Play: A Corner of Memory - Persona 4
Beginning Notes
Hello there. My name is Broncozfan623. Welcome to my story. I hope you will stay for the long run.
This is my first foray into the Persona fandom with my story, "Don't Lose Your Heart", a crossover between Personas 4 and 5 that takes place after the ending of the original Persona 5 (not Royal), albeit with some canon divergences. This story has been ongoing for the past month on Archives of Our Own, but I've finally decided to bring it to and potentially bring it to a new audience.
Before you begin, there are some important notes that you should know about before beginning.
1) Story takes place after the ending of the original release of Persona 5 in an alternate universe where the Metaverse does not disappear after the defeat of Yaldabaoth. For the sake of the alternate universe, the story of Persona 5 is set ten years after the events of Persona 4.
2) Story will be told from a third-person perspective.
3) The P4 and P5 protagonists will be referred to as Yu Narukami and Ren Amamiya, respectively.
4) Major Characters: Ren Amamiya/Akira Kurusu/Joker, Yu Narukami/Souji Seta (S), Morgana, Chie Satonaka (S), Yukiko Amagi (S), Yosuke Hanamura (S), Nanako Dojima, Ryotaro Dojima, The Phantom Thieves of Hearts, The Investigation Team (only mentioned), Igor, Margaret
4) Pairings: Yukiko Amagi/Chie Satonaka, Yosuke Hanamura/Yu Narukami, Ann Takamaki/Shiho Suzui (only mentioned)
5) Once caught up, updates will come first on Archives of Our Own.
Any other notes that I may have forgotten will be placed at beginning of future chapters.
Now, let us begin.
Don't Lose Your Heart
By Broncozfan623
Stop: A Corner of Memory - Persona 4
The day the fog finally disappeared from the town, it was like a weight had lifted from his and everyone else's shoulders. The killer was caught, the Shadows defeated, and the world saved. The stress of balancing everyday life with Persona fusions and dungeon crawling was finally done.
The months after seemed to blur together. It was a time of peace, of friendship, of (attempted) love.
Before he knew it, he was on the train out of Inaba again, back "home" to the big city. He knew from the beginning it didn't feel right…
Saving the world from a god with a group of your school friends and a bear would do that to anybody.
He knew that one day, he'd return to Inaba. Not just as a friendly visit, but as a permanent resident.
…
Well, years went by. High school finished. University came and went. Training at the academy at home would only help him be prepared for his return.
The day finally came...and the grandiose wasn't as he expected. His friends? Mostly gone, off into the world unknown to live their lives.
Some did stay and welcomed him with open arms. The heiress to the Amagi Inn and her feisty best friend remained and had taken their relationship to another level, while his old "summer fling" had inherited the manager position at the local Junes. He had tried once to advance their relationship, but it was not meant to last. Maybe things would be different this time.
The day he was introduced to the department by his uncle and former guardian was a breath of fresh air. A step into his new life.
From that day forward, detective Yu Narukami would do what he could to protect Inaba, his new and true home.
Just as he had done before, all those years ago.
…
…
…
It was another lonely summer night, the small patter of rain on the roof providing sound to the silence of his small home.
He sat on the couch, book in hand. He turned the lamp on next to him, sat back, and focused on the words on the pages.
Now were the times he cherished, where he could just sit and act like an everyday man, whatever that meant. Everyone has their own opinions on what that meant.
His book was enough to keep him busy for a good while, as the seconds continued to tick by.
…
Tick
Tick
Tick
Tick
Ding
Midnight
…
A new sound joined the rain and the clock.
TV static.
The new sound piqued his curiosity, as he looked up at the TV that rested on its media stand.
"Did I...turn that on…?"
He reached over and grabbed the remote, pressing the power button.
Nothing. The static remained.
His eyes widened. It couldn't be…
He placed his book and the remote down and walked over to investigate. He peered deep inside the pixels and the static, hoping to see anything…
…
The screen changed to a yellow outline, and a figure appeared…
He stumbled backward, landing on his rear, and crawling backward.
This couldn't be happening...how was it happening?
The channel was gone for all those years, why was it back?
…
The figure on the screen was not legible, but he could see the yellow eyes and the features…
It looked like...him…
Was this... his Shadow?
The figure grinned, and it spoke, "We...have reawoken…"
And then the screen shut off, leaving him to stare into a dark screen.
…
He didn't know what was happening, or why, but he did know one thing…
He and his friends would have to go back into the TV…
Her fingers tapped on the table as she stared at her phone screen.
Should she really do this? Was it necessary?
Surely, there were better options than to resort to...well, this.
If anyone found out that she was doing this, then it'd surely cause quite a stir…
…
A woman called out to her, "I'm heading to bed. You coming?"
She was snapped out of her daze and looked up, giving them a "Yeah, I'll be right up. Just give me a minute."
"Okay." The other woman said with a smile and slowly advanced up the stairs and out of sight.
She sighed, getting lost in her thoughts for a moment.
…
After a while, she went back to her phone screen.
