Disclaimer: Atlus. Besides if I own Persona, I would make both genders playable and LGBT options available (๑̴̤̆ꈊ̴̤̆) and probably make a yaoi anime out of it.
This fic might contain strong language and some other horrific stuff that might trigger sone people so either proceed with caution, skip it (I'll put le'warning before it happens) or don't read. Also it's my first attempt to make a slightly dark fanfic so it might seem... Off at some part I guess?
Also the fact that I did beta'd this but there may still be some grammatical errors and this contains BL /Yaoi between the two FOOLS. One fool is sealed so he doesn't count ｡ﾟ(ﾟДﾟ)ﾟ｡ and the whole topic of masks. There will be a LOT of reference for that one topic. It's called Persona anyway xD
Other that, it's my first story, go easy on me T-T Now that I have said what I needed to say... should probably shut up and let you read. PEACE.ヽ・・ノ
(Ő‿Ő)(Ő‿Ő)
Amamiya Ren waited patiently in his interrogation room. His whole entire being was still quite light headed due to the drugs the cops gave him. How much did they injected? He was still a growing teenager. Considering the fact that the cops were quite brutal with him before, they'd probably gave him an adult dosage. Or more even.
An empty square of nothingness surrounded him. No clocks, no windows, nothing to indicate the time of day it was. A hanging lightbulb above his head was the only source of light he had in the godforsaken room. The blue filter it had just signified how empty the room was. A simple chair that he was sitting on, a table in front and another chair. But it had nothing on it.
He sat there, alone with his thoughts, or at least the remnants of his thoughts, as he tried to remember what happened before his capture. But all he could see were scattered memories that couldn't make sense whatsoever.
A talking cat who seemed to know how to infiltrate and sneak through security.
A spaceship. Since when did he go up to space?
A teacher maid. Wasn't that supposed to be illegal?
A group of friends, who all shared the same beliefs as he did.
A castle of a corrupted educator.
A bank. Did he rob the bank or was he just caught in the misfire?
And...
A cop who seemed to know more than what meets the eye.
...- I fail?
He heard a voice, a voice similar to himself. But more vulnerable. Weak. Feeble.
What if I fail to convince her? What if... What if I'll die? Everything will be wasted! My team, our beliefs, they're gonna fucking die! What the hell can I do then!? Nothing, cuz I'm fucking dead!
Wow, he mused to himself, I sound so desperate, but even then he couldn't find any other way to break reality. So how was he going to go back? Was he even going to escape alive? At that point, his hope was diminished into a small match. Not that he had a big one in the first place.
Calm yourself.
Ren gently rubbed the area between his eyes, surprised when he heard another voice, Who is it? He wondered to himself. A voice more calm and controlled. Experienced. Comforting
You're going to be alright. Believe in yourself. I know your teammates and I do.
A click of a door brought his attention forwards, a young woman in her late twenties sauntered into the room. A dull black suit was what she wore and a small chocolate colored suitcase was in her small, delicate hands. But what caught his attention was her hair. A cloud of silver. A hazed image of a man materialized inside Rens' thoughts. A soft smile was seen. But who was he?
No matter how bad the situation is, you can pull it through. Even if I'm not with you physicaly, I will be there for you.
"I never expected it to be you, Kurusu Akira," the woman said before her eyes locked onto Ren's own black orbs, "or should I say 'Amamiya Ren?' " she spited, her face devoid of emotion but her tone harsh and cold as ice.
The boy let out an empty laugh, somewhat, "It's been a while... Nījima Sae." Ren remarked back, his voice slightly playful as he recognized the woman even with his jumbled up memories.
B-but still... If I fail then everything we worked hard for...
"It would seem you're sober enough to recognize me," the woman said, walking over to him before she almost stepped on a glass object. Confusion crept onto her beautiful face, and she glared hard at the object when she saw it, mumbling a curse to the one who injected the poor boy.
She took a seat on the other side as she examined the boy in front of her. Dark, purple bruises covered the sides of his face. Dried out blood staining his clothes. Calloused, wounded hands trying to ease a headache. The kid has been through hell.
But you know. You know your limits. If not then how could you say yes to the plan in the first place? I know you can pull this off, you are you. And we will be right behind you, supporting you.
Sae placed the suitcase on the table, opening it with a soft click as she placed the first file in the middle, " Since you're up and about, I suggest you start answering the questions that I have, Amamiya," she started, eyes glaring holes into him, "but remember this: anything can happen here. I have no means to stop them, nor the time to. So either don't say anything and let it happen or speak."
You are held captive. A prisoner of fate to a future that has been sealed in advance.
"What do you need to know?" Was all he asked to her. Sae glanced over to the teen, trying to gather her thoughts as she had quite a few questions inside her mind. Too many to count. Never had she encountered a case like Amamiya Ren before.
She prepared the files before she started to fire her questions at him, "The reports have stated that you are a member of the Phantom Thieves. But my guess is that you are instead the ringleader for them. Is that true?"
Ren didn't say anything in particular, remaining to stay silent. But his silence was all the confirmation she needed, "I would be surprised if you're not the leader, to be honest. But the fact remains unanswered," her stern, amber eyes met his own cold, hazy charcol orbs, "what was your objective? Why did you do it? Why cuse a major incident like this? When did you discover that 'world' you speak of? And how, exactly, do you steal the 'hearts' of people you've targeted?" She began.
This is truly an unjust game. Your chance of winning is almost none.
The boy wasn't fazed by her at all. In fact, he sort of anticipated it. She continued her questioning, "I didn't think it was an innocent little prank, but I can't assemble a case for prosecution due to the unknown method you're using. So start talking, right from the very beginning," she demanded.
But even with her threats, he was still worried about the teammates he had left behind, "The others," he started, "they escaped?"
But if my voice is reaching you, there may yet another posibility open for you.
The woman looked at the boy, her face still void of emotion, "Yes, they did. I suspect you have something to do with it. A decoy for them to escape." She remarked. Ren gave out an empty chuckle, but felt like a proud father when he heard the statement.
"They're good people," he started, "worthy to be called phantoms." And he was quite proud of the team he trained.
I beg of you. Please overcome this game and save the world.
Sae narrowed her eyes at him, scribbling on a few notes she prepared with her, "Cocky, even in this situation." She commented before crossing her arms over her breast, "Now start speaking."
Ren closed his eyes, refocusing his mind to think back. The day he first started his journey. All he could remember was a warm and gentle voice, encouraging him.
Remember them well, Joker-kun.
And so he spoke.