behind like this! Just right after asking me to fight a battle I know nothing about! I don't know how could I even reform society! Not yet, not like this." He stated with a shook of his head upon feeling powerless.
The elderly man let out another soft chuckle upon the young teen's outburst, "Find the strength hidden deep within your heart and the will of rebellion will surface on its own."
Then his disappearing form raised above the air and spoke a final time, "...I look forward to seeing you free yourself from the chains of fate." There was a quick pause and he added with conviction, "Till we meet again."
Soon after that, the elderly man promptly disperses in a soft burst of light just above the young, bewildered teen.
And with that, the boy could only sigh now that he finds himself alone. 'Now what?'
Then all too suddenly, a sharp ringing came to his head once again, forcing him to close his eyes and soon let the darkness consume him.
~~ End of Chapter One ~~
[ ARC I: Prologue 1/2 ]
(Originally Published on April, 07, 2018) This story has been heavily revised, This chapter and the next one was originally part of a single chapter and this process will continue on the next chapters as well. I've decided to cut it in half to balance out the length per update and also to make it easier to read for everyone.
Author's Notes: Thanks for reading the first part of the prologue and before you move on to the next one, I'll just say a couple of things; Fair warning? I originally wrote this story to be like a 'Golden' version to Persona 4, with that being the case, you would most definitely see dialogues and events that actually happened in the game. It's inevitable and hence- the spoiler warning above. I would, of course, add some variations to it so that certain scenes can come off different or even outright not exist with this plot and it'll be shown immediately in the next chapter.
Moving on, If you're wondering about the 'ARC' shenanigans, its just there for easy navigation once the story gets undeniably longer and if you were wondering why I didn't name the protagonist here... well, I originally wrote ideas for this story around a year ago so I was conflicted on what name to call him. But having published this alongside the Persona 5 Animation... Welp, You'll find out on the next chapter.
If you have any other questions, I'll answer them through your reviews as I'll always reply to them when I'm able to. That's that, for now, I guess and here's to hoping to hear from you and see you next update? Have a good day/night, everyone.
=Next chapter: II: Test of Resolve=