"If I want things to change, this is the best way…"
So, she opened her browser and typed into the search bar.
Phantom Thieves website
She clicked the first result.
And there it was. The Phantom Aficionado Website. She read the top tagline.
"Need a change of heart in your life? Submit a request!"
There was a text box on a forum. This was where requests were submitted.
She couldn't believe she was about to do this…
But when she started typing, she couldn't find the strength to stop…
"Look at this one. It's...different."
"Oh yeah. They want us to...restore a heart? Is that even possible?"
"Hmm...interesting. Might as well give it a shot, right?"
The halls were silent, the ambiance of the Metaverse both enthralling and terrifying.
Shadows trotted around and about with no real pattern or purpose.
Play: Escape - Persona 5
Soon, the atmosphere seemed to change. The floor started to vibrate ever so slightly, the vibrations growing stronger by the second.
Before long, a van burst through the Shadows, plowing them down where they evaporated seconds later.
The van sped off into the halls of Mementos, the headlights illuminating the area.
Inside, the various Phantom Thieves spoke amongst themselves. Or really yelled amongst themselves.
Noir held onto her hat and the seat for dear life, "Whoa Mona, slow down! We're not in a rush!"
Mona responded, "But where's the fun in going slow?"
"Hell yeah, Mona! Keep gunnin' it!" Skull hopped up and yelled, a huge grin on his face.
Panther yelled back at him as she went to smack Skull on the back of the head, "Would you two knock it off?! The Shadows will hear you from the depths if you keep that up!"
"I believe that…" Fox managed to get out before they hit another bump that sent them sprawling "...the Shadows will be the least of our concerns at this rate."
…
Joker just held tight as they went over another bump, colliding with another Shadow.
This one, however, was still holding on to the van. It clutched the ears on top, earning a loud yell from Mona.
"HEY! GET THIS ONE OFF OF ME!"
…
Joker opened the door, looking back at Queen, who was doing her best to keep Morgana in check, "Keep it as steady as you can."
He clutched the grab handle hard and swung outside of the car, seeing the Shadow hanging on to Mona's ears.
With his free hand, he pulled out his pistol, trying his best to aim with the swerving vehicle he was clinging to.
BANG
The shot collided with the Shadow's "face", knocking it off and disintegrating it as they rode off.
Joker returned to the car, as Mona thanked him.
"Now then, let's keep looking for that target."
Stop: Escape - Persona 5
The target was at the end of the wall, near the swirling vortex. The figure was covered in darkness, but their shape was at least visible.
"There's our target...oh, it's that one, isn't it?"
"The heart restoration request."
"Yeah, that."
Joker turned back to them all, "We'll operate like we usually do. I'll take three, the rest stay behind just in case. Oracle, you know your job."
"Hehe…" was the only response he got.
"Who do you want with you this time?"
He gave it a second to think over, and then spoke again, "Skull, you're up."
Skull did a small fist-pump as he walked up and behind Joker, "Awesome. I won't let you down, leader."
"Queen, you too."
Queen bowed slightly, "I'll do what I can."
"And last but not least...Mona."
Mona transformed into his original form and ran over all excited, "You want me for this one? Awesome! I've been working on my moves in my free time."
Joker smirked, "You'd better put them to good use then."
Joker then turned back towards where their target was, "Now then...let's do this."
While the rest stayed behind, Joker, Skull, Queen, and Mona all moved towards the Shadow.
Play: Desire - Persona 5
"You actually came to see me, how charming of you."
The darkness around the Shadow dispersed, and their form finally showed. It was a tall, dark-haired woman with deep yellow eyes just like any other Shadow. She wore a long, pink kimono and carried a red folded fan in her hand.
"Of course we came! We're gonna change your- I mean, restore your heart... whatever the hell that means." Skull said, although he whispered that last part.
"Change my heart? But why? I haven't done a single thing wrong."
"If you hadn't done something, then you wouldn't be here right now. Spill the beans or we'll knock it out of ya!" Mona threatened the woman.
Joker remained silent as the Shadow and the team exchanged words. He had to admit, the request was extremely vague. It only provided a name and the request for the "restoration" of heart. Whether or not that was just another word for a change of heart they never were able to figure out. But the team agreed to check it out, per their policy.
Maybe asking its name would rile it up…
"Your name…"
The Shadow looked at him curiously.
"Your name...is Mrs. Yukiko Amagi. Am I right?"
The Shadow giggled lightly, "Guilty as charged. You're a lot smarter than your comrades over there."
"Hey, I'll remember that when we start this thing, lady!"
Joker glanced over at Skull before taking another step forward, "I'm not sure why we were requested to help you, but…the existence of your Shadow makes it obvious that distorted desires exist deep in your heart."
Joker continued as the Shadow's face changed, from a devilish grin to a scowl, "And those desires, whatever they may be, we simply cannot allow to exist any longer."
He then pulled out his gun and pointed it at the Shadow, "For as long as we act as the Phantom Thieves, we will take your heart!"
Amagi's Shadow huffed, "You can try."
Stop: Desire - Persona 5
Play: Keeper of Lust - Persona 5
Amagi's Shadow had unfolded the fan in her hand, as the group brandished their own weapons.
"Don't be so arrogant, children. You have no idea what I'm capable of…"
Oracle came in and spoke, "Weird, why didn't the Shadow transform?"
"Doesn't matter," she said, "Let's take it down and ta- restore her heart!"
…
Joker started things off. He reached up and grabbed his mask, pulling it off in a blaze of blue fire. "Come...Arsène!"
His Persona, Arsène, appeared behind him, floating into the air in a blaze of glory.
"Ravage them!" He yelled as Arsène swung his arm down. A pool of dark energy formed at the Shadow's feet before lifting into the air and hitting them, an evil face forming in the energy. While it did some damage, the Shadow stood tall.
Skull was up next. He ripped off his own mask, yelling out "Persona!" before his Persona, Captain Kidd, appeared behind him.
"Eat this!" He yelled, Captain Kidd firing lightning bolts out of his arm at the Shadow, all surrounding and striking her multiple times. However, she continued to stand.
Queen immediately called her Persona, Johanna, and continued the assault.
"Charge Johanna!" she yelled, revving the engine on the bike and riding in a quick circle. A large nuclear blast appeared at the Shadow's feet, hopefully blasting it away. It did not.
Now, it was Mona's turn. He, like the others, yelled, "Persona!" and summoned Zorro, his Persona.
"Show your might, Zorro!" he yelled out as Zorro twirled the wand in his hand. Large gusts of wind swallowed the Shadow, but she still remained when the wind cleared.
…
"Your powers are interesting. I'm almost impressed…" Shadow Amagi taunted them, "But it's not gonna be enough."
Joker didn't have time to react or think before she said, "I'll end this right here and now."
A card appeared in front of the Shadow and twirled down in front of her. With one swipe of her fan, she smashed the card and it cracked.
Immediately after, a figure appeared behind the Shadow, almost like…
"Wait a second…" Joker thought, "But that's…"
Before he could think or say anything else, pillars of fire appeared over him and the rest of the team, dealing heavy damage to the entire team.
…
Oracle came back again, "What was THAT?!"
Mona narrowed his eyes and examined the figure, which still remained, "Don't tell me...is that a Persona?!"
Shadow Amagi giggled, "You're finally starting to figure it out. Good job."
"But that's impossible!" Mona yelled, "A Persona user can't have a Shadow!"
Skull looked over at Joker, "What do we do?!"
Joker's mind was racing with confusion, anxiousness, fear, and all of the above. However, he composed himself enough to look back and say, "Keep at it! We can handle this! Mona, switch out with Fox and examine that Persona!"
Mona looked over and nodded before running out of the combat zone. Fox very quickly jumped in and took over.
"Oracle! What's the weakness?"
"I'll check it out...got it. It should be weak to Ice! Fox, go all in!"
"Roger!" Fox said before ripping off his mask and summoning Goemon, his Persona, "Strike them down!" he yelled as a pillar of ice appeared in front of the Shadow. It shattered, the shards raining down over the Shadow.
When the ice dispersed, the Shadow remained standing, seemingly unaffected by the blast.
Oracle yelled out "What?! How did that not down her? This isn't fair!"
"We can't down her and we can't do enough damage...this is worse than I thought…"
…
Shadow Amagi then repeated her last attack with the fire pillars, but did a lot worse this time. She knocked down Fox, who laid on his knees dizzy.
The Shadow then immediately followed by surrounding itself in a green glow. It had just healed itself.
"We're not doing enough damage, we can't down it, AND it can heal her?! What kind of Persona is that?!"
Mona interrupted Oracle's ranting, "I'm not one to normally quit on a mission, but I'd rather fight another day than watch you guys drop dead slowly."
He transformed into his car form behind them, where the rest of the group quickly got in, "We need to retreat! Get over here now!"
Joker winced at the thought of falling back, but given the circumstances Mona was right. He indicated with his head for the rest to fall back while he pulled out a smoke bomb.
"I told you you could try, but you just didn't listen." Shadow Amagi taunted him.
"Joker, come on!"
He lifted his arm up, but what the Shadow said next stunned him.
"Come find me in Inaba if you ever want a rematch...we'll be waiting for you…"
"What?" He said, but by that point, the Shadow was preparing to attack him again.
Joker quickly threw down the smoke bomb and ran back towards Mona and the others. He quickly got in, yelling, "Go, let's get out of here!"
The van quickly hopped through the vortex and away from the Shadow, which had already disappeared…
Stop: Keeper of Lust - Persona 5
As the party all talked about what they had seen, Joker remained silent.
The Shadow's parting words had stuck with him since they retreated.
What was in Inaba that they didn't know about?
"There's something bigger going on," he thought to himself, "Something much, much bigger…"
And so, there you have it. This is only the beginning.
The next chapter should be uploaded in a few days once it's properly formatted and edited. Here's hoping you stay along for the ride.
Thank you, and I hope to see you next time.
-Broncozfan